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Chapter 21
Niko
As soon as I felt the rush of emotions from Amelia, I knew leaving her was a mistake. I fought for control as my tiger pushed forward; his only concern was protecting our mate. If it were anyone except Kat in the house with her, I would be running back to her side. Instead, I calmly checked on her through our bond.
“She’s pissed about something,” Miguel huffed as he dropped another box on the garage floor.
I picked the box up and placed it with the others we had brought from his house. I had them all neatly stacked on the right side of my two-car garage, still leaving plenty of room to park my Harley. “How much more shit do you have?”
“One more load of packed boxes. I still have a few more that need packed and taped, then it’s on to the furniture.” Miguel leaned to drop another box.
“Stop dropping those willy nilly. Stack it neatly over there with the others.” I could already tell this living situation was going to have quite a few bumps before leveling out. “As for your furniture, it can stay in the house until we all decide how this is going to work.”
“You know my couch is more comfortable than yours.” Miguel smirked. “And my recliner, that has to come.”
“Your ratty, frat boy furniture is on its last legs. If we need to change things up, then we do it together and let Amelia have a say as well.” There was no way I was letting his old saggy-ass furniture in my house.
“You think she’ll agree to move in with us?” Miguel’s steps faltered as he looked at me with concern etched in his expression.
“I do. I think it’s going to take a little bit of time and a lot of patience, but she will see it’s the best thing for all of us.” I kept my words positive, but deep down, in that well of emotion I still held closed off, I wasn’t as confident. I couldn’t control the outcome of this situation.
“I’m not so sure, Niko.” Miguel ran his hand through his hair. “If we push too hard too soon, I think she’ll dig her heels in and stay right where she is.” He began to pace. “It’s still so hard to read her, even with our mate bond. I can’t predict how she will react to us sometimes.”
“Patience is key. A lot has happened to her in a short amount of time. If she wants to stay in her home, we just won’t let her be alone. One or both of us need to be there every night. During the day, we can keep an eye on her from a distance, but her nights are ours.”
“Agreed.” Miguel strode to grab the last box from the bed of his truck. “The rest of the boxes can wait. Let’s go check on our mate.” He shut the tailgate and walked to the driver’s door, looking back at me. “Are you coming?”
I only hoped that moving Miguel in with me would encourage Amelia to move, too, and give her the reassurance of our bond.
“Kat and Kymber are still with her. I don’t think it’s the right time to go back.” My stomach flipped as the words left my mouth. Every cell of my body wanted to run back and claim her, to mark every surface in her home with our combined scent. Logically, I knew that would push her further away, so I suggested the next best thing. “If Kat and Kymber are together, I can bet you Leo and DJ are as well. Let’s drive up to the Alpha house and see. Maybe they can give us advice on how to handle this whole mate relationship.”
“Good idea. Hop in.” Miguel shut his door and cranked his truck to life.
I shook my head as I climbed into the passenger side. “You’ll need to put a foot rail on this monstrosity if you ever hope to get Amelia in it.”
“Hell, I’ll trade it in for whatever she wants if it will make her happy.” Shock ran through me at his words and the speed he took the next turn.
“Only if we stay alive long enough. Slow the fuck down.” This was why I never rode with Miguel. His love for speed raised the hairs on my skin and set my tiger on edge. I admired his control at any speed, but that didn’t mean I enjoyed it.
“Okay, granny. I’ll slow down just for you,” he joked.
I rolled my eyes but relaxed as he slowed, taking the turn into the driveway like a normal driver. “Looks like I was right. That’s DJ’s truck.” I pointed.
“Hmm. Wonder why he didn’t ride his bike.”
“I’m going to bet they have the kids.” I smiled as I hopped down from the truck.
“But Kat had Marisol with her.” Miguel countered.
“True, but I have a feeling she sent her back home with Diego.”
Leo opened the door as we reached the bottom porch step. Tiny mews and loud giggles proceeded the two children, one in fur and one in skin, as they crawled around Leo’s legs and back down the hallway.
“Get your asses in here. We need back up.” Leo smiled as he stepped back, giving us room to walk past.
“Can’t handle your own child?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Just wait until you have your own.” He shook his head as he closed the door. “Pure hellions are what they are.”
