“Oh, that would be lovely. I can make some fresh pasta sauce. Wouldn’t that be lovely, Margo?” My mother rolls her eyes.
I take a deep breath, trying to make sure I don’t piss off my mom any more than I already have tonight.
“I’ll go grab the bread,” I say, getting up from the table and patting down my skirt. With quick steps, I head to my secret spot. I’m not even sure my mom knows where the pantry is as I shut the door behind me and lean against the shelves, breathing slowly in and out of my nose. Ian’s rich scent of orange peels and cedar wood is heavy, and I just take a moment to collect myself.
In and out. In and out.
Why can’t someone else affect me this way? Why can’t I be fucking normal for once?
The door knob turns, and I sigh as Ian walks through the pantry that looks tiny compared to his huge size. His brows furrow as he looks at me.
“Don’t listen to your mom. She’s a fucking asshole.”
I sigh and nod. “I know.”
“I could buy you a place, you know. You don’t have to stay here.”
Of course, he would just buy me a place, he buys me everything. He wouldn’t want me in his house or with his pack.
I shrug and shake my head. “I couldn’t ask that of you, Ian.”
“You didn’t. I was offering.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
Ian swallows and nods. “Are…are you seeing a pack?” he asks, and his Adam’s apple bobs. Why does he seem so nervous?
“I went on a date the other week, but it was horrible.”
“But you’re looking for a pack?”
I look into his dark eyes and wish I could just scream, grab his face, and kiss him so hard that he would understand that he’s what I want. That I want him and his pack.
“No,” I tell him honestly. I’ve already found my perfect pack, I just can’t have them.
He swallows and shakes his head, his large hand going behind his neck. “Listen, Luna—”
The pantry door swings open as Stewart laughs. “Bread isn’t in here, kids. Dinner’s ready.”
I wish I knew what Ian was going to say next, but I guess I won’t as we walk back to the table. My mom is tapping her manicured nails against the table with a look of irritation written on her face. I sigh but take my place next to Ian at the table, wishing that my mom and Stewart weren’t here. That it was just the four of us.
I shake my head. I’ve got to stop thinking like this.
Everyone is eating the pork and potatoes that the chef, Linda, made as my mom cuts into the conversation with gossip.
“Oh, did you hear about Janice’s nephew?” my mom asks.
“No,” Ian replies with a bored expression on his face.
“He bonded with his brother’s ex-girlfriend. Can you believe that? No decorum in this generation, I swear.”
“If they love each other, why does it matter?” I ask, wishing I could explain that I’m in love with my stepbrother, and it doesn’t feel wrong. Complicated, sure. But not wrong. My mother glares at me, and I look back down at my plate.
“It’s uncouth. I can’t imagine being Janice, having the whole town talking about her like that.”
I roll my eyes, and Ian catches the moment, nudging me with his foot under the table and giving me a small smile. I can’t help but blush as I smile back.
“Luna, would you like to come over and swim at our pool this afternoon?” Ezra asks from across the table.
