CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“I’m just saying it’s odd that there are no ‘B’ batteries,” said Frankie, smoothing her rose-gold bangs away from her face. “Don’t you think so, Casey?”

Casey nodded at the tipsy she-wolf, who was a member of the Phoenix Pack. “Oh yeah, definitely.” She put her bottle to her mouth and tipped it back. The cold beer slid down her parched throat.

She’d gone out on “girls’ nights” with her teammates, so she wasn’t new to the act of sitting at a table full of rowdy females. Normally, though, she’d be itching to leave. She wasn’t a big fan of nightclubs. They were too loud and crowded, and her mink despised the strobe lights and stench of cigarette smoke. But there were no such issues in the Velvet Lounge, so it was easy enough to relax, have fun, and get buzzed.

The girls’ night was Shaya’s idea, since the females of her pack had complained that Eli always “hogged” Casey, giving them no time with her. Only Ally had stayed at home, although that was because she’d fallen asleep on the sofa. No one had wanted to disturb her, so Shaya had simply told Marcus to drive the Seer to the club if she woke before they returned.

Eli wasn’t particularly happy about the girls’ night, so it hadn’t come as a surprise to Casey when he suddenly announced that Derren “needed” Eli to work the Beta’s security shift at the club for him. She’d simply rolled her eyes.

She wasn’t sure whose idea it was for the Phoenix Pack females to meet them there, but now they were all gathered around the VIP table, listening to Mila sing on stage while Harley played on the electric violin beside her. Most at the table were also mouthing the lyrics and doing weird hand actions, to which Roni was crossing her eyes. Sucking on a lollipop, the female enforcer looked the height of uncomfortable. Casey had come to learn that social situations weren’t Roni’s thing.

Of course, some of the Phoenix Pack males had come along to watch over their mates—and damn if they weren’t very healthy specimens. But the guys had no sooner said their hellos to Casey than their females had shooed them off to the bar, insisting on having “alone time” with the other girls. The males were not pleased about it at all.

She couldn’t really snicker at the males’ overprotective behavior, given that Eli was patrolling the perimeter of the club just so that he could keep a close watch on her.

In the past week, since she’d first told him that she’d switch to his pack, he’d been sneakily moving her things from her place to his. Small things at first, like little knickknacks and framed photos from her shelves. Then some of her clothes had gravitated to his lodge, along with a lamp and two of her plants. He’d also whined occasionally that he didn’t want to have a separate home from his mate, but she’d just stared at him until he threw up his hands and let it go.

Given how close the packs were, Casey had expected the Phoenix Pack females to make her run a gauntlet; to question her as they decided whether she was good enough for Eli. Instead, they’d been friendly and warm since the second Shaya introduced them to Casey. Oh, they’d asked her questions, but none had been rude or invasive.

They were also quite fascinated by her being a mink, since none of them had ever met one before. Casey could honestly say she liked them all, and she didn’t take to people easily. It often took her time to warm up to others. But, like the Mercury Pack females, they were just impossible to dislike.

The table broke out into applause as the song tapered off. But then Mila quickly launched into another song.

“God, Mila’s just amazing.” Jaime, the Phoenix Beta female, let out a wistful sigh. “I really wish I could sing like that.”

“I just wish I was a pallas cat,” said Taryn. The blonde she-wolf was a teeny little thing, but she was all Alpha. She looked even tinier when stood beside her mate, Trey, who was built like an overgrown linebacker. He was also scowling at Taryn from his position at the bar.

“You’re crazy enough to be one,” Shaya told Taryn. Apparently, the two Alpha females had been best friends since they were kids.

Taryn smiled and nudged Shaya. “Aw, thanks.”

“It’s in here somewhere, I know it is,” Makenna muttered to herself, rummaging through her purse as she piled the contents onto the table one at a time.

Gwen frowned. “Why do you have an acorn in your purse?”

Makenna stared at Gwen as if she’d asked the most absurd question. “Duh. Same reason everyone carries an acorn around with them.”

Gwen exchanged confused looks with everyone at the table. “Yeah, I don’t think anyone else here does that.”

“Carrying an acorn around brings you good luck and ensures a long life. Come on, people, you should know this shit.” Makenna shook her head, as if they were all utterly hopeless, and went back to rooting through her bag.

Madisyn smiled at Casey. “You’ve never in your life met a more superstitious person than Makenna.”

“How much longer before we leave?” asked Roni, peeling the label from her bottle.

Riley, a raven shifter, watched the she-wolf curiously. “You realize that peeling labels is a sign of sexual frustration, right? What’s the matter, you not getting it regular these days?”

Roni barely glanced at the raven. “I’m not sexually frustrated, I’m freaking bored.”

Shaya rolled her eyes. “It’s a club, Roni, not a knitting group.”

“A knitting group would be more fun,” grumbled Roni. She guzzled down some beer from her bottle. While the other females went back to singing, Roni turned to Casey and asked, “Have you heard anything from Sherryl?”

“Not a peep,” replied Casey. She’d agreed with Eli that the pack should know about the Sherryl situation, especially since Casey intended to challenge her. “I spoke briefly to her aunt a few days back. Sherryl’s apparently distraught that she can’t visit her mate’s grave.” And Casey couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.

“But not distraught enough to apologize, or she’d have done it by now,” Roni pointed out, scrunching up the label.

“That’s what I said. Her aunt even agreed. But we have to talk about something else, because if your brother senses my mood plummeting, he’ll come right over here to ask me what’s wrong.”

Mouth quirking, Roni nodded. “It’s exactly what he’ll do. Dominant male wolves can be annoyingly nosy and overprotective. Eli’s pushier than most, but you seem to deal with him just fine. He positively loathes being away from you, you know,” Roni added, a twinkle in her eye. “He gets all grumpy and snippy. I tease him that he has separation anxiety issues, but he’s yet to lunge at me. Though he did throw a box of tissues at my head last time I said it.” And she seemed delighted by that.

A shadow fell across their table. Looking up, Casey saw a blond, immensely hot male.

“Ladies,” he greeted, smooth as glass, but his eyes were on Mila—who was currently bowing, now that her song was over—and glimmered with pride.

“It’s a girls’ night, Dominic,” Taryn told him, shooing him away with her hands.

“I know,” he said, “but Trey just told me that Eli’s mate is here. I came to say hi.” His eyes swept the table and landed on Casey. His mouth curved into a killer smile. “You must be Casey. I’m Dominic.”

“Mila’s mate,” Casey remembered. “She mentioned you earlier. It’s good to meet you.”

“Likewise,” said Dominic with a nod. Then he scowled as another male body literally bumpedhim out of the way. “Hey!”

Moving to stand behind Casey’s chair, Eli glared at him. “Don’t smile at my mate; I don’t like it.”

Dominic laughed. “Dude, you’re such a goner, it’s not even funny. Your mink is safe from me. I don’t use cheesy lines on people’s mates anymore.”

“Only because Mila would remove your eyes with an ice cream scooper,” said Eli.

“Hell, yeah, she would—my mate’s a mean little thing.” That only seemed to make him proud.

Taryn groaned as the other Phoenix Pack males fanned out behind Dominic. “Now look what you did. If one comes over, they all follow.”

Of course, each of the males had every excuse in the world why they’d needed to come over—they thought someone called their name; they just wanted to speak to Dominic; they were checking no one needed another drink; they thought Taryn had waved them over.

Madisyn groaned as her own mate approached with Zander. “Seriously, guys, we’re fine over here.”

Gwen sighed at Zander. “You do realize I’m armed and quite capable of—”

“You’re armed?” Zander gaped. “Tell me you’re joking.”

“Guns are no joking matter,” said Gwen.

“Hey, why’s everyone gathered around?” asked Harley just as she and Mila returned to the table.

Before Mila had a chance to sit, Dominic curled his arm around his mate and hauled her close before planting a hot kiss on her mouth.

Mila huffed at him. “You long ago delivered the message that I’m taken, GQ—it’s not necessary to keep on reiterating it.”

Dominic kissed her again. “I disagree.”

“You were great up there, Mila,” said Trick, another Phoenix Pack enforcer. His brow furrowed. “Hey, did you put your cell in your back pocket? Because that ass is calling me.”

Mouth tightening, Dominic glared at Trick. “Funny.”

“Yeah, I thought so,” said Trick. “It’s just a little payback for the times you used lines on my Frankie.”

Dominic narrowed his eyes. “Whatever, asshole.”

“Anyone know who that is?” Riley asked, flicking her blue-black hair over her shoulder.

Casey tracked the raven’s gaze to a corner table where a bunch of females sat—one of whom was staring right at Casey. Her mink puffed up, affronted. Hearing Eli curse, she looked up at him and said, “Tell me that’s not your ex or something.”

“Not an ex,” he said, jaw hard. “That is Ignacio’s mate, Dahlia.”

“The bitch has some nerve showing up here,” growled Shaya, straightening in her seat. “If I’d thought she’d dare to come, I’d have showed a picture of her to the doormen and instructed them to turn her away.”

“Why?” asked Casey. “Because if it’s just that she’s Ignacio’s mate, I’ve heard they aren’t a real couple and seem to each go their own way, so she might not have anything to do with the crap he’s pulling.”

Shaya looked at Eli. “You didn’t tell her?”

Casey tensed. “Tell me what?”

Rubbing at his nape, Eli exhaled heavily. “When we met up with her and Ignacio, she … expressed a belief that you should be punished for putting a blade to his throat. I disagreed and made it clear you’d wipe the floor with her. Ignacio didn’t contradict me on that.”

He didn’t need to feel her anger humming down their bond to know that his mate was pissed. Not when she’d gone so eerily silent and still, glaring at him through blank eyes. Shit. Eli was a grown man who’d faced down numerous dangerous people in his life, but when his mate looked at him like that, he honestly felt the need to squirm.

“What you’re saying is,” began Casey, her words coming out slow and without emotion, “she basically told you that she intended to come at me … and you didn’t think to tell me this?”

“The only reason I didn’t mention it was that I didn’t take it seriously. She and Ignacio aren’t real mates; they’re more like business associates. She has no emotional drive to avenge any slights to him, and she’s hardly going to attack a female of a lower rank than her if she knows that said female can kick her ass.”

“Oh,” said Casey, her tone still flat. “Well that makes it okay.”

“The bitch is making her way over,” said Taryn. “Bold as brass, this one.”

“I’ll get rid of her.” Eli stalked over to the set of three steps that led to the VIP area, intending to block the cats’ path to his mate. So when he found himself flanked by Shaya and Casey, he growled, “I’ll deal with this.” Both females ignored him.

Sensing his pack mates were among those who’d gathered behind him, Eli said, “Zander.” He didn’t need to say more. Knew the enforcer would understand what he wanted.

Zander snorted. “If you think I’m going to even try to manhandle a mink, you’re out of your mind.”

Bastard.

Just then, the cougars reached the bottom step, but none attempted to ascend them. They also didn’t look the slightest bit intimidated by the number of people they were facing.

Dahlia inclined her head at the Mercury Alpha female. “Shaya.”

“You shouldn’t have come here,” said Shaya.

Dahlia’s gaze sliced to Eli. “I heard about your attack. Ignacio had nothing to do with it.”

Like Eli would believe a single word that came out of her mouth. His wolf snarled at the cat, raring to pounce and defend his mate. “You need to leave.”

“You’re worried I’ll attack your little mink here?” Dahlia snickered. “If I was going to hurt her, I’d have done it by now. It would have been simple enough.”

Anger whipped through Eli, tightening his muscles. Some of that anger belonged to his mate.

“Oh, she did not just say that,” Roni hissed behind him.

“This is not gonna end well for the cougar,” Bracken muttered quietly.

No, it wasn’t, because Eli had felt the spike of battle adrenaline surge through his mate. She hadn’t yet said a word, but she was staring at Dahlia in a way that made the cougar bristle. She might be taller than Casey, but she wasn’t stronger.

“You got something to say?” Dahlia snapped at Casey, who just continued to stare at her.

“I really recommend you leave now while you can still walk on your own steam,” Shaya said to the feline.

Dahlia didn’t. Instead, she curled back her upper lip and leaned toward Casey. “What the fuck are you staring at, bitch?”

“Just you, Darla,” said Casey.

“It’s Dahlia.” The cougar’s claws sliced out.

Eli slipped in front of his mate. But said mate somehow skirted around him, lunged at the cougar—covering the three steps in a single jump—gripped Dahlia by the throat, and slammed her onto an empty table. It happened so fast, Eli double-blinked in surprise.

Before Dahlia’s cats could even think to intervene, Eli and his pack mates were there, blocking their path. Fights occasionally broke out in the club—it was nothing new. But plenty of people still gathered around to gawk.

Dahlia didn’t struggle. She just stared up at Casey, her eyes wide, her lips parted. But then, maybe her stillness had something to do with the hand snapped tight around her neck or the claws that were threateningly pressed above her heart.

Casey leaned over the feline, smiling at the hint of fear in the cougar’s scent. “Ah, you see now that you made a mistake. Shame for you that you didn’t sense that a little earlier.” Her mink bared her teeth and lashed her tail.

Dahlia’s nostrils flared. “You wouldn’t dare harm me. My mate—”

“Has already targeted mine,” Casey finished. “Why shouldn’t I have some fun with his?”

“It wasn’t Ignacio!” She squirmed slightly. “Get the fuck off me.”

“Ask nicely.”

Dahlia’s mouth fell open. “You have to be kidding.”

“Do I look like I am?” Because Casey wasn’t kidding. Not even a little. The bitch didn’t get to come at her like that, try to humiliate and goad her in front of all those people—including her mate—and think that Casey would let it go so easily. “You want me to let you up, ask nicely. Bitch, I can do this all night—it won’t bother me in the slightest.”

Upper lip quivering, Dahlia kicked hard at Casey and tried lashing out with her claws.

Casey used her grip on the cat’s throat to slam her head on the table. “Ask. Nicely.” She let her claws pierce the flesh above Dahlia’s heart. “Note that each time you hit out at me, I’ll thrust these a little deeper into your chest.”

Lips tremoring, breaths coming a little faster, Dahlia glared up at the ceiling. “Let me up, please,” she hissed in the same tone someone might say “fuck you.”

“If you insist.” Casey released her and took a slow step back.

Dahlia scrambled off the table and righted her clothes, trying for dignity when she had to feel the height of embarrassed.

“Don’t say something dumb and cliché like ‘you’ll regret this.’ Just go.”

“And have more sense than to come back,” added Eli.

Rubbing at her throat, Dahlia shot all the gawkers a glare as she stalked away with her cats trailing close behind.

Eli took a step toward his mate. “Casey?” Ever so slowly, she turned her head and looked at him. The intensity in her eyes acted like an electric charge to his senses.

“It would have been nice if you’ve shared with me that she was out for my blood, Eli.”

Marveling over how she could sound so deceptively calm, he held up his hands. “I didn’t consciously keep it from you. I just dismissed it, the same as I would dismiss a fly buzzing in my face. It never occurred to me to tell you because I hadn’t taken it seriously, and I’m sorry for that. I won’t make that mistake again.”

She flexed her fingers. “I don’t like it when people keep things from me.”

“I don’t like it that I need to fuck you but we’re surrounded by so many people I can’t do shit about it.” He wasn’t kidding; he was hard as a rock after that little display of dominance.

One corner of her mouth ever so slightly twitched. “I’m not finding you funny.”

“Yes, you are.”

“There’s nothing amusing about this.”

“And yet, you’re fighting a smile.” Risking his eyes, he crossed to her. “I swear, baby, this wasn’t me keeping secrets from you. If I thought there was a threat to you, you’d be the first person to know about it. I’d never hold back something like that from you. Never. I’d want you to be alert and prepared.” Slowly, he reached up to stroke her hair. “I’d never risk you, Casey. You know that. You’re my everything.”

She took a deep breath, and the tension seeped away from her shoulders. “You make it hard for me to stay mad at you.”

“Don’t be mad.” He brushed his nose against hers. “I messed up, but I’ll make it up to you.”

“Oh yeah? How?”

He knew his smile was nothing short of wicked. “You’ll find out when we get home.” She might not have moved in with him yet, but his lodge was still their home as far as he was concerned. “You forgive me?”

She sighed. “I guess so.”

He pulled her close and kissed her. He was just about to try luring her into leaving early, but then Shaya sidled up to him and gestured for him to go.

“Not sure why male wolves have a problem understanding that girls’ nights don’t include them, but you need to leave us to enjoy the rest of our evening,” said the redhead. “No way are we ending it early because of some cougar bitch.”

Eli frowned. “Casey was almost attacked—”

“Oh no, don’t try using that ‘all my protective instincts are telling me I have to stay close to her, it isn’t my fault’ bullshit,” said Shaya.

Damn, that was exactly what he’d meant to do. It was no surprise that she’d seen it coming—she was mated to an Alpha who was just as overprotective as Eli.

“Go on now, go patrol the club and we’ll pretend you’re not doing it just so that you can keep tabs on Casey.” Shaya looked at her. “I don’t know how you deal so well with it. Nick drives me crazy when he gets like this, which is why he never comes along to girls’ nights.”

Casey shrugged. “To be fair, Eli did warn me that he’d be clingy.”

Eli’s brows snapped together. “I said I’d be all up in your space and want more of your time and attention than I was entitled to.”

“All I heard was ‘clingy.’”

He nipped her lower lip in punishment. He wasn’t clingy, it was just that … “I waited a long time for you. I like having you close. I see no reason to fight that.”

Shaya’s expression softened. “Aw, that was sweet. But you still can’t have her back yet.” She snatched Casey’s hand and dragged her away, laughing at his growl.

Bracken and Zander crossed to him, their mouths tight and their bodies tense.

“I don’t know why they have such a problem with us sitting at their table,” said Bracken. “It’s downright unsocial. Not to mention discriminating against the male gender. And I don’t care what Madisyn says, I don’t monopolize her time. I just don’t like being excluded. I think that’s natural.”

“Gwen accused me of being unreasonable, if you can believe that.” Zander shook his head. “She’s a human in a place full of shifters. Of course I’d want to be at her side. The only saving grace is that she’ll be hammered soon—drunk sex is always fun.”

Bracken’s brows lifted. “Yeah, there is that.”

Eli hummed. Normal sex with Casey was phenomenal. Drunk sex would be out-of-this-world. “I guess we should buy them more drinks. Maybe send over a tray of shots.”

Zander pointed at him. “I like the way you think. Shots it is.”

Later that night, Eli learned that drunk sex with his mate was as outfuckingstanding as he’d anticipated.

Eli stormed into the living area of the main lodge the next morning, his fists clenched. “Do you have to be such a fucking child, Roni? Really?”

His sister didn’t even look up at him. She was busy playing a game on her phone.

Kathy sighed. “Will the pranks never end?”

“I’d say it’s unlikely,” said Marcus, who then turned to Eli. “What did she do?”

“She duct-taped a fucking air horn to the wall behind my bathroom door,” said Eli. “I got up in the night to take a piss. The door hit the horn and, fuck, the noise was a bitch.”

Roni finally looked at him. “What did you expect? You removed my showerhead and poured grape Kool-Aid in it! I was not imfuckingpressed when I had myself a purple shower.”

Kathy looked at her daughter. “Ah, so that’s why I keep smelling grapes.”

Just then, Nick strolled into the room and nodded at Eli. “You’re here. Good. Shaya wants to go to the outdoor mall to buy the pups new shoes. I want you and Zander to come with us.”

Ally sat up straight. “The mall? I am so there. I love the—”

“No fucking way,” Derren clipped.

Ally arched a brow at her mate. “This is not up for debate, sunshine. I’m going.”

He shook his head. “Not happening, baby. Malls are crowded. It would be too difficult to protect you there.”

“Protect me from what? Bar code scanners? You need to stop being so overbearing. I’m pregnant, not ill. Derren, I need to get air. Me and my wolf are going crazy being cooped up here. I love our territory, but it’s starting to feel like a prison.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, but you’re still not going.”

And on and on it went.

Roni crossed to Eli and whispered, “My money’s on Ally. She’s good at getting her way.”

Eli grimaced. “Yeah, but Derren’s a stubborn bastard who won’t back down for anyone.”

“True. But my money’s still on Ally.”

Eli nodded. “If she turns on those fake tears, Derren will be a goner—he can’t take them.”

And that was exactly what Ally did, so the Betas joined them on the shopping trip. A trip that should have been short, since the objective was to buy shoes for the kids, but neither Shaya nor Ally saw any harm in stopping at practically every store they came across.

As they strolled around the mall, Eli stayed ahead of his Alphas, Betas, and the pups while Zander covered the rear, ever vigilant. The whole time, Eli’s wolf sulked. The animal didn’t like the crowds, how exposed they all were, or the feel of the sun beating down on them. Mostly, he didn’t like being away from Casey. Neither did Eli. It made him … antsy.

Eli suspected that would cease happening once their bond had fully snapped into place. Both he and his beast would then feel much more secure in their mating. The edginess might even calm a little when she finally moved in with him—he’d soon find out.

“Ooh, can we go in there, Mommy? Please?” begged Willow.

Eli pivoted on his heel to see the pup pointing at a toy store. He suspected it was the array of plush animals that had caught her attention. Willow was a sucker for them.

“Pleeeeaaaase!” she again begged.

Cassidy peeked in the store. “Look, they have bracelets with—” She stilled, her eyes briefly flashing white, and then those eyes widened. “Cain’s coming to visit!” she declared excitedly, referring to Ally’s foster brother who’d joined The Movement—a group of shifters that retaliated against the human anti-shifter extremists.

Ally blinked. “What? When?”

Cassidy’s brow wrinkled. “Not sure, but he’s gonna be really, really mad about something.”

“I like it when Cain comes,” said Willow. “He brings me and Cassidy presents. Good ones. Can we go in the store now?”

Shaya looked from one pup to the other, both of whom were wearing pitiful expressions. “Since you’ve been so well-behaved, I don’t see why you can’t have a little treat.”

The girls let out happy little squeals and followed Shaya into the store. Nick and the Betas trailed behind them while Eli and Zander stood outside, on guard.

For what felt like the hundredth time that day, Eli glanced at his watch, as if it would make the time tick by faster. 3:30pm. Not long left to go before Casey’s enforcer shift would be over.

“You know,” began Zander, “I’ve occasionally wondered if maybe Cain and Cassidy are true mates.”

Eli sighed. “I’ve asked myself the same thing.” Cain was a hard bastard who’d long ago lost his moral compass, but he was good with Cassidy. Gave her his undivided attention. Treated her as if she were important. Very few things truly seemed to have any importance to Cain Holt.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if Nick and Shaya suspect it, too.”

“I can’t say I like the idea of little Cassidy being bound to someone as messed up as Cain, but if anyone needs their true mate, it’s him. So while I’d worry that he wouldn’t be good for her, I’d find it hard to begrudge him that happiness.”

“I’m not sure he’d ever take a mate. Cain doesn’t like vulnerabilities.” Zander rubbed at his jaw. “I guess time will tell. So … how are things going with you and Casey?”

“Amazing. The only thing that could make it better would be if our bond finally snapped into place.”

“Any idea what’s stopping that from happening?”

“I have a few theories. Her father is an asshole, Z. Made her feel inferior all her life. Her mother never defended her, and her sister … well, she was no sister. I believe her brother loves her, but he also cut contact with her after he separated from his girlfriend. None of them made Casey feel truly important. I wonder if maybe—even if it’s only on a subconscious level—she struggles to trust that she’s my priority.”

Zander pursed his lips. “Could be that. You’re sure it’s nothing on your end?”

Eli shook his head. “There’s nothing I want more than to be fully bound to her. I hate that I’m not.”

“That doesn’t mean the problem isn’t you. Secrets can block the bond. So can fears and insecurities—we don’t always consciously know we have them. Think on it some more, be sure it’s not you.”

Eli nodded, though he was quite certain that it wasn’t him.

He and Zander talked about general things until the Alphas, Betas, and pups finally filed out of the store.

Cassidy held up her wrist, flashing Eli a look at her sparkly bracelet. “What do you think?” she asked.

He smiled. “I think—”

A loud crack split the air. Cassidy’s body jerked. Her eyes went wide with shock and pain. The scent of blood crashed into Eli.

Everyone moved fast.

Heart slamming against his ribs, Eli grabbed Cassidy and, like the others, dropped to a low crouch. Shielding her with his body, he scrambled into the store with his pack mates, dodging the other bullets.

Eli’s stomach lurched as he cradled the pup. She trembled in his arms, her breath hitching, her little face creased in pain and draining of color. A chill swept over his body and settled in his bones as he saw the red stain blooming over the front of her dress. “Ally!”

The Beta female crawled to them. “Did the bullet go straight through, Eli?” she asked, remarkably all business.

He checked. Nodded. Fought to think through the fury that thudded through him.

Cassidy clutched at his shirt. “I don’t want to die.”

“You’re not going to, baby,” said Shaya, taking the little girl’s hand in hers while Ally healed the wound. The redhead’s face hardened as she looked from Zander to Derren. “Find the fucker,” she hissed.

“I want him alive,” Nick bit out, holding a sobbing Willow close. “But kill him if you have to.”

Nodding, the two males left. No more bullets were fired, so the shooter had to be on the run.

Even as Eli could see the pain begin to leach from Cassidy’s face, blind terror clawed at him and coated his tongue. She was just a baby. A baby. And she’d been shot. Shot on his watch. A sense of failure snaked over him and his beast, who let out a mournful howl.

Ally finally sat back, pale. “You’ll be okay, sweetie.”

Shaya set the pup on her lap and held her tight, rocking her from side to side and making soothing noises. Cassidy’s shoulders shook, but her tears were silent. Nick crouched beside them and stroked Cassidy’s hair, whispering reassuring words to her while Willow held her hand.

Seeing Ally sway a little, Eli curved his arm around her, keeping her steady and upright. Healing wounds always took a little something out of her. “Are you okay?”

Ally nodded. “Just … shocked. I mean, it happened so fast. Did anyone else get hit?”

The others all shook their heads.

Eli’s cell began to ring. He whipped out his phone, unsurprised to see his mate’s name on the screen. He answered, “Baby—”

“Please tell me you’re okay,” said Casey. “I’m not feeling any pain from you through the bond, but I know you’re pissed and scared.”

His chest squeezed at the shake in her voice. “I’m fine,” he assured her, surprised at how calm he sounded while his insides were being ravished by sheer panic. “Some shit went down but it’s over now. I’m okay. Everyone’s okay.”

“Define ‘shit.’”

He hesitated. Decided against it. “I can’t really talk right now, but I’ll fill you in later, I promise.”

“Where are you?”

“The mall. As soon as I get back to my territory, I’ll call you, I swear.”

“You’d better, canine, I mean it.”

“I will. I have to go now. Stay safe for me.” He ended the call and pocketed his cell.

“Why didn’t you tell her what happened?” asked Ally.

“For one thing, I don’t think I can get the words out without losing my shit.” He was barely holding it together. Especially while the scent of Cassidy’s blood clogged his nostrils. “Also, Casey adores the pups. She’ll lose her mind when she hears what happened. The first thing she’ll want to do is go after Ignacio.”

Nick narrowed his eyes. “You think he sent someone after Cassidy?”

“I don’t know,” said Eli. “It’s possible that the bullet was meant for me. Maybe the shooter kept on firing because they hadn’t hit me. But we have to consider that they didn’t shoot until you all left the store, so there’s a chance I wasn’t the target.

“It won’t matter to Casey, though, if she’s in a blind fury. She won’t be rational. And if I’m not there to keep her calm when I tell her what happened, she might do something dumb like go confront Ignacio herself and demand to know if he had anything to do with it.”

“We need to get Cassidy home,” Shaya said to Nick, nuzzling the pup’s hair.

“We will,” Nick told her. “As soon as Derren and Zander comes back, we’re out of here.”

A human crawled from behind the counter. “Is everyone all right? I called 911. Help should be here soon.”

By then, Eli and his pack mates would be gone. The police wouldn’t help anyway once they realized it was shifter business.

Hearing the mish-mash of voices, Eli flicked his gaze to the shop doorway. A bunch of fucking idiots were so desperate to snap a photo that they were coming close. “We need to leave sooner rather than later,” he told Nick. “We don’t know what the shooter looks like—they could walk in here, acting like a gawker, and we wouldn’t know any different.”

Cassidy’s head snapped up, and her eyes went wide with fear. “They could come back? We have to go.”

“Do you have a rear exit?” Nick asked the shopkeeper.

The human blinked. “Y-yes.”

“Good, we’ll need to use it,” said Nick. “I’ll call Derren and—” He broke off as his cell rang and then he pulled it out of his pocket. “Speak of the devil …” He answered, “Tell me you have him, Derren.”

The look that twisted Nick’s face was enough to tell Eli that the answer was no.

Deep inside him, Eli’s wolf howled his fury.