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“Actually, I’m not feeling that well all of the sudden, maybe I should just head back…”
“Get out of the fucking truck, Chey,” I deadpan, holding the passenger door open as I look in at her fidgeting uncomfortably in her seat, still searching for an excuse.
“I can just shift and run back, or I can call Meg and…”
“Get out of the truck,” I repeat, raising my voice louder this time.
She flinches, eyes widening. “Okay, okay, mister big bad wolf.Jeez.” Cheyenne scowls at me as she clicks the button to unfasten her seatbelt, tossing it off her shoulder and hopping down from the truck. Then she steps forward until we’re toe to toe, crossing her arms and cocking her head defiantly as she glares up at me. “Happy?”
“Yup,” I reply, popping the P. I reach out to grip onto Chey’s biceps, moving her aside so I can close the passenger door. When I turn back around, I find my friend staring hesitantly toward the front of the Goldenleaf bar, chewing on the inside of her cheek.
“Who all did you say was gonna be here?” she mumbles.
I come up beside her, following her gaze to look toward the building. “The other alphas and future alphas, Lo’s friend group. Don’t worry, they’re cool. I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
She nods, still staring ahead apprehensively. “But what if they ask about…” she trails off, her fingers reaching up to brush over the faded mark at the junction of her neck and shoulder; the reason she’s been a recluse for the past two years.
“They won’t,” I reply quickly. I’m sure with the way Lo’s friends tend to gossip, word’s already gotten around about what she told Iver this morning regarding Chey’s mark. “And if they do, I’ve got you.”
She swings her head my way, tilting her chin up to look at me. Her amber eyes meet my own, her throat bobbing with a harsh swallow. “Thanks.”
I’m not sure whether she’s thanking me for saying I’ll speak up for her or for forcing her to come out with me tonight. Either way, I’ll take it, because this is a new start for all of us. This place, these people… it’s exactly what Cheyenne needs to finally leave the past behind and move forward, she just needs to work up the courage to take the first step. And what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t give her a little push?
“Of course,” I sigh, slinging an arm over her shoulders. I tug her in, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “Now c’mon, let’s get in there and have a drink.”
She begrudgingly allows me to lead her to the entrance of the bar, and I push the door open so she can enter ahead of me, glancing toward the tables in the far corner. They’re already pushed together, but only half of the stools around them are occupied by Madd and the other guys. There’s no sign of the girls- Lo said the four of them were meeting in Andie’s dorm room to drink wine and get ready together- so I’m guessing they’re still on their way.
I lead Chey over to the table and make introductions, finally settling onto a stool and motioning for her to take the empty seat between me and Iver. Because yeah, I heard him asking about her on the field today.Call me cupid.
I order a beer from the waitress while Chey orders a double vodka cranberry, and as soon as our drinks are dropped off at the table, Cheyenne wastes no time in sucking hers down for some liquid courage. I’m not sure she’s the one who’ll need it, though- with the intense stares the guys are pointing in my direction, I suddenly feel like I’m on trial again.
None of them speak, and the tension only mounts as they all exchange conspiratorial glances.
“What?” I finally ask, swallowing down a swig of my beer and as my anxious gaze slides between them.
Maddox clears his throat, leaning his forearms on the table and bringing his hands together in front of him, steepling his fingers. “So we were all talking, and we realized that since we didn’tknow about you and Lo until a few days ago, we never got the chance to read you the riot act.”
I arch a dubious brow. “Meaning?”
Ares puffs out his chest, lifting his chin and pointing a finger at me. “You hurt her, we hurtyou.”
I flinch back in disbelief, completely caught off guard. I’d thought we were past all this; that they’d accepted mine and Lo’s relationship for what it is. But as I take in the looks on their faces, it appears that I was sorely mistaken.
“She’s mymate,” I grit out, unable to keep the bite from my tone because it really pisses me and my wolf the fuck off that they’d insinuate I’m capable of harming her. I narrow my eyes on them, shaking my head. “I’d never hurt her, and I’d fuckingdestroyanyone else who tried to. I don’t…”
“Easy, Loverboy, we’re just fucking with you,” Archer interjects with a snort, and the rest of the guys start cracking up, all of them obviously in on the joke. Even Chey titters an amused laugh, nudging me with an elbow playfully.
“Put your wolf away, Cruz, we’re all good here,” Madd teases, smirking.
While I have a sense of humor, my inner beast doesn’t seem to. He’s still all fired up, evidently making himself known in my irises.
“Hey, out of everyone,youshould get it,” I say with a low chuckle, raising my beer to my lips for another swig, then pointing the tip of the bottle in Madd’s direction as I swallow it down. “You’ve got a mate, too.”
He leans back, smiling smugly as he cards his fingers through his hair. “Oh, Idoget it, trust me. We just couldn’t pass up the chance to give you a little shit, that’s all. You’re one of us now, so it comes with the territory.”
One of them.Damn, it still feels surreal.
“We love Lo, and you’re alright,” Tristan adds, winking. “We’re happy for you guys, really.”
