* * *
Avi loved how excited Fallon was for the movie night, especially when she realized what movie he’d picked for them to watch, and the burgers that Sunny had suggested after he sent her a text for ideas.
The mac-and-cheese-topped burgers were messy and delicious, and the loaded steak fries were just the right addition, along with kettle corn and some of Zara’s blackberry iced tea.
When the meal was over and they were halfway through the movie, Fallon was snuggled up in his arms, her head on his chest and her sweet scent making him fall even harder for her.
Neither of them had said the words yet, but the phrase was on the tip of his tongue.
He cared about her so much, was falling so hard for her.
He could feel how much she cared about him too, could see it in the way she looked at him and wanted to spend time with him.
Suddenly, he decided he’d place an order for a special delivery and then he’d tell her how he felt on Saturday before they shifted together.Her joining the herd officially was the perfect time to tell her how he really felt.
When the movie was over, they cleaned up the dishes and turned off the lights, then headed into the farmhouse, where they tumbled in the sheets and drove each other wild.
He was on duty for the overnight patrol, so he waited until Fallon was asleep in his arms before he gently slipped from the bed, dressed, and went outside to relieve Ford, who’d been on patrol earlier.After grabbing a walkie from the charger port in the barn and a powerful flashlight from the workbench, he met up with Ford.
“How’s it been?”Avi asked, taking a sip of a berry-flavored energy drink to perk himself up for the night ahead.
“Quiet,” Ford said.“Just how we like it.”
Avi hummed.“I hope it stays that way.I don’t think Otto will ever find Fallon, but Colton’s attacks are a pain in the ass.”
“He needs to take a hint and move on, but he seems pretty hardheaded.It’s maybe more ego than anything that keeps him coming after us.He’s clearly angry that Crew and Grey bested him when he tried to go after their mates, and he also lost his number-two guy.”
Avi nodded in agreement.
He didn’t really consider Colton or his brother Weston to be family anymore.They’d proven that they didn’t have any consideration for him at all, either.His family was the herd and Fallon, and he would defend her—and them—with his life.
“Good luck tonight, I’m going to pass out now,” Ford said.
“See ya.”
Avi took another drink and looked up at the clear night sky.Letting out a long sigh because he freaking missed Fallon, he began his patrol, starting at the fence that ran along the road and looking for anything out of the ordinary.
He’d been walking for an hour and had just passed by the barn when he saw something in the trees that bordered the farm that glinted brightly for a moment.
He stared at the area, waiting for it to happen again.
Minutes passed as he stayed in one place with nothing happening.
Then as he turned to move on, he saw it again.
Okay, that’s definitely something reflective.
It was high in the trees, an odd flash that was out of place among the leaves and branches.
Lifting the walkie, he pressed the button and said, “Crew?Are you up?”
A moment passed, and Crew answered.“Yeah.What’s up?”
“I see something in the tree line.Can you come out?”
“On the way.Are you in danger?”
“Not right now.”
