A guy walked up to our group with his friends. He singled in on me, “Hey gorgeous, wanna dance?” I smiled, “Thank you, but no. It’s girl’s night.” He nodded. “Have a good night then.” He turned to Haley, “Princess Luna.” She smiled, “Hello, Casey. Enjoy your night!” He chuckled, “I guess it’s true, you know all our names already.” He bowed his head to her then walked away.

Reagan clicked her tongue, “How about that? A respectable man. I knew they were still out there.” I laughed. Several guys came up to me throughout our time on the dance floor. Kincade and Kevin were getting visibly nervous.

All of Eric and Haley’s pack members were respectable though, and she knew every one of their names. They didn’t even get upset when I declined their offers to dance. I was somewhat convinced they were coming up to me to see if she really knew them all. They were all practically beaming at her because she never mixed anyone up. I had to wonder if anyone else had ever taken the time to learn every single pack member’s name in Black Mountain before.

It was at the end of the night that problems started to arise. I declined a dance, and a guy grabbed my waist. He yanked me into his arms. I kicked him in the balls. Haley took an elbow to the back of his neck once he was on his knees. Jamal picked him up by the scruff of his neck, but Kincade ripped him away.

Kincade had him on the floor with a hand behind his back. I frowned when I heard a snap. Kincade broke his arm. Two men came up to our group. They explained, “Lead Warrior Kincade, our Alpha sent us to take him to our dungeons. He’s not one of ours.”

The guy groaned, “Alpha Eric throws people in his dungeon for asking girls to dance?” The man hauled the guy up, “No, he throws them in the dungeons for not respecting people in his club or the word no.” Haley thanked them, “Thank you Hudson and Gabriel.” She earned more smiles. A few people even high fived.

Another guy yanked me by the arm, “Hey pretty lady, let’s get out of here. If you catch my drift.” I scoffed, “I do catch your drift and your breath. Lord, you need a tic tac.” I kicked him in the balls too. Kevin broke that guy's arm, and then handed then over to Eric’s guys. Jamal raised an eyebrow at Kincade. Begrudgingly. I told both my guards, “I’m fine guys.”

I saw Blade appear in front of both guys as they were being led out. He knocked them both out with one punch. He turned and mouthed “Pathetic.” to me. I smiled at him. You had to love the man. No one approached our group after that. I was not shocked in any way, shape, or form that everyone now avoided us.

We stayed until it was time to close the club down. I hadn’t realized it was so late. It was past two in the morning. Eric came out. He teased, “You girls certainly drive up drink purchases.” Haley smiled, “We are your good luck drink gals.”

Jackson corrected, “Charms. Good luck charms.” Haley quickly told him, “There are no charms for good luck. That’s not a thing.” I laughed, “I love you so, Haley Conners.” Haley smiled, “I love you too.” Reagan sighed, “I need you to pop me to my car.” She yawned. Haley grabbed her hand and then popped back a few moments later laughing.

Eric nuzzled her neck, “You didn’t take her to her car, did you?” Haley shook her head no, “She was tired. I popped her to her house. Her mate jumped out of bed ready to attack.” Eric snorted, “I’ll bet he did.” Haley smirked, “She hit him on the arm.” Eric wryly replied, “She would.”

Haley wriggled out of his grasp and grabbed my arm. She said, “Let’s go back to Eric’s office.” She popped us there. I laughed, “What’s up?” Haley said, “Text me after you sign your lease. I’ll set the fairy hijinks up in your apartment.”

Eric and Jackson came through the door. Eric asked, “Why did you pop in here?” Haley smiled, “I was just telling Lexi to let me know when she wanted me to fairy hijinks her apartment up.” Eric laughed, “Which one did she pick?” Haley answered, “The condo you and King Arthur liked the best.” Eric smirked, “Good.”

My brain was trying to tell me something, but I was too tired to think about it. I yawned. Haley said, “I’ll pop you home.” I shook my head, “No, it’s fine. The two guys outside will have a conniption fit if I’m popped away from them again. They can drive me home.”

Haley sighed, “That sounds time consuming and tedious.” I laughed, “It can be.” I hugged her. “I’ll see you later.” Eric winked at me, “Enjoy the apartment.” I bit back a laugh. He was probably my landlord. Eric owned a lot of property around here according to Haley. At least he knows that his place might get damaged.

I walked back out and found Kincade and Kevin pacing. I cleared my throat, “I’m assuming you guys will give me a ride home.” Both were relieved. Kincade admitted, “We thought you might get popped home.” I laughed “Not without telling you guys.”

We filed out and got in the car. Kevin asked, “Why didn’t you just come out to tell us the Princess was popping you home?” I explained, “Chase is probably at my house.” Kincade chuckled, “He is absolutely at your house.” I reminded them, “Haley doesn’t officially know we’ve met.”

Everyone was silent for a moment. Kevin cautiously asked, “Officially?” I said, “She basically told me earlier she knows without telling me she knows. I don’t know how much longer I can keep this from her officially. I feel bad every time I see her. She’s just so damn understanding about me not telling her. Somehow that makes me feel guiltier about the whole thing.”

Kincade caught my eyes in the rearview mirror, “You have to do what you feel is right.” I admitted, “I’m not ready to leave our bubble yet. I might have to tell Haley about Chase and me before I am ready to leave it though. She’ll respect my wishes about everything. I just need to think about it.”

Kevin shrugged, “There’s nothing wrong with that. As you said, the Princess isn’t mad.” I smiled, “No, Haley’s all about people doing things in their own time. She believes everyone’s story is their own to tell when they want to tell it.”

Kincade commented, “That’s kind of beautiful.” I agreed, “Yes, it really is. She’s wise beyond her years.” Kevin turned to face me, “I have a question.” I smiled teasing, “I have an answer.” Kevin said, “My dad said he overheard a rumor that you don’t like Cassandra Conners.”

I rolled my eyes, “I have talked about that bitch entirely too much tonight. It’s not a rumor though, I don’t like her.” Kincade snorted, “If and when you meet her give us some signal when things are about to go down. We might have to have you run away with your super speed.”

I scoffed, “I’m not running from her. I can take her.” Kevin admitted, “It’s not her that we worry about.” I said, “If the men know what’s best, they will take a seat while the women figure it out.” Kincade pointed out, “It’s usually done in reverse in the werewolf world. The men fight it out while women go for psychological warfare.”

I winked, “I can do both. In this case a reality check is needed. I don’t think it will get done without a punch or two to the face.” Kincade snorted, “On that note, you are home.” I smiled, “Thank you guys. I’m sorry I kept you out so late.” Both shrugged.

I walked into my house. I couldn’t help but smile for a few moments when I found Chase sleeping in my bed. I took my dress off and slid into bed with him. His arms immediately reached for me. I would never get tired of that. I fell asleep moments later.

I woke to growling. I opened my eyes and reached over to Chase’s side of the bed. It was still warm, but he wasn’t there. I looked around finding him holding my dress my last night in his hands. Was he smelling it? It was too early for this. I needed coffee to dissect the scene in front of me. He was instantly all over me. It was all clear to me the instant he said mine. For god’s sake. He could smell the two guys who’d grabbed me on my dress? I was going to have to start getting my clothes dry cleaned if that’s how good his sense of smell was.

Chase didn’t seem to have control of himself until several hours later. Nadine’s words were running through my head about how Chase was denying himself. Was this all too hard for him? Should I just ask him to mark me now? I didn’t want him to feel so out of control of himself. That wasn’t fair.

I thought about it while we were in the shower, and when we walked outside. Chase was still brooding. He shifted and took off. I got into the backseat. Kincade shot me a look. I gave him the address to the apartment’s front office.

I told him, “I have a meeting here first thing. If we could head, there instead of my office, that would be great.” Kincade nodded. I asked, “Is it really hard for Chase not to mark me? He seemed really upset this morning.” Kevin sighed, “It would be hard for any wolf. For an Alpha yes, what he’s doing is hard. He’s likely to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster until he does mark you.”

I whispered, “What does that mean?” Kincade said, “Until marked, Alpha’s are more likely to go to a violent option in a situation.” I frowned, “He’d never hurt me.” I said it with conviction. I knew it was true. Kincade corrected himself, “No, not with you. With other people. He wouldn’t and couldn’t hurt you physically. Only deviants can intentionally hurt their mate. I’m of the opinion he’d rather walk through fire and over hot coals than hurt you emotionally.”