His companion had shorter hair and a black Stetson. His body boasted of hard muscle beneath his jeans and blue chambray work shirt. He recognized the scent of the black-hatted Lupine. Hell, this was the same male who’d trekked through the woods near their camp. His gut reaction kicked in, wanting to growl in the male’s face. Still so protective of Jenny.
But this male had a hellava lot to protect, too.
Troy stopped short of the steps, focusing on the familiar male. Tall, short dark hair beneath his Stetson, he had a watchful look. Probably the pack enforcer.
Easy to recognize the type, the relaxed body ready to rip into action in seconds, triggered to either offer a hand in friendship or rip your throat out.
He’d done the same at his former pack. Troy nodded at the male, equal to equal.
Their gazes curious, but not mistrustful, the two males said nothing. Troy shouldered his rucksack, directing his attention to the Lupine he sensed held more authority.
“I’m Troy Gilbert, Zoe’s friend.”
At mention of Zoe, black Stetson relaxed, but the other, the Native American, stiffened. Troy continued.
“I’m looking for a job. Don’t know if you’re hiring, but I’m a hard worker, and don’t mind scut work. Been in the road a long time and looking for a decent pack. All I ask is food and board in return.”
The Lupine in the black Stetson removed his hat, ran a thumb along the brim. “Can’t say that we’re hiring. Or that we aren’t. How’d you find us?”
That hard look in his eye warned this Lupine wouldn’t take lies for truth. He’d find out soon enough.
Honesty up front prevented trouble down the line, especially since Jenny still lingered on their land.
“Camped out in your forest, saw the ranch, liked what I saw.”
A growl from the other Lupine, but black hat stilled him with a hand.
“Go on.”
Troy liked this Lupine, his calm demeanor. Maybe another less experienced Lupine would think black hat was a pushover, but he knew better.
Black hat wouldn’t hesitate to carve him to shreds if he sensed Troy were a threat. Encouraged by the foot he’d shoved into the door, Troy went on.
“Didn’t know it was yours. Couldn’t catch any scent markers and there sure as hell wasn’t a fence. Land seemed wild and free, with game we needed for food.”
He locked gazes with the male, let him know he wasn’t a pushover. Respect would be given, but he demanded the same.
“We?” Black hat tilted his head.
Troy cursed inwardly. Hell, he’d played the game enough never to let others know his full hand. But he’d grown slack, used to thinking of himself and Jenny as a real couple.
At Troy’s silence, the other leaned forward. “I asked you a question.”
“And I’ll give you the answer, when I reckon I’m ready.”
Maybe he was wrong, his instinct off and this wasn’t the pack he’d figured worth their salt. Too insular and suspicious of outsiders.
Even outsiders ready to become insiders.
Then black hat gave the briefest of nods.
“True enough.” The male pushed to his feet. “You looking for wrangling work?”
Troy kept a blank expression, not letting the kick of relief show. “I can ride, but it’s not my specialty.”
“Uh huh. What is your specialty, wolf?”
Troy smiled and extended his hand, letting his claws emerge. “Hunting, tracking and enforcing. Just point out what you need and I’m your wolf.”
The other male smiled, a slow kind of smile Troy liked. “Good. I can use a wolf like you. Name’s Dale. I’m the head enforcer here.”
Retracting his claws, Troy stuck out his hand and climbed the steps to shake hands. “Troy Gilbert.”
“Welcome to Mitchell Ranch.” Dale jerked a thumb at the other male, who stood and nodded, but did not offer his hand.
“Snake,” the Native American Lupine drawled.
Troy’s mouth crooked. “Interesting name. Nickname for something or is your first name Rattle?”
Cold dark eyes stared at him. “Jon. Snake’s my Sioux name. Jon Whitesnake Landon. What about you, lone wolf? Troy short for Trojan, as in condom?”
Now he flashed a full grin. “My mama named me after a mythical city. Then again, werewolves are supposed to be mythical.”
Snake’s thin mouth flashed in the briefest of smiles. “Right. Especially during a full moon.”
Dale tilted his head up to examine the darkening sky. “Let’s get you set up. Dinner’s about to start, but you can grab your meals at the bunkhouse if you don’t want to mix with the whole pack just yet. Your choice. Bunkhouse or the lodge?”
Smart move. If Troy expressed desire to dine alone, it would highlight his lone wolf tendencies. He knew he’d have other tests to pass in the coming days, but this one ranked higher than most.
“I’d like to meet your alpha first,” he told Dale.
Dale’s mouth twitched. “Alphas. Aiden and Nia. C’mon.”
Thunder rumbled in the distance, the indigo clouds flashing lightning. As he ran up the steps to join Dale and Snake, his heart sank. Jenny. He hated leaving her alone in the woods during a storm, but what choice did he have if she wouldn’t join him? Would they ever have a chance of a life together?
Chapter 3
Putting on a brave face for Troy seemed easier when he was around. Alone, well, her bravado slipped like autumn leaves tumbling down after a strong wind.
Much as she longed to slip into her wolf and race through the woods, she promised Troy to stay in Skin for as long as possible. Getting shot by ranchers wasn’t on her top ten list of things to do, either.
Lightning flashed and thunder cracked in the distance. Shivering, she walked outside, jumping off the narrow porch to study the overcast sky. The little cabin seemed snug against storms, but she hated thunder. Violent thunderstorms had driven her alpha out of the woods to
