After a minute he opened his eyes, rational again. He sighed. “Sorry. Don’t know what just happened.”
“You perceived a threat to your mate,” Malachi said. He hadn’t moved, hadn’t reacted, simply sat watching Ezra.
“It happened at the art fair too, when that moron got into her space. I wanted to chase him down.”
“You wouldn’t act on it.”
Malachi’s certainty of Ezra’s character meant more to him than he could put words to, maybe because he was the most principled person Ezra had ever known. He shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t. I was in control, then and now.” He cast a sidelong glance at his alpha. “Anyway I wouldn’t come atyouregardless.”
“No, you wouldn’t.” The low rasp, the frank gaze—nothing in Malachi’s bearing posed a warning or a threat. He didn’t need either.
“Thanks for giving me a minute.”
Malachi nodded. He let Ezra sit quietly another minute, then said, “How does she smell to you?”
“Exciting. And soothing. Both at the same time.”
Malachi’s mouth turned up, and the gold in his eyes glittered for a moment. Ezra growled at himself as embarrassment flash-burned his face. His scent must have veered straight toward carnality. The rest of his body certainly had.
“That’s not what you meant,” he muttered.
A rumble of humor and affection rolled from the alpha’s chest. “The last few months have been entertaining.”
“All your friends responding to their new mates while you’re still unmoved, solitary Mal.”
“Mm. You each go about it differently.”
“I guess I’m the awkward one.”
Compared to mellow Aaron and passionate Trevor, that’s what Ezra would be. Nerdy and awkward. Somehow he couldn’t mind though. Willow didn’t mind.
“You’re the deliberate one,” Malachi said.
“Oh.” An accurate word for him, for his pursuit of his mate. “So…what I think you’re asking is…her personality, her moods.”
Malachi nodded.
“She’s always curious, even when she’s confused. She told me she wants to know everything there is to know, to date a wolf. And there wasn’t any treachery to it, Mal. I’ve never smelled a lie on her, not once. She wants to know the truth.”
“About the pack.”
“Yeah, and about me. And I think about the world in general.”
“Truth and facts,” Malachi said. “She’s definitely your mate.”
A smile overtook his face. “She’s mine.”
“And I’m pleased to invite her to the wolf cookout.”
He’d never been worried. This lightness rising inside wasn’t relief; it was triumph. He raised his head and released a roar that shook his chest, shook the timbers of the porch. Malachi’s answering growl was filled with welcome. For Ezra’s mate.
“I think she’ll come.” Oh, he hoped she didn’t have other plans. He pulled out his phone and began typing, half-turning his back to Malachi when his friend rumbled a laugh.
Ezra:The wolves get together every Saturday for a cookout. If you’re free this weekend, you’re invited. You’ll meet my pack.
Her reply came within a minute.
Willow:Oh wow. That’s a big deal, isn’t it? Getting invited? I’d love to come. Count me in.
