“Like what?”
“Like the fact that I don’t want you fighting against the humans with us on Thursday night.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I knew you were going to say that.” She wasn’t exactly surprised. He was her mate; he wouldn’t want her in any form of danger. “I know you like to have your own way, and I know that sometimes I compromise, and I know that sometimes you sneakily talk me into consenting to what you want”—he smiled, not in the least bit apologetic—“but I won’t budge on this: I will be part of what happens Thursday night.”
“Shay—”
“I’m just as angry as you are about that preserve. Those bastards did things they deserve to die slow, agonizing deaths for. On top of that, one of them tried over and over to rape you in juvie. Then there’s the little fact that he wrecked the salon and had someone shoot at us. I’m not letting that slide.” To her surprise, he wasn’t scowling, he was smiling. “What?”
“You should hear how righteous and very Alpha-female-like you sound.”
She blushed. “Females feeling vengeful on their mate’s behalf can sound a lot like that.”
“It’s not just me who has a problem with this. Your wolf doesn’t like it either, does she? She’s nervous at just the idea of it.”
Her wolf was, indeed, pacing anxiously. “Granted, she’s not keen on the idea of being in a situation that violent. But she’s also reassured”—okay, slightly reassured—“by the fact that I have no intention of shifting and expecting her to deal with it.”
He frowned, confused. “You don’t intend to shift?”
“It’ll be kind of hard to use my rifle with paws and claws.”
“Rifle?” he echoed disbelievingly.
“Thanks to my dad and our hunting trips, I’m a really good shot. I deserve to be a part of this just as much as the others do. The other males haven’t asked their mates to stay behind—it’s unfair to expect me to stay behind just because I’m submissive and—”
He silenced her with a look. “This has nothing to do with your submissive status, so don’t even go there.” He was becoming increasingly offended by her repeated accusations of him thinking less of her due to her submissive status. “Trey and Dante aren’t asking their mates to stay behind because the situation isn’t personal for them. My wolf has wanted to get a grip on Logan for a long time for a long list of reasons, and he’s none too happy with the shifter who created the preserve either. During the attack, his sole focus will be on getting to them. You’re the only thing that could distract him, the only thing that would matter more to him than ripping those fuckers apart.”
“You’re saying I’ll place you in danger.”
He cupped her chin. “You’re my only weak spot, Shay. Logan will know that. On that battlefield, it’ll be you who he’s looking for. If you’re there, my wolf will be distracted and anxious and won’t be able to focus on getting to Logan or the shifter—and that will make it easier for them to get to one of us.”
Well, when he put it like that…“What if I promise not to enter the battlefield? What if I promise to stay on a spot out of sight? It’s not like I need to get close to use my rifle.”
That placated him and his wolf slightly, but the idea of her being anywhere near Logan still turned his stomach.
“You can even help me choose which spot.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I don’t like it, Shay.”
“Of course you don’t. Just the same, I don’t like the idea of you playing a part in the battle, but I haven’t asked you to stay out of it, have I?”
Twisting the situation to get what she wanted? “Baby, that’s sneaky.” Because she made a very good point.
“This is my fight too, Nick.” He was silent for a long time, and she thought he was going to object again, but he instead released a sigh of resignation.
“I can’t deny that your skills will be needed.”
Knowing that was Nick’s version of an “oh, all right,” she kissed him hard. “I appreciate you not being an overprotective caveman. Dante used to do it to Jaime a lot in the beginning—God, they argued like cats and dogs about it.” Although Nick was even more overprotective than Dante, he didn’t play the “I’m a male, I have a dick, and therefore I will make all the decisions” role like the Beta male had.
“This doesn’t mean I’m happy about it. My wolf’s pretty pissed with you too.”
She petted his chest patronizingly. “Don’t worry; when we go down for dinner later you can tell your best friend, Jaime, all about it and she’ll—”
“You keep that woman away from me. She’s chatty and does that sympathy thing.”
“And that’s bad?” chuckled Shaya. Although Jaime genuinely did sympathize with Nick and liked being around someone who could sort of relate to her predicament with her wolf, Jaime also found it hilarious just how uncomfortable it made him.
Nick moved Shaya so that she lay on top of him, fitting her body to his. “I don’t want sympathy, and I don’t like to chat unless it’s with you.”
“Why? What’s so different about me that my company is okay?”
He smoothed his hand up and down her back. “You’re perfect to me. They’re not. You’re important. They’re not. You’re mine. They’re not.”
“Your family is important to you,” she reminded him.
“But not in the same way you are. I care about them, but you’re something I need.” That was the only way he could explain it.
It scared Shaya that he needed her, felt so strongly for her. She knew that he’d kill for her, die for her, and do anything he had to do to keep her, no matter what it cost him. She had never been that important to anyone before. No one had ever needed her like that—it was scary, but it was also fulfilling. “Then prove it.” Entering her a second time that day, he did exactly that.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A knock at the door the next morning was quickly followed by Trick’s voice. “Shaya, you’ve got visitors. If Taryn’s right, you might not be too happy about it.”
As those words penetrated her sleep-dazed brain, Shaya groaned. She didn’t have to ask who the visitors were. Her mother had been trying to contact her nonstop over the past two days, but Shaya had ignored her calls. Caleb would have told her that Shaya had returned to Phoenix Pack territory. It had only been a matter of time before the woman showed up. Sleepily, she called out, “I’ll be down in a minute.”
“They’re waiting for you in the kitchen.” The sound of Trick’s footsteps faded down the tunnels.
Any other time, she would have been stumbling around the room on just waking. But knowing her parents were here was enough to galvanize her into action. Hopping out of the bed, she told Nick, “It’s got to be my parents. You might want to sit this one out.”
Frowning at the anxiety rushing through her, Nick instantly jumped out of the bed. “Your parents are here?”
“It’s okay, just stay here, I won’t be long.”
Following her into the en suite bathroom, Nick said, “No way. I don’t care how upset they are with me for not claiming you in the beginning, I’m not letting you deal with them alone.” Like her, he quickly washed up and brushed his teeth.
“It’s not just about that,” she told him as she returned to the bedroom and retrieved some clothes from her wardrobe. “My mother…she’s difficult, Nick. She likes to belittle me and insult me. I don’t want you to lose it with her—all you would be doing is giving her the drama she loves so she can act the victim of the world.”
Shooting her an incredulous look, he began pulling on his jeans. “I can’t just sit there and say nothing while someone insults you.”
“Exactly—so you’re better off staying here.”
Not a chance would he remain behind at a time when she’d need him at her side. “I promise I won’t lose it, okay? I can’t promise I’ll stay quiet if she’s upsetting you, but I won’t lose it. I’m not letting you face her alone.”
Appre
ciating his support, she smiled. “Thanks.”
When they were fully dressed, they walked hand in hand through the tunnels. The thought of seeing her mother again made her stomach sink, but the thought of Nick meeting her father made her heart pound. She could easily recall the times Stone Critchley had met her boyfriends, and just how those meetings had gone—just how badly those meetings had gone. “Um, when you meet my dad…if he scowls at you, don’t worry, you’re fine. If he smiles, well, be on your guard. And no sudden movements. And try to make eye contact with him as little as possible. Oh, and don’t—”
“Shay, relax.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Relax? Ha. Not going to happen. Finally, they reached the large kitchen. Roni and Marcus were standing in the doorway, regarding her parents with studious eyes. Clearly Roni had wanted Nick to have an ally nearby. As for Marcus…well, she wasn’t sure why he was there. Although it was fair to say that he’d been a good friend to Shaya when she was going through all that crap with Nick in the beginning.
Instantly, the two people seated at the long dining table were on their feet. Her mother was, of course, looking the victim as usual. Her father’s expression was as indulgent as always.
Coming around the table, Stone took Shaya into his arms. “Hi, baby girl.”
She returned his tight hug. “Hey, Dad.” Pulling back, she said, “This is my mate, Nick.”
Stone’s expression immediately turned assessing. “Is it now?”
“Nick, this is my dad, Stone.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Nick, shaking the human’s hand. He had the same eyes as Shaya, but there was none of her impishness there—instead, there was ruthlessness and danger. He and his wolf recognized a predator when he saw one, and the male before him was certainly one. He also knew that Stone would recognize Nick as a fellow predator, and that was important because he had no intention of letting anyone try to intimidate him.
“Likewise,” drawled Stone, sounding not at all honest.
Nick then turned his attention to Shaya’s mother, and he wished he hadn’t. The woman was practically sneering at her daughter, a statue of disapproval. His wolf growled, wanting Nick to warn her against hurting his mate. Nick was about to do just that when Shaya slipped her hand into his again and gave it a double-squeeze—a clear “please leave it.”
“Mom, Nick. Nick, this is Gabrielle.”
He merely exchanged a curt nod with the female. “Shall we sit?” Without waiting for a response, Nick took the chair opposite the one her father had claimed. The others quickly returned to their seats. Before anyone could speak, the door opened and Taryn entered. Going to stand beside Roni, she nodded at Stone in greeting, who returned the nod.
“Hello, Taryn,” said Gabrielle, flicking her braid of red curls over her shoulder.
Taryn gave her a withering look. “Mmm-hmm.”
Stone leaned back in his seat, arms folded across his chest. “So…you’ve finally decided to claim Shaya. I’m interested to know what took you so long.” It wasn’t a query, it was a reproach delivered with a snarl.
“Then you should ask Shaya in private,” advised Nick.
“I’m asking you.”
“Yeah, but I don’t explain myself to other people—only to Shaya.”
Stone narrowed his eyes, his gaze studious, but he said nothing. Nick had the feeling that his answer had won a little of Stone’s respect…or maybe the guy just liked that although Nick was a bastard, he wouldn’t be one to Shaya.
“How’ve you both been?” Shaya asked her parents, smiling, breaking the awkward silence. The tension in the air was practically crackling. Having Nick’s arm draped over the back of her chair and his fingers playing with her hair was a comfort she so needed right then.
Gabrielle answered instantly. “If you must know, I don’t feel good at all—not that you truly care. I haven’t slept in weeks. No doubt it’s stress, seeing as my own daughter has left me and barely answers my calls.”
Shaya held her smile in place. “Forgive me if I don’t enjoy being insulted and sent on a guilt trip for having my own life.”
“You’ve always been selfish and difficult,” Gabrielle claimed. “Never sensitive to my predicaments.”
Sensing Nick’s irritation building, Shaya squeezed his thigh under the table. “Have you consulted a healer?” It was second nature to feign interest.
“Yes. He said there’s nothing wrong with me.” She huffed. “Can you believe that?”
Well, yeah, Shaya could.
“What is it you believe is wrong with you?” rumbled Nick, wanting the woman’s focus away from Shaya. He had no tolerance for people who faked ill-health when there were so many people out there who were truly ill.
“I have a thyroid problem, I know I have. I don’t care what the healer said, I know my own body. And I checked my symptoms on the Internet. Maybe Taryn can take a look at me while I’m here.”
The Alpha female merely made a noncommittal sound.
“So you no longer believe you have heart failure, deep vein thrombosis, and a fractured ankle?” asked Shaya dryly. She hated herself for being frustrated and angry with her mother, but she’d really had enough of the emotional manipulation. The number of times Shaya had heard the words “I think I’m dying” was unreal, but there had never been a single thing wrong.
In the past, Shaya had over and over rushed Gabrielle to a healer; by the time they arrived there, her mother had gone from weak and pitiful to excited and chipper—she loved the attention. It had gotten to the point where Shaya’s life had revolved around Gabrielle and her “conditions.” It was part of the reason why Shaya had switched to the Phoenix Pack, though she had still gone to visit her mother at least every other day, feeling guilty if she didn’t.
Of course when Shaya moved to Arizona, there was no one to fuss around Gabrielle—Stone certainly didn’t “entertain her dramatics,” as he referred to it. As she’d expected, Gabrielle hated that. She believed she was entitled to Shaya’s time, attention, and aid. Gabrielle looked about to reprimand Shaya, but then Stone was speaking again. Not to Shaya, but to Nick.
“Tell me about yourself.”
Nick recognized that deceptively friendly tone all too well. He’d used it himself with the web designer. “I’m not applying for the position of being your daughter’s mate. I am her mate. We’ve claimed each other. If you want to ask me questions for no other reason than that you’d like to get to know me, I’d be happy to answer them.”
Stone smiled, making Shaya tense. “I tried to do a background check on you.” His tone was even, calm—that meant bad things, she knew. “No one would tell me anything. Why is that?”
Nick didn’t answer. He just smiled.
“If you have more contacts and allies than I do—and I have a lot—you must have won the loyalty of many people. All I’m really interested in knowing is if you’ve won the loyalty of my daughter and if you plan to give her the same in return.”
“Shaya’s always had my loyalty.”
“And he has mine,” Shaya told her father, leaning against Nick for a few seconds.
“You believe he deserves it?” It was a genuine question from Stone.
She nodded. “He hurt me, but he had his reasons for not claiming me—good ones. It’s complicated.”
Stone sighed, grumbling, “It always is with male shifters.”
Nick noticed his mate’s smile of amusement and gave her a mock scowl.
“What about you, Taryn?” asked Stone. “If anyone’s as protective of Shaya as I am—other than Nick here of course”—said with so much patronization that Marcus almost choked on a laugh—“it’s you. Is he worthy of her?”
Taryn snorted. “No one’s worthy of Shaya. But she’s right—he had his reasons for not claiming her initially. He’s proven over and over that she comes first. Also, he’s totally whipped, if that makes you feel any better.”
Nick scowled at the blonde. “I’m not whipped.”
r /> “Of course you’re not,” placated Shaya, patting his arm, “you’re just well trained.” She laughed at his low growl. Turning to her father, she said, “I wanted to tell you, I have an interview for a mediator position. If I get it—”
“You’ll get it,” insisted Nick with utter confidence.
“—it’ll mean I get to go traveling. Maybe I’ll even see some of the places you used to tell me all about when I was little.”
Stone’s smile was genuine this time as he took Shaya’s free hand in his. He gave Nick a small nod, which could be translated to “I’ll accept you for now.” It might not be a gushing reception, but it was enough to lift her spirits. Then Gabrielle went and spoiled the moment.
“Traveling? Have you not learned anything from watching my relationship with your father? Mates shouldn’t be separated for long periods at a time.” She looked at Nick then. “You’ll soon have an idea how I’ve felt all my life.”
“I’ll be going with Shaya,” Nick told her, barely refraining from snapping at the woman. “Where she goes, I go.”
“Nice idea,” said Stone.
Gabrielle turned to her mate, spluttering. “You never took me with you.”
“I couldn’t have taken you into war zones, despite that it was an appealing idea at times. Then you’d have known what suffering really is. And maybe you would have stopped being so self-centered and paid attention to our daughter.”
Gabrielle gasped in outrage, but it was Shaya she snarled at. “It’s difficult to give attention to an ungrateful, inconsiderate—”
“Enough,” said Nick quietly, his voice still filled with authority. Gabrielle’s eyes widened. “No one speaks to my mate like that. Not even her mother. In my opinion, though, I shouldn’t have to order her mother not to do so.”
“You don’t know what it’s been like for me,” claimed Gabrielle. “You don’t know how hard it is to lose one child and then find that the other is selfish and—”
“One more insult,” rumbled Nick, “and you leave.”
Shaya rubbed her jaw against his upper arm, hoping to calm him. “I’ve never asked you for anything, Mom. But I’m asking you now…if you can’t be happy for me, if you can’t be part of my life without trying to hurt me, leave me alone.”