“This is my fight too, Nick.” He was silent for a long time, and she thought he was going to object again, but he instead released a sigh of resignation.

“I can’t deny that your skills will be needed.”

Knowing that was Nick’s version of an “oh, all right,” she kissed him hard. “I appreciate you not being an overprotective caveman. Dante used to do it to Jaime a lot in the beginning—God, they argued like cats and dogs about it.” Although Nick was even more overprotective than Dante, he didn’t play the “I’m a male, I have a dick, and therefore I will make all the decisions” role like the Beta male had.

“This doesn’t mean I’m happy about it. My wolf’s pretty pissed with you too.”

She petted his chest patronizingly. “Don’t worry; when we go down for dinner later you can tell your best friend, Jaime, all about it and she’ll—”

“You keep that woman away from me. She’s chatty and does that sympathy thing.”

“And that’s bad?” chuckled Shaya. Although Jaime genuinely did sympathize with Nick and liked being around someone who could sort of relate to her predicament with her wolf, Jaime also found it hilarious just how uncomfortable it made him.

Nick moved Shaya so that she lay on top of him, fitting her body to his. “I don’t want sympathy, and I don’t like to chat unless it’s with you.”

“Why? What’s so different about me that my company is okay?”

He smoothed his hand up and down her back. “You’re perfect to me. They’re not. You’re important. They’re not. You’re mine. They’re not.”

“Your family is important to you,” she reminded him.

“But not in the same way you are. I care about them, but you’re something I need.” That was the only way he could explain it.

It scared Shaya that he needed her, felt so strongly for her. She knew that he’d kill for her, die for her, and do anything he had to do to keep her, no matter what it cost him. She had never been that important to anyone before. No one had ever needed her like that—it was scary, but it was also fulfilling. “Then prove it.” Entering her a second time that day, he did exactly that.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A knock at the door the next morning was quickly followed by Trick’s voice. “Shaya, you’ve got visitors. If Taryn’s right, you might not be too happy about it.”

As those words penetrated her sleep-dazed brain, Shaya groaned. She didn’t have to ask who the visitors were. Her mother had been trying to contact her nonstop over the past two days, but Shaya had ignored her calls. Caleb would have told her that Shaya had returned to Phoenix Pack territory. It had only been a matter of time before the woman showed up. Sleepily, she called out, “I’ll be down in a minute.”

“They’re waiting for you in the kitchen.” The sound of Trick’s footsteps faded down the tunnels.

Any other time, she would have been stumbling around the room on just waking. But knowing her parents were here was enough to galvanize her into action. Hopping out of the bed, she told Nick, “It’s got to be my parents. You might want to sit this one out.”

Frowning at the anxiety rushing through her, Nick instantly jumped out of the bed. “Your parents are here?”

“It’s okay, just stay here, I won’t be long.”

Following her into the en suite bathroom, Nick said, “No way. I don’t care how upset they are with me for not claiming you in the beginning, I’m not letting you deal with them alone.” Like her, he quickly washed up and brushed his teeth.

“It’s not just about that,” she told him as she returned to the bedroom and retrieved some clothes from her wardrobe. “My mother…she’s difficult, Nick. She likes to belittle me and insult me. I don’t want you to lose it with her—all you would be doing is giving her the drama she loves so she can act the victim of the world.”

Shooting her an incredulous look, he began pulling on his jeans. “I can’t just sit there and say nothing while someone insults you.”

“Exactly—so you’re better off staying here.”

Not a chance would he remain behind at a time when she’d need him at her side. “I promise I won’t lose it, okay? I can’t promise I’ll stay quiet if she’s upsetting you, but I won’t lose it. I’m not letting you face her alone.”

Appreciating his support, she smiled. “Thanks.”

When they were fully dressed, they walked hand in hand through the tunnels. The thought of seeing her mother again made her stomach sink, but the thought of Nick meeting her father made her heart pound. She could easily recall the times Stone Critchley had met her boyfriends, and just how those meetings had gone—just how badly those meetings had gone. “Um, when you meet my dad…if he scowls at you, don’t worry, you’re fine. If he smiles, well, be on your guard. And no sudden movements. And try to make eye contact with him as little as possible. Oh, and don’t—”

“Shay, relax.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Relax? Ha. Not going to happen. Finally, they reached the large kitchen. Roni and Marcus were standing in the doorway, regarding her parents with studious eyes. Clearly Roni had wanted Nick to have an ally nearby. As for Marcus…well, she wasn’t sure why he was there. Although it was fair to say that he’d been a good friend to Shaya when she was going through all that crap with Nick in the beginning.

Instantly, the two people seated at the long dining table were on their feet. Her mother was, of course, looking the victim as usual. Her father’s expression was as indulgent as always.

Coming around the table, Stone took Shaya into his arms. “Hi, baby girl.”

She returned his tight hug. “Hey, Dad.” Pulling back, she said, “This is my mate, Nick.”

Stone’s expression immediately turned assessing. “Is it now?”

“Nick, this is my dad, Stone.”

“Pleased to meet you,” said Nick, shaking the human’s hand. He had the same eyes as Shaya, but there was none of her impishness there—instead, there was ruthlessness and danger. He and his wolf recognized a predator when he saw one, and the male before him was certainly one. He also knew that Stone would recognize Nick as a fellow predator, and that was important because he had no intention of letting anyone try to intimidate him.