Naya had a penchant for playing with his head, and she probably just wanted to yell at him some more. William was mistaken about her feelings for Wheeler. Naya had always made it clear that she considered him her enemy, and it was something she’d told him years ago. Maybe he deserved to be vilified for shouting at April in the middle of a mall, but her actions had almost created a rift between the Packmaster and second-in-command. If Reno had left the pack early on, it might have severed the chances of the pack surviving. Jesus. Wheeler needed this pack more than anyone, so it had scared the hell out of him when an outsider stole money from them, even if it was replaced soon after. He’d long since buried the hatchet with April, but Naya didn’t forgive nor forget. Looking back, he couldn’t blame her for striking him.

Wheeler reached the door and his chest tightened. His presence would only piss her off, and that woman did unpredictable things when she was under the influence of diva hormones. And Wheeler needed to avoid pissing Naya off so he could stay on Lexi’s good side, since she had influence over the packmates in the house.

The connecting hallway looked like a corridor at a hotel—devoid of windows. Beneath the dim lighting overhead, Wheeler slid down the wall next to the door and closed his eyes. Maybe he should have just gone back to his room, but Austin hadn’t officially taken him off the job yet, so he stood guard by her door for the rest of the night.

Chapter 10

I don’t think I got a wink of sleep after Lexi went to bed and left me waiting in vain for Wheeler. While the pack would keep me safe, these were new surroundings, and I was on edge after what had happened with my panther.

The items in my travel bag were a disappointment. I’d forgotten what I’d packed for our trip to South Padre, and what I found were shorts, Capri pants, a couple of bikini tops, and button-up shirts that tied at the midriff. I just wasn’t in a fun-and-flirty mood after the night before, so I chose the beige Capris and a white top. I craved a sense of normalcy and found it in simple things, like my favorite strappy brown heels and a toe ring. Once I’d brushed my hair and used gel to bring out the curls, I began to feel more like myself.

“Time to face the firing squad,” I murmured. When I swung the door open, I took a step forward and tripped.

“Oomph!” I hit the hard surface of the floor and rolled on my left side.

Wheeler was sitting against the wall with his long legs stretched in front of the door. He groggily rubbed his eyes. “What are you doing down there?” he grumbled in a sleepy voice.

I tapped my hard nails on the wood floor. “Admiring the unique grain in your flooring. I couldn’t help myself. The varnish is breathtaking.”