Page 19 of Havoc's Fox
Addie smiled and nodded. “I know. I just don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“About what?” Kiernan asked, from the kitchen as he made pancakes for Christmas breakfast.
Addie looked at them both, then at the toddler sitting on the floor playing with the brightly colored plastic blocks Santa had brought him. “My mate.”
“What are you talking about?” Abby asked, trying to push herself up off the sofa.
“The Lion shifter next door? He’s my mate.”
Abby finally managed to push herself up off the sofa and she and Kiernan shared a worried look.
“That’s not the worst part, though.”
“What is the worst part?” Kiernan asked.
“He just spent the night with another woman. I don’t think they’re lovers, though. They’re not mated. I think they’re just friends.”
“Can we never find anywhere that doesn’t come with complications?” Kiernan asked.
“But it’s not complicated.” Addie thought about it. “Unless you count the Wolf shifter that kept watch with me overnight. I think the female is his, or at least he wants her to be. The Lion, though, his name is Christian, and I know, I absolutely know he’s mine.”
“I’m not moving,” Abby said. “I love you. You’re my sister, and I want you with us here, but if you start screwing this up for us, I’m siding with Alpha Brandt. I’m not moving.”
“She’s right,” Kiernan said.
“I haven’t done anything wrong!”
“You’re stalking our neighbor!”
“Well, I wasn’t alone! One of their own is stalking him, too. So, maybe you could say I was protecting him.”
“Jesus, Addie. Could you just stay away from him for a little while. See what happens before you start pursuing?”
“I’m not pursuing. I’m just trying to figure out where it all stands.”
“Good. Figure it out from our yard, and try not to be too obvious please,” Kiernan asked.
“I’m not an idiot, you know. I know this is a really good chance for us. I’m not doing anything to mess it up, but if it was your mate, wouldn’t you do something?”
“Not until I knew if he was mated or not. Lions don’t have to answer the mating call. They can mate anyone they choose to mate. Just wait and watch. Let him see you, too. Maybe he’ll figure it out and you don’t have to do anything.”
Addie nodded. “You’re right.”
“Good. Have some coffee, I’m making pancakes. Let’s start this morning all over again.”
Chapter 6
Christian slowed his car as he drove onto Kaid’s property. As they passed Kaid’s house, he slowed even more, actually coming to a stop when they both started grinning.
“Oh, man, I miss that feeling,” Analise said, watching Harley outside early in the morning, still wearing her pajamas with her coat over them as she jumped on a brand-new trampoline.
Maverik, Valerie, Ronan were laughing and taking pictures with their phones as Hellen jumped with Harley.
Hellen noticed them and jumped extra high, pulling her legs up in a toe touch while making a goofy face at them.
Christian pressed the button to roll down Analise’s window. “Merry Christmas!” he shouted.
“Merry Christmas,” Analise repeated, waving at everybody.