Savage Urges by Suzanne Wright

makes it my territory. No one can take it without my permission.”
    “That’s probably why he went running to the council.” Makenna held out the letter to Dawn. “He presented me with this.”
    Dawn took the paper from her hand and read it carefully. “Mediation. Says here that if we can’t solve this ourselves through mediation, the matter will then go before the council after eight weeks.”
    “I thought the council typically gave people twelve weeks to sort out their shit,” said Madisyn.
    “Only in cases where the parties want war,” Dante told her. “This situation is different.”
    “Going before the council could be bad,” began Madisyn, “since it wants peace above all else. Right now, the humans who signed the petition are probably all stirred up because it got them nowhere. The council could see Remy taking over as a way to keep things cool here.”
    “Remy seems too eager to get ahold of this place to wait for the council’s decision,” said Makenna. “I think he’ll try to put Dawn in a position where she feels she needs him.”
    Ryan shook his head. “It will never come to that.”
    Makenna was surprised at the vehemence in that vow. “You heard what he said out there— ‘Everybody has a price.’ He was prepared to bribe Dawn”—the feline bristled at the insult—“so I’m thinking he’ll try to pay off the mediator, try to make them convince us to give in to him and maybe even suggest to the council that Remy should be given what he wants.”
    Taryn snorted. “The Californian mediator for shifters happens to be my best friend. Trying to bribe Shaya will achieve nothing. I’m not saying she’ll jump on your wagon. She’ll remain impartial because it’s her job, despite that she’ll no doubt totally hate what he’s doing.”
    Madisyn didn’t appear completely reassured. “What if he tries to bribe the council?”
    “I hope he does,” said Dante. “The last time someone did that, they were killed for the insult. When is the meeting?”
    “Two weeks from now,” replied Makenna. She looked at Dawn. “I’ll be coming with you.”
    “Me too,” said Madisyn. Dawn shot them both a grateful smile.
    “In the meantime,” began Taryn, “all you can really do is stay alert. When you need us, we’ll come.”
    An hour later, after spending time with Zac and an extended tour to check out the basement and upper floors, the Phoenix wolves were ready to leave. Dawn had proudly shown them around while Makenna and Madisyn accompanied her for protection.
    Hey, the Phoenix wolves seemed friendly and eager to help, but that didn’t mean Makenna trusted them. She especially didn’t trust the broad, rugged male who moved into her personal space as if he had every right. Or, more specifically, she didn’t trust that his behavior didn’t bother her the way it should.
    Having said their good-byes at the front door, the wolves then began filing outside, heading to their Chevy. Ryan, however, snatched Makenna’s cell phone from the pocket of her denim jacket, keyed in his number, and then just as deftly returned the cell to her pocket. Had she not been looking at him, she might not have noticed. She should have bristled at his boldness, but she was too busy admiring the sneaky move.
    “If Remy comes back or there’s a problem, call me.” It was a rumbled order that brooked no defiance.
    A lesser female might have folded under the weight of all that dominance and raw masculinity. “Careful, White Fang. You’re pushing.”
    His scowl deepened, but he said nothing. Just stared.
    “Yeah, that whole ‘I’ll just stare until she gets so uncomfortable she gives in’ ain’t gonna work with me.” His frown remained firmly in place, but there was the slightest touch of amusement in those dark eyes. And she couldn’t help wondering what he looked like when he smiled. Did his face light up? Did his eyes crinkle? Did he have dimples? Was it a lopsided smile or was there simply a slight