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hit a contact on his phone and hit send.
Hey, Zane I need a favor. If I place an order, can you pick it up tomorrow? You can take on any
hyena, Zane. It s why I called you& Yup. I ll text you with the details later. Thanks, bello! Ciao.
Rian then squealed when Nic placed his drink in front of him.
What was that about? Damian asked.
Kate needs me to order some stuff for her, he said, sighing happily as he sipped his mocha. He
then turned to Landon. Now we re going to learn about coffee.
Damian groaned.
* * * *
Was I wrong? I mean I know it s soon in the mating and all. But, I thought that, you know, they
would be mine. I didn t mean to cross any lines or anything. Kate knew she was rambling but
couldn t seem to stop herself.
Kate, honey, sit down, Rebecca said from behind the circulation desk at the library.
Everything will be fine. You ll see. Caleb is a great guy. I think what you said just surprised him.
I mean he moved himself and the boys into the Pack house and completed the claiming, so you know
he s on board with this mating.
What if I screwed everything up being presumptuous? I mean he never said I could use the M
word. Kate straightened all the books on the counter until they lined up perfectly.
Hun, your OCD is coming out. Maybe some ice cream would help, Ashby offered.
The Xanax-flavored one maybe, Nic said and Ashby slapped his arm.
Kate, please sit down. I can feel your anxiety through our bond and it s making my tummy feel
weird. Rebecca looked a little pale.
Oh God! Anything but that! Ashby said, frantically digging through his pockets. His hand came
out with a tiny green rock that he handed Rebecca, who immediately popped in her mouth.
What did you just give her? Kate asked as Rebecca leaned back and began to chew slowly.
Well, she had such great results with the ginger mint tea, we kinda made mint-wrapped pieces of
ginger with a sugar glaze on it. That way we can carry them around. Ashby pulled out a bag filled
with what looked like small rocks.
What if he doesn t want me to be their mama? Kate asked quietly.
Rebecca opened her eyes and looked at Kate. Kate, he d be an idiot not to want you to be their
mother and he doesn t seem like an idiot.
Kate smiled. You always think the best of everyone. Kate took a seat at the counter. For some
reason just being around Ashby, Nicholas, and Rebecca made her feel more calm and together.
Not true! I don t like the hyenas! Rebecca argued.
Kate smiled. Hun, no one likes them right now, considering they are responsible for mass
genocide, Kate said wryly. While we re here, we need to have a group meeting to discuss Ashby
wanting to go back to Purgatory. Nicholas frowned at his best friend.
Gabriel wants me to come back for a visit. He feels really bad about what happened the last time
I was there, Ashby said, blushing.
I didn t get an invitation back, Rebecca said, looking at Ashby closely.
That s because he doesn t want to sleep with you and chomp on your neck, Nic said,
exasperated.
We don t know that for sure, Nic! That man is like a God. He could have any guy he wanted. I m
sure he s just being nice. That s all. Ashby flipped through one of the books on the desk to be
checked back in.
Kate saw Rebecca and Nic s eyes meet with identical looks of concern of their faces before they
turned and looked at her. Kate could feel the attraction that Ashby had for the handsome vampire. She
could also feel the growing sense of unease from Rebecca and Nic about this budding attraction.
Just don t go off on your own, Nic said, looking worried.
Okay, okay, Ashby said, still looking down at the book. Nic s eyes narrowed and he was about
to say something when Emmett, Aleks s younger brother, started heading toward them.
Dammit, Rebecca, I m not going out there anymore while they are still here! Emmett strode up to
the counter, one hand rubbing his backside.
Emmett, what in the world is the matter! Rebecca exclaimed.
Emmett looked at Ashby, Nic, and Kate standing there and a slow blush worked its way up his
neck.
Emmett? Rebecca asked again.
They won t leave me alone, he said quietly.
Who? She lowered her voice to a whisper.
The Blue-Haired Lady Brigade, he said, wincing.
Ashby and Nic hid smiles and Kate turned around. Sure enough there were no less than six little
old ladies sitting at the table near the shelves where Emmett had been working. One was high-fiving
another.
Oh dear, Kate thought.
What is the Blue-Haired Lady Brigade? Rebecca asked.
Them, Emmett said, pointing to the small group of senior citizens.
That is Ms. Tully and her book club. They are harmless, Rebecca said.
They are evil old shifter females who haven t died since Satan doesn t want them! Emmett
protested.
Rebecca s eyes widened. She had never heard any of the Arkadion men speak about a woman that
way. She glanced over to the old women with curiosity.
Rebecca, have you ever heard of the term cougar ? Kate asked, trying to clear this up.
Rebecca nodded and Kate continued. Cougar usually refers to women in their forties, women in
their fifties are considered jaguars and these ladies& I guess they would be like pumas, Kate said
and then pointed to Emmett. Emmett is perfect prey for them.
Rebecca s mouth became an O.
Oh, Emmett, I m sorry. Ummm, can you work on the shelves in the archives instead? Rebecca
asked, patting his arm.
He gave a quick nod turned to scowl at the book club then hurried down the stairs. Kate noticed
the death grip Rebecca had on Ashby s hand. Once they heard the basement door shut, Rebecca
erupted into helpless giggles.
You are absolutely wrong, Nicholas said.
How come you two aren t prime prey? Rebecca asked wiping her eyes.
I think it s because they know we re gay, Ashby said and Nicholas nodded.
They heave great big ol sighs around us and say damn shame a lot, Nic added.
Kate smiled and jumped when her phone buzzed.
Hey gurl - ur men are at B&T getting ur fav choco, C looks like his dog died, go easy on him -
lurves R
Kate jumped up and waved her phone in front of Rebecca.
Look! Look! He s not mad! He s actually sorry and is buying my favorite chocolate! Kate
exclaimed.
See! I told you he was a good guy, Rebecca said. They all jumped when the phone buzzed again.
Headin ur way now!
Kate stared down at her phone as a rush of excitement flooded her body. She had the best friends
in the whole world.
Kate, they re here, Rebecca said, pointing to the door a couple minutes later.
Kate turned and watched as her two men walked toward her. One dark, reminding her of cool, long
nights and the other auburn with red-tinted hues reminding her of the sun s warmth. She never felt
more thankful in her life. She watched as they walked right up to her and then surprisingly, both men
dropped to their knees.
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