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“Say that to my face, smart ass,” Alice challenged gruffly.
“Please, do. I’d love to see her kick your fucking ass,” I chimed in. God, how I wanted to fucking see that happen. I probably would’ve cried laughing and been no help at all. The way Genevieve glanced in my direction at my comment only made me feel bad for the words. Damn it. That look did more to knock me down a few fucking pegs than anything else.
“Evening,” Declan said, his voice loud and carrying over everyone. I watched with interest as the pack hung onto his every word. It was obvious from how his arms crossed tight over his chest and his shoulders went rigid that he was uncomfortable. That didn’t surprise me. Declan had a fucking way with small groups of people, not big ones. Raven must’ve noticed. She slid off Cade’s back and stood next to Declan, her hand rubbing up and down his back. I didn’t miss how he visibly relaxed under her touch. “The Fall Games have come to Cedar Harbor—”
A delighted cheer rose across the lawn, drowning out his prepared speech. I grinned. The mood of the pack was fucking addictive. One side glance across the porch and I caught sight of Genevieve’s smile. Fuck, she was gorgeous.
“As always, we’ve got the Ironwoods and the Stones with us,” he continued over everyone. It took a hot fucking minute but silence ensued. “And this year, we have a new pack with us. We’ve talked about it, but this is the first time we’ve had the Lochlans present for the Fall Games.”
That one sentiment turned the mood of the pack. Apprehension. Worry. And a healthy dose of fear. It was fucking understandable. We were in new fucking territory.
But Declan, with the help of Maverick and Cole, talked the pack through the introductions for both Cade and Isla. I remained silent and watched my brother—brothers really as Nolan, Lucas, and Finn took their openings to chime in their support and thoughts on everything. They were incredible to watch. A well-oiled machine. Flawless and reassuring.
My chest fucking tightened. How the fuck was I supposed to fit in on that?
‘You’re brooding.’ Sam’s voice in my head interrupted the onslaught of intrusive thoughts threatening to take over. ‘Grumpy fucker.’
I shifted in my spot to look down at him. His fangs were bared in a wolfish smile.
“I make broody look fucking good,” I whispered with a grin.
‘Nothing looks good on that ugly face,’ he retorted. Turning my back on him, I slipped my hand behind me to flick him off and was greeted by his huffing laughter in my head.
“The tides are changing this year, folks!” Finn said as the conversation shifted. “The Byrnes won the first game!”
Yeah, that fucking did us in. The cheering was deafening. The Byrne pack never won shit, so this was a fucking treat for everyone. Their excitement was palpable and infectious.
“And!” he yelled over everyone before pointing in Isla’s direction. “This wild, Scottish thing over here kicked their asses in game number two! Which means, all we have to do is kick some Scottish furry ass—”
“Hey! Watch who you’re calling furry, Byrne,” Isla snapped. When he turned to her, she cocked a brow and waited.
“Pardon me.” Finn bowed dramatically to her, and I snorted. Fucking kid. “All we have to do is kick some gorgeously sculpted Scottish ass tomorrow—is that better? Did you like that? Do I need more adjectives?”
‘Jesus fuck,’ Sam said.
“No, you’re wonderful,” she replied, and he fucking winked at her.
“She thinks I’m wonderful,” he told the pack with a stupid fucking grin, making them laugh. “Think she’ll say the same thing tomorrow when we kick her ass in the final race?”
There was an uproar of a response, but I fucking ignored them as Roan turned around and leaned over the banister. His brows came together in confusion, making me chuckle.
“If I don’t have a chance to fucking win tomorrow,” he began quietly, “why am I fucking running?”
“It’s a legitimate chance to get naked and show off your fucking dick,” I retorted.
“That’s a solid reason.” He nodded slowly. “But I don’t like running.”
“And you do suck at it.”
“Dick.”
“You love me, you furry fuck,” I shot back with a widening grin. “If you don’t run tomorrow, I’ll shift, chase you down, and keep biting your ass to get you moving.”
‘What the fuck is wrong with you two?’ Sam demanded.
“So much,” I said over my shoulder.
“And one last thing before we let the party start tonight,” Declan announced while the noise began to die down. He turned to me and nodded. I drew in a deep breath. This part was all me. No one could fucking do it but me.
