“It might be a good thing we were interrupted,” Juliette said, even though her body didn’t share the same opinion.

In fact, her legs shook and her heart beat too fast as she tried to regulate her erratic breathing. The ache and discomfort between her legs had reached a new level, and her stiff nipples chafed against her top.

“I’m sure you’re right, but at the moment, I’m sharing my brain with whatever monster is residing between my legs, and let me tell you, he ain’t happy.”

“You aren’t alone in your suffering.” Juliette never had to curb her enthusiasm before when it came to sexual pleasure, because she could easily find a partner when the necessity arose. At the moment, she had the perfect partner, but nowhere to take advantage.

In the distance, the vocal boxing match had become louder.

“Let’s get rid of them,” Kendall said with a sigh.

Juliette couldn’t agree more. “The sooner, the better.”

They hurried along the path and exited the trail. At the other side of a small clearing, people stood in front of a cabin.

“Good evening, Alpha,” Juliette called, announcing their presence.

She hadn’t met the new Rojas Alpha, but he looked of her same age and clearly harassed. A young woman hovered by his side, while an older couple faced the alpha, berating him.

“You are the Honolulu Wolves’ alpha?” the older man asked Juliette with a raised eyebrow, studying her as she walked toward them.

The man’s scent identified him as a non-shifter, and when Juliette checked the older woman, she discovered that the Rojas’ mother-in-law too was mortal. The alpha’s young mate was a werewolf, a newborn one at that, and Juliette suspected there was a long story behind her change.

“Juliette Kewada. How can I help you?” Juliette asked the older man, who was staring at her with a pronounced frown.

“You must move us closer to our daughter’s cabin,” the man demanded, while the alpha rolled his eyes.

Juliette turned toward the daughter. The young woman slightly shook her head behind her parents’ back.

“I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do. All the guests have arrived and there isn’t a single vacancy available. This cabin is the closest we could find.” Juliette saw the young woman relax her shoulders, and her mate sent a silent thank you in Juliette’s direction. “If you’d like to eat something, the Hawaiian Luau has just started. There will be dancing soon.”

Kendall stepped forward and offered his hand to the other alpha. “I’m Kendall McKenzie, your neighbor—”

The young man grabbed the proffered hand and shook it. “Mark de Rossi. It’s nice to finally meet you, Kendall. I’ve meant to drive by the Seattle Wolf Pack, but—”

“I know, there’s never enough time in a day. When we are back though, I’d like to talk to you about a renegade problem we have,” Kendall said.

“Sure. That’s another thing on my agenda—”

Juliette’s cell phone rang from her shorts’ rear pocket. A glance at the caller froze the blood in her veins. “I apologize, but I have to take this call.” She made a sign for Kendall to stay as she stepped toward the trail.

“What do you want?” she asked, when she was behind the tree line.

“You in my bed, my little, feisty Juliette,” Shark replied.

“You’ve got to be fu—” Realizing almost a moment too late that it was better to negotiate with the man rather than to provoke him, she lowered her tone a notch before finishing her sentence. “That isn’t going to happen, and you know it.”

“It is as it should be, though. You were promised to me once, and I intend to see our betrothal through. You’ve been of an age for quite some time now, don’t you think?” He let his statement sink for a moment before adding, “Come to my house and we’ll talk about what you can do to see your pups again.”

“Release my kids first and I might consider visiting you to resolve things face to face.”

“If I do that, you won’t come,” he pouted.

Juliette imagined the big man batting his lashes and pursing his lips, and shivered. Shark was several inches taller than Kendall, who was already tall, and easily four times his weight. He could pass for a Sumo wrestler, down to the shaved head and the topknot. His childish, almost cherubic traits fooled anyone who didn’t know the depth of his cruelty and perversion.

“Free Nicky and Devon and I’ll keep my promise,” she said.

“I don’t know if I can trust you.” He drew a long sigh. “You are friends with the police after all. And you’ve gotten a mate behind my back.”

“Shark—” She was never sure which tactic to use with him because his moods were mercurial at best. “Let them go. It will show good will.”

“Hmm,” he said. “You know, maybe you need an incentive.”

She knew what he was up to and hurried to say, “Shark, don’t you—” An agonizing scream interrupted her. She recognized Nicky’s voice, and anger boiled inside her, making breathing difficult. “I told you not to touch them.” Her wolf pushed at the boundaries of her mind. Furious, Juliette added, “I’ll kill you.”

“We’ll see about that. I expect you at my father’s cabin in an hour.” Shark hung up.

Angry, frustrated, and terrified for her kids, Juliette raised her arm to throw her cell phone as far as she could, but Kendall appeared at the mouth of the trail. His worried expression stayed her hand and she lowered her arm. His mere presence comforted her, and she breathed in and out a few times. A moment later, she felt calm enough to talk.

“We must hurry,” she said when he reached her. “Shark is here, in the pack grounds.”

Kendall nodded, his strong arms encircling her back. “We’ll make it right. Together.”

She breathed his scent in, indulging in the luxury of relying on someone for the first time in her life. It was the headiest of sensations and left her lightheaded.

“Do we have to bring in the cop?” Kendall asked.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Juliette couldn’t help but chuckle at his peeved tone. “Yes, we do.” She then pushed Sheriff Smith’s number on her phone.

“Do you have him on speed dial?” Kendall opened his hands to the side in disbelief. His jealousy was actually endearing.

“My teenagers get in trouble a lot,” she answered Kendall before addressing Smith, “Shark is at the old alpha shack, five miles north of Secret Cove.”

“The one up on the ridge?” Smith asked.

“Yes, it can only be reached by foot, so hurry up.” She closed the call and looked at Kendall. “Ready for a run?”

“Always.” He brushed her lips. “Ladies first.”

“You are definitely a keeper.”

“I’m glad you think like that because we’re going to spend the rest of our eternity together,” Kendall said before sprinting after her.