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was a bratty little girl in a grown female’s body and that she didn’t understand she’d come between me and my mate, which was considered one of the worst crimes of our pack. Mates were tied together and being without one another often led to madness and death for both of them. Any effort to separate marked mates was forbidden.
    Seeing the slip in my control, Brittany finally did the smart thing. Her struggles ceased immediately and she lowered her gaze to my chin, whimpering softly.
    “Have you lost your fucking mind?” My voice was so low it was barely human. “Who do you think you are to question your beta?”
    Brittany didn’t respond, merely stood perfectly still in my grip.
    “Answer me!”
    “I’m s-s-sorry,” she stuttered. “I meant no offense.”
    I scoffed. “Bullshit. Your intent was malicious and we both know it. I’ve cut you slack in the past because you’re young, but that’s at an end. In the eyes of pack law, you are fully grown now. I would be within my rights to take you before Lachlan and demand punishment for what you’ve just done.”
    Her face paled as her eyes flew up to mine. I was glad to see the seriousness of her predicament was finally sinking in, because the punishment for insolent behavior to a dominant pack member was typically harsh. If I threw in that she had caused trouble between mates, it would be even more severe. I kept that little bit of information to myself. Brittany obviously wanted to undermine my authority and knowing that I mated with a human would give her enormous ammunition. I had to tread carefully until I had Ricki fully under my protection.
    Tears filled her eyes. “Please,” she begged.
    I released some of my anger and felt my face and teeth return to their human appearance. “Consider this your one and only warning. Any more problems and you won’t like the consequences, I promise.”
    She nodded.
    I released her neck. Though I’d held her firmly, I’d been careful not to hurt her so not a single red mark marred her skin. I had wanted her full attention and to emphasize the fact that I was in charge. “Go.” She started to scurry away. “Wait.” Brittany froze and I could see fear in every line of her body. “I think it’s best if you stay away from me for a few days. Understood?”
    “Understood,” she responded softly.
    “Good. Go now.”
    I scowled as she darted out of the alley and out of sight. Her attempts to challenge me had grown bolder. Perhaps it was time I called a meeting with Lachlan and her father. I didn’t want to tell George Hayes that his perfect little princess was a scheming bitch, but to continue to tolerate her attitude would make me look weak in front of the pack. If he couldn’t get her under control, I would do as I threatened and hand her over to Lach for punishment, which could range from being refused entrance to functions for an extended period of time, caning, expulsion from the pack, or even death. The severity of the punishment depended on the crime.
    Shaking my head, I put Brittany Hayes out of my mind and pulled my cell phone from my pocket. After Ricki left me at the party last night, I asked Conner for her number. He refused to give it to me unless Donna agreed. That conversation had been uncomfortable. Ricki had shared what happened last weekend with Donna and, needless to say, she was extremely unhappy with me.
    As a recently turned vampire, she didn’t know much more about shifters than Ricki, but her attitude changed drastically when I explained exactly what was going on. If only I’d been as articulate when I tried to tell Ricki the same things, this mess could have been avoided.
    I called Ricki, hoping she would answer the phone since she wouldn’t know it was me. The phone rang multiple times before finally going to voicemail. As I listened to her recorded greeting, I gritted my teeth.
    After the tone sounded, I said, “Ricki, it’s Calder.” I had no idea what to say, so I went with