“What’s wrong with that?”
“You live in a secret shifter town! Shouldn’t you keep your secrets… secret?”
“Bit late for that.”
Jacqueline bit her lips over a smile. “I guess.”
Arlo put down his spoon and set his elbows on the table. “You saved Tally’s life without thinking. You helped those kids get to a place they’ll be safe for the rest of their lives. You’ve every right to ask questions about what their lives will be like.” Because you’re my mate. Everything you want, I’ll give you.
Jacqueline bit her lower lip. “All right.” She was silent for a moment, and then: “So. Pack. That’s a shifter thing? Like a wolf pack?”
“For me, yeah. Since I’m a wolf.” Arlo grinned, so fast and sharp he surprised himself, and then he realized it was his wolf grinning through him. Thrilled to be part of the conversation, buddy?
Aroo!
“A very handsome wolf,” Jacqueline said, straight-faced, and Arlo’s wolf spun around in delight as the back of his neck burned red-hot.
“Pack is family. The people you’d do anything for. Some shifters, those of us whose animals are meant to live in groups, aren’t happy without pack around. Whether that’s someone to look after, or be looked after by. Or a mate, which is both.”
If his skin wasn’t already burning, it would have caught fire at that. Jacqueline’s eyebrows drew together.
Arlo’s jaw tightened. Oh God. I shouldn’t have said anything. Now she’ll—
Arlo’s senses went on high alert. The restaurant was busier now than it had been earlier in the evening. Most of the tables were full. Guts and Caro were constantly back and forth from the kitchen, and she’d even managed to prod Tom into taking people’s orders.
It was busy, but noisy. Even shifters would find it hard to pick out a conversation from a neighboring table. And other shifters weren’t as sensitive to emotions as he was, thank Christ.
He could tell her. A bit. And later, when they were somewhere a bit more private…
The restaurant door opened, letting in a burst of cool air from outside. Arlo shook himself. Why was this bothering him so much? He should want to tell her. Need to tell her. why was he so afraid?
Jacqueline leaned forward. “So… A mate?”
“Arlo?”
Too late, Arlo realized who had walked in the door.
15
Jacqueline
Jacqueline hadn’t seen the woman come in, but it was impossible to miss her now that she was standing right behind Arlo. She was short and curvy, with dark hair tied back in a braided bun and thick-rimmed glasses.
She was staring at Arlo with an expression of grim determination.
“Tess?” Arlo said, turning in his seat. He muttered something under his breath and turned an apologetic look on Jacqueline. “I’m sorry about this. I said I’d talk to her later, but…”
Jacqueline recognized the woman now, although her hair wasn’t hidden under a hairnet anymore. “She’s your not-niece, right?”
“Foster sister, yeah.” Arlo sighed and waved Tess over.
“Hi,” Tess said, her determination fluttering slightly at the edges. “You’re… Jacqueline?”
“That’s me.” Jacqueline shook Tess’s hand.
“I’m sorry for running off earlier. I thought… I don’t know.” She wiped her hands on her pants and Jacqueline felt a pang of sympathy. Tess was clearly stressing about something—even if Jacqueline didn’t know what.
“Tess, we’re a bit busy,” Arlo said in an undertone.