“I agree,” Martin says. “The only thing bruised is my ego.”
“No kidding,” Griffin snorts. He casts me a curious stare. “For the first time since I've known you, I actually felt scared of you.”
“Yeah,” Martin says. “I could feel your aura. Had to battle the urge to run.”
“Same.” Griffin looks at me curiously. “Man, what changed?”
“I just realized a few things,” I say.
“And what’s that?”
I smile, but don’t answer them. It might sound simple and stupid to them, and I am not sure if they would even get it. I just know my wolf and I understand it now.
I am an alpha.
twenty-one
Lissa
*ROSEA*
The next couple of days pass like a blur. Forest and I found a new routine, with him mingling with the pack and his warriors daily, and with me going about my own business, always accompanied by either Martin or Griffin.
We both are too aware that it’s not safe for me to be on my own.
Fortunately, Griffin knows what’s going on now, and Martin doesn’t ask too many questions… yet. I wonder how long he will play along without demanding some answers. I guess we’ll need to stay alert and decide once the situation demands it.
For now, however, we go about our new routines. Meaning, we also make sure to have breakfast together every day, and appear as a unit. Either Griffin or Martin or both are always with us. Fortoday, Martin leads an early training, so Griffin makes time to join us.
“Alrighty, what did I miss?” he says, flopping down on the space next to Forest. He wanted to sit next to me first, but Forest just narrowed his eyes to a glare, and Griffin decided otherwise.
“Not much,” Forest tells him. “Rose and I just came down for breakfast.” He turns to me with a gentle smile. “Do you want coffee or tea?”
“Coffee, please,” I say.
I am not sure what exactly has changed, but Forest has been very protective of me recently. And the strangest part is that it doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable. Maybe because he isn’t overbearing, he isn’t overly possessive. He is still respectful and still wants to know my opinion first, before he even thinks about asking Griffin or Martin anything.
Yesterday, Lissa tried to approach me, and Forest didn’t even let her get two words out before he told her to get lost. I don’t know what happened, but since the night I had my nightmare, and Forest woke me from it, something changed.
But what’s worrying me is not that Forest has changed, it’s that I don’t mind that he has. He still feels like such a safe place to me, and for whatever reason… that’s scaring me.
Griffin heads to the buffet to grab us some more bread, all the while chatting happily with whoever crosses his path. Harry walks past him, and Griffin makes sure to wave at him enthusiastically. It’s hilarious how he completely ignores the deathly glare Harry sends him.
I instantly get eerie vibes from Harry being around, though. After lying low the last couple of days, it bothers me a little that he is here today.
An omega brings me coffee, and I smile at the kind-looking, young woman. “Thank you,” I say. “You are Nina, am I right?”
She nods, flushing a little.
“I noticed you always keep an eye on me and bring me my coffee exactly the way I like it,” I say. “Thank you for watching out for me, Nina.”
Her eyes widen. “It’s an honor, Luna.”
“You always work the early shift?” I ask her.
She nods. “My mate is a warrior and works an early shift, too.” There is a hint of worry in her eyes. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is that makes her feel wary. Is she scared her mate will get hurt?
I lower my voice to a whisper. “Is everything okay?”
