He was an asshole, but making his Alpha's mate cry because he didn't
show up again wasn't something he wanted to deal with. His brother was
meaner than he was, after all.
By the time Hunter got to his house, showered, and headed to his
brother's place, he was over an hour late and knew he was going to get his
ass kicked. Yeah, he'd been working and dealing with problem after
problem, but at any time during the past two hours, he could have called in
one of his reinforcements to deal with the two smaller issues. He hadn't,
and now he would be late.
Again.
Of course, as he made his way to the front door, he figured he wasn't
the only late one. His cousin Miles was skulking right alongside him, his
new perpetual scowl on his face.
"You're late," Miles said low, not looking at Hunter. From the way his
cousin was angled, Hunter couldn't see any of the scars on his face, or the
fact that Miles had lost his arm in the last battle they'd fought with the
humans before everything changed. His cousin had been the nicest one of the lot, the light to Hunter's dark, and now it seemed as if the two of them
were vying for position.
"Says the man who's walking in late with me."
"I told them I'd be late dealing with council things. You, on the other
hand…"
Hunter rolled his eyes but didn't comment. "What council things?
Something I should be aware of?" Miles, along with others in their family,
was part of the council that connected the Heavens and the Halos. With
so many inter-Pack matings, the council's role had shifted over the past few
years. Now, they weren't only working on ensuring that the treaty for the
two Packs was solid but also making sure the subtle changes and having
two dominant Alphas in a small area under what was almost one large Pack
worked and almost seemed normal.
Hunter had no idea how they did it, but since he worked with Giana—
the Heaven Enforcer—and Albert—the prior Heaven Enforcer—weekly,
he didn't mind the cooperation.
Miles shook his head as they walked up the stairs of the porch to the
front door. "Just normal business, but we had to start late thanks to one of
the member's kids having a birthday. It wasn't a big deal, but yeah, I'm
late."
Before Hunter could say anything to that, they were inside and
confronted with the sound of every Bush family member, including
mates, children, and close friends of the family. To say it was loud was an
understatement. Miles immediately went to a corner, grabbing a beer along
the way, and watched the room. Hunter knew that others would go to him
soon to talk to him, trying to bring him out of his shell. And, one day,
Hunter figured it just might work. At least with the right person—namely,
Miles' mate. But at least his cousin was trying harder these days by actually
showing up to family functions.
Hunter was an asshole, but he didn't have the kind of pain Miles did.
"You're late, but I heard you had trouble, so I'll forgive you." His
Alpha's mate, his sister-in-law, Nicki, cupped his cheek, and he went down
to kiss her on the forehead. He wasn't the most emotive, but it was hard not
to be with Nicki—at least a little bit. The woman had saved his brother, his
Pack, and she also happened to be a submissive wolf.
"Long day, but I'm glad I'm here." And as he said it, he knew it was
true. Everyone was talking around him, and though he had acute senses, he
did his best to block out most of the topics as it would be too much for his
wolf to hear at once. But the crowd seemed happy. His niece and future
Alpha, Falcon, was in wolf form, being way too cute for her own good and
rolling around with Mitchie and Bryan's daughter Macerys, and Robert and
Rachael's son Aru. The adults were watching them while enjoying their
evening, and Hunter finally relaxed just a bit.
It was going to be a good night, even if he would rather be at home,
trying to forget what he had to deal with that evening.
As soon as he thought that, though, a scent filled his brain, and he held
back a growl.
Nicki gave him a knowing look, squeezed his forearm, and headed back
to Stiles's side.
Hunter hadn't known that Lia would be there. But, of course she
was. She was his brother's mate's best friend and ended up at most
functions lately, but that didn't mean he had to like it.
Even if his wolf did.
And, of course, because this was Lia, and his day had already been
hell, she strolled right up to him. She was average height, but that was the
last average thing about her. Her long, honey-blond hair looked a little
darker tonight, but he wasn't sure if she'd dyed it or if it was just because of
the waves she'd put in it rather than it being up like usual. She had bright
hazel eyes and sharp cheekbones. Her curves were just right, and it made
his wolf claw at him.
Damn it.
She scratched her nose, flipping him off, and he held back a smirk. She
was constantly finding ways to flip him off, and he had a feeling it was to
try and get a rise out of him. It didn't mean that he had to show her he
actually liked it.
"Hunter."
"Lia."
Yes, he was an asshole. But he knew anything having to do with her
would be trouble. And he needed to protect his Pack. If he broke that faith
by following the mating urge, he'd not only hurt his people, he'd end up
hurting Lia, too.
That's what those of his blood did before him, and that's what he'd end
up doing, too.
Since he was now somehow in the corner with her, no one could hear
them unless he and Lia spoke a bit louder. Which was just fine by him
since he didn't want to deal with nosy family members.
"Got a minute?" she asked, one hand on her hip, her voice going even
lower until it was almost breathy.
His wolf and his dick perked up.
Fuck.
"Yeah."
"I know you're my mate—don't open your mouth and say I'm human. I
have this knowing. Have since Liam and Emmy fixed the mating bonds.
So, yes, I know you're my mate, and that means I'm yours. Why do I
know? Who knows, but there it is. When you're ready to do something
about it and face up to what you're hiding from, I'll be waiting. What I'll
say once you finally fess up…? Well, we'll just have to see."
Then she turned on her heel and sashayed away from him as if she
hadn't just rocked his world and fucked up his plans.
Well, shit.