Page 30

“Security is one thing we don’t need in our pack—not the way I run things. We rotate guard duty day and night. If there’s one place you can feel safe, it’s on Hamish’s land. It’s a shame you don’t have that kind of security out where you live. Ever think about joining a pack?”

I folded my arms. “I’m an open-minded person.”

He tipped his head back a little and gave me an appraising look. “I hear you’re a tiger. Is that true? If so, it’s pretty badass.”

My answer was in my smile. “How’s your new position going?”

He rubbed his flat stomach. “It’s tough work, but I’m used to it. I’ve got years of experience under my belt.”

“What happened with your old pack if you don’t mind me asking?”

“The alpha got too damn old, and there wasn’t a replacement.

It happens when you join an older group.

After the family dissolved, I negotiated with nearby packs to take some of my best packmates, but that city had nothing left for me.

I saw an opening down here, and I’m sure you know who Tak’s father is.

Seemed like a good fit, but he already had his beta picked out.

Hamish’s pack is more of a challenge because of its size, and I like a challenge.

What Lakota does here is for simpletons.

He can mold and shape these wolves since they’re all new and eager to please. ”

“I’m certain his hands are full. Organizing a newly founded pack can’t be an easy feat, especially when their resources are limited.”

“Yeah, and then there’s that. Not many packmates.”

“They’ll grow. It seems smart to start off small so you can fortify relationships. It won’t be long before some of the young wolves in your pack are looking for a new place, and this might be it.”

Deacon shook his head. “Hamish doesn’t like his people leaving.”

That struck me as odd. Once kids became adults, they left their old pack in search of careers or to gain money and experience.

Others got mated and joined a different pack.

It was a period of independence where they could explore their options and get their feet on the ground, especially since spaces were limited in reputable packs, who were highly selective.

Another reason most didn’t stay with their original pack was to avoid nonrelated packmates from pursuing them as a mate.

It caused friction in the house for numerous reasons.

It also got them out from under their parents’ control.

I wondered how Hamish organized his family. For young people to want to stay, they must have had structure and rules.

“That’s how happy everyone is,” Deacon continued.

“They feel protected, and we all deserve that. I don’t know how tigers go about family, but you seem like a woman who appreciates safety and dependability.

” He put his hands on his hips and revealed a softer smile.

“You know, I haven’t had much personal time since moving here either; we have something in common.

Would it be too bold of me to ask if you’d like to join me for dinner? I’d be honored if you said yes.”

I pondered his offer. Deacon wasn’t the typical man I pursued in terms of his physical appearance. Not that I had anything against men who were built like a tank, but his muscles were like boulders, and my inner animal found that slightly intimidating coming from another predator.

But he wasn’t any random wolf. Deacon held a high position as a beta for a prominent pack.

He was self-assured, motivated, charming, and didn’t give off any immediate red flags.

Most of the men I’d dated were rogues, but maybe I’d been going about it all wrong.

A rogue had too much freedom and might not want to stick around this place.

But someone living in an established pack?

Well, they weren’t likely going anywhere.

Especially a beta. And that was appealing since my days of moving from city to city were over.

“I promise to have you home at a decent hour,” he said while crossing his finger over his heart. “Whatever works for you—I can adjust my schedule.”

I gazed into his eyes to get a sense of his animal, and I saw his dominant wolf watching me with interest. “Okay, Mr. Shaw.”

“Deacon.”

“Deacon.”

“Do you have my number?”

“I have everyone’s number. I’ll message you when I’m free, and we’ll work this out.”

He gave a tight smile and stroked his beard. “Lookin’ forward to it.”

When someone shouted, I spun around. Hamish’s red face and steely eyes showed he was in fighting mode, but his curly mustache was still perfectly intact, suggesting a fight hadn’t broken out.

Yet.

A red wolf bared its sharp teeth at Lakota, who appeared to be talking Hamish down. When the animal barked, Cleo jumped back and clutched her throat.

Deacon had already left my side, and I observed him heading toward Lucian. Tak and Montana hurried past me to investigate the commotion, so I followed out of curiosity.

“What’s this all about?” Tak boomed. “You know the rule about shifting during a peace party.”

Hamish pointed at the young girl, who had on an oversized black shirt and no shoes. “Your bitch over here was seducing my boy.”

One of Hamish’s young sons stood close beside him. He was about seventeen, and the terrified look on his face told a story. But pack issues were for the alphas to resolve.

Tak balled his hands into fists. “Your son was alone with this child? She’s fourteen!”

“We weren’t doing anything,” the boy insisted.

Hamish scowled at him. “Shut up!”

Tak turned his attention to the black-haired girl. “What happened?”

With innocent doe eyes, she looked up at the formidable Packmaster while wringing her hands. “Talking.”

“In the barn ?” Hamish pointed sternly at the wolf next to him. “When my boy went missing, I sent out my third-in-command to sniff him out. He’s lucky he got there before she spread her legs.”

When Tak pivoted to face the alpha, his dark expression made everyone hold their breath.

Hamish didn’t relent. “Do you think I want one of your bastards? I have enough mouths to feed. My boys are respectable and don’t need to be trapped with a mate they didn’t choose. Was this your plan when you invited me?”

Tak towered over the other Packmaster. “She is but a little child. If anyone was doing the seducing, it was your son. Has he gone through his first change yet? He is of age.”

“We were just talking!” Cleo dramatically bolted toward the house, jogged up the steps, and slammed the back door.

Hamish glowered at Tak. “If I ever see that bitch sniffing around my territory or near my son, I’ll?—”

“You’ll what?” Tak shifted his stance and clasped his hands behind his back. “Because if you put one finger on that girl, I’ll cut it off and hang it with my wind chimes.”

“Keep an eye on her. I’m warning you.” Hamish grabbed his son’s arm. “Rowan, come with me.” He hauled his son off with a few of his packmates following him, but not everyone. Most were engaged in the festivities. Alphas didn’t need saving.

I was relieved the confrontation ended peacefully.

It made me wonder how my pairing up with Deacon might benefit his pack.

For one, I could reason with the alpha and suggest better ways to handle his disputes with other Packmasters, especially since I’d spent most of my career as a mediator.

Tak wasn’t the first person Hamish had voiced complaints about, and he wouldn’t be the last. Hamish had lived here long before it was a town, so he felt more emboldened than others to control everything.

Tak ambled alongside Montana and Lakota.

“One of you go inside and keep an eye on the girl—make sure she doesn’t do something foolish like run away.

Young people are petulant. I’ll speak with her later.

This wasn’t her fault—it was mine. I should’ve made it more clear to the pack that she needs special protection. ”

Lucian stalked toward me from the fence with the most intense gaze I’d ever seen. He gripped my hand. “Come with me.”

I let go of his hand and walked alongside him, worried my father had called with an emergency. “What’s this about?”

Tak seemed to wonder the same thing as he called out, “Lucian, where are you going?”

“I’m showing Councilwoman Eden our security setup.”

Virgil skipped into view. “I’ll tag along!”

Tak grabbed Virgil’s collar and jerked him back. “That’s up for debate. If you have that much free time, there’s trash by the chicken coop you could put away. The Councilwoman needs security advice. Let Lucian do his job.”

“Virgil Nightingale never gets to have any fun.”

Once inside the quiet house, Lucian shut the door and led me down the dark hallway. We swung a right and then entered a room on the left.

A long desk ran across the left wall and the one straight ahead, multicolored lights illuminating the room. The monitors on the wall displayed security footage of the property.

Lucian shut the door.

“So this is the command center where you do all your work.” I approached the desk and spied a couple making out near the heat house and a man smoking a cigarette in the pasture.

Not only could I see the property from every angle, but the camera periodically switched over to darker areas that must have been farther out on the territory. “This is incredible.”

He rubbed his palms over my hips. “Yeah, it is.” Lucian smelled the back of my neck and then kissed my ear. “I want to bend you over this desk.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

When his hand ventured up my dress and caressed me intimately, I knew it wasn’t just talk.

Girl, you must be crazy. We’re in the middle of a peace party, and you’re about to bang the host’s packmate over the security desk.

When he lifted the hem of my dress, I faced him. Then a powerful odor almost knocked me off my feet. “Your breath smells like onions.”

He leaned in close and rested his head on my shoulder while stroking my ass. “It won’t matter when I’m taking you from behind. Where do you want me to fuck you? On the desk or on the floor?”