Another round of applause filled the bar. Karla laughed at Nick’s surprised expression. “Don’t let them get you, Nick. Too many and you’ll feel it in the morning.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Not me, I’m a shifter. But I bet my mate would enjoy these. I’ll definitely recommend for her to come try this.”
Nate moved up beside her, curling his arm around her waist. “You do that, Nick. We’ll be adding Karla’s drink to the menu.”
She jerked her head sideways to see if he was joking. Even though he was smiling, he sounded serious.
“Come on, beautiful. Shirley’s here to take her throne back.” Nate grasped her hand in his and led her to the other side of the bar.
“It was nice to meet you, Karla!” The guys at the counter yelled.
“It was nice to meet you all.” She waved and turned a smile at Nate. “They’re really nice. I can see why you’d like being here.”
“Thanks for coming. Your being here means a lot.” He pulled his office door open and showed her inside. “Plus, I got to find out something new about you.”
She shrugged. “It’s just a little drink. But thanks for having faith in me and letting me try my hand at mixing again.”
He sat down and pulled her on to his lap, shifting her to her side to glance at her face. “Feel free to come here any time you want. Anyway, I wanted you to come here because I know you got a minor in business and marketing and wanted your opinion on rebranding the bar.”
A new happiness bubble filled her heart. Nate including her in his business meant more than he knew. “I’ll answer any question you have as best as I can.”
He drove a hand into her hair and pulled her head down. “I think we should test out the sturdiness of my desk first. He pressed his lips over hers and all thoughts of anything, but Nate flew out of her mind.
“What’s going on?” Nate asked Jake and Mason the next day as they combed the bordering backwoods closest to Caleb’s land.
“Some of our enforcers have reported an influx of out of town humans in the area.” Mason’s wolf pawed at the ground, sniffing at the wet mud, looking for any strange scents.
Jake sniffed here and there. “What kind of influx? Are we talking a handful or like hundreds?”
“Shaari said she’d seen at least two men asking strange questions about our pack.”
The enforcer worked for Caleb. She was one of the few female wolves that had extra powers. Daughter to a witch and a shifter, she was one of their best fighters. And still young enough that Nate and his brothers worried about her being out there, fighting rogues. She was almost as young as Ellie, but when she spoke, he saw the knowledge in her eyes.
“What kind of questions?” Nate pawed at the ground, digging his claws deep into the earth.
Jake moved toward a set of bushes. “About Aric, Jordan, and where they could be found.”
“Maybe they’ve been hanging out with Emma,” Mason grumbled.
Nate barked a laugh. “You know, if she heard you, you’d be in deep shit.”
“You’re not the one with a woman with a death wish.” Mason groaned. “Every day I catch her doing something. It’s like a full time job to ensure her safety.”
“I thought she could take care of herself?” Jake rubbed his side on a tree.
“Oh, she can. You should see her shoot or fight. It’s hot as hell. But she’s still a human. And keeping her in one piece is really turning into a project.” Mason shook his coat to remove some leaves off.
“Why is it hard?” Nate asked.
“She said she’s got a couple of students that are worried about their older siblings. Apparently they tend to stray into trouble, and she is just making sure they’re okay.”
Nate shifted. He needed to go back to Karla and spend time with her. “What’s wrong with that?”
“She’s coming to my club every night.” Mason growled during his shift. “I had to have someone there, making sure she doesn’t get in. She’s threatened to cut off my balls multiple times.”
“Nice.”
“Yeah, well, as long as she’s not hurt, then I don’t mind what she says. She’s bluffing, anyway.”
Jake laughed and headed for his truck. “Are you willing to risk it?”
Mason frowned. “For her safety? Hell yes!”
“I agree,” Nate said. “And you know you do too, Jake. We’d do anything to ensure all their safety.”
Jake sighed. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Now, if you guys excuse me, I need to go woo my mate.”