“Dealing with…”
He folded his hands. “Something private, for now, please understand.”
“Yes, of course.” Sage’s throat tightened, wondering what was going on. She motioned to the group. “Let me introduce you.”
Slinger nodded, smiling congenially. Sage knew she should start with Burton, since he was the only other Citlali, but she just couldn’t.
“This is my mate, Canyon Wheeling,” she said, touching her big, beautiful wolf on his back
Slinger knelt and extended his hand. Canyon put his paw in it and they shook.
Sage motioned to Burton. “This is Burton.”
“Burton Risson, it’s an honor to meet Serenity’s esteemed Chief of Police,” Slinger said. “Your reputation precedes you.”
Burton stared but kept his arms wrapped around the baby.
“Uh, this is Trevor Burbank,” Sage said quickly. “And Ella, his mate.” Slinger shook hands with Trevor and Ella.
Sage pointed and said, “That’s Mac, Rogue, Timber, and Wulf.”
Mac raised a hand and so did Timber. Rogue lifted her chin like avod. Wulf’s screen flared orange and white.
“Mr. Van Crimson,” Ella said. “It’s so good to meet you. Would you let my family and I treat you to lunch?”
Slinger seemed pleased. He cast a wary glance at Trevor, and when he saw no hostility there, he nodded. “Call me Slinger,” he said. “And I would be delighted.”
“Wonderful,” Ella said, handing over the baby in her arms. “Will you hold Treena?”
Slinger took the baby expertly. “Of course.”
Ella guided Slinger away, while Trevor looked back at Mac. “Call me if you need me.”
Mac nodded.
The group buckled the babies into their car seats and drove off, then Slinger crossed the glade and melted into the tree line, heading for his car. Sage turned around, triumph on her face. She dropped to her knees to hug Canyon.
“We did it,” she said. “They’re eating together.”
You did it,he said warmly.
Two more trucks drove in, parking where Trevor’s truck had been. Crew drove one while Dahlia waved from thepassenger seat. A big male with a shaved head and intense expression drove the other. Next to him sat a female with long dark hair and Polynesian features.
“Hey Mac,” Crew yelled out the window. “Bruin’s back.”
Mac threw his head back and howled like a werewolf, then ripped his shirt in two pieces, whipping the pieces around his head like a helicopter. Rogue laughed and put a hand on his bare chest, then pinched his nipple.
“Damn, Mac,” Timber said. “Nobody wants to see all that.”
“Fuck off,” Mac said. He went to his truck and grabbed another SPD uniform shirt and put it on, then he moved around restlessly.
Crew and Dahlia got out of their vehicle. The back doors opened revealing Reed and Troy, too.
“Where’s Bruin?” Mac asked Crew.
“Coming up—ten minutes behind us.”
“Ten minutes,” Mac picked up a rock and heaved it across the glade, then kicked another one. “What am I gonna do for ten minutes?!”
