“I don’t need your protection.” Troy growled again, and stared at Ellison. Hairs rose on his exposed forearms. “I can protect myself and my woman. You’ll find out how much if you even get within spitting distance of her.”
The wrangler blinked and grinned. “Hey now, I didn’t mean any harm. I’m only trying to obey the rules. If Darius and Aiden say she’s okay and it’s okay for her to be on pack land, then fine by me. Don’t blame me for being cautious. I’ve been here a while and I’m protective of my pack.”
Troy made a note to keep an eye on the Lupine. Ellison had been friendly, but beneath the jocularity, it lurked something Troy couldn’t figure out. Like a politician trying to court votes, the Lupine wasn’t what he appeared to be, and hid his true personality.
At least he knew where he stood with Snake, He knew Snake couldn’t stand him.
For Jenny’s sake, he hoped she’d at least visit the pack, and become acquainted. The longer she remained alone in the woods, the more he worried about her.
Sooner or later, she’d have to make a choice, and so would he. Would he stay here, solo, or go with her if she left the area?
And how exactly had Jenny destroyed the stone that threatened Darius’ son? Troy wondered. Did Jenny have even more powers he didn’t know about and hid them from everyone, including him?
Chapter 6
Troy was eating dinner with the pack. Outdoors. It looked like a fine feast. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her she’d yet to dine today.
Somehow this food smelled tastier. A slight wind blew the scents in her direction, the steak and grilled meat cutting through the smells of forest, river water and assorted Lupines.
Tents peppered the riverbank. A wood deck at the river’s edge held several tables, all filled with Lupines sitting and eating what looked like a fine feast. Two Lupines hovered over a brick barbecue pit. The smell of grilled steak and chicken made her salivate.
Jenny felt longing as she studied the Lupines at the tables, laughing and socializing. Sure, she understood Troy’s need for pack. Lupines were social creatures and needed pack. But these Lupines dined as humans.
For some reason, she found the sight not only nostalgic, but oddly alluring. Red candles glowed on each table. The sharp blue sky above had softened with twilight. Shadows dappled the nearby pine forest and rock cliffs, and birds chattered and sang nearby. The wood deck set with several tables, offering a splendid view, blended in with the natural setting.
Voices were loud to be heard above the river’s roar several feet away. Forks and knives clinked against china, and once in a while she heard a loud childish protest, “But MOM!”
These Lupines could easily pass for human, and yet the sight did not repulse her as it had in the past.
It’s Troy. He’s there and he’s the only Lupine you trust. Not the others.
Except that wasn’t true. Troy sat at the same table as the pack alpha she’d seen earlier in the woods, and at the table’s far end she spotted Samantha with a handsome, dark-haired male. Must be her mate, for Hunter sat in a high chair between them.
Troy helped to serve slices of rare beef from a round platter. A female sat next to him – with short brown hair, a wide smile and pretty features.
Each time Troy said something, she laughed, a gurgling laugh that drew attention her way.
A low growl rose in Jenny’s throat. She pawed the ground. Stay away from my male.
But she had no real claim on Troy. Not yet. They were friends. Nothing more.
Had they been mates, she would have rights. Jenny pawed at the ground again. Dirt flew. Yeah, she’d have rights and would show her rights with her claws.
Though the trees hid her presence, Lupines had a keen sense of smell. No one had it more than Troy, who turned and stared at her hiding spot.
“Jenny hon, come on out and join us. It’s all right,” he said in a deep, soothing voice.
Unable to resist the allure of his voice, she stepped out from behind the tree. All talk ceased, and everyone turned to look. The heavy weight of all those eyes centered on her. Glad she was in wolf form, Jenny studied them as intently as they studied her.
The bearded male she’d seen in the forest, Aiden, stood up. He gestured to the tables. “Hello Jenny. Troy told me about you. Please join us. We’d be happy to have you dine with us and there’s plenty of food. I’m Aiden, the alpha. My mate Nia, over there is Jackson…”
He rattled off names. Her ears pricked. She remained silent and still. Observing.
“Come on and join us.” Darius waved a fork. “Always room for one more. Besides, Sam wants to thank you again for what you did for our Hunter.”
“Please,” Sam added. “It’s the least we can do for you.”
Jenny glanced at Troy, who nodded. “They’re a good group. Get to know them. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Troy held fast to his promises. She could trust him, even if she couldn’t trust these others.
For now.
The alpha gave her a friendly smile as she loped over to Troy, her ears pricked. As wolf she felt more in common with these Lupines.
It was in human skin she feared. Human skin made her powers rumble like volcanic lava beneath a mountain.
Troy looked at the woman sitting next to him. “Zoe, can you make a place for Jenny?”
Zoe left her chair. Troy patted the empty chair. He pulled it out and Jenny jumped into it, tail wagging. She licked his face.
Aiden cleared his throat. “We have rules. No wolfskin at the dinner table.”
Jenny hesitated. Shifting wasn’t in the plan. But she understood rules, even if she
