Page 112 of The Reluctant Alpha

Sunday was nearly another week away.

"Shane’s new boss is a developer—our windows need work, but he thinks we can get a good price if we do some work first.”

Shane and “good price” in the same sentence made me want to scream. “I’ll be there Sunday. We’ll sort it out.”

I hung up, fingers numb. Emery looked at me, worry darkening his eyes. “You can’t just leave. The revenant’s dead—but we think he wasn't working alone.”

“I can’t leave her with Shane. He’ll swindle her blind.” Em didn’t look convinced.

“I’m worried she’ll say something to Shane. He finds out she’s coming here, he’d be with her just to annoy everyone.” Bayer and Phoenix walked in.

“Danny’s mom’s coming home,” Emery said worriedly.

“But not to stay,” I added.

Bayer’s face twisted with both tenderness and fear. “When?”

“Sunday evening,” I said, trying to sound resolute. “She’s only here briefly to sell the house—Shane’s already circling.”

“Sell the house?” Phoenix frowned.

“She’s moving in with Aunt Carol,” I said quickly, relief tinting my words.

Phoenix’s arms crossed. “It’s not safe for you to leave the pack area.”

Not alone anyway. “I can’t tell her who you guys are because I don’t trust Shane.”

Bayer knelt beside me, taking my hand. “You’re carrying our cubs.”

“I know,” I whispered, smiling, placing my free hand over my stomach. “You remind me every minute.”

Phoenix’s voice was firm. “If anything happened—”

“I promise I won’t go on my own,” I said then smiled at Bayer. “I’d really like for her to meet you properly.”

Bayer squeezed my hand. “What if we're right and someone else was behind the revenant? It's been quiet for a month, but that still doesn't mean the threat has gone.”

“I know,” I said, voice trembling. “I love you all for it. And I know there are wolves guarding her, but if I don’t show, she might send Shane again.”

Bayer leaned forward. “Then what’s your plan?”

I drew in a shaky breath and looked at Bayer. “Maybe we can both go talk—”

“Absolutely not,” Phoenix said immediately, before Bayer even got a chance to speak.

“Phoenix,” Bayer ground out, but Phoenix just talked over him.

“You need to stay here.”

“I tugged on Bayer’s hand. “Come on,” I needed to talk to Bayer alone. “Let’s go decide—"

“No, you stay here,” Phoenix all but ordered me.

"Enough." Bayer's voice cut through the tension like a knife, his tone sharper than I'd ever heard. He stood, towering over Phoenix, his shoulders squared. "Danny is my mate, not yours to command."

Phoenix's eyes flashed. "I'm trying to protect your mate and your cubs."

"By talking over me?" Bayer's voice dropped dangerously low. "By making decisions for my pack without consulting me first?"