21. Sabs #2
“If Orin says he’ll take care of her, I believe him,” Damon speaks up. “I can vouch for him.”
“Just because he’s your boss doesn’t mean you really know him!” Laz is clutching at straws now. “You didn’t even know Adler Ace was his packmate until today.”
“I keep my personal affairs private for a reason,” Orin replies.
“And why are you here, Drax?” Laz finally turns his attention to him, now that he’s running out of people to yell at. “I don’t know why they’d let a beta they don’t know join their—”
“Laz!” Faye gasps, mouth forming a stern line. “Any pack would be lucky to have Drax join them.”
“I didn’t mean it like that, man.” Laz catches himself. “It’s just not something I’ve seen happen before.”
Drax moves from one foot to the other. Although I can’t feel his emotions, I know him well enough to detect his obvious discomfort. “I… uh…”
“You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to, Drax.” I squeeze Adler’s bicep in solidarity before moving over to Drax. He needs me more right now. “Laz can just mind his own fucking business and keep his big, freckled nose out of ours.”
“If we were by the pool right now, I’d throw you in, sis.” A muscle tics in Laz’s neck.
“Just like I threw you off Rainbow Road?” I scoff. “Ha! As if you could catch me.”
Laz’s eyes flash in warning. The Mario Kart tournament went down in history as being one of our biggest arguments to date. “I thought we weren’t going to mention that again.”
“That’s what we all agreed,” Faye intervenes.
“You don’t have to do this,” I tell Drax again, stroking his forearm as I look up at him. “I’m here with you, whatever you decide.”
He looks down at me, his brown eyes sparkling, then he nods, letting me know that he’s ready. “I’ve… presented as an alpha.”
“That’s…” Faye’s expression goes wistful, as if she’s calculating the odds of that happening.
“Very rare.” Orin clears his throat. “But it’s been medically confirmed, and Drax is now a part of our pack. We’re very happy to have him.”
“And you support this?” Laz looks at Drax pleadingly, a last chance for him to get an ally. “Their bonding?”
Drax stares back at him. “Do you really think I wanted this?”
Adler’s shoulders stiffen, probably expecting Drax to launch into a raging assault on his character. Their mutual dislike is no secret, so now would be the perfect opportunity for Drax to twist in the knife.
“But Adler is my packmate now,” Drax continues.
Adler spins, eyes wide, his shock radiating through our bond.
A small smile plays on Orin’s lips as Luca claps Adler on the back.
“Personal feelings aside, I can see that Adler really does have Sabs’s best interests at heart.
He truly cares about her. The Strike Pack will do anything for your sister, and I give you my word that we’ll take good care of her. ”
“If they hurt her—”
“They won’t.” Drax speaks for the entire pack. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Adler and Drax exchange a stiff smile. They may not be friends yet, but they seem to have developed a truce… For now, at least.
I stand up to kiss Drax on the cheek, causing a pink flush to creep over his neck underneath his sexy ink. Who knew a badass alpha could look so adorable when blushing? Laz, still overtly stunned, flops down onto a stool, raking his hand through his out-of-control red curls. “Well, shit...”
“I know this isn’t what you wanted for me, Laz.” I cautiously move to his side. “I know this isn’t what happened with you and Faye. You courted and did everything right. Granted, Adler’s and my story started out differently, but all I ask is that you give them a chance. Please.”
“You’re really okay with this?” His voice cracks a little.
“Believe it or not…” I look across the room at the four guys hanging on my every word. “Yes, I am. Who knows? Maybe Delilah’s talk about the universe and fate really is true.”
Ren smiles as he looks up at Faye. “Fate works in mysterious ways.” She reaches out to smooth down Ren’s scruffy hair, but it only springs back into place again. No matter what he does, he always rocks the ‘just got out of bed’ look.
“I only want the best for you,” Laz tells me. “I made a promise to take care of you while you’re at college. I let our parents down.”
“You haven’t let anyone down,” I insist. I had no idea that the responsibility weighed so heavily on him.
“This was an accident, okay? Trust me, I freaked out the day after it happened. I didn’t think I’d ever want to bond with a hockey player, but I was wrong.
” I look over at Adler, flashing him a reassuring smile to help his unease.
“He’s not an asshole. Well, not a total asshole anyway. ”
“And you really think that they can make you happy?” Laz asks. “What we have with Faye is all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
“I…” A lump forms in my throat as I look around the kitchen. I can imagine it abuzz with life. How the Strike Pack would fit in with the Silverwoods, how we’d have fun over the holidays, how game nights would devolve into messy yet beautiful chaos…
I can imagine Damon and Orin, huddled over a newspaper, discussing something boring and security-related.
I can see Luca and Ren getting along, having quiet and more intellectual conversations.
Laz and Adler—two very competitive men—would be warring over charades under the watchful gaze of Cole, who’d prevent anything from getting out of hand.
And then, of course, Drax, who would flit from group to group.
How did I ever think I could have a future without him in it?
“It wasn’t intentional or something I was looking for, but I found my forever.
And I’m pretty damn sure I hit the jackpot.
” I clear my throat before I get too sentimental.
I don’t want them thinking I’ve had a total personality transplant.
“But it’s still early days. Although we’re bonded, Adler and I are still taking things slow.
Everyone has been super respectful, only entering my nest with permission, and you know I’m more than equipped to kick anyone’s ass if needed. ”
“Okay.” Laz nods, his frown telling me he’s still reluctant. “I don’t know them yet, but I trust you, and I trust Drax. If you say that they’re good for you, then I’ll give them a chance.” He looks over my shoulder at Adler, holding up a finger. “One chance. And if you fuck it up—”
“He won’t,” Drax interrupts him. “I’ll make damn sure of that.”
Adler and Drax share a real smile this time. Maybe by the end of the day, they’ll be making friendship bracelets…
“Thank you!” I throw my arms around Laz’s neck. “And what about the rest of the family?”
“It’s not my news to tell.” He lets out a deep sigh. “But you’ll have to tell them.”
“I will.” I hug him again. “Soon.”
“Now that’s out of the way, who’s hungry?” Faye claps her hands, busying herself over at the island, where there are mountains of food stacked up. “I got a lot from Delilah’s bakery. Help yourselves. There’s more than enough here.” She moves over to Laz and kisses his curls. “I’m so proud of you.”
“But don’t touch the fudge cake,” Damon warns, practically baring his teeth. “That’s Faye’s favorite.”
“It’s okay,” Faye laughs, although from the way Damon’s protecting it like a guard dog, I don’t think anyone would dare. “It’s a massive cake.”