“What season are you talking about,” I asked, picking through the fruit to find the nicest piece of melon.
He let out a loud whoop. “Hockey season, baby! I can’t fucking wait to be back out there pummeling the shit out of the other teams.”
Ice hockey. I’d been vaguely aware of the NSHL, theNational Shifter Hockey League, but had never seen a game. Not even in the human world. “You play ice hockey professionally?”
Kellan smirked, and I was drawn to the strong muscles in his throat as his head tilted back. “You really haven’t bothered to find out one thing about us, have you?”
He didn’t appear upset by my lack of knowledge, but I felt judged all the same. “If I want to learn about someone, I prefer to talk directly to them. I didn’t want to have preconceived ideas about your pack.” It was also safer for me to know less, because Kellan already felt far too real.
“Finley is also on the team,” he added, as if it was a casual afterthought. “I know you didn’t learn that from him, but I don’t want you to be blindsided if you ever watch us train. Or come to a game.”
Of course he was, why would I have expected anything less. “So, Hunter and Slade work in your billion-dollar company, while you and Finley are professional hockey superstars. Meanwhile, I’m a homeless, jobless runaway who has skills in waiting tables and mixing cocktails. Yeah, I totally see why the goddess scent-bonded us.” There was literally not an ordinary quality about my larger-than-life, hotter-than-the-sun, and highly successful pack members. Leaving me feeling pathetic and insignificant in return. Not that I wanted to fit in with them but come on…make it make sense.
Kellan stilled. Predatory still. The room felt smaller as tension grew, and I gasped when he reached out and jerked my chair around to face him. He slid me closer, slotting my body between his open legs, and I found myself holding my breath.
Whether out of panic or to keep his scent from clouding my mind, I was too far gone to know.
His chest rumbled, barely discernible but I felt the vibrations. His voice was a slow, deep rasp tingling over my skin. “I don’t want toeverhear you talk badly about yourself again, Emmeline Anders. You’re perfect for us. You’re strong and resilient, surviving in the human world for years without a pack or support. Despite all of that, you came back to us whole and in control of your beast. Very few could have done what you have, and I’m proud to have you as a mate.”
I was ripped underwater by his words, and overwhelming emotions crashed inside until I drowned in Kellan. “My friends call me Emme,” I finally choked out, feeling the previous crack Kellan had punctured through my protective shell growing wider.
“Emme,” he murmured, leaning in so close that our lips almost touched. My wolf clawed for our mate, and I wanted to do the same, but he didn’t breach that final distance between us.
“Good morning.”
I jumped about a foot in the air, my heart slamming against my chest as I almost fell from the chair. Hunter strode into the kitchen, having clearly seen how close Kellan and I were, but he didn’t say a word as he grabbed a mug and poured coffee.
“Late morning into the office,” Kellan commented as he resumed eating like nothing had happened between us. Meanwhile, I had to discreetly check to make sure I hadn’t peed myself.
“Yes,” Hunter replied shortly. He leaned back on the counter and gave me his focus. “We’ll both be out of the house for most of the day today.” He sipped his coffee, which he took like his soul. Dark. No sweetness. “Will you be okay here alone?”
I nodded. “Of course. I’ve been alone most of my life.” It was a relief to sound somewhat normal. “It’s actually my preference.” At this point, I wasn’t even sure what the truth was any longer; this entire situation had completely thrown me.
Hunter’s lip curled, but he didn’t call me out on my declaration. “Excellent. When I get back from the office tonight, we can discuss your work schedule. Until then, I ask that you don’t leave the family compound—”
“Excuse the fuck out of you!”
“—only for your own safety. If you need to leave for any reason, there’s a phone on your bed that’s yours. Our numbersare already programmed in, and I expect you to use it. Keep in touch with us.”
My breaths grew harder as he proceeded to address me like one of his employees. Kellan looked between us both but didn’t interrupt.
“Fine,” I gritted out, because I couldn’t argue safety when I was an omega. “Should I expect your other two pack mates to lose their shit when they find me here?”
Was I the only one who found it weird that I would be living here and hadn’t met them?
“Slade is already at the office,” Hunter said dismissively. “And Finley is already training at the rink. Neither will be home before us.” It didn’t escape my attention that he hadn’t confirmed or denied thelosing their shitpart. Not that I was surprised.
Them not being here was a fairly large indication that Slade and Finley had no interest in meeting me, and I should be grateful for their distance.
I am grateful.
It made it easier to separate myself from the pack, even as a part of me ached to know them. A part I needed to destroy before it was too late.
Chapter
Fifteen
FINLEY
