“It’s a gorgeous tattoo,” I say instead because it is.
Piper’s eyes light with joy. “Doesn’t it break some regulation in your favorite rule book? Come on, talk dirty to me, Gracie.”
“Okay, Wolfie.”
He freezes.
I swallow. Too far?
At last, Piper chuckles. “My sis would love that nickname. Hell, I miss her.”
“Is she here?”
If there are two Wolf Siblings for me to train over Christmas, then I am fucked.
To my relief, he shakes his head. “Bliss is with her bonded pack.”
My heart aches for Piper. It must be tougher to be sent here as a HO, if his sister has been lucky enough to find her pack bonds.
Piper strolls up and down beside the parapet, trailing his hand along it with a hyper energy. He’s making me dizzy trying to keep up.
Why do I think I am missing something?
I will do my best to help Icarus protect and support this new Omega because as understanding as I am about Piper being a Wolf, I know that Ellington won’t be.
“Don’t worry,” I try to sound encouraging. “You can share my nest this Christmas. A kind of mentorship thing. I’d like to train you up personally.”
The tips of Piper’s ears turn red. “I’ve never… I mean, no one’s quite said it likethatto me. It’s a tempting offer. Honestly, most people are too intimidated by me to want to date. But like I said, I’m holding out for my soulmate. Perhaps, we could grab a coffee as friends?”
My eyes widen. “Wait, I think that there’s been a misunderstanding…”
Piper hops up to sit dangerously on the edge of the parapet. “You can see the whole of Haven from here. It’s beautiful, huh?”
“Be careful.” I still turn to look out over the roofs of Main Street, the Mayor’s old office, night club, and shops.
Haven is a small town in Virginia, which is in the shadow of the mountains and buried in lush forests.
It’s strange, but I have seen the town so many times from here and growing up, trapped inside the penthouse, that I have stopped seeing it at all.
I have definitely stopped seeing any beauty in it.
It could be a mirage or made of paper.
“Where’s the fun in being careful?” Piper swings his legs. “Why were you singing up here on your own?”
“This roof is my refuge. Well, for precisely three more minutes before my shift starts again,” I reply. “It’s the only quiet place in the hotel. Plus, I have the starring role in this stupid thing that happens every Christmas.”
“It won’t be stupid if you’re in it. My refuge was the back of my brother’s motorcycle. It didn’t matter how badly I’d beenbullied at school, or how hungry I was, I knew that I would be able to make it all okay if I could be good enough to earn myself that ride.”
I stare down at my hands.
I hate the picture of Piper’s life that his words paint, but he sounds happy like he’s imagining the thrill of riding the motorcycle.
“I’ll have to think of a thrill to reward you with here then.” I smile. “Seriously, I know that you may be missing your family but I’m happy to have met you. I’ll protect you, and I have friends who will too. We’re a pack, and you can be part of it too. We’ll all love you.”
I didn’t mean to add that.
Yet I can’t help it. Icarus truly will love Piper; I can sense it in my soul.
