Because Jeb had no children of his own, and Alex was his only blood relative, the council had decided not to deny visitation rights.
After the meeting, Rafe assured her that he would be present for all visitations, if she wanted him to be. And Brice explained that Jeb could only meet with Alex within the Walker’s Run territory and visits had to be arranged through Gavin.
Ronni let out her breath, a puff of steamy fog forming as it left her lips.
Twenty years ago, Jeb had been a cruel, frightening man. He didn’t care for anyone or anything, except Zeke.
Jeb could have changed in the years he’d been gone, the years she’d thought him dead and buried, fattening the insects feasting on his rotten carcass.
Maybe now all Jeb wanted was assurance that his baby brother’s family was taken care of and safe.
Jeb was now the legitimate Alpha of the Pine Ridge pack. If he violated any law, including the Woelfesenat’s current ruling, not only would he face hostilities from all the Alphas who had a treaty with his pack, he’d also face the Woelfesenat’s wrath.
Jeb was a lot of things. Stupid wasn’t one of them.
“Willow!” Seated two rows below where Ronni sat, Lucas Grayson, Alex’s best friend, jumped up and waved.
A girl at the bottom of the bleachers looked up, her uncertain eyes widening a moment before a relieved smile lightened her anxious expression. She waved and carefully climbed the steps, her father trailing behind her.
There was no uncertainty in the look he gave Ronni. Sexy, confident, predatory.
Her skin prickled and she gritted her teeth, willing him to sit anywhere except next to her. She had enough to deal with without adding her hormones into the mix.
Alex and Ella, his girlfriend of the month, scooted over to allow Willow room to sit next to Lucas. Usually the quiet, awkward one among Alex’s expanding group of friends, Lucas beamed and chattered excitedly with Willow.
Young love. The wolflings in Walker’s Run had no idea how fortunate they were.
Bodie inched past the people sitting on the same row as Ronni. Her heart raced, even though she willed it to beat at its normal pace.
“Hi.” Though a smile hung on his face, the crinkles around his eyes seemed to be more from fatigue than excitement. “I was hoping to find a friendly face in the crowd.”
“Considering the number of women’s heads turning in your direction as you climbed the bleachers, I’d say there are at least a dozen to choose from.” In her current mood, Ronni was fairly sure even a blind man would sense that she wasn’t in a friendly state.
“Didn’t notice them,” Bodie said easily. “I was focused on you.”
“You might want to adjust your sights. I’ve had a bad day and won’t be good company tonight.” Ronni watched the players rushing onto the field.
“My sights are fine. Your company will be, too.” Bodie sat closer to her than necessary since there was plenty of space on their row. “By the way, you look lovely.”
“Thanks.” She wasn’t wearing anything fancy, just a pair of dark blue jeans and a buttercream sweater that complemented her peachy complexion and the red tones in her hair. “You should’ve brought a jacket.”
With sleeves rolled to his elbows, the blue button-down shirt he wore wouldn’t keep the chill out for long. Fall would likely come early, with temperatures beginning to dip into the low sixties at night.
Bodie’s gaze fell on the blanket covering her lap. “Maybe we can make a deal. You share, I share.” He dangled a large thermos and winked.
She was sure he meant it only as a tease, still her nerves tingled and her body warmed. “What’s in it?”
“Coffee, strong and black.” He set the thermos between their feet.
“Lucky for you it isn’t hot chocolate.” Ronni returned her gaze to the activity on the football field.
“Yeah?” Inching closer, he bumped her shoulder.
“I’m allergic to chocolate.” She refused to look at him or encourage his flirtatious behavior. “You would’ve lost your only bargaining chip.” She saw his arrogant male grin without even looking at him.
“Oh, I doubt that.”
Ronni did, too. Especially since his shirt molded around his shoulders, back and torso, teasing her with glimpses of his solid, sculpted, muscular chest.
Bodie gazed up at the clear, dark sky. “Beautiful night to be outside.”
Ronni agreed. Ordinarily on nights like this, she would run the woods behind her house, only entering the sanctuary on full moon nights to avoid prowling, unmated males. Since learning of Jeb’s reemergence, Ronni had stayed on her back porch swing. Every shadow that flickered beyond the porch light elicited an involuntary shiver and she hated that the mere thought of Jeb Lyles induced such unease.
Something brushed her thigh and Ronni jumped.
“Everything okay?” Bodie’s deep, soothing voice drew her attention. Warmth spread beneath his palm, flattened against her leg.
“Yes,” she said, swallowing the tightness in her throat.
Doubt lingered in his gaze, but he offered a reassuring smile. He opened the thermos and poured a steaming cup of coffee, then handed it to her. “This should help you shake that chill.”
If only it could.
“Mmm.” She inhaled the fresh, robust aroma before taking a drink. Her body warmed, but it had more to do with the heat Bodie radiated as he scooted close enough for their hips and legs to touch. She shouldn’t allow him the liberty, but strangely she found his closeness comforting.
“Is the home team any good?” he asked.
“I suppose. I don’t really follow football.”
“What do you follow?”
“My instincts.”
“Yeah?” Humor sparkled in his eyes. “What do your instincts say about me?”
She swallowed another mouthful of coffee. “That you’re trouble.”
“Me?” Bodie’s deep, rich laugh rolled through her body like the rumble of distant thunder. “I’m a boy scout.”
“I have serious doubts about that.”
“I like your smile.” His gaze turned molten like liquid gold. “You should wear it more often.”
She looked away. “I’ll take that under advisement.”
“Oh, no.” He playfully bumped her. “Don’t try to hide it from me now. I’ll consider it a challenge to find it again.”
Ronni doubted it would be much of one. She found his playfulness more charming than she should, considering the trouble she could soon be facing.
The crowd roared around them.
“First touchdown of the night for the home team.” Bodie playfully bumped her shoulder. “We’re off to a great start.”
“Don’t get cocky,” Ronni said. “The night is young.”
“And chilly.” Bodie unrolled his sleeves.
Ronni gulped the last of her coffee and handed him the empty cup so he could have a hot drink.
“Your blanket looks toasty. Do you mind?”
“Tit for tat, huh?”
“Something like that.” Smiling, he took the blanket from her lap and wrapped it