“That’s sex or infatuation.I’m talking about love.It hits you over the head when you least expect it and flips your life upside down.It makes you do crazy shit.”
“Like modeling your mate’s failed Speedo line?”
“Exactly.And I would have walked through town in that marble sack if she had asked me.You deserve that too.”
Lucian snorted.
“You know what I mean.All I’m sayin’ is you’re a smart guy with a respectable job and a phenomenally handsome nephew.”He put his arm around Lucian and gave his neck a squeeze.“You deserve a little magic.”
The conversation was wearing thin for Lucian, who wanted nothing more than to flash off.But if he did that, Lakota would never drop it.
“When are you and Melody having kids?”
“Damn.Going right for the jugular.”Lakota stepped back and grumbled.“That’s between us.”
“Is it?As often as you two have sex, I figured that’s what you were aiming for.”
“Kids aren’t the only reason people have sex.Youdoknow that, right?”Another playful punch to the arm.“Mel and I aren’t in a rush.We can put off a family for a few hundred years if she wants.”
“What about whatyouwant?”
Now Lakota was in the hot seat, and Lucian could scent his discomfort.
“I don’t want kids now either, not until I get settled in my new position as beta wolf.I’m also thinking about a side career.Obviously I can’t work full time since my commitment is to take care of the pack, but it would be nice to work again.Starting a family can wait.We’re young, and we’re having too much fun.”
Lucian scented the truth before the breeze carried it off.
“I get your point, Uncle.”A gust of wind blew Lakota’s long hair forward, and he threaded his fingers through it.“I don’t like getting into people’s personal business, but I’m not going to sit around and ignore warning signs.It’s my job to look after my packmates, but you’re also family.That means I’ll check on you when I think something’s up.It’ll take time for you to warm up to the pack, but I’m always here for you.That means I’ll ask when I think something’s wrong.It means I’ll be your wingman.It also means I’ll beat you back to the house.”
Lakota shifted, and his large silver wolf bounded up the drive.
Lucian gave him a head start.He’d known that wolf since Lakota’s first change, and he wasn’t as fast as he thought.After what seemed like a minute, Lucian took off running at Chitah speed and shot past him like a bullet.
When he arrived at the front porch, he sat down and watched the wolf loping up the driveway.“What took you so long?”
Lakota’s animal approached, and Lucian wondered if Lakota was still conscious.When the wolf lifted his leg to pee on him, Lucian knew he wasdefinitelyawake in there.
Chapter3
Even though I hadn’t planned on going to the Arrowhead pack’s baby shower, I had still kept the afternoon open.I wasn’t sure why.Maybe I wondered if they’d invited me because they genuinely wanted me there or because I worked for the Council.When Mercy insisted, I had mixed feelings of excitement and apprehension.
I ended up going anyway.
Upon my arrival, Archer greeted me at the gate.One would never guess by his white T-shirt and jeans that they were hosting an event.
“Hey!Great seeing you.”His contagious smile was a breath of fresh air.
I really liked Archer.He was gregarious and didn’t let his disability hold him back.I’d heard talk around town that he was training several amputees in addition to a few able-bodied Shifters in his private gym.
“I thought I’d pop in for a minute and pay my respects.Mercy insisted.”
He patted the car roof.“Hope’s due here any minute, but we’re hiding the cars.You’re the last one we were expecting.Can I ride back with you?”
“Sure.Hop in.”
Archer jogged around the front and jumped in.“I’ve never sat inside a Mercedes.”
“It’s a GT coupe, but don’t ask me all the specs.I bought it because it was flashy.”Then I realized how superficial that sounded.“When you work for the Council, people trust you more if you roll up in an expensive car instead of a clunker.”
