“You know about shifters?”
“Yes.” She drew in a quick breath and then the words tumbled out of her, low and fast. “I dated a werewolf in high school.”
A low growl slipped from Nash’s lips.
Aria folded her arms. “Don’t you growl at me!”
The chastisement made Nash hang his head in shame. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
Aria crouched down and pressed her fingers to Diego’s neck to check his pulse. She sighed and got to her feet again.
“What the hell were you thinking?”
Nash frowned. “I saw him put his hands on you and my bear reacted. He can’t stand violence towards his…towards women, and neither can I.”
Aria’s eyes widened. “You’re abearshifter?”
Nash nodded.
“Wow. Are you as big as a real bear when shifted?”
Nash puffed out his chest. “Actually, a little bigger.”
Aria’s mouth fell open in surprise, then she seemed to come back to her senses and frowned.
“Look, I get that you’re guided by your animal instincts sometimes, but you can’t just go around punching people when you see something you don’t like. This is my husband.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that,” Nash said.
Aria narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Are you now? And how do you know that?” she asked, taking a small step away from him.
“Um, your wedding band,” Nash said.
“Oh, right.”
“Plus, I came here with Cole and he—”
“Oh, you’re Cole’s friend?” She glanced past him and seemed to see Cole hovering behind them for the first time.
“Yes, I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat and surreptitiously wiped his hands on his jeans, trying to make sure they didn’t have any of Diego’s blood on them. “I’m Nash Barnes.”
“Oh right. Nash. Yes, Maya has spoken about you.”
When a small growl sounded over Nash’s shoulder, he realized his friend had been listening to their conversation and apparently didn’t like hearing that his mate was talking about another man. The corners of Nash’s mouth twitched, threatening to lift into a full smile.
Aria’s eyes widened. “Wait, is Cole a shifter too?”
Nash nodded. “Yep, he’s a wolf shifter.”
“What the hell?” Cole groused, rolling his head back in what appeared to be a plea to the universe for strength. “Jesus, Nash.”
Nash spun around and regarded his friend. “What? She’s my ma—” His eyes widened when he realized what he’d been about to say. “I mean, she’s Maya’s…friend.”
Cole rolled his eyes.
“Hey babe,” Maya said as she approached. “Sorry, I had to lock up. What are you all—oh my! Is that Diego? What happened to him?”
“Nash punched him,” Aria said.
