“Zac, wait here. Do not get out of the car until he’s gone.” Hiding her anger under a façade of calm, Makenna exited the car and strolled toward the Alpha wolf. “Mr. Deacon,” she drawled. It wasn’t a greeting; it was a warning. But he still smiled, running an appreciative gaze over her.

“Ah, Makenna.” The affection and intimacy in his tone pissed her off. He was good-looking and possessed the kind of charisma that probably had most females dropping at his feet. But his beady azure eyes were always cold, and there was never even a hint of sexual awareness there. His flirtations were empty. “You look stunning, as always. And please, call me Remy.”

Nah. “Can I help you with something?” Her expression held no welcome, and his smile faltered. His pack mates flanked him. The male gave her a sleazy smile while the female sneered, as always. What-the-fuck-ever.

Remy hummed as his gaze again roamed over her, making her inner wolf bare her teeth despite not sensing any true interest from him. “Curves exactly where a man wants them. Why is it your mouth always has me thinking sinful thoughts?”

Was she supposed to be melting in his arms right now?

“I’m loving that little dress, by the way.”

She just stared at him, her expression blank.

“I’m disappointed in you, little wolf, I thought you’d want to play. Okay, I’ll get to the point. I wondered if Dawn had given any more thought to my offer.”

“She’s told you before, Mr. Deacon, she’s not interested in joining your pack. That answer ain’t gonna change.” The extent of his dominance was in his eyes, pressuring her to lower her gaze. She didn’t. She met his boldly. He wasn’t the only one who was dominant.

“You’re strong.” Grinning, he cocked his head, lips pursed. “I think you would make a valuable addition to my pack.”

A loud, derisive snort popped out of the punk-looking female at his side. Selene was his Head Enforcer and always displayed very possessive behavior toward him. She also liked to refer to Makenna as “Super Bitch,” which Makenna considered a compliment.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone, Makenna. If Dawn agrees to join my pack, I’ll get more territory, the shelter will have any funding it needs, and all the volunteers will be under my protection.”

“It would be impossible for the shelter to work if it were ruled by a pack. You know that any shifters needing help or sanctuary wouldn’t go to a strange pack for it.”

“All Dawn has to do is name her price.”

She blinked. “Her price?” Ballsy fucker, wasn’t he? “She can’t be bought, Mr. Deacon.”

He laughed at that. “Of course she can. Everyone has a price. Everyone has weaknesses—including you, Makenna. Weaknesses that can be exploited.”

It was a threat. It was also a pointless one. “Well, since my weaknesses are merely dark chocolate and thrift stores, I’m not sure how that will help you.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’ve heard that many of Dawn’s neighbors don’t like living among a shelter for lone shifters. Think of our council . . . it wants peace above all else.”

“Look, I don’t have much patience for the whole ‘beating around the bush’ thing. Are you going somewhere with this?”

“I’m just pointing out that if the neighbors become more vocal about their issues, it’s very likely that trouble will occur. The shifter council won’t like that. They would shut this place down to preserve the peace.”

“Oh, I see. You think that threatening Dawn with the big, bad council will make her ask just how high you want her to jump.” Who would have thought the stupid fucker could be so amusing? “Well, feel free to go to them. I can’t promise it’ll get you anywhere.”

“I already have gone to them.” He pulled a folded slip of paper from his pocket.

With a bored sigh, she opened it. It was a summons to attend a mediation meeting. The council preferred that shifters attempt to resolve their issues through mediation. If the parties didn’t reach an agreement, the disputing shifters had the council’s permission to go to war after twelve weeks. The hope was that those twelve weeks would give both parties the chance to cool down and drop their issues. In many cases, it worked. But . . . “We’re loners. We can’t go to war with you.”

He stepped closer, eyes softening. “I don’t want us to be at war, Makenna. If you read the summons, you’ll see it states that if Dawn and I can’t reach an agreement, the matter will go before the council. They’ll then decide. Of course . . . we can just avoid all that if Dawn agrees here and now to join my pack and hand over this territory. Surely she’d prefer to be part of a pack. Wouldn’t you, Makenna? You know, you’d make a good Alpha female.”

This time, both she and Selene snorted. Makenna’s wolf wanted to stab a claw in his fucking eye.

He was about to speak again, but then the front door of the shelter creaked open. He smiled at Dawn, who stood in the doorway—chin up, arms folded. Madisyn was behind her, nostrils flaring, looking eager to claw Remy’s face off . . . which was no doubt why Dawn was obstructing her path.

“Dawn,” Remy drawled. “It’s always a pleasure. I was just telling Makenna about—”

“You’re not welcome here, Mr. Deacon.” Dawn’s voice was strong, firm. “It’s something you already know. So I’m confused as to why you’re here. But if it’s to repeat your offer, let me again say that my answer is a resounding no.”