Page 32 of Tempting the Tiger

“I do not,” Bachar argued grumpily. “Just the males.”

“Males who have no desire to be neutered,” Keair laughed. He sat down in an empty seat beside Sally. “The place is more than secure, Alpha. She is perfectly safe.” He tried his best to reassure the man, but he knew his words were useless. He knew he would feel the exact same way with his mate.

He quickly scanned the room, looking for her. He frowned when he didn’t see her. In fact, he had expected her to be here with Sally and Emily. “Have you seen my mate?”

“She was here just a moment ago,” Sally said.

“I believe she stepped away to check on the desserts,” Emily spoke, never looking up from the notes she was making on her tablet.

“Thank you.” Keair rose and quickly made his way to the kitchen. He had sent a van to Grace’s bakery this morning so she would not have to load and unload the cakes and pastries she had prepared for today. While he was honored that Sally wanted his mate involved in her baby shower, he had worried about the long hours she had put in.

“Daniel, have you seen Grace?” The manager of the Lion’s Pride had come to help with the party and was standing by a stainless steel table checking the trays that were about to go out.

“No sir, I have not.”

Keair grunted. “Emily said she was coming back here to check the food.”

Daniel frowned. “I can check for you, sir.”

“Thank you, Daniel, I’d appreciate it.” Keair took his phone from his pocket and dialed Grace’s number. He half expected to hear it go off in the kitchen. When it didn’t, his worry deepened.

It flew off the charts when the phone went straight to voice mail.

“Trouble?” Tarek entered the busy kitchen coming to stand beside Keair.

“Yes,” Keair snapped. “I can’t find Grace.”

“Well, what did you do to piss her off?” The question was asked without inflection, the wolf’s face a blank slate.

“Why do you assume it’s my fault?” Keair glowered.

“According to Sally, it is always the male’s fault.”

“Damn it, I didn’t do anything.”

“Then where is your mate?”

Any other time, Keair would have torn into the other shifter. But now was not that time. He hated to admit it, but he needed Tarek.