Chapter 28 Hot Stuff
twenty-eight
Hot Stuff
*LORI*
Goddess, what am I doing? What the fuck am I doing here? It’s not even two days since I officially joined the pack and met my mate, and I am already getting way too attached, not only to this place but to Benjamin, too.
I watch how he carries some planks to the back of my cottage, where I want to redo the little shed. He is so strong, his muscles flexing under the weight he is carrying. He has taken off his shirt, because it’s hot and pearls of sweat are on his chest, making him look even more gorgeous.
He looks like he would be able to bury me in his arms, and I could feel protected.
I can’t help but compare him to my ex-mate.
Paul looked strong, too, but he didn’t have Benji’s kind eyes, and he never went out of his way to help me.
When he did something for me, he always expected me to return the favor.
Benji helps and then just leaves, without expecting anything in return.
“Where should I put these?” he asks.
“Just next to the shed,” I say. “But you really don’t have to do all this. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“Don’t worry, I’m ready to be your slave,” he says, before it dawns on him what he just said. He looks at me bashfully. “I didn’t mean it like… I meant...”
I can’t help but giggle.
“When you laugh, it’s like the sun illuminates you,” Benji says quietly, his eyes looking at me in awe, as if I’m the most magical creature he has ever encountered.
I feel myself getting flustered. It’s been a while since a guy was able to do that to me. But he sounds so sincere, even if he says such cringey lines. I somehow don’t find them cringey when he says them.
“Lori, I need to tell you something,” he says seriously, my heart instantly sinking at his tone.
He is definitely going to reject me. “Marcellus and Silas know what we are to each other,” he explains.
“They noticed immediately. How are we going to deal with that? I don’t want to pretend that you aren’t my mate. ”
“You can do it the way you want,” I tell him. I don’t want to test him, but part of me wonders if he will stand by me, or simply pretend we are only acquaintances because he is embarrassed by having a half-human mate.
“Really?” he asks, suddenly sounding excited. “You wouldn’t mind if I told everyone?”
“I wouldn’t mind.”
He beams at me. “You know, my last mate didn’t want anyone to know. She even threatened me and was angry that she was mated to me.”
“She was a fool,” I say. Benjamin is so capable and reliable.
I don’t care for his history. No matter what he says, he was a victim of his father’s abuse and dealt with it the only way he could.
I don’t know what kind of person he was in his old pack; all I care about is how he is now.
It’s obvious everyone here likes him and relies on him.
He is great with the younger ones, and even with the pack’s youngest member, Maddie.
He’s quick to help when anyone needs something.
Last time, I spotted him cleaning the rain gutter of an older she-wolf.
He never complains, and he always throws himself into his work and training.
Whoever that girl was, she was an idiot.
“Benji?” A voice calls out from the path leading to my cottage.
“Here,” Benji calls back. “We are behind the house.”
“Got you.”
It’s a female voice. Soon, the owner of the voice appears. It’s a young woman with shoulder-length brown hair, tall and with a friendly face. She is attractive, radiating confidence and power. “This is Nova,” Benji tells me. “She is my friend. Her brother is Alpha Cassian.”
“Oh, really?” I ask. I’ve heard of Alpha Cassian; he is said to be very progressive. A lot of girls from my old pack were crushing on him, but he never took any of them home, always saying he was waiting to meet his mate.
Benji clears his throat while eyeing Nova.
I can’t help but think how well she would suit him.
She is an alpha’s sister, and clearly has alpha blood in her.
She also seems respectful, and she is beautiful.
“Nova,” he says, suddenly looking nervous.
“Allow me to introduce Lori. She is… my…” His cheeks flush slightly. “My mate.”
I can’t believe he actually said it and introduced me as his mate! I never expected it, and I am not even prepared to deal with everyone knowing.
Nova squeals. “No way! I am so happy for you!” She smacks Benji’s shoulder before she takes my hands and squeezes them. “You got a good one here. I am so happy for you both.”
Now it’s my turn to turn red. “I am not sure if I deserve that.”
“You do,” Nova says with emphasis.
“Since you are Alpha Cassian’s sister,” I say awkwardly. “Then you know my history and-“
“Girl!” Nova snorts. “I know some things, and I couldn’t give a shit about your so-called history. I do give a shit about those assholes in your former pack, though.”
“Exactly my words,” Benji says. “I wish I could…”
His voice trails off, and I eye him curiously, wondering what he wishes he could do.
Nova, however, seems to understand and nods.
“I know,” she says quietly. “Oh, by the way, the reason I looked for you, some of my friends and I are throwing a small party tomorrow. Cass has a cottage in the mountains and has lent it to me. It’s going to be fun.
I wanted to invite you anyway, Benji, but now Lori is invited, too, of course. ”
Benji looks at me. “What do you think?” he asks.
“Is it really okay if I come?” I ask Nova. “I don’t want it to be awkward.”
Nova nods her understanding. “I get where you are coming from. But it’s only a couple of wolves from my pack and two additional friends. Benji knows them already.”
“Oh, they are the ones we went to the club with?” he asks.
“Yes,” she says. “Listen, I don’t allow any harassment of Sunset Hills pack members.
My brother is allied with Alpha Marcellus, and they are really good friends.
I like this place here a lot. I have friends here, and my own friends are very much on my page.
It’s a very private party, nothing big, and we usually just hang out around a bonfire and have a barbecue.
The only one I had to invite despite not wanting to“- she grimaces briefly - “is Isla, but you know she’s the beta’s daughter and all that. ”
I can feel Benji tense next to me, which is when it strikes me, that’s the name of his former mate!
It seems he really hasn’t told anyone about it, not even his friend, Nova.
He must have been so embarrassed… a sentiment I can fully sympathize with.
Aside from sympathy, I also feel a wave of sudden anger.
It’s like it makes something stir in me, an unknown power.
Instinct takes over. I will show that jerk of a former mate what she is missing out on, and that no one hurts my mate!
He is mine, my handsome, strong and kind mate.
“If you want to go,” I tell Benji. “I’d be happy to accompany you.”
“Really?” he asks, surprised.
“Yes, I think it would be fun to meet your friends.”
Even if Isla is there? He links me. It still feels weird to have someone link me. In my old pack, no one truly bothered. Won’t you mind? I don’t want to belittle you or have you feel off. She doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.
And still, he is only thinking about anyone else but himself.
I don’t mind. I say. I want to go there with you. I want to get to know your friends better and learn more about you.
My words seem to make him happy. When he smiles, it lights up his face. Goddess, if he ever rejects me, I don’t think I would recover from it.
*MARCELLUS*
When I come home from training, Silas has prepared a fancy, multi-course lunch for me.
It’s all my favorites, salmon tartar, juicy spareribs and lots of mashed potatoes.
I turn to my handsome mate. “Hot stuff,” I mutter.
“Are you trying to soften the blow, or why did you cook like royalty is visiting?”
Silas stares at me. “Did you just call me hot stuff?”
I can see his eyebrow ticking slightly, grinning to myself. I knew he would like that endearment.
“Well, you are hot,” I tell him.
“Call me hot stuff again, and I’ll take your lunch away,” he grumbles. The tips of his ears are slightly red, though, indicating that he is indeed quite charmed by my attempt at teasing and flirting with him. I make sure to hug him from behind.
“You are such a prickly cactus sometimes,” I murmur into his hair. “But I love you, and you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
“Why do you need to get all cheesy over lunch?” he groans. “And why do you never get embarrassed by being so corny?”
“It’s a gift,” I grin.
“Let’s have lunch,” Silas says instead of commenting on my words further.
“Right, and then you can tell me what you originally wanted to tell me, before you decided to bribe me with food,” I point out.
Silas sighs when he sits down. He is a way smaller eater than I am, but he loves cooking, and I love his food. So, it’s clearly a win-win, though I win more than he does. That much is clear.
“Alright,” Silas starts carefully. “Please don’t get mad.”
“Why would I get mad?” I ask, surprised. “And since when were you worried about that?”
“I am worried about hurting you,” he says, my surprise growing.
“Silas, please just tell me.”
“Alex called,” he says. “He met with…“ Silas clears his throat. “Julianus.”
“Your ex almost-beloved?” I ask.
“Exactly. My backstabbing, ex almost-beloved,” he adds. “They found another child, you know?”
“Wait a moment, Aloysius has another kid out there?” I ask.
“Yes. It’s a boy. Alex made sure to DNA test him, and it’s obvious. It was actually Julianus who found the boy and his mom. Seems like his goal is to make things right again. I can’t forgive him for what he did to me, but I’ll admit that in this case, I am thankful he dug so deep.”
“The mom is still alive,” I say. “And the boy, too. That means Aloysius hasn’t found them. That’s such a relief!”
“Indeed.”
“So, what’s the plan? Do you want the pack to take them in?”
“No, definitely not,” Silas exclaims. “Listen, Marc, I truly appreciate how much you help me and my people. All my power and wisdom weren’t of any use to me when I had to run from Aloysius.
Without you, we wouldn’t have a safe place here.
For a long while, Aloysius had no idea where I lived.
I am not sure if he knows now, but it doesn’t matter anymore.
In these past years of quiet and peace, I was able to regather my strength, and it’s just thanks to you and your generous heart. ”
“But?” I ask curiously, wondering where he is going with his speech, as my chest swells at his words of gratitude.
“I love this pack and coven. It’s my home, too,” he says. “I don’t want any harm to come to our pack and coven members.”
“You think bringing the child and his mom here would do that?”
“Absolutely! In this case, we can’t just easily cover up the child’s identity.
It’s different than with Maddie. We were lucky once, just because Maddie was still a baby, and because Aloysius thinks he has killed her.
But we can’t repeat the same procedure. It would alert Aloysius and bring danger to our home. ”
“I understand,” I say. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Make sure to find a safe place for my nephew and his mom,” Silas says. “For that sake, Alex and Julianus will briefly visit our pack so that we can discuss everything.”
He looks at me, waiting for my reaction.
“And?” I ask. “What’s the problem? Clearly, this is the only logical course to take.”
“You don’t mind that Julianus will come onto our pack grounds?” he asks.
“So, that’s what you were worrying about,” I say. “I don’t feel threatened by your loser ex,” I add, not able to sound anything but venomous when mentioning him. He hurt my mate.
“Really?” Silas asks. “You are not saying this to make me feel better?”
“Yes, really. I don’t need him to move in here, but I don’t mind him visiting for work. You don’t need to walk on eggshells around me,” I reassure Silas. “I respect you and your decisions. I trust you fully, and we marked each other. That’s all I need.”
“I really love you,” Silas says, much to my surprise, before I can see the embarrassment on his face. “And I made an Oreo shake for you,” he hurries to say, and stands up to grab a huge bottle containing an amazing-looking, chocolate shake out of the fridge. Food is truly his love language.
While Silas is still rummaging in the fridge for the whipped cream he’d prepared, the door opens, and Benji comes in.
Much to my surprise, Lori is following him.
I can barely contain my happiness at seeing him with his mate.
I know they haven’t accepted each other officially yet, but things seem to be going well.
And fuck, yes! When she looks at him, thinking no one is watching, she always smiles.
Silas must have thought the same, because he tosses a short gaze towards me. I nod instantly, knowing what he plans without him needing to link me.
“Why don’t you two sit down?” he says. “There are still so many leftovers from lunch.”
“Silas cooked for an army,” I add. “It was heavenly, though.”
“Is it really okay?” Benji asks.
Dude, I link him. We are helping. Get cozy here with your mate!
Right!
He turns to Lori. “Silas’ cooking is truly otherworldly.”
“Exactly, I am fantastic!” Silas says, moving behind Benji and Lori and nudging them forward, gently. “Come sit down, or I will be upset that you dismissed my cuisine.”
His words seem to have done the trick. I don’t know how he always knows what to say, but he is so good at making sure everyone around him saves face and still does what he wants them to do.