"If that's what you want, but if you need me to kick any of their butts, just holler," she smirked at me. Such a strong girl, she was going to be a spitfire someday.
"Yes, I'll call you and my girls for back up. I still need to introduce you to the granny mafia in town, too. They’re two of the sweetest old ladies with a mean purse swing," I toldher before launching into the story of how they defended Dani against her stalker, taking out the crazy man without breaking a sweat.
"They sound hysterical," she said, dipping the pizza in ranch before tasting them together. "Okay, I can see why people like this. Can I get more ranch?"
"Go for it," I answered, trying not to smile like an idiot. Every day with her felt a little easier and she brought so much happiness into my life.
While she was gone I scanned the lake. There were several docks like ours overlooking the water, but they were fairly empty.
On the dock next to ours, Dani waved quickly and I gave her a thumbs up. She returned the gesture before sneaking back inside.
My soul felt whole for the first time in a long time. Everything was falling into place for once and I loved to see that smile on Phoenix's face.
"I brought you another piece," Phoenix said from behind me as she walked out, placing it on my plate. "You need to eat more."
"Well, I'm not sure this little one will like it in the morning," I sighed. “It’s been awful.”
"I thought I heard you throwing up this morning. I'm glad you're not sick," she said, sitting down again.
"Sorry about that.”
“No worries,” she said around a mouthful before sliding over her book and reading the back.
“Are you ready to start Percy Jackson?” I grabbed my own copy and pushed my plate aside. “We can start our reading of chapter one. Then it’s time to shower and get ready for bed," I reminded her.
"Can I stay up later? Just tonight?" she pleaded with me.
"If we start that, it's going to be an everyday debate. How about tomorrow night? The guys will be here and we can have a bit of a girls’ night after," I countered.
"Fine," she said with a grin, knowing she won.
Today was finally the day I got to see my omega. It had been over a month since she ghosted us. Her text yesterday came as a complete shock, but not one of us turned down her offer for dinner.
I was, however, afraid she’d cancel.
Hopefully, no one in Willow Lake needed to be rescued today because not one of us was keeping it together.
Apollo had been washing the fire truck for almost two hours, the side he’d barely moved from the cleanest it had ever been.
Ezra was in the kitchen organizing and deep cleaning. Or at least, that was the room I’d seen him in last. I had a feeling by the time dinner rolled around the whole place would be sparkling.
My phone dinged in my pocket and I nearly dropped it, I snagged it out so fast. The sound alone had my heart slamming against my ribcage.
Bea
Here’s my new address. I moved, but it’s on the lake. Don’t knock, text me when you’re here so I can come out and chat before we go in, please.
“That’s not ominous at all,” Apollo said, his eyes wide as he looked up at me. I was the leader, the one supposed to calm them, but I couldn’t disagree.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” I lied, hoping like hell it was true. My alpha had been on edge for a fucking month. It was getting hard to keep the act up and I knew my pack felt every minute of it.
We’d all thrown ourselves into work as if that would chase away the pain of finding our mate, then losing her.
I’d seen her around town a time or two, but she was skittish enough I was afraid to approach her. Losing her again would only send me into a spiral and I didn’t want to risk it.
I had to believe tonight would change everything.
“Will you three get the fuck out of here,” Chief growled as he came stalking in. “The rookies are terrified of you and they’re trained properly. We’ll handle anything that comes in.”
