She pinned his gaze with hers. “I’m still a Seer, Derren. Yes, I healed you. And yes, I saved Shaya’s life. But I’m no different than I was before that happened.”
“I know.” Derren sighed. “Everything you said when we last talked . . . You were right. I’ve been shitty toward you, and it’s going to stop.”
“So you no longer hate me, just like that?” Doubt was heavy in her tone.
“I never hated you.” He squatted in front of her. “You can’t feel that something’s different?”
“You’re always hard to gauge.” Admittedly, though, the fleeting emotions she was sensing were predominantly appreciativeness, regret, and a strong protectiveness—all of which felt like the softest fur brushing against her.
“Then let me prove it. Don’t jerk away.” Derren traced the black shadow under her eye with his index finger. “Did that hurt?”
Shockingly . . . “No.” Not even a little. Quite the opposite, actually. It didn’t matter that the touch had been featherlight and far from seductive. The heat of his body had been like a brand on her flesh, making need begin to curdle low in her stomach. And she had to get out of there before he sensed it. She got to her feet . . . and then blushed when she realized he was now eye level with her crotch. Sensing he was about to tease her for what he could no doubt very easily scent, she bit out, “Don’t.”
Standing upright, he raised his hands. “I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to.” It was obvious he was stifling a smile. Silent but amused, he led her out of the room and along the landing to a flight of stairs. From there, Ally could hear multiple voices coming from downstairs—some of which were unfamiliar. It was clearly packed with people. How not grand.
“I know you probably want to go straight back to your lodge,” said Derren, “but these people are nosy fuckers, and they want to get a look at the person who saved Shaya’s life. Just come say hi, and then I’ll get you out of here.”
To her surprise, Derren remained slightly in front of Ally in what seemed to be a protective move as he led her into the kitchen. Instantly, a hush fell upon the room, and several emotions crashed into her, primarily curiosity.
Relief washed over Shaya’s face. “You’re awake.” She headed straight for Ally and greeted her with a tight hug that made gratitude and affection seep into Ally’s system. “You look much better.” With a smile, Shaya turned to the others—most of whom were seated at the table. “Everyone, this is Ally. Ally, this is Roni and Marcus.”
The slender female gave her a small nod, while her dark, incredibly hot mate offered Ally a quiet “Hey.” Ally gave them both a small wave.
Shaya continued, “And these wolves are from the Phoenix Pack.” She gestured to two males. The burly one had a real grumpy air about him while the athletically built male regarded her warily. “That’s Ryan, a Phoenix enforcer, and Tao, who’s their Head Enforcer. The scowling, totally ripped guy leaning against the wall is their Alpha, Trey.” Whereas the enforcers appeared mostly neutral, the Alpha’s aversion to her—or, more likely, to what she was—made her skin itch.
At that moment, the back door opened and two wolves entered. Shaya said, “This gorgeous woman here is their Beta, Ja—”
“Oh my God, Ally!” The familiar tall female with long sable hair came flying at her, eyes wide in both shock and recognition. “Hey, how are you?”
Ally gladly accepted Jaime’s hug. “I’m great. You?”
Pulling back, she said, “They kept referring to you as ‘the Seer,’ but it never occurred to me that it could be you!”
“So,” interrupted the brown-eyed tower of muscle that appeared at Jaime’s side, “you two know each other?”
Jaime replied, “Ally was with our old pack for, like, eighteen months.” She returned her gaze to Ally. “That was almost six years ago, right?”
Ally nodded. “You’re part of the Phoenix Pack now?”
Jaime smiled proudly and leaned into the brown-eyed male. “This is my mate, Dante.”
Ally wanted to ask if he was the Dante—the guy Jaime had talked about many times. Although he’d left Jaime’s old pack when he was just a teenager, Jaime had never gotten over her crush. If the fact that they were now mated was anything to go by, it must have been because they were true mates but hadn’t known back then.
“Ally once had a vision that Gabe was going to be attacked by a group of falcon shifters,” Jaime told Dante, referring to her brother. “It saved him.”
“Really?” Dante’s frown gradually slipped away. “It’s good to meet you, Ally.”
Shaya released a sigh of relief. But then her entire body froze as a tiny blonde with sharp charcoal-gray eyes planted herself in front of Ally. Shaya cleared her throat. “Ally, this is Taryn, Alpha female of the Phoenix Pack.” Taryn’s shrewd gaze assessed her from head to toe and back again.