21. Sabs
TWENTY-ONE
Sabs
I can’t believe he did that!” I am fuming as I violently swipe through my social media feed, seeing my and Adler’s faces splashed everywhere.
Even The Valley Voice mentioned us in one of their stories.
Kady texted to check that it was okay. I told her that there was no point in withholding the information as everyone already knows.
“He had no right to come storming in like that!”
Out of all my brothers, I’m closest to Laz.
We’re nearest in age, and he’s always been happy to break the rules with me, letting me get away with more than Beckett and Forest ever did.
Beckett is the absolute worst. He’s been so uptight since he began working his flashy corporate job.
He acts like he’s forgotten how to have fun, so threatening to tell him was a low blow.
Adler clasps and unclasps his hands as we get closer. “How bad is this gonna be?”
Luca takes the turn into Bonded Beach. “They asked us to come to their place. It can’t be all bad, right?” He’s trying to sound optimistic, even though his voice wavers a little.
“Damn cheer skaters,” I gripe in frustration. “If they focused on their fancy twirls instead of obsessing over Adler, I would’ve been able to tell Laz myself.”
“I guess I’m easy to obsess over,” Adler simpers. Like me, it seems he turns to humor when he’s nervous.
“Let’s hope your new brothers-in-law think that too,” Luca retorts as we drive. “And Orin and Drax are on their way. They shouldn’t be long.”
“Having Damon’s boss around is bound to help.” What I don’t say is that it will only ensure Damon doesn’t resort to violence and risk losing his job. I flick my fiery hair over my shoulder. “Besides, who really cares what the Silverwood’s think anyway? This is my life!”
It’s a lie. I very much care about what they think, but I don’t want to add to the pressure the guys are already facing.
“I care what they think,” Adler mumbles. “If I found out that someone accidentally bit Izzie, I’d act first and ask questions later.”
“There.” I point as the Silverwood’s house comes into view. “You can pull up anywhere here.”
As soon as I step out of the car, Faye is running down the steps to greet me. Her eyes are a bit red around the edges.
“I’m so sorry,” she cries, throwing herself into my arms. “They saw the post, and then I couldn’t lie when they asked if I knew anything, so—”
“Hey, it’s okay.” I pat her back. “I was going to tell everyone today anyway. Don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“Still.” She smiles meekly as she pulls away. “I saw the video and feel terrible about what happened. I tried to talk Laz out of going, but he was dead set.”
“You’re an amazing friend, Faye.” I wipe a rogue tear from her cheek.
“I never should’ve asked you to hide anything from them.
It wasn’t fair.” I look up at the house and grimace as Luca and Adler shuffle out of the car behind me.
“How bad of a mood is Laz in on a rating of one to the time I pushed his Donkey Kong off of Rainbow Road?”
“Rainbow Road?” Luca asks.
“Don’t ask,” Faye and I answer in unison.
“Well, he’s calmed down a little now.” She plays with her golden hair, wrapping a long strand around her finger, her tone not all that convincing. “I asked them to hear you out, and they’ve agreed to that.”
“Thank you. You’re the only person who can make them see sense.”
“You must be Luca.” Faye turns her attention to the guys, still sniffing a little but managing a watery smile. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“And here are the other two now.” I gesture to the black truck hurtling toward us with Orin at the wheel.
Faye’s fair eyebrows shoot upward. “Two?”
“I’ll fill you in on all the details later,” I promise as Orin and Drax get out of the car to join us.
Faye’s eyebrows ascend even higher when she sees them, but she doesn’t ask any questions.
I grimace. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Follow me.” Faye leads us into their stunning house, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the bright entrance way along with a light breeze.
“My Clematicissus striata have been growing well here.” She points out the green trailing plant climbing up the wall, attempting to ease the strained atmosphere.
“It’s the perfect environment for them.”
“They’re beautiful.” Luca’s eyes follow the path of the creeping greenery. “They remind me of some of the more unusual plants I’ve seen up on one of my hiking trails.”
“Do you have any photographs?” An eager grin stretches at her lips. “I’d love to work out what species—”
The pleasantries are cut short when we reach the kitchen to find the Silverwood Pack, all standing in a line with crossed arms and sullen expressions. I feel like we’ve walked into some weird mafia organization headquarters instead of a cozy kitchen.
Laz is uncharacteristically stony-faced, blue eyes fixed on Adler like he’s trying to laser a hole straight through him, his clenched jaw temporarily loosening when he spots the familiar figure behind me.
“Drax?” Laz’s forehead wrinkles. “What are you doing here?”
“Orin?” Damon is also surprised, his menacing gaze losing its edge when it lands on him. From his reaction, I’m guessing that Faye hadn’t got around to sharing that his boss is in my new pack yet. “I don’t underst—”
“Thanks for welcoming us into your home.” Orin speaks first, commanding the space with his deep voice. “I’m the Strike pack leader.”
Damon gapes. “Adler’s in your pack?”
“He is.” Orin dips his chin in confirmation. “This is Adler, Luca, and I believe you all already know Drax.”
Their puzzlement—evident on their faces—is palpable, but Faye is beaming from ear to ear. She and the other Stella’s have always rooted for Drax.
“I’m Cole. The Silverwood pack leader.” Cole steps forward to exchange brisk handshakes.
The alpha pheromones in the air are so strong that you could smash them with an axe.
Cole goes on to introduce the rest of the pack.
“Damon, who you already know. This is Ren.” Faye’s quietest alpha nods in acknowledgment, pushing his glasses up his nose.
“Then Laz. Sabs’s brother.” His expression turns grave.
“I’m sure you can understand our reaction when we heard that Sabs bonded with a stranger. ”
“Of course,” Orin replies. The whole interaction is oddly formal. “I’d share the same reservations if I were you, but I can assure you that all of us have Sabs’s best interests at heart.”
“If he did, he never would’ve bitten her,” Laz sneers.
“It was an accident!” I huff in exasperation. “Besides, I’m not blameless here. If you want to blame Adler, you have to blame me too.”
“It is always an alpha’s fault,” Laz snarls, hands balled at his sides. “A bite is what seals the bond.”
I stomp my foot. “But I asked him to!”
“That doesn’t matter.” He glowers at me. “He should have had more self-control.”
The full weight of Adler’s guilt hits me through our bond like a volleyball to the chest.
“Could you have controlled yourself if Faye asked you to bite her?” I refute.
“That’s…” Laz opens and closes his mouth. “Well, that’s different?”
“You don’t have to defend me, Sabs. Your brother’s right.
” Adler steps forward. “I take full responsibility for what happened, and I should have been able to control myself better, but I don’t regret what happened.
While I wish it didn’t happen the way that it did, I’m glad that we bonded because I’m almost certain that your sister is my—our—scent match. ”
Adler’s need to be close to me hums through our bond. His hand finds the small of my back, his thumb tracing a comforting circle over my skin, making me feel like we can conquer anything together.
Faye squeals in glee while Damon tugs her into his chest to kiss her forehead. Ren’s eyes look like they’re about to pop out of their sockets, while Cole looks at me, seeking confirmation. “Is this true, Sabs?”
“It’s not like there are any tests that can confirm it.” I shrug, but deep in my bones, I sense that my draw to them is more than simply attraction. It’s magnetic. “So yeah… I think we are.”
Ren chews his lip, deep in thought. “That does change things.”
“It changes nothing!” Laz turns on him. “He bit my sister!”
“And Sabs is a consenting adult,” Ren reminds him. Although he’s the quietest of the group, when he does speak, everyone listens to what he has to say. “Are they treating you well, Sabs?”
“They are.” I nod earnestly. “They got me the biggest disco ball for my nest,” I add in a loud whisper for Faye’s benefit.
Before she can reply with what I know will be enthusiasm, Cole jumps in to kill the mood. “Life isn’t all disco balls and blankets. Bonding is for the rest of your lives.” He massages his temples. “This wasn’t part of your plan.”
“So?” I cross my arms. “I can make a new plan. Easy-peasy.”
“See?” Laz yanks at his hair in frustration. “She doesn’t understand the seriousness of this!”
“I know exactly what bonding involves, thank you very much.” I grind my back teeth together. “You can spare me the passive-aggressive lecture.”
“We’ll make sure that Sabs doesn’t miss out on anything,” Orin jumps in before a full-blown fight ensues. “I take my role as pack leader seriously. I won’t let an accidental bonding ruin anyone’s future.”
“And how old are you?” Laz tsks, scanning him up and down. “Y-you’re… going gray!”
“Is that really all you have?” I snort. “He’s not eighty with a saggy knot.” My cheeks heat. “Well, not that I’ve seen it to know, but I assume it’s not saggy.”
Drax coughs, trying to disguise a laugh behind his hand, and Faye has to turn away to hide her giggles.
Ren slaps his forehead. “Give me strength.”
“I’m twenty-nine.” Orin adjusts his collar, his lips quirking at the corners.
“That’s almost a seven year age gap!” Laz’s eyes widen.
“So what?” I grumble. “That’s not exactly outrageous, and women are way more mature than men. Besides, an age gap is kinda hot.”
Cole shakes his head. “You’re not helping yourself here, Sabs.”