I wrapped my fingers around his forearm instead of his hand and climbed out carefully. “I’m glad you’re nothing like her.”
He side-eyed me. “You have a strange way of showing it.”
When we reached my front door, I released his arm. Leaning on him outside my home was one thing. Inside, and my parents would put me on bedrest till the spring thaw.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and crackling logs eased the knot of tension in my stomach. I pulled off my boots, happy they were the lace-less type, then hung up my coat. After taking his shoes off too, Liam slung his jacket over mine, and although he didn’t insist on being my crutch, he matched my pace as I limped toward the living room.
Storm squirmed in Mom’s arm, babbling a long string ofdadas. She set him on the rug, and he crawled toward Liam, who was already crouched.
“They’re saying we’re going to get three feet of snow by tonight.” Mom gestured to the window. “Ski season’s going to start extra early this year.”
Liam kissed Storm’s temple. “Good for business.”
Since the pack owned and operated all the resort lifts, itwouldbe good for business.
“Is Nate here?” I attempted to make out another heartbeat in the house, but mine was pounding so fast I could barely make out the three in the vicinity.
“No. Why?” Mom asked.
I lifted my hand to Storm’s neck. Caressed the little skin roll that would one day lengthen and lose its velvetiness. “He was supposed to meet us.”
Don’t tell your mother about the bracelet.
That hadn’t been my intention. “I’m going to grab some water. Want some, Liam?”
“Why don’t you sit down?” He nodded to the couch. “I’ll go grab them.”
I pressed my lips together. “I need to get my tablet, which I left in the—”
“Nikki, your jeans are wet, baby. Go sit by the fire and warm up.” Mom glided right past us. “I was on my way to make Storm some milk so I’ll grab the water and your tablet.”
Liam tipped his head. “After you.”
I sighed but walked to the couch nearest the fire and sank down while Liam took a seat on the rug beside a big pile of building blocks. He proceeded to stack them, and then Storm swatted the tower. As they crashed, the little one clapped, and although I had a million unpleasant things whirling through my mind, I cracked a grin.
“Lucas calls my son the Destroyer.”
“I like it. Good superhero name.” I eased off the couch and went to work building a tower with the blocks that had rolled my way. “Lucas is the other Beta, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Are you two close?”
“He’s the closest thing I have to a brother.”
Mom bustled back in with two water bottles and my tablet. “Here you go.”
As I spun the cap off, I said, “You forgot Storm’s milk.”
“I realized he ate only an hour ago. Silly me.”
I sighed as she took a seat on the couch behind me and grabbed one of Adalyn’s bridal magazines.
“I can’t believe the wedding’s next month.” She flipped through a few pages. “I hope you can make it, Liam.”
“When is it?”
“On the winter solstice.” When he frowned, I added, “It’s the anniversary of their mating bond.”
