So while Dante and the enforcers were having a meeting in his office with Nick Axton—that cruel son of a bitch best hope he didn’t see her anytime soon—she quickly changed into her black halter-neck dress with the neckline that dipped all the way down to the front clip of her bra, showing a little cle**age. Little black dresses were always winners, she thought.

Then, remembering the stealth tips Dante had taught her earlier, she scurried out of the caves and down to the parking lot. She hopped inside her Chevy and cursed as she saw that the keys were gone from their usual place behind the visor. Dante. He really was set on her not driving her baby, wasn’t he? Asshole. She had a spare set of keys, but they were in her room.

Not willing to be discouraged by anything, she instead took the Toyota Highlander and zoomed out of pack territory, waving pleasantly at Cam, who was gaping at her from the security shack. Oh yeah, he’d be on the phone to Dante within seconds. No doubt she’d be subjected to a huge lecture from him when she got back. But that was only if Trey didn’t disconnect her from the pack before then

—something which was a strong possibility.

“No Trey today?” asked Nick from the chair across from Dante. They were the only two sitting. Tao, Marcus, and Ryan stood behind Dante while Nick’s Beta, his bodyguard, and one of his enforcers stood behind him. Whereas Nick’s demeanor was usually relaxed and friendly, it was much more formal today. Dante had a pretty good idea why Nick had called for a meeting.

“He’s keeping Taryn occupied so that she doesn’t know there’s a meeting of any kind,” explained Dante. “He doesn’t want her under any form of stress, though he can’t seem to work out that his overprotectiveness is what’s stressing her out.”

“I spoke to Glory about what happened. According to her, she did nothing more than try to use the restroom. She said that Jaime rounded on her, warned her away from you, and said she was going to teach her a lesson for spreading rumors about you.”

Dante had to give the female credit for her creativity. She even had her Alpha believing her.

No, Dante thought as he studied Nick more closely. Nick didn’t believe her. But he wasn’t happy about what had happened. “And what do you think?”

“I think…that you’ll lie for Jaime no matter what she did.” Dante didn’t deny it. He had strong morals and a fierce sense of right and wrong, but he’d sacrifice both to protect his wolves. He especially would for Jaime, but he didn’t want to think on why. “Doesn’t mean I’m lying when I say she merely responded to another female provoking her.”

“Responded is putting it lightly, don’t you think? I’m surprised Trey hasn’t banished her.”

“If you’re going to question our Alpha’s decision,” rumbled Dante, his tone low, “you really don’t want to do it in front of me.”

Nick gave a curt nod. “Okay, I overstepped my boundaries. But Jaime caused a lot of damage to Glory. It took four sessions to heal her, though it’s fair to say our healer operates in a different way than Taryn and so it takes longer. I might not have a particular fondness for Glory, but she’s still part of my pack. She’s still under my protection.”

“And Jaime’s under mine. She told me the things Glory said to her. Not only did she lay claim to me again, but she repeatedly insulted Jaime and threatened her. I won’t punish Jaime for responding to a threat, or for feeling a need to defend her own Beta. It’s what we do here—we take care of each other, look out for each other. I told you at the diner that if Glory continued to make a claim to me then she’d be dealt with. Well, she’s been dealt with.”

“And the way she was dealt with doesn’t bother you? The way Jaime lost all control doesn’t bother you?”

Dante’s patience was wearing thin now. “She didn’t lose all control or she’d have shifted—

which is something you know. But what I fail to understand is why you’re so interested in Jaime.”

“I’m just surprised she hasn’t been banished. Hey, don’t get me wrong, I can understand if you’re all hesitant to ask her to leave, but you have the other members of your pack to think about.

What if Jaime was to feel provoked by one of them? Would it be fine to you if she was to attack, say, Shaya in the same way that she attacked Glory?”

“Well, neither Shaya nor the other females are any of your business, so…” Marcus let the sentence trail, shrugging.

Dante couldn’t help but notice the way Nick fisted his hands so hard that his knuckles turned white. “Jaime is none of your business either. I don’t have to justify anything to you, and I won’t. If Glory didn’t want to get her ass kicked, she shouldn’t have dished out her attitude to Jaime. It’s as simple as that.”

Ryan grunted his agreement while Marcus said, “Yep” and Tao said, “Exactly.”

“No, there’s nothing simple about it,” objected Nick. “Maybe some of your pack could stay with mine for a while, just until you’re sure Jaime’s under better control. The mated pairs and the females, for example.”

“Why would you care about what happens to the people in our pack?” asked Marcus. It sounded like a simple inquiry, but Dante had known Marcus long enough to know when he was toying with someone.

“We have an alliance. Packs who have alliances help each other out.” Nick shrugged as if to emphasize the simplicity of his offer.

Marcus tilted his head. “Well, Cam and Lydia might be happy to leave. Grace won’t, which means Rhett won’t. Greta wouldn’t move from this place unless Trey did—which won’t happen.

Hope won’t leave because she’s become quite attached to Gabe, who I’m pretty sure will fully intend on remaining with his sister.”

“What about Shaya?”

“Shaya won’t leave Jaime or Taryn. Or Dominic, for that matter. They’ve become quite close.”

Nick’s face hardened. “I see.”

“I’m pretty sure they’re off somewhere together now, actually. If anyone was to try to harm her, Dominic would protect her with everything he has. She’s in very good hands.” Dante’s eyes danced from Marcus to Nick. Although the Alpha hadn’t picked up on the fact that Marcus was—for some reason—playing with him, he still looked like he was about to explode.