AFTER
Evie
“I can’t believe we’re just now doing this.”
Zane smiles at me and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me to his chest. He’s been doing that a lot lately.
“We’ve been a little busy. But we’re doing it now, and that’s what counts.
” Zane and I have boxed up everything in my room.
Now it’s just a matter of carrying everything to his truck.
I glance around this room and know I’m not going to miss a single thing about it.
How could I when I get to move into the house with the guys?
They’ve even given me my own room. Zane’s dad and some of his men worked to put a room in the basement.
Reid is transferring to the basement room, and I get his old room.
The door to the room opens, and Quint steps inside followed by Slate and Reid. The room instantly feels much smaller. “Okay. What’s ready to go?” Quint asks, eyeing the boxes.
“Everything,” I tell him. “Thanks for your help, Guys. I really appreciate it.” Reid grabs a big box and slips out the door.
Quint stacks two boxes and lifts them against his chest. “We’re glad to help, Evie. You’re one of us now.”
“Thanks, Quint.”
"You can pay me in food,” he says with a grin.
Zane, who has a box already in his arms, rolls his eyes. “Get out of here.” Slate moves around Zane to grab my bag of bedding. Honestly, I don’t really have all that much. We’ll be able to make it in one trip.
The door to the bathroom opens, and Tessa blows in.
“Evie,” she nearly squeals. “I’m going to miss you so mu—” Her words cut off with a shriek.
“Ohmywordohmyword. You're Slater Thorne! Evie, what’s Slater Thorne doing in here?” She lets out another shriek.
“Why does he look like he’s going to murder me?
” I whip my head towards Slate, and everything seems to happen at once.
Tessa screams and runs out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Slate, who looks completely unhinged, throws the box on the bed and moves to follow her.
Zane drops his own box and steps in front of him, grabbing him by the shoulders.
Slate growls low and fierce in his chest and throws Zane off him.
I stumble back when Zane knocks into me.
Zane growls back and steps back in front of Slate.
“Stand down,” Zane orders him. Slate tries to push past him, but Zane throws him backwards.
Slate growls and launches himself at Zane.
I can’t help the small sound that escapes my mouth.
“Watch out, Evie.” Zane tries to make sure I’m safe, and Slate uses the opportunity to get past him.
I jump on the bed out of the way, and Zane grabs Slate around the waist and jerks him backwards.
“Don’t make me use an Alpha command on you,” Zane says in a gruff voice, indicating the presence of his wolf.
The door to my room is thrown open, and Reid enters. He joins the fray in an instant. Quint’s there a second later. Together, the three of them pin Slate to the ground. “Stop fighting us,” Zane orders him, his voice terse.
“Get off me,” Slate says in a voice I barely recognize.
“Not until you calm down,” Zane says in a voice that leaks authority. Zane’s muscles are bulging, and I try not to appreciate them in this moment because it’s really not the time. He meets my eyes. Get Tessa out of the building. Now.
I stare at him with wide eyes. Is she his mate?
He drops his gaze back to Slate, who’s barely contained. Yeah.
I swallow hard and jump to my feet. Slate’s head jerks up, and he glares at me. “Evie, don’t you dare take my mate away.” His words are so low and fierce, and I jerk at the hostility in his eyes. I’m pretty sure he’s going to murder me. I pause, unsure what to do.
It’s okay, Baby. We’ve got him. He’s not going anywhere, and he’s not going to hurt you.
I watch as Zane pushes his knee into Slate’s back.
“You threaten my mate again, and we’re going to have a problem.
” His words are not nearly as gentle as they were in my head.
Zane’s head lifts, and he smiles at me. Smiles, like he’s not pinning his friend to the floor. Go, Baby. I’ll catch up to you soon.
I nod and hurry to the door that leads to the bathroom.
I hear a fierce growl behind me, but I ignore it.
“It’s okay, Evie. We’ve got him,” Quint calls out behind me, but he grunts a second later.
I don’t bother to look back. I hurry into Tessa’s room.
She whirls around to stare at me with wide eyes.
“What was that?” she nearly shrieks.
I take a deep breath and grab her arm, pulling her towards the door. “I’m hungry. Are you hungry? Let’s go get lunch.”
She pulls her arm from mine and looks at me like I’m crazy. “Lunch? It’s nine.”
“Breakfast. Coffee,” I correct. “Come on.”
Tessa crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what that was all about? Why did Slater Thorne look like he was seconds from murdering me? What did I do to him?”
I try to play it cool. “That’s how he always looks. That’s just his look. He’s really intense.” The wall shudders as if somebody slammed into it hard. Her eyes widen.
“Coffee?” I offer again.
This time she nods. “Let’s go.”
The door from the bathroom crashes open and slams against the wall. I don’t even look back. I shove her from behind, out into the hallway. “Go!” She doesn’t hesitate, and we run out into the hallway. We run all the way until we’re outside. “Keep going,” I urge.
Are you out, Love?
I respond to Zane instantly. We’re out of the building. Are you okay?
Yes. Get her away from the building. Go where there are lots of people, so he can lose her scent. I’ll keep him here until you do.
I spot a large group coming out of one of the workout buildings. I steer her that way. “Let’s go this way.”
Tessa eyes me. “What was that?”
My mind scrambles for a possible answer. “Oh, you know athletes. They’re difficult on their best days. Slate’s just working through some stuff.” I hold my breath, hoping she believes me. “Want to go get breakfast?”
She gives a little shake of her head. “Yes. I’m starving.”
We walk to the dining hall, and I chance a glance over my shoulder. I don’t see them. We’re in the dining hall now.
Good. I’ll join you soon.
I force a smile to my face when Tessa turns to me. “These FMU boys. Am I right?”
The storyline will continue on in book 2 with Slate and Tessa’s story!