Page 34

Chapter

Thirty-Three

K NOX

I raised my fist to knock on Aaron and Melinda’s front door with my other hand in Danny’s and a bottle of spiced honey whiskey tucked under my arm.

“You don’t have anything to worry about.” Danny repeated the same thing he’d said several times now, as if that would somehow make me worry less. “You know my family. You’ve talked to each of them several times. You work with Garrick and Everett. I’m not sure why you’re so nervous.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. If he didn’t look so cute wrapped in a soft knitted sweater with a woolen hat pulled low over his forehead, I might have scowled. As it was, I didn’t have the heart. Or rather, my heart melted every time I looked at him and I knew I’d let him get away with whatever he wanted.

“Your parents still haven’t said whether they approve of me,” I pointed out.

This was relevant. Especially since Aaron was the Clan Alpha. If he disapproved of our relationship, he had the power to make things very difficult for us.

Danny huffed. “Momma loves you, and Dad is grateful to you for helping protect the omegas in his care.”

I arched an eyebrow, silently questioning this.

“Me, Milo, and George,” he said, checking the names off on his fingers.

I snorted. “Milo wouldn’t have needed help if not for me, and anyone could have found George. As for you…” I felt myself soften. “As if I wouldn’t protect my mate until my very last breath.”

“Aww.” He kissed my cheek. “But seriously. Don’t stress. It will be fine.”

Fine. Yeah, he was filling me with confidence.

“Shouldn’t someone have answered the door by now?” I asked.

Danny sniffed, so I did too. The scent of barbecued meat was thick in the air.

“They’re probably around the back, using the grill.” He tried the handle and it opened. “Come on.”

Keeping my hand in his, he led me through the house and out through the sliding glass doors onto the deck. He didn’t let go of me as we joined the others, and my chest puffed with pride. He was claiming me, even if it was only subtle. By holding my hand, he was showing his family that we were together, and that he was proud to be with me.

My wolf rumbled with pleasure.

Several people I recognized from around town but whose names I didn’t know were gathered on the deck, chatting. It was damn cold outside this evening, the air crisp and the first hints of frost already settling on the grass, but no one seemed to mind.

I sought out Aaron and offered him the spiced honey whiskey.

He accepted the bottle and read the label. “Thanks. This looks like a good one. You’ll have to join me for a glass later.”

“Sounds good.” I relaxed a little. Perhaps Danny was right and I didn’t need to be so concerned about how his parents might view our relationship.

“Come and grab a grilled steak,” Garrick called, flipping a hunk of still-red meat off the grill and onto a plate beside it. “Danny, there’s seared salmon on the table.”

Danny grinned. “Thanks.”

I allowed him to lead me to the table, where he helped himself to salmon, and then over to the grill, where Garrick passed me a plate laden with a juicy, rare steak.

“Wolves like steak, right?” he asked.

I chuckled. “Wolves like most meat.”

“Good. You’ll fit right in.”

My heart warmed, and I turned away so he wouldn’t see the emotion flickering across my face.

Danny squeezed my hand. “Let’s find a seat.”

“Sure.”

We weaved between members of the Grizzly Ridge clan until Danny found a cluster of chairs near the sliding doors. Milo was slumped on one of them, and Everett hovered over him. Danny sat beside Milo and exchanged a look with him. I wondered what that was about.

“Why did Aaron call this clan meeting?” I asked, claiming the chair on Danny’s other side.

Everett’s gaze left Milo briefly. “He wanted to get the message out about possible threats in town. He doesn’t want anyone caught off guard.”

I frowned. “But surely he doesn’t want to scare people either.”

Everett shrugged. “He and Garrick made the decision. I guess they thought it would be worth it.”

Considering this, I chowed down on the steak, keeping an eye on Danny to make sure he remembered to eat too. My little bear could be distractible.

Once most of the people gathered were enjoying their dinner, Aaron stood and cleared his throat. I wondered if he got sick of hosting these get-togethers. Whenever my dad summoned the clan, they had to go out of their way to please him, not vice versa. I couldn’t imagine him trying to feed everyone or make the occasion enjoyable like Aaron and Melinda did.

“Thank you all for coming. I know this was a bit out of the blue, but we’ve been experiencing some unfortunate issues in Grizzly Ridge recently and I wanted to let you know to be on your guard.” He continued, telling the assembled clan members to alert him, Zander, or one of the enforcers if they spotted any unknown shifters—particularly wolves—in town, or if they saw or smelled Rex.

He went on to explain what had happened with the wolf left at my door. There were a few grumblings at that. No shifter liked wildlife to be harmed. Well, unless it was something they’d hunted and eaten. Wasteful death bothered us far more than it did most humans.

When Aaron finished, I was surprised when he turned toward us and announced that Danny had a few words to say.

“Danny?” I murmured questioningly.

Danny rose to his feet and put his hands behind his back, as if hoping no one would be able to sense his nerves if they couldn’t see him shaking. What was he doing?

“If I find out that any of you are connected to this—that you’re assisting Rex or are trying to chase Knox away—then I’ll make sure you’re held accountable.” He spoke with more surety than I’d have expected. “I know it took me a while to warm up to Knox, but I’ve never wanted him gone and I won’t tolerate anyone else being unwelcoming toward him. He’s here to stay.”

My insides turned to mush. I stared up at Danny, hardly able to believe my ears.

He’d defended me. To his entire clan.

He sat and took my hand. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and to my astonishment, I heard people agreeing with him. George. Craig the butcher. Grumpy Ray. Yuri and Li.

My heart threatened to burst.

I nuzzled Danny, brushing my lips over the sensitive skin behind his ear. “Thank you.”

He shivered, the musky sweetness of his arousal curling around me. “You can thank me properly later.”