“Baby girl,” he murmured. “Let me feed you while we talk about Kassidy.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to mention that the hunger inside me couldn’t be sated by food, but the mention of his sister halted that line of thought. My friend had gone through a lot tonight, and I wanted to be there for her in whatever way she needed. All of which would be made easier with more information up my sleeve.
“Did she get home okay?” I asked, as Hunter slid into the chair beside mine, pulling the tray closer. Florence had left out a charcuterie board for us, and Hunter took his time loading up a small side plate with cheeses, cured meats, crackers, and fruit.
As I let a deliciously creamy goat cheese melt across my tongue, Hunter relaxed until wafts of satisfaction reached me through our bond. “Yes, I left her at home,” he said, “where she’s locked in and ready to sleep away this new revelation.”
Knowing she was alone bothered me, though it appeared to be herpreferred state. “Did you tell her she’s welcome to stay here?” I asked around my next bite, which was aged cheddar that tasted like heaven.Rich peoplecheese was the best. “I hate the thought of her being alone and freaking out over Henderson knocking on her door.”
Hunter noticed my blissed-out cheese state and added more of it to my plate. “Yeah, I offered, but my sister is a stubborn shit. Always has been. She’s also a strong alpha, and Henderson won’t find her presence at home any more welcoming than it was in the arena.”
I barely managed not to roll my eyes. “Oh wow. How weird that she’s a stubborn and strong-willed alpha. Especially when the rest of her family is chill as fuck. Maybe she’s adopted…?”
Hunter playfully narrowed his eyes on me. “As much as I love your sass, brat, don’t make me take you over my knee. That’s more of a Slade kink.”
A shiver traversed my spine and I almost choked on the strawberry I’d just shoved in my mouth. “You all have a one-track mind.”
“And you love it.”
The alpha had a point.
As Hunter continued to add food to my plate, I decided to fix one for him too. His big body stilled when I started to fill it, and that confusion remained even as I slid it across the counter to sit in front of him. “It’s my job to feed you, little mate,” he said with a huff.
Shaking my head, I leaned over and snuggled into his side. “An omega can look after her alphas too. It makes me happy.”
His scent deepened, and there was a very contented rumble rocking his chest. “I don’t think anyone has ever looked after me in my life, but I find when it comes from you I quite like it.”
My heart squeezed, and I was more determined than ever to keep showing up and showing my love for them. “Well, get used to it,” I rasped around my tight throat.
Hunter dragged his plate closer andfuckthe satisfaction I felt when he started to eat what I’d selected for him...Was that how they felt feeding me?
“Why is Kassidy so concerned about a mate bond?” I asked, settling in to enjoy our time in the darkened kitchen, just the two of us. “Unless that’s prying too far into her business. I do prefer to hear it directly. I just don’t want to say something that might hurt her when I don’t know the full story.”
Hunter shook his head, chewing on a slice of apple. “You’re not prying. You’re family, and you care about Kassidy. We’re lucky to have you in our lives.”
He spread soft cheese on a cracker next and held it out to me. It had been at least ten seconds since I’d taken a bite, which was far too long for this entitled alpha. As I opened my mouth so he could slide the offering inside, he made that very satisfied sound again.
“It all goes back to Fletcher, of course,” he continued. “As you can imagine it was worse when we were younger and had neither the strength nor financial means to fight back against him.”
It had been bad growing up with my mom and the Rogers pack, but Fletcher seemed infinitely worse. At least most of the time I’d just been locked in my room and ignored.
Hunter huffed, and mocha scent surrounded me. “There was an alpha wolf who lived on the property beside ours,” he said. “Jonas. Kassidy developed a bit of a crush on him when we were younger, which exploded when their beasts emerged. Jonas reciprocated, and while they showed no sign of being a scent match, my sister didn’t care. One day, Fletcher caught wind of her sneaking off to hang out with Jonas and he had him killed. There was no body found, but his room was torn up, and there was enough blood that it was doubtful anyone could have survived. Kass was never the same again. She swore off mates and packs after that. While Fletcher was alive, she’d never risk losing anyone she loved again.”
“Fletcher is dead now though.”
Hunter nodded. “Yeah, but I think enough time has passed that she’s too scared to risk it, full-stop. There’s always a danger out there, and I don’t think she’d survive the loss of someone she loved again.” The low lights flickered over the serious planes of his face, turning his expression darker.
My wolf rose up to rumble, and I felt the same fury. “I’m glad you got free of that evil shifter before he completely destroyed you all, even if you do still wear the scars he inflicted.” Internally at least.
Hunter and Slade’s success had given them the money and power to walk away from Fletcher and take their family and friends with them. Kassidy worked for Reeves Industries in their distribution division, and I had no doubt she was paid very well for her time.
“That was the tipping point for me,” he growled, hands pressing against the counter as his anger and frustration filtered through thebond. “I’d have killed him if it came down to protecting them, but it felt cleaner to leave. At that stage, he was a powerful alpha in our community.”
Powerful and evil. “There are many days,” I bit out, “that I wish we could bring that piece of shit shifter back from the dead and kill him again. Just more painfully.”
Hunter cupped my face, rubbing his thumb over my cheek. “Such a violent little wolf. I love that about you.”
Violence wasn’t in my innate nature as an omega, but the moment anyone threatened me or mine, I was all female rage. “It’s a tough situation with Kass,” I said, wishing that my friend wasn’t in pain. “I don’t think there’s anything we can do other than be there for her. Support her decision. And offer our opinionsifshe asks for them.”
