Chapter 9

“SO YOU MEAN to tell me you really could be a phoenix?” Pete demanded.

Max huffed in amusement. When Travis had called the pack earlier that day to share that Phoenix had no idea what her animal was, Pete had immediately started in on his absurd theory again. He’d been impatiently waiting all day, just so he could have this chance to ask that question. 

“What? No.” Phoenix rolled her eyes.

“How do you know? I mean, you said you don’t know what your animal is, so maybe you are. Maybe that’s why you’re named Phoenix.” 

“I highly doubt the humans gave me the name of a mythical bird because they thought I was one too, Pete. It’s just like I said. I was named Phoenix because that’s where I was found.”

Pete sighed. “Well, that’s not as interesting, now is it?”

“No, but she could still be a unicorn,” Cole called from the next table over. 

Phoenix just shook her head and walked away.

The minute she was gone, Glory appeared at Max’s side. “We need a plan, boys.” She grabbed a chair and shoved her way in between him and Karl. 

Since she never willingly spent time with Max, he could only stare in amazement.

“What?” she demanded.

He shook his head. “Nothing, nothing.”

“What do you mean we need a plan? For what?” Pete asked.

“Yeah, for what?” the others chimed in.

“My brother’s seriously into Phoenix and you know how bears are.”

“He’s already attached,” Max guessed. Bears. They were stupid stubborn. 

“And he’s not going to let her go, even if her animal never comes out.”

Pete shrugged. “So? They’re a cute couple. What do you care?”

Cole reached across the aisle and slapped Pete’s head. 

“Hey!” Pete whirled on Cole with a growl. “Knock it off, cat!”

“Well, don’t be stupid,” Cole said. “You know how bears are about their mates.”

“Yeah, so they’re attached. I don’t see the big deal.”

Glory sighed. “If she never shifts, he’ll never know for certain. His bear will never know for certain.”

“Seriously?” Pete asked. “I knew the second I met Jenny that she was mine. Didn’t matter what her wolf or mine said. Luckily they both agreed, but still.”

“Bears are different,” Glory said.

“She’s right,” Cole said as he swung his chair around and shoved his way into their space. “If she never shifts, his bear won’t ever be truly happy because it won’t feel like a true mating to him.”

“That sucks.” Dan stood up from his table and wandered over to join them. 

“Seriously?” Max demanded. “Where are all these cougars coming from?”

“Even if it’s a true mating?” Dan ignored Max to ask Glory.

“Even if,” Glory said. “A part of his bear will always be holding back and she’ll know it. Even if she never shifts, her animal will sense that his animal has rejected her and they’ll both be miserable.”

“So what are we going to do?” Karl asked.

“We need a plan,” Glory repeated. “A plan to get Phoenix to shift.”

Max winced. He figured there was zero chance this wouldn’t get out of hand fast.