“What are you thinking, Savvy?” My aunt leaned closer.

Howl couldn’t seem to sit still. His head bobbed as he looked first at Aunt Jo and then at me. I reached out and laid a hand on his back. “Relax, boy,” I murmured absently. In my mind, I was replaying much of the last two days and every interaction I’d had with Quinn.

Shelby used my silence as an opportunity to question the woman she probably barely remembered. “So, what’s it like being a rogue?” A grin spread across her face.

Aunt Jo laughed. “It has its pros and cons.” She shrugged.

“Come on. We’re all adults here.” Shelby huffed. “Details. I need details.”

Finally, Howl settled down. “Hey, she just arrived. Give the woman a break.” I glared at her.

“She’s fine!” Aunt Jo patted my leg. Then she turned to address my ridiculously curious little sister. “I like not having to answer to anyone. I like being completely in control of my life.” She blew out a breath, and I knew we were getting to the dark side of her story. “Of course, I also have no one to love, no children, and no one to protect me. This wasn’t such a big deal when I was younger.” She winked at me. “I could hold my own in a fight.”

I laughed. “I bet you could.”

“As I get older, self-defense is increasingly more challenging. I’m battling arthritis.” She held out her hands so we could see her enlarged knuckles. “I need a hip replacement. I’m falling apart.” Aunt Jo chuckled, but I could tell she was worried.

“You don’t have to be alone,” I reminded her. “You always have a place with us. You’d have to give up rogue status and fall in line with the pack, but it sounds like your wild days are done anyway.”

Her head tilted. She seemed to be considering my suggestion. “I could give up my rogue status...” Howl interrupted her with a groan and Aunt Jo smirked. “This course of action isn’t so easy for everyone. Some shifters don’t fit in anywhere. Others choose not to fit in.” She gave my dog a knowing look.

With a frown, I prepared to question her actions, but Tanner and Dallas burst out of the woods. “Alpha,” Tanner called. “There’s a problem at the mine.”

I stood. “What’s wrong?”

“We caught the scent of other shifters near it. We were about to get back to work, but had to cancel that plan rather than risk giving away the secret location.” He panted some, evidence of how far he’d run. As a wolf, he could race through the forest for long stretches and barely get winded. As a human, he wasn’t nearly as fit.

Dallas scowled. “I warned your father this could happen. I told him we needed to tunnel in from the homestead to keep the mine’s location quiet.”

My eyes narrowed. “You spoke to my father? What did he say?” I made a mental note to grab the daily journals from the safe next time I opened it.

“He thought it was a terrible idea, refused to even discuss it.” Dallas kicked a rock with his boot. “I’m going back to my cottage.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “No, you’re not. We haven’t finished discussing the matter.”

“There’s nothing left to say,” Dallas sneered. He started to turn and strut away, but I couldn’t allow that.

If he continued to undermine my authority, more serious consequences would have to be implemented. I swallowed hard. The idea of banishing anyone bothered me. There were always challenges when the Alpha changed. He simply had to grow accustomed to the idea of a female leading the pack. “Stay,” I ordered.

He didn’t even pause. With this many people watching, I had to take action. I was about to shift, when I heard a growl behind me. Then Howl rushed past me, leapt into the air, and tackled Dallas. Seeing him face down in the dirt while my dog snarled and snapped at him was immensely satisfying. I slowly neared him, circled and ultimately crouched at his head. “You’ll do as I say, Beta.”

His inner struggle was obvious. Clearly, Dallas had no interest in following my rules and directions. He couldn’t even meet my eyes, but I still saw enough. In his face, I read a combination of fear and rage. Howl stepped on his skull, forcing him to eat dirt. He spluttered some before struggling to raise his head.

“If you don’t listen to me, I will banish you. You swore allegiance to my father. I beat you in a fair fight observed by every adult in the pack. Don’t bring shame on yourself or your family.” My voice was low but intense. “I will do what’s right for the pack whether you agree or not. You can fall in line or leave. Those are your only two options.”

Dallas turned away from me. I nodded at Howl, and the dog stepped off the man’s back. He quickly scampered to his feet. “Can I go now, Alpha?” He nearly spat the words.

Though I was ready to go for his throat, I decided it was safer for him to leave my sight at the moment. Plus, I had more pressing concerns given Tanner’s report. “Go,” I growled. Then I watched as he raced off to his cottage. I was shaking mad until Howl leaned against my legs and started licking my hand. Squatting down, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Thank you,” I whispered. “You soothe me.”

Standing once more, I turned to see Tanner staring at me in the most unnerving way. Apparently, Howl agreed. I could hear a low growl in his throat. With a sigh, I addressed him. “Yes, Tanner?”

He shook his head. “Nothing, I guess.”

My brow arched. “No, if you have something to say, spit it out. I’m already mad, so you might as well be the cherry on top of my shit sundae.”

Tanner shrugged. “I guess Dallas is having trouble accepting a female Alpha.”

“What about you?” My eyes narrowed.

He smirked. “Oh, you can boss me around all you like.” Then he chuckled.

Howl didn’t think he was funny. His growl grew louder. I reached down to comfort him, running my fingers through his fur.

“Listen up, man-pup. Never talk to me like that again.”

“Hey, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be having this problem if you’d take a mate already.” He grinned and nodded. “I’m still available whenever you’re ready.”

Out of nowhere, I heard a scream that evoked memories of Miss Piggy, followed by my sweet, demure, silent sister Lenoir tackling him. My lips twitched as I tried to hold back a smile. Then I gave up and laughed aloud as she settled in on his chest and pummeled him with her teeny tiny fists of fury.

“You…you asshole!” Her voice was high-pitched, a combination of anger and hurt. “How could you say that to my sister when you’re supposed to be with me?” Lenoir grabbed the sides of his face and then leaned down until she was inches from the tip of his nose. “Maybe I don’t want you anymore. Maybe you can suffer the rest of your life without your mate. How about that?”

Even as he lay there with Lennie hitting him, Tanner had been staring at me. Then she started to get up and he finally glanced her direction. For so long, she’d been nothing but a nuisance to him. She’d been a pawn in his plan to marry the Alpha. I don’t know if he was trying to prove a point, but he flipped her on her back and rolled onto her.

“Lennie, what the hell are you blathering on about?” He huffed as he prepared to ream her out. “I’ve been nice. I’ve tolerated you because you’re Savvy’s sister, but enough is enough.”

Lenoir had been staring off toward the woods. I could tell she was crying from the periodic sniffle. Then she whipped her head around, tears streaming from her eyes, her chin jutting out. “I couldn’t agree more. Enough is enough. I have no idea what I ever saw in you. How could I possibly think you were supposed to be mated to me is a complete and utter mystery.” She swiped at her face and tried to dry her eyes, but only managed to smear dirt over her skin. “Dammit.”

Shelby started to move toward them. Her face was crimson with rage. She had always been her twin’s biggest defender. Her hands had formed fists, and she was ready to attack Tanner.

“Wait,” I hissed. Then I nodded toward them. Something had happened. Something had changed between them. I could see it. Tanner was no longer irate but now the picture of calm.

“Hush, Lennie,” he murmured gently. “I can fix it. Let me take care of you.”

Though she had been trying desperately to remove the sand from her eye, Lenoir suddenly froze. “What did you say?”

Tanner cupped her face, leaned down, and planted a kiss on her lips. “You heard me. Hold still, while I take care of you.” He slowly pushed the hair away from her face.

The way he looked at her hit me in the gut. This was it. Lennie had her mate. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Shelby slapping a hand over her mouth. When I smiled at her, she moved in for a hug.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I promise I won’t leave you until you’re happy.” Shelby pulled back and grinned.

I knew what was coming next. “Shall I hurry up and get happy?”

She nodded enthusiastically. In response, I squeezed her hand. Then I glanced down at my little sister, now wholly embraced by her mate and my wolf sighed.