“How are you?”
She tilts her head to the side and can’t help grinning even wider. “We’re all good, thanks to you.”
Before I know what’s happening she’s pulling me into a hug.
“Thank you for saving him,” she whispers into my ear.
When I’m finally released, she lets me into the house and walks with me as we make our way past the large abstract artpieces into the living room. The first thing I notice is the softer touches that are accenting the room and making it feel so much homier than it did two years ago. Big ferns bend from their pots in the corners, the large gray sofas now have pillows galore and throws that look oh so fluffy.
I wonder if this is Melissa’s taste or just a sign that Jericho is loosening up.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” Jodie says, entering from another hallway, Switch in hand.
“Hey, you.”
“Have I mentioned I’m so glad you’re my stinky brother’s mate lately?” she asks, not wasting any time and coming in for a hug too.
“Not today I don’t think.”
“Well, I am.” She nuzzles her head into my side. It’s so great to see the Apollo clan happy again after the last couple of months, it’s a sharp difference.
“Is Jasper in his room?” I ask. “I’m late, because, well, some things don’t change.”
Melissa bites her lip. “He’s actually down at the beach.” A small brick forms in my stomach, and I gulp. “But there’s someone else who’d like to speak with you first if that’s okay.”
The brick grows three sizes.
“Jericho is in his office,” she continues. “He’d love a word.”
I nod apprehensively, though after everything that’s gone down, I don’t know why the alpha still sends a chill running down my spine. I guess that’s why he’s the alpha.
“You can find your way, right?” she asks, gesturing to the hall that leads to Jericho’s study.
“Yeah, I’m all good.” I give Jodie one last squeeze. “It’s good to see you both.”
“Tell Jasper I’m planning on kicking his ass in Mario Kart later,” Jodie says as I head off.
“Only if I don’t mop the floor with both of you.”
The hallway is cooler than the rest of the house and my legs start to quiver slightly as I make my way to Jericho’s office, knocking on the door when I arrive.
“Come in,” his voice booms.
Unlike the living room, the office hasn’t changed at all. Large windows still cast light on the sparsely furnished room, and Jericho sits at his tall chair behind the monolithic desk at the far end.
“Max,” Jericho says, unclasping his hands and standing. “It’s good to see you.”
It takes a second to register that we’re not alone. Someone is sitting in one of the armchairs facing the desk, they turn their head as I approach, and I double-take.
“M-Mal?”
The unofficial leader of the rogues is sitting in Jericho’s office, a wry smile playing on her lips. Her gray hair is pulled back in two braids, and she’s wearing a suede jacket that holds a whiff of her passed mate’s scent.
“It’s good to see you, Blood Wolf. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to stick around after the battle.”
“No, that’s, of course.” The rogues were our saviors that day, but I totally get why they vanished as quickly as they’d appeared. “I—I’m glad you’re here though, I’ve been meaning to thank you. For ... for showing up and ... You really came through.”
She stands too, extending a hand, not to shake mine but to hold it.
