Chapter 24

Two weeks later

" T hank you so much for coming in today." I handed a cloth tote containing two books to a customer.

The short blonde smiled behind her black-rimmed glasses and made her way out the door. Once she left, I flipped the sign on the door to show Closed .

In two weeks, I'd sold eighty percent of the books. The thirty-day lease was paid off, and I had money to start a new life, all thanks to my father's passion. Seeing the barren shelves brought mixed emotions. I'd grown to love this store even though it occasionally challenged my shy nature. But it was nowhere as busy as it was in the first days. Now the customer visits were spread apart, and I spent my days reading while they quietly came and went. Several asked if I could acquire books on specific topics, and even more wanted fiction.

That's what inspired me to keep going. After calling a few pawnshops, I gave them cash offers for their entire inventory, which wasn't much. Two boxes had arrived at the house the night before, and I spent the evening sorting through them, examining their condition and assessing the value.

Kneeling below the counter, I placed the cash inside the safe Lucian had bolted to the floor. I brought my earnings home daily, but since I planned on meeting the pack at the Rabbit Lounge, carrying a wad of cash didn't seem prudent.

I jumped when a knock sounded at the door.

Lucian looked inside and pointed at the lock. Then he tried the door and walked in. "Is something wrong with the lock?"

"No, I was just on my way out. What are you doing here? Did you want to look through what's left?"

He leaned his shoulder against the door. "I was sent."

"Sent by whom?"

"The Packmaster heard you were walking to the bar by yourself. I'm the quickest runner, and I can see in the dark." He flicked his gaze around. "So, you're leasing it out another month?"

"That's right." I collected my keys from the drawer.

"You should shutter your entrance with steel to protect the merchandise. Criminals steal money, but in your case, you have valuable goods."

I tightened my ponytail. "No one wants to steal books."

"An electric gate is a good option."

I chuckled. "And how will I get it open?"

"An access code."

"Seems a little extreme. Shall we go?"

After locking up, we crossed the parking lot without speaking. I felt comfortable around Lucian the more I got to know him. He was an introvert—even more than me. Lucian often retreated to his room or somewhere on the property, and he had trouble connecting with people. I could relate. As it turned out, Lakota was his nephew, and Lucian seemed the most comfortable around him. But the Chitah was frank and indulged me while I asked endless questions on random topics. For that I was grateful.

"Someone should put streetlights down here," I said, stumbling in the dark.

"That would only attract humans and moths."

I lifted the hem of my teal-blue maxi dress when it snagged on a twig.

"Why did you and Archer quit seeing each other?"

I looked up in surprise, though I could barely make out the shape of him. "What makes you ask that?"

"Because the outdoor alarm by the heat house hasn't been tripped in two weeks. I don't usually look at the footage of the backyard at night, but since you're occupying the heat house, Tak wants extra security measures in case the prick comes back."

"We're just… feeling each other out, I guess."

He sniffed. "Did that question upset you?"

"Can't you smell?"

He chuckled darkly. "The wind isn't in my favor."

Archer and I hadn't slept together since our night in the heat house. We were allowing ourselves time to explore our feelings even further. We mostly talked in group settings, but there were private moments when he would hold my hand or kiss me softly on the mouth. There was also plenty of flirting. We sanded and stained an accent table together on the front porch while Hope pulled weeds, and though we only shared small talk, the glances we exchanged were electric. He'd also escorted me to the heat house after dinner on a few nights.

It was sweet and natural, giving me the assurance that our chemistry was beyond physical.

One evening, most of the pack headed out to Dragonfly's. Archer visited me in the heat house, and we watched a horror movie about ghosts. I clutched his arm and buried my face in his chest during intense scenes. Archer hugged me close, reminding me that it was just a movie.

Two nights ago, I found a dead rabbit by my door that Catcher must have left. Though he looked embarrassed, Archer removed it. Living with a pack was never boring.

As we crossed the parking lot to the bar, Lucian slowed his stride before stopping at the entrance.

Music and loud chatter unsettled my nerves.

"Yeah, I feel the same," he said, clearly picking up on my emotions.

A couple burst out of the door. "Don't you dare tell him I said that!" the woman shouted as the man cackled all the way to a pickup truck.

Lucian regarded me with his piercing golden eyes. "Some worthless male lied to you, so now you don't trust yourself."

"How do you know that?"

He tapped his nose. Lucian tipped his head to the side and gazed at me like a wild animal. It was a look I'd grown accustomed to since Chitahs possessed animalistic behaviors. I often wondered if there might have been a group of cheetah cats whose souls had fused with their human counterparts and that's how Chitahs came to be.

"You're right," I confessed. "It's not easy for me to know when someone is showing me a different side. Noah wasn't always the man you saw that night."

"Maybe he really is that man and the one you met was an act."

I stared into the parking lot, feeling doubtful.

He rolled up the cuffs on his black button-up. "If it helps, I've never picked up anything negative from Archer. Shame, guilt, and occasionally anger, but nothing malevolent. Especially around you."

"What do you pick up?" I dared to ask.

He shrugged. "Someone once told me to keep my nose out of everyone's business, and this is probably one of those times." Lucian opened the door and escorted me inside.

My stomach knotted when I looked around the busy room. I hadn't been back since the night Noah attacked me. The bartender was cussing at a customer who'd shifted into a pig.

As we walked by the bar, a shirtless man with a mullet eyed me. Setting down his beer, he beat his fist against his chest. "Sister from another mister."

I frowned, having no clue what he was talking about.

Lucian pointed at him. "Stay away from her."

"What's that about?" I asked.

"That's Kevin. He's a horse with shitty taste in music."

"How does he know I'm one too?"

Lucian guided me through the busy center tables. "The same way the wolves can spot their own kind, I guess. That's something you'll have to ask them."

I spotted several Arrowhead packmates but not all of them. Robyn and Montana were in a heated game of pool, and it looked like she was having more fun bending over the table and teasing him than actually playing. Mercy and Bear waved at me from the end of the bar, where they were engaged in conversation.

The group had claimed an oversized booth in the recessed area in the back. Archer and Virgil were competing at darts, and when Archer caught sight of me, a smile flirted around the corners of his mouth.

Our gathering was planned, and as I scooted into a booth next to Melody, I couldn't help but notice Archer wasn't wearing his leather jacket. He looked good in his jeans and grey T-shirt, but what caught my eye were his lace-up black boots. They added another inch or two to his height. I'd only seen him in nice loafers in public.

The last booth on the right was horseshoe shaped and had a seat against the wall. Tak had claimed that spot, likely so he could face the room. Salem was sitting across from Melody, watching her lay cards on the table. His longish hair was pulled back in a knot, a piece hanging loose. His short beard gave him a sophisticated appearance, like a guy you'd expect to be sitting on the steps of a great monument with his nose buried in a book.

I looked at the vacant seat across from me. "Where's Joy?"

"Home," Salem replied. "She doesn't like coming in here at night because of all the smoking and rowdy men. It's not good for her nerves."

"Hope stayed with her," Tak added while tapping his fingers on his tea glass. "I wish I'd done the same."

Melody laid another card on the table, where she was playing a game of solitaire. "Why's that?"

Tak rested his chin in his palm. "They were going to play Yahtzee. She knows how much I like that game."

Melody snorted. "That's because you always win. She wants to have a fair game where she might have a chance."

"I can't help it if my ancestors are guiding the dice."

Melody laid down an eight of hearts beneath a seven of spades. "Sure. Because your ancestors are highly concerned about your winning streak. You know, she might play with you more often if you didn't shout ‘Yahtzee' at the top of your lungs and then laugh maniacally."

Tak chuckled softly and drank his tea.

When Melody got stuck, I pointed out a king she could move to an open space. Lucian stole the seat across from me and was checking the security cameras on his phone.

Along with Hope and Joy, it appeared Lakota and Krys had also stayed home. From what I gathered, the pack rarely left the house as a whole. Even though Catcher was there to guard it, I remembered what Archer had told me about the barn fire that happened months back when the pack had all gone out at the same time .

Salem didn't strike me as the type who liked going out to drink. His dry humor amused me, but since he was very literal, I couldn't always tell when he was joking. From his conversation with Tak, it sounded like a few rogues had paid him for medical services. Packs hired Relics to work with them, but that depended on how many were available in the area.

Though Salem wasn't a Relic, he was knowledgeable in the medical field, and that made him useful. I listened to him talk about a young boy who had fallen out of a tree and broken his arm. Young Shifters couldn't accelerate healing until they experienced their first change, which happened in late teens to early twenties, so having a healer around proved a valuable asset. After setting the boy's arm, Salem had given the parents an unsolicited opinion on how children shouldn't climb trees.

A short-haired server came to our table. "Does anyone need a refill?"

They each shook their head. Meanwhile, Tak watched her with an amused grin as the girl dropped her pen on the floor and then dropped it again when she stood back up.

"We have new drink specials. One is called the, uh… Mango Explosion. The other is a Flamethrower."

"Is that spicy?" I asked.

"I think so."

That sounded fun. "Can you bring me one?"

Lucian chuckled and sat back.

"Sure thing!" The young lady hurried off, leaving her pen on the table.

"She's new," Tak pointed out. "I doubt she'll last long. Sweet girl, but I've already seen her drop three drink trays."

"Mercy and Bear revived this place," Mel said, still in total concentration. "She can't work here all hours, so Calvin needs another server. He can't afford to let her go just because she's clumsy."

I scanned the busy room, which was filled with laughter, boisterous conversations, and drunks pushing each other at the pool tables. Working in a place like this would be my nightmare. It made me appreciate the quiet and predictable atmosphere of the bookstore even more.

"Check this out," Archer called to us.

We each craned our neck to watch. He centered his eyes on the target, tested his aim, then turned his head to the side and shut his eyes. With quick precision, he threw the dart, and it landed in the bull's-eye.

When Melody and I clapped, he beamed with pride.

I smiled and asked Melody, "Why is Virgil wearing that pink Girl Power shirt?"

She laid down another card. "Because Archer stretched it out. It's supposed to be a short cutoff that fits close, but now it's so loose that I told him to wear it tonight as punishment. He refused, and Virgil volunteered. I can't wear it anymore."

"I'm sorry," I said, remembering the day Archer came over. "I feel like that might be my fault. He came in out of the rain, and that's what he put on so his shirt could dry."

"It's not your fault. Anyhow, I'm not mad about it. I just wanted to pretend I was mad so I could get him to wear it."

"You see?" Tak pointed at her while looking at Salem and Lucian. "Women conspire behind our backs."

"I conspired in front of you," she replied before finishing out the diamonds. "You guys like to show off and throw axes to have fun, and this is my version of fun."

Tak arched his eyebrow. "I thought your version of fun was shooting arrows at our feet from the roof."

"That was an accident. The arrow slipped."

"Three times?"

She tried pushing back a smile. "That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. "

He lifted his chin. "One might assume you were using our shadows as target practice."

Mercy and Bear walked over.

"I have to see this," Mercy said. "Who ordered the Flamethrower?"

Everyone pointed at me.

Her face fell. "Are you sure you want that? It's spicy. I tried it and nearly expired on the floor from my mouth being on fire."

"I like spicy."

Mercy scratched the back of her head and exchanged a concerned look with Bear.

The way I saw it, maybe I needed to take more chances in life, even small ones. Try new things. Meet people. Push myself to be brave. It wasn't to get over my shyness; it was simply a way to remind myself that I always had a choice and sometimes scary and new things turned out to be wonderful memories.

Sure. Your new wonderful memory is going to be you vomiting on the floor and screaming for milk. Then you can put Died from embarrassment on your tombstone.

Archer and Virgil eased up to the table.

"What's going on?" Archer asked.

As if on cue, the waitress arrived with a glass of red alcohol on fire. When she lifted it to put it in front of me, everyone at the table reeled back as if she might tip it over.

"One Flamethrower!" she announced before sauntering off.

Virgil leaned against the back of my bench. "Someone ordered a little drinkypoo. Does one drink it with or without the flame?"

Mercy dove in and quickly covered it with a coaster to extinguish the fire. "My Lord. That girl is going to kill someone. She's supposed to light it at the table and smother it before leaving. Calvin!" Mercy took off toward the bar.

I touched the warm shot glass.

Everyone watched with expectant eyes, and I sniffed the drink. It smelled a little like cinnamon, but I guessed the red was just added color.

"Here goes nothing." I knocked back the shot and set the glass on the table.

Virgil touched my forehead. "She feels fine to me."

I licked my lips. "That wasn't so bad. A little spicy like salsa, but…"

My face flushed. Then my tongue slowly began to burn as if it were lying on a bed of hot coals. When the intensity increased, I slapped my hand over my mouth.

"Are you okay?" Melody asked. "Your cheeks are red."

I scooted out of the seat and knocked Virgil aside. After coughing, which made it worse, I walked in circles as if that might actually cool my mouth.

Archer shot across the bar like lightning and disappeared. He returned with a glass of milk and thrust it into my hand.

"You should have brought peanut butter," Virgil remarked. "It works better."

Milk dribbled down my jaw as I gulped half the glass. When I saw all the eyes on me, I rocked with laughter.

"Bravo!" Melody cheered. "Everyone else was scared to try it."

"I never said I was afraid," Tak countered. "I fear nothing."

"Is that so?" Melody said. "Mercy! Bring another!" She pointed at our table.

While everyone argued over their bravery, I blew my nose into a napkin and tried not to look like a total disaster.

"Do you want to order one?" I asked Archer, coughing the moment the words left my mouth.

"That's a hard no for me."

Virgil pulled a couple of chairs up to the end of the booth before stealing my spot next to Melody.

Archer took the chair on the right. When I squeezed between the chairs to sit in the other, he clasped my hand and tugged me onto his lap.

I sat stunned as Archer wrapped his arm around my middle, claiming me in a way that the entire pack took notice of. A warm feeling came over me. I turned sideways and draped my left arm around his shoulder, and we exchanged a long look that awakened three thousand butterflies in my stomach.

Mercy returned to the table. "Y'all are crazy. Who ordered this?"

Tak shook his head.

"Give it here, Shortcake." Virgil patted the table. "It can't be that hot if she survived."

Mercy lit the alcohol and, after a few seconds, expertly extinguished it. "That's supposed to bring out the flavor. I might have to rethink this idea before we burn the place down."

Virgil slowly drank the shot while waggling his eyebrows at everyone.

Mercy shook her head. "That boy is crazy."

"See? Piece of cake." Virgil spread his arms over the back of the booth and coughed once into his shoulder. Then he sniffed. His face flushed a color that matched his shirt, and like a bullet, he shot out of his seat and grabbed a pitcher of beer from the next table. Virgil held the pitcher over his head, beer waterfalling into his mouth.

When it emptied, he belched and made an exasperated whine, eyes wide. We turned and watched him stumble across the bar, guzzling drinks and bathing himself in alcohol. Had he been in a wet T-shirt contest, he would have won in that pink half shirt.

Mercy collected the glass. "Anyone else want to get blacklisted by Calvin?"

I lost myself in Archer's beautiful eyes, realizing the importance of this moment in which he was publicly announcing his feelings for me without words .

He flicked a gaze at Tak and held it, but I was too afraid to look at the Packmaster to see what his quiet opinion was on the matter. While no one cared who anyone dated, it was a little different with me living under their roof.

Technically I'm not living under their roof. Just adjacent to their roof.

"I have big news," I said, breaking the silence.

Bear squeezed into the booth beside Melody, and Mercy took the chair next to ours.

"What is it?" Melody twirled her hair around her fingers, her green eyes lit with interest.

I cleared my throat. The burn was still there, and my tongue was numb. "There's a guy in Austin who buys storage lockers at Breed auctions. He has a lot of miscellaneous inventory, including books. I scheduled a meeting with him to go through everything and make an offer. Mercy helped me with the math so I wouldn't overpay. I still have to cover another month's lease, so it's important to turn a profit."

Virgil strutted over, his shoulder-length hair slicked back and belly button showing from the shirt being so short. "What did I miss?"

Reclining her head to look at him, Mercy answered, "Cecilia secured a deal with one of those storage bidders."

Virgil rested his arm on the seat behind Bear. "That's a job I'd never want. Sometimes they find bodies in there. I once heard a story about a woman who used to stake her Vampire lovers and stuff them into a locker like Beanie Babies. They asked why she didn't bury them, and she said she didn't want to get her nails dirty."

Bear rubbed his face with a look of annoyance.

"He owns a warehouse full of goods," I went on. "Most of his money comes from collectibles and antiques that go to auction, but the rest, he sells in bulk. From the sound of it, he pulls out the books he deems collectible and gets rid of the rest. I have a feeling he doesn't know what he has in his possession. And even better, there are boxes of mass-produced novels. He'll sell those cheap, and they might be a wonderful addition to the store."

"That's great, Cici." Archer stroked my back. "I didn't know you were doing all that."

"Well, I was afraid it might fall through. Who knows? Maybe if I make him happy with a good offer, he'll deal with me exclusively. He said he sells all or nothing, so it's an incredible opportunity. That means collectors haven't picked things over, and there could be some treasures in there."

"When is your meeting?" Tak inquired.

"Tomorrow. I'm going to hire a driver?—"

"Absolutely not." Tak sipped his tea and set it down. "Archer will drive you. He's been taking trips to Austin lately with Krys, so they know the way."

I worried my lip and looked at Archer. "Would that be too much trouble?"

Archer's eyebrows slanted down. "Let me think. You riding in the back seat for two hours in some random dude's car or me giving you a safe ride. Hmm."

I smiled at him.

"Just let me know when you're leaving." He patted my thigh.

Leaning against him, I said, "I have to be there by five. That's when he closes up his warehouse."

Archer's expression fell. "You were going to drive home at night?"

"I was going to get a hotel room."

"You should have asked me," Mercy said. "I would have taken the day off."

Tak tossed his head back and laughed. "And drive her on the interstate on that death machine? "

She crossed her legs. "I made it all the way here from Dallas, didn't I?"

He arched an eyebrow. "At night?"

"I like the way you smell," I whispered in Archer's ear. "Is that cologne?"

"You like?"

"Yes. Do you want me to wear perfume?"

"I want you to do whatever you want."

Uncertain what he meant, I asked, "Does that mean yes or no?"

"Come on. Let's take a walk outside." After letting me up, he stood and addressed his pack. "We're taking a walk. Maybe heading home early."

Virgil straightened up. "Need a chaperone?"

Mercy yanked his shirt. "Virgil, sit your tushy down and leave them alone."

I tucked myself against Archer's side as we walked away. "How will they get home?"

"We never take just one vehicle out. Someone always wants to leave early."

I put my arm around him.

"You look pretty tonight," he said.

Glancing back, I saw that Virgil and Salem had taken over the dartboards. "I've never seen you play. That was amazing."

"I have a few skills."

"Skills? You should be a professional." We walked by the row of pool tables. "You look nice. I'm glad you didn't wear your jacket. And those boots…" When I looked down, I saw a lace dragging. "Wait!"

Archer gave a perplexed look when I stood in front of him and slowly knelt, eyes locked on his. A naughty smile tugged at his lips, and I decided it might be nice to go home early tonight. He lifted his foot so I could gather up the laces and tie them .

A man next to us whistled slowly. "You got her well-trained."

I briefly glanced up at a stout, bearded man in a leather vest.

He winked and held his leg toward me. "Come shine my boots, honey. Take your time down there."

Archer pivoted away. "You better shut your fucking mouth." He shoved the man's chest, knocking him back against the pool table.

I sprang to my feet. "Come on, Archer. Let's go."

The man tipped his head to the side and glared at Archer. "Better do as she says, tripod."

I lurched forward. "Don't you call him that!"

The man cackled. "You're kidding, right? Or is your cunt so dry that you're desperate enough to fuck a worthless?—"

Archer unleashed a series of punches that knocked the man off his feet. Then he hovered over him. "Say whatever you want about me, but if I ever hear you speak to her or about her again, I will fucking end you."

Gripping Archer's arm, I gave it a tug. "Come on. Let's just go."

The loud music and boisterous crowd only had a few turning to look, and it didn't seem our table had noticed the commotion.

Archer ushered me to the front door. Once outside, he huffed out a breath and shook his hand. "Fuck."

"Are you hurt? Let me see."

"It's not that." He stalked across the gravel parking lot. "That guy has some nerve. I've seen him before, and he's a dick who's always trying to start shit with people. He had to go and ruin your night."

"It's not my night."

Archer stopped near the pack's vehicles in a middle row. "It's your night, Cici. You had big news to share. So did I, even though I didn't exactly announce anything."

I wrapped my arms around his middle and breathed in his scent. "Your quiet way was the best way. I would've been embarrassed if you'd made a big speech or something in front of the pack. Even kissing in public makes me uncomfortable with everyone staring."

He put his arm around me. "Yeah. I noticed that when Noah was shoving his tongue down your throat at the house that time. He should have noticed, but he didn't seem to care." Archer pressed his lips to my forehead. "I never want to make you feel uncomfortable. I guess that move in there was my not-so-suave attempt at saying I'm into you." Archer gave me a handsome grin.

Looking up, I kissed his chin. "What do you think your pack is saying about us?"

"It doesn't matter. I just wanted everyone to know because sometimes I want to put my arm around you and kiss your neck, and that might cause a stir if they don't know what's going on. I don't want to hide the way I feel for you."

Gravel crunched behind me as people crossed the parking lot.

"Look who's the big hero," the biker growled. "You don't know who the fuck you just messed with, tripod."

Archer moved me behind him so fast that I didn't even catch how many were approaching. "Cici, go inside." He looked over his shoulder with a fierceness I'd never seen. "Go!"

As I rushed around a car, I saw four men circling Archer.

"Get her!" the man shouted.

One of his companions shifted, and the wolf closed in on me. Panicked, I jumped on top of a car. The wolf lunged, its jaws latching onto my blue dress. The fabric ripped when I tugged so hard that the wolf yelped.

Once free, I climbed onto the car roof. That's when I laid eyes on Archer fighting three men. He beat one to the ground before another grabbed his leg and jerked him off his feet.

The biker roared with laughter. "Can't even tie his hands behind his back. "

When Archer flipped over, his expression made me freeze with fright. He glowered at the biker while climbing to his feet. "I'll take you on. But if you need two men to protect you, that won't do your reputation any favors. Come on, hotshot." He flicked a quick glance up at me while circling the man, his fist clenched.

The man put up two fists, rotating them and laughing.

I looked at the bar for help, but the wolf lunged at the vehicle, keeping me at bay. "Stop this!" I shouted.

The man on the ground sat up and used his shirt to stanch the bleeding from his nose.

Archer and the biker turned in a circle while the second man watched on. Archer threw a fast punch and hit the bearded man in the eye.

"You've got a big fucking opening," the man growled before throwing a right hook.

Archer couldn't block it, so he took the hit before weaving out of the way. He moved with catlike reflexes, dodging attacks with his fast footwork. When his opponent missed another punch, Archer struck the man in the back over and over until the man's knees buckled.

The second guy moved in like a steamroller and slammed Archer into a car. They moved on him in a blur, beating him.

"Stop it!" I cried out.

Archer fought valiantly, but they had pinned his arm, making it impossible for him to break free, especially with them sitting on his legs and punching him in the stomach.

When I stretched my leg down the back windshield, the bloodthirsty wolf jumped halfway onto the vehicle. Terrified of his sharp fangs, I kicked him in the head and knocked him off.

With no weapons or phone, a tornado of anger and despair ripped through me. Not even my animal could fight off a pack of wolves, not that she had any intention of making an appearance.

They shouted and flew back when Archer suddenly shifted.

His wolf chomped into one man's thigh and jerked back, making him wail. My heart raced, the air skating through my lungs with such speed that it made me dizzy. I searched the parking lot and spotted a woman emerging from her car.

"Help us!" I shouted.

When she caught sight of us and stopped, the wolf at my feet took off in a flash and chased after her.

Seizing the moment, I slid off the car and tackled one of the brutes. He stumbled backward, and I fell on top of him. Fueled with adrenaline, I beat his face with relentless blows, and he shielded himself with his arms. But that only lasted briefly before he shoved me off.

Archer's wolf exploded into action and landed on top of him. He latched onto the man's wrist and snarled.

The biker kicked Archer so hard that it knocked him onto his side. Before Archer could flip over, the man grabbed his hind legs and dragged him backward. "We're gonna teach you a fucking lesson, you worthless piece of shit!"

My blood ran cold. When I struggled to my feet, one of his buddies wrapped his arms around me like a boa constrictor.

I watched in horror while they beat Archer's wolf mercilessly—every yelp and growl making me bite, claw, and kick the man holding me. "You cowards!" I shrieked. "You're all cowards!"

Tak bounded onto the scene, and when the wolf charged at him, he thundered, "Submit!"

The animal cowered at the alpha's energy slicing through the air like razors seeking a target. Then he scampered away.

Bear entered the scene, and the two giants hoisted the attackers off Archer's wounded animal. A fight ensued as the men tried to take on giants twice their size. Tak and Bear beat them senseless .

Tak stalked toward me with dark menace in his eyes. The guy holding me immediately let go and bolted.

"Who started this?"

With my heart beating like a snare drum, I pointed a shaky finger at the bearded man in the leather vest, who was lying unconscious by a tire.

Tak fished out the man's wallet and then tapped the leather billfold against his large palm. "When I find out who their Packmaster is, we'll have words." He slapped the man to wake him. "You better hope you have a Packmaster. If you're a rogue, you've just sullied your reputation. Calvin doesn't like horseplay on his property." Tak flicked a glance at me. "No offense."

Archer's wolf shifted to human form and gave me a remorseful look before shifting back to heal. With his tail low, he sprinted out of sight.

"Archer, wait!"

Tak lightly took my arm. "Let him go. His wolf needs to cool down."

"But we didn't do anything. Why wouldn't they leave him alone?"

"Montana saw the altercation in the bar." Tak took me aside and quieted his voice. "A one-armed man put an able-bodied one in his place, and the second man feels like he can't let that go. This isn't the first time, but it's the first time it's happened in front of someone he cares about. Archer's a tripod, so he'll always have to fight twice as hard or not fight at all."

"Why must anyone fight? Why can't men stop the violence?"

Tak hung his head, feeling the weight of my meaning. "Immortals fight for three things: power, ego, or love. We know little else, and I can't change the world. All I can do is make sure these men never set foot in this bar again."

I collected Archer's clothes and patted his pockets for the key. "May I drive home? I need to find him."

Tak nodded. "We have enough vehicles. Take the truck. I think we'll be here for a while longer."