Cole's Redemption (Alpha Pack #5)(25)

“Aww, I was going to invite you to stay here with me instead of the compound.”

From her smile, he knew she was kidding. “In a place where the cockroaches are the size of Doberman pinschers? I’ll pass, thanks.”

Truthfully, she was eager to see this place at her back as well. Inside her stark, musty little room, she gathered her few things, stuffing jeans, T-shirts, and underthings into her duffel bag. A few toiletries and her mini tablet were last, and she was done.

“That’s it?” He frowned.

“I travel light.”

Before she could protest, he plucked the duffel from the bed and led her out. Then he tossed it into the back seat of the double cab and they were on their way.

“Feel like a drink?”

For some reason, the simple invitation warmed her. “Sure. I found this place called the Cross-eyed Grizzly if you want to go there.”

“Oh, we’ve been there a time or three.”

“So I’ve heard.”

God, the man’s smile was devastating. She was willing to bet he could get women to do whatever he wanted by flashing them a smile like that. Good thing he didn’t seem to be the type to take advantage.

It was still early in the afternoon, and the Grizzly wasn’t too busy. Zan parked the big truck at the back of the lot and ushered her inside, his hand lingering at the small of her back in a proprietary manner. That warmed her, too.

They found a booth next to the wall sort of out of the way and slid in, taking seats opposite each other. As luck would have it, Jacee came out from behind the bar to take their orders. The woman shot Selene a wary glance, and she didn’t blame her. Though she liked the bartender, Selene had been a bit . . . forceful, last time she was in here.

“What can I get you guys?” Jacee piped up.

“Beer for me,” Zan said.

“Make that two.”

“You’ve got it.” She moved off, leaving them alone for a few moments.

A sudden attack of conscience hit Selene, and she regarded her new mate steadily across the table. “I feel I have to warn you that Jacee there, she knows about the Alpha Pack.”

That shocked him. His eyes widened. “What? How?”

“Jacee is the one who told me you guys hang out here. She keeps her eyes and ears open. And she’s not human, herself.”

“Shit.” He glanced toward the bar, where the woman in question was drawing their beers. “What is she?”

“Coyote.”

“Damn, I never scented a thing!”

“That’s because she keeps her scent masked. In my world, coyotes are akin to parasites. Not that I feel that way about Jacee, because I don’t,” she said quickly. “She’s nice enough. In fact, I don’t believe in putting someone down because of their breed.”

“I’m happy to hear you say that, because I feel the same way. Our world has enough prejudice in it without shifters adding to it.”

“True.”

The object of their discussion returned with their beers and set them down. “Anything else?”

“Nothing for me right now,” Selene said.

Zan shook his head. “Maybe later.” After the bartender had gone, Zan spoke quietly. “By the way, Jacee used to hook up with my best friend, Jax. So, when you meet Jax and his mate, Kira, you might not want to mention Jacee.”

“That could be awkward. Don’t worry. Mum’s the word.”

“Thanks.” He took a draw of his brew.

She did the same and then waved a hand at him. “So, I answered your question about being a born shifter. You were turned, right?”

“Yes, along with almost all the rest of the team I’m with now. We were Navy SEALs in Afghanistan when we were attacked by rogue werewolves.”

“That must’ve been horrible.”

“It was. More than half our unit was killed.”

“Would you mind telling me the story?” she asked. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to share something so personal.”

“We’re going to continue to share a lot more than stories if I have my way,” he said with a smile. “So, sure.”

She blushed to the roots of her hair, something that hadn’t happened in a long time. Not one to embarrass easily, that remark, and the pure sexuality behind it, had caught her off guard.

Then his tale unfolded, taking her back to the awful day when the Alpha Pack came into existence—and life as they knew it was never the same.

Six years earlier . . .

Zan hated Afghanistan.

The days were sweltering, the nights cold as a brass witch’s tit. There were no such things as good food, rest, or comfort for the body or mind. He couldn’t wait to leave this hellhole. He was marking the days—twenty-eight more days and his six years of service were done.

He was going home, to Atlanta. To his grandmother’s kitchen, where he’d let her smother him in all the motherly love he’d been missing for the past few months. Hell, since his mother had died of cancer years ago. Granny was always there for him. He couldn’t wait to give her a big hug.

And hang up his dog tags for good.

“Jesus Christ, I’m rank,” Raven bitched, scratching at his crotch. “When I finally get to change this underwear, it’ll probably walk off.”