The front door opened before they reached it. A redhead with elfin features stood there, smiling. “Boys, I have to say I kind of missed you.”
“Just kind of?” asked Bracken.
“Shaya, this is Gwen,” said Zander. “Gwen, this is my Alpha female.”
Shaya gave her a welcoming smile designed to put her at ease. “I heard all about you from Makenna and Ally—it was all good stuff. Come in.”
“Thanks.” As they walked into a large rustic and very contemporary kitchen that led into a roomy dining area, Gwen glanced at Zander over her shoulder. “Yeah, Zander, this is so not a lodge.”
Shaya laughed. “Pretty spacious, isn’t it?” She gestured for Gwen to follow her into the dining room, which Gwen quickly realized was attached to an expansive living area. She loved how the three rooms were one huge, open space.
Several people rose from the luxurious sofas and plush armchairs. One male was already standing, leaning against the wall near the stone fireplace. One muted the TV—the entertainment system was state-of-the-art shit, Gwen noted—and Zander came to her side while Bracken stood close behind her. They didn’t move from her as they exchanged greetings with their pack mates.
Zander knew his body language was protective as he shifted slightly in front of Gwen, taking up her space, but it was automatic—some unwelcoming faces stared back at her, and that rankled in a big way. His wolf didn’t like it either. Both man and wolf wanted her in easy reach, despite knowing the pack wasn’t a physical threat to her.
Nick took in his body language and arched a brow, but he didn’t seem surprised by it. And when his gaze flicked to Gwen’s neck, Zander knew that Derren had told the Alpha about the mark. Chatty bastard. Not that Zander cared if they knew. Still, he resisted—barely—the urge to possessively cup Gwen’s neck and make a point to the others that she was taken. He didn’t want her to feel awkward in front of his pack mates.
Shaya began the introductions. “Everyone, this is Gwen. Gwen, this here is my mate, Nick. Ignore the scowl. It’s nothing personal. He’s just not much of a smiler.”
Gwen just nodded at the blond, indomitable-looking male near the fireplace, refusing to be intimidated by the alpha energy emanating from him. She turned back to Shaya. “I’ve been around Zander for a few days, so I’m sort of used to the intense stares at this point.”
Shaya’s smile widened. “Good, that helps. Near the window are Eli and Roni, Nick’s siblings.”
Gwen met Eli’s analytical gaze, thinking he was just as daunting as his brother even though he wasn’t quite as tall. “I see you’ve got the scowling thing going on too.”
Roni snickered, flicking long ash-blonde locks over her shoulder. “He’s not upset with you. I put salt in his coffee.”
Gwen’s mouth curved. “I did that to my brother once. It’s every sibling’s right.”
Roni smiled. “I totally agree.”
Shaya pointed to a small brunette standing at the rear of the room, arms folded in a way that was almost petulant. “That’s Nick’s mom, Kathy. As you can see, she’s good at the scowling too. Lastly, we have Jesse and Harley over there by the door. They’re a mated pair.”
Gwen could already sense they were mated by how intimately close they stood. She studied the golden-eyed female closely. “You don’t seem like a wolf.”
One dark, perfectly plucked brow arched. “I don’t?”
“Walking around the shelter—which I think is pretty awesome—I noticed different kinds of shifters seem to have different . . . airs about them. You have a feline air.”
Harley’s mouth curled and she bowed her head slightly, making her dark hair fall forward enough that Gwen noticed the burgundy highlights. “Very good,” said Harley.
“Perceptive,” agreed Jesse.
“She reads Zander so well it’s not even funny,” said Bracken, a smile in his voice.
Zander shot him a hard look, but the enforcer just smirked.
“Did Andie settle at the shelter okay?” asked Shaya.
Gwen nodded. “Yeah. She said she’d give it a try but that if she changed her mind she’d give me a call.”
“Give you a call?” echoed Zander.
“So I can go pick her up and bring her back to Oregon,” Gwen explained. “I don’t think that’ll happen, though. She seemed comfortable there.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Bracken yawned. “Any chance of a coffee before I go pack more of my shit, Kathy?”
The woman humphed as she crossed the room. Her eyes danced from Gwen to Zander. “I suppose you both want one too?” she said snottily.
“No, thanks.” Gwen touched her stomach. “I’m bloated after my meal at the shelter.”
Shooting Kathy a “back-off” look that she was wise enough to heed, Zander said, “I need to go to my lodge. I don’t want to stay here long in case the Moores or any people they hire turn up at the B&B while we’re not there.” Ally and Derren would need backup.
Bracken nodded. “I’ll go get my stuff once I’ve had my coffee.”
Zander cupped Gwen’s elbow, ready to lead her out of the lodge. “Anything more from Rory?” he asked nobody in particular. His wolf curled his upper lip at the mere mention of Rory.
“No,” replied Jesse. “We left a camera at his apartment. He returned to it yesterday and took a few things. He was gone before we got there.”
“We haven’t seen him lingering around,” Eli added. “Derren told us about the goshawk attack.” His eyes cut to Gwen. “Must have been pretty scary for you.”
“I’m not gonna admit to fear in front of a bunch of predators,” she said with a smile.
Eli’s mouth twitched. “No one would blame you for being freaked by such an attack.”
Zander looked at his Alpha. “I want to know what flock it was.”
“We’ll find out, and they’ll pay,” Nick stated firmly.
With a satisfied nod, Zander ushered Gwen outside. He had to admit that she’d handled his pack like a pro. She hadn’t let the unwelcoming vibes faze her or bristled at the scowls directed her way. She’d let it all wash over her, dismissing the behavior but not in a way that was snarky or disrespectful. His wolf was impressed.