“Only if said female aims to harm my pack.” Snake stood and jabbed a finger at Troy’s chest. “I swore a vow to protect these people and the alphas. Until you do as well, you’re on my watch list.”
Interesting. These people. Not “my people.” Maybe Snake was a stranger as much as Troy. Didn’t matter now. He needed to dole out assurances without seeming weak.
“I wouldn’t expect less of someone in a pack I aim to join. Mind you, I have a watch list of my own. Ain’t decided to join yet. I’m here to work, not get into a pissing competition with anyone.”
Snake didn’t blink. “Remember, Trojan. They didn’t name viruses after your kind for no reason.”
The Lupine walked off, standing before the fire. Not joining any of the clusters of others. Maybe Snake was a lone wolf as much as Troy.
Another cowhand, lean and lanky, wearing a battered straw hat, ambled over. “Never mind Snake. He’s ornery to everyone. Name’s Ellison. Welcome to the Mitchell Ranch.”
“Thanks.” Troy shook hands. “You a wrangler?”
“Yep. Been here a couple of years. Work’s good, Lupines are all fair. You’ll like it here.”
Dale emerged from an adjoining room with a couple. The male was tall, with short black hair and a well-trimmed black beard and mustache. An aura of quiet power radiated from him.
The female was shorter, blonde, pretty and more relaxed, but watchful.
Troy met the male alpha’s piercing, dark gaze and nodded to acknowledge Aiden’s status, but for the female at his side he removed his hat and bowed his head after meeting Nia’s blue gaze.
Life taught him respect for females. If this alpha disliked his gesture because Troy showed more deference to his mate, hell, this wasn’t the outfit he wanted to call pack.
Instead of frowning, Aiden smiled, a slow smile filled with understanding. This Aiden Mitchell liked what Troy had done.
Both the alphas had the vanilla scent of a child surrounding them. He’d picked up the same scent near the horse corral. So they had a little one to protect as well. That would make them even more wary of strangers.
Dale made introductions. Troy took a deep breath, knowing this would make or break him as a new hire.
“Name’s Troy Gilbert. Been on the road for a year after I left my last pack. Was head enforcer there until they kicked me out for being too violent. Thought you should know that up front.”
Aiden arched a dark brow, while Nia simply studied him.
“What pack?” Aiden asked in a deep voice.
“The Meadowrunners out of northern California.”
The alpha’s wide shoulders relaxed the smallest bit. The brittle tension in the room fled as well.
“I’ve heard of them,” Aiden said in his deep voice. “Peace loving hippie pack, they align themselves with the Fae of that forest. They keep a strict no violence policy, no matter what.”
The pack leader frowned. “I can’t see someone who looks like you being in their pack. They’re not regular Lupines.”
He almost laughed. If Aiden only knew why the Meadowrunners had taken him in, the alpha might look twice. But that was a secret he planned to keep.
For now.
“Yeah, I didn’t fit in. Not really. They hired me as the pack muscle, probably because I’m a damn good tracker as well. I violated their rules and they banished me when an intruder threatened their alpha’s newborn. I had to do what I felt was right to keep them safe, even when it meant I broke their rules. I won’t go against my gut instinct.”
“It’s a good instinct.” Aiden gave him a long, thorough look.
Not as thorough as Nia.
“What did you do to the intruder?” she asked.
Everyone in the room leaned forward.
“Gave him fair warning if he proved to be a problem. When he showed up late one night a second time, I showed him the business side of my claws. End of problem.”
Not quite. He left out the part about how a certain wizard had interfered. Or how the pack alpha failed to inform Troy certain intruders were more welcome than others…
Aiden nodded in approval while Nia continued to study him with her pretty blue eyes. Not as blue and compelling as Jenny’s, but she was striking.
“How did you end up with the Meadowrunners?” she asked. “Where’s your family? Your pack of origin?”
Now everyone in the room tensed, waiting for his answer.
“Family’s gone. They moved to Europe from California when I was seventeen. Didn’t want to leave the country, so I was on my own. Wandered a while until answering the call for a job of enforcer for the Meadowrunners. After they kicked me out, I wandered some more. Figure it was time to find a new place that could use my skills. I’m no wrangler, but I’m a fast learner and loyal and if you give me a chance, I’ll show you.”
Giving Troy a searching look, the alpha gave another nod. “I’ll set you up with our security team.”
Aiden stuck out his hand and tension fled the air. “Welcome. Dale needs more muscle. You understand until Dale gives you the full green light, you’re on probation. I’ll leave it up to him where you bunk for now.”
This Mitchell was no pushover and he had a family to protect. Yeah, he got it. Until he proved his loyalty to the power couple, he was an outsider.
Troy shook his hand.
As for Nia… she came straight up to Troy and gathered both hands in hers. Her palms were warm and calloused, showing she wasn’t adverse to hard work on the ranch.
“You’re the one who gave Zoe money to return to us. Thank you. I’m happy to meet you. Welcome to our home. Have you eaten yet?”
“Thought it was best to meet both of you first and tell you my story. Wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t. I sure could use a meal, and if that’s okay with you, I’d like to dine here with everyone.”
Seemed like the right answer, because a few minutes
