“Hey, Bane,” Tanzi said, flipping her hair back and shooting me a big smile.

If I hadn’t just heard the way she was talking to Katja, I would have believed the act, that’s how good she was. But, unfortunately for her, I had… and I had no patience for assholes, no matter their gender.

“You need to apologize to my date,” I informed her, watching as her eyes widened, then shuttered.

“Date?” she breathed, all pretense gone.

“Yes, Katja is staying with me while she’s in town, and is my guest here. You have no reason to talk to her that way. Apologize.”

Tanzi blinked, obviously shocked that I not only had a date, but that she was staying in my house. It was common knowledge that I didn’t date, sleep with women, or have any women sleep in my house. It’s part of what made me so attractive to the single women in the pack.

I was a challenge. And, women loved a challenge.

“Sorry,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“No problem,” Katja said sunnily, but I could hear the sarcasm in her tone.

I turned my head and smiled at her.

“Now are you ready to eat?” I asked.

“So ready,” she replied, her eyes twinkling.

I was momentarily mesmerized by her freckles, then I did something I hadn’t planned on doing that night. I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers.

I heard Tanzi gasp and when I stood back up and looked toward the sound, I saw her stalking away.

“That’s one way to get rid of her,” Katja said with a laugh.

“Mmmm,” was my response, then I turned her back toward the food table. “Let’s get you fed.”

We filled up our plates. Well, I filled up my plate, while Katja put more sensible portions on hers, then I led us toward an empty table in the back.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t a social person, I was a pack animal after all, but I knew Katja would be feeling a little awkward not knowing anyone, and I didn’t want her uncomfortable. Especially after Tanzi’s display. Not that most of the pack was like Tanzi, but there were a couple other women who’d been vying for my attention over the years, and I wanted to avoid any further drama.

“So, what did you think of the meeting?” I asked once we were seated comfortably.

“Very cool,” Katja said as she pushed her fork into her salad. “I’ve never been involved in a community even remotely like this. I like it.”

I grinned, pleased.

Pack life wasn’t for everyone, and although I hadn’t been as active recently as I once was, there were still certain things that were expected when you were part of a pack. It was good that Katja was opening to learning more about what this life entailed.

I wanted her focus to be on Sloane, and I was coming to realize me, but it would also be beneficial to have her on board with being a member of this community.

Before I could broach the subject further, we were interrupted by the scraping of a chair and a hand thumping on the table.

“What’s shakin’, man?”

“Arch,” I replied in greeting, unenthused.

Arch used to be one of my brother’s friends back in the day. Although friends may be a stretch. They’d shifted about the same time and had run together, but I always got the feeling that Gray tolerated Arch at best.

I’d never cared for the guy, personally.

“And, who’s this gorgeous morsel?” he asked, looking at Katja.

See? Total douche.

“This is Katja, my date,” I said, emphasizing the words my and date. “Katja, this is Arch.”

“Katja,” he said, sounding out her name as if trying it on for size. “Beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”

“Uh, thanks,” Katja said, clearly uncomfortable by his leering gaze.

“What can I do for ya, Arch?” I asked, hoping he’d get the hint and leave.

He leaned back in his chair.

Arch never had been good at catching hints.

“Just wanted to meet this lovey and ask after Grayson. How’s the hermit doing?”

I bit back a sneer. Pack barbecues were supposed to be social and fun. Violence, shifting, and fights were strictly prohibited.

I knew that, but I was still fighting to keep my wolf in check.

“My brother is well and happy,” was all I said, not rising to the bait.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, I looked to Katja, who was pushing food around her plate, but no longer eating and asked, “Ready to get out of here?”

She looked up with a relieved smile and nodded.

“I’m going to take my lady home,” I told Arch as I stood. “See you around.”

I held out my hand for Katja, trying to ignore the fact that Arch’s eyes tracked her every movement.

“Nice to meet you, Katja,” Arch said in what I’m sure he thought was a suave tone.

As we started walking away he called out, “Tell the hermit I’m thinking of coming by for a visit.”

I stopped and turned.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I warned, then guided Katja out of the party.