strong morals and a fierce sense of right and wrong, but he’d sacrifice both to protect his wolves. He especially would for Jaime, but he didn’t want to think on why. “Doesn’t mean I’m lying when I say she merely responded to another female provoking her.”
“Responded is putting it lightly, don’t you think? I’m surprised Trey hasn’t banished her.”
“If you’re going to question our Alpha’s decision,” rumbled Dante, his tone low, “you really don’t want to do it in front of me.”
Nick gave a curt nod. “Okay, I overstepped my boundaries. But Jaime caused a lot of damage to Glory. It took four sessions to heal her, though it’s fair to say our healer operates in a different way than Taryn and so it takes longer. I might not have a particular fondness for Glory, but she’s still part of my pack. She’s still under my protection.”
“And Jaime’s under mine. She told me the things Glory said to her. Not only did she lay claim to me again, but she repeatedly insulted Jaime and threatened her. I won’t punish Jaime for responding to a threat, or for feeling a need to defend her own Beta. It’s what we do here—we take care of each other, look out for each other. I told you at the diner that if Glory continued to make a claim to me then she’d be dealt with. Well, she’s been dealt with.”
“And the way she was dealt with doesn’t bother you? The way Jaime lost all control doesn’t bother you?”
Dante’s patience was wearing thin now. “She didn’t lose all control or she’d have shifted—
which is something you know. But what I fail to understand is why you’re so interested in Jaime.”
“I’m just surprised she hasn’t been banished. Hey, don’t get me wrong, I can understand if you’re all hesitant to ask her to leave, but you have the other members of your pack to think about.
What if Jaime was to feel provoked by one of them? Would it be fine to you if she was to attack, say, Shaya in the same way that she attacked Glory?”
“Well, neither Shaya nor the other females are any of your business, so…” Marcus let the sentence trail, shrugging.
Dante couldn’t help but notice the way Nick fisted his hands so hard that his knuckles turned white. “Jaime is none of your business either. I don’t have to justify anything to you, and I won’t. If Glory didn’t want to get her ass kicked, she shouldn’t have dished out her attitude to Jaime. It’s as simple as that.”
Ryan grunted his agreement while Marcus said, “Yep” and Tao said, “Exactly.”
“No, there’s nothing simple about it,” objected Nick. “Maybe some of your pack could stay with mine for a while, just until you’re sure Jaime’s under better control. The mated pairs and the females, for example.”
“Why would you care about what happens to the people in our pack?” asked Marcus. It sounded like a simple inquiry, but Dante had known Marcus long enough to know when he was toying with someone.
“We have an alliance. Packs who have alliances help each other out.” Nick shrugged as if to emphasize the simplicity of his offer.
Marcus tilted his head. “Well, Cam and Lydia might be happy to leave. Grace won’t, which means Rhett won’t. Greta wouldn’t move from this place unless Trey did—which won’t happen.
Hope won’t leave because she’s become quite attached to Gabe, who I’m pretty sure will fully intend on remaining with his sister.”
“What about Shaya?”
“Shaya won’t leave Jaime or Taryn. Or Dominic, for that matter. They’ve become quite close.”
Nick’s face hardened. “I see.”
“I’m pretty sure they’re off somewhere together now, actually. If anyone was to try to harm her, Dominic would protect her with everything he has. She’s in very good hands.” Dante’s eyes danced from Marcus to Nick. Although the Alpha hadn’t picked up on the fact that Marcus was—for some reason—playing with him, he still looked like he was about to explode.
“Anything else?”
Nick shook his head. “If you change your mind about any of your pack staying with me for a while, let me know.” Sharply, he rose from his chair.
“I appreciate the offer and I know that Trey will too, but it won’t be an offer we’ll take you up on, especially when the cause of all the trouble is in the very place you’re proposing I send some of the pack.”
“Yeah, Shaya would kill her,” said Marcus with a smile. When Nick’s gaze shot to him, he nodded. “She