Derren agreed, but . . . “Using two different forms of attack makes no sense, though. Hell, using a human weapon makes no sense.” Shifters fought with tooth and claw—even foxes, though they could be sneaky, cheating fuckers.

“Unless it’s the extremists.” Shaya shrugged. The leader of a particular group of extremists had also happened to have been a guard in the shifter juvenile detention where Nick and Derren had been incarcerated. Hating Nick for badly injuring him when he’d fought off the bastard’s attempts to abuse him back then, the guard’s group of extremists had targeted Nick—which had simply led to the bastards’ deaths.

To the outside world, the group had mysteriously “disappeared.” Of course the other anti-shifter extremists groups speculated that Nick was responsible, and it was that fear of him that kept the other groups from retaliating. But just maybe their fear wasn’t getting in the way anymore.

“I’m not convinced it’s the extremists,” said Nick. “I think someone’s playing with us. That they want us to be confused about who we’re facing.”

Shaya pursed her lips. “If so, it’s working.”

“Which side of the border did Eli and the enforcers find the foxes’ scents?” Derren asked Nick.

“The side that flows into Miranda’s territory.” Nick skimmed his hand up and down Shaya’s arm. “Which will mean she’ll also try hunting the trespassers.”

“Miranda Whitney is Alpha female of the Sutherland Pack,” Shaya told Ally.

“I’ve heard about her.” Ally swatted away a mosquito. “She runs the pack alone, right?” It wasn’t common for an unmated female wolf to run a pack.

“Yep,” confirmed Shaya, her mouth tightening in distaste. “I don’t like her. But we’re cordial and civil because she’s our closest neighbor.”

Ally understood that. Neighbors often watched out for each other, chased away trespassers, and informed each other of any suspicious activity. Hearing her cell phone ringing, she excused herself and went into the lodge. Retrieving her cell from the pocket of her jacket, she tensed when she saw “Zeke” flashing on the screen. It wasn’t the first time he’d tried calling her since she’d left the Collingwood Pack. Unfortunately, he wasn’t deterred by her ignoring those attempts. Finally the cell ceased ringing, and she exhaled heavily.

“Who was that?”

Spinning on her heel, she found Derren staring hard at her. “Nosy little bastard, aren’t you?”

With two purposeful strides, he closed the small distance between them. “Who was it?” When she didn’t answer, Derren snatched the phone from her hand, unsurprised to see there was a missed call from Zeke. She might not realize it, but the same expression always took over her face whenever the subject was the Collingwood Beta—one that contained betrayal, hurt, and weariness. It never failed to prickle the protective instincts of Derren and his wolf.

Ally held out her hand. “Give.”

He might have, but then a beeping sound was quickly followed by “1 New Message” flashing on the screen. Before she could seize the phone, he opened the message and read it aloud. “Ally, why won’t you talk to me? I just want to know that you’re okay.” Derren met her pissed, narrow-eyed gaze as she yanked the cell from his hand. “You’ve been ignoring his calls. Good. Keep it that way.”

Her spine locked. “Who I speak to is my business. Should I grab a ladder so you can step out of it?”

“I don’t want him contacting you.” He didn’t want a single ounce of her time spent on the fucker.

“And you think I do?”

No, he didn’t. She looked more pissed about it than he was. Maybe it was time he had a little chat with the Beta—his wolf fully supported that idea. Derren’s intention must have been right there on his face, because she shook her head.

“Don’t, Derren. If he thinks bugging me will get him any kind of a reaction, he’ll keep doing it.”

Derren’s wolf snarled. “I should just overlook that he’s harassing you?”

Confused by his implication that it would be an unreasonable request, Ally snickered. “Yes, you should. I’m no one to you.”

His hand snapped around her wrist in a proprietary hold. “Wrong.” He didn’t know what she was to him, but it wasn’t “no one.”

She tensed as his expression blackened and possessiveness oozed from his skin to hers. It slithered over her like demanding, territorial hands. As his eyes fell to Ally’s mouth, his need punched its way inside her—filled her, taunted her, and acted as a flick to her clit. Her knees buckled. Oh, help. “Tone it down,” she ground out.

Scenting her heat, Derren smiled inwardly. “Now we’re even. I’ll check on you later.”

And he did, to the delight of Ally’s wolf. When he couldn’t coax Ally to come with him for dinner at the main lodge, he stayed with her. The little shit also ate half of her meal. Then he rose from the porch step and held out his hand. “Come with me.”

Ally narrowed her eyes. “Where?”

“I want to show you something.”

“What?” Wariness coated the word.

“Stop being so suspicious. Come with me,” Derren repeated.

There was a dare in his eyes that made Ally’s shoulders stiffen. She’d be damned if she’d show any weakness. “Fine.” She placed her hand in his, swallowing hard as his hunger and satisfaction seemed to invade her pores, and he pulled her to her feet. “Let me just put this inside.” Once she’d set the empty plate in the sink, she returned to the porch. “Where are we going?” She tried to sound vaguely annoyed, but she was actually curious. And his smile said he knew it.