Growl (Winter Pass Wolves Book 2) by Vivian Wood, Amelie Hunt Page A

you got laid?”
    Chase favored her with an unamused glance.
    “You’re riding with me,” he said, then turned to Pax. “Can you hitch a ride with Harlan and Penny?”
    Pax’s gaze narrowed, but after a moment he nodded.
    “See you back at the lodge,” he told Brooke, giving her hip a gentle caress. “I moved some of my stuff into the main lodge, so I’m staying right in the room right below yours.”
    Brooke nodded, not sure what to make of that. Chase rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist, dragging her out of the bar to his SUV.
    “What is your deal right now?” Brooke asked, scowling at her brother as he made sure she was safely in the car, then closed her door and walked around to climb in the drivers seat.
    “My deal is that I feel like you’re toying with Pax, B.” Chase guided the SUV out of the parking lot, his expression stormy.
    “What?” Brooke asked, perplexed.
    “This whole, want me, don’t want me thing you were doing tonight,” he muttered. “It’s unkind.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Brooke said, crossing her arms.
    “Put your damn seatbelt on,” Chase said, shaking his head. He pulled onto a winding two-lane road, taking the long way home. Harlan must have taken the faster route, because there was not another car to be seen, just quiet, hilly darkness for miles.
    Brooke tried not to pout as she fastened her belt.
    “Maybe you should just stay out of it,” she said. “Ever thought of that?”
    Chase pulled the car over onto the shoulder, stopping abruptly. He turned to stare at Brooke, angrier than she’d seen him since their parents’ funeral.
    “You have no idea, do you?” he said, his eyes flashing. “Pax loves you, Brooke. When you dumped him, I didn’t say anything to you because it’s your decision, your right. But I had to sit with him every day, watch him be miserable. For years, Brooke. It’s not like he rebounded, went to some strip clubs and then found a new girlfriend. He never replaced you, ever.”
    Brooke’s mouth opened and closed, but she was at a complete loss.
    “I.. I didn’t know,” she said at last.
    “Yeah, well. I’m telling you. He mourned you, B. You finally got the balls to spill all these secrets you’ve been keeping, about Mom and Dad and Travis. Pax rolled with the punches, forgave you for breaking his fucking heart. And now you have the guts to treat him like some lost puppy?”
    “I don’t think that,” Brooke said, frowning.
    “Well, that’s how you’re acting. You’re back in my life, which I appreciate. I love you, I want you around. But Winter Pass is my home, and Pax’s. It’s the only place we can be safe. There are people out there that hunt and skin werewolves, you know.”
    Brooke flushed at that.
    “No,” she said softly. “I didn’t know.”
    “Open your eyes, B. Pax is dealing with a lot of shit, just like you are. So the question is, are you going to grow up and stand with him, or are you going to torture him forever?”
    “I literally left my fiance four days ago,” Brooke said. “I am just trying to get my head straight before I jump into things with Pax. I was trying to be fair.”
    “Well, you’re doing the opposite. If you love him, be with him. If you don’t, leave him alone. That’s all I’m saying.”
    With that pronouncement, Chase threw the car in gear again and pulled out onto the road. Silence reigned, and Brooke stared out into the darkness, mulling over her brother’s words.
    He was right. Brooke had only meant to get a little space, but Pax deserved to know what was in her heart. She loved him every bit as much ever. At the end of their first date, when Pax walked her up to the front porch of the lodge, he’d looked down into her eyes and kissed her.
    She’d known, right then. Just like she knew now.
    When Chase pulled up outside the main lodge, Brooke turned to look at him.
    “Thanks,” was all she said, but she knew Chase understood. He nodded, seeing her to