Oz shrugged his shoulders and pointed at the dark-skinned man. “He said I wouldn’t do it, and we were over an ocean. I had a plan.”
I exchanged a look with Lyric, who looked worried. Her fear echoed in the other woman’s eyes. “You’re joking, right?”
Rowan looked uncomfortable. “We were almost at the proper altitude, and he did land in water with very little damage. Kayak saved him, living up to his namesake.”
The human emitted a growl that was almost as good as a wolf, lifting his middle finger. “As amusing as I find your stories, let’s focus on our current problem.” Kellen brought our attention back around.
Lyric shot her mate a worried look, his head bent, their foreheads touched, and then they both closed their eyes. I turned away, knowing they were communicating. Xan’s big palm rubbed my back, the scars there no longer bothering me so much. “It’ll be okay, breathe.” I exhaled quietly, astonished at the beautiful yet harsh men who’d joined our group.
Once Kellen began explaining the last couple of weeks, the laughing, affable men disappeared. The laughter might never have been there from the expressions on their faces. Kayan took a seat, then the others followed suit, obviously waiting for him. Rowan’s brows rose, but he didn’t say anything.
What seemed hours later, the men were still talking or coming up with plans of action. My ass was getting numb, and I needed to potty. Lyric stood at the same time, both of us holding out our hands. Lyric whispered to Rowan, who rolled his eyes, patting her ass as she stepped around him.
“Gotta go to the little girl’s room and get something to eat. Want anything?”
Xan reached for my hand as I passed. “Don’t leave the clubhouse.”
My gaze went around the room. Intense would describe them all to a T. My eyes flickered, my wolf coming to the surface, but I pushed her back. “I won’t,” I promised.
Lyric snorted. “You’re so whipped. Come on, let’s potty and let them discuss. We can stay on top of their discussion even from afar.”
I wished I were as sure as Lyric. The younger woman was every bit the alpha as her brother. We entered the large restroom, regarding each other warily. Wolves tended to be territorial in general. If Lyric planned to give me the talk, my wolf and I would show her who was top wolf when it came to Xan.
“Relax, chick. I’m not going to want to rumble over my brother. You and he look good together, and I can see you’ve mated. Congrats, by the way. It’s about time y’all quit dancing around each other. I’m tired of watching a different bitch panting after his ass. Now, we just need to find a nice little wolf for Kellen.” Lyric entered the first stall.
I relaxed and went into the stall next to Lyric. “You think a nice wolf would be a good idea for our fierce leader? Really?” I asked, washing my hands.
Lyric scrubbed her own and then dried them before answering. “Okay, maybe an alpha bitch, but I think we should get to pick her. Remember, whoever he chooses becomes our alpha as well.”
There was no way I was interfering in Kellen’s love life. Lyric smoothed her hands down her figure, making me wish I were a little more lithe like my new sister-in-law. “You’re gorgeous, you know that, right? My brother is lucky to have landed you.” Her eyes held truth and sincerity.
I opened my mouth and then shut it. What would it have been like to have grown up with another sister? Having had only two brothers who were twins and so connected, I’d felt like a third wheel all my life. My father, Shaw, and Parker loved me, but after my mother’s banishment, our relationship had become turbulent. In the mirror, my eyes reflected the pain of memories.
“What did I say?” Lyric asked.
Although I’d shared my past with Xan, doing so with others, even Lyric, wasn’t something I was ready to do just yet, maybe never. “It wasn’t you, it was something from my past.” I shook my head. “Let’s go get something to eat. I know there’s food in the kitchen that we can cook up.”
“Oh, yeah. Deep-fried anything we could want.” Lyric held the door open.
“Hey, I love anything you can bread and throw in a vat of grease. Hence my ass and hips.”
Lyric snorted. “Oh palease, you have a body I would love to have. All curves and shit. Don’t make me kick your ass.”
“Let’s agree to disagree then, cause you have all those damn muscles and still manage to have curves. I swear I work out and still can’t get rid of the badonk.”
The look Lyric gave me said she thought I was just this side of nuts. A strange wolf met us as we walked back out. Lyric came to a stop, making me bump into her. “Excuse me, the meeting is in the main clubhouse.” We’d gone to the ladies’ room in the back, closer to the bar area, since the kitchen was back there. I refused to flinch at the mean look the female gave us. It was one of loathing, and something I couldn’t put my finger on.
“I didn’t want to interrupt the menfolk, you know how they can get.” She stared at us unblinking.
A touch of uncertainty entered me. I reached for Xan on our new mental path. “There’s a strange female back here. I don’t pretend to know all the members of the pack, but even Lyric doesn’t know this bitch.” I waited for him to acknowledge my call but was unable to sense him. A dark veil covered the link that should be open.
“Look, we were just getting ready to head back to see if the guys were ready to roll. Wanna come with us?”
“As a matter of fact, I was just going to see if you two could help me. I’m moving into one of the suites and could really use some help.”
Doubt was a living, breathing beast in my head. Lyric took a step back, her hand pulling me with her. “Sure thing, darlin. Rowan will help, too.”
The stranger sighed. “Lord, Sandy swore this would be easy. Two blonde bitches with more tits than brains.” She stretched out one arm, her fingers morphing into claws.
