Of course Ryan would want him. He hadn’t been close to Damian and he’d never met the kid, but he was still family. “I’ll take him now.”
Prepared for an angry response, Makenna said, “Um, it’s not gonna work like that.” When he growled, she raised a hand. “Easy, White Fang. Hear me out.” He just stared at her, his watchful eyes giving away none of the anger radiating from him. It was an unsettling stare, yet it didn’t unnerve her. Nor did the menacing vibe he omitted. Instead, she had the sudden urge to poke at him and gain a reaction of some kind. Makenna had to admit she did have an almost pathological desire to antagonize dangerous predators. It was becoming a quest, of sorts.
She went on. “You have to appreciate that although Zac is your family, he doesn’t know you. He doesn’t trust you. And he has absolutely no reason to do so. You’re family, but you’re distant family. You and your pack mates are all strangers to him. His father didn’t even speak of you. If I hadn’t done a background search on Zac, he would never have known the two of you are related. You need to consider all of that.”
Her coolness and formality pricked at Ryan’s patience. There was an authority in her voice—the type that came from someone who didn’t lead others but who was strong enough to stop others from leading them. Ryan was an enforcer, she was a lone wolf . . . and she was speaking to him as if their statuses were reversed. No, she was speaking to him as though their statuses meant nothing.
He inhaled deeply, seeking patience. And instead filled his lungs with her scent. God, that fucking scent . . . wildflowers, black cherries, and innate sensuality layered with a tint of arousal. He could almost taste it on his tongue. So she wasn’t quite as unaffected by him as she seemed.
“He’s worried that you’ll ask me to return him to his pack,” said Makenna. “You should know that I won’t allow that.”
“What happened to him there?”
“Zac won’t speak of it. But he shows all the signs of an abused child, which is why I will do whatever it takes to ensure he never comes in contact with that pack again.”
Ryan liked her almost animalistic ferociousness. This was a female who was confident in her ability to protect herself and anyone she considered under her protection.
“I ask that you meet with Zac a few times, get to know him. Then, when he’s comfortable enough to do so, he can visit you on your territory and meet all of your pack members. That could be all it takes to make him want to stay with you. However, it may take some overnight visits. It’s all about building trust. If you rush this, if you try to take him against his will, he won’t feel safe with you. He’ll run again.”
The same part of Ryan that balked at leaving his relative in a shelter also balked at causing the kid that kind of distress. Ryan wasn’t that much of a bastard. For the most part. “I’ll agree to take this at Zac’s pace.”
Makenna had to smile at the way he’d said “Zac’s pace” not her pace. It was a message that she best not think she was in control here. “Good.”
“But I want to see him soon.”
“Today won’t be possible, but tomorrow would be fine. You know Trevon Park, right?”
“I know it.”
“Zac and I will meet you there at noon tomorrow.”
Ryan didn’t like being made to wait for anything. As a rule, he generally didn’t deny himself the things he wanted. But it would probably be best to take the time to speak to his pack before meeting Zac anyway. So he nodded. “I’ll be seeing you soon, Makenna.”
Makenna almost shivered. His words sounded more like a sensual threat than a good-bye, although that was most likely because his voice had that gravelly quality to it. As she walked away, she felt his gaze burning into her back. Her wolf was disappointed to leave him; she liked his quiet, confident, mysterious air. Makenna couldn’t deny his appeal. But she’d sure like to.
As she slowly drove out of the lot, Makenna noticed Ryan standing by his Chevy, watching her leave with a deep frown. That natural snarl should have been off-putting, and she couldn’t work out why the hell it was far from it.
Chocolate. She needed chocolate.
Passing through the security gates of Phoenix Pack territory, Ryan nodded at Cam, who was manning the security shack. He then drove into the wooded area, taking him onto the rocky trail that led to what his Alpha female called “Bedrock.”