the scent of my woman grows stronger as I instinctively know she just entered the room. Without breaking eye contact with the most dangerous one in the room–her father–I stretch my arm out.
She steps closer and curls herself against my side, whispering, “Ash is outside with the others. I tried to calm them down and let them know you had this under control but Ash asked if you could tell the pack to stand down.”
Jagger leans forward. “Little niece, why are you whispering.”
She shoots him a glare.
I place a kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll handle it. Are you okay?”
The tiny smile tugging her lips hits me straight in the chest. “I’ll try not to shift again.”
Now it’s my turn to smile. “No restrictions, love. Our ranch, our rules. Just don’t scare the livestock.”
“Aw, they’re so sweet together,” her mother gushes.
Opal’s cheeks heat.
“I’ll be right back.” I head for the door and close it behind me before facing almost my entire pack.
“Alpha, how do you want to handle this?” Ash questions.
Alpha. My VP calls me Alpha because this is not ranch business; supernatural danger is pack business.
“I am handling this,” I grunt and glance around at everyone else. “I might as well get this over with. I was going to announce it tomorrow morning in church but seeing most of you are here and can sense all the supernaturals inside my home, it’s easier to explain now. Opal is my mate. I claimed her earlier but her parents were triggered somehow and thought she needed to be rescued.”
“Why a dragon? Hellhounds, a vampire? The scents are a large mixture. Who is your old lady connected with?” Ozzy questions.
“With all of them,” I simply say. “Ophelia is the daughter of Alastair, the president of Death by Reaper MC, Hellhounds chapter.”
“Holy shit,” Kye gasps. “It’s the chapter with all the sisters mated with presidents of different chapters, right? Those sisters are a mixture of supernaturals. So, all her aunts and uncles have mixed powers. Prez, you have one hell of a connection through your mate. Damn, no one would mess with us before this, but now?”
“Touch us and die.” Ozzy chuckles.
I shake my head while everyone is smiling and surrounding me to give slaps on my back and congratulate me on my mating.
“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter. “We’ll celebrate later this week with a barbeque, but I have to go handle the in-laws right now.”
“Howl if you need anything,” Ash says.
I lift my chin and head back into the house where I find Alastair waiting for me.
“My wife demanded I apologize for being a dick,” Alastair grumbles.
“I’m not hearing you apologize, and to be honest, I don’t need one either. You might not have handled it well, but she’s your daughter. Emotions muddle actions when shit gets close to the heart.”
He nods at my words. “She can shift.”
“She sure can.” I grin.
He holds out his hand and I reckon this is as far as his attempt to apologize goes. Giving him a firm shake, he slaps my shoulder and the both of us head for the living room. Most are seated and have drinks while Opal is in the kitchen with the other women.
A prickle of awareness hits me and instantly puts me on edge. The sudden change in the air is enough for everyone to jolt into action. Blood. Fresh blood is entering my nose with every inhale of breath. It’s faint, but it’s there. The women come rushing out of the kitchen.
“What’s going on?” Eliana questions.
“I don’t know, but I’m about to find out,” I state and head for the door.
“We’re coming with you,” Alastair grunts and Opal’s uncles and aunts, along with herself, fall in step behind me.
Members from my pack come rushing from all sides.
“The fucker is here. I can fucking smell him. It’s faint, but there. Fuck,” Ash growls.
I spin around to face Alastair. “Are you still itching to kill a werewolf? Because we would welcome the help.”
“Hell yeah,” Jagger snaps and Opal’s uncles gather around along with the rest of my brothers.
“Inhale deep. The blood I recognize as the scent of one of my prospects. I ordered him to keep an eye on a house we tracked a werewolf to who kills humans when he’s done with having them work for him to gather enough cash so he can move on to the next one. Opal cloaked the prospect’s scent but he must have sensed or made him. Fuck, he might have noticed he was