Zac was practically dragged into the game of football; Kye and Ryan joined him. Taking a seat at the patio table, Makenna watched the Phoenix wolves interact. Watched them all laugh, play, and tease each other. Watched the mated pairs snuggle each other and make a fuss of the pups. The pack was like one big family.

This . . . this was what a pack should be like. This was what she’d never known. Oh, she’d been around packs before; she’d visited many when rehoming other loners. But she’d never spent so much time around them, and they had never relaxed enough around her to be themselves. Not that she believed the Phoenix wolves trusted her. No, they trusted one another to watch their backs.

This place was special, and it would be a place where Zac could heal and thrive. Going by the joy on his face, it was only a matter of time before he accepted their offer to join the pack.

Despite how special it was, Makenna didn’t feel comfortable or relaxed. Being surrounded by such a tight-knit group of people had a way of making a person feel very alone. But Makenna was good at being alone. Leaning on others was alien to her.

“Zac’s a cute kid,” commented Jaime, watching him with a smile.

“He is,” agreed Taryn. “He’ll break many female hearts when he’s older. We asked Rhett to find out what he could about the kid’s old pack. They’re still looking for him.”

Yes, and that worried Makenna. Zac would run if they came close. But he wouldn’t run to the Phoenix Pack, because he didn’t fully trust he’d be safe here. He’d just disappear. “I erased his trail as best I could and even laid down a false one. But if they’re determined to find him, my efforts won’t be enough.”

“I’m going to be straight with you, Makenna. If they come too close, we’ll take him—even if it’s against his will. Yes, he’ll hate us at first, but I’d rather that than him be back in their hands.”

Makenna liked the Alpha female’s fierce protectiveness. It was something she could relate to. “Good, because if you don’t, he’ll run again and be out there all alone. He doesn’t deserve that.” Taryn nodded—it was a deal.

Roni cocked her head at Makenna. “What pack are you originally from?”

“Not one worth discussing.”

“What did you do to be cast out?” asked Greta.

Unable to resist taunting the woman, Makenna replied totally straight-faced, “I was caught having a foursome with the enforcers.”

Greta gasped in horror while Taryn, Jaime, and Roni did their best to stifle a smile.

“The Alpha was quite pious and believed that shifters should only give their virginity to their mates.”

Greta spluttered. “He’s right. Foursome? Disgusting.”

Taryn puffed out a breath. “Well, Greta, looks like she really could lead one—maybe even all four—of your unmated boys down the path of sin.”

“Path of sin?” repeated Makenna.

Jaime leaned into her and explained quietly. “Taryn likes to tease her with how you and any other females at the shelter might seduce one of her boys.”

“What are you whispering about?” demanded Greta.

“I was just asking her what the foursome was like,” replied Jaime, eyes twinkling.

Makenna grinned. “Hot. Really, really hot.”

“I don’t want her around my Zac!” Greta burst out. “He needs people who are a good influence. You’re a hussy through and through, even worse than her.” She slanted a look of distaste at Taryn.

The Alpha female blinked. “Wow. I didn’t think there’d ever come a day when you hated anyone more than me.”

Makenna said, “I do try to beat world records.”

Greta scowled at Taryn. “Why aren’t you throwing her out? She has no business being here and corrupting my Zac.”

Makenna tilted her head, helplessly amused by the antisocial woman. “If you had a part in raising Ryan, it would explain why he’s not quite sane.”

“Something tells me you’re a little crazy too,” Taryn said to Makenna, chuckling.

“I didn’t say it was a bad thing.”

As Dominic approached the table, dripping wet after being pushed into the lake by Tao, he grinned flirtatiously at Makenna. “Fancy a dip in the lake?”

“No, thanks.”

“Why? Are you scared of water? I’ll keep you safe; I’m a great swimmer.” Mischief glinted in his eyes. “Would you like me to demonstrate the breast stroke?”

She laughed. “Oh, you have ‘trouble’ written all over you.”

“He has a habit of saying dirty lines.” Taryn sighed. “We still haven’t worked out why.”

“Don’t you flirt with her,” Greta told Dominic. “She was cast out of her old pack for having a foursome with the enforcers.”

Dominic’s smile grew to epic proportions. “Makenna, we absolutely have to get to know each other better.”

When Dante called out that the steaks were ready, Ryan turned to Zac. “Come on, let’s eat.” Dropping the football, the teenager followed him.

“You played well,” praised Trick as he jogged past with Marcus and Tao.

Marcus glanced over his shoulder with a smile. “Welcome to the pack, kid.”

The words made Zac come to an abrupt halt that only Ryan noticed. “What’s wrong?” There was a fair amount of distress on the teen’s face.