Page 23 of Wulf's Pack
Chapter
Seven
Skylar is quiet through breakfast, but she seems happy. There’s a small, almost wistful smile on her face. I can’t blame her for not talking much. We’re a large, boisterous family and we’re still brand new to her. I don’t think we overwhelm her. I think she’s just a bit shy and maybe fascinated by the comradery of our group. Knowing what little I do about her alpha, I’m positive her last pack wasn’t quite as well-adjusted.
Her whole face lights up, though, when Nora declares she needs clothes and asks her to go shopping and have a girls’ day with her. I, of course, invite myself along. Nora can take care of herself pretty well, and she has Illren as a constant shadow ever since the underworld was outed and Nora became the face of the whole supernatural population. But with Skylar’s omega status out there, I’m not going to be able to let her out of my sight for a while. At least, not until I’m sure how much of a problem it’s going to be.
We hit the salon first, and Illren and I wait while Skylar gets her hair trimmed and the girls get their fingers and toes done. I don’t understand the necessity of it until I watch my mate relax and start to open up to Nora. Nora’s ability to read minds givesher a rare insight to how people think. She’s not an empath, but she’s great with nonverbal cues, and can be really sly with the skin-to-skin contact. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s picked up a few thoughts from Skylar and is using that knowledge to put her more at ease.
We go to the mall next. I don’t hate shopping, and I’m enjoying watching Skylar have fun with Nora, but having Nora and me in such a public place has garnered a lot of attention. We’re too well known, and Nora’s siren’s allure isn’t exactly inconspicuous. Shealwayscauses a stir. People have been gawking and taking pictures of us since we arrived.
Behind Charlie, Ren, and Nora I’m probably the most media friendly member of our clan. I don’t mind being a face of the underworld and chatting with curious humans when they stop me. I’ll shake hands, answer questions, and take selfies, though I’ve never agreed to shift. But today is different. I’m on edge having Skylar out in the open, and she’s really apprehensive about all the attention. I just want to get her home.
“Are we about ready?” I ask after Nora and Skylar make their purchases in a makeup store.
Nora and Skylar look at all the bags they’ve collected and nod. “I just need to go to one more store,” Skylar says. Her face turns dark red. “I need to get some underthings.”
I purse my lips, knowing now would be a horrible time to grin. I’d offer to help her pick some stuff out, but I think the embarrassment might kill her. I’ll have to settle for using my imagination for now. It’s not hard. Skylar is a beautiful woman, and once we can put a little more weight on her, she’s going to be a knockout.
Illren lifts a brow at me, snapping me from my inappropriate daydreaming, and Nora smirks. “Victoria’s Secret is that way.” She points down a hallway we haven’t explored yet.
We stroll at a leisurely pace, and when we hit the store, I start to follow the women inside. Nora stops and presses her hand against my chest. “No way, mister. You and Illren can wait here. You know as well as I do that Skylar would like some privacy this time.”
I do know that, but it was worth a try. I sigh playfully. It takes everything in me not to make some comment about eventually seeing it anyway. “Fine.” I grin at Skylar. “If you need any help or just want a third opinion, you know where to find me.”
I wink at her when she blushes and chuckle when Nora rolls her eyes at me.
Once they’re safely inside the store doing their thing, Illren and I take up watch beside the entrance. So far, we haven’t had any problems, but I won’t relax until we’re safely away from the mall. I’m sure our presence here has been tweeted about or whatever. Anyone looking for us can easily find us. “Your mate is very skittish,” Illren says out of nowhere. I’m surprised he said anything. He’s definitely the strong, silent type unless there’s something on his mind. He never speaks just to make conversation.
I sigh. “Her last pack abused her. Her alpha was a monster. Held her prisoner, beat her regularly, and made her wear a magic collar that suppressed her wolf so she couldn’t heal. She hasn’t mentioned sexual assault specifically, but she did say the asshole has made her sleep in his bed since she was fourteen.”
Illren’s eyes narrow in a way that would have most people cowering. I’ve seen that look in his eyes before. For an assassin, he has a very strong moral code. His compass doesn’t always point North, but heaven help those he feels break that code. “What is his name?” he asks in a voice that easily marks him as a stone-cold killer. “What pack is she from?”
I wish I had an answer for him. I’d love to let the psycho loose on Skylar’s old pack. “Don’t know.”
He glares at me. “You didn’t ask?”
I growl under my breath. “She won’t say. I think she’s worried I’ll run off half-cocked and get myself killed. She just says she escaped, and it doesn’t matter. I’m not ready to push the issue. She seems hell-bent on forgetting her past. I think she needs time to get to know us and trust us before she’ll let us deal with the problem.”
“I will deal with the problem.”
Sometimes having a ruthless fae assassin on your side has its perks. “I’m happy to let you.” It’s the truth. I don’t have some inherent need to take the man out myself. I trust Illren. He’ll do the job right, and all the people who hurt Skylar will pay in ways I couldn’t even imagine.
“Get me a name, and I will destroy them.”
I glance in the store, seeking out my mate. “As soon as I find out anything, you’ll be the first to?—”
I cut off when I catch a scent. I stiffen, and it has Illren snapping to attention instantly. “What is it?”
I take a deep breath. “Shifters. Wolves.”
Illren and I move next to each other. “Nora!” I bellow.
“Do you see them?”
I scan the crowd and nod toward my right. “Not yet, but there are three of them. They’re approaching slowly from that direction.”
Illren relaxes a little. “We can handle three.”
