“Yes, ma’am,” River says, waiting for the women to grab a plate, thank fucking goddess. We only have two women in the Pack, Flora and Remi, so we have yet to discuss manners regarding the opposite sex, yet here they are, being the perfect gentlemen.
Once everyone has filled up their plates, Jackson moves to get his. As Alpha, he eats last, making sure there is enough food for his Pack and guests to eat. He always follows this rule, even when we are eating at other places such as Willow’s house or Eleanor’s Diner.
I grab a pizza slice and sit next to Willow. I cheer my pizza with hers, before waiting and watching her take a bite. Only then would I allow myself a bite.
I know that is a practice saved for mates, but I physically can’t stop myself from waiting. A sick sensation stews up in my stomach until I finally see her take a bite of food first. She isn’t my mate, most likely, but, goddess, do I wish things were different.
“Good?” I hear Willow whisper to Layla, who is flushed in the face and sitting beside her. The younger shifter nods her head, taking another slice of pizza.
“Don’t be shy. Eat as much as you want in front of these rowdy men,” Luxe says from her spot to the left of Jackson. “I sure do.”
“We know that,” I joke, earning me a glare from the Luna. As much as I love spending time with Willow, my home is here. This is my Pack, and I’m most comfortable in a space with them in it. I’d love to move Willow and Layla into the Pack house, but I know damn well she wouldn’t go for it—she didn’t go for it. I’ll try again, but I know her stubborn ass would fight tooth and nail to stay in her home.
“Not to bring the mood down,” Felix says after finishing his third slice of pizza.
“Please, Debbie Downer, continue on,” Luxe mumbles around her pizza slice.
“Layla, is there any information you know about Ghost that the rest of us don’t?” Felix asks, turning to face her at the opposite side of the table. It’s questions like these that make merealize how separate my life with the Pack is from my life here with Willow and Layla. It’s times like these when I have the urge to bring these two sides together even more, but I have to remember that it isn’t up to only me. It’s up to Willow and Layla and my Pack too.
“Why do you ask?” she mumbles, keeping her head down. Willow wraps an arm around the young shifter and answers more for her.
“He’s been stalking her at work.” Willow doesn’t hesitate in telling Felix, which makes my chest light with warmth at how comfortable she is with my Pack. That warmth dies as soon as her words process in my head. He is stalking her?
“For how long?” I ask. Why has she waited till now to tell us?
“I don’t know. I only noticed him recently,” she says, staring into her pizza slice like it’s her only lifeline.
“Has he talked to you? Hurt you?” Jackson asks. I can see his brows set in a hard line and his shoulders square up.
“No, none of that.”
“Is there more to the story? This isn’t making any sense,” Felix asks. My Pack members sit at attention now, and the same panic on my face covers theirs. What the hell is going on?
“It’s not really your business,” Layla snips. She turns cold, and I am convinced there is absolutely more going on. Why is she so on edge, and what does she mean it’s not our business? After everything we’ve done to help them so far?
“If you know something, share it. Who knows how long until Ghost attacks again,” Luxe says. She’s got her hands clasped in front of her as if this is a business meeting, and I don’t know if that raises Layla’s hackles or not, but we need answers.
“It’s nothing, don’t get all riled up?—”
“It is our business, Layla. Anything that could save Willow’s life or your life is. Ghost is trying tokillWillow. Do you understand how serious that is?” Jackson argues back.
“He won’t hurt her?—”
“How do you know that? Is that something you’re willing to risk? Is her life that meaningless to you?” Jackson snaps back as his Alpha presence takes over the air in the room. This energy helps Alphas control their Pack. It makes those affected want to submit, and with it spreading around the room, I can see all our gazes flicker down. A part of being an Alpha or Luna is the energy they give off, and while respectable Alpha’s use their energy sparingly, it’s in their nature to control any situation as they see fit. Their energy can slip from their control in emotional situations, such as this one.
He stands now with his fist against the table, and I can’t help the anger that rises in my gut. Has Layla not been truthful this entire time? I knew her digging into Milo’s death caused this whole shit show, but there appears to be more to the story that she’s withheld from us.
“No, of course not,” Layla yells, but she can’t meet Jackson’s eyes.
“Then what is it?” Jackson says, his voice never goes above yelling. He’s never had to yell. He’s an Alpha. If anyone can get the kid to say anything, it’s him, and right now, I need her to spill absolutely everything.
“Milo isn’t dead.”
Willow’s head shoots up, and her eyes jump to mine. It’s the briefest second, but in that second, my heart drops to the floor.Milo isn’t dead.
“He’s not dead. I don’t know where he is, but he’s not dead.”
“How do you know? There was a body—the blood, the smell. How do you know?” Willow’s voice comes out as a pained whisper, and I can’t help but stare as her eyes widen and brows furrow. I shouldn’t be worried about what this means for me, yet I am.
