“I think we should.”
She stared him down. “Did you get an email this morning naming you master of the universe concerning my life?”
“You were expecting emails?” Because if she was expecting them, that changed everything.
Only she frowned. “Emails—no, one email. From…” She spun toward the computer and shifted the mouse to wake the screen. “Holy shit, what are all those?”
“Emails to the hotel-slash-Takhini pack with the subject line
Caroline leapt back as a GIF flashed across the screen showing a nearly naked male, hips pulsing in what he must consider a sexy move with the words
“That one is from Clan Miette. Classy.”
“Oh my God, what is going on, Evan?”
“You seem to have done something last night that impressed or freaked out, I’m not sure which, all of the visiting bear clans. You’ve now been asked to join…” Evan slid his finger down the computer face and counted, “…wow, it’s up to fourteen different clans as an ‘interested party to the proceedings’. You want to tell me what this
“I didn’t do anything…” he gave her a look, “…out of the ordinary. Stop that. You know I don’t make trouble for trouble’s sake. That’s Shaun’s job.”
“True.” He moved toward the coffee machine.
“I interrupted a rumble during dinner. Lance and Toby are on the shitlist, by the way.”
“That’s not unusual news either. I take it the fight involved bears?”
“Yes. I was out with Frank at the time.”
His hands jerked, and Evan slopped coffee over the edge of the cup. “Whoa. Really? You and Frank?”
He didn’t want to picture it. Not the big, rustic, half-wild visitor.
She snatched the cup from him and gave him a glare. “No, you dirty-minded shifter. I was not fooling around with Frank. Good grief.”
“Well, that makes it so much better. Which bear were you fooling around with?” Not that he was jealous or anything.
Much.
She sighed. “Frank’s brother kissed me. He’s rather exasperating, in this sexy, overbearing, luggish way.”
“You do like them luggish.”
“Ha!” She lost her pout. “You should know. Neanderthal.”
He nodded slowly. “Okay, this makes more sense. You did something hugely unexpected and out of character for a human, followed by showing a marked interest in one of the powerhouses involved in conclave. Now all the clans are taking a shot at you in the hopes of neutralizing whatever advantage you bring forward, if nothing else.”
She stared at him. “You’re joking. It was a public dinner with Tyler, his bodyguard and his brother, and one bloody kiss—that no one saw, I might add.”
“I’m not so sure. Check the fifth email.”
She scrambled for the mouse, swearing as that particular email turned out to have an attachment link to a newsletter.
“Well, they don’t have great skills as paparazzi, but I think that grainy JPEG is you and him sharing a memorable first date on the park bench. Once again—classy. You should have told me I needed to wine and dine you more.”
“Asshole.” She pointed at the screen. “We weren’t doing anything but sitting. The kiss happened… elsewhere.”
“Doesn’t matter where, it happened and word got out. So the question becomes, what are you going to do about it?”
So much for her nice, simple life. Every hour that passed seemed to bring more twists to the program instead of less. “I need to brainstorm with you. I need your perspective, okay?”
Evan lowered himself into his favourite leather chair, draping a leg over the arm. “Storm away.”
“I could say no to them all. Remain neutral.” She pressed back into her computer chair, rocking it slowly. “That’s one solution.”
“Remaining out of the picture is one choice.” He eyed her. “Is that really an option, though?”
“What do you mean?”
He took a long obvious sniff.
She wished baring her teeth and growling would make an impact on his stupid ass. Instead she threw a pen at him. “Stop that. Yes, even though one of the clan leaders kissed me, we’re not handfasted or something. I could delete all the messages or politely tell them I’m otherwise occupied.”
“Okay, so what’s the advantage of you staying out of it?”
She thought longingly of a sun-scorched beach. “I can keep up with my job here at the hotel and help you find your mate.”
“Hmm. Both worthy tasks. What’s the advantage of you getting involved with the bruins?”
She was trapped. “Damn it, Evan. Being a part of the conclave is like a front-row seat to keeping the pack informed and safe. And last night…”
The information Tyler had shared regarding why conclave was so important had made sense. There were shifters out there she didn’t want in control of anything bigger than a toaster.
Evan’s foot bounced as he scratched his chin. “I see lots of reasons why it’s a good thing, Caro, you accepting an invite. This is bigger than me and my current issue, or the hotel for that matter. If you’re willing to sacrifice some personal time and suffer through political bullshit for a week, I think it’s worthwhile for the pack. But I’m a little biased.”
“Well, yeah you are, but you’re also right. This is big, and I’d be stupid to ignore the opportunity.”
He cleared his throat. “Then you simply need to decide which one of your bear beaus you want to go to the ball with.”
“Shut up.” She tapped the arm of her chair with her fingertips as she considered. “How much do you know about Tyler?”
“Other than you swapped spit?”
Gah. “You are so annoying at times.”
He grinned. “You love me, you know you do.”
In her way, she did. “Tyler shared information last night that made me think he’s one of the good guys. Does what you know line up with my instant appraisal?”
Evan leaned forward, his expression sharpening. “I checked out all the clans before conclave moved. He’s clean from what I could find. Hard working and runs a fair company. Head of his family. No shifter issues in his territory, unlike the reports from a few others. This might be your decision, but you are not getting involved with Clan Ainsworth or Lucerne. I won’t allow it.”
Well. “You won’t allow it. Really.”
He rose to tower over her. “You might not be in my bed anymore, but you’re still mine. I forbid you to get involved with anyone I suspect cares less for your survival than what they can squeeze from you in short-term benefits.”
As a human, his shifter power didn’t hit her the same way it would affect a fellow wolf. Didn’t mean she couldn’t feel the effects, especially when like now, he had his dominance cranked on full blast.
To a human who’d never experienced it before, even a gentle touch could make them uncomfortable. Perhaps have them running from the room as if they’d felt a ghost. Caroline stiffened her spine. She raised an arm to admire the way her hair stood straight on end. “Whoa, you’re like a twelve on the Richter scale with that
