Page 47 of Sawyer
“So,” he said, his tone lightening, “you never did tell me what you were like growing up. Were you always this serious?”
I chuckled, the tension easing out of my shoulders.
“I guess I had to be, especially after Ryder took over. But before that… yeah, I had my moments of goofing around. Cooper and I used to get into all kinds of trouble as kids,” I said.
“Really? You, trouble? I find that hard to believe,” Casey teased, a playful glint in his eyes.
“Oh, trust me. We’d sneak out at night, shift, and race through the woods, trying to see who could catch the biggest rabbit or who could run the fastest. Cooper usually won, but I held my own.”
I grinned at the memory, feeling a pang of nostalgia for those simpler times.
Casey laughed, the sound warm and infectious.
“I would’ve loved to see that. You, chasing after rabbits,” Casey said.
“Hey, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” I said, pretending to be offended. “It’s tougher than it sounds.”
He shook his head, still chuckling. “I’ll take your word for it.”
As we prepared to leave the restaurant, a commotion outside on the sidewalk caught my attention.
I looked out the window and saw Garth, arguing and stabbing his fingers at a frightened-looking human.
Casey followed my gaze and blurted, “Aaron!”
Just as I was about to decide whether to break up the argument, not wanting things to escalate, Griffin arrived.
He tried to intervene, but Garth shoved him hard in the chest, eliciting a growl from Griffin.
“This is bad, isn’t it?” Casey asked, his voice tinged with worry.
“Stay here,” I told Casey, my tone firm. “Watch Benny for me.”
I rushed out of the restaurant toward Garth, Aaron, and Griffin, my leg screaming in protest.
Not the time for this, I thought in irritation.
I heard footsteps behind me, followed by Casey’s unmistakable scent and Benny’s familiar barking.
I should’ve known Casey wouldn’t just sit tight when someone he knew was in trouble.
At the very least, I trusted Casey to keep his distance. To my dismay, the situation had escalated quickly.
Aaron looked pale, cornered, and momentarily forgotten while Garth and Griffin started throwing punches.
I knew it wouldn’t be long before they shifted and started tearing into each other with fangs and claws.
I pushed through the small crowd that had gathered and pried them apart, using every ounce of strength I had.
“What’s going on here?” I demanded, glaring at Garth.
“He started it,” Griffin spat, his chest heaving with anger.
“I know,” I said, not taking my eyes off Garth. “Garth, why are you harassing Aaron?”
“Did you know about this town meeting where these humans have the nerve to talk shit about the pack?” Garth demanded, his yellow gaze locked onto mine.
He sneered when he looked over my shoulder and spotted Casey and Benny.