My blood chilled.
She shook her head. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Wheeler called ahead to tell us he was bringing home a live panther and to move everyone upstairs until he secured the heat house. Austin had a fit. He went out to meet him by the road and they got into a fight.” Lexi shook her head and briefly looked up at the ceiling. “This isn’t good. I don’t know what Wheeler’s standing is with the pack anymore—not after this. When I found out it was you, I begged Austin to let you stay for the night. You were still in the back of Wheeler’s Camaro, and Austin yelled at me to get in the house. He’s never done that before, but I could see the fear in his eyes. I’ve heard a few stories about Shifter history, but I guess I never knew how deep-seated the fear of panthers was. Not until I saw that look.”
“Was I awake in the car?”
She chuckled in disbelief. “We could hear your cat growling all the way inside. Wheeler didn’t have the same look of fear in his eyes that Austin did. I had a good view from the upstairs window. He had a chain looped around your neck and walked you up to the porch as if you were his pet or something.”
My jaw dropped. “He what?”
Impossible! Was this a joke? Lexi must have been nipping at the wine. There was absolutely no way my panther would have been submissive to anyone, let alone a wolf. I couldn’t even consider it.
She pulled her foot up and poked at it, looking for the sliver of wood in her heel. “Well, you’ve been the talk of the house since your arrival. I’m glad you shifted back, because Austin hasn’t been able to stop pacing. A hall connects this room to the main house, but he intentionally built it without windows to make sure anyone using it was safe from outsiders getting in. He put a lock on both sides, but he’s never used the outside lock until tonight.”
“Why would he lock the door from the outside to begin with?”
“I suppose he was afraid one of us girls might get really horny, break down the door, and mount one of them,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “The worst part about it was that the heat house was my idea. I was joking at the time, but Austin never forgets anything I say.”
I placed my hand over my chest, fighting the urge to have a complete meltdown. I didn’t like being weak in front of anyone; that’s not the kind of woman I was. I’d always been strong—a fighter—but now it seemed like I was fighting shadows.
“Naya?” Lexi asked in a soft voice, brushing a swath of hair away from my face. “Hey, it’s me. I don’t care if you’re a panther or a skunk; I love you regardless. You hear me? Maybe I’m a little terrified of your animal, and I don’t expect we’ll be best buddies, but that’s fine.”
A bubble of laughter burst out, and I smiled. “I’m so sorry for all this. I didn’t mean to cause a rift in your pack, and I would have never asked Wheeler to bring me here. I still don’t understand how…”
She put her foot down and winced. “Good news. You have a few clothes here. Remember the trip we were going to take to Padre Island and then your dickhead boss called you in to work? You were so pissed off that you flew out the door and left your bag behind. You told me to keep it here until our next trip. It’s just outside the door and it probably has everything you’ll need, including a toothbrush and all that. I’m going to talk Austin into letting you stay here a while longer.”
“No, no. Not necessary.”
Her head jerked back. “Oh, really? A maniac is after you and I’m supposed to send you home? Not happening. If Austin kicks you out, then you’re staying in a hotel, and I’m going with you.”
“Lexi, really, I’m fine. It’s nothing you need to worry your pretty little head over.”
“You’re not fine!” she shouted.
“Look at the trouble I’ve caused! I don’t want you and Austin to fight because of me, and I definitely don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way.”
She catapulted to her feet. “You’re my best friend, and you could never ask for too much. Hell, you never ask for anything. I’m offering, you’re accepting, end of story.”
“Cat fight?” Denver loomed in the doorway, eating pears straight out of the can.
Lexi glared down at his bare feet when he crossed them at the ankle. “Don’t come in here,” she said. “There are splinters all over the floor.”
“Didn’t plan on it, honeypie. Just wanted to watch the show. Heard meowing all the way in the kitchen.”
“Wipe that smug grin off your face,” she said, shoving at his naked chest. “You’re only in a good mood because you won the bet.”
I leaned forward, tightening the throw around me. “What bet?”
Lexi twisted around, her face carrying a look of disdain. “These idiots had a running bet on your animal.”