When Jackie followed her Alpha’s lead and looked at Zan she couldn’t help another quick peek at Dean, once again amazed at the unique color of green mirrored in their eyes.
Kaylie winked at her, no doubt having the same reaction.
“Two years ago,” Zan explained without preamble, “a small military team attempted to take out a drug ring overseas. I was sent in ahead of my team as a scout, in wolf form. Suffice it to say that the mission didn’t go as smoothly as anticipated. When things starting going to hell, I had to shift into human form before the appointed time to aid a fallen teammate. While we managed to terminate that particular location’s operation, we not only missed a key player, but it seems my,” he paused, “change didn’t go unnoticed. And now I’ve been tracked down.”
Succinct as the explanation was, Jackie had tons of questions. She asked none. However, Kaylie wasn’t one that held back. “You fought naked? Damn. Wish I saw that.”
So did Jackie. Joe and Scott snorted while twin spots of red darkened Zan’s cheeks. Without looking at his mate, Dean reached out and covered Kaylie’s eyes. “Get that picture out of your head, woman.”
“Too late,” Kaylie and Jackie said as one.
Dean removed his hand and glared at Kaylie. “And how would you like it if I said I had an image of you and Jackie, naked, wrestling around in the mud?”
Kaylie’s eyes danced with mischief as she met Jackie’s. “Been there, done that.”
Silence from the men as they looked in astonishment from one female to the other and back again.
Jackie nearly burst out laughing. “It was for a good cause.”
“Care to explain why I’m about to hunt down and kill the men who saw my mate naked?
Dean’s voice was so cold and when Jackie peeked at Zan she saw an answering anger, only his was hot. Since Kaylie’s expression only had a wide-eyed innocence—the little imp—Jackie figured she’d better answer the question. “It was a charity softball event. Kaylie was heading for home, I was the opposing team’s catcher. It’d been raining. We both slipped in the mud and landed on each other.”
“You were playing ball naked?” Zan’s face was tight, his hands in fists on the chair back.
“No,” Jackie affirmed. “We were clothed. Kaylie was just being funny.”
“There is nothing funny about it.” Dean growled low. “You are so grounded.” He told Kaylie who only rolled her eyes.
“I think I need a beer,” Joe said.
“I think I need a cold shower,” Scott followed.
“And I know we’re way off track,” Dean said sternly. He turned back to Zan, his comment causing Zan to tear his eyes off Jackie. “Do you believe the same person who tracked you down is the same who shot you with a silver bullet on Saturday?”
“Yes. It’s Marc Shider. He’s the nasty-looking key player we lost the night of the raid. He and his father were known not only for running drugs, but also as avid big game hunters. Seems to me he’s planning to add a werewolf to his wall of trophies.”
Jackie shivered at that.
“And in three nights Woodcliff will be overrun with werewolves,” Dean said. “Most of the adults will be at the compound, but the juveniles will be out in the forest for training. Both groups will be sitting ducks for this guy.”
Jackie knew by the tightening of her Alpha’s eyes that his concern wasn’t just for his pack members, but especially for his mate and unborn pup.
Zan nodded. “I know. I’m going to draw Shider away from the town before then. Make him think I’m running scared.”
“Running scared?” Jackie quizzed. “Why would he think that?”
Zan shrugged. “He’s arrogant and because he’s already tagged me once, he probably thinks I’m weakened. Plus, he wasn’t sly at all about following you. He wants me to know he’s hunting me and what’s mine. A wounded animal burrows in the safety of their home while they heal. I’ll head back to Virginia. Burrow in my home.”
“But a wounded animal will also lay a false trail before heading home, so as to not lead the hunter to their den.” This from Kaylie, the veterinarian.
“In this case, the hunter already knows where the den is. If I left without Jackie, he might not follow, seeing my departure as a false trail. That’s why Jackie needs to go with me.”
“Wait!” Jackie exclaimed. “Why me? I’m just your doctor. Why not Dean? I mean, you’d have to be blind not to see you two are related. Why isn’t he going after Dean?” At Kaylie’s raised brow Jackie added, “Sorry Kaylie.”