Arden’s Mate(45)

The bachelorette party had been canceled because of the demons. Sara was spending the night at Faith’s house. They were having an early night. Remy believed them as Sara said she didn’t want tired, puffy eyes on her wedding day.

Remy was a night owl and Sara knew it. She’d told her to come at eleven and not a minute later. So Remy felt it was okay to agree to work. The men had been working so hard to rid the world of demons they spent their nights off at the bar. Work was one of the only places Remy was allowed to go without Arden and a werewolf entourage.

Arden was busy tonight talking to overseas alphas. A surprising amount of shifters were willing to move to Australia and start a new life. Arden was sorting out everything with immigration. He had several people on the inside there, and Rane did too, so together they were doing the impossible and getting over thirty shifters residency in Australia and sorting out the visa and passport mess.

Ava had immersed herself in making sure all the new shifters would have houses. Not all the shifters were coming to this part of Australia, only a little under twenty were moving to join this clan. They had voted to now call it a clan as all the shifters wouldn’t be wolves anymore. Remy wasn’t a fan of ‘clan’, she thought it sounded like a cult.

The bar wasn’t as busy tonight. Grayson wasn’t out hunting. He was standing next to her, annoying the shit out of her. He loved to rile her up.

“Now that we’re going to have other shifters moving to town do I have to worry that you’ll find another pussy to love?”

Remy rolled her eyes as the word pussy come out as a sultry hiss. “I don’t know, tomcat. I really like the pussy I have.”

The men around her laughed. Grayson shook his head. “Rem, you need to quit teasing me. You’re going to get me in trouble with Arden.”

“I can see how worried you are about that—you’re quaking in your boots.”

“Oh, I am. Wanna came and steady me?” Grayson dramatically shook himself and pretended to look scared.

Picking up a cloth, she chucked it at him and he dodged it, laughing. “In your dreams, tomcat.”

He covered his heart with his hands and bat his eyelashes. “Oh, you’re there.” He winked. “You’re wearing this maid outfit and scrubbing my—”

Going to him, she climbed up the bar step and covered his mouth, laughing when he tickled her. Suddenly, Grayson stopped and turned, his stance instantly becoming protective. Remy glanced around his body that was blocking her view. She choked on a gasp at who stood at the bar looking at her...Steve.

Pushing Grayson away, she looked around and noticed all the wolves were on edge. Idiots. There were at least twenty of them and only one human. Remy knew who the odds were stacked against.

“Steve, what are you doing here?” Remy moved around the bar and came to him. Without even thinking about it, she hugged him. Hesitantly, his arms wrapped around her. “How did you find me?” She pulled away to look at him.

He cleared his throat. “I…um, looked into you. I’ve been worried about you, so I took a holiday from work to come and check on you.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet. Thanks. I’m fine. Happy I’m home.”

Grayson joined her, standing by her side. “Rem, you going to introduce me?”

“No. Go work.” She really didn’t want Grayson talking to Steve. She needed to get him out of there.

“Hey, that’s no way to talk to your boss.” Grayson pouted, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

“So fire me.” Remy knew he wouldn’t. She knew when she worked Grayson’s business did better. A lot of customers come in to see what she and Grayson would fight about or to watch Arden when he came in, even though he was banned.

“I can’t fire the one person who appreciates a good looking pussy.”

Steve choked and Grayson whacked him on the back hard.

“Cat. Pussy cat,” she groaned.

Grayson shrugged, and an innocent look came into his eyes.

“Go away, Grayson.”

“Not until you introduce me.”

“Fine. Grayson, Steve. Steve, Grayson. Now go away. I’m taking a break.”

Grayson’s green eyes darkened for a moment before he pointed to the corner near his office. “Take your break there. Don’t even think about leaving.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it.” Remy grabbed Steve and dragged him to the back corner. She slid into the booth. “So how have you been?”

“Good, but I can’t get what happened that night out of my mind. You were amazing.” He reached across the table, and she wasn’t quick enough to move before he brushed her hair out of her face, his hand lingering. “You’re more beautiful than I remember. I can’t get—”