“So, what’s her family like?” my mom asks, and I freeze outside the building.
“Well, she has a brother she’s close with. But everyone else, not so much,” I murmur.
“That’s a shame. Both her and her brother are part ofourfamily now, then.”
I smile. “Thanks.”
“Just be good to her, Ivan. Cherish her.” Her voice is wistful.
“Of course.”
I’ve learned hownotto treat someone, courtesy of my father, who abandoned his wife and children when I was twelve.
They weren’t scent matches—my mother is a Beta, and so is my father—but at one point, I assumed they were in love.
Turns out, Dad had a whole other family, and we haven’t seen him since the night he left.
I vowed to never, ever hurt someone the way I saw my mom hurt that night.
I haven’t said it to her yet, but I hope Maeve knows I’ll never leave her.
The only way we wouldn’t be together is ifsheleftme.
The thought is a terrible one, and I refuse to worry or dwell on it.
She’s my scent match, and I plan on being the most supportive Alpha she can ask for.
After saying goodbye to my mom, I enter the building to the rescue to say hello to Maeve right before my shift.
She’s at the front, her nose buried in Alvin’s fur while she chats with Piper, Blair, and…
Maeve’s brother, Avery.
I’ve met Avery before, when Maeve and I weren’t dating.
And based on the way he’s looking at me with narrowed eyes and thinned lips, it’s looking like we’re about to have a private conversation.
“Ivan!” Maeve says with a smile, placing Alvin back on the counter and rushing to me, burying her face in my chest. I wrap an arm around her waist, her chamomile scent racing through my bloodstream.
“Can you talk some sense into Maeve, please?” Piper asks.
Maeve snorts into my chest. “About what?” I ask. Blair has her arms crossed, and Avery still eyes me suspiciously. I nod at him. “Good to see you again, Avery.”
“Likewise,” he murmurs. He watches us warily, and I can understand why.
Her brother is all Maeve had growing up.
Of course he’s going to be protective of his little sister.
Maeve steps out of the hug and turns back to her friends. “I can go by myself,” she argues. “You guys are just being dramatic.”
“Go where?” I ask.
“Yeah, and what if there’s a snowstorm?” Blair shoots back.
“You act like I’ve never driven in the snow before,” Maeve sighs.
“You haven’t,” Avery counters.
