“You may as well rest up, it’s a three hour drive,” he said as he reversed down the driveway. I rested my head against the headrest and stared out the window.
This city had never truly felt like home. It was too big, and I wasn’t cut out for it. I moved for them, because I loved them and was always supportive of their careers.
I wish they would have returned the sentiment.
My eyes drifted closed and didn’t open again until someone was shaking me awake. I startled, eyes flying open, a gasp rushing out of me.
“It’s just me,” Conrad said as I tried and failed to calm my racing heart. “We’re here.”
I ran a hand over my face and glanced out the window at my new home. Instead of a backdrop of skyscrapers and the sound of traffic, I could see Lake Michigan in the distance and hear the sound of the breeze rustling the few leaves that remained on the frozen trees surrounding us.
The house itself was perfect. Big enough to fit the starting lineup of the team. There were two stories, and a balcony overlooking the park next door. The front door was painted midnight blue, matching the shutters that stood out against the white siding.
I was already in love with the wraparound porch. It had an overhang, so the rain wouldn’t stop me from going out here for my morning coffee. There was something about enjoying a warm cup while the world started to wake up slowly around you.
“Not exactly the grandeur that your ex-pack flaunted,” Conrad noted as he climbed out and shut his door behind him. He was at mine before I could move, opening it and holding out a hand.
“I think it’s nice,” I defended the house. “It feels like a real home.”
“It’s chaos,” he countered with a crooked grin. “Now quit procrastinating. They’re probably waiting for us.”
When my hand found his, he helped me down, then reached in the back for my duffel. The two boxes of books could wait a bit longer.
The front door opened before we could reach it, and there were two men waiting. One seemed to be an alpha, broad and muscled like most hockey players, with the saddest eyes I think I’d ever seen, despite his welcoming smile. He had dark, shaggy hair that he shoved out of his eyes, the green orbs studying me a bit too intently.
The second was… a delta? Despite having a delta in my pack, they weren’t exactly prominent in the hockey world. I really should have done my research. Schooling my features, I offered him a smile.
He was pretty. Blond, wavy hair slung to the side, showing the undercut off. His eyes were a rich brown, and his skin was pristine. Between that and his sharp features, he was model-worthy.
If he didn’t have piercings in his eyebrow, septum, and lip, at least. For me, that only made him even more attractive.
Not that I should be noticing right now.
“Welcome to our humble abode,” the blond called out as he swept a hand toward the door.
“That’s Mason, the worst fucking flirt you’ll ever meet. The dark-haired alpha is Kieran,” Conrad introduced them. There was affection in his voice and a hint of humor. Bringing me heremeant he trusted them. The way they interacted said they were family.
“Hi,” I said lamely, making Mason smile wider yet. “Lana.”
My cheeks burned as I tacked my name on the end.
“Quit being weird, you’re going to freak her out,” Conrad said, punching Mason in the arm and pulling me into the house with him.
He was a confirmed delta the moment the electric shock of his scent hit me. It was hard to decipher the distinct notes of the scents and who they belonged to. There was something tart like green apple, sweet like pear, the spicy scent of cloves, the warmth of brandy, and a cooling trickle of clean water. I shouldn’t be noticing this. After bonding, it was as if all scents around me were muted. Even now, the hints I was getting weren’t as strong as I knew they should be.
This was just another sign that my bond was fading to nonexistence. I had a feeling the longer they took to notice my absence, the more it would fade.
Then I’d be free.
“We did our best to get your room ready for you, Lana,” Kieran said, snapping me out of my spiral. For an alpha, his voice was so gentle and soothing.
“Thank you. I’m sorry to be so much trouble,” I started, but his eyes narrowed and Mason scoffed.
“Your existence is hardly trouble. You deserve to be safe,” he said with finality. “I also heard that we are under strict orders not to kick their asses.”
I winced. Of course Conrad told him. It made sense for him to give them a rundown of why I was here, but I hated that all of my secrets were exposed. They knew exactly how pathetic and alone I’d been.
“Don’t worry, they’re not judging,” Conrad whispered to me, his voice just low enough that the others couldn’t hear.
