“Still.” She smiles meekly as she pulls away. “I saw the video and feel terrible about what happened. I tried to talk Laz out of going, but he was dead set.”
“You’re an amazing friend, Faye.” I wipe a rogue tear from her cheek. “I never should’ve asked you to hide anything from them. It wasn’t fair.” I look up at the house and grimace as Lucaand Adler shuffle out of the car behind me. “How bad of a mood is Laz in on a rating of one to the time I pushed his Donkey Kong off of Rainbow Road?”
“Rainbow Road?” Luca asks.
“Don’t ask,” Faye and I answer in unison.
“Well, he’s calmed down a little now.” She plays with her golden hair, wrapping a long strand around her finger, her tone not all that convincing. “I asked them to hear you out, and they’ve agreed to that.”
“Thank you. You’re the only person who can make them see sense.”
“You must be Luca.” Faye turns her attention to the guys, still sniffing a little but managing a watery smile. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“And here are the other two now.” I gesture to the black truck hurtling toward us with Orin at the wheel.
Faye’s fair eyebrows shoot upward. “Two?”
“I’ll fill you in on all the details later,” I promise as Orin and Drax get out of the car to join us.
Faye’s eyebrows ascend even higher when she sees them, but she doesn’t ask any questions.
I grimace. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Follow me.” Faye leads us into their stunning house, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the bright entrance way along with a light breeze. “My Clematicissus striata have been growing well here.” She points out the green trailing plant climbing up the wall, attempting to ease the strained atmosphere. “It’s the perfect environment for them.”
“They’re beautiful.” Luca’s eyes follow the path of the creeping greenery. “They remind me of some of the more unusual plants I’ve seen up on one of my hiking trails.”
“Do you have any photographs?” An eager grin stretches at her lips. “I’d love to work out what species?—”
The pleasantries are cut short when we reach the kitchen to find the Silverwood Pack, all standing in a line with crossed arms and sullen expressions. I feel like we’ve walked into some weird mafia organization headquarters instead of a cozy kitchen.
Laz is uncharacteristically stony-faced, blue eyes fixed on Adler like he’s trying to laser a hole straight through him, his clenched jaw temporarily loosening when he spots the familiar figure behind me.
“Drax?” Laz’s forehead wrinkles. “What are you doing here?”
“Orin?” Damon is also surprised, his menacing gaze losing its edge when it lands on him. From his reaction, I’m guessing that Faye hadn’t got around to sharing that his boss is in my new pack yet. “I don’t underst?—”
“Thanks for welcoming us into your home.” Orin speaks first, commanding the space with his deep voice. “I’m the Strike pack leader.”
Damon gapes. “Adler’s in your pack?”
“He is.” Orin dips his chin in confirmation. “This is Adler, Luca, and I believe you all already know Drax.”
Their puzzlement—evident on their faces—is palpable, but Faye is beaming from ear to ear. She and the other Stella’s have always rooted for Drax.
“I’m Cole. The Silverwood pack leader.” Cole steps forward to exchange brisk handshakes. The alpha pheromones in the air are so strong that you could smash them with an axe. Cole goes on to introduce the rest of the pack. “Damon, who you already know. This is Ren.” Faye’s quietest alpha nods in acknowledgment, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Then Laz. Sabs’s brother.” His expression turns grave. “I’m sure you can understand our reaction when we heard that Sabs bonded with a stranger.”
“Of course,” Orin replies. The whole interaction is oddly formal. “I’d share the same reservations if I were you, but I can assure you that all of us have Sabs’s best interests at heart.”
“If he did, he never would’ve bitten her,” Laz sneers.
“It was an accident!” I huff in exasperation. “Besides, I’m not blameless here. If you want to blame Adler, you have to blame me too.”
“It is always an alpha’s fault,” Laz snarls, hands balled at his sides. “A bite is what seals the bond.”
I stomp my foot. “But I asked him to!”
“That doesn’t matter.” He glowers at me. “He should have had more self-control.”
