“I didn’t.” Rosemary strolled to the windows overlooking the pool and backyard. “I was actually
on my way to find you about our little talk the other day.”
My eyes flicked toward the tree line where several shifters were heading out back to take care of the dead. After we’d gotten back to the houses and shifted, more Shadow Ridge and Shadow City shifters had arrived. Luckily, I’d already gone inside, so none of them saw me in my silver wolf form. However, I needed to hurry and get out there to help them. After all, this carnage was all my fault.
“Well, you found more than you bargained for.”
“You do realize you need to tell Zac that he can’t tell anyone about what she is.” Rosemary scowled at Griffin. “The more people who realize she’s a silver wolf, the more at risk she’ll be.”
“We’ve already handled that.” Griffin stood tall beside me. “I commanded him with the alpha will.
He can’t tell anyone, not even his family.”
Killian leaned against the wall on the other side of the window. “Not that he would’ve anyway.”
“Don’t be so certain.” Rosemary rolled her shoulders. She looked at me. “But that’s not why I’m here. Fortunately, if you can keep these two and the guard quiet, it appears no one else knows that a silver wolf has rejoined our society. At least, not on the angel side of things.”
“That’s good news, right?” The fewer people who knew about me, the safer we all would be.
“For now.” Rosemary gestured to Griffin as she continued, “But if you two are fated mates, how long do you think your little secret can last?”
My heart sank. I hadn’t even thought about that.
“I’ll leave with her.” Griffin made it sound so simple.
I jerked my head toward him. “You can’t do that.” Especially if what Rosemary had said about a civil war brewing was true. “You are their leader. Fate has determined that. You can’t leave when there’s so much at stake and wolves are being attacked.”
“You’re more important.” He brushed his fingers along my cheek. “I’d rather do that than lose you.” “Dove is right,” Rosemary said, making me cringe.
I was so damn tired of that name. “It’s Sterlyn.” She at least deserved to know that after everything that went down.
“Thank God. Because Dove is a horrendous name.” Rosemary groaned.
“It is not.” Killian frowned. “I thought it was fitting because of her hair.”
“Of course he gave you that name.” Rosemary took her phone out of her pocket and then glared at Griffin. “With the wolf attacks, if you were to step down, it would cause anarchy, and you know it. The best thing we can do is figure out who’s after Sterlyn and go from there.”
“That crow is heading back to whoever wants her.” Killian’s hands clenched into fists. “And we’re at a disadvantage, but I’m hoping we’ll find something on the boat that can point us in the right direction.”
“I’ve got to go, but are you working tomorrow?” Rosemary faced me.
There was no reason not to right now. If I didn’t go in, things would look even more suspicious.
“Yes, I am. We need to pretend everything is as normal as possible after the shit show today.”
“I agree.” She nodded. “I’ll run by and talk to you then. I’ve got to get back to Shadow City-Mom is looking for me.” She hurried out the door and took to the sky.
Griffin pursed his lips. “Was it me, or was it like we weren’t even in the room?”
“Get used to it.” Killian pointed at me. “Ever since she came into my life, I’m the chauffeur.”
That was kind of true. “As fun as this is, I’m going to head outside and help the others.”
“Nope, you’re not.” Griffin pulled me into his arms. “They have enough people, and they know what they’re doing. After almost dying, I’d like to take you on that date.”
“I don’t feel like going out.” I’d been so excited earlier about spending time with him, but between what we’d gone through and my subpar outfit, all I wanted to do was crawl into bed.
“Then you two go over to Griffin’s and chill while I go help the others.” Killian gestured to the door. “Between you getting injured and Griffin almost dying, I say you’ve done enough today. Besides,
I’m thinking it’s time that both Griffin and I start stepping up to our responsibilities.” In other words, it was time to be the alphas they were destined to be.
“He’s right.” Griffin started to pull me toward the back door.
Unable to say no, I nodded but stopped in front of the man I viewed as my brother now. “Are you sure you don’t need me there? I don’t mind helping.”
“I know.” He booped my nose. “But I want you to get to know him-the side of him that I know.
I’m giving you my seal of approval.”
“With the womanizer?” I asked and pointed at Griffin.
“Hey,” Griffin growled.
“He took a bullet for you,” Killian said as he opened the back door, waving us out. “I figure if that doesn’t prove he meant what he said, nothing will.”
The truth of his words made my heart pound, and I turned to face the sexy man who now held my heart. My wolf howled, and my body warmed, leading to the scent of arousal wafting off me. I locked eyes with my mate. “No more waiting.” I’d had enough. I got that he wanted to do things right, but I needed him. And now.
“Oh, dear God.” Killian shut the door and headed to the trees. “That’s my cue to go.”
A smirk fixed on Griffin’s face as he led me toward his home. Within seconds, we were entering his kitchen. I had no idea what the room looked like, and I didn’t care. He slammed the door shut, and I slammed my lips on his.
He growled as he grabbed my ass and I wrapped my legs around his waist. The feel of his hands and mouth on me made both my body and wolf go wild.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, fisting his hair. He stumbled down the hall. In my half-lucid state, I realized his house was exactly the same floor plan as Killian’s.
We entered the master bedroom, and he kicked the door shut behind us then tossed me on the bed. The cool blue of the walls was the shade of the ocean. I ran my hands over light muted gray sheets that reminded me of the sky on an overcast day.
But when Griffin stood over me, my eyes saw only him. He stared back at me, his hazel eyes glowing, and removed his shirt. His abs looked even more muscular than I’d imagined as they bunched and coiled. He leaned over me, trapping me between his arms.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said, sounding raw.
My breath caught as he kissed me, and his fingers pressed into my sides, turning me on even more. “You’re not too bad yourself.”