Being put into the situation of having to convince his mate of this fact was a rather bizarre twist.
It had taken a little wrangling, but they’d organized the first gathering. In the end the female Beta of his pack, Gem, with her easy southern hospitality, had risen to the occasion and offered to host a meal.
So now there were five. Evan on one side of the table, Shaun and Gem on the other. Amy led her second-in-command to a chair at the head of the table before stepping into position next to Evan.
Shaun was doing his stormy-face thing while Gem examined Amy with a great deal of curiosity. Evan didn’t even want to speculate how much mischief the two women would get up to once they got to know each other better.
His mate and her hacking talents? Gem and her ability to sweet-talk the universe into going her direction? His and Shaun’s gooses were well and truly cooked.
The thought made him smile like a maniac.
Amy elbowed him, and he blinked, dragging on a more serious expression.
She turned to the table and headed into introductions. “Sarah, I’d like you to officially meet everyone. Gem and Shaun. And this is Evan. I’m sure you’ve seen them around town.”
It was clear the elderly wolf was strong, but Sarah still stared at him as if he were a monster with two heads. The urge to make a scary face was far too tempting.
“Okay. I met everyone, now I have other things to do.” Shaun began to turn away, his nose wrinkling as if he smelled something funny.
Amy leaned forward before he could leave, a gentle smile on her face and insistent pressure blaring from her wolf side. “Shaun. Darling Shaun. Put your ass down in your seat or the next time you’re in wolf I will grab a nail gun, pin your tail to the floor, and force you to shift to human.”
Tension spiked briefly, easing as Gem sat, pulling Shaun down with her. By the time everyone else was seated, Amy had turned her attention to Shaun’s mate. “Gem, I understand you found some work with the Yukon government.”
Gem wore an expression somewhere between exasperation and admiration as she glanced between her mate and Amy. She laid a soothing hand on Shaun’s shoulder and rubbed as she answered. “Yes, I’m working through some research projects and summarizing details for the records. Suggesting future projects that will fill in the gaps and fit within the environmental guidelines for the area.”
“When you’re done, I would love a copy of anything you can share for the library.” Amy’s friend nodded cautiously at Gem. “With all the cutbacks, I’ve been struggling to add resources, and up-to-date research is always scarce. I heard amazing things regarding your work.”
Gem beamed. “I’d love to help you, Sarah.”
“Be careful what you promise,” Shaun warned. He pointed a finger at Amy. “This one—”
“—and I think it’s time to put the meat on the grill.” Evan shot to his feet. The ladies were working at getting along, but his Beta needed some sense smacked into him. “Shaun, you’re with me.”
“The steaks are on the counter. Please don’t burn them this time,” Gem ordered, her glare at Shaun sharp enough to cut.
Shaun stood, sniffing indignantly. “We don’t burn things, we add a healthy dose of charcoal to aid digestion.”
“Well, last time my digestion was squeaky clean for days. Let’s not do a repeat.” Gem blew him a kiss to soften the words. “We’re good here,” she insisted. “Go. Go make things smoke. You know you want to.”
Thank God for smart, reasonable women. Evan winked at Gem, and she smiled, pushing Shaun toward the door.
Shaun glared over his shoulder, but he followed Evan outside. Behind them, the three women continued to talk, the discussion branching into online book shopping and resource acquisitions.
Shaun stood silently as Evan cleaned the grill. Evan waited, figuring it would take about ten more seconds before his Beta let it all out.
“I can’t believe you’re mates with that barracuda.”
“Aww, you like her.” Evan slapped the first steak on the grill. “I don’t know what your problem is. She’s just as sneaky and twisted as you are.”
The other wolf snorted. “Sure, I like her. Kind of how I like double pneumonia and hives. She took everything, Evan. Are you going to let her get away with that?”
“It’s not a matter of letting her get away with it. She did it. There’s no going back and erasing it. That’s why we’re meeting tonight, to move toward the next stage for Whitehorse and the packs.” Evan closed the top of the grill and turned his full attention on Shaun. “I know it wasn’t the best of beginnings, but tell me the truth. What do you think about her?”
Shawn hesitated long enough Evan smacked him in the chest.
A slow grin snapped free. “Fine. She’s got balls, I’ll give her that. And I suppose if she puts as much effort into building the pack, I’ll refrain from trapping her in an alley some dark and stormy night and burying her in rotting compost.”
Evan nodded. “That’s what I figured.”
“Besides, she’s cute, in a sort of ‘willing to tear your throat out at a moment’s notice’ kind of way. And she’s strong—damn strong—which is sexy even while it’s freaky to have someone as tiny as her pack that much of a punch.”
A rush of extraordinary anger slammed into Evan at the thought anyone, even Shaun, was looking at Amy with sexual admiration. He crowded the man, backing him toward the railing of the deck. “The word sexy never again comes out of your mouth along with her name. Don’t even think it, do I make myself clear?”
The words weren’t that frightening, but the threat was there in his tone.
“Someone’s got an issue.” Shaun gave him a look. “You don’t have to warn me off. I mean, I’d never cheat on Gem in the first place, but I’d never in a million years go after someone you’re mated to. You need to chill the eff out.”
Evan squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Sorry. That wasn’t about you.”
“Your balls are turning blue, I get it.” Shaun shoved him away. “But no matter how much I love and respect you, I’m not offering to help with that issue.”
“Fuck off.”
Shaun grinned. “You know, you teased me unmercifully when I was figuring out this mate thing with Gem. It’s very amusing to be on the other side of the fence.”
Evan glared harder. “You’re going to get that fence shoved where the sun don’t shine if you’re not careful.”
“Just saying.” His Beta opened the barbecue to flip the steaks. He glanced through the window at the three women who were now gathered around the main table, putting out cutlery and making salads. “When did we get domesticated, dude? I mean, I love Gem and all, but this picture is scary weird.”
“The world had to change,” Evan pointed out. “As much fun as it was being single, this is our destiny.”
That is, as soon as he and Amy were truly mates. They were stuck in limbo. Not only was it physically frustrating, Evan hated not being in control.
Maybe he should take charge and make it happen.
Or maybe he should back off a little more.
Or maybe he should…
Jeez, he was being pathetic again. Maybe he should get rip-roaring drunk and not have to make any choices. He needed to screw his head on right and make a bloody decision. This going around in circles wasn’t him, dammit.
Gem joined them, slipping her arms around Shaun’s waist and settling in tight. She kissed his cheek then turned her smile on Evan. “I like her.”
Relief struck. “Good to know.”
“There’s something different about her.” Gem frowned. “I’m not sure what it is, but on the other hand, she’s easy to talk to, and she seems to care. Whatever she’s holding back doesn’t worry me, since this was our first meeting. I can work with her.”