“She likes exciting things,” Killian said.
“Huh. In that case, cover her ears and hang on tight.”
Killian obeyed. With a bellow, Crush chased Hansel back into the cabin, taking large steps so Naddie bounced in Killian’s arms. She squealed and kicked; when Killian peeked up, he found Crush with a roguish smile.
Alpha,Killian’s instincts said.
The shopping cart raced after them. Crush took a moment to lock the front door behind it, and then they were back to chasing Hansel.
“Down with you, scheming rat!” Crush roared.
“That’s what the pirate captain says to save face, when he knows he’lllose!” Hansel blew a raspberry.
Crush blew a raspberry back. Naddie kicked and blew a raspberry too, and Crush howled with delight.
In moments, Naddie was throwing her head back and howling in Killian’s arms. It felt strange not to join in, so Killian threwhishead back, and howled for the first time in his life.
His howl was probably terrible. But Crush rumbled loudly, the sound vibrating through Killian’s body.
Killian smiled giddily. This—This was the best he had felt in a very long time.
They chased Hansel through all the rooms—the living room, the kitchen, the office, the gym, and even the bedrooms. When the shopping cart accidentally blocked Hansel’s way out, the butler shifted into a falcon, grabbed his bathrobe in his talons, and flew over the cart.
Crush had to gently guide the cart out of their way before he could resume the chase.
“You can’t escape from the wolf pack forever,” Crush declared.
“Naddie and I are not wolves,” Killian pointed out.
“Honorary wolves. I’ll even give you a paw print stamp so you can sign things with a wolf paw print,” Crush replied.
With a laugh, Killian said, “I would be a rabbit in wolf’s clothing.”
“Best not do that when you meet my pack,” Crush said, grinning.
He leaped over a couch to gain some ground with Hansel. The falcon was still flying with his bathrobe clutched in his clawed feet.
Suddenly, Hansel made a sharp turn, flying at them instead. The bathrobe smacked into Crush’s face.
I can’t see!Killian thought. And neither could Crush.
But they were still hurtling forward.
His heart in his throat, Killian batted away the bathrobe. Just in time, too. Crush narrowly avoided tripping over a table.
“Hansel!” Crush snarled.
For the first time since the start of the chase, he sounded truly mad.
Killian stiffened. Hansel flew upward, perching on one of the rafters. Then he dropped the bathrobe. “C’mon, that wasn’t entirely my fault.Youare the big bad alpha rescuer.Youare used to having sudden obstacles in your way.”
Crush breathed out. “Fuck. You’re right.”
The falcon raised a nonexistent eyebrow. “Something different about this situation?”
Crush stiffened. Then he glanced furtively at Killian, and back at Hansel. “Maybe.”
Hanselcackled.
