Callon’s eyes glittered, a slow, dangerous smile spreading across his lips. “You feel like getting your ass kicked, wolf? Growl at my mate again.”
Gage didn’t back down. Apparently his mate was making him crazy because he found himself stepping forward until they were nearly nose to nose. “You sure you want to threaten me in my own territory, kitty?” He was in the wrong. He’d have gutted anyone who’d dare growl at his mate, but he was on edge. Somany males around his mate. She was now pissed at him. And he had a feeling she was going to walk out in clothing that he still didn’t like.
Lola snorted and shoved between them, separating the males with an ease that spoke of long practice. “Down, boys. You’re making the house smell like testosterone and bad decisions.”
“Can we come in yet?” Wyatt called from the porch. “We’re hungry and just as tired as everyone else from the night’s debauchery.”
“Yeah, I thought we were woken up for a reason,” Drystan added. “I mean other than Katy’s exuberant performance.”
Gage glared at the panther but then, attempting to have some self-control, took a step back. He looked at Lola. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have taken my frustration out on you.”
Lola shrugged. “Water under the bridge. Callon’s just as bad as you are. I’ve learned to ignore it.”
From the doorway, Otto slithered in, blinking sleep from his golden eyes. The lizard wore a pair of pajamas Katy had gotten him, and she may have omitted they were actually doll clothes, and his tail swept the floor, collecting dust.
“Too many peoples. Too louds. Stinks like pissy match. Otto bite next one who leave dishes in sink. I not understand why furry pissers so messy. Otto free, like Dobby. Otto want sock. Otto not servant no more,” he declared, giving Gage a challenging look. “And so louds.”
“You already said we were loud,” Lola pointed out. “Are you always this perky in the morning?”
Otto continued to glare at Callon’s mate as the panthers all filed in, taking up too much space and pissing Gage off even more.
Katy strolled back into the room, fully clothed, thank Visata, and beamed at Otto, reaching over to ruffle his scaly head. “You keep quoting Harry Potter, Otto, and I’m going to get you a littlewand. If you manage to keep from biting anyone, I’ll give you a sock. Maybe even two.”
Otto’s eyes went wide. “Otto want wizard robes. Slytherin.”
Gage smothered a smile. “Of course that would be your ‘house.’”
Callon cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. “Now that we’ve finally got everyone inside, it’s time to get down to business. I received a text from Nico.” He looked at Gage. “He’s coming here. He said he needs to speak with us ASAP. It’s urgent.”
Gage felt the phone in his pocket vibrate and pulled it out. He’d received the same text and deleted it as he shook his head. “Text him back and tell him to meet us at Nox’s place. And tell him I’ll kill him if he tells anyone where my home is.”
Callon had survived battlefields less crowded than Gage’s kitchen. Now, at midnight, his pride, his mate, and his allies were all awake, prowling and irritable. He thumbed out the group reply to Nico.
Callon: Change of plans. Nox’s house. Gage’s hospitality has evaporated. Meet us there. And tell Raphael to reign in the flirtation.
“I’m comes,” Otto declared, tail twitching. “I not miss this.”
“No, you’re not,” Gage growled, voice brooking no argument. “You’re staying. If anything happens to the house, you’ll be on the menu.”
Otto gave Katy a wounded look. She rolled her eyes and knelt to his level. “Guard the house, Otto. If we come back to see you napping, I’ll make you wear a tutu and post it on social media.”
Otto huffed, but nodded. “Mistress always taken his sides.” He glared at Gage. “One days I accidentally bite you. Oops.”
Katy chuckled. “I totally approve, little dude. Bite the big bad wolf, and put him on his ass for a while.”
Callon mentally noted he was glad his mate hadn’t acquired a crazy, poisonous sidekick. Otto’s kind were slightly unstable even before they’d served an evil bastard like Azure. “Let’s get moving,” he announced to the group. “Before the little devil decides to bite one of us that can’t actually survive it.”
The group loaded into three vehicles. Gage’s truck led, headlights carving the path through forested roads. The drive was silent except for the hum of engines, no doubt every mind spinning with what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. Lola stared out the window, fingers drumming on her thigh, gaze distant. Katy leaned into Gage as he drove, and every now and then she let out a deep sigh.
As they pulled up to Nox’s fortress—a sprawling, stone-and-glass structure perched like a wolf on a throne—they saw Nico’s group already there, huddled in the halo of porch lights. Nox himself was framed in the doorway, his bulk all shadow and authority. Crowley, the Fang shaman, stood beside him, arms crossed, and eyes narrowed as he watched them pull in.
They climbed from the vehicles and walked silently towards the entrance. Inside, the tension was a living thing—old rivalries, new alliances, all crammed into a room with too many dominant males and too many females they felt they needed to protect. Nox’s house was a fortress, every line designed to keep out enemies. Callon appreciated the safety of it even if he’d have preferred to be in his own territory with his Prime and pride around him.
Nox muttered, “I know all of the males with mates are tense. But, if anyone bleeds on the rug, I’m making them eat it.”
Nico gave a respectful nod, stepping forward with Raphael, Akira, and Miryam close behind. The air practically vibrated with questions, suspicion, and anticipation.
Callon took Lola’s hand in his and looked at Nox. “Your hospitality’s appreciated, Alpha. I can assure you that me and mine will remain peaceful while in your territory.”
