Well, hell, now I’m going to have to marry the crazy, psychotic female!

He closed his eyes. Could this day possibly get any more scary?

As if in answer, a big arm wrapped around Nik’s shoulder. “Hey, buddy.”

Surprised, Nik looked over at Conall. “Uh…hey.”

“Hey.” A slap on the back from Zach. “How’s it goin’?”

Eyes narrow, Nik watched the two. “What are y’all up to?”

“Nothing. Me and Zach were just wondering when you were going to move in?”

“Move in? I’m not…”

“Of course you are. If you’re staying with Angie. Ya gotta move in.”

“What?”

“Didn’t she tell you? They’ve always wanted to live together. And you protected Angie…”

“And me,” Conall added with a sweet smile that may fool some human female but didn’t fool Nik for one goddamn second.

“So you’re part of the Pack now.”

“Yeah. You’re one of us.”

“And don’t worry,” Zach finished, “we’ll teach you how to howl.”

Suddenly, Nik felt violently ill.

***

Angie decided to get some food and finally eat. Grabbing a plate of barbeque chicken and coleslaw she sat down on a long bench to relax and people watch. Of course, that moment alone lasted all of two seconds before she looked up to find Sara and Miki next to her.

“Okay. Fucking in our laundry room, is unacceptable.”

Angie frowned, the chicken leg poised at her mouth. Nik hadn’t fucked her in the laundry room…he’d fucked her in the kitchen.

“What are you talking about?”

“Two old tigers, going at it like…well… tigers.”

Miki pointed, “Those two.”

Angie looked over and immediately put her chicken down. Boris tried to take Natalia’s hand, but she snatched it away. She stalked through the crowd toward the bar. Of course Boris didn’t look hurt and definitely not discouraged. More like…turned on. And Natalia may look pissed, but the flush to her cheeks also made her appear well satisfied.

Angie sighed, “Sorry ‘bout that. I’ll ask Nik to…uh…control his people.”

“Thank you. I mean, dude…,” Sara shuddered. “We clean clothes in there.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“So,” Miki scratched her leg, “You marrying that tiger or what?”

Angie choked on her Long Island Iced Tea.

Miki glanced at Sara, “Told ya.”

Sara shook her head, “I don’t know why you guys insist on marriage.”

“A societal construct forced on us from birth.” Miki suddenly pointed atAngie. “And you put me in any bridesmaid dress with ruffles and it’s gonna be war between you and me, sister!”

She stomped off.

Sara shrugged, “That parasite is making her so cranky.”

“Stop calling her that,” Miki yelled back.

Sara winked at Angie and wandered off.

Angie stared after her two best friends. They both moved with such confidence now. Sara didn’t just run her Pack. She was her Pack. They watched her with fear, awe, and warmth. She would never be her mother and definitely never her grandmother. Sara would always just be Sara. She came up behind Zach who was busy trying his best to hold a civil conversation with two lions. With a wicked grin, she slide her hand between his legs. The wolf stiffened, the lions instantly forgotten, as he turned to face her. He grabbed her around the waist and roughly pulled her into his body. Zach looked at Sara as if she were the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. And, Angie knew, that to Zach, Sara was.

Miki stood next to her freakishly sized giant. He spoke to Boris, making the old tiger laugh. Without turning away from Boris, Conall’s hand reached down and grasped Miki’s. She leaned into his side, her eyes checking out the entire crowd, most likely looking for some shit to start. She spotted it, her eyes locking on Victoria. She moved to pull away, but Conall yanked her back. She tried to get him to release his hold, but the man wouldn’t budge. His conversation with Boris never wavered and he never lost his smile. After a few moments, Boris walked away, most likely on the hunt for Natalia. Conall leaned his—what? ten-foot—frame down, whispering in Miki’s ear. She laughed, again trying to pull away, but he pulled her back, kissing her gently on the mouth. Miki returned that kiss, raising herself up on her toes.

Angie returned to her chicken. For once confident her friends were going to be okay. Still, she only managed to get one bite before Ban and Alek sat down. One on each side of her.

“So…you gonna stay with Nik?”

Angie choked on that one bite of food she’d managed to get. Much more of this and she might lose a few pounds.

“That is none of your business, gentlemen.”

“What if he married you?”

What in the bloody hell is going on? “What?”

“Well, you human girls like that, right?”

Angie sighed, “I’m not having this discussion with you two.”

“That sound like a yes to you, Alek?”

“It sure does.”

“It does not!” Angie took a deep breath. “Go. Away.”

“Okay,” Ban sighed as the two men stood. “But remember, it takes forever for them Gucci people in Italy to get us in for our fittin’ and then to make our tuxes.”