He didn’t look reassured.
“She literally teaches people how to take down attackers. I’m pretty sure she’ll be fine,” Cassie teased. “You’ve turned so sappy.”
He gave her a look but didn’t argue.
“Go shower,” Leon said. “Then we can grab dinner before my shift.”
“Sounds good.”
I kissed him quickly before heading to the locker room. Thankfully, my locker was stocked with extra clothes andproducts. I showered quickly before throwing on jeans and a T-shirt and pulling my damp hair into a messy bun.
Leon and I weren’t exactly the fancy types.
He was still waiting by the desk when I walked out. He grinned and pulled me close, breathing me in.
You always smell so good after a shower.”
I didn’t tell him it was the scent-enhancing products.
“Keep it together, you’ve got work tonight,” I teased as he gave me an exasperated look and started to drag me to the door.
“Bye, boss,” Cassie called after me. We both waved before stepping outside.
“How about the diner?” Leon offered. “I’ve been dying for pancakes.”
“I’ve burned off enough energy today. I could use some carbs. Pancakes sound incredible. Bacon, too. And coffee.”
Because despite my bravado, I was a little nervous about how the guys would react. It was going to be a late night.
Maybe I had gone over the top. My omega was just… hurt.
Nikolai claimed me, offered everything, and then left without trusting me enough to explain.
It wasn’t something we couldn’t fix if they were actually willing to listen, but I stood by my choice to kick them out.
I pushed those thoughts away and focused on Leon, the mate that was still right in front of me.
The diner was already busy, the scent of syrup and fried food and constant chatter familiar in the best way. They seated us quickly and we ordered without even opening the menu.
“How are you feeling about the pack?” I asked Leon once our waitress walked away.
“It was nice having you to myself,” he admitted. “But I also like the idea of you having enough alphas to protect you. I’m not an alpha and I can’t keep you safe in every situation… andhonestly, the reach they have is kind of terrifying, but also oddly reassuring.”
“It is,” I admitted. “I don’t fully know how to feel about them being Crows. But at the same time, I can’t judge them. I’ve done things I don’t regret, but they’re not exactly wholesome.”
“We’ve all done what we had to for survival.”
“We have,” I agreed. “And I do trust Nikolai. I feel drawn to Luca and Ronan… but I haven’t had time to get to know them.”
“We’ll just have to see how good they are at sweet-talking.”
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Ronan
“Fuck, I should have stayed,” Nikolai cursed for the fifteenth time on the drive back to Widow’s Peak.
