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S. K. Yule
He thought he’d been finished, but obviously, he’d bitten himself in his own ass on this one. His incapability, rather his unwillingness, to be more open with the others gave them reservations about him. He was certain they trusted him, knew he’d never go rogue again, but he was no fool. To truly be part of a pack was not just a physical commitment. It was an emotional commitment as well. No, they didn’t expect him to pour his heart out to everyone, but he understood that he should be comfortable with communication. He was also aware that it was a bit peculiar for a lycan to shy away from group get-togethers.
Lycans naturally thrived in packs, and for one to be a loner was not the norm. It happened. It didn’t make him a freak of nature—although sometimes he felt that way—but he got that he at least needed to be able to view group gatherings such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and meetings without feeling as if he were going to be sick. He liked everyone just fine, but his past had taught him to keep a distance from people, especially groups. He either had to find a way to get over his insecurities or forget about a life with Melony.
Forgetting about Melony wasn’t going to happen, but how was he going to figure out how to get over his aversion to groups? He growled and punched the next tree he passed hard enough to shake it and send pain up his arm.
“Hey, Lorent?”
Lorent spun around to find Reid and Reilly Shelton smiling at him. The two were twins and nearly impossible to tell apart by looks. Fortunately, even though identical on the outside, each carried his own unique scent. Also, Reilly was a bit thinner built than Reid’s bodybuilder physique, not that Reilly was lacking any in the muscle area. Both had short dark auburn hair and green eyes that always held a spark of mischief as if they were up to something, and they usually were.
“Hi.” Lorent frowned. “What are you two doing on this side of Sanctuary?”
“Whoa. We’re legit.” Reid held up his hands in mock surrender.
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“Yeah, Brent asked us to bring some of the Christmas decorations over that were stored in one of the sheds by our cabins.” Reilly glared at Lorent as if challenging him to question their explanation.
Reid and Reilly were only a couple years younger than him, but those couple of years said a lot for maturity. Lorent liked Reid and Reilly just fine, felt them to be genuine in their wishes to reform, but both were troublemakers. Not so much in an unkind, dangerous way, but in a punk-ass-need-a-kick-in-the-shorts sort of way. They were what he thought having two younger siblings might be like. Overall good kids, but obnoxious pains—
always showing up at the wrong time and wrong place. Kind of like right now.
“I wasn’t questioning your legitimacy, only wondering what you were up to.” Lorent had no reason to doubt them.
“But since we ran into you, maybe you’d like to help us with a project.”
Reid’s lips turned up in a devilish grin.
Lorent was sure he wasn’t going to like what they had planned, much less want be a part of it. He sighed, thankful that at least their appearance had taken his mind off of his turmoil over Melony, even if only for a few moments.
“What project might that be?”
Reid glanced at Reilly and nodded before they both stepped closer. Both leaned in before Reilly started talking in a low voice.
“You see, we thought that it might be funny to pull a prank on Brent,
’cause, you know, he’s always on our ass and all. I mean, don’t get us wrong, we like the guy. We just wanted to put one over on him.”
“What is it that you two are planning?” Lorent frowned.
Reid filled Lorent in on their plan, and while Lorent found it childish, doubted it would work, it was completely harmless. He also didn’t want to be any part of it. He wouldn’t do anything that might jeopardize him finishing his training. He wished the two luck—they’d need lots of it—and they disappeared into the woods.
He grinned while thinking about how funny it would be if they actually managed to pull it off, and nearly chuckled when he thought about how 61
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entertaining it would be to watch Brent kick their asses if they got one over on him. Brent was a great guy. Lorent trusted him to be fair, as he did Anthony, Knox, Raze, and Piers. No major repercussions would befall Reid or Reilly, and he was certain Brent would be a good sport—after he knocked their two skulls together.
Lorent went deeper into the forest and made his way toward his secret place. At least it was secret so far, as he’d never smelled another lycan’s presence in it. Of course, that could change at any time.
The forest was for anyone’s use at Sanctuary, but for now, it was his. The darkening sky cast deep shadows over the ground as he picked his way through the brush, thick even though nearly stripped clean of its leaves by fall. Finally, he stepped through to a clearing with a small pool that was fed from the stream that ran through most of the grounds.
The rising moon reflected off the pool’s surface, and he breathed deep.
He’d found this place a few months after he’d arrived at Sanctuary and came here often to read, be alone, or just think.
Sometimes he bathed in
