“Garrett, close the door and sit already. You’re making me nervous,” Tess says.
I offer Angel my hand. “It won’t hurt to talk for a few minutes, if you’re okay with that, Damien.”
Damien cocks a brow at me. He’s not talking, which isn’t entirely unusual for him, especially when Tess is around, but his glare eases slightly. Tess’s doing, no doubt.
Angel slides her hand in mine and squeezes. Hard. For a brief moment I wonder how long I’ll have her in my future. Her every glance at the door is like a knife to my abdomen.
“Thank you both for the tea, but I’d like to get Angel settled.”
Tess glances at her mate, as if she’s waiting for him to ask us to stay. But Damien’s still not talking. Probably because I’m here and he’s not over how I left against orders.
“It’s been a long few days. I for one could use a shower. And my bed.”
“I can walk her to a women’s cabin later,” Tess offers. “Or Garrett’s cabin, if that’s what you two already agreed on.”
I’m not leaving Angel here with Damien in the house. He’d never hurt her, but she doesn’t know that. The first gruff comment from him, she’ll freeze up. Or charge through a window, open or not.
“We hadn’t gotten that far. It’s one of the things we need to discuss.”
“Drop by any time, Lina,” Tess says. “I’m always happy to talk with you. And if you need a guide to show you around, I’m available for that too.”
“Yes, thank you for… talking with me, Tess.” She smiles to Tess, then nods at Damien. “Alpha.”
“Just call him Damien.” Tess’s hand rubs Damien’s knee. “We’re rather informal here.”
The second I open the door, Angel bolts out into the compound and then pitches forward, hands braced on her knees as her breaths come in sharp, short bursts. I rub small circles on her back, standing there, staring down anyone who dares look our way. There’s not a lot of privacy in a pack this size, especially in the middle of the main compound.
“All you’re doing is giving the shifters here a fabulous view of your ass in those tight jeans.”
She smacks my leg. “Don’t do that?”
“What? Stare at your backside or comment on others doing so?”
“Distracting me while I’m having a panic attack makes it harder to, well… panic.”
“That’s the point.”
“Except I need to get it out of my system.”
“Running’s good for that. We could strip here, go for a run, then get back in time for dinner at the cookhouse.”
“I’m exhausted, Garrett. I just want to sleep.”
“In that case, let me show you to the women’s cabin.”
“Wait, you mean I’m not going with you, to your place?”
“What makes you think I don’t live in a cabin with other unmated males?”
“You’re too solitary for that.”
I am. But I’m surprised she picked up on that.
Angel stands tall, her breathing normal again as she turns a full 360, taking in the buildings and shifters. “Nope, I’m not staying here.”
“I’m betting it’s not all that different from your pack?—”
She punches me again, this time in the belly. “That’s for angering the alpha because of me.”
