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“No. I didn’t know that.”
This news makes things infinitely worse. Earlier, after staring at the door across the hall for what seemed like an eternity, waiting for Leila to emerge, the door swung open. Maya stayed out of sight as they bid their farewells, even though she must have sensed I was there.
I followed Leila downstairs, peppering her with questions about the new arrival to the pack. Leila told me she was part of the exchange program, but I didn’t realise she was the mysterious Alpha’s sister until now.
It doesn’t matter who she’s related to, but it will certainly matter to Alpha Reynolds who his little sister mates with. Especially given my playboy reputation, which is largely undeserved, if you ask me. Stories of my antics from when I was in my early twenties have been hugely exaggerated, and other than some friends-with-benefits arrangements, such as with Faye, I have largely kept my nose clean for the last couple of years. My wolf gave me no choice. He has become increasingly reluctant to do anything other than work and run.
But if she asks her brother about me… it doesn’t bear considering. This is exactly what Cooper and Rex have been warning me about for years. Now they'll have their chance to say, “I told you so”.
“I don’t even know if she’s single. I mean, I assume she is since she’s left the pack, but maybe she came here because she’s dating one of the guys coming to work for you.”
Leila has no idea of the flames of fury she’s stoking within me. I turn on my heel to go, needing to leave, needing to immediately seek out my mate to reassure my wolf nobody else will claim her while we’re down here chatting.
“Nathan, sit down.” Leila’s voice is eerily calm, and I freeze.
“What’s really going on? Tell me. You’ve been…” Leila’s big eyes are round and sparkling as she moves closer; resting a hand on my arm as she looks up at me. “You’ve been different since Rex and Stacey. I’m here if you need to talk, you know that? Just because I’m not living with the pack doesn’t mean I won’t be here at the drop of a hat if you need me.”
Pulling her into a hug, I bury her face in my shoulder as I try to calm my racing heart. My sister did everything she could to help Rex get over his rejection, even setting her own misery over her failed pairing to the side. I pray she isn’t about to witness another one of her brothers suffering through the same thing.
But we’re about to find out.
“Don’t be so dramatic, sis,” I whisper, trying to keep the nervousness out of my voice as I give her a kiss on the top of her head. "Go home. Put those fat feet of yours up and rest. When Hayley gets home from the hospital, you're going to be Auntie-on-call."
She grins. Hayley was getting pains last night and went to the hospital; everyone is waiting to see if she goes into labour, which is why Leila is here settling Maya in instead. I know Leila can't wait to get her hands on the baby.
Disappearing out of the kitchen with a small wave, and shooing Leila to the front door and away from whatever shitshow is about to transpire, I start my slow ascent of the packhouse stairs. I fix my gaze on the door behind which lies the key to my future happiness.
Shaking out my hands and stretching my neck, I bounce on the balls of my feet as I knock on the door, preparing to face the music and see just how much trouble I’m in. Her scent hits me like a tsunami the instant the door cracks open and she blinks up at me through the narrow gap.
She's breathtaking.
“Hi,” I whisper, completely tongue-tied for the first time in my life.
“Hi.” Shyly, she pushes a strand of black hair behind her ear. Her voice is like velvet and my wolf rumbles in the delight of hearing it at last. Cheeks slightly flushed, she looks away and adjusts her grip on the door, not moving to open it any wider.
An adorable line appears between her dark eyebrows when they furrow in confusion and she looks up at me, puzzled.
“Can I help you?”
CHAPTER 3
NATHAN
Can I help you?
I look down at her, stunned into complete silence. That wasn’t what I expected. Maybe for her to slam the door in my face. For her to give me a filthy look and a hard time. Some cursing and snarling.
Not this.
“I… I’m Leila’s brother, Nathan. Can I come in?”
Through the tiny gap in the door, I can only see half of her face and a curtain of shiny black hair. I need to see her properly. Up close, the urge to reach out and touch her, to cup her face, is overwhelming. The door simply existing between us is making me angry, crazy as that seems. I want to rip it off its hinges so I can be closer to her.
After dragging her dark pink bottom lip through her teeth as she ponders whether to let me, her mate, into her new apartment, she gives me a minuscule nod and steps back. Pressing her shoulders to the wall, she gestures for me to move past her, down the narrow hallway, and into the living room.
It takes every bit of willpower I possess to keep moving. Forcing my feet to keep walking before I do something reckless, I take in the few personal items she has unpacked in the small space. At least she’s not planning on running home.
“So…” Maya hoovers uncomfortably near the entrance to the room, rocking up and down on the balls of her feet, giving me the distinct impression I’m not welcome to stay for long. She’s in black yoga pants and a loose t-shirt, making her petite frame look even smaller. As she crosses her arms across her chest nervously, she finally lifts her head so I can see her face properly. My heart twists as I feel her anxiety about being in my presence.
