Chapter Ten

Blu

The large, packed room had bi-folding doors at the end of it which were open, and I could see yet more people outside as we entered the pack house. It took a minute to find Frenchie and Russ in the throng as neither were with their mates, who I couldn't see.

Nervously chewing on my lower lip when we walked into the throng and those closest to us stopped talking to stare. I didn't blame them, Trike was at least a foot taller than the tallest wolf in the room. More than a little terrified at meeting so many wolves, I clung to Trike's hand, seeing curious interest along with some hostility I didn't understand.

The urge to climb into Trike's arms left me quivering with the need. Two things kept me on the ground as we moved further into the room, the unnatural quietness, and that everyone was staring.

If you want Daddy to carry you, it's not a problem.

People are staring at us, Daddy.

Fuck em.

There was no chance to stop the euphoric giggles at how much he didn't care when he swept me off my feet and balanced me on his hip. A huge hand tucked under my bottom, and held me securely against him. I slid an arm around the back of his neck and clung on. My short legs wrapping around his waist. His yummy smell increased as I wiggled to get closer to the warmth he radiated.

Trike didn't pay any mind to those looking intently at us. He nuzzled at my hair. Hair he'd washed after my fun time in the dirt. Although that had happened only once we had returned to town, and were alone. I'd splashed to my heart's content, enjoying the attention as he'd talked about the house he would build me, promising me a big bath that we both could get in together.

"What is he?" someone whispered, but not quiet enough for us to miss it.

"A potato for sure, can't you see he looks like Frenchie and Russ? At this rate, we'll become overrun with damn potato's in the pack!" another guy said with a sly look that made my skin crawl.

The pressure of Trike's hand on my bottom increased, and I clung a little tighter to him, feeling so out of my element.

They don't like me.

They don't know you and they're ignorant assholes.

When we walked closer to the two men talking, Trike came to a stop and looked down at them. His eyes solely shifted. Fascinated at witnessing his dinosaur giving them a scary look that was all warning, made me feel all kinds of warm and gooey inside.

You like that, hey cutie-sauras.

I do.

Then you're gonna love this! "Hey, I'm Trike, a new enforcer of the pack." He came so close to the sly eyed one that I could smell beer on his breath. "And just so you know, talking shit about a pack member, and one who is my mate—"his teeth bared at the wolves—"will get you challenged to a fight in the pack circle. I believe that's how wolf packs deal with issues, right?"

Olowin appeared, dressed in smart slacks and a black shirt, he made an imposing figure cutting through the crowd that parted to let him reach us. His attention was on the two wolves, who were looking very pale.

"Nim, problem?" Those two words held a warning judging by the glint in Olowin's and the controlled undertone of ‘don't piss me off or you'll be sorry' that came through loud and clear.

The sly one, Nim, gave Trike a look that said he was asking for trouble. "This… man is threatening me with our pack laws." His nose wrinkled with what looked like distaste. "He's clearly not a wolf. And not a potato."

"What does it matter what he is?" Olowin asked. Nothing about the way he said it suggested that not telling the truth was an option.

"This is a wolf pack or had you forgotten?" he snipped, snottily.

"It's a wolf pack, yes." Nim's smile was all satisfaction for a split second, but Olowin didn't stop there. " But as I have said before , that does not mean we aren't accepting of other types of shifter." His gaze moved to the rest of the pack, who were all listening.

Russ walked over to Olowin, carrying a baby in his arms, soothing it as he came to stand next to his mate. Their difference was never more obvious and why Olowin couldn't deny—not that I ever thought he would—that this pack was changing to accommodate what Fate had chosen for the wolves here.

Tala, wearing an utterly grumpy expression, did the same, carrying a toddler in his arms who was babbling at him. They flanked Olowin. The show of solidarity was clear for all to see.

"This pack is evolving, we've discussed this, and it's getting tiring that I need to repeat myself. This will be the ultimate time. We will be welcoming to any shifter who wants to live in our town. Is this clear?" His alpha power hummed in the air and, though it made my skin tingle, it had no other effect.

Was there something wrong with me? Why couldn't I feel it?

Trike answered the questions I hadn't realized I'd projected. I'm your alpha, my animal would never accept another being in charge of them. Olowin is strong, but not as strong as me.

Oh.

Those around the large room tilted their heads in submission. Even Nim, though I kind of suspected Olowin's power, forced him to because he didn't look pleased.

There was something about Nim that made my skin prickle like a storm was brewing.

Olowin nodded his dark head and then clapped a hand on Trike's shoulder. "Before we start the pack meeting, I'd like to formally introduce you all to Trike. He's our newest pack enforcer."

"What is he?" Nim asked before anyone had a chance.

Olowin and Trike exchanged glances, and Olowin inclined his head, giving Trike the choice. On the return journey from the playing in the dirt—a date, that was how I was viewing my afternoon with how fun it was and my reward when we were alone—there'd been more conversation about what would be discussed with the pack now. It was up to Trike when and how he revealed his secret.

They had clearly gotten an impression of my skills from my time in the dirt, understanding what I was capable of. I could be an asset to the pack, Olowin had said. He'd given me several thoughtful looks, though he'd kept relatively quiet about how. Now, with the tension frizzling in the air, the nervousness I'd felt on entering the room which had dissipated with Trike holding me returned. Frenchie's ability to calm a situation didn't work the same on me and although others appeared relaxed, I caught how Nim was looking at another alpha across the room when neither Trike or Olowin answered straight away.

I couldn't say what it was that made the knots form and tighten in my tummy, but they were there warning something wasn't right. And it added to the sense that the storm was close and that I would get caught in it.

Trike lowered me to the ground, and I clung on for a second, resisting with how I felt. It's fine, Daddy will take care of business, then we can go back to the motorhome and… play.

I felt his smirk because it wasn't there in his blank expression as I relinquished my hold and sniffed the air, hoping that I wasn't stinking up the room with my excitement at what he projected when he offered me playtime.

When he faced the room, standing tall, looking every inch the intimidating man he was, I met as many of the curious stares as I could, confident for the first time in front of the pack. Daddy is going to show em!

I can't wait to see their faces, said Russ, giving me a quick grin before smoothing out his features.

They won't know what hit them, Frenchie muttered, they thought I was strange!

I became insulted on my brother's behalf, then all thoughts slipped away as Trike's massive hands went to the buttons on the front of his shirt.

"As none of you will have encountered what I am—"

"How do you know that for sure?" asked Nim in a scoffing tone.

"You'll see." Trike said, revealing none of his anger, which I could feel through our link. "Let's take this outside."

The room emptied so fast, I giggled as I followed at a slower pace with Russ and Frenchie, who'd waited by the door for me, holding a wiggling child. "Paco is as excited to see what all the fuss is about."

I tweaked his nose and grinned at him. "He's a clever boy who knows something epic is about to happen."

I had read how sensitive the hearing was of a wolf, so I was careful about choosing my words, not wanting to spoil the surprise.

Members of the pack looked at me when I walked to where Trike had stopped next to a circle that held soil from home. I could feel the magic properties without even touching it. It gave off a vibration that was wholly different from any other dirt.

My mate was bare chested, shoeless and tugging off his jeans as quiet descended and not one pair of eyes moved from my man. Heart clamoring to escape my throat, I licked at my lips and took a deep breath, waiting.

Glorious naked, there were some gasps. Which I put down to the size of Trike's cock, that turned to cries of alarm when Trike shifted into all his glory.

"Mother of all that is holy…"

"Christ!"

"It can't be…"

"How?"

"What the fuck is that?"

"I'm hallucinating."

"Oh, a dinosaur."

Voices all merged as they ranged from shock, disbelief, fear, fascination, and one wolf was yipping with joy. I made a careful note of who did that. He was mine.

"This can't be," Nim proclaimed last, doing the stupidest thing in the history of stupid things and stepped towards my dino.

"I wouldn't go near him," I warned.

"Why? It this some sort of trickier," he exclaimed loudly.

Trike's head lifted, lethal teeth gleamed in the low-lying sun setting over the forest. The threatening roar sent a shiver of delight through me. Not appropriate, but no one knew, so what did it matter?

Everyone else in the clearing—except for Nim, who remained stupid—took a big step back.

The elongated jaw approaching Nim stopped an inch from his head. Trike opened his mouth so wide it showed all his lethal teeth, but not only that, just how easily a head would fit inside.

The alpha, who by now appeared to have a death wish, shifted in to a large black wolf and snarled viciously.

A restraining hand on my arm from Frenchie held me in place when I'd not realized I'd went to move. Trike needs to show the pack he can protect them and himself.

I swallowed hard, still considering if I should shift and tunnel the earth at the asshole threatening my mate. I wasn't an aggressor. Nope, that wasn't me, but seeing someone threaten my mate made me… want to pile a ton of earth over the wolf and bury him alive for his audacity.

That's my cutie-sauras.

The voice, not unlike Trike's, was a little deeper and rougher. You're mine.

Sweetie, we got this covered, don't worry, my dino crooned and I damn near swooned to the ground.