“Cacti kick ass. They can stay alive in the harshest environment and not just alive but thrive. You’re glowing with joy and hope, Kara. That’s more than I could have ever wished for you.”
“Well, I wished for more, and I got you back,” Kara told her. “There’s a part of me that is terrified to let you out of my sight. Like you might be a mirage or disappear. But Nick’s about five seconds away from breaking down the door.”
“I’ve got the door,” a deep voice said from behind her. “It’s safe for now.” Nick wasn’t the only one that was ready to interrupt girl time.
Kara glanced over her shoulder and saw Finn trying to close the door, but Nick stood right on the threshold, now nearly forehead to forehead with Lizzy’s mate.
Finn took a step back but didn’t move aside.
“Is this where they have to try to figure out who’s more dominant?”
Kara laughed. “Who knows, Lizzy? And considering how hot it is when Nick gets all possessive, I don’t even bother trying to stop it. I just watch and drool.”
“Glad I can entertain you, babe, yeah?” Nick’s eyes were still focused on Finn.
“Yeah,” Kara echoed. “Me, too. I’d hate to have to dump you because you’re boring.”
“Finn,” Lizzy said, her voice all soft and flirty. “Come meet my bestie and quit trying to intimidate Nick. You two will just wind up standing there staring at one another all night, and it’s already getting weird.”
Nick snorted and then sidestepped around Finn. He strode over and took a seat next to Kara, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her up onto his lap.
Kara sighed. “I’ve given up trying to just sit in my own seat. He just picks me up and moves me where he wants me.”
Lizzy grinned. “Glad to know Finn isn’t the only one that likes to treat me like a doll.”
“Nope, that’s a wolf thing, too.”
“Could you please stop talking about me like I’m not here?” Finn picked his mate up as well and set her in his lap.
“Where would the fun in that be?” With a huge smile, Lizzy looked over her shoulder at her mate. “Finn, I would like you to meet my best friend, Kara.”
Kara leaned forward with an outstretched hand, but before Finn could shake it, Nick had entwined his fingers with hers and pulled it back to her lap. She rolled her eyes. “It’s nice to meet you, Finn. And as my duty as the BFF, I must tell you that if you hurt Lizzy, I will cut you up like I did that last asshole who messed with me.”
Finn’s lips twitched as if he was holding back a smile. “Noted. Nice to meet you.”
“Nick,” Kara said. “This is Lizzy, the girl I told you about. And that’s Finn.”
“I’ve heard everything you two have said, babe. You don’t have to introduce me,” Nick told her gently. “Lizzy, it’s very nice to meet you, yeah? And your mate seems nice enough.”
“That’s practically an invitation for a bromance.” Kara laughed. “I don’t think Nick has ever called anyone ‘nice.’ Way to make a first impression, Finn.”
Finn inclined his head. “My life is complete now,” he said dryly. “I have the approval of the Canada pack Beta.”
“You know who he is?” Kara frowned.
“Just because I was a rogue doesn’t mean I haven’t kept up with who’s who in theCanis lupusworld. I’d be a fool not to know who the alphas and their seconds were.”
Kara guessed she could understand that. Being a rogue was frowned upon, though she wasn’t entirely sure why. “Why were you a rogue?”
“It’s all I’ve ever known,” Finn explained. “My parents were members of a rogue pack, and when they passed, I took over.”
“But until the Great Luna put Fane in place as the alpha of all alphas, how was a pack considered a rogue pack? I mean, did you guys rob supernatural banks, or traffic humans, or something awful?”
“Rogues don’t get involved in the politics of the supernaturals. Which meant we didn’t aid the wolves, or any other supernatural species, when they might have needed it. We kept to ourselves. We led quiet lives away from humans and supernaturals alike.”
Kara wanted to judge him for that, but she couldn’t. She didn’t know Finn well enough to cast blame on him. She looked back at Lizzy and saw a furrowed brow and a guarded expression of worry that Kara would think less of Finn for his admission. Kara shook her head. “You and I both know better than to surmise what someone else’s actions should or shouldn’t have been. Yeah?”
Nick chuckled, causing her to bounce a bit. He thought it was funny when she spoke like him.
