don’t have to worry that I’m trying to do what all those other females are doing.
Trying to get ahead in the wolf priority list.”
Evan looked confused. “But you’re not a wolf.”
“Don’t be stupid. I know that. Trust me, I got reminded of that often over the years by the rest of the pack every time they came around the house. Johnny was strong enough to fend them off until I learned to deal with them myself.”
He leaned back and crossed his arms, Mr. Sexy in full view. “Well, sweetie, Johnny may have been right about shooting straight with wolves, but there are a few special circumstances when it’s perfectly fine to explain yourself. In complete and utter detail.”
“When would that be?”
Evan tweaked her nose. “When I can’t understand what the hell you’re proposing. I mean, I got the
‘you move in with me’ bit, but how will it help me having a human in my house?” 42
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Black Gold
Caroline sighed. “The power plays are a constant thing, Evan. Add in the fact you’re single, a looker, and a touch on the wild side, the ladies of the pack without boyfriends, and some with, are always trying to hit on you.”
“I noticed. Why is that a problem for anyone but me?”
She pulled a face. “Okay. Take last night. I’m going to assume whatever happened in the bar was somehow related to the woowoo thing you guys do.”
His grin got wider. “ Woowoo . Nicely put. Is that the scientific word, or something we’re still trying on for size?”
She ignored him. It was the only way to make this conversation go anywhere before she needed to drag in reinforcements.
“In the old days I had to come up with logical explanations for weird wolf shit happening around the hotel and bar maybe once or twice a month. And nine times out of ten the incidents were caused by visitors to the area—the usual gangly teens not able to control a shift, or thinking it would be hysterical to go for a swim in the pool in their wolf forms.” Evan snickered, and she smacked him on the arm. “Laugh it up, big boy, but after a while trying to cover your asses and keep the shifters undercover is a royal pain. I like my job, and I like the pack. I don’t like being your nursemaid.”
“Sorry.” He looked contrite enough, but his smile didn’t diminish. “I was remembering the story they told me about you announcing there was a meeting for the Iditarod and some of the teams had gotten loose.
That’s why crowds of ‘dogs’ were swarming the halls.”
Caroline sniffed. “That was one of my better moments of inspiration.” She stood and carried their empty cups to the kitchen, rinsing them and putting them in the dishwasher. When she stood, Evan was right there at her side.
“You didn’t finish your explanation.”
She leaned back on the island. “Think about it. Since you took over as Alpha, there have been more and more incidents. It’s not once in a while anymore, it’s weekly, if not daily. And the troubles are always related to a female panting over you in some shape or form. I realize jostling for position is normal for wolves, but it’s a pain in the ass. As a human, I have no designs on your pack or being something big shot in the hierarchy. But with my background, I know enough about wolves to hold my own and keep the bitches off your back. At least until you tell me you’ve found someone you’re interested in—I won’t get pissed off if you announce it’s over. I understand the whole mate thing.” Evan nodded slowly. “Makes sense. I’ll think about your offer.” Caroline couldn’t stop the little thrill of excitement that hit. “I can wait. Just try to decide before I have to explain a wolf fight in the front lobby, okay?”
He stretched and yawned. “Well, since we’re both awake, you want to help me take a load to the recycle station?”
www.samhainpublishing.com
43
Vivian Arend
Hmm. No . “On my day off?”
“Who knows, there might be
Trying to get ahead in the wolf priority list.”
Evan looked confused. “But you’re not a wolf.”
“Don’t be stupid. I know that. Trust me, I got reminded of that often over the years by the rest of the pack every time they came around the house. Johnny was strong enough to fend them off until I learned to deal with them myself.”
He leaned back and crossed his arms, Mr. Sexy in full view. “Well, sweetie, Johnny may have been right about shooting straight with wolves, but there are a few special circumstances when it’s perfectly fine to explain yourself. In complete and utter detail.”
“When would that be?”
Evan tweaked her nose. “When I can’t understand what the hell you’re proposing. I mean, I got the
‘you move in with me’ bit, but how will it help me having a human in my house?” 42
www.samhainpublishing.com
Black Gold
Caroline sighed. “The power plays are a constant thing, Evan. Add in the fact you’re single, a looker, and a touch on the wild side, the ladies of the pack without boyfriends, and some with, are always trying to hit on you.”
“I noticed. Why is that a problem for anyone but me?”
She pulled a face. “Okay. Take last night. I’m going to assume whatever happened in the bar was somehow related to the woowoo thing you guys do.”
His grin got wider. “ Woowoo . Nicely put. Is that the scientific word, or something we’re still trying on for size?”
She ignored him. It was the only way to make this conversation go anywhere before she needed to drag in reinforcements.
“In the old days I had to come up with logical explanations for weird wolf shit happening around the hotel and bar maybe once or twice a month. And nine times out of ten the incidents were caused by visitors to the area—the usual gangly teens not able to control a shift, or thinking it would be hysterical to go for a swim in the pool in their wolf forms.” Evan snickered, and she smacked him on the arm. “Laugh it up, big boy, but after a while trying to cover your asses and keep the shifters undercover is a royal pain. I like my job, and I like the pack. I don’t like being your nursemaid.”
“Sorry.” He looked contrite enough, but his smile didn’t diminish. “I was remembering the story they told me about you announcing there was a meeting for the Iditarod and some of the teams had gotten loose.
That’s why crowds of ‘dogs’ were swarming the halls.”
Caroline sniffed. “That was one of my better moments of inspiration.” She stood and carried their empty cups to the kitchen, rinsing them and putting them in the dishwasher. When she stood, Evan was right there at her side.
“You didn’t finish your explanation.”
She leaned back on the island. “Think about it. Since you took over as Alpha, there have been more and more incidents. It’s not once in a while anymore, it’s weekly, if not daily. And the troubles are always related to a female panting over you in some shape or form. I realize jostling for position is normal for wolves, but it’s a pain in the ass. As a human, I have no designs on your pack or being something big shot in the hierarchy. But with my background, I know enough about wolves to hold my own and keep the bitches off your back. At least until you tell me you’ve found someone you’re interested in—I won’t get pissed off if you announce it’s over. I understand the whole mate thing.” Evan nodded slowly. “Makes sense. I’ll think about your offer.” Caroline couldn’t stop the little thrill of excitement that hit. “I can wait. Just try to decide before I have to explain a wolf fight in the front lobby, okay?”
He stretched and yawned. “Well, since we’re both awake, you want to help me take a load to the recycle station?”
www.samhainpublishing.com
43
Vivian Arend
Hmm. No . “On my day off?”
“Who knows, there might be
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