"How sweet, choosing a puppy to be your knight in shining armor to rescue you from us scary shifters." A bubble of caustic laughter filled the air, eating away the good cheer of the shifters around her.

Raven turned slowly, pasting a smile on her face and acted like everything was normal. She skimmed the entourage behind the woman, assessing the threat. "Hello, Vivian. I see you have your six-pack of goons to protect you from us little people."

The smug smile tightened at the insult. Vivian leaned closer and inhaled, tasting the air. "Your fear smells delicious."

Raven mimicked Vivian, crowding closer until the woman was practically leaning backwards to prevent them from breathing the same air. "Then you might want to get out more often. That's not fear you smell." She lied through her teeth, betting that Vivian couldn't scent shit from her. She'd practiced too hard to cover her scent in the labs. Even with her current fighting her, it wasn't something her body would forget.

A flicker of doubt entered Vivian's eyes, and Raven pressed her point home. "You haven't asked about your son." Raven tsked. "It's a shame that a mother can't guarantee her own son's welfare. But don't worry, he's safe with me."

Vivian's eyes narrowed, rage darkening the brown to nearly black. The smile she returned was all teeth. "What can I say? We hire the best." The woman crossed her arms, her barely there black dress pushed what was intended to be elegant into slutty.

Gaudy jewelry practically dripped off her. She was on the prowl.

"How is my son?" She glanced around, searching for him. "I hope he hasn't caused you too much trouble. The second you leave the boy alone, he gets into fights."

Malicious intent hung in the air. Vivian didn't expect her son to return.

Ever.

Unease burned the back of her throat. Could Vivian have sent men to her home? The energy ratcheted higher, the calming pool of her core now a ragging storm that threatened to consume everyone in its path.

"Really? He's been an angel since he's been with us. He must have just needed a change of setting to feel at home." Raven spied Durant calmly walking through the crowd as if the people around him didn't exist. The paranormals scampered out of his way without a protest, and Raven breathed easier when he came to stand at her side.

"Is there a problem?" Durant asked Vivian, but Raven could tell the question was directed at her. He probed her battered shields, his touch like static.

"Everything is wonderful now that you're here, handsome. Why don't you escort me to my table?" Charm oozed from Vivian's pours. She looped her hand around Durant's elbow, the action crushing her breasts up against his arm.

Sexual tension vibrated in the air, and Raven knew the bitch was trying to influence Durant with more than just her body. Alphas were able to control lesser shifters, the talent usually limited to their own pack. She suspected that this was Vivian's gift, and likely how she managed to snag Kevin and get her way so often.

Raven detested the way her heart sped up at the contact between them. It was none of her concern whom Durant dated. She waited for his response, nearly ready to kick him the way his eyes trailed down the blonde's boney frame.

Jackson and Taggert stood, sensing the brewing trouble.

When those talons Vivian called nails came to rest on Durant's chest, Raven snapped. She allowed her power to slam into him, pleased at way he grunted at the impact. Vivian instantly stepped back, holding her hand as if singed.

Satisfied she'd proven her point, Raven withdrew her power. But Durant was having none of it. What started as a threat, turned into a caress as his cat bumped his big head up against her.

Those golden eyes of Durant's lifted, zeroing in on her. What caught her was the lust and playfulness in there depths. It dawned on her then that he'd been messing with her. Furious that he would play games, she was half-tempted to turn and leave.

The only thing that stopped her was the reminder that she was his alpha. She was supposed to protect him.

"Hands off." Raven turned to face Vivian. "He's not available for stud."

Vivian's calculating expression hardened. She smiled with sharp teeth, gazing beyond them both. "Then I'll just have to find someone else to occupy me."

Raven stiffened, not having to turn to know where her gaze fell.

Vivian sauntered around them, her attitude all smug. She cuddled up to Jackson's chest. She reached up, one hand resting at the side of his neck. They looked comfortable, that was if you ignored how her nails pierced flesh and the trickle of blood soaking the collar of his shirt.

Jackson didn't display any reaction, and Raven was horrified to realize it was probably not the first time he heard the command.

Repugnance that a shifter was left with no choice curled her lips. That they would compel others in such an intimate act.

Vivian must have seen the disgust, Raven made no attempt to hide it, and her eyes darkened with outrage.

"You're right, Vivian. Jackson's not my pack. But he is on a job appointed by his alpha. One he has neglected far too long." Raven gave an indifferent shrug. "You will excuse us. We must be going."

Chapter Fourteen.

The ride home was interminable, the awkward silences a suffocating presence in the car. Taggert sat in the backseat, Jackson next to her in the passenger seat after she'd wrestled the keys from him. Though she didn't look at either, their focus never once left her.

Durant followed them in his own car, never letting more than three lengths between them. As she hit the country road, the lights from the city faded, the moon a big globe in the sky.

The rays brushed against her like a warm caress until her skin tightened. She stretched, bones snapped, and she tried to settle back into her body.

It didn't work.

Her skin tingled with the ache to touch and be touched. She did her best to contain it, gripping the steering wheel to prevent herself from reaching for either man. She drove up to her house faster than necessary.

Tires skidded over rocks as she stopped and killed the car. Without waiting for anyone to speak, Raven bolted toward the house. A shadow parted from around the corner, darting toward her. She twisted and crouched, part of her spoiling for a fight.

Dominic, in his wolf form, stepped into the light. Disappointment struck, leaving all her pend up frustration over the evening to churned in her chest, locked behind clenched teeth. With a sigh, she straightened and reluctantly opened the door. The wolf darted into the house, but Raven hesitated, her throat tightening at the thought of being confined.

She shook off the feeling and swallowed hard. This was her home.

So why was it so difficult to step across the threshold?

The three men lingered outside as if sensing her volatile mood.

Hovering.

Plotting.

As she reached the top of the stairs, she heard the door open behind her. Raven turned, uncertain if she wanted to find out what they'd decided. All three men lifted their gaze toward her, each knowing where she stood without having to search.

"Don't." She didn't need more lectures.

She knew she screwed up.

"Raven-"

"No, Durant. Enough of this moon called bullshit. I did things your way. It didn't work."

"How about we try things your way, then?" Taggert placed one foot at the bottom of the stairs and peered up at her with soft, chocolate eyes so filled with compassion that her throat ached.

"And what way is that?" Raven crossed her arms protectively in front of her, refusing to apologize for the little flinch her words caused.

"You're not used to the shifter lifestyle, so why don't we give the human way a try?"

Nonplused at the proposal, Raven just blankly stared at them. She must have misunderstood. "What?"

Durant unbuttoned his cuffs, never once looking away from her. "He means that there are three days until the full moon. On each of those days, one of us will escort you-"

"I don't need a bodyguard."

Durant didn't smile, didn't do anything but waited for her to quiet. "One of us will escort you around for the day. We'll use that time to get to know each other."

"Like a date?" The last word emerged as a croak. She both craved and feared what they were offering. She hated the desire growing between them.

She wanted it to be her choice.

And despite what her mind thought it wanted, there was no denying that each of them enticed her in different ways. She needed to get to know them more, but feared the connections would only grow stronger.

How could she choose between them?

Maybe more importantly, did she want more?

Taggert smiled, a light to his eyes that had been missing earlier. He was looking forward to spending time alone with her as well. "Durant will escort you tomorrow since he'll be busier the closer we draw to the conclave. Jackson will be with you the next. That will give me time to make plans for our day together. We can each give you pointers on what to expect at the conclave since we've all been there in different rolls."

Raven shivered at the warm invitation in his voice. She studied each man, noticing the barely restrained emotions underneath. "What about my case? I need to be at the station tomorrow and question the rogue."

"We'll be with you every step of your day, but we get your undivided attention when you're done." Jackson spoke for the first time since the club. The hardness was still there, but the fragileness she'd witnessed the first time he stayed with her had returned twofold.

Like her answer meant everything to him.

"Do you agree?" Durant's brisk tone made her jump.

"I-" She cleared her throat then pushed past the sudden burst of nerves. "I'd like that."

Without another word, she hurried away. Excitement and dread chased her as if they were hounds from hell nipping at her heels. Going out with them as her protectors was antiquated. She thought their overprotectiveness would make her feel weak, so it took her by surprise to realize that she felt cherished.

Getting to know them better was wrong. Those who got close to her always suffered, but the selfish part of her wouldn't allow her to turn down this opportunity.

Once inside her room, the walls closed in on her. Dominic entered behind her, concern in his gaze. He claimed a spot by the balcony, circled and promptly sat, waiting for her to settle.

Needing fresh air, Raven swung opened the doors. "I don't think I understood what I was asking of you when I suggested you stay. If I'm already affected this much and it's not even the full moon yet, I'm not sure how I'll ever manage to survive the conclave, much less convince them that I deserve my own pack."

As she walked onto the balcony, a movement near the tree line caught her gaze. Hardly daring to breathe least she draw attention to herself, she waited. Three minutes and counting passed when she saw a familiar form skim low along the ground, the shape nothing more than a shadow.

"That shit."

Griffin was sulking around the property, his shape almost indiscernible from his surroundings. If she hadn't been staring off into space, she would never have seen him. Worse, he looked like he knew where he was heading, no hesitation in his movements.

Dominic edged forward and peered in the same location, his fur standing on end.

"What do you say about us doing a little hunting?"

Dominic glanced back at her from over his shoulders and tilted his head as if considering what she asked. It was uncanny to see such intelligence through an animal's expression. He placed a paw on the railing then leapt over.

Raven quickly followed suit. By the time she'd landed, Dominic was hugging the shadows, halfway toward the tree line. She followed swiftly, but both forms had vanished.

Following instinct, she ran through the forest. It was easier than last time, her footsteps surer, more comfortable in her body. Not wanting to lose Griffin, she pushed for a burst of speed.

And almost stumbled when the grace of her wolf answered. The joy of the run so distracted her that it wasn't until a man appeared in the path that she registered his presence.

Griffin.

Then it was too late.

He must have realized the danger at the same time. He sidestepped, and she twisted to avoid him. Their shoulders hit with enough force to knock the air from her lungs. She twisted and skidded to a stop, barely managing to remain on her feet.

"Hello, Griffin. Fancy meeting you here. Just out for a stroll?" Raven straightened, but didn't let down her guard. Not until she discovered the truth.

"I'm out for a tryst with my lady friend." He shrugged, completely unconcerned. "You're welcome to join us."

His story was plausible, but didn't ring true. "Sure, why not."

The smile dropped from his face. "You can't stay."

"I can't stay on my own property?"

"You need to mind your own business." He took a step toward her, and she quickly backed away. No way was she getting within touching distance.

Before either could break the standoff, a howl split the air. Answering yips followed, and Griffin swore. "You need to do exactly as I say. Don't draw attention to yourself. And no matter what, don't leave my side."

The urgency in his voice slapped her in the face. For the first time, she realized she might have misjudged him, and she wondered what her foolishness would cost them both.

"Don't look at any of them in the eyes. Don't offer confrontation of any kind."

Raven gritted her teeth, the muscles of her legs twitching to run as she fought the instinct of self-preservation. In a blurred move, he clamped his hand on her arm.

"You run and we're both dead." He got up in her face, demanding she obey. "Do you understand me?"

"Yes." She would not be prey.

Griffin slowly loosened his hold. "Cover your scent as much as possible. It would be bad if they find out you're a wolf, worse if they discover you're an alpha. There will be nothing I can do that will save you then."

"My scent?"

"Don't play the fool now, not when I've seen you do it. Hurry before they close in on us."

That meant he'd either been paying more attention to them than anybody knew or he'd been spying on them for a lot longer. She wouldn't put either past him.