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My mind spun. I thought about calling Blake and telling him to go home again, but knowing that my dad was so close terrified me. I knew I had friends to support me and that if I wanted to stay, a clash was inevitable, but I wasn’t ready.
I had support, though. Dakota’s pack had welcomed me. The thought of leading that sort of trouble to them left me cold. I knew it wouldn’t be as easy as just getting Dad arrested by a council enforcer. There was pain in my future.
My contact would want me to call and arrange support. They’d want me to flee the life that I’d built for myself here. There was no way I was doing that. If I ran away, I’d be running forever. It already felt like I had been. I was sick of it. I had a mate to consider now, even if I wasn’t quite ready to fully bond.
Before I could spiral further, there was a knock at the door. “Kade, it’s me, Blake.” I already loved the sound of his voice. My wolf wriggled, and I wanted to cry at the relief that it was still there and Blake was with me.
Opening the door, I moved aside to let Blake in when a burly enforcer tried to muscle in front of him and was pushed back by the wards. He growled at me. I bared my teeth at him in warning. “Warded. You have to be invited in. Blake should pass because he is welcome here.”
The man glanced between his alpha and me.
“It’s okay, Deke.” Blake’s gentle voice made the man step back.
“The house needs to be checked before you spend any time here. Especially if you plan to sleep here.” Deke’s voice was deep and rough, in contrast to his alpha’s smoother timbre. They looked alike. I wondered if there was a family connection.
It was then that I noticed the overnight bag in Blake’s fist, and I raised an eyebrow at him. “Presumptuous much?”
He flushed a beautiful shade of scarlet. “Hopeful. Let’s go with that. Be prepared.”
“I hardly think you were a boy scout.” Blake barked out a laugh, and I grinned at him, already feeling so much more at ease.
Once his laughter settled, he introduced us. “Kade, this is my cousin, Deke.” Ha, bingo. “He’s also part of my security team, and I trust him with my life. Would you mind him checking out your house? He’ll sleep in the truck if you allow me to stay. I can take the couch.”
I was lost for words. It was pushy, but also not. It was reasonable for an alpha male to want to ensure his mate’s safety. He was also trying to give me privacy and not assume more about our tentative relationship. Moon help me, this man was perfect.
“I guess that would be fine. I have a spare room that you could have, and Deke could have the couch. Unless you’re willing to share with each other.” I couldn’t help teasing him a little. His eyes lit with joy at my grin.
“I’d prefer to share with you, but Deke will do in a pinch.” He shot back. Smooth. Well done, my alpha.
“I’d rather have the couch.” Deke said in a gravelly voice with a twist of the lips for us both.
“Well, gentlemen, you are welcome in my home,” I said, allowing the wards to drop temporarily to admit them.
Deke moved quickly, checking each room. For what, I didn’t know, except he seemed happy with the results of his search. “This setup is good. What protections do you have on it?”
“The no entry ward. Only I can authorize the spell dropping. In here I can’t be scried for. Standard damage protections and an alarm to the local police. They are aware of my situation, to a point at least.”
“Are you okay with me sleeping inside?” Deke asked carefully. “If you’d rather have privacy...”
I noticed Blake flinch. “What did you do?” His cousin asked.
His face was almost beetroot, it was so red. “I brought a silencing ward.”
“And if you get attacked?” Deke demanded, looking disappointed in his alpha.
“It’s not for the pack link. Just regular sound.”
Deke looked slightly mollified by that concession to safety, and it pleased me that Blake took his team’s concerns into account. So far, he was everything that I’d heard he was and more.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” I asked, a little uncomfortable at the sudden silence.
“What do you have?” Blake trailed me to the kitchen to help. My steps faltered at the move. It was so unusual for alphas to take on domestic tasks. Those were for omegas or betas. With his help, we were soon settling on the couch.
“When do you return to work?” Blake questioned as I settled onto the sofa next to him. Deke had taken the armchair with a view of the door.
“Tomorrow morning.” I yawned, feeling tired after such a long day and the emotional ups and downs.
“Could we drop you off on the way to pack lands? An enforcer returned your van.” Blake looked at Deke for confirmation, receiving a nod in return. “That is, if you are sure it’s okay for us to stay.”
