He curled an arm around her waist and drew her close. "But I know you don't want to touch that fund."

Combing her fingers through his hair, she smiled. "Back then I didn't. Things were different then. Our mating was only about a deal." She adored him for being so sensitive about it.

Rhett walked in and looked from her to Trey. "You asked her yet?"

"I nearly forgot. Don sent me a message over the pack web." He smiled at her low growl. "It wasn't to dish out more insults. He was apologizing for his 'despicable behavior' at the mating ceremony. He wants to come visit and apologize in person."

Taryn huffed. "I hope you told him you'd rather cram your c.o.c.k in the a.s.s of a bear with inflamed haemorrhoids than ever be in his company again."

He chuckled. "I figured I'd talk to you about it. He's a p.r.i.c.k, but he's still your uncle. I want you to have people from your family in your life."

"No you don't." She could feel that what he really wanted was to be the only person she ever needed, wanted to be everything to her. However, as he thought that he should want her to have family in her life he had made the suggestion. "Yeah he's my uncle, but you're my mate and he insulted you. Badly. So he can go ride a donkey naked through the desert with snapping turtles attached to his nipples for all I care. Anyway, you're my family. You and the pack."

An intense pang struck Trey's chest. He tightened his arm around her, barely resisting the urge to take her upstairs and bury himself deep inside her body. Not so he could take her hard and fast, but soft and slow.

"You might feel that way about your uncle now while you're still angry with him," said Lydia, "but you might regret it later if you don't at least give him a chance."

Taryn cursed, hating that Lydia was right. She would feel like she had let down her mom if she didn't give the woman's baby brother one more shot. Sighing, she nodded. "Fine. I'll give him a chance."

"He asked in the message if he could come tomorrow afternoon. That too soon?"

Trey shook his head. Taryn just shrugged.

"Then I'll confirm the arrangements."

"What arrangement?" asked Dominic as he strolled into the room.

"Taryn's uncle Don's coming to visit tomorrow afternoon," explained Trey. "Apparently he wants to apologize."

What in that sentence sparked Dominic to think of a chat up line, she had no idea, but she could tell by the smirk on his face that one was coming. She shook her head at him. "No, no more!"

He frowned. "Oh come on, it's a good one. I suppose it must make you feel uncomfortable since you're obviously attracted to me." She snorted. "You're denying it? Okay then, fine, let's settle this once and for all. Smile if you want to sleep with me."

She tried her hardest to hold back a smile, she really, really did, but there was no way of doing it." Of course he laughed, smug as all s.h.i.t. She growled. "You're a pain in the a.s.s."

"Sorry, honey, we'll use more lubricant next time." He flinched when Trey smacked him over the head.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, Taryn saw it was time to go. Having guzzled down the last of her coffee she gave Trey a kiss on his very inactive lips that were stuck in a sulky pout. "A few hours and I'll be back." The a.s.s followed her and Lydia to the main door wearing that kicked puppy look. It was clearly one last ditch attempt at making her feel bad. Of course it didn't work because she didn't want him there when she bought him a gift. So she smiled, waved and left.

Well it had been worth a shot, thought Trey, sighing, as he watched Taryn's car leave pack territory in spite of his efforts or ploys to make her take him with her. His wolf wasn't happy about it and was snarling his disapproval.

As he turned to go back inside he noticed Tao stood not far away, staring in the direction Taryn had headed. He didn't look at her with the same coveting look that he used to wear, as if he had come to accept that she was un.o.btainable. He now looked at her the way the others did. Like she was truly his Alpha female someone that although he revered, respected, prized, trusted and looked to when in need of something, he regarded her as being of senior rank and his co-leader. However, there was something that was still irritating Trey and he thought it was about time that he addressed it.

Slowly Trey strode toward him, noticing how Tao stiffened as he sensed his approach, but he didn't look at him. A month ago Trey's irritation would have been due to Tao's attraction to Taryn, but even though he still wanted to kick the s.h.i.t out of Tao for it, his main problem with Tao now was that he was still distant with Taryn and it troubled her.

She had never said this aloud but she didn't need to, not now that they were partly bonded. Trey didn't want anything making her feel uncomfortable in her own home, her own pack. Also, he was pretty sure that the slight longing that could still be seen in Tao's gaze when he looked at her wasn't for her as a mate, but for the friendship they had once had.

Finally he came to stand before Tao, but the wolf kept his gaze ahead. "So when are you going to pull your head out of your a.s.s and stop moping?"

Tao looked at him curiously, obviously surprised that Trey would even bring it up. Until now, they had never spoken of it. "I'm surprised you've never punched me."

Trey shrugged. "I thought about it. A lot. You've made things awkward for Taryn. She feels like she lost her friend and that she's come between us. It didn't need to be that way."

"You're a lucky b.a.s.t.a.r.d, you know."

"I know. Fix the mess, Tao." He went to leave, but Tao spoke again.

"Wait, why are you asking me to sort things out with her? It's got to be easier for your wolf this way. You should be thrilled that I'm hardly around her."

"Why would I be thrilled about anything that hurts her? Fix it, Tao. And soon." At that he turned away and went inside.

Taryn hadn't been lying when she said that she and Lydia would be visiting dozens of stores. Lydia was the type who was easily drawn in by something in the display window. She had practically raided the clothes stores, hunting down dresses, shoes and accessories. Taryn bought a few items, but only casual wear mostly she was just replacing the things that Trey had torn from her body like the dirty b.a.s.t.a.r.d he was.

Once they had picked up a few birthday gifts for Trey, they went for a light lunch which left them with only one place left to go...Victoria's Secret. Taryn had decided to buy a kinky outfit to wear on the night of Trey's birthday, even though there was a good chance he would tear it from her body, and she had convinced Lydia to do the same for Cam. The girls had had plenty of laughs browsing the store and choosing an outfit. Lydia selected a leopard print slip while Taryn picked a sparkly black lace flyaway babydoll.

Finally, after four and a half hours of shopping, the girls were ready to go. It was as Taryn was closing the trunk of the car after placing the bags inside that she suddenly felt two unfamiliar presences at her back. Male wolf shifters.

Before she could react she was abruptly grabbed by the hair and swung around before a hand then wrapped around her neck and slammed her back into the brick wall that was behind her car. Distantly she heard Lydia shout in alarm from the pa.s.senger seat, but Taryn knew that, as a submissive wolf, she wouldn't exit the car. Thank G.o.d. Taryn didn't intend to let the two bulky s.h.i.theads hurt her and it would be a lot harder to defend both her and Lydia than it would be to take care of herself.

What she wanted to do was scream Let me go you son of a b.i.t.c.h, but she knew from experience that letting an attacker think she was scared and that they were in control was often the best tactic. Resisting her wolf's desire to claw at the hand around her neck, she asked, "Who are you?"

The dark wolf with the c.o.c.k eye appraised her slowly. "They weren't lying when they said you were dinty, were they."

"I think you mean dainty," said Taryn.

"They were right about that a.s.s too." The other wolf flicked his mousey hair from his face before offering her a slimy grin. "A very fine a.s.s."

c.o.c.k-eye nodded. "They also said you were a mad b.i.t.c.h."

"And that you were always late."

Both c.o.c.k-eye and Taryn looked at Mousey, baffled. "Always late?" she said.

"They said she was latent," snapped c.o.c.k-eye.

Mousey straightened and shrugged. "Right. I knew that."

Taryn rolled her eyes. Great, she was being a.s.sailed by Dumb and Dumber. She suddenly felt like the kid in Home Alone facing Harry and Marve. "Is there any chance either of you could tell me why I'm being pinned against a wall?"

c.o.c.k-eye puffed up. Maybe he thought it made him look impressive or intimidating. "We have a message for you."

"Oh yeah?"

"From Darryl. Tell your mate that his uncle feels it would be in your best interest if he agrees to unite the packs. He only has seven days left before the twelve weeks are up, so if he's wise he'll give in to Darryl's request quickly."

Anger rushed through her veins and her wolf began pacing and flexing her claws. "Darryl," she growled with an involuntary snap of the teeth that had both wolves jerking in surprise. "If Trey doesn't...?"

"Next time what we do to you will be much worse than what we're about to do. In other words, we might not let you live next time. We may even have some fun with your little friend there after we're done here."

"Oh. And what is it you think you're going to do to me now?"

Mousey smirked. "I'm thinking that I'd like to f.u.c.k that mouth of yours."

"Sorry. I was raised to never put small objects in my mouth or I might choke."

c.o.c.k-eye burst out laughing. "She got you there."

"I'm thinking I'm not your type either," she said to c.o.c.k-eye. "What with me not being inflatable and all."

"Cheeky b.i.t.c.h. You should watch how you talk to us, little girl. There's pain and there's pain."

"You do know that you're signing your death warrant, don't you? Trey will kill you." And Darryl had to know that...which meant this was probably a trap to enrage Trey. Having grown up with Lance as a father, she knew all about alpha games and she could spot one a mile away. It was pretty d.a.m.n possible that Darryl was thinking that if he could make Trey go against protocol and attempt to attack him before the twelve weeks were up, Darryl could appeal to the council to agree to his request. f.u.c.k. That.

With one of the hands dangled at her side she made a 'C' with her fingers and thumb and abruptly struck c.o.c.k-eye in the throat with the web of her hand. He made a choking sound and instantly released her, backing away slightly as he struggled for breath. She then followed that up with a sharp kick to his groin that had him falling to his knees.

"s.h.i.t," cursed Mousey in surprise before his hand then shot out and shackled her wrist as he tried to pull her to him.

Knowing that the weakest point of his hold was where his fingers and thumb met, Taryn twisted her wrist so the thumb-side of her forearm was at that weak point and yanked herself free. Before he made to grab her again she delivered a headb.u.t.t to his nose that had him stumbling backwards as blood poured from his nostrils.

Wanting him down on the floor with c.o.c.k-eye she quickly grabbed his t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es, squeezed, twisted them sharply, and then jerked so hard she was surprised they didn't come off in her hand. He fell to his knees with one hand cupping his nose and the other cupping his b.a.l.l.s.

Both peered up at her wearing looks of total astonishment which satisfied her wolf. "Yeah I see you had low expectations of me. It happens a lot."

"You broke my nose and nearly ripped off my b.a.l.l.sack you crazy b.i.t.c.h!"

"Crazy b.i.t.c.h? Oh no, honey, I'm an angel, I swear. The horns are only there to hold up the halo. But, all the same, I think it's best that you don't come at me again until you've at least learned how to wipe your a.s.s."

c.o.c.k-eye spat what she suspected was supposed to be an insult but it was garbled whether because of the pain from the throat strike or the groin kick, or maybe both.

"Now, let's chat. You can thank Uncle Darryl for getting in touch and inform him that he shouldn't expect his little plot to work. You know, I'm curious, why would you let him use you as bait?"

The wolves exchanged a confused glance that had Taryn groaning.

"I can only a.s.sume that Darryl is just as dumb as you to not only think his little plot would work, but to send two guys who'd be out of their depth in a puddle. Now, if I were you, I'd get out of here as quick as I could. I've no doubt that my friend called her boyfriend who will have told Trey what's going on so he's most likely on his way here." They hadn't even been smart enough to think of that. She was kind of insulted that Darryl thought these two were a match for her.

"You're letting us go?" said Mousey.

She shrugged. "I'd be playing into Darryl's hands if I didn't. Besides, it would be like handing over two mentally handicapped kids to a sociopath. But before you go, you can help me out with one thing...How did you guys know where to find me? I know I wasn't being followed, I'd have sensed you long ago." Unless of course they were good at what they did, and Twit and t.w.a.t here certainly weren't.

c.o.c.k-eyes' face instantly closed down. Apparently she wasn't getting any information from that corner. Mousey, on the other hand, shrugged like the answer was simple. "Darryl's informant from your pack told him you'd be Ow!" He scowled at c.o.c.k-eye, rubbing the spot on his head where c.o.c.k-eye had hit him. "Hey, what did you do that for?"

"You just don't know when to shut up. Idiot."

Their arguing faded into the background as the implications of what Mousey had said finally settled into her brain. Sure she'd known she wasn't liked by everyone in the pack, and she'd known that one of them hated her enough to vandalise her property, kill her bird, and even cause her to have a bad fall. But for them to be an informant for Darryl, for them to betray Trey so completely...She was surprised by just how much it hurt.

Turning her attention back to the idiots at her feet, she gestured with her hand as she ordered, "Go, get out of here." She watched as they hobbled away, constantly casting her suspicious glances. Her wolf growled her disappointment, wanting to rip out both their throats for daring to touch her.

Only when Taryn saw them drive off in a transit van did she get into her own car. Lydia was trembling and panting. "You okay?"

"You fought them," said Lydia, wide-eyed. "I can't believe you fought them. I was expecting you to trick them and get away, not to -"

"Did you call anyone?"

Lydia double-blinked, shaking her head as if to clear it. "Um. Yeah. Cam."

"Which means Trey and some of the pack will probably be on their way here."

"Why did you let those two guys go?"

Taryn glanced at her face in the mirror of the sun visor and cursed. As she'd suspected, there was a small cut on her forehead from when she'd b.u.t.ted Mousey. This was going to make Trey's reaction so much worse. Jamming the keys in the ignition she threw the car into gear and reversed from the parking s.p.a.ce. "Call Cam. Tell him we're making our way back."

Nodding, a still shaky Lydia fished her cell from her pocket. "Cam, it's me, we're No she's fine. She, well she kicked their a.s.ses. We're just on our way back to No they, um, got away. Taryn can explain Really, I swear, she's fine." Taryn and Lydia both winced as they heard Trey yelling in the background. "Taryn, Trey wants to talk to you. I'm going to put him on speakerphone."

"Taryn, tell me you're okay, baby," he demanded through his teeth.

"I'm fine, really, we're -"

"What the h.e.l.l happened? Where're the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds? Did they touch you, Taryn? Tell me they didn't touch you. I swear to G.o.d I'll -"

Knowing what he meant by 'touch', she quickly a.s.sured him, "No, they didn't touch me."

"Who the h.e.l.l were they?"

"Um...we'll talk about that when I get home." She knew for a fact that if she mentioned Darryl, the guys would drive straight to his territory, playing into his hands. "We're about ten minutes from Bedrock. Where are you?"

"I don't know, five minutes away from the mall maybe."

She had thought about asking him to turn back and she'd meet him at home, but hearing how frantic he sounded she knew that the sooner he saw her safe and unharmed the better. "Then we'll probably come across each other soon enough. We'll keep a look out for you."

Approximately three minutes later the two cars were parking on the side of the road. She hadn't even had a chance to switch off the engine before the door was quickly yanked open and she was practically s.n.a.t.c.hed from her seat.

The second Trey had her in his arms with her limbs all curled around him, the constricting sensation in his chest began to ebb slightly. She was safe. She was there. She was okay.

When Cam had burst into his office and told him about Lydia's call, Trey was pretty sure his heart had stopped for a moment. Fear for Taryn's safety had instantly blasted through him, galvanising him into action while at the same time completely f.u.c.king up his thought processes. His wolf had howled inside his head, fought for supremacy with such strength that Trey had been wincing in pain. Had the other males of his pack not been there to keep him calm, he might have shifted right there in the car as he drove like a man possessed.

Trey buried his face in the crook of her neck and swam in her exotic scent...and that was when he smelt the scent of the other male.

Taryn gasped as Trey pulled back and she saw his eyes flash wolf. "Trey -"

"I can smell him on you." Trey trailed his finger over her neck. "He had his hand here." His gaze landed on the tiny wound on her forehead and a long chilling growl spilt from his throat. "He hurt you."

She framed his face with her hands, capturing his gaze. "No, I got that teensy little cut when I headb.u.t.ted him and broke his nose. I'm fine."

"What the h.e.l.l happened?" asked Dante as he hurried to their side with the enforcers on his heels.

Ignoring them in favor of keeping her mate calm, she lightly dabbed a kiss on Trey's lips then one on each cheek and another on his lips. "I'm okay." With each soft kiss the tension ruling his body began to lessen, but only ever so slightly. He was nowhere near calm and it wouldn't take much for him to leap to an irrational state. "Can we talk about this on the way home?" She tried to sound a little vulnerable and shaken in the hope that it might shift him from needing revenge to needing to comfort her.

Good ole Cam not at all aware of her plan suddenly approached and said, "Lydia's just told me they said something about Darryl. That true?"