Page 20 of Darrin: The Wolves

Audrey leaned over the bar to drop the rag she was wiping the counter down with into the tub, and when she straightened, she saw a line of grime from the edge of the counter across her top.

“Oh, crap.”

“What happened?” Dare asked, coming over to her. He touched the edge of the counter and made a face. “Yuck. Sorry, sweetheart.”

“It’s okay, I’m sure I can get the stain out, but now I look awful.”

He grabbed another rag and wiped the edge of the counter, then said, “You can borrow one of my shirts.”

“That would be great. I’ll go grab one.”

The front door opened and a few guys walked in. “Crud, I have to deal with the band. Do you want me to walk you to the house?” he asked.

“Nah, it’ll take me two minutes.”

He kissed her. “The Howl shirts are hanging up in my closet, help yourself.”

“Thanks.”

“Everything I have is yours.”

She smiled and walked away before she said anything about him coming with her to the house, and maybe not coming back for a while.

She slipped out the back door into the bright sunshine.

As she walked toward the house, her skin prickled and her spine stiffened in warning.

She turned and found a woman standing between her and the tavern. She was beautiful. Tall and blonde, wearing the tightest clothes Audrey had ever seen.

“Can I help you?” Audrey asked.

“You’re the human,” the woman said.

The center of Audrey’s body went cold. There was something predatory about the woman, and she wondered if she was a shifter.

“I’m Dare’s mate,” Audrey said.

The woman laughed softly, derisively. “Is that what he told you?”

The cold feeling spread a little. Tiny fingers of ice that dimmed the warmth she’d felt inside the bar. “Yes.”

The woman stepped closer and Audrey resisted the urge to step back. “Well, that’s sweetly delusional. I’m Nadia. Did he tell you about me?”

“No.” Audrey looked toward the tavern, wondering if she should call Dare’s name or just walk away.

“Dare and I were supposed to mate, start a family. He was meant to lead the pack and I was meant to stand beside him. I’ve come to claim what’s mine.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Nadia shrugged. “Your belief is irrelevant. Humans are distractions, and Dare is an alpha. He deserves a wolf at his side, not a pathetic human.”

Audrey’s throat tightened.

Then the back door of The Howl slammed open. Dare came outfast.

His face was hard, his eyes fixed on Nadia, and in the next heartbeat, he stood between them, broad shoulders blocking Nadia from Audrey’s view.

“Get away from my mate.” His voice was low and dangerous, and made Audrey’s spine tingle. She leaned to the side to see Nadia look puzzled.