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Then you’ll know?” Shane snorted and glared at Declan. “A little late to be worrying about that now, isn’t it?”

“Jackson accepted your reasons. That was enough for me. But as I said, things have changed.” Taking a gamble, he decided to level with the obstinate male. “You were an Alpha, weren’t you? If you hadn’t left your people behind you’d still be one. I sensed it the first time I met you. You’re hiding your nature.” Shane’s body language—shoulders tense, face drawn tight—gave Declan his answer. “As an Alpha you have to understand what’s happening here. You know why I’m asking questions.”

“My female is in this area,” Shane snapped, although Declan could tell the male didn’t like sharing the information. “I’m not sure where. I’ve tried to find her without success.”

Poor bastard.

Declan stood and went to a cabinet. He retrieved the whiskey he kept on hand for special occasions and two glasses. Placing everything on the table, he said, “Once we get through this shit I’ll help you find her.”

Shane opened the bottle and poured their drinks. “I’m not sure you can.”

“We’ll see.” He didn’t know why Shane’s mate hadn’t sought him out. Perhaps—if he could get invitations to other hunts outside their area—he could help Shane strike gold. “I appreciate your honesty.”

“Whatever,” Shane muttered. “So you’re taking the weight off my back. Good. I need the break. There’s not much to tell you. Things have been fine since you left. Cole and Wyatt have been squaring off but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.”

Not a big shock. The cousins argued often. “What are they fighting over now?”

“A piece of pussy.” Shane took a swig of his whiskey and continued, “Some witch they met at The Divide. I told them to leave her the fuck alone. We don’t need the drama.”

“Good choice.” Werewolves and witches didn’t mix. “Are they cool now?”

“For the most part.”

A small relief but a relief nonetheless. “Thank you for keeping things under control.” Grasping his own drink, he focused on the upcoming hunt and big reveal. “You still have our snitch underground? How’s he holding up?”

“He’ll make it to the full moon. It didn’t take much to get the information I needed.”

“I’m not sure how things will go from here.” Usually he took his time drinking. Under the current strain he tossed the alcohol back. It burned a direct path to his gut. He covered his mouth, releasing a cough. “Even if we expose Simone she won’t man up in front of the packs. Uniting with Gavin’s wolves will probably scare her enough to keep her in line. But then again she’s fairly stupid. She might try something again.”

“How many wolves is Jackson taking on?”

“Including us?” Shane nodded and Declan answered, “There’ll be fifty-six if Gavin sticks around.”

“He’d be an asset.”

Yes, he would. The man had money and power. “That part’s up to Chloe.”

“She’ll make the right choice. That female is a force to be reckoned with.”

Declan’s thoughts drifted to his own force of nature—the female resting in his bed. Rachel had shown him just how dangerous she could be. She didn’t back down. In the face of adversity she stepped up, even if she was the underdog.

As the Lupa of the packs, Chloe needed a strong supporter.

She now had it in her best friend turned packmate.

Light eclipsed darkness, giving him hope.

Things were finally looking up for a change. Time to get serious.

Declan poured himself another drink, smiling. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Chapter Eleven

Declan had said he was going to spoil her rotten.

He hadn’t been kidding.

Rachel sank into the tub, relaxing in the hot water, letting the bubbles rise to her chin. The bossy man had told her not to ask any question when he woke her up, serving her breakfast in bed. Thanks to a grumbling tummy she hadn’t argued, sinking into a plate of grits, pancakes and sausage. He’d rushed to the bathroom just before she’d finished. She heard the steady flow of water and thought she knew what he was up to.

What better way to seduce a woman than give her good food?

She’d been ready to reward him for his efforts, her slit becoming wet in anticipation. To her dismay he didn’t take advantage assisting her into the tub. She’d wondered if he hadn’t been interested until she’d seen the large bulge in his jeans. When he saw what she had been staring at, he’d told her Chloe and Jackson were coming over. He’d woken her early so she had plenty of time to get ready.

It hadn’t been easy to fight her libido and watch him leave.

Even now her breasts felt unbelievably heavy, her nipples hard and pointed. She dunked her head under the water, trying to stave off her sexual appetite. She broke the surface and took measured breaths. If she wanted to help Chloe she needed to get her priorities in order. She also needed to ask serious questions, preparing herself for what she couldn’t avoid.

Tomorrow night she’d change for the first time.

Despite everything she still feared the unknown. Ice obliterated the heat building in her stomach. Chloe had survived the shift. Surely she would too? There were plenty of people who’d been bitten and they’d lived. But that didn’t mean there wouldn’t be pain. Once she had time with Chloe she’d ask about the transformation. She needed to know what to expect.

With that in mind she snagged the bottle of shampoo next to her and got to work. She washed her hair, scrubbed her skin and put the razor she’d found to good work. She shivered as she removed the bristles that had formed along her crease, remembering how good it felt when Declan’s mouth caressed her there. Shaking the image off, she climbed quietly from the tub, toweled herself dry and put on the clothes Declan had put on the counter for her.

He’d thought of everything, making the morning easy for her.

She couldn’t remember that last time she’d been cared for like this.

After she ran a brush through her hair, she inspected herself in the mirror. She froze when she saw the eyes reflected back at her. Normally a dark shade of blue, they were now light as a summer sky. The spike of adrenaline that went through her changed them even more, making them glow. Telling herself to be calm, she leaned closer to inspect them. Around the edge she could see traces of the original color, followed by the brighter hue that swept all the way to her pupils.

Whoa.

Peering down, she pulled her lips back and inspected her teeth.

Thankfully they hadn’t changed, looking like the normal chompers she’d always had.

Deep laughter drew her attention. Declan was watching her from the door. He was nearly too big for the entranceway, his shoulders almost as broad. He’d leaned against the side, at ease in his home. He’d changed his clothing, dressing in a snug black shirt and jeans. His tattoos were exposed, the denim clinging to his hips worn and faded. Her body ramped up at the sight, clit throbbing, pulse racing.

It might be cold outside but indoors it suddenly felt very, very warm.

“Should I ask what you’re doing?” he asked, his gaze sweeping over her.

Moving from the mirror, she met his eyes. “No.”

He shifted his weight, pushing away from the wall. Opening his arms, he murmured, “Come here, baby.”

No way was she going to argue. She craved his strength, aching to smell him. She wanted to immerse herself in the heat of his body, feel the firmness of his muscles beneath her hands. In two steps he had her in his grasp, tugging her close. She sighed, resting her cheek against his chest.