“You liked Kye, didn’t you?”
Jackie blinked up at Boone.
“He’s a white Bengal tiger.”
“Kye?”
Boone chuckled. “He doesn’t seem like it, does he?”
“Bengal tigers are big. Kye is…” Jackie’s gaze shot to Hugh when the man laughed.
“Kye is perfect.” Hugh was all smile. “And don’t let him hear you saying he’s too small. That man rules our household.”
When Jackie looked to him for confirmation, Boone nodded. “He does. Kye has my brother and their mate, Neumus, by the short hairs, and everyone in the pride knows it.” Boone thought that would amuse Jackie, so he was confused when the man’s face paled. “Jackie?”
“There’s a pride here,” he whispered as if that was the worst thing in the world. “How did I not know that? Why did Elder Hamilton not tell me?”
Hugh frowned as if he hadn’t thought of that, but now it was at the front of his mind. “I don’t know, but why don’t we ask him.” He pulled out his phone and dialed, then put it on speaker.
“Elder Hamilton’s office.”
“Simon?” Hugh asked.
“Hey, Hugh.”
“I need to speak with Elder Hamilton.”
Simon’s warm chuckle came through the phone. “Yeah, he’s been expecting your call.”
A moment later, the elder’s voice was heard. “Alpha Marshall.”
“I’m here with Boone and Jackie Lee, and the three of us are kind of wondering why I wasn’t informed a new shifter had moved into my territory.”
“Ah, yes, well,” the elder replied. “It was a delicate situation, Alpha Marshall.”
“And I wasn’t informed why?”
“Jackie has a very justified fear of shifters. I was hoping he would eventually feel comfortable enough to be introduced to you, but until that time came, I promised to keep his secret. I wanted him somewhere where he could be looked after until he came to terms with his new life.”
“You mean watched,” Jackie snapped.
“No, I mean looked after. Until Drummond and whoever else was involved in that mess is caught, I wanted you to be somewhere safe. Potter’s Creek is safe.”
“Maybe not,” Boone said. “Someone has been messing with Jackie, paying a few of the neighborhood teens to vandalize his home and shop.”
“What?” Elder Hamilton shouted.
Jackie was shocked by the vehemence in the man’s voice. When he looked over at Hugh, Jackie could tell he was shocked, as well. He was staring down at his phone as if he expected it to suddenly do tricks.
“Jackie thinks it’s Drummond.”
“Damn it. Okay, I’ll send a car for you, Jackie. We’ll find somewhere safe for you.”
“I thought you said I was safe here,” Jackie said.
Boone cupped Jackie’s face in his hands and tilted it back until their eyes met, his determined, Jackie’s filled with fear. “You are safe here, baby. I told you that. I will keep you safe. My entire pride will.”
Jackie frowned, seeming truly confused. “Why?”
