Chapter 13

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Naqi went to pick up Joey at Thornton's office for the last time. Everything had worked out as far as the deal between Joey's firm and Thornton's company was concerned. No one had commented on the trouble at lunch which amazed Naqi. How could they have missed the fight and the subsequent cleaning up especially when the injured wolves left through the downstairs lobby? Un-fucking-believable!

Maybe they had just been lucky, it could happen. He raised his brow at his mate, what was she waiting for? She smiled at him, and he had a sinking feeling. "Sweetheart, Roger wants to take us out to celebrate our engagement. He noticed the ring, so I said I had to ask you."

"Tonight?" he asked wishing to get out of it but knowing he couldn't.

"Yes, what do you think?" She smiled at him, and her eyes begged him to agree.

"We'd be honored," he said even though he wanted to run away with her as fast as he could.

"It'll be my pleasure," Roger said smiling as if he'd just waged a takeover. That was something the man was famous for.

They went back to the hotel where they had a couple hours before they needed to meet Roger. Naqi didn't like him much, but he wasn't sure exactly why. Maybe it was the lustful way he looked at Joey or the way the man seemed to see everything, but then there's the equivalent of a battle in the hallway and no one sees a thing. But why would he cover up a fight? Why wouldn't he at least ask what was going on? Unless he already knew which also made no sense.

Naqi was getting a headache trying to figure the guy out. He was human, there was no doubt about that, but some humans knew about the supernatural world. Tonight, instead of spending a night with his gorgeous mate alone, they would spend the evening with a business associate playing nice until they could escape and be alone.

Two hours later, Joey looked sexy in a little black dress that clung to her. She was wearing short black heels with silver on the heels and toes and a matching black purse with silver stripes. He wanted to throw her back on the bed, sink deep inside her, and never let her go. Instead, they were heading out the door to meet Roger at a nearby club.

"You clean up pretty good," she whispered in his ear. He had worn a suit and tie, just for her. He would play nice tonight, but she would make it up to him later.

Roger had already arrived even though they were just a tad early. He had a table reserved close to the stage, where a band was playing, but in a corner where they had more privacy. The man had a bottle of champagne, apparently, he didn't realize Joey was avoiding alcohol and caffeine. Since she was wolf, Naqi wasn't sure it was necessary, but why take chances? She was already so worried about the pup, she would be a fantastic mother.

Roger ordered Joey some bubbling grape juice. Naqi had never heard of that before. She gave him a sip of her glass. Not bad, it tasted similar to champagne. He would have to stock up on the stuff for her, especially for the wedding. Joey drank a couple of glasses and excused herself to go to the bathroom.

"We needed to have a brief talk alone anyway," Roger said as soon as she was out of hearing range.

"What did we need to discuss?"

"I'm not a fool. I know what you are, I know a lot about you. That little squirmish at my office today, you must be na?ve to think it went unnoticed."

"What do you want?"

"I want to be changed. I want to be like your kind are, it's what I've wanted for years."

"That's not always possible. You have to have enough of the blood running through your veins to facilitate a change. If you don't or if you're unhealthy, you could die a painful death."

"She wasn't one of you to begin with. If she can change, I can."

"It's not my call, but I will pass your request up the chain of command." As a pack alpha, Naqi could attempt to change someone under certain circumstances, but this wasn't one of them. He didn't like this guy, nor did he trust him. Damon or another council member could make this decision.

"I won't let this go. I would make a powerful enemy. I might even be able to convince others you exist and are dangerous."

"I didn't say it wouldn't happen. I said I'm too low on the totem pole to grant your request. Someone will be in touch with you. We take these things very seriously. We wouldn't want you going to the wrong people."

Roger nodded. Naqi could see he now knew he wasn't being put off or ignored. The rest of the evening was awkward for Naqi who just wanted to go back to the hotel so he could pass this information on. Joey seemed to pick up on his feelings and she acted restless. The only one who seemed happy, was Roger. He asked Joey to dance which made Naqi unhappy, but they were in the human world. It was just one more thing for a wolf to hate. At least Roger didn't get too close, Naqi would have been unable to control his wolf.

When the dance was finally done, Roger thanked them for coming and said he had an early business appointment. "I'm sure you two won't mind having time alone," he said with a chuckle as he left.

"That was odd," Joey said. "Suddenly, he couldn't leave quick enough."

"His business was done."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's get out of here. We'll talk once we're at the hotel."

They drove to the hotel in silence. He could tell Joey was worried, but he felt nervous, watched. Naqi would tell her once he felt they were somewhere safe. They got to the hotel and went straight to their room.

"Tell me now," Joey insisted.

"Let me put this call on speaker. I need to get a hold of Damon immediately." Joey nodded. She couldn't imagine what this was about, but it had to be important.

"Damon?"

"This better be good Naqi."

"How'd you know it was me?"

"Caller ID. Duh. What's up?"

"That guy Joey made the deal with, Roger, he knows about us. He said he wants to be changed to a wolf or he will out us to humans. I told him I'd pass it on. The guy said he was aware of the fight at his building. He probably caught it on camera."

"Okay, I'll make some calls, and someone will contact him. Text me his contact information. Don't worry about it. We have a team that deals with this kinda stuff."

"Thanks, Damon. Sorry if I woke you up or interrupted something." Naqi was feeling bad about constantly interrupting Damon. Since he and Joey had a pup on the way, he could already imagine how it would feel to be close to the delivery day and be constantly bothered.

The call complete, there wasn't much left to say. Joey and Naqi relaxed and enjoyed the next few days as tourists. They went to the Dallas aquarium surprised that it had more than just fish. There were a lot of different birds and even a jaguar. No wolves were there, Naqi thought the place was missing out by not having any.

They visited a nearby museum that had different planes for a couple hours and they went to several local restaurants including the Cattlemen's Steak House which was internationally famous. It had photographs of award winning cattle on the walls and some neat looking murals. The mural in the bar was of old Fort Worth and the people's eyes followed you no matter which way you walked. It was cool, but a little scary.

It was after they had made it back to the hotel that they found out Roger had died in a boating accident. Damon, the one that had called to let them know, insisted the council had nothing to do with it. Hopefully, that would be the end of that threat. Joey found it upsetting, she didn't like violence even though she was a skilled fighter. They went to the funeral, but they stayed in the back not really wanting to be noticed. Naqi didn't like the formality of the funeral. It was hard to believe any of these people had been close to the deceased.

Now it was time to head back to St. Louis and Naqi and Joey were both glad. They had a lot to do since Joey was going to go back to Wilde with Naqi. She had often said she could work from anywhere and now she would prove it. They would keep her house so they would have a place to stay when they visited, which Naqi had promised to do.