Read Dual Embrace: 3 (Shadowpeak Wolves) for Free Online Page B

they had to assimilate in order to show humans that they were no threat to them.
    “Cassie’s so fragile, so breakable. If she was a werewolf, she’d be harder to hurt. She wouldn’t be here, fighting for her life.”
    It was impossible. For Jay even to consider this, Dusty knew that he really thought there was no hope Cassie would live.
    “Jay, even if I could allow it, Cassie isn’t strong enough to risk it.” Cooper’s face was solemn as he spoke. “She wouldn’t survive.”
    Rye stood and walked toward him. “I know you’re worried, Jay, but you’re not thinking—”
    Jay glared at his oldest brother. “You never wanted her here!” he yelled. “You’d probably be happy if she died!” He turned back to the window. Rye stared at his back, his face impassive but his shoulders tightened.
    Laney stood, but Cooper caught her arm with his hand.
    “Leave him be.”
    “But—”
    Cooper shook his head, pulling the petite blonde into his arms as tears ran down her face.
    Dusty glanced around the room, seeing the pain and worry she felt reflected on everyone’s faces. Cassie had come to mean something to them. All of them.
    Her gaze landed on Samantha and she frowned. What was she doing here? Samantha wasn’t close to Cassie. The petite brunette sat beside her mate, Jesse, who was an enforcer and good friends with Jay. Jesse and Dusty had been close once. But when he’d mated Samantha they’d drifted apart. Dusty had never liked Samantha and knew the feeling was mutual despite Samantha’s gushing niceness to her face.
    A small grin crossed Samantha’s face as she stared at Laney, gone again so quickly that Dusty wondered if she’d imagined it. She must have, because why would Samantha be happy about Laney’s pain?
    A doctor entered the room and everyone turned to look at him. Instantly Samantha’s expression morphed into one of concern. What the hell was she up to? Dusty shook her head. She didn’t have time or energy to worry over Samantha.
    “Mr. Chance?”
    “Yes?” Jay turned.
    “Perhaps we could talk privately?”
    “Everyone here is family. Is she going to be all right?”
    Cain stood and moved to Jay’s side.
    The doctor hesitated before shaking his head. “I’ll be honest, her injuries are quite severe. I’m very sorry, sir.”
    Jay stood still for a moment, his hands clenched at his sides. Then he threw his head back and howled. His roar shook the room with its intensity. To his credit, the doctor stood his ground, frowning.
    “Sir, I know you’re upset…”
    The rest of his words faded as Dusty’s attention was caught by the man entering the room. Looking relaxed and only mildly interested, he gazed around. Dusty cursed softly under her breath.
    Blond hair glistened under the harsh hospital lights as he walked up to Jay, staring at him as though he were a sideshow in the carnival. No one in the room even spared him a glance. She gulped.
    “It can’t be healthy for the other patients, having to listen to that,” he commented, strolling over to her side.
    “He just heard that his mate is severely injured, probably dying. Have some compassion!” Her voice was barely a whisper, even so she got a couple of looks from the packmates closest to her. It was obvious none of them could see him.
    Shit.
    He gazed at her, raising his eyebrows in clear surprise. “Don’t worry. She is not going to die.”
    Dusty bit her lip to stop herself from questioning him as he moved around the room, inspecting everyone. Cain strode back and sat beside her, taking her hand. Immediately her palm melted into his. She should pull back. But it felt so right, having him close. A slow, simmering burn suffused her skin, lighting her nerve endings.
    Jay continued to argue with the doctor. The poor man looked suitably alarmed but was doing his best to explain the situation.
    “Dusty, I’m going to take you home,” Cain insisted.
    “Were you hurt, hellcat?” Blue eyes turned black as Algernon turned back