He’d seen that the pack was beginning to accept the newcomer. Wolf instincts said to drive away a physically challenged stranger, but shifters were more than their animals.
This pack had a good heart.
Which was good because his own heart was speaking to him.
Tongue lolling, he trotted across the meadow toward the little wolf. Her stillness made him slow.
Her attention was focused on two wolves facing off near the tree line.
The male wolf deliberately knocked into the female hard enough to throw her sideways.
The female—was that Lacey?—scrambled for her footing.
Tynan growled, expecting the alpha or beta to intervene. Ah, no, Shay and Zeb were on the other side of the meadow, dealing with a couple of males who wanted to fight. Young males turned stupid as the moon neared full.
Up to him, then. He loped that direction.
As the aggressive male bit Lacey’s shoulder and drove her into a tree, Meggie reached the two.
She shifted to human, set her hands on her hips, and yelled, “What in the Mother’s name are you doing? Do males here think it’s fun to hurt their female packmates?”
Tynan opened his jaws in a wolfy smile. The last time he’d heard such a set down, a human elder had scolded two young shoplifting males so thoroughly they’d slunk out of the corner market with heads hanging.
But this shameless male snarled at Meggie, fangs bared.
Tynan growled. Pack enforcement wasn’t his job, but too bad. He sprang, hit the male hard enough to knock him off his paws, and closed his jaws over the insolent boggart’s throat.
The male froze, then went limp in submission.
Now what? In his mind, if an adult saw scat like this happening, he should act, authority or not. But, would the alpha see it that way?
“Thank you, Tynan.” From behind, Shay answered the question.
Zeb, still in wolf form, stalked over.
Releasing the male, Tynan stationed himself beside Meggie who’d knelt to put her arms around the shaking young female wolf.
Meggie whispered, “Thanks, Tynan.”
It seemed he wasn’t in trouble with the alpha or Meggie. Life was good. Crouching beside her, he placed himself between whatever happened and the two females.
The aggressive wolf shifted to human form. He was probably in his twenties. “I didn’t do anything, Shay. That asshole from Seattle attacked me without any reason. He’s probably been around humans too long and—”
“You’re lying, Chad. You hurt Lacey, got scolded, and snarled at Margery. Showed your fangs, no less.” With the moon behind him, Shay cast a long shadow.
“But…”
“Just because the pack’s former beta was crazy and gave you young males a fucked-up example to follow is no longer an excuse. We’ve given you numerous warnings—and over a year to change your ways.” Shay’s infuriated growl, even coming from a human chest, made every wolf in the pack lower slightly.
Chad took a step back.
“Daonain females are protected—not hurt—by males. This is our Law. And your time is up, Chad.”
The young male turned a pasty white.
“By the Law of the Pack, I cast you out. You have until tomorrow at midnight to leave. After that, if we find you anywhere in our lands, you will be driven away with fangs and pain and blood.”
“You can’t…” the male gasped.
Shay crossed his arms over his chest. “Leave.”
When the male took a step forward, Zeb’s subterranean-sounding growl changed his mind.
Shifting to wolf, Chad fled.
When the whispers started up, Tynan tilted his ears to hear.
“Good thing.”
“…been damned patient. Stupid Chad.”
“Had to make an example…”
“Couple of others better learn from this.”
Not one voice spoke in dissent.
Meggie had one arm around Lacey and gripped Tynan’s ruff with her other hand. Her fingers tightened in his fur as Shay approached.
The alpha stopped. “Are you all right, Lacey?”
The young female wolf nodded and edged closer to Meggie.
Amusement tickled Tynan’s throat. The pretty banfasa was a comfort to all ages, wasn’t she?
“Margery, Darcy told us you were always trying to protect the Scythe captives. I’m sorry you had to intervene here.” Shay smiled at her. “But I’m glad you’re in my pack.”
Tears gleamed in her eyes, and Tynan felt her fingers tremble. He gave her cheek a comforting lick. She leaned harder against him.
“Tynan.” Zeb had shifted to human. His voice sounded like coarse gravel. “Our pack needs another beta.”
Unsure whether to run for the hills or volunteer, Tynan pricked up his ears.
Shay grinned. “We need another strong protector. A teacher. A good example for our cubs. Someone stable, since as cahirs, Zeb and I often get sent away on the Cosantir’s tasks.”
Ah. They wanted a beta who wasn’t a cahir, one who could stay with the pack.
But…there were wolves who’d been with the pack for years. Decades. Ones who really belonged. Tynan shook his head hard enough to make his ears flap.
Zeb almost grinned. “You really think you can refuse?”
Meggie gave his fur a tug in an unspoken order. Say yes.
Shay’s gaze met his. “We really do need you, Tynan.”
By the Gods, what was he thinking? A wolf didn’t refuse his alpha’s request…let alone a pretty female’s. Shifting to human, Tynan rose to his feet. “Aye. I’ll serve.”
Shay grinned and spoke to the wolves who’d congregated around them. “And that answer is why we wanted him. A real beta doesn’t terrorize the pack—he serves. Protects.”
Nods and smiles showed the pack agreed.
Expecting disapproval and rejection, instead, Tynan found only acceptance. As the bonds connecting him to the pack strengthened with their welcome, he swallowed against the tightness in his throat.
Shay slapped Tynan’s shoulder. “Come to the lodge tomorrow. We’ll treat you to Bree’s chocolate cake and talk.”
“You caved too soon.” A corner of Zeb’s mouth tilted up. “I looked forward to walloping you until you gave in.”
Tynan snorted…and felt the hum of the moon rising in his blood. Zeb was a worthy, canny fighter. “We can still indulge. For fun.”
Zeb grinned. “Wear comfortable clothes when you show up tomorrow.”
“You’re on.” Reaching down, Tynan helped Meggie gain her feet and, without thinking, put an arm around her waist.
Shay grinned. “Good.”
Although Meggie looked confused, Tynan knew exactly what the alpha meant.
Even better, she didn’t step away. They were both naked, and her warm, smooth skin against his incited all sorts of interesting sensations.
Rather than carry her off into the forest—his first choice—Tynan smiled at the young wolf who stayed beside Meggie. “Lacey, I’ve heard Jody likes teaching wolf fighting. Shall we see if that’s true?”
Lacey shifted to human. “Oh, wow, for real? She didn’t say anything about that. Yes.”
In the circle of his arm, Meggie gave a bounce. “Tynan, would she teach me, too?
Fuck, what have I started?