Fourth Hope by Clare Atling Page A

guys so much.’ Hope reached over and squeezed Maggie’s hand. ‘I mean, what if you never came to the island and opened a bakery? I wouldn’t have anywhere to go when I needed my sweet fix.’ She smiled at Callie.
    ‘ We are always here for you, Hope,’ replied Callie. ‘Never doubt that. Plus, baking cakes is just a bonus for times like these.’ She tucked into the slice Sarah had just put in front of her. There was no more talking as the girls sat eating the delicious chocolate treat.

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    ‘Another shot, please.’ Colt slammed the glass down on the counter. He was more pissed than he could ever remember and, since getting off the island was a no go at the moment, he was resigned to drowning his sorrows. As a wolf, he burnt off the alcohol quicker than humans did, which was fine with him because it meant he could drink all the more.
    ‘ I don’t know, man. I think you’ve had enough.’ The young wolf behind the counter was looking at him as if he wanted to make a run for it.
    ‘ I said another one, god damn it! You fucking people have such high standards. Just give me the bottle and fuck off.’ Colt slammed his fist down on the counter, but the boy was looking behind him now. Colt caught the scent of the alpha wolf, his hands already turning into claws, ready to fight.
    ‘ It’s okay, Rafe,’ said Seth calmly. ‘Give him another and pour one for us as well.’ He took the seat next to Colt at the bar. Brandon sat the other side, while Logan sat beside Seth. They were all looking at him.
    ‘ What the fuck do you all want?’ hissed Colt.
    ‘ Well, for starters, how the hell did you get out of your cell?’ Seth didn’t look too concerned. But then, Colt realised that, on an island full of wolves that would jump to the alpha’s protection, he would never win a fight against him here. ‘Plus, I want to know why the fuck you sent my sister off in tears.’ Colt felt his heart squeeze at the thought of Hope crying.
    ‘ None of your fucking business.’ He didn’t want to sit here discussing how he had fucked up with Hope.
    ‘ Wrong.’ Logan stood, scraping the chair behind him. Even for a wolf, Colt was big, but Logan towered over him. ‘My mate, your sister, left me to go and find Hope after she ran off. That makes it my business. Plus, if Dad’s right and you’re her mate, then you need to get used to all the family interference because we will never, ever let you hurt Hope.’ Logan was still standing, making it perfectly clear that any wrong turn and he would come after Colt.
    ‘ Right, because it’s all my fault. Your sister fucks your best friend, but that’s okay. But find out her mate’s related to a homicidal maniac and it’s all my fucking fault.’ Colt snorted and downed his next drink.
    ‘ Firstly, don’t talk about Hope like that. She is still our baby sister. Secondly, who are you talking about?’ Logan looked confused.
    ‘ Ask your friend Alex. Seems those two have an agreement between them when she’s not spreading her legs for me…’ Colt felt the hands on his shoulders as Logan dragged him from his chair and threw him across the room. He smashed against the wall and slumped to the floor. Shit, he must be more drunk than he thought. He saw Logan coming for him with a pissed look on his face. Well, it was his fucking family that had started all this.
    ‘ Don’t you ever talk about Hope like that,’ hissed Logan. ‘I’m going to let that one slide – and, believe me, we will be speaking to Alex about what you said. But Hope would never cheat on you, ever. You don’t think we see the way she’s changed since you’ve been on the island? She’s like Brandon all the fucking time. Smiling like a lovesick puppy.’ Brandon walked up next to Logan.
    ‘ Fuck off, Logan. Like you’re any better.’ Brandon shoved Logan out of the way and reached a hand to help Colt up. Colt looked at the proffered hand with distrust, but then reached out and took