Hunted (War of the Covens 1)

Oh boy.

If this guy knew he was in a room of lykans, two of whom looked as if they might happily rip him apart, the cockiness would dissolve and the peeing of the pants would commence.

Lucien bristled. “We’re closed.”

“I … I’m sorry?”

Ryder was suddenly behind the guy and he clasped a big hand on the man’s shoulder only to lead him toward the door. “We forgot to put the sign up. Sorry. You’ll need to come back during business hours.”

“Bu—”

“Goodbye now,” he said cheerfully, and shoved the guy outside.

Silence rung throughout the shop.

Then Caia whirled on her boss. “You just threw out a potential paying customer.”

“So? Remember”—Lucien pointed to his ear—“lykan hearing. He wasn’t interested in the furniture.”

“That was just talk. I could’ve gotten him to buy that dining table,” she retorted. “Who peed in your water bowl?”

He raised an eyebrow at her “Excuse me?”

“Something has you pissed. Your attitude with that guy …” She looked to Ryder for an explanation. “I mean, I know lykans have an issue with temperament, but please …”

Alexa strode over to Lucien, draping a possessive hand over his shoulder. Caia pretended to ignore the gorgeous picture they made together. Both tall and dark and tan. “Lucien was just being protective,” Alexa purred. “That guy looked at me like he was stripping me naked.”

“After he stripped Caia naked first. Figuratively speaking.” Ryder stared at Lucien.

A muscle ticked in their pack leader’s jaw.

Was that the problem? Was Lucien possessive of her?

“The guy was sleazebag.” Lucien shrugged. “I don’t sell my furniture to sleazebags that only come into the store to scam on our women.”

Protective. Not possessive.

“So what? I’m not supposed to serve people who think Alexa and I are hot?”

“Yeah, if so, you’re going to lose a lot of business,” Alexa piped in. “Well, at least if I stick around. Caia shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.”

“Alexa, I want you to try something.” Ryder said.

“Sure.”

“It might be difficult but I think you can do it. If you try.”

“Okay?”

“It’s a little thing called being nice.”

Caia snorted.

“Nice is boring, Ryder.” Alexa gestured to Caia. “Case in point.”

“Alexa,” Lucien warned.

She bristled and huffed but threw a half-hearted apology in Caia’s direction.

“I don’t need you to stick up for me,” Caia asserted before turning to Alexa. She didn’t know where it came from, but she was suddenly feeling a little sassy and over the other female wolf. “Get off my back or I’ll make you get off my back.”

Alexa took a step toward her but Lucien held out an arm to restrain her. “Ladies.”

To Caia’s disgust Alexa went instantly submissive with a murmured apology and big, puppy eyes. And frankly, she didn’t want to be around to watch or hear the wolf drool all over the pack leader. Is that what she’d signed up for every Saturday?

Refusing to apologize, Caia asked, “Do I get a lunch break?”

“You haven’t eaten?” he frowned.

“No. Looks like I don’t qualify for a free lunch.”

Alexa huffed. “I didn’t know you work here now.”

“Right.”

Ryder laughed and failed to make it sound like a cough. “Uh, okay. Why don’t I take Cy out to lunch?”

“I can—”

“Great.” Caia cut off whatever Lucien was going to say. “I’m starved. Maybe Alexa can watch the store while I’m on break.” With her back to Lucien and Alexa she grinned cheekily and Ryder and she watched him struggle not to laugh.

Her amusement died, however, when she glanced over her shoulder as they departed.

Lucien stared solemnly after her, while Alexa leaned into him.

Holy Artemis they really did look right together.

Heart heavy for reasons Caia wasn’t ready to explore, she welcomed Ryder’s easy company as they strolled away from the store.

When Caia related the story to Jaeden later that night at her friend’s home, she was assured it was nothing weird for Lucien and Ryder to have acted the way they did, if the guy had been even the slightest bit lecherous.

“You know how temperamental we are. Well, males tend to get possessive over their womenfolk, even if said womenfolk aren’t their mates.”

“That was just testosterone?”

“Yeah.”

Caia grimaced. “How disgusting.”

Jaeden’s smile sheepish. “I don’t know. Don’t you think it’s a little hot?”

“No. We live in the twenty-first century. And we’re lykans. We don’t need any man to take care of us.”

“Sorry. I think it’s kind of nice that they care enough to want to smash in some human jerk’s face when he gets a little too friendly.”

“It was embarrassing.” Caia felt her cheeks redden at the thought of that poor guy. What must he have thought when Ryder shoved him out the door? Plus, he thought she was attractive. It was kind of nice. Her self-esteem had been beaten up lately, thanks to the rest of the pack women all looking like glamour girls. Her eyes flickered over Jaeden who was beautiful without even having to try.