The Chase Is On (Pack Everhart Book 1)
The Chase is On
PACK EVERHART BOOK 1
Brooke Warren
This book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the author, as allowed under terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be direct infringement of the author's rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly
Copyright © 2020, 2018 Brooke Warren
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover design by: Glass Crocodile Covers
Edited by: Precision Red Pen
This book is a medium-burn reverse harem and is intended for those aged 18+. The contents inside contain sexually explicit scenes and adult language, which may be considered offensive to some readers. This book also contains scenes which may be triggering for some readers.
You have been warned.
Welcome to the party.
The chase is about to begin.
#WhyChoose
My name is Claudia, but it wasn’t always. Eleven years ago, my life changed. My best friend became my number one fear, and I knew staying was not an option.
After ten years of being on the run, it looks like he has forgotten about me. No longer do I feel like I to need hide and for the first time in years, I am trying to live a normal life.
I was wrong though, so very wrong. My past has found me, and the lies I wove to protect myself have started to unravel.
I’m now faced with the same choices I had all those years ago. Do I stay to fight the past that haunts me; or do I run again, because running is what I’m good at?
The countdown has started. My window of opportunity is closing fast.
Children in Paradise – I Want You to Want Me
Asking Alexandria – Alone in a Room
The Word Alive - Misery
T-Pain – Bartender
Backstreet Boys - Chances
Komodo – (I just) Died In Your Arms Tonight
Cassidy – Hotel
I See Stars – Running with Scissors
Zella Day – Hypnotic
Camila Cabello – OMG
Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out
Gym Class Heros – cookie jar
Lily Allen – Fuck You
Neon Hitch – Fuck U Betta
Like A Storm – Love the Way You Hate Me
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also By The Author
Rhayven
“What do you want me to say?”
I stare into Kylan’s light brown eyes, frustrated that we’re having this conversation again. “For the hundredth time, Bryce doesn’t have feelings for me.”
Kylan paces, running his hands through his sandy brown hair. He sighs. “I hate it when you defend him. We’re supposed to be a team.” He throws his hands in the air, defeat spreading over his face. “Look, I love you so much—you know that. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m not trying to be a dick, but I’m tired of dealing with his shit.”
I hate that Bryce seems to be all we talk about lately. The strain hasn’t been good for our relationship. To be honest, I’ve sometimes found myself wondering if we have an expiration date. But hearing him say that he loves me, that he still sees me in his future, helps quiet those insecurities.
“I’ll talk with him again. Promise.” I wrap my arms around Kylan’s waist, laying my head against his chest. “I’m sorry we’re dealing with this mess.”
When he doesn’t respond or reciprocate the embrace, I tilt my head up. His nostrils are flared and the cords in his neck are bulging. When he glances down at me, I watch the glow in his eyes brighten, his primal side creeping to the surface.
“If he wasn’t the Alpha’s son, I would’ve beaten his ass already, that fucking prick. Not only are my hands tied by rank, but he’s your best friend. I know you don’t believe me and it’s hard for you to see, but he’s trying to split us up.”
He’s right; it’s hard for me to see because I don’t think of Bryce in a romantic way. Though he sometimes gripes about how much time I spend with Kylan, Bryce has never said anything to indicate he has feelings for me.
However, at the end of the day, Kylan is my boyfriend. I should have his back.
“I’ll see if he can meet with me this week. Until then, how about we drop this Bryce subject?” I lift to my toes and place a kiss on his lips. The answering rumble in Kylan’s chest sparks to life a gnawing need in my lower belly. He leans into me, hovering close to my mouth. My eyes dip to his lips, but I don’t close the distance between us. With a low, quick bark, my wolf lets me know she agrees with this strategy—we want to toy with him for a bit.
I pull out of his embrace and make my way to the door. “Okay, great talk. How about we do this again? Same time, same place, tomorrow?”
Before my hand reaches the doorknob, arms ensnare my waist. I smirk when he pulls my back flush to his hard chest. The more I squirm, the harder his fingers dig into my hips. He grabs one of my wrists while walking us forward a step. I brace my free hand on the door at the same time he lifts and places my other one beside it, caging me in from behind.
Goosebumps break out over my skin at the caress of his warm breath near my ear. “Where do you think you’re going?” he growls. The sultry drop in his tone has me biting my lower lip to keep from whimpering. He pushes me another step forward, my chest now pressed against the door, his entire body covering me. My heart flutters, and this time, I don’t hold back my moan.
“You’re mine. Always.”
The finality with which he claims me has my thighs pressing together. He spins me around and picks me up by the waist. My legs wrap around his waist automatically as I drop my forehead to his and breathe in his spicy scent.
“I’m yours. Always,” I recite breathlessly. He claims my mouth and carries me over to the bed, easing me down on the sheets.
His lips and hands leave searing trails all over my body. Every inch of skin he touches reminds me that we are meant to be together—until our final days.
The cool night breeze rustles through the trees like a chorus of secret whisp
ers.
Nighttime is the loveliest time to go for a stroll through the woods. There’s something about the eerie quiet, yet tranquil atmosphere that eases my mind.
After much convincing, Bryce agreed to see me tonight, under one condition—we have to meet at our spot by the pond in the woods, where we played together as kids. I found it an odd request, but a small sacrifice to make to figure out this mess.
I feel caught in the center of a messed-up battle for dominance; I’m in love with one man and best friends with another, and both are fighting for my time.
Why can’t we all just get along?
I hate being torn in two directions. It’s left all of us unhappy to some degree.
Pulling myself out of my thoughts, I notice I’ve almost reached the pond. Uneasiness has my stomach rolling, though I don’t know why. I’m not the only one who’s affected; my wolf is alert, letting me know with a subtle push against my barriers that she’s keeping a close eye on our surroundings.
It’s just Bryce, I tell myself.
Even though we live in the same house, I’ve barely seen him this week. The times I have, our interactions have been awkward. He seemed on edge—more than usual—but I figured his over-the-top asshole attitude was the result of a recent break-up with his girlfriend. Every time I’ve tried talking to him lately, he shuts down.
Stepping into the clearing, I head left, skirting the edge of the pond. I smelled him long before I saw him. Bryce is sitting on a large rock, his platinum-blond hair shining like stars under the glow of the moonlight. He gives me a small smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Hey.” I try sounding upbeat in hopes that it will mask the wariness inside.
He sighs. “Hi.”
“So, thanks for agreeing to . . .”
“Just say what you need to so we can get this over with.” His hard tone has me shifting on my feet as my wolf perks up.
“I heard about you and Kellie. I’m sorry.”
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t. She was just a way to pass the time. Look,” he hops down, “I’ve got shit to do, so get on with it.”
I feel my eyes widen, confusion and irritation building within me. He’s never talked to me like this. This isn’t the Bryce I know. My wolf stirs, pushing against my boundaries, confirming that something is off. Nevertheless, I brush off his attitude because he must still be hurting from his recent break-up.
“Fine.” I take a couple of deep, calming breaths. “I’m tired of being stuck in the middle of your pissing contest with Kylan.”
He tucks his hands in his pockets and takes a step closer to me. “He doesn’t deserve you, and you know that.”
I purse my lips at his ludicrous response. “That makes no sense. He’s good to me, and he makes me happy.”
He scoffs as if I’m the unreasonable idiot here. “It makes perfect sense; you’re just too fucking blind to see it. Besides, you haven’t once considered how I feel about this, have you?”
I blink. What? “Let me get this straight: I should’ve consulted you first before I got with Kylan? Do you hear yourself?”
“I can hear just fine.”
I shake my head. “You’re my best friend—the closest thing I have to a brother—so I appreciate your concern. But this is my life.”
“See, that’s the problem right there. You’re not getting it.”
I throw my hands in the air because I have no idea what he’s on about anymore. “Then stop beating around the bush. Tell me why our relationship bothers you so much.”
Kylan’s claim that Bryce has feelings for me rings in my mind. That can’t be it, can it? Even so, he has no right to treat us like he has been.
He narrows his eyes. The scent of his anger pervades the air between us; it’s overpowering, forcing me to breathe through my mouth. There’s a cold glint in his eyes, one I’ve never seen before. A shudder of warning runs down my spine just as the snap of my wolf’s jaws sends a second tremble down my body.
There’s no missing the tick in his jaw. He tilts his head, studying me like he’s carefully picking his words, choosing ones that will have the most impact. I brace myself because Bryce is known for his verbal lashings. I’ve never been on the receiving end, but something tells me I’m about to be.
“You don’t get to demand answers from me, especially when it’s clear you don’t give a shit about me.”
I flinch at his seething words. He couldn’t be more wrong. It hurts that he feels that way. “I do care, otherwise I wouldn’t be standing here, asking you why you keep treating Kylan like crap and degrading our relationship. Just say it already. Tell me what I’ve done to hurt you so much.”
He pauses. “You asked for it. Remember that.” He runs his tongue across his teeth. “I hate watching you together. Him touching you, you touching him. I hate everything about your relationship because he doesn’t deserve you. I hate it so much that I can’t even look at you anymore.”
No matter how much I braced myself, I wasn’t prepared for that response. His voice was harsh, full of malice, and it cut into me like a dull, rusty knife. The person standing in front of me isn’t the man I’ve considered my brother for most of my life. The more I study him, the more I see the blanket of rage he’s wrapped around himself, just waiting to be uncovered.
When did this change take place?
Is it really because of me, or did something else turn him bitter?
“Why? Tell me why you’re making me feel this way?”
“Because . . .”
He stalks toward me, closing the distance between us. He stops an arm’s length away, and all my internal alarms fire at once. A low warning growl from my wolf has the hair at the nape of my neck standing straight.
Bryce’s amber eyes begin to brighten, his primal side surfacing. There’s a nudge in the back of my mind, urging me to run, but my stubborn streak wins out. I want answers. I deserve the truth, no matter how much he scares me.
“Why?” I whisper.
He leans closer, his warm breath fanning over my face. None of this feels right. My heart pounds in my ears, and the uneasy pit in my stomach has turned into a pile of rocks. He lifts my chin with one finger. “Because . . . you’re supposed to be mine.”
Before I have time to process his words, he presses his lips to mine.
What the. . .
For a moment, I stand there, stunned and unmoving. His lips move against mine as his tongue swipes across the seam, looking for a way in. Bile rushes up the back of my throat, shaking me free from my paralyzing state. I push him off me. He stumbles back a few steps, caught off guard.
Sharp prickles sting at my palm. I look down at my hand, then back at him, and belatedly I realize what I’ve done. He rubs the side of his face, eyes narrowing to slits.
“Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to slap you, but what you did was wrong.”
“Wrong?” he snarls, dropping his tightly balled fist to his side. “Fuck you. I didn’t ask to feel this way about you; it just happened. I can’t shut it off.”
Kylan was right.
How could I have been so blind?
“I’m sorry,” I say again, at a loss. “I didn’t know.”
His manic laugh has me retreating a step. “Of course you didn’t, because you never pay attention to me. How many times did you come running to me, using me as a shoulder to cry on, someone to fill the void when you didn’t have anyone else? Why was I good enough then but never good enough to be something more?”
His hand latches onto my throat, applying just enough pressure to restrict my air supply. I panic and dig my nails into his hand, trying to pry him off me. My wolf is pushing violently against my barriers, begging to be released, but I’m too frozen in fear to concentrate on shifting.
His face twists into a sinister grin. “I could snap your neck if I wanted to.” My vision grows hazy around the edges, but I force myself to stay conscious. “I can smell your fear, and I have to say, it’s mouthwatering.” He is so much
more powerful than me, and it terrifies me; I realize there is no escape unless he decides to let me go.
“You have no idea how many nights I dreamed of having you in my bed instead of his. If I’m so important to you, then why did you choose him over me? What can he give you that I can’t?” His eyes darken as his grip tightens around my neck.
“Bryce,” I choke out. I claw at his fingers, my lungs screaming for air.
“You’re supposed to be mine. You were always supposed to be mine. Now you’ve forced my hand. But don’t worry, I’ll punish your unruly behavior and show you your place,” he smirks. He walks me backward as I hang by my throat and shoves me up against a tree.
“Tonight,” he hisses, “I’ll make you mine once and for all.”
Rhayven
One year later. . .
This can’t be the right place, can it?
My car bounces along the pothole-ridden road. There’s a reason why people avoid this shady part of town; it’s a wasteland of abandoned, worn brick buildings. The only people I pass are a few homeless wanderers that have bunkered down here. Once upon a time, I’m sure this place was bustling, but now the empty streets are nothing more than a lifeless reminder of how things can turn to shit in the blink of an eye.