Ryan had noticed that. It was understandable, since she had grown up without a pack.
“She needs to feel like one of us,” Grace went on, “which is exactly what she’ll be when she and Ryan finally mate.” She patted Ryan’s cheek. “It will happen, sweetie. You just need to find out what’s blocking that bond and smash it into teensy-weensy pieces.”
Easier said than done, but Ryan would accept nothing less.
When Makenna left the shelter later that day, she found Ryan waiting for her, leaning against his Chevy. Having spent much of her day with a malnourished and frightened pup that had been brought to the shelter the previous night, she felt sad and weary. All of that seemed to leave her at the sight of Ryan whose mere presence seemed to send feel-good endorphins through her body.
Similarly, her wolf lost her tension and did a very languid stretch. He was like hot chocolate, a steaming bath, a happy movie, and a pillar of strength all rolled into one. “Hey, White Fang.”
The bright smile she gave him went straight to his groin. “I told you to drop that.” Splaying a hand on her lower back, Ryan pulled her close and kissed her. Her sparkling taste never failed to make him groan. He inhaled deeply, taking the scent of his mate inside him. It was tinted with coffee, feline, and . . . “Colton.” It was a growl. The male’s scent was barely there. Nonetheless, everything in Ryan bristled and possessiveness gripped him hard. His wolf snarled.
Sensing his mood shift, she nuzzled his chest. “I worked with him a little today, that’s all.”
Sliding his hands around Makenna’s neck, Ryan kissed her again. Harder and more dominantly than before. He took and tasted and demanded, stroking her tongue with his until she was pliant against him. The spicy scent of her need rose up, blanketing those other foreign scents until all he could smell was her. He hummed his satisfaction. “That’s better.”
A little disoriented, Makenna double-blinked. Walking on shaky legs had its challenges, but she managed not to embarrass herself as she hopped into the Chevy. Five minutes into the journey, she realized . . . “We’re not heading to my apartment. Why are we not heading to my apartment?”
“Because we’re going to Phoenix Pack territory.”
And there went Makenna’s buzz. She liked the Phoenix wolves well enough, she just didn’t enjoy feeling like a spare part. They were all so close and tight that it made her feel even more like an outsider than she normally did. Well, she’d get to see Zac—that would be good. “Oh, okay.”
If Ryan didn’t know her well, he might have bought her perky smile. But he sensed her disappointment and discomfort. He thought about telling her she had no need to feel awkward around his pack, but the night’s events would quickly teach her that.
When they finally arrived at his territory, the sky had begun to darken. With so few clouds, it was a pretty sight. He parked the Chevy and then led Makenna into the woods, which made her frown. “We’re not going inside?” He didn’t respond. “You’re being more mysterious than usual. If your plan is to drag me someplace private and have your wicked way with me, I’m totally on board. Just thought I’d throw that out there.”
Ryan almost smiled.
“I smell fire. And food. What’s going on?”
Stopping, Ryan turned to her. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so awkward. “I wanted . . . I wanted to do . . . something nice for you. I remembered you talked about an outdoor movie festival and . . .”
The guy was turning her insides to mush again. He looked uncharacteristically self-conscious, and it was just adorable. Makenna slid her arms around his waist. “You didn’t have to do anything for me. But thank you.” Her wolf was charmed by it.
He scowled. “You don’t have to thank me.” She was his mate. Obviously he’d do things for her.
Smiling, she rubbed her nose against his. “So grouchy. Come on, I’m hungry.”
Threading his fingers through hers, he led her through the tall trees. “The clearing’s up ahead.”
The closer they got, the more scents hit her: fire, popcorn, beer, marshmallows, nachos, and sausages. Stepping into the clearing, Makenna was surprised to see some unfamiliar wolves. She guessed they were from the Mercury Pack, since Shaya and some of her security team were also present.
“That’s a lot of people,” said Makenna. Some were gathered around a hissing, crackling campfire where Trick and Gabe were toasting marshmallows and sausages while Dominic whined that he wanted a turn. Some sat on fallen tree trunks, chatting and drinking. Others were settled on the blankets that were sporadically laid out with pillows and cushions; all faced a large white screen that Kye and a little girl with blonde curls were sniffing and poking.
Spotting Makenna, Zac hurried over, eyes gleaming. “What do you think?”
She smiled. “I think you guys must have had a really busy day.”