“They’re strong. Just like their momma and daddy. That’s what I want for you. Now your little gal is sweet as all get out but I didn’t see no strength in her.”

“You weren’t looking very close then.”

“Yeah.” He grudgingly agreed, Eggie’s daddy never one to enjoy anyone proving him wrong. “I guess.”

“And? What does putting my mate’s life at risk mean to you? That she can stay now? That she can be part of the Pack?”

“That’s exactly what it means.”

“Well that’s good, Daddy.” Eggie walked up to his father until he was only inches away from him. And, for the first time in his life, Eggie saw fear in those eyes. And Eggie realized he’d gotten his true strength from his momma. He’d gotten her sense, too. “Darla’s a forgiving woman. Hell, she’ll pretend it never happened. Because you’re family. Because you’re my daddy.” Eggie leaned his face in a bit closer, their noses almost touching, and he whispered, “But I won’t forgive anything. Ever. You remember that, old man.”

Eggie turned from his father then and headed to his house and his woman.

As soon as Eggie walked into the house and tried to put on that smile for her, she knew something was wrong. If it was something that needed to be dealt with right now, she knew he’d tell her. But the fact that he wasn’t telling her anything meant it was personal. He’d been hurt and he didn’t want to bother her with it.

Darla set down the spatula she was using to put the meringue on yet another lemon meringue pie and wiped her hands off on a towel. As Eggie stood there watching her, she grabbed a kitchen chair and pulled it over to him. She climbed onto it, pressed her hands to Eggie’s face, stroked his jaw, his neck. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” she told him.

His arms tightened around her waist and he held her close. “Yeah. Me, too.”

Early the next morning, Eggie woke up in Darla’s arms. Woke up because some cruel bastard was knocking on his backdoor.

Not wanting Darla bothered, Eggie slipped out of bed and went downstairs. He opened the door to his Aunt Gertrude. He knew he was standing there naked in front of one of his relatives but he didn’t care. It was too early for this mess.

“Yeah?”

“Oh. Eggie. Mornin’.”

“Mornin’.”

Gertie cleared her throat. “Darla around?”

“Asleep.”

“Right. It’s just . . . she said she’d make a pie for me.”

Disgusted that someone would bother him this early in the morning over a goddamn pie, Eggie closed the door in his blood relative’s face.

“Who wasthat?”

“Gertie.”

“Did she want her pie?”

“No one needs pie at six in the morning, Darla. And Gertie don’t need pie at all.”

“Eggie Ray!” Darla, wearing one of his T-shirts, pushed past him and went to the door. “I can’t believe you didn’t put on pants before you answered the door,” she snarled.

She snatched the door open. “Mornin’, Miss Gertie.”

“Mornin’, Darla dear. Sorry to bother you so early.”

“No problem. Hold on a sec. I’ve got your pies right here.”

Darla went to retrieve several pies and when Eggie looked at his aunt, she sneered at him. He replied by baring a fang. The She-wolf ’s eyes grew wide in fear but Darla rushed back before Gertie could make a run for it.

“Here you go, Miss Gertie.”

“Thank you, dear. Have a nice morning.” She nodded at Eggie. “Egbert Ray.”

“Aunt Gertie.”

Darla waved at his aunt and closed the door.

“Egbert Ray!”

“Too early to yell.”

“It was more of a bellow. You can’t snarl at everyone who comes to the house.”

“Wanna bet?”

“Why do I bother?” she sighed, trying to walk around him. But Eggie caught her around the waist and pulled her close.

“You’re not wearing panties,” he growled.

“No time to put any on. I knew you’d scare off all my business.”

Eggie dragged his mouth against her throat. “I’m taking you back to bed.”

“More people will be coming to get their pies.”

“They can wait,” Eggie told her, carrying her to the stairs, loving the sound of her giggles. So he was really annoyed when that damn phone rang. So annoyed, he started barking and didn’t stop.

Darla slapped at his arms until he released her. “Honestly! The barking!” She stomped over to the phone, not realizing his T-shirt was now riding high on her hips so that he could see her perfect ass sway as she walked. It was entertaining.

Darla answered the phone and Eggie watched her face fall. She turned to him and held the phone out. “It’s for you.”

Without her even telling him who was on the other end, Eggie already knew. He walked over and took the receiver from her. With one arm around her, pulling her close, he brought the receiver to his ear. “Yeah?”

“It’s McMartin. Be ready to move out in an hour.”

“Yeah.”

McMartin disconnected and Eggie dropped the phone back in the cradle. He wrapped both arms around Darla, holding her tight.

“When will I hear from you?” she asked.