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.Mattyhanded over the take-out bag with steak that he'dordered and went to draw a glass of beer for the guy atthe other end of the bar who'd been drinking steadilysince noon.Marked - 151One of the few patrons got up from the tables on theother side of the dance floor and slowly made his wayover.He was only a few feet away before Barkerrecognized him.Harry Bongard.Harry was an old friendand newly appointed Elder.He hadn't talked to the manin.long enough it made Barker nervous that Harry wasseeking him out now.He tried to hide his worry."James Barker."He nodded."Harry.Congratulations on becoming anElder.""Thanks.I wish I could say this was a social visit, butI'm actually here.well, not on Clan business per se."Barker's eyes narrowed."What does that mean?""Rumor has it Cody Donner is back.""So what if he is?"Harry's eyes narrowed at his tone."He's Outcast.""He's not hurting anyone.""Rumor has it his eyes don't glow anymore.""Rumor's busy having it, it seems." Barker kept it light,willed his heart to keep steady and not beat like arunaway train.He didn't want Harry smelling anythingon him."Rumor always does." Harry shrugged casually."Someone claims they saw a wolf a week or two ago."Marked - 152"In the city? In our city? That doesn't seem right.Musthave been a big dog.""Maybe." Harry's eyes narrowed; he wasn't so casualanymore, the tension clear in the way he was standing."I'd be worried, though, if I knew a wolf who couldn'tchange and then suddenly did change, only not on thefull moon.I'd be worried about that wolf.About whatmight happen to him if the Elders of the City got a holdof him.I mean something like that, we'd want to inspectit, dissect it to see what went so wrong."Barker tried not to react, but shit.They knew.TheElders knew and they wanted to tear Cody apart to findout what made him different."Are you threatening me?"Make Harry think he was worried about himself, pretendhe didn't have a clue what else the Elder could mean."It's more of a warning, really.I don't think you shouldspend the full moon in the city.It's not a good time forstrange wolves to be here." Harry's eyes were hard, butBarker thought he saw a hint of pity in them, lurkingsomewhere in the back."I usually leave town for the change.""Good.Good.That would be for the best." Harry pattedhis arm and then turned and walked out, not lookingback once.Marked - 153Chapter ElevenThe moon was coming.He hadn't been able toremember how to shift for the last day.Well, he'd behonest, he was happier wolfed out -- the world waseasier, quieter, more reasonable.So maybe he hadn'ttried hard, but still he had tried.He could feel Barker getting closer, could hear Barkerin his head.Not talking to him, more.happy to beclose.He'd gotten the truck gassed up, picked upgroceries after work.They were going out to Barker'sgrandfather's for the full moon.Cody hopped up on the window, looked out over thecity.He wanted to go, to run.His tail wagged, hard.The door opened and closed."Hey, mate.I'm home.AndI have fresh meat."He bounded over.Mate!"Hey." Barker dropped down and started petting andscritching.Cody licked and lapped, welcoming Barker home, tailpounding.Barker rolled with him, and it was almost asgood as having his mate as a wolf.Love you.Smell so good! His thoughts tumbled fromhim.Barker gasped and buried his face in Cody's neck,rubbing against his fur.Oh, mate.Marked - 154He panted, nuzzling, so happy."You ready to go, mate? If we leave now, we'll be therebefore the moon comes." Barker sounded in a hurry.Hismate wanted to run with him!He nodded, panted."You should eat first.I bought you meat." Barkergrabbed the bag he'd left by the door and pulled out apackage of steak.His mouth started watering and he bounced.Smellsgood!"Nice and fresh.Not as fresh as what we'll get up at thecabin, but it'll do." Barker got the steak out of the stupidplastic and put it on the floor for him.He snapped the steak up, leaving the best part for hismate.Barker kissed the top of his head."Go for it, mate.I hadsomething on the way home.Raw meat won't be on mydiet until the moon comes up."He nosed the piece over.You're sure, love? It's so good.Barker rubbed a hand over his head, tugged on his ruff."I'm sure, mate.Tonight we'll bring down somethinggood, fatten ourselves up for the full moon nights."His head bobbed and he snapped the bite up.So good.Laughing, Barker lounged on the ground while he ate.Marked - 155"You feel like a little fun before the drive?"He chuffed softly, headbutting his lover.Of course hedid."Cool.Let's see who can hit the bed first!" Barkerhauled himself up and ran for the big bed.Cody waited, then leaped, legs driving him.Barker went down with an "oof," rolling beneath him [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]