Page 56 of To Challenge a Wolf

“But why?”

“Because I don’t need to bare my soul the way you do. The way most people do. I’m one of the people who don’t need that.”

“Oh, please. You think you can experience pack life to its fullest, the way you were designed to as a wolf, without ever opening up to people?”

He shrugged. “Of course.”

He was so wrong. He had to be, based on everything she knew about wolf packs, aboutpeople—wolf, human, vampire—but of course he saw no purpose in opening a heart he didn’t believe he had. And she couldn’t challenge him without giving away specifics in Trevor’s hearing. “This topic isn’t over.”

“You say that a lot.”

“And I mean it every time.”

He gave a grunt that promised more resistance. “Let’s order.”

“What do you recommend, local expert?”

He flashed his teeth. “First I’ve got to know how your palate’s changed in the last ten years. Still crazy for seafood, or was that a high-school phase like wanting to open a pet shelter?”

“Notlike the pet shelter,” she said with mock severity, and her heart thrilled a little when he gave a low chuckle that concealed an amused growl. “However, I’m enough of a food snob to want my seafood fresh-caught. Hmm… I’ll go with a burger.”

“Then I recommend the venison. They buy from Malachi.”

She blinked. “Malachi sells venison?”

“He’s the pack and the town’s go-to hunter and butcher. Venison, wild turkey, small game. He’s meticulous about food storage, sanitation and safety, all the necessary things. There’s a massive freezer on his property, and he’s got these professional-grade coolers for delivery runs.”

It seemed like the most random occupation ever, yet it also fit the alpha surprisingly well when she stopped to consider. Malachi was detail-oriented, careful by nature. And he was strong enough to hunt without weapons. In fact, an animal would probably die cleaner at his hands.

“Well, that settles it,” she said. “Venison burger for me. I hope you were serious about the milkshake.”

He flipped the menu to the desserts and showed her. Made with fresh strawberries and topped with whipped cream. Oh, yes.

“It looks like the one I get at home. There’s a family restaurant on the corner across from my street, and they make the best strawberry milkshakes of all time, and I’m not saying that just because I live there.”

“Let me know how the Harmony Ridge Diner measures up,” he said.

When their server returned, Rhett let her order first, then ordered two double-patty venison burgers for himself. Vivian was years past surprise over wolf metabolism, but the server’s eyebrows rose dramatically.

Her phone buzzed as their meals arrived. The number was local and looked vaguely familiar, as though she’d called it or seen it somewhere. “Hello?”

“Is this Vivian Rossi?” The female voice sounded familiar too.

“Yes, it is.”

“Hi, Vivian, this is Julianne Mitchell from the Harmony Ridge Bed-and-Breakfast.”

That didn’t seem promising. Vivian glanced up at Rhett. He was watching her, of course hearing every word. “Hi, Julianne. What’s up?”

“Well, I’ve made a terrible mistake, and I’m really sorry. I double-booked your room.”

“Okay…including tonight?”

“No, your original reservation through tomorrow morning at ten is fine. But starting tomorrow afternoon through the end of next week, your room was booked and paid for a month ago by someone else. When I said you could keep it, I missed seeing the other reservation. It’s totally my fault. I’m sorry, Vivian.”

“No, I understand.” She bit her lip. It was inconvenient, given there were no other lodging options in town. But it wasn’t the end of the world. She could book a hotel somewhere nearby. “I was surprised it was free to begin with. I’ll make other arrangements.”

The woman’s sigh was loud and almost tearful. “It’s really kind of you to be so…kind.”

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