Sunglasses at Night (Claws Clause 3)

Nope.

As soon as Adam had scooped Tabby up again and Colt remarked on his absence, Wolfe told his brother that, as Alpha, he allowed Travis to leave the scene.

Why? Answer was actually pretty simple. Sometime during the fight, his brain caught up to his nose—and his wayward cock—and Travis realized that Virginia was his fated mate. As he nuzzled Tabby’s throat, eager to sense her pulse and prove to himself that she was still with him, Adam had to admit it made sense. The glimpses he got of the shifted jaguar while they defended against the Nightwalker attack put him between any threat and the witch. He had thought Travis was just being a protector.

In a way, he was.

Shit.

Adam actually felt bad for the guy. Imagine that. You meet your mate during a ruthless confrontation but, before you can tell her so, she runs off after her bounty. And what did Travis have to do? Hang back and play babysitter to a feral Nightwalker.

Next time he saw Travis, he’d buy him a beer or some

thing. The few minutes where he stayed behind could have lost him any head start he could’ve used to track down his witch—especially if she was wearing a scent reducer potion.

But, right now, that was Travis’s problem. Adam’s problem had everything to do with the still woman in his arms. His own protective instincts were in overdrive. He needed to hoard her somewhere safe, watch over her, make sure she came back to him. The urge to flash his fangs at any prospective threat was almost undeniable.

Even though there were still hours until sunrise, Adam wanted out of the open. Bunkering down with his slayer while he processed everything that happened… it was all he wanted to do.

Seemed like Wolfe agreed.

“I need my Angie,” he snarled at no one in particular. He raked his claws through his unruly, thick sandy hair, leaving parts behind. “I need my mate.”

“We can take my truck,” offered Colt. After proving to himself that Shea’s normally olive-colored skin had gone noticeably pale but, other than that, she was alright, Colt lifted her to her feet, tucking her into his side. “Unless your wolf wants to take the edge off and run back. You might be able to shave a few minutes off the journey. Last time I took the run out to Wolf’s Creek, I did.”

“Yeah. You’re right, bro.” Wolfe nodded, leaning forward on the balls of his feet, clenching his hands into fists. “Meet you at your place.”

In a flurry of exploded clothes and a snap, the big shifter transformed into an even bigger grey wolf. His golden eyes took in the four of them—Shea and Colt, Adam and Tabby—before he let out a howl that had Adam bracing his knees so that he didn’t drop his slayer.

An instant later, Maddox Wolfe had torn behind his empty house, vanishing in the woods that bracketed the cul de sac.

“Where’s he going?”

“My place,” Colt answered. “We banked on the fact that Cilla wouldn’t dare step into Para territory to look for Evangeline. Guess we were right.”

That gave Adam an idea.

The Bumptown was about the same distance away from Wolf’s Creek as Grayson was, about an hour out in each direction. He could bundle up Tabby, return to his apartment, and watch over her himself—or he could swallow his pride and take the ride into Colt’s territory where he had strong predators to watch his back.

When he was still a cop, it would’ve been a no-brainer. Having a loyal team at your back was essential. That camaraderie was one of the biggest things he missed since he had quit the force and gone rogue. Was it possible that he finally found something similar?

Only one way to find out. And if trading his pride for the certainty that Tabby would be safe was something he had to do? It was a small price to pay.

“Hey. You guys mind if I tag along? I’d like to be close to Shea in case Tabby needs more help.”

The bonded couple shared a look.

Shea was the one who nodded. “That’s probably for the best. Besides, by the time we get home again, I’m sure Maddox will be too… um… busy to notice that you’re there.”

Translation: after the way Priscilla tried to go for his mate, the territorial shifter would have to assure himself that Eva was okay by renewing their bond.

Once upon a time, Adam would’ve felt a jealous pang at that. Not now. He’d long ago given up hope that Evangeline was meant to be his, and considering the way the shifter doted on, protected her, loved her, Adam knew he could never compare.

Looked like fate might’ve gotten it right after all.

And while they might not ever be friends, not like the way he grew to tolerate, then respect Colt, Adam had to admit that Maddox was perfect for Evangeline.

Just like Tabby was perfect for him.