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“Better yet, I’ll explain it to you, Nolan,” Cade replied. “Buckle up, you smut-writing fiend, Daddy’s about to teach you a fucking lesson.”
My face fell into my hands as I lost it. Cade launched into a very lengthy explanation that was only made better by the absolute way Nolan clung to his every word with the utmost curiosity.
Chapter 45
Genevieve
Athird howl echoed through the forest, and Declan was out of his chair in a heartbeat with Nolan right behind him. We all were. Eyes on the forest, nerves and hopes high.
The final howl.
The final stretch.
For a silly pack game, we were all wholly invested, or maybe we were just invested in our pack winning for the first time. Cole rounded the last bend with Isla on his tail. Literally. Roan and Raven were nowhere to be seen.
“Where the fuck is she?” Cade demanded with an edge of worry in his voice.
“She’s fine,” Killian said. “She’s just not as fast.”
“No, she’s faster,” Declan insisted. She was.
“Final leg strategy,” Nolan told us all. I glanced at him to see a ridiculous smile on his face. Whatever he knew, I wanted to know it too.
Halfway down the path toward us, Raven darted out of the trees and cut off Cole. The lawn erupted in cheers and howls as Raven sprinted the last bit with ease. When she crossed the finish line, the sound grew louder.
“That's our girl!” Declan shouted and grabbed Nolan around the waist. Despite Nolan's protesting, Declan lifted him off the ground shaking.
Me? My face hurt as I beamed. I couldn't clap any harder as I watched my friend slow and come to a stop. Her tail swished happily, and Holly trotted around her as if staking claim.
“Jesus fuckin’ Christ!” Cole panted the moment he was in human form again. “I ain't run that fast in fuckin’ years.”
“You didn’t run that fast this time either, big boy,” Cade shot back with a cocky grin. “You good, Isla?”
“Yeah, yeah! I’m good, mo bhràthair,” Isla replied, a little winded but otherwise happy. “Off to find my clothes!”
“Joke’s on you,” he called after her. “I took them!”
“Oh, well, that wouldn’t be fair to Mr. Growly, now would it?” Her laughter hung in the air as she vanished.
I fell quiet as Declan jogged across the lawn with Raven toward the shift shed. Nolan was preoccupied with a conversation with Lucas while Killian managed to take over the entire conversation. I would’ve been lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit in awe of the level of charisma the man had gained over three years. He was confident and engaging—traits he hadn’t easily exuded before.
It left me with questions.
Finn, Sam, and Lucas belting out ‘We Are The Champions’ as they gestured across the lawn snapped me out of my head. Declan carried Raven on his back while singing at the top of her lungs with them.
“You, Cole Stone, got Byrne-d!” Raven taunted when Declan dropped her to the grass. Oh, no.
“Oh.” Sam cringed as he shook his head. Declan and Killian sucked in a sharp breath in unison while Nolan groaned.
“Oh, no.” Finn joined him. “No, no, no.”
“You can’t say that,” Lucas said. She frowned, planting her hands on her hips. “Not here.”
“Why not?” she demanded. “It’s a good pun!”
“Bad experience,” Finn told her.
“Six years ago, three lighters, two bags of marshmallows, and a possum. We don’t talk about it.”
