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  Still being held by Liddick and Jesup, Wren lunged, but his brothers held him back. “The fuck’d you do to my mate at the river?”

  Marill’s eyes twinkled, and his grin broadened. “Mate? Are we to be allies then?”

  “No! Fuck no!” Liddick barked. “And stop goading my brother, or we’ll let him go! Do you seriously wanna die today?”

  That had Marill’s grin slipping as he rolled his fingers in the air. His Beta, Larsen, spoke. “As I said. You have our pack females here. We’ve come for them. It’s against shifter law to harbor females that belong to another pack. You can’t just take them!”

  “He didn’t take us,” Ryka growled from the doorway to the kitchen. “We sought asylum. It’s been granted. Leave!”

  “Yeah!” Ash yelled from the top of the stairs where she stood with Seven and Kenna, who was clutching Cason’s arm like it was a lifeline. Cason was glaring down the stairs, eyes filled with fury as they locked on Marill.

  “Girls, girls, girls.” Marill shook his head, and clucked his tongue. “You are my pack. Come home!”

  “You tried to kill Ryka!” Ash accused. “Fuck off, Marill, before I let my mate rip your head off.”

  Liddick’s chest expanded as he suddenly released Wren and stepped forward. “You heard her!”

  Then Wren was shoving his way forward. “They are mated into my pack now. They are mine! Come back again, and I’ll deem it a challenge. I only fight one way, and that’s to the death. I’d take great pleasure in ending you. Think on that before you ever consider coming back.”

  Marill appeared to be ignoring him, though as his nostrils flared, his eyes scanning the females. “Fine.” His gaze landed on Wren as he took a step back. “We’ll go, but not without what’s mine.” His eyes left Wren’s. “Keep the mated females. I’ll take the unclaimed ones.”

  Wren heard Kenna gasp, and knew where Marill’s eyes were currently focused as a wicked grin twisted his lips. “Kenna isn’t mated. Is she?”

  “She stays,” Wren growled, not answering the question. “And now you go, either on your legs or on your back. Choose!” He, Lux, Liddick, and Jesup pressed forward.

  “Fine,” Marill threw his hands in the air in a gesture of surrender. “But she is mine,” he pointed a finger at Kenna. “The others may have mated into your pack, but she hasn’t, and there are shifter laws!”

  “You aren’t fucking listening,” Wren snarled, as he went nose to nose with Marill. “I’m giving you this one chance to leave my territory. The offer won’t be extended again, not if you come back, and not a second time today. Leave now or die now, fucker, but choose quickly before my lion chooses for you.”

  “We’re going,” Marill ground out. “But this isn’t over.” His eyes went over Wren’s shoulder to lock on Kenna. “I keep what’s mine, lion.”

  Cason was pounding down the stairs now, but Larsen jerked Marill back, and the two wolves disappeared down the walkway before shifting and melting into the woods.

  Chapter 21

  With the wolves gone, Cason slammed the door for good measure. He turned to find Seven rushing Lux. She buried herself in his arms as he murmured reassurances.

  Wren was watching Ryka, who stared at him imploringly while hugging a crying Kenna, stroking her hands soothingly over the girl’s hair.

  Ryka asked, “What are we going to do?”

  “Nothing,” Wren bit out. “There isn’t anything we need to do.” He was pacing now, and under his breath he muttered, “Should’ve fucking killed him.”

  “But, Kenna…”

  “I know,” Wren breathed, halting to look at Ryka, then Kenna. “I know.”

  Cason stepped forward, chin lifted as determination shone in his eyes. “I’ll claim her.”

  “NO!” Ryka shook her head in denial. “She’s too young, Cason.”

  His smile was sad when he looked at her. “I know. I just meant to keep her safe, I’d be willing to say she was mine.” His eyes dipped to Kenna, then back to Ryka. “I don’t want her like that, Ryka. She’s just a girl.”

  Ryka’s cheeks burned with the shame of misjudgment. “I’m sorry, Case. I just…”

  “It’s alright, Phena. You’re looking out for the pack. No need in apologizing for that. I’m just saying, if there’s anything I can do to help, I’m willing.”

  At the landing, Liddick loosed a feral growl and everyone’s eyes shot to him. He shoved away from where he’d been planted by the door, his eyes locked on Ash where she stood at the stairs with Ryka and Kenna. Jaw working, eyes dark and determined, he stomped up the stairs, but didn’t stop at Ash as everyone expected. Nope, he snagged her hand and drew her with him as he continued up the stairs. When she balked, asking in a worried tone, “Liddick?” he snarled and spun, lifting her effortlessly and tossing her over his shoulder before taking her upstairs where he disappeared down the hall.

  “Wren?” Ryka asked in confusion and clear concern.

  “It’s his lion.” Lux spoke up, pulling Seven tighter into his side. “His beast needs to mark her again. The threat of loss was unsettling. My lion is clawing at me, too. He wants me to get Seven alone, and to make sure everyone knows she’s mine before Marill sends the council here.” He looked pointedly at Wren.

  Ryka’s eyes rounded in understanding, and her head jerked around to where Liddick had disappeared upstairs with Ash over his shoulder. Her first inclination was to go after them, but she knew better. She knew Ash well enough to know she wouldn’t be participating in anything she didn’t want to.

  “A false claiming with Cason isn’t a bad idea.”

  Wren’s words brought Ryka’s attention back to him. He stared at her, having the decency to look repentant. “Just in word only, Ryka.” His imploring gaze dipped to Kenna. “If the elders call on us, we could say you are Cason’s. They’ll scent the mating on Liddick and Lux. We’ll just have to keep you and Cason away from them, and hope they believe it’s true.”

  Kenna lowered her head, and Ryka pulled her in tight for a hug. The Phena’s eyes slipped to Wren and he met her gaze. She recognized his concern, and it was more than just for Kenna. She and Wren had yet to cement their claiming, and without it, she was still considered part of Marill’s pack too.

  Lux led Seven upstairs, but Ryka’s eyes stayed glued to Wren’s over Kenna’s head. He’d already turned her down once, and she knew there’d be no rushed mating for them. Wren, the Apex, wasn’t about to be forced into anything by some shitty Alpha like Marill and his feeble threats. Still, her wolf felt wounded when he tore his gaze from hers and led Cason and Jesup out of the house with a growl. “Perimeter check boys. If they aren’t long gone, then they’re mine!”

  Ryka watched as Cason drug sad eyes from Kenna as he left the house. Odd. She led Kenna upstairs to her room room and sat on the bed. Kenna swiped the tears from her cheeks, and Ryka soothed, “It’s going to be okay, bubba. I won’t let anything happen to you. Wren won’t either.”

  Kenna nodded. “Maybe me and Cason…”

  “Let’s not worry about that right now. We’ll deal with it when the time comes, okay?”

  “I think you hurt Cason’s feelings,” Kenna accused, and Ryka stilled. “He’s a really good guy, Phena, and he’s just trying to help.”

  “Kenna? Is there something happening between you two?”

  “No.” Kenna lowered her head, but Ryka swore the lone word was filled with disappointment. “I’m too young.”

  “Do you feel something for him?”

  “Well, yeah.” Kenna shot Ryka a dark frown. “I just said he’s a good guy, and he’s always looking out for me.”

  “No.” Ryka shook her head, hard. “Not like that.” Her brows dipped. “You know what I mean. Is he… Is he yours, Kenna?”

  Head lowered, Kenna fingered the hem of her shirt. “No. I don’t think so. I don’t know. My wolf gets all funny-feeling when he’s around. It feels like he’s…something to me.”

  Ryka shoved up off the bed and p
aced to the window, her heart beating double time. “Have you talked to him about it?”

  “NO!” Kenna was off the bed in a flash. “Please, don’t say anything, Phena! My wolf is just all confused. I don’t want him to think I’m an idiot!”

  Ryka nodded, knuckles pressed to her lips, but her mind was racing. It could be possible that Kenna was Cason’s, but the bond wasn’t developed because Kenna was too young. She needed to speak to Cason. “Stay here. Rest. Girl’s day is off, but we’ll do something fun later. I promise.” She left Kenna alone in her room and hurried downstairs where she paced the foyer until Wren, Cason, and Jesup returned. They’d barely made it in the door when Ryka asked, “Any sign of them?”

  “No.” Wren shook his head, seeming disappointed.

  “Cason,” she shifted her eyes to Wren’s brother. “Can I speak with you, privately?” Her request had Wren shooting Cason a scathing look as his lip curled up in a snarl. “It’s about Kenna.”

  “We can speak in the kitchen,” Wren turned to lead the way, but Ryka balked.

  “I wanted to speak with him alone.”

  “Tough shit!” Wren snarled. “You’re my unclaimed mate, Ryka, and he’s an unmated male. You two being alone isn’t happening, especially right now.”

  She got it. His lion was probably tearing at his insides, just as his brothers’ had been. The council could be coming, Marill could be planning on coming back, and she was still considered unmated, which made her viable for claiming by another. Dipping her head in a nod, she stepped in front of him when he held out his hand for her to precede him. Cason followed.

  Settling herself on the end of a bench seat, she had to hide her grin when Wren sat in the high-backed chair nearest her and grabbed the bench she was sitting on to pull her closer to him. When Cason started to sit beside her, Wren snarled and Cason jerked back and hurried to the other side of the table.

  “What’s up?” Cason asked.

  “We need to talk about Kenna.” She was watching him closely, looking for any sign that he felt more for Kenna than the brotherly affection he’d been lavishing on her.

  Cason squirmed uncomfortably, and Wren slid his golden gaze from Ryka to Cason.

  Unsure how to handle the matter, Ryka went straight to the heart of it. “Is she your mate, Cason?”

  “No.” But he wasn’t looking at her. Instead, his eyes studied the table.

  Ryka tried again. “She’s not your mate right now, but is she going to be your mate?”

  “No,” he clipped out, and then continued. “I don’t think so. I don’t know.”

  Ryka grinned when his words mirrored Kenna’s own.

  Wren snarled, “What the fuck is going on, Cason?”

  Trying to keep him calm, Ryka placed a hand over Wren’s. Cason looked just as pissed as Wren now. He was scowling at the table and wouldn’t look up. “It’s okay, Case. I spoke to Kenna.”

  Cason lifted his eyes. “What did she say?”

  “Well.” Ryka licked her lips. “Oddly enough, she said the exact same thing you did. She’s not sure if you’re hers.” The revelation had his frown slipping some.

  “She’s too young,” he bit out.

  “And that could be why you weren’t stricken,” Ryka offered, feeling Wren’s eyes jerking between her and Cason. “I think… I think she’s your mate, Cason, but I think she’s not ready yet.” She looked at Wren. “Is that possible?”

  Wren’s tone was laced with shock. “Does she feel something for him?”

  “She feels… Her wolf feels funny when he’s around, and it’s how my wolf feels when I’m around you. Exactly as she described it.” She glanced at Cason, and he looked almost relieved. “I think once she’s old enough, Cason is going to be stricken. I think Kenna’s his.”

  Huffing out a relieved breath, Cason dropped his head into his hands, and Ryka asked, “You knew all along didn’t you?” When he didn’t respond, she prodded. “It must have been terrifying, wanting someone so young. You’re only five years apart, Cason, and next year she’s eighteen. When she’s ready…” Her words tapered off when he started nodding without looking up.

  “That’s it then,” Wren declared. “Marill and the council can fuck off. All of you are claimed.”

  “No.” Ryka shook her head. “Cason isn’t stricken yet, which means Kenna’s not claimed. Marill will be back, and there’ll be no convincing him.”

  “He’s not fucking taking her,” Cason snarled, and Ryka grinned.

  She was glad he was so protective over Kenna. “I know he’s not, but we need to prepare.”

  “We don’t need to do anything.” Wren smoothed a hand down her arm, drawing her attention. “My brothers and I will handle this, Ryka. You’re done worrying about this. It’s why you have me.”

  “And what do you propose I do?” she snapped, indignant at being shoved out of the planning.

  “I suggest you go and check on Kenna, Seven, and Ash. I hope you tell them not to worry. I want you all to feel safe and protected, because you are.”

  Her foul mood slipped. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “It’s been a stressful day.”

  “I know, my queen. I know.”

  Chapter 22

  “What’s going on?” Ryka eyed the living room. After she’d checked on Seven, Kenna, and Ash that morning, she’d gone to Wren’s room to be alone with her thoughts. She’d spent the better part of the afternoon there, until she’d finally come down to prepare lunch. It had been a tense affair. Ash and Liddick hadn’t rejoined the pack after breakfast, and Seven and Lux had slipped away shortly before the soup and sandwiches Ryka prepared were placed on the table. Kenna hadn’t been able to eat, and Ryka couldn’t either. The scent of terror wafting from Kenna unsettled her wolf, and it must have unsettled Wren, Jesup, and Cason too, because the three lion shifters barely ate. Cason kept staring at her longingly, and Ryka knew he wanted to vow to protect her to ease her fear. He’d kept quiet though.

  When they’d finally cleared the dishes, Kenna broke down, and Ryka took her up to her room to talk, but Kenna had fallen asleep with her head on Ryka’s lap. After easing Kenna’s head onto a pillow and covering her up, Ryka went to her own room where she had wound up taking a long nap as well. A nap filled with fitful sleep and bad dreams.

  Now, both she and Wren’s packs were milling about the living room excitedly. Liddick and Lux brushed past her, arms full of large bowls filled with popcorn and several cans of soda. Jesup and Cason followed, carrying several blankets and at least a half dozen pillows.

  Wren grinned as he watched his brothers set up the living room. “Movie night,” he offered. “Thought after today, you and the girls would appreciate a cozy night in.”

  Honestly, it sounded fabulous.

  Kenna shoved past her, hurrying to where Jesup and Cason had dropped their goods in the middle of the floor.

  “Oooh,” Kenna crooned excitedly. “Can we make a big bed on the floor?”

  “Anything you want,” Cason grinned, as he reached for a blanket. “Grab an end and we’ll lay them out.”

  Lux snagged a few pillows and was making what looked like a cozy little nest on one of the love seats. He looked up expectantly and held out a can of Coke toward Seven who dipped her head shyly, but made her way to him. On the opposite love seat, Liddick was eyeing Lux’s nest and trying to mimic it in a hurried fashion. Ash stomped toward him with a, “Not like that, babe. Too many pillows, we’ll never fit.”

  Short minutes later, Lux and Seven were settled in their nest sharing a Coke. Liddick had Ash settled on their loveseat right between his legs as she reclined against his chest. He gave Wren an elated thumbs up and wrapped one arms across Ash’s shoulders while folding the other behind his head in clear contentment. On the floor, Jesup, Cason, and Kenna had built a bed of layered blankets surrounded by pillows. Without hesitation, Kenna settled her head on Cason’s chest. Nervously, Ryka flicked a glance at Wren.

  “Looks like we get the couch.”
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  Ryka turned and eyed the long leather sofa. There were a couple pillows and a few blankets set on one end. Wren moved for them, stacking the pillows at one end of the sofa. He grabbed one blanket and set the others on the floor. When Ryka crossed to the now-empty end of the couch and took a seat, Wren shook his head. “Uh-uh.” He crawled to her and picked her up, lifting her to the other end of the couch where the pillows were piled before lowering himself and settling her body in front of his with her back pressed to his front, their legs a tangle as he covered them with the blanket. His lips brushed her ear as he whispered, “Lion’s gotta have you close. Too much drama today.”

  She relaxed back into the pillows but tensed when her head rested on his bicep. She instantly lifted her head and looked up at him.

  “Not moving my arm, woman. You’re just gonna have to deal with being this close to me.”

  She relaxed back against him, using his arm as a pillow, and her wolf was absolutely content. He was warm and strong, and he smelled fantastic. His hand settled on her hip and he commanded, “Start the show.”

  Jesup lifted a remote and pointed it at the flat screen. Ryka turned to look up at Wren, dying to see him from this angle. He was a stunning man, all strong planes, perfect white teeth, hair the color of the golden sun. She’d never seen anyone so beautiful. When Wren grinned down at her as if he could read her thoughts, Ryka masked her need to look at him with, “What are we watching?”

  “Rom-com,” he responded, before kissing her forehead then bending forward, squeezing her body against his as he reached over her to snag a large bowl of popcorn sitting on the table. He settled the bowl in the small space made where her hips curved back into his. When his arm curled around her and pulled her ass more firmly into him, she gasped and he murmured in her ear, “Just making more room.” There had been plenty of room for the bowl, but Ryka didn’t complain. She was too busy wondering if he was going to keep whispering in her ear all night, because if so, there’d be no way she’d be able to concentrate on any movie.