As hard as I try to stifle it, I feel myself blushing. I pick up my cutlery and dive into my meal to hide the heat on my cheeks. “You’re not too bad yourself, Brooks.”
Brooks chuckles in response. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were flirting with me, Rissa.”
I stop chewing and narrow my eyes at him. “I could say the same for you…”
The awkward pause is brought on by Brooks staring at me for a long time, prompting me to change the subject. “How did the hunt go? Find any demons?”
Brooks shakes his head. “No luck. But we checked every perimeter between Girdwood and Whittier, and the demon has disappeared again.”
Brooks continues to tell me about the hunt, and I soon realize why I’ve been avoiding bringing up what happened that night in Whittier.
We both have a lot on our plates—things we’re equally passionate about. It’s evident that Brooks takes his role as sub-Alpha very seriously. Not just when it comes to fighting off demons and protecting the pack from danger, but he’s also passionate about the role he plays in the smooth running of the little world we have in Girdwood, away from the humans.
“...with the peak of summer rolling in, I’ll have to move ahead with my plans for the summer festival,” he’s saying.
“Oh, yes! I almost forgot it was that time of the year!”
Brooks nods. “Yeah…and I have a couple of surprises set up for this year.”
“Hm…” I hummed on another bite of meat. “Like what?”
“You’ll see,” Brooks winks. “But you’ll have to promise me that we’re riding the Ferris wheel together.”
“I’m afraid of heights,” I admit tentatively as I hide my eyes behind my lashes.
“Then it’s about time you got over your fear, and I’m gonna help you.”
When Brooks beams at me boldly, determinedly, I can’t help but feel confused by his behavior. He’s acting so out of character from the Brooks I knew in the past, and it’s like a shock to my system.
He used to hate my guts, but here he is now, offering to help me overcome my deepest fear. I know I can’t escape this mate bond with him, but I’ll have to remain cautious.
The last thing I need is to get my heart broken.
It’s only a matter of time before the ball drops.
Chapter 16 - Brooks
Ever since Rissa resumed her duties as the healer in the pack’s clinic last week, I’ve been wanting to visit under the guise of needing an overall check-up.
I’m hoping it’ll mean something to her, especially because I’d been avoiding being treated by her all these years.
As soon as I enter the clinic, Portia, the elder she-wolf who’s been the clinic receptionist for as long as I can remember, greets me with a wide smile.
“Alpha Brooks! How lovely it is to see you here today!” she beams as she’s about to stand up.
I motion for her to stay seated. “Don’t get up, Portia. I’m just here for a routine check-up.”
The older woman with freckles spread across both cheeks smiles warmly as she turns to the clipboards on her desk. “Miss Cambridge is fully booked for today. Would you like me to slip you in tomorrow?”
I shake my head as I approach the front desk. “I was actually hoping to see Miss Rudolph today. In fact, you can file all of my documents under her roster. She’ll be my doctor from now on.”
Portia smiles thoughtfully as she nods. “Does this have to do with those rumors I’ve been hearing?” She raises a playful brow. “That you and Miss Rudolph are set to be mates?”
Feeling heat rising across my cheeks, I step up to the desk and casually place one arm on the surface, acting calm and collected while internally, I’m doing cartwheels.
Apart from being the clinic receptionist, Portia has been something of a maternal figure in my life ever since Mother died. They were close friends.
“It might have something to do with that,” I admit with a sly chuckle.
