Turn of the Moon (Royal Shifters #1)(15)

I could hear her laughing in my mind. “She knows. I think she does it to get a rise out of you.”

“A giant pain in my ass is what she is.” Tyla was a loyal wolf and a good friend. She was one of the only females in the pack who hadn’t tried to get me to mate them.

Bailey growled in my mind. “I heard that. Surely they know about me and have backed the f*ck off, right?”

“Well, angel, until you’re ready to mate with me, I’m technically fair game.”

“Then so am I.” The connection went silent.

“I think I just pissed her off.” I chuckled, glancing at Cedric.

“I have no doubt. If I ever find my mate, she’s going to spend a great deal of time hating me; especially if she finds out how many women I’ve f*cked. Does Bailey know about you?”

I knew what he was asking and I made sure to keep that part of my mind hidden away. “No, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want to know how many women I’ve been with. Just like I don’t care to know the details about the men she’s f*cked.”

We were almost off the trail when my phone rang. I thought it was going to be Tyla, but it was Ian Randale, alpha of the Northwestern pack. “Ian, what’s going on, my man?”

“Nothing good. You have a problem heading your way.”

“Fuck me, are you serious?” I already knew what was going on.

“Dead serious. It was three wolves, asking if I’d seen a female Arctic wolf. When I asked why, they said it was pack business. Obviously, they didn’t get a scent of her so they left. I don’t know if they’re headed your way, but be prepared. They’re on the hunt.”

“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll inform my pack.” I hung up and immediately dialed Tyla’s number.

“What are you going to do?” Cedric asked.

“Something that’ll piss Bailey off if she finds out.”

“Then I suggest you not think about it.”

I waited for Tyla to answer her phone. “Easier said than done, my friend. You’ll find out one of these days.”

“Hey, what’s up,” she answered.

“Where’s Bailey?”

“Out riding, why?”

“Keep your eye on her. Ian called and said there were some wolves looking for her.”

“Okay, I won’t let her out of my sight. Are you going to tell her?”

“No. If I do, she’ll try to leave. Just act normal and we’ll do everything as planned. Tonight we’ll go out to the bar, tomorrow I’ll let her meet the pack, and then I’m taking her somewhere safe.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Only until the enemies pass us by.”

“We could always hide her so you don’t have to leave.”

“I wish we could, but it’s not going to work.” Not everyone knew why Bailey had come to us and if they did, they’d realize the greater threat.

“Why not?”

“Because . . . I know the wolves coming after Bailey.”

“How?”

“I used to be a part of their pack.”





Bailey

“Thanks for letting me ride Nightshade,” I said to Blake.

He smiled and fetched a bucket of water from the hose. He’d told me all about how he grew up a city slicker and how Ryker and Tyla turned him into a cowboy. The stories of his undercover missions were amazing. Even though he wasn’t a shifter, he was one lethal human.

“He likes beautiful women riding him.”

Nightshade bumped me with his nose and I laughed. “I’ve never ridden a horse before.”

“Really? You look like a natural out there.”

“All right, Evans, no flirting with Ryker’s woman. He’ll skin you alive,” Tyla teased. Blake’s friend, Wyatt Erickson, walked in beside her. They’d been inseparable since we showed up. He was a good looking man, dressed in a pair of jeans, a polo shirt, with his light brown hair in messy spikes.

Blake winked at her. “I’m not scared. I’m sure his bark is worse than his bite.” We tried to hide our giggles at the comment and he looked sideways at us before continuing. “You gonna dance with me tonight?”

She smirked. “Maybe, if you buy me a drink.”

He leaned closer to me. “Why is she always so difficult?”

“Because I can be,” she replied, reaching for my hand. “And right now, I need to get this one home so she can get ready for the night.”

I scratched Nightshade’s ear and nuzzled him. “See you tomorrow, boy. That is, if it’s okay,” I said, glancing over at Blake.

“Come anytime. You’re always welcome. Wyatt and I will see you both tonight.”

Tyla and I said our goodbyes and got in her car. “What’s up with you and Wyatt?” I asked as we drove away.

She batted her eyelashes innocently. “Just some friendly flirting. He’s not exactly my type, but he sure is easy on the eyes.”

“So is Ryker. He told me you were the only one in the pack who hasn’t tried to get him to mate with you.”

“Oh hell, he told you that?”

“Is it true?”

She sighed. “Yes, but nothing ever happened. He never slept with any of them or promised them anything.”