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up at the hospital to check on Thom. The opportunity to speak privately with the Alpha couldn’t be lost.
    “No.” Drew’s firm answer made the frustration shift to rage. He kept the emotion firmly in check, though.
    “He was attacked because he tried to help us.” He had to make Drew see the logic behind his argument.
    “You don’t know why he was attacked. There’s no proof the attacker is aware of his connection to my pack.” Drew kept his voice low. The hospital hall might be teeming with human doctors, nurses, and visitors but the conversation would stay between them. “Also, he isn’t helping us out. We made a business deal. We both benefited from it.”
    “He agrees to sell us his crops and is shot when we go to pick up our first delivery? It’s a pretty big coincidence, don’t you think?”
    The Alpha looked at the glass partition separating them from Thom’s room. “Did you smell anything out of the ordinary when you were out there?”
    “No. The gunpowder overpowered anything else.” He closed his eyes and the moment the bullet cut through the farmer flashed through his mind. The sights and sounds remained vivid, but he couldn’t recall any unusual scents. “My gut tells me we played a role in this, however.”
    “I’m not saying you’re wrong.” Drew released a deep breath. “But you’re still on the fence about coming back to the pack. I’m taking a chance on you.”
    “I know.”
    “Because I think you’re worth the gamble. But I can’t extend the hospitality to a human. It’d put the pack in too much danger.”
    A small growl escaped before he could stop it.
    “It’s frustrating.” Drew’s voice was calm yet commanding. “I know. I don’t want to see him hurt. I like the guy, but I’ve got to think about my pack.”
    “There are humans living in the pack. They’re part of the reason we need him.” He glanced from Drew to Thom’s room as he spoke.
    “Yes.” Drew’s voice had started to sound strained. “We do need him because more humans live in Los Lobos now. Those humans can’t hunt for food like we can. But,” he paused, giving the word emphasis, “those humans are mated to Wolves who’ve taken a blood oath to me. There are consequences if they say anything about us. Even if there weren’t consequences, they have a vested interest in keeping our secret. They don’t want their mate to die. Which is exactly what would happen if they told anybody about us.” Drew held his gaze until he was forced to look down. “Is that what we’re talking about here? Do you want to say the oath and take him as a mate? Put your life in his hands? Because as far as I know, you met him today.” The harsh tone made him wince.
    Had Drew admitted to knowing Hank was homosexual? He shook off the idea. Drew had only been pointing out how ridiculous the idea had been. Nothing more. “Fine. He can’t recover at Los Lobos. I get it.” The situation sucked, but he understood. Drew’s hands were tied. “Staying in Los Lobos isn’t the only way for us to protect him.”
    “I’m listening.”
    The simple statement won over another piece of his soul. He felt the shift. If Drew still wanted him after hearing the whole truth, he would eventually take the oath. Any Wolf would fight for their Alpha, but they would kill for an Alpha who took their counsel. He needed to wait for Thom to be okay before he took the oath. “Would you be willing to place a couple guards in the woods around his farm and let me stay at his place while he healed?”
    “He would have to invite you to stay with him. I don’t have any authority with him. I can talk with Ryker about the guard, though. He knows the watch schedule. He’d be the one to determine if we could spare a couple of Wolves.”
    “I appreciate it.”
    “I didn’t make any promises.”
    Hank smiled and nodded. “You’re willing to check into it. That’s enough.”
    “I’ll know something for certain before he’s