Hiram’s POV:
“Why didn’t you think it necessary to at least tell someone in this family what you were passing through?” Hollis asks, and I stare at him without a word.
I hate when he goes all big brother on me. He is only a year and a couple of months older, so I do not believe I need saving from him.
“I told you I can handle my problems, and I do not need anyone meddling in it,” I answer, and he scoffs.
“Look at you, Hiram. It’s been twenty-four hours, and you have been in bed.” He shakes his head. “A mate isn’t just any random woman you move around with. The actions of your mate can make or mar you, and I believe that we already know where you stand with that,” he says, and I scoff.
“Look, I am fine. Thank you for caring for me, but I usually need an entire day to get over my hangover. I mean, I took what? About two bottles of wine,” I say in defense.
“Hiram, acting like you do not care about your mate, isn’t going to help. I know you do not want to be vocal about it, especially because mother will not approve of it. She is human, and worse, a Moonmiles. They left the pack a long time ago, but she will have no choice, eventually. At least they are not rogues, and we are affiliated with the humans, but please come to me when you have these problems.”
“I do not need anyone’s help!” I raise my voice at once. “Stop treating me like a child, Hollis. You are not my father, and you will never be.” I get to my feet when I say this, then I make my way to the balcony to get some fresh air.
Hollis comes after me.
“I never said I was father, and believe me, the last thing I want to do is take his position. Everything in the family is tight now, but I do not mind taking everyone’s problem. It is my duty, and that is what I was born with,” he says, and I ignore him.
As I reach for the handle of the door leading to the balcony, I turn to face him.
“You have much bigger problems like the pack and Hope to worry about, so let me be,” I say, drawing the door open.
Soon, the scent which hit me a couple of seconds ago intensifies as I stand on the balcony. Hollis opens his mouth to speak, but I put my hand up.
“She is here. I can feel it,” I say to him, and he raises his brow, staring at me like I have gone mad.
“Juniper is here,” I repeat, then I rush out of the balcony, and I grab a shirt, throwing it on.
“This madness is exactly what I am talking about, Hiram. You are hallucinating once more,” Hollis yells, coming after me, but I do not stop until I rush outside the house.
Then I see what appears to be a group of guards marching toward us. I squint my eyes to spot June in between them. She is too small, and they almost cover her.
“June!” I call out, and she pushes past them with all her strength, rushing toward me.
I take to my feet at once, meeting her in between. She throws her arms around me, and I lift her up as she wraps her legs around my body. I do not allow her to say a word, and I press my lips against hers.
We remain like that in between my brother, Hollis, and the guards. Tears flow down June’s face, staining mine, and her hands clutch my shoulder tightly while I wrap my hands around her back, pressing her into me.
A part of me cannot believe this is happening. It all seems like a dream, and I wait to wake up to see that my life is miserable as ever, and I have lost the love of my life forever, but that didn’t happen. Her body was still on mine.
She pulls away after a while, then I put her down.
“I am so sorry for what happened, and I swear I was so stupid for neglecting you. Please tell me you are here to stay, please.” I cup her hand with both of mine, bringing it to my face.
“I am sorry too, and I want to let you know nothing serious has happened between Troy and I,” she says, staring into my eyes. “You were right, Hiram. I belong to you. We belong to each other, and I am just realizing it now.”
Before she can say another word, I scoop her into my arms in a bridal style, walking her to the front of the house where Hollis is still standing in shock.
“I told you she was here,” I say to him with a smile hanging on my lips.
“You must be Alpha King Hollis,” June says, extending her hand for a shake.
Hollis takes her hand, planting a kiss at the back of her palm.
“Nice to meet you, Juniper Moonmiles,” he says, and she flashes him a smile.
Hollis opens the door for me to walk in.
“I’ll allow that because he is my brother,” I whisper into Juniper’s ear, causing a chuckle to escape her lips.
I carry her further into the house until I get to the living area, where I put her down.
“Welcome to the Shadow Pelt Pack,” I say to her, and I watch her head turn around as she tries to take in her surroundings like a hawk.
“What’s all the commotion about?” Mother asks, descending the stairs.
My heart skips a beat at once, and Juniper rushes to me. I grab her hand as Hollis glances at me, giving a convincing look. As soon as she makes her way to the foot of the stairs and sights Juniper, a gasp escapes from her lips, and she clutches her chest dramatically.
“Why is there a human in my pack?” she asks.