Chapter 17
“Here it is,” Carson said, setting a crate filled with wine and beer on the ancient picnic table.
Leaning over, Remy kissed his mate’s cheek before picking up a beer and frowning. “You do know, I selected the finest wines ever made here to serve tonight.”
“Uh-huh, but beer is the preferred choice back home.”
Eyebrows raised in disbelief, Remy asked, “In California? The home of many great wineries?”
“Yeah, well…beer is better for wolf shifters.”
“I never knew that,” Remy said, uncorking some bottles of wine before setting them down next to the glasses. Scanning the table, he checked the number of napkins, plates and utensils, making sure there were plenty on hand. Satisfied everything was in order, he asked, “What time is everyone coming?”
“I told Hunt five.”
“Any minute, then…” Remy murmured, rearranging the flowers in the middle of the table, yet again.
Watching his mate fuss with the table for the umpteenth time, Carson frowned slightly before realizing Remy was trying to cover up his nervousness. Pulling him into his arms, Carson held him tight, running his palm slowly up and down Remy’s back. When he felt some of the tension ease, he murmured, “Babe, what’s got you in such a tizzy? You know most everyone who’s coming.”
Sighing, Remy tucked his face against his mate’s neck. “I’m trying to impress your brother and his mate.”
“Why? They already like you, especially Kieran. He’s incapable of disliking anyone. And Logan? He’s already told me the Fates gave me a fantastic mate.”
“He just met me and that was for all of five seconds!”
Chuckling, Carson said, “Five seconds…five years…it doesn’t matter. My brother’s no fool. He knew instantly what kind of person you were.”
“How?” Remy asked, glancing up at his mate.
“His spirit…or to be correct…their spirit. According to Logan, their spirit will tell him if someone is a threat to Kieran. You, my sweetheart, got their spirit’s stamp of approval.”
Shaking his head, Remy muttered, “Spirits…don’t let the boys know or otherwise they’ll start seeing ghosts.”
Smiling, Carson brushed Remy’s forehead with his lips. “Relax, they’re still focusing on Hunt’s winged wolf.”
“CAAAARRRRSSSSOOOO!”
Hearing the sheer terror in Eamon’s voice, fear lanced Remy’s heart, freezing him in place.
“CAAAARRRRSSSSOOOOOOOO!”
Before Remy could respond, Carson was racing toward the sound of Eamon’s voice, rounding one corner of the house and heading for the front yard. Following his mate, Remy heard Galen screaming farther away, filling his mind with horrible images of what might have happened to his brothers.
Carson finally spotted Eamon running toward him, crying uncontrollably. Scooping him up, he hugged him to his chest, whispering soothing words to calm him down.
Joining them, Remy quickly checked his brother for injuries but, finding none, asked, “Where’s Galen?”
“With the zombie,” Eamon said, his voice muffled by Carson’s shirt.
Eyes widening, Remy exchanged glances with Carson before asking, “What zombie?” Before Eamon could answer, Remy was suddenly hit from behind, causing his knees to buckle.
Grabbing his mate’s arm to keep him upright, Carson looked down, finding Galen’s arms wrapped tightly around Remy’s legs.
“CARSSSOO!” Eamon wailed. “It was an accident!”
“The dead man’s moving!” cried Galen. “He’s gonna eat me and Eamon!”
Bending down, Remy hefted Galen up, hugging him. “No one’s going to eat you.”
