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He winced. “Fine. I deserved that.”
I stepped aside and gestured for him to enter. “I’m only kidding. You’re always welcome, West.” Just because he had reservations about me didn’t mean I felt the same about him.
“Would you be more comfortable if we played a game of Scrabble while we talked?” I asked, closing the door behind us.
He grunted his amusement. “I don’t need the distraction unless you do.”
“No. I’m all ears, unlike your friend Jax.”
He broke into a smile. “I bet he’s still fuming about that. I think that’s the ear he pierced when we were twelve.”
I steered West to the kitchen. “Well, he can still wear his favorite earring. It’s the tip that’s missing, not the lobe.”
He scented the air. “Has Mrs. Pratt baked any cookies?”
“I’m afraid you missed the most recent batch.” Between the cookies and candy, I’d be sending Sian back to Faerie with intense sugar cravings.
“That’s too bad,” West said. “Her cookies would make this conversation a hell of a lot easier.”
“She would’ve baked more if she’d known you were coming. She’s got a sweet spot for you.”
“Glad to hear it. She seems like a nice lady.”
“She’s a better housemate than I expected, that’s for sure.”
“Must be strange, having them around all the time.”
“There are rules.” Sort of. Kind of. Not so much anymore.
He glanced around the kitchen. “Are they here right now?”
“No, I asked them to wait outside while we spoke.”
“That was considerate.”
“I know you’re a private guy. I was being respectful.”
He exhaled. “Speaking of respect, I owe you an apology, Clay.”
“Oh?”
“I’m sorry. I had no right to be so hard on you. I was so busy calling you out for being a potential threat to this town when I was the actual threat. I endangered my pack. Sage and her grandmother. You. I want to make it right.”
“Your concern is valid, and I won’t hold it against you.” And I loved him for it, in a platonic sense. He looked out for his pack the way Pops had looked out for me. There was so much love and compassion wrapped up in that furry hide. No wonder Sage was smitten with him.
“What did you decide to do about Anna?”
“That’s internal pack business.” He paused. “But you should know I took on board what you said back at the cabin.”
I nodded. “Orson is terrible, by the way.”
He grunted. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“He abused Jax. Broke his bones over and over again, trying to get him to shift faster when he was younger.”
West peered at me. “You saw that?”
“One of Jax’s worst nightmares. He lives in constant fear. He’s probably lived that way for so long, he doesn’t recognize the feeling anymore. It’s just a natural part of him.”
