I need to get home.
Casey needs a mate so I can go home and take care of my dad, so I can mourn my mother.
That’s why I’m doing this. It’s why I have to do this.
I force myself to back away from her so I don’t tempt myself into something stupid.
Hazard throws himself on the couch, Riot a half a beat behind him. They both lift their eyes and watch her. Intent, focused like she’s the only thing that matters here. Khaos comes in from the kitchen, drying his hands on a tea towel. Angel slides up against a wall, trying to play least in sight. As usual.
I snarl silently.
“I have decided to proceed with this madness.” Casey says it like a declaration of war, hands on her hips, head tossed back, eyes fierce.
She was born to be a wolf. She’s got all the strength and wildness of our species. There’s something about her not having a wolf that has mine snapping and snarling.
Her eyes land on the others one by one, but I shift closer to her, and she sidesteps away, angling her body away from me, her eyes blazing blue fire at me.
I bite my lip to hide my smile. I really like irritating her.
“But there are some rules.” Now we all get glared at, one at a time, as if to make sure we understand she’s serious.
“What rules?” Khaos asks, but he’s already focused on something outside.
“I don’t want you guys there forcing things in your favour, so you can stay as wolves, but not like this,” she waves a hand up and down Khaos’ body. “I also would prefer if you would stay out of sight. And, lastly and most importantly, no shifters.”
Khaos inclines his head. His sudden tension has me standing up straight, watching him intently. I turn away, searching Angel’s face, trying to see if he will give up the information.
“Good. Your first date will be here in an hour.”
I jerk my head around, unable to stop the vicious growl that tears from my throat. Khaos levels me with one of his glares; he doesn’t need to say a word. Just stares at me.
“AN HOUR!” The scream makes my ears ring.
I whirl around, but she’s already on the move, smashing both palms into Khaos’ chest. He falls backwards, his knees catching the edge of the couch. He blinks up at her, his eyes wide, a look of rage warring with shock.
“How dare you!”
Khaos snorts. “You’re quick to go back on your decisions, aren’t you?”
She growls, a sound that draws all our eyes. My eyebrows raise. That’s impressive.
“What’s his name? What does he do? What’s he like? Do I get a say in who you choose I date?”
Khaos shrugs his shoulders. “His name is Louis Tony. He’s just moved to town from the city five years ago. He seems dull as dishwater. And you can get a choice later.”
She narrows her eyes. “I want all five of you to stay close. If I have to suffer, you can as well.”
Khaos nods his head as if he expected that. “Agreed. We won’t let him hurt you.”
“As wolves. I don’t need it getting out that I have men living here. Promise me!”
Riot and I protest immediately, but Khaos nods, locking us into this stupidity. I bare my teeth at him, but he levels me with the alpha stare, and I look away.
She glares at him for another pregnant moment and then spins on her heel and goes to her bedroom.
I hear the shower start a minute later.
“Khaos, what the hell, we said we’d do it together,” I lunge towards him, shoving him into the wall. He catches himself and growls. It’s low, vicious, and a deadly warning.
