I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear this story, based on the way Cindy said it.
“No, he hasn’t told me. He was too busy teaching Shifter 101. I didn’t even know mates were a thing.”
Her eyes were suddenly fixed on my neck, and they narrowed slightly. “I’m surprised you made it here without a mark. I can’t imagine it’s easy for Rhett to have you around his brothers like this. Wolves are extremely possessive of their new mates. It can be dangerous.”
I cocked my head at Rhett, noticing he was completely relaxed as he listened to Dustin describe his desired tattoo and explain why he desperately needed it. Of course, he was relaxed.
We weren’t really mates.
Anyway, I still didn’t understand what all these warnings meant. How could he possibly be dangerous to his own brothers? Rhett threw the word possessive around when he was describing this whole situation, but surely that excluded family?
Then again, I had to be possessive of every boyfriend when Sloane was around. I couldn’t blame my little sister for stealing all the hot genes in our family, but my jealousy was justified.
Justified, notdangerous.
I took a bite of bread, chewing excessively so I didn’t immediately have to respond to Cindy.
Rhett shifted on his feet, angling his body toward us, and I could tell he was trying to listen to both conversations.
“I’m not ready for that,” I said finally. “My life—it’s been complicated lately.”
“Is that why you’re in Alaska? Trying to escape your complicated life?”
I broke a piece of cheese in two. Might as well be honest. “Trying to uncomplicate it, actually. I’m here to give my ex-fiancé his ring back.”
I tried to sound unattached and unruffled, knowing that I probably just sounded lame.
The kitchen fell silent, and the hair on my arms lifted.
“Were you planning to do that before or after you met Rhett?” Ross asked, coming around the table to place cutlery and plates.
“Before. I was supposed to mail the ring, but that was too easy for him.”
Cindy smirked. “You’ve got an upgrade in the meantime.”
Dinner happened seamlessly. The brothers worked as a well-oiled machine, layering dishes of steaming food onto the table. Cindy sat at the head of it all like a queen, regal and proud despite the bags under her eyes.
I liked her more with each passing minute.
The guys served her first, giving her a plump slice of meat, spoonfuls of golden, buttery potatoes, and all kinds of roasted vegetables.
Rhett fixed my plate next. Each of them watched too intently, in a silence that felt reverent. My smile was wobbly as I thanked him, laying my napkin on my lap and picking at the seam.
When Rhett asked me to do this, I didn’t understand how important mates were. Guilt stole my appetite as I stared at the gravy pooling around my potatoes.
This was wrong to lie about. It seemed sacrilegious somehow.
Ross was the first to offer his mother a birthday gift. She unwrapped the navy blue tissue paper and smiled wickedly.Holding up the gift, she revealed a worn-out paperback with a shirtless man on the cover:
“I’ve been trying to get my hands on this edition for years. Where did you find it?”
Ross smiled. “Afraid that’s a trade secret.”
“There’s a bonus chapter at the end where Mister Lorenzo takes Francesca—"
“Not interested,” Ross said, covering his face. “Please enjoy the book.In private.”
“Now mine!” Dustin handed her a small paper bag stuffed with tissue paper.