Savage Urges (The Phoenix Pack 5)

Dawn hissed. “Let me guess. You no longer have a job.”

“Good guess.” It wasn’t because she was a loner or that her boss was prejudiced against shifters. He simply couldn’t afford to lose the business that extremists would chase off.

Madisyn bit out a curse. “Where’s that Jeff fucker now?”

Dante had dropped Jeff off at Mercury Pack territory on their way here, certain that Ally’s foster brother would come for him soon. But since Makenna promised Ryan she wouldn’t reveal Ally’s connection to The Movement, she simply said, “He’s no longer a problem.”

“How’s Ryan doing?” asked Colton. “Not so well, I’m thinking.”

From her position in the tunnel, she glanced into the kitchen, where most of the pack was gathered for lunch. Ryan was staring at her with his usual frown. His eyes weren’t as wild now, but he was far from calm. “He’s been better.”

“Is Zac settling in all right?” asked Dawn.

Makenna smiled. “Yes, he’s got the biggest crush on Hope. It’s super cute. He’s very happy here.”

“I think you will be too.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t play with me, Makenna Wray; I’ve known you since you were a child. I know you better than most.”

“Not better than me,” snorted Madisyn.

“And I’ve seen the way Ryan looks at you,” continued Dawn. “That male cares for you, just as you care for him. He might look like a menace to society at first glance, but he’s an honorable person. He’s a keeper. At your age, being alone might not be so bad. But at my age, when you realize you’ll probably grow old alone and even die alone, it hurts. Don’t be like me. If he offers you more than something casual, take it.”

Chest tight, Makenna said, “I didn’t realize how much you hurt inside, Dawn. I’m sorry.” She should have seen it.

“Don’t be sorry, sweetheart. There are many good things and many good people in my life. I don’t have . . . what do you call them, Madisyn? Oh, pity parties. I don’t have them. But a person can be happy and sad at the same time.”

As Grace and Hope began to lay food out on the table, Makenna said her good-byes and ended the call. Ryan had saved her a seat between him and Zac. She slid into it with a smile, watching as both males piled food on her plate. Taking care of her, she knew. “You two are sweeties.” Both males scowled at her, indignant. She laughed.

“I picked up too much stuff, so I dumped some of it on your plate, that’s all,” said Zac with a shrug.

Taryn smiled. “Don’t let him fool you, Makenna. He was seriously worried when he saw the news footage of the extremists outside your building. We all were.” The Alpha female jumped as she dropped her knife.

“Ooh, you’re going to have a visitor,” Makenna told her. At Ryan’s look of confusion, she added, “She dropped her knife.”

Ryan blinked. “Dropping a kitchen utensil symbolizes an upcoming visit?”

Makenna waved a dismissive hand. “You don’t have to believe me, White Fang.”

“I told you to drop—” He inhaled deeply. “You know what? Forget it.” He’d already resigned himself to the fact that his mate wasn’t totally sane.

“Jaime said your boss called on the drive here,” Grace told Makenna. “Did he really fire you?”

“Yeah, but I can understand why. I’m not pissed at him; I’m pissed at the extremists.” Because how was she supposed to afford her rent without a job?

“If the humans traced you to the gas station,” began Gabe, “can they trace you to the shelter?”

Makenna shook her head. “I’m not listed as an employee there. There’s no paperwork to link me with the place.”

“Unless Remy tips them off,” Tao pointed out. “Just like he told them your name and address.”

“Dead men can’t do anything,” rumbled Ryan.

Meeting his gaze, Makenna found vengeance reigning there again. “Don’t go after him, Ryan.”

He grunted.

“You can’t. Think about it. If you go to see him, he’ll twist it around. He’ll argue to the council that Dawn sent packs to intimidate him and spread lies about him. And then there’s the other thing.”

“What other thing?” asked Marcus before stuffing a forkful of food into his mouth.

“It might not be him.”

Roni blinked. “Why would you think that?”

“All his attacks have been indirect and nonviolent.”

“So maybe he’s stepping up his game,” said Tao.

“To the point that extremists are knocking at my door, attracting a news crew?” Makenna shook her head. “It’s a really big escalation.”

Tao shrugged. “Maybe he got pissed that his other attacks weren’t having the desired effect.”

Makenna tilted her head, allowing that.

“Who else could it be but Remy?” asked Dante.

Makenna smiled. “Dear old Deanne.”

Ryan’s frown deepened. “Remy’s mother?”

“I pissed her off real good,” she reminded him.

Taryn adjusted Kye’s position on her lap. “You met her?”

Makenna took a sip of her Coke. “Ryan didn’t tell you?”

Taryn snickered. “Ryan? Share stuff?”