Page 19 of Bad Blood Panther

Jenny almost choked on her pancake. She could never in a million years imagine someone telling Alton—or Rhett, the last Broken Hill alpha—that a member of the clan was missing a gathering because they were…fucking. She shrank into herself, waiting for the explosion.

But Flynn just gave a little snort and shook his head.

Jenny didn’t know what to make of him. Sometimes he was super-scary, and then other times he was…like this.

She wondered how good an alpha he really was. Rumor had it that he was powerful, dominant, paranoid, reckless and insane. He had managed to form this group of crazies into a crew, but she had yet to see if they were actually functional. Power and dominance alone didn’t make a good alpha—and paranoia, recklessness and insanity definitely didn’t. Look at Alton.

An alpha had to be strong, but he also needed compassion for his people and the wisdom to make good decisions for them. She hoped Flynn had that.

She watched Xander, too. He didn’t talk to her much either—just kept giving her sidelong looks and piling food on her plate. Jenny couldn’t be sure what he was feeling, but she was still tingling from that kiss.

He wanted her to be his mate. At least, his panther did. And he felt…something.

Was it enough?

How would he feel when he learned about Brandon?

Xander noticed Jenny’s coffee cup was empty, and got up from his seat to get her more. He’d remembered how she liked it—light with just a touch of sugar. Whether he realized it or not, he was acting like a mate already. She smiled at him.

The room went quiet, everyone staring at him.

Xander looked around. “What the fuck?” he said. “Haven’t you morons ever seen me pour coffee for someone before?”

There was a short silence. “Nope,” Brody said. Jasmin shook her head.

Xander frowned. “For realz?” He gave that some thought. “I really am a total asshole, aren’t I?”

“Maybe not a total asshole,” Lissa said. “Sometimes you’re kind of sweet.”

“I am?” Xander shook himself like he’d been sprayed with water. “Yeesh. Somebody warn me next time, so I can stop.”

“Not to worry,” Caitlyn said, coming in from the entryway with Sloan. “You usually stop pretty quickly on your own.”

That got a few snickers, but it was affectionate laughter. Surprisingly, Jenny found herself envying Xander. He’d found a place where he was accepted and loved, despite his flaws and problems and craziness.

She wondered if she would ever fit in here.

She wondered if they would ever want her to.