Thunderous footfalls sounded, and then a door slammed above me. Austin didn’t like the kids around when wolves were being introduced. Even though they were safe on the second floor, it could be traumatic if they witnessed one of their packmates caught in a fight. Aside from that, something I’d learned about Shifter children was that they’re born with all the instincts of their animal, even if they haven’t gone through the first change. The greatest risk was them rushing into a fight to help their packmate, and without the ability to shift and heal, the results could be fatal.
“Who went already?” Denver asked.
“Just about everyone. Even Maddox, and that was a sight to behold.”
He laughed. “Yeah, saw that from the window. Just wait until they get a load of Naya.”
To reduce the risk of a pack fight, Austin had sent everyone in the house except for those who hadn’t gone. Denver went first since his wolf was the craziest, and Maizy stayed by his side to keep him under control. But when it was her turn, Denver was banished to the house to prevent him from losing control of his wolf if one of Axel’s men so much as growled at her.
I stood up and arched my back, rubbing the sore muscles on the curve of my spine. “Naya’s going last, if she goes at all. Wheeler’s still up, but everyone else is done. April just let them smell her.”
“Bet she loved that,” he remarked, his voice deadpan.
Naya stood up and leaned against the rail. “Reno was upstairs on the balcony holding a gun with one of those little binocular things,” she said, circling her finger.
Denver spoke around a mouthful of cereal. “Sniper rifle. And that would have been epic.”
Naya removed her watch and handed it to me. “Foolish, you mean.”
“Your mom handled it like a boss,” Denver said, setting his empty bowl on a table near the door. “Did you see how she smacked that one wolf on the snout when he sniffed a little too closely?”
A bubble of laughter slipped out, and I erupted into my Beaker laugh. I quickly covered my mouth, remembering our guests down below.
“Come on, Naya. Let’s get this over with,” Austin shouted, veiling the absolute horror I’m sure he felt. He could control the wolves in our pack, but Naya’s panther was another story.
Naya gave me one of her rings and sighed. “Here goes nothing.”
“Nothing my ass,” Denver murmured, sidling up next to me as we watched her cross the grassy lawn. “Oh, Jesus. Look who just joined the party.”
Spartacus appeared from under the house and trotted beside Naya, swinging his little butt as if he sensed his mama was in peril.
“Pssst!” Denver made a loud sound that made the cat turn and look at him. Then he clapped his hands.
Sparty kept his wide, defiant eyes on us while he sat down behind Naya.
“I’m not responsible for what my pack might do to that cat,” Axel warned her.
Naya kicked off her shoes. “And I’m not responsible for what I might do if so much as one hair on his body is ruffled out of place.”
Austin shook his head. “That cat has the biggest set of balls I’ve ever seen. Naya, don’t fade out. As soon as you feel yourself slipping, I want you to shift back. We’re going to have the wolves shift along with you, just to be on the safe side.”
“Mmm, this should be interesting,” she purred.
“Damn right about that,” Denver murmured. “I hope Wheeler’s still in the shower.”
“You need to go inside, crazy wolf,” I said, glaring up at him. “Austin’s giving you the evil eye for a reason.”
“Until he says something, I’m not missing this for the world.”
Nerves tightened in my belly as Naya put her hands on her hips and let the wolves circle around to catch her scent in human form.
“What’s that phrase Wheeler always uses?” Denver lowered his voice as the front door opened. “Oh yeah. And boom goes the dynamite. See ya.”
Denver skipped past Wheeler and into the house. Wheeler hadn’t put on his shirt, so I watched him descend the steps—his tattoos on prominent display. Especially the dragon across his back.
“I gave you orders. Get back inside,” Austin barked out, pointing his finger.
Wheeler stopped a few feet from the steps and folded his arms. “With all due respect, that ain’t happening. Either I’m present, or she’s not shifting.”
Naya pivoted around. “I have everything under control, Mr. Grumpy. Go make me a plate, and I’ll be right in.”
Axel made no comment. He didn’t know our pack dynamic well enough to butt in.
“This was such a bad idea,” I murmured, drumming my fingers on my stomach. “You know, your daddy once tried to convince me that packs live ordinary lives just like humans. Your daddy was a big fat liar. Sure, we go to the Alamo Drafthouse for a few beers and a movie, then pump gas in the car like every other normal citizen. But when we come home, we magically change into furry little animals who want to kill each other.”
“I need this to go smooth,” Austin continued.
“As a baby’s bottom,” Wheeler assured him.
Which didn’t leave Austin reassured in the least. But since Wheeler was the only one who could control Naya, it was the better option.
Naya executed a graceful shift that transformed her voluptuous form into that of a magnificent black panther. One who immediately growled to make her presence known.