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Victor, was head of the pack for twenty-five years.”
    Cole snagged a nacho from the appetizer plate in the center of the table, his brow furrowed. “Grammy, how did Victor get the position? The traditional way? Or was he appointed or voted in?”
    Grammy beamed at Cole, who’d remembered to use her nickname, and reached for a nacho. “I believe he challenged George in the traditional way, and George stepped down to avoid bloodshed.”
    “And no one stood up to him?” Cole asked as he picked up his beer.
    Grammy finished chewing and shook her head. “No, Cole. No one wanted to cause a ruckus. We have a peaceful pack, or rather we had a peaceful pack, until Victor. My Edward was a Beta under George for many, many years. But Lainey? He wasn’t strong enough to be anything other than Omega. Lainey wasn’t born a wolf. Even though my Edward was, the gene skipped over my son Donald, Laine’s father.”
    Interesting. Dev had never met a “made” werewolf before. He glanced at Laine and couldn’t help but smile. Laine was laughing over something Caroline said. “How was Lainey made a wolf, Grammy?”
    Grammy frowned and took a quick drink of her tea. “Edward saved him from the accident that killed his parents. Edward and I were following the three of them back from a day trip we all took up to Charlotte.
    A drunk driver sideswiped them and Donald and Elaine were killed instantly. Laine was an infant.”
    Cole let out a long, low whistle, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Grammy, that must have been horrible. I’m guessing you saw the whole thing?”
    Grammy nodded. “Yes, Cole, I did, but at least we saved Lainey, yes?”
    Dev looked across at Laine again and smiled. “Yes, Grammy, at least you saved Lainey.”
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    Laine peered up, his eyes wide. “Me? What are you guys talking about? Whatever Grammy is telling you, I didn’t do it.”
    Dev chuckled.
    Grammy laughed. “Are you accusing your grammy of lying, Lainey?”
    Cole snagged the last nacho, grinning like an idiot. “Laine, I somehow doubt you’re innocent. I’ve known you for”—he glanced down at his watch—“three hours and already I can tell you are pure mischief and probably as accident-prone as Caroline.”
    Caroline scoffed. “I am not accident-prone, Cole, you take that back.” She raised a brow at Dev.
    “Dev?”
    Dev held up his hands. “Oh, no, you aren’t dragging me into this.”
    Grammy leaned forward and patted Caroline’s hand. “It’s quite all right, dear. If you are anything like my Lainey, you’re a special young lady.”
    Caroline nodded, making her bright red hair fall over her shoulders. “See, I’m special.”
    Lainey giggled. “We’ll remind them of that the next time either of us does something stupid.”
    Caroline frowned at Laine, but it was evident she was trying not to laugh. “Hush, Laine, you aren’t helping our case.”
    Everyone laughed.
    The waitress showed up with their food, quieting the conversation for a few minutes. Dev was having a blast. He really liked Laine’s grandmother and Cole and Caroline seemed to like Laine. In fact, Laine and Caroline hadn’t quit talking since they’d met this afternoon. Dev had been right on the money when he’d thought Laine and Caroline would become fast friends.
    Laine looked up and met Dev’s eyes while the waitress was handing out their steaks. He grinned, his eyes twinkling, and mouthed “thank you” at Dev.
    Dev dipped his head, glad he’d put that expression on Laine’s face. Laine loved his shop, and the whole ransacking and threat today had shaken him up pretty good. Laine had finally confessed that Victor directing his anger on Laine’s things had him scared. Victor had always taken his anger out on Laine .
    Now, Laine was afraid it was a matter of time before Victor’s rage spilled over to someone Laine cared about.
    “Lainey, I have to tell you, I’m happy Dev found you.” Caroline nodded, took a bite of her baked potato and a quick swig of tea. “I really thought he wouldn’t have a mate or that maybe his mate would be a woman. Wouldn’t that be a mess?”
    Laine giggled and picked up the steak sauce from the middle of the table. “Oh Lord yes. I had the same fear for myself actually. Not that I don’t like women, but…” Laine shrugged and tugged on the lid of the bottle. It was a new bottle and the little plastic thing was still