When the Nazi and his wolves were out of hearing distance, Derren said, “At first I thought he might be talking shit about the preserve, but he was definitely telling the truth.”

Nick could agree with that. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Logan has something to do with it. I remember full well just how he and the other guards liked to chase and hunt the shifters back in juvie.”

“Me too,” growled Derren. “It would make sense that extremists are behind its creation, even if Logan isn’t personally involved.”

“Whatever the case, it needs to be stopped.”

“It will be. Many of the Nazi’s wolves have been lost to this preserve—no Alpha would let that alone. I’m not surprised he’s put guards on you.”

“Great,” snorted Nick. “More people following me.”

Derren grinned. “You’ve always had a natural talent for getting people’s attention.”

“Now it’s time to get my mate’s attention. Let’s just hope my little plan works.”

As Shaya once again looked at the gift Nick had sent her, she resisted the urge to groan. He hadn’t bought her flowers or chocolates—things she could have rolled her eyes at, considering how little thought and creativity would have gone into the gifts on his part. Nor had he written her a soppy poem or a lovey-dovey card—corny things she could have scoffed at. Nor had he bought her jewelry or perfume—expensive stuff that would have given her an excuse to claim he was trying to buy her. No…he’d bought her something funny, something that would make her laugh. Something that Kent was again playing with, making her want to snatch it back. So she did. “Hands off.”

“Ooh, possessive.” Kent chuckled and went back to tidying the salon, ready to close up. “I think this is hilarious.”

“What’s funny about a Public Toilet Survival Kit?” In truth, the only reason she wasn’t chuckling with him was that she was annoyed—Nick was being nice, something he most likely wasn’t experienced at. But he was trying. For her. And it was getting to her.

“I’m guessing you told him about your phobia of public toilets.”

She had only told him this morning, and already he was on top of it. There was no denying he was sharp. The gift hadn’t been the only thing to make her smile. No. Not long after the gift had arrived, she’d received a text message from him:

Ever played Simon Says naked?

She wanted to feel furious with him for sending her messages when not only had she not given him her number, but she’d made it clear that she wanted him to leave. Instead—like yesterday—she found herself trying and failing to stifle an amused smile whenever she thought of the text.

“Why are you so irritated?” Kent asked quietly, conscious of Paisley’s presence. “Your mate bought you something that would make you smile—what’s bad about it?”

“I don’t want him to make me smile,” she said, sounding petulant. “I want to keep detesting him.”

“He’s who you ran from,” Kent said in sudden realization. “Tell me everything.”

So she did. But Kent’s reaction wasn’t what she’d anticipated. Rather than being outraged on her behalf, he was sighing dreamily. “It’s so romantic, isn’t it?”

She gaped. “How do you figure that?”

“Well obviously the rejection part wasn’t nice. But look what he’s done for you. He didn’t just give up his position of Alpha, he gave up his pack, his home—everything. Then he spent six months tracking you down and didn’t give up. He hasn’t asked you to go back to his pack, and he’s even offered to join yours. Do you have any idea how hard it would be for someone like him to be in a pack and not be Alpha? Yet he’s willing to do it. He’s practically camping outside your house, and he’s trying to make himself part of your life while still going at your pace—going completely against every alpha instinct he has. You’re not looking at things this way because you don’t want to; you don’t want to be tempted to give him a chance.”

She spluttered. “Would you?”

“Hell yes, he’s devastatingly hot! He’s got such a commanding presence, hasn’t he? I’ll bet he’s just as commanding in bed. I’ve never been with an alpha before. Can I borrow him?”

Hearing herself growl, she wanted to slap herself for the knee-jerk possessive reaction. She was so mixed up right now. She had almost asked Taryn for advice when they had chatted over Skype last night, but she was too worried that Taryn would react extremely badly to finding out that Nick had tracked her down.

“What are you two whispering about?” asked an approaching Paisley, wearing her usual bitchy scowl.

“The weather,” replied Kent.

Paisley rolled her eyes. “Don’t think I don’t know that you’re talking about me behind my back. I’m not stupid.”

Shaya and Kent exchanged an amused look. “Of course you’re not,” he assured the blonde, patting her hand. “No one would ever insinuate otherwise.”

Appearing slightly mollified, she gave him a nod. As Kent went off to grab his coat, Paisley threw Shaya a look filled with utter contempt. “I don’t blame him. It’s you. Don’t think I’ll let you turn him against me. I can’t believe he’s even friends with you. His mom should have told him not to play with matchsticks.”

Oh, enough with the red hair jokes! “Don’t things like you hibernate?”

Paisley smirked. “Easy there, ginger ninja.”

“You do realize that my hair isn’t actually ginger, don’t you? It’s red. As a hairstylist, you should know the difference. No, as a person with eyes, you should know the difference.”

“Whatever you say, Agent Orange.”

Bitch. “Oops, I’ve dropped my clip by your feet.” Crouching, Shaya gently placed her hands over Paisley’s black pumps. “Spread ’em, blondie. Bet you’ve heard that a lot before.”

She gasped. “How crude!” Paisley looked about to snap when something over Shaya’s shoulder caught her attention and she smiled in admiration. “My, my, my.”

Clearly an attractive guy had just walked in. Shaya stood, turned…and gaped as Nick breezed into the salon. His eyes immediately found her, and a small smile curved his mouth. He took slow, confident steps toward her. Off-balance by his totally undivided attention, Shaya might have backed away if she hadn’t felt rooted to the spot by that unblinking stare. Her wolf, too, had frozen.