Free Carnal Secrets by Suzanne Wright

her, he moved back. “Go on, or you’ll be late. I’ll pick you up after work.”
    “I’m perfectly capable of getting myself home,” she snapped indignantly.
    “Of course you are. I’ll be here waiting when you get out.” He smiled when she growled before getting out of the car. Once she was inside the salon, Nick drove farther down the street and parked outside the diner. He hadn’t been sitting inside a booth for more than thirty seconds when Derren came strolling in. As he approached, grinning, Nick shook his head. “I distinctly recall firing you. Again.”
    “I’m trying not to be offended.” He slid onto the seat opposite Nick. “She let you give her a ride to work. Progress.”
    “Yeah. This is going to happen in baby steps.”
    “How does your wolf feel about that?”
    “The wait’s killing him, but he understands that she’s hurting. Like me, he wants her to come to him in her own time.”
    Derren gave a satisfied nod. “Your mom has called me three times in the past twelve hours to ask how you’re doing and if your mate has accepted you yet. It would really help if you could answer your cell phone so she’s not using me as a go-between.”
    “Why would I do that? If you’re going to linger like a bad smell, you can make yourself useful.”
    Derren laughed. At that moment the waitress appeared, and they both ordered coffees and breakfast. “Your mom found Roni, by the way.”
    “Good.” When Nick’s sister was in her wolf form, she would often disappear for weeks at a time. Sadly, Roni spent most of her time as a wolf—she had done so since the incident that led to him serving time in juvie. Although his sister was strong enough to cope with anything life threw at her, it seemed that that one thing would always torment her. It was understandable.
    “Your mom’s trying to coax her to change back, but she’s not having much luck.”
    “Has Amber tried?” Amber was the pack healer and, as such, the person who had healed Nick. The young female was also a good friend to Roni.
    “She’s tried, but she hasn’t been successful. I spoke to Amber briefly. Her theory is that Roni’s reacting badly to you leaving and has shifted to escape facing the true brunt of the pain.”
    And didn’t that make him feel like shit. “I can’t go back, Derren.”
    “I know. I told Amber that when she suggested you could at least go back for a little while.”
    “Good.” Nick folded his arms across his chest. “Totally off the subject…We’re being very closely watched.” A group of four male wolf shifters in the corner booth had been casting him curious glances since he arrived. Furthermore, a trio of male wolf shifters at the rear of the diner was doing the same.
    “The locals are going to want to know what you’re doing in their territory. With or without the status of Pack Alpha, you’re still a born alpha, and it’s obvious in the way you conduct yourself. Hell, you’re like a beacon to shifters with all the power practically humming around you.” Derren paused as the waitress appeared with their orders. Once she was gone, he leaned forward. “Have you noticed there’s a specific divide in the wolf shifters in here?”
    Nick nodded. “Either there are divides within the pack, or we’re dealing with two local wolf packs.”
    “Two wolf packs in one town…I don’t see how that could work.”
    “It’s not. Hence the tension.”
    Derren considered that for a second and then shrugged, switching his attention to his pile of pancakes. “Well, I know the main pack here is the Sequoia Pack, so I know who at least one of the Alphas in this town is: Petrus Hadley.”
    It took Nick a moment to connect the name with a face. “Ah, the Nazi.”
    “Why was he nicknamed the Nazi?”
    “Because he’s a Nazi.”
    “It’s the ‘drug lord’ rumor surrounding him that bugs me.”
    Yeah, admittedly, it wasn’t comforting.
    “I’m surprised he hasn’t approached your mate and insisted