Ryan nodded. “Where do you want to go?”
“You’re letting me choose? Sweet. Um, how about we go for pizza? I’m starving.” He gave directions to the restaurant he had in mind. Once Ryan began driving, Zac asked, “How did mediation go?” He rolled his eyes at Ryan’s grunt. “Dude, I’m not Makenna. I can’t understand your noises.”
“Remy asked them to join his pack. They said no. It’ll go before the council in eight weeks.”
Mouth twitching into a smile, Zac shook his head. “I shouldn’t have asked. Storytelling’s not your thing.”
Ryan just grunted again, which made Zac laugh.
After they’d settled in a booth at the restaurant and placed their orders, Zac spoke. “I’ve heard little things about your pack. Did Trey really almost kill his father when he was fourteen?” He flushed, looking apologetic. “You don’t have to tell me.”
“Yes, I do. You’re a Phoenix wolf now.” He had a right to know.
“I haven’t said yes to your offer.”
“Doesn’t matter. Wherever you are and whatever you decide, you’re a Phoenix wolf.” He could see that his answer touched Zac, and Ryan was glad of it. “To answer your question, it’s true. Trey beat his father, who was also the Alpha, in a duel.” But the sick, abusive bastard had deserved it.
Once the waitress placed their Cokes in front of them before disappearing once again, Zac continued, “Was Trey really banished?”
“Yes.” By rights, Trey should have been appointed as Alpha—it was protocol for someone who defeated an Alpha to then replace them, but some of the pack had come together to instead drive him out. However, Ryan decided not to add on that part, since challenging an Alpha was exactly what Zac’s father had done. Ryan didn’t want to dredge up bad memories.
“Was that when he joined the Phoenix Pack?”
“No. When he was banished, the people who disagreed with the decision left with him. Together, they formed the Phoenix Pack.”
“You were one of them?”
Ryan nodded. “Trey’s my friend, and he hadn’t deserved what happened to him.”
“Did your family leave too?”
“They were happy to see Trey go.” His mother was just as happy to see Ryan go.
“Do you see them much?”
Ryan shook his head. He liked it that way.
The waitress reappeared with their pizza. Once she was gone, Zac said, “I have one more question. Does Trey really turn feral during battles?”
“Yes. But he’s never hurt anyone from our pack. And Taryn pulls him back from that state quickly.” He took a swig of his drink. “There are a lot of rumors, and some have truth in them. But our pack is a good one. We take care of our own. The dominants would fight to the death before they would let anyone in our pack come to harm. Let me take you to my territory tomorrow—just for the day. You can meet everyone, explore the land. It will just be a daytrip.”
Zac frowned thoughtfully. “Okay. Just for the day. But I want Makenna to come.”
Ryan inclined his head, though it galled him that Zac didn’t fully trust his pack not to force him to stay.
“You want her, don’t you? Makenna, I mean.”
Ryan veiled his surprise. “Yes.”
“So why aren’t you doing anything about it?”
“I’m concentrating on you right now.”
Zac chewed another chunk of pizza. “Well . . . it would be cool with me if you asked her out. Just . . . don’t hurt her, okay? She’s been hella good to me. She helped me when I wouldn’t help myself. She’s a good person.”
Yes, she was. Her actions were driven by a good heart and a pain she strived to hide. In the beginning, he hadn’t trusted her level of compassion and empathy. He hadn’t seen how it could be real . . . because he’d never before known it.
“I think she likes you too. So she’d probably say yes if you asked her out.”
Ryan narrowed his eyes. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were playing matchmaker.”
Zac just smiled.
CHAPTER NINE
As Ryan drove through the gates of Phoenix Pack territory the next morning, he stopped beside the security shack. Cam strolled toward the car with a “Hey.”
“This is Zac and Makenna,” Ryan told him.
“And you’re Cam, Lydia’s mate,” said Zac, riding shotgun. “You were in a selfie that she sent me.” The Phoenix wolves often sent him photographs.
The baby-faced wolf smiled at him. “It’s good to finally meet you, Zac.” His smile shrunk a little as he nodded at Makenna. He was uncomfortable having a loner on his territory, and Ryan doubted that she would blame Cam for that.
“I’ll see you when your shift ends,” Ryan told Cam. Putting the Chevy in gear, he then proceeded to drive them deeper into his territory. As they neared the mountain, he said to Zac, “Look carefully at the front wall of the cliff. What do you see?”
Leaning forward, Zac studied it intently. “Holy shit,” he breathed. “I mean . . . wow,” he quickly corrected. “Makenna, do you see the windows and doors?”
“I see them.” Makenna was truly awed. She’d never before seen anything like it. “You live inside the mountain?” How cool was that?
The wonder in her voice pleased Ryan’s wolf. He wanted her to like his territory, as it would soon be her home. “Yes.”
“Did your pack build it?” asked Zac.
“No,” replied Ryan, entering the concealed parking lot where he whipped the Chevy in his usual space. “It was once an ancient cave dwelling. It’s been modernized over the years.” He led Zac and Makenna up the smooth stairways that were carved into the face of the cliff. Zac’s excitement grew as he noticed the arched balconies and glanced down at the surrounding land.
Reaching the main entrance, they found the Alpha pair waiting. Trey inclined his head in greeting while Taryn smiled and said, “Welcome to Bedrock.”
Zac chuckled. “This place is seriously awesome.”
Makenna nodded. “Very impressive.”
Taryn’s smile widened. “The interior is even better. Come on, everyone’s waiting.”
With Zac and an overbearing enforcer on either side of her, Makenna followed the Alphas through what turned out to be a network of tunnels. The walls were light-cream sandstone and looked so smooth that she ran her fingers across them, half expecting them to be soft. Her wolf, always curious, was especially intrigued by her surroundings and wanted to explore by taking the occasional turnoffs.
“We’ll give you a tour soon,” said Ryan.
Zac’s eyes lit up even further. “Sweet.”
Finally, they reached the living area, and Zac halted after taking only one step inside the room. At the same time, he shuffled closer to Makenna and she understood why. It was one thing to know that people were waiting to meet you, it was another thing to see an entire pack crowded together in one space with their attention totally focused on you.
Easing the tension, Dante, Dominic, Marcus, and Trick came forward and greeted Zac with fist bumps and light slaps on the back, treating him as “one of the guys”—something he seemed to love.
“I know everyone’s been sending you pictures, Zac,” began Jaime, “so I’m guessing the others don’t really need to introduce themselves.”
Zac rubbed one of his hands on his thigh. “I recognize them.”
An older woman stepped forward wearing a wide, affectionate smile. “It’s great to finally have you here, sweetheart.” She pulled Zac into a hug. “I know my Trey sent you some pictures of me with little Kye.”
“You’re Greta.”
“That’s right.” Greta’s attention shifted to Makenna, and her expression lost its warmth. “You must be the loner.”
Wow, the latter words were like blades. Jaime had laughingly told Makenna all about Greta’s issues, had warned her that the psychotic woman would see her as a threat to her unmated “boys.”
Taryn quickly came to Makenna’s side with a litt
le boy balanced on her hip. “This is my son, Kye.” He gave Makenna a shy wave. “Greta here is Trey’s grandmother; feel free to ignore her.”
Sounded like a good idea.
The wolves who hadn’t yet officially met Zac then came forward to chat with him. He didn’t move from Makenna’s side, but the tension had left his body by the time the introductions were all done.
Taryn then offered to give them a tour. Jaime, Ryan, and Kye came along, since the kid had latched on to Ryan’s neck and wouldn’t let go. The little boy was a mini version of his father but with Taryn’s hair, which was made up of several different shades of blond.
Zac’s excitement returned as they explored the first floor where the living area, kitchen, laundry room, game room, poolroom, and office were located. It was also where the Alphas, Betas, Tao, and the enforcers slept.
The second floor featured many en-suite bedrooms—some belonged to pack members, others were for guests—a small kitchenette, and a laundry room.
“There are two other floors, and they’re all the same as this one.” Taryn stopped at a particular room on the second floor. “This, Zac, will be your room.” She opened the door wide, revealing a large space that had been decorated perfectly for a teenage boy. Undoubtedly, Lydia had had a hand in the design.
“My room?” he echoed, voice hoarse.
Ryan spoke. “You can use it for overnight visits.” When Zac darted a panicked look at Makenna, Ryan added, “Makenna could come along. We have plenty of guest rooms.”
Swallowing, Zac forced a nonchalant shrug. “Okay. Sure.”
Ryan nodded approvingly. “Good.”
After the tour, Taryn led them all out of the caves and down to the surrounding land. Makenna smelled the food before they reached a lake where a large patio table, chairs, and a BBQ was set up. There was also another table on which finger foods, cakes, and other typical party foods were laid out. Dante and Grace were grilling meat on the BBQ while others lounged around, lazed in the lake, or played football—or, in Dominic’s case, repeatedly threw a ball at Tao’s head until the guy snapped and lunged for him.
Zac was practically dragged into the game of football; Kye and Ryan joined him. Taking a seat at the patio table, Makenna watched the Phoenix wolves interact. Watched them all laugh, play, and tease each other. Watched the mated pairs snuggle each other and make a fuss of the pups. The pack was like one big family.
This . . . this was what a pack should be like. This was what she’d never known. Oh, she’d been around packs before; she’d visited many when rehoming other loners. But she’d never spent so much time around them, and they had never relaxed enough around her to be themselves. Not that she believed the Phoenix wolves trusted her. No, they trusted one another to watch their backs.
This place was special, and it would be a place where Zac could heal and thrive. Going by the joy on his face, it was only a matter of time before he accepted their offer to join the pack.
Despite how special it was, Makenna didn’t feel comfortable or relaxed. Being surrounded by such a tight-knit group of people had a way of making a person feel very alone. But Makenna was good at being alone. Leaning on others was alien to her.
“Zac’s a cute kid,” commented Jaime, watching him with a smile.
“He is,” agreed Taryn. “He’ll break many female hearts when he’s older. We asked Rhett to find out what he could about the kid’s old pack. They’re still looking for him.”
Yes, and that worried Makenna. Zac would run if they came close. But he wouldn’t run to the Phoenix Pack, because he didn’t fully trust he’d be safe here. He’d just disappear. “I erased his trail as best I could and even laid down a false one. But if they’re determined to find him, my efforts won’t be enough.”
“I’m going to be straight with you, Makenna. If they come too close, we’ll take him—even if it’s against his will. Yes, he’ll hate us at first, but I’d rather that than him be back in their hands.”
Makenna liked the Alpha female’s fierce protectiveness. It was something she could relate to. “Good, because if you don’t, he’ll run again and be out there all alone. He doesn’t deserve that.” Taryn nodded—it was a deal.
Roni cocked her head at Makenna. “What pack are you originally from?”
“Not one worth discussing.”
“What did you do to be cast out?” asked Greta.
Unable to resist taunting the woman, Makenna replied totally straight-faced, “I was caught having a foursome with the enforcers.”
Greta gasped in horror while Taryn, Jaime, and Roni did their best to stifle a smile.
“The Alpha was quite pious and believed that shifters should only give their virginity to their mates.”
Greta spluttered. “He’s right. Foursome? Disgusting.”
Taryn puffed out a breath. “Well, Greta, looks like she really could lead one—maybe even all four—of your unmated boys down the path of sin.”
“Path of sin?” repeated Makenna.
Jaime leaned into her and explained quietly. “Taryn likes to tease her with how you and any other females at the shelter might seduce one of her boys.”
“What are you whispering about?” demanded Greta.
“I was just asking her what the foursome was like,” replied Jaime, eyes twinkling.
Makenna grinned. “Hot. Really, really hot.”
“I don’t want her around my Zac!” Greta burst out. “He needs people who are a good influence. You’re a hussy through and through, even worse than her.” She slanted a look of distaste at Taryn.
The Alpha female blinked. “Wow. I didn’t think there’d ever come a day when you hated anyone more than me.”
Makenna said, “I do try to beat world records.”
Greta scowled at Taryn. “Why aren’t you throwing her out? She has no business being here and corrupting my Zac.”
Makenna tilted her head, helplessly amused by the antisocial woman. “If you had a part in raising Ryan, it would explain why he’s not quite sane.”
“Something tells me you’re a little crazy too,” Taryn said to Makenna, chuckling.
“I didn’t say it was a bad thing.”
As Dominic approached the table, dripping wet after being pushed into the lake by Tao, he grinned flirtatiously at Makenna. “Fancy a dip in the lake?”
“No, thanks.”
“Why? Are you scared of water? I’ll keep you safe; I’m a great swimmer.” Mischief glinted in his eyes. “Would you like me to demonstrate the breast stroke?”
She laughed. “Oh, you have ‘trouble’ written all over you.”
“He has a habit of saying dirty lines.” Taryn sighed. “We still haven’t worked out why.”
“Don’t you flirt with her,” Greta told Dominic. “She was cast out of her old pack for having a foursome with the enforcers.”
Dominic’s smile grew to epic proportions. “Makenna, we absolutely have to get to know each other better.”
When Dante called out that the steaks were ready, Ryan turned to Zac. “Come on, let’s eat.” Dropping the football, the teenager followed him.
“You played well,” praised Trick as he jogged past with Marcus and Tao.
Marcus glanced over his shoulder with a smile. “Welcome to the pack, kid.”
The words made Zac come to an abrupt halt that only Ryan noticed. “What’s wrong?” There was a fair amount of distress on the teen’s face.
Zac spoke only loud enough for Ryan to hear. “My old pack will be looking for me. Makenna didn’t say it, but I know they are.”
Ryan’s claws sliced out, making Zac jolt in surprise—thankfully not in fear. “If they come here and cause trouble, they’ll die.”
“You don’t even know what happened in my old pack.”
“So tell me.”
“If I do, you won’t want me.”
“Whatever happened to you is not your fault,” snapped Ryan. He winced at his gruff tone, wishing he had more tact. “Many of the s
hifters at the shelter have suffered at the hands of others. Do you blame them? Do you think less of them?”
Zac jerked backward. “No.”
“Then there you go.” Ryan sheathed his claws. “You’re one of us now. If whoever hurt you comes here, we’ll kill them.” The words probably would have spooked another juvenile, but Zac seemed to find strength in them. “Come on.”
Tao sidled up to Ryan as they approached the buffet. “Quick question,” the Head Enforcer asked quietly. “What would happen if I asked Makenna out?”
With a calm he didn’t feel, Ryan said, “I’d rip out your throat before the last word escaped your mouth.”
Tao nodded. “Thought so.”
Ryan and Zac plated some food before joining the others at the patio table. Zac took the seat on Makenna’s left, and Ryan sat on her other side—forcing Dominic to move. “Here.” He put a plate of food in front of her, remembering from their conversations what she liked.
She looked from him to the plate and then flashed him a wide smile. “Thanks, Ryan. You’re a sweetie.”
Um, no he wasn’t. His pack mates’ expressions told him they were having the same thought. He didn’t fail to notice Taryn and Roni whispering to each other with a conspiratorial glint in their eyes as they watched him and Makenna. If they were planning on doing some matchmaking, he wouldn’t be opposed to it. He needed whatever help he could get.
As they ate, Ryan listened to Makenna talking with Jaime as they compared the workings of the animal shelter and the loner shelter. Greta directed some snide remarks at Makenna, but his mate ignored them with total ease. She truly didn’t appear at all bothered by them, and he wondered if it was because—as a loner—she was used to such verbal abuse. In any case, Ryan didn’t like it. “Greta, don’t.”
“You didn’t hear why she was banished from her pack.”
If Taryn’s smile was anything to go by, Makenna had merely been toying with Greta. Ryan could easily believe that, given her antagonistic streak.
“This day is for Zac, Greta,” interjected Trey. “You will not spoil it for him.”