really could lead one—maybe even all four—of your unmated boys down the path of sin.”
“Path of sin?” repeated Makenna.
Jaime leaned into her and explained quietly. “Taryn likes to tease her with how you and any other females at the shelter might seduce one of her boys.”
“What are you whispering about?” demanded Greta.
“I was just asking her what the foursome was like,” replied Jaime, eyes twinkling.
Makenna grinned. “Hot. Really, really hot.”
“I don’t want her around my Zac!” Greta burst out. “He needs people who are a good influence. You’re a hussy through and through, even worse than her.” She slanted a look of distaste at Taryn.
The Alpha female blinked. “Wow. I didn’t think there’d ever come a day when you hated anyone more than me.”
Makenna said, “I do try to beat world records.”
Greta scowled at Taryn. “Why aren’t you throwing her out? She has no business being here and corrupting my Zac.”
Makenna tilted her head, helplessly amused by the antisocial woman. “If you had a part in raising Ryan, it would explain why he’s not quite sane.”
“Something tells me you’re a little crazy too,” Taryn said to Makenna, chuckling.
“I didn’t say it was a bad thing.”
As Dominic approached the table, dripping wet after being pushed into the lake by Tao, he grinned flirtatiously at Makenna. “Fancy a dip in the lake?”
“No, thanks.”
“Why? Are you scared of water? I’ll keep you safe; I’m a great swimmer.” Mischief glinted in his eyes. “Would you like me to demonstrate the breast stroke?”
She laughed. “Oh, you have ‘trouble’ written all over you.”
“He has a habit of saying dirty lines.” Taryn sighed. “We still haven’t worked out why.”
“Don’t you flirt with her,” Greta told Dominic. “She was cast out of her old pack for having a foursome with the enforcers.”
Dominic’s smile grew to epic proportions. “Makenna, we absolutely have to get to know each other better.”
When Dante called out that the steaks were ready, Ryan turned to Zac. “Come on, let’s eat.” Dropping the football, the teenager followed him.
“You played well,” praised Trick as he jogged past with Marcus and Tao.
Marcus glanced over his shoulder with a smile. “Welcome to the pack, kid.”
The words made Zac come to an abrupt halt that only Ryan noticed. “What’s wrong?” There was a fair amount of distress on the teen’s face.
Zac spoke only loud enough for Ryan to hear. “My old pack will be looking for me. Makenna didn’t say it, but I know they are.”
Ryan’s claws sliced out, making Zac jolt in surprise—thankfully not in fear. “If they come here and cause trouble, they’ll die.”
“You don’t even know what happened in my old pack.”
“So tell me.”
“If I do, you won’t want me.”
“Whatever happened to you is not your fault,” snapped Ryan. He winced at his gruff tone, wishing he had more tact. “Many of the shifters at the shelter have suffered at the hands of others. Do you blame them? Do you think less of them?”
Zac jerked backward. “No.”
“Then there you go.” Ryan sheathed his claws. “You’re one of us now. If whoever hurt you comes here, we’ll kill them.” The words probably would have spooked another juvenile, but Zac seemed to find strength in them. “Come on.”
Tao sidled up to Ryan as they approached the buffet. “Quick question,” the Head Enforcer asked quietly. “What would happen if I asked Makenna out?”
With a calm he didn’t feel, Ryan said, “I’d rip out your throat before the last word escaped your mouth.”
Tao nodded. “Thought so.”
Ryan and Zac plated some food before joining the others at the patio table. Zac took the seat on Makenna’s left, and Ryan sat on her other side—forcing Dominic to move. “Here.” He put a plate of food in front of her, remembering from their conversations what she liked.
She looked from him to the plate and then flashed him a wide smile. “Thanks, Ryan. You’re a sweetie.”
Um, no he wasn’t. His pack mates’ expressions told him they were having the same thought. He didn’t fail to notice Taryn and Roni whispering to each other with a conspiratorial glint in their eyes as they watched him and Makenna. If they were planning on doing some matchmaking, he wouldn’t be opposed to it. He needed whatever help he could get.
As they ate, Ryan listened to Makenna talking with Jaime as they compared the workings of the animal shelter and the loner shelter. Greta directed some snide remarks at Makenna, but his mate ignored them with total ease. She truly didn’t appear at all bothered by them, and