Page 25 of Adored By the Wolf

I stood up a bit straighter and gave Becca a smile, hoping mine was more convincing than hers had been earlier. It seemed to work because Becca relaxed, her shoulders lowering as if a weight had lifted.

We continued walking and Becca said, “You’ll get to finally meet Brandon!”

“Ah, the one who won your hand but almost got away?”

Becca laughed. “Yes, the very one.” We exited the trees and she announced, “Well, here we are.”

I sighed. I could get used to this. Snow covered the ground, the trees, and the house in front of us. It was bigger than the apartment complex and was of the same design, but what really made me smile was that it looked like a gingerbread house. All it needed was a row of gumdrops on the roof edge and one for the doorknob.

“It’s beautiful, Becca.”

“Yeah, it really is a special place.”

“Come on in, slow pokes!” Jill called out. She was standing on the front steps, waving us over.

I beamed on seeing her. Like Becca, Jill and I had instantly clicked. “It’s so good to see you,” I said, coming up the steps and returning her hug.

An older woman stepped out of the house behind us. “Are you the mysterious Millie?”

“Mysterious?” I asked, looking at each of the three women in front of me. All of whom exhibited a mix of worry, excitement, and curiosity across their faces.What in the world is going on? Maybe I shouldn’t have come.

Just as I was thinking of an excuse to leave, the older woman took my hands in hers and looked me directly in the eyes. A sense of calm shot through me; it felt like I had known her for a very long time.How is this possible? I’ve never seen her in my life.

“Millie, it’s so good to have you here in our home,” she said. “I’m Alia, the mom of the brood you’ll meet inside. You happened to arrive in town during the night of our weekly family meal, and I insisted that you come join us. I hope that wasn’t too forward of me. Anyone who comes to visit our land is instantly family.”

“No, this is lovely. Thank you for the invitation.” I wasn’t sure why I said that, seeing how we were still standing on the porch and I’d only met the mother, but the feeling of belonging was too hard to ignore. Part of me wanted to lean into her and give her a hug in response, but I told myself she was a stranger and would find me very odd if I carried out my intentions.

We heard a crash from inside the house, and everyone jolted except for Alia. “It seems we should head on in before the boys destroy the house.”

Jill and Becca were already rushing inside, but I trailed slowly behind Alia, hoping I’d made the right decision in accepting her invitation.

Jacob

“Let go of me,”I growled, pushing against Luc and Brandon, who stood behind me with one hand on each of my shoulders.

“Not till you calm down,” Luc growled.

“How can I?”

“You have to, or you’re going to scare her,” Brandon said.

I pushed at them again, only to have them clamp down even harder. I felt like I was going to burst at any second. Millie was right outside the door, and she was nervous. Her heart rate was all over the place. It was agony knowing that all I had to do was walk ten feet and she’d be in my arms. My wolf strained to get out and take her away from everyone. She was mine. Not anyone else’s!

“You could help us, you know,” Brandon said to Dredge, who was leaning back on his seat observing the whole interaction.

“Nah, this is too entertaining.”

“I agree with Dredge,” Ray said, laughing uncontrollably next to him.

I shot a glare at Dredge, knowing Luc and Brandon were doing the same. Dredge just raised his drink at us and smirked.

“The racket you three are making will have already scared her off,” Sandy said, helping herself to a slice of steak on the counter.

“Not yet, young lady!” Dad’s voice boomed down the hallway from his room.

“How in the world do you even know I’m taking it?” Sandy called back.

“I know you,” he said.