And Ally would bet that Miranda would take delight in ensuring those enemies became aware of her whereabouts. But there was something Miranda hadn’t considered. Ally smiled at her. “You won’t tell.”

One overplucked brow slid up. “I won’t? And why is that?”

Ally shrugged as she said simply, “Because you’ll die if you do. I have a mate and a pack that will avenge anything done to me. Of course . . . that’s assuming my family doesn’t beat them to it.”

Eyes flaring, Miranda made a derisive sound. “You think I’m scared of the Holts?”

“Yes, I do. And you should be. Because Cain would do everything he could to get to you first.” That comment put a tint of fear in Miranda’s eyes, just as Ally had expected. “If you think your pack could protect you from him, you’re wrong. He wouldn’t attack your wolves, because it would be you he wanted. You wouldn’t even know he was there until his hand wrapped around your throat and snapped your neck.”

Face flushed with rage, Miranda shot to her feet and glanced at her enforcers over her shoulder. “I think it’s time we left.”

“I think it’s long past the time you should have left,” said Roni, earning her a smile from her mate.

Spine straight, Miranda spoke to Nick and Shaya. “If you wish to have her as part of your pack, that’s your business and I shall respect it. But I still believe you’re making a grave mistake.” Then she and her enforcers marched out while Zander, Roni, and Marcus acted as escorts.

Eli scratched the back of his head. “Well . . . I didn’t see that coming.”

“Do you truly think she won’t tell anyone where you are?” Shaya asked Ally.

“I think Miranda loves her throne, and she won’t do anything to risk losing it,” replied Ally.

“That’s a good point,” conceded Eli.

Standing, Ally turned to Derren. “Come on, we’ve got Beta stuff to do.”

“Actually,” began Nick, “we were all thinking of going on a pack run. You game?”

Derren nodded, rolling his shoulders back to shake away his tension. “My wolf could do with a run.”

“My dad will stay here and keep a look out for intruders,” said Shaya. Stone was refusing to leave until all the danger to the pack was over. “If he sees anyone, he’ll shoot once to signal.”

As a thought occurred to her, Ally told Derren, “I doubt it’s a good idea if I shift.”

“Why?” he asked as he curled his arms loosely around her.

“Your wolf’s even more possessive than you. I’m not sure he’d be rational seeing my wolf around the other males of the pack.”

Derren sighed as he realized she could have a point. Rubbing his nose against hers, he coaxed, “At least come with us.” If she stayed behind, he’d remain with her.

She thought about it for a moment. “All right. I’ll carry Willow around so she can come along too.”

After walking deep into their territory, the pack—with the exception of Ally and Willow, who wouldn’t be able to shift until puberty—shifted into their wolf forms. Holding Willow in her arms, Ally kept pace with the wolves as they loped around, both playful and watchful. Her mate stayed close to her, repeatedly rubbing against her or licking her hand. His power, strength, and level of dominance were evident in his stature and the vibes he exuded.

Finally, the wolves all settled in a clearing. Some lay sprawled on the ground while others played and tussled. Ally sat with Willow between her legs, but the infant apparently had no intention of staying in place. She crawled away and was quickly circled by a red she-wolf and a large gray wolf—Shaya and Nick. She giggled each time the wolves gently nuzzled her.

A black wolf—Derren—alternated between wrestling with the enforcers and lying at Ally’s side while she sank her fingers into his thick fur. The animal released a feral growl if any of the males, even his Alpha, got too close to Ally.

“I was right to stay in my human form then, huh,” Ally said to the black wolf, knowing Derren would understand the words. “Next time, I’m shifting.” Although going along on the run was satisfying for her and her wolf, it didn’t soothe them the way it would if she were in her wolf form. The black wolf trotted behind her, disappearing from view . . . and then suddenly a naked male was wrapped around her, his front to her back. Well, now.

“Yes, you were right,” Derren admitted, lapping at her claiming mark. “My wolf sees each of the males here as threats to our bond—even the mated ones.” His wolf’s jealousy was now worse than ever, which meant his mood was more temperamental than usual. Barely resisting the urge to clutch the breasts that were crushed beneath his arms, Derren told her, “He even gets jealous of the attention you pay to Bruce.”

Ally chuckled, tilting her head to give him better access. He nuzzled her and inhaled deeply. “My wolf can get just as jealous.”

“But at least she’s rational.”

“Well, there is that.” She hooked one arm over his nape to thread her fingers through his hair. Ally relaxed into him as he practically enfolded his body around hers, touching and kissing her both soothingly and reverently. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensations: A kiss to her jaw. Fingers playing along her collarbone. A kiss to her neck. A stroke of his hand down her arm. A nip to her earlobe. A lick to her claiming mark. A kiss to the hollow beneath her ear.