I realized too late how flippant that sounded.
His eyes widened. “Oh. So your family kind of sucks too?”
I gave a wry smile. “You could say that. My father is the Alpha of a very elitist wolf pack, one where your rank depends entirely on what family you were born into.”
“Sort of like royalty?” Fletcher asked.
“Yeah. And my father’s the king.”King of the assholes.
“Which makes you the prince,” Fletcher murmured.
When I looked over, his lips were stained a soft pink from the snow cone syrup. Why did he look so damn kissable?
I shook my head, trying to ward off that thought.
“Unfortunately,” I said aloud. “But even kings and queens have their problems. My mother is depressed and dependent on pills and alcohol to get through the day. My father cheats on her with a string of mistresses, but pretends like everything’s finein public. She doesn’t dare argue with him, because he rules the family with an iron fist,” I told him, the truth coming out far too easily.
“They don’t love each other. They don’t love their children. But they have money, so that makes it all okay.” I let out a bitter laugh.
There was sympathy in Fletcher’s eyes. To my surprise, he reached out and gently squeezed my fingers.
“You don’t seem anything like them, for what it’s worth,” he said.
I stared at him for a long moment, my chest tight.
“I try my hardest not to be,” I murmured.
“I think you’re doing a good job,” Fletcher said, offering a shy smile.
My heart skipped a beat. “Thank you, Fletcher,” I said quietly. “That means a lot.”
I cleared my throat, forcing myself to focus. “Enough about the past. Tell me, what sounds good for dinner?”
8
FLETCHER
Ever since lastweekend at the snow cone stand, I couldalmostswear Adam had been low-key flirting with me.
Lingering looks. Small, casual touches. Little things you wouldn’t normally notice—unless you had a crush on the person.
And unfortunately for me, I was harboring a big old crush on this handsome savior of an Alpha.
Which was foolish. Foolish as hell.
Adam himself had said he was pack royalty. And what was I? A street rat. A stray with no place to call home.
And yet… Those smiles, small and sweet. The way Adam’s eyes crinkled at the corners. The way the Alpha made my inner-feline purr and yearn to rub against his legs.
Damn. I really needed to keep my head screwed on straight before it popped off and floated away like a balloon.
As much as I liked spending time with Adam, I needed space. Time to think. Time to process these fickle feelings in my heart.
So I spent all afternoon and evening outside, fixing up the flower beds, raking out the old, faded mulch and replacing it with bright red chips.
The hard work was paying off. I was getting stronger. My body was leaner, and I’d been putting on muscle from all the exercise and proper nutrition.
For the first time in my life, I feltgoodabout myself. It was nice.
