I felt like an interloper now more than ever before. A panther in a house full of wolves? No, I didn’t feel the welcome mat rolling out from anyone but Lexi. I unzipped my bag and pulled out something to sleep in. Lexi watched me from the door, eyes brimming with questions, but I knew she was anxious to get back to Austin and smooth things over.

“I suppose this will all be aired out in the morning,” I said. “No need to fuss over me. You’re a darling for letting me stay despite the circumstances.”

Her gaze drifted toward the floor. “No matter how mad Austin is, he remembers what you did for me with Beckett. If someone had discovered the body and called the police, it could have been so much worse. No one asked you to help—you just did it. Maybe that’s why no matter how bad this seems, you have nothing to worry about. He’ll come around, but I get why he’s upset. He has a pack to lead, and Wheeler was pretty stupid for walking you in like that. Anything I can do before I go to bed?”

I hesitated at first, but then dared to ask, “Is Wheeler still awake?”

She hopped on her foot and gave me a peculiar look. “It’s late, and I don’t want him to upset you.”

“Please? Just ask if he’ll come in here for a minute.”

“If you need me, I’m just down the hall… across the house… up the stairs… and down another long hall.” She laughed and covered her mouth before it got out of control. “Good night.”

I smiled reassuringly as she closed the door. Then I went into the bathroom and changed. The request for Wheeler had surprised even me, but suddenly I needed him. I also needed to know how he’d gotten so close to my panther without losing his head.

***

Wheeler twirled the saltshaker on the long wooden table in the kitchen, lost in thought. The lights were out except the twinkle ones strung around the windows along the wall behind him. William sat across from him, picking at the knotty wood on the table.

William Rush had entered the pack around the time Ivy had left. He had an easygoing personality that made it easy to confide in him. It was obvious why he was once Lorenzo’s second-in-command but now slid in third in the Weston pack. Reno was the second, but William had a subtle way of leading that was more politic than direct.

“Austin still pitching a fit?” Wheeler asked.

William ran his fingers through the curls of his dark hair and sat back. “I think his mate is smoothing things over the way only a woman can. Did you notice the way she had him carry her up the stairs, all because of a tiny splinter? Lexi plays a good game with her man’s heart, and she knows exactly what makes it tick.” He paused for a moment before speaking. “I know you weren’t raised in a pack, but Austin’s in a position where he has to make decisions that benefit his family for the short- and long-term. You’re fortunate to be sitting here. Let’s just say had you pulled that stunt in Enzo’s house, he would have strung you up in the tree right beside the panther.”