He didn’t know what the hell he was doing. Didn’t have a plan, only the need to stop him from touching Lyla.
“We should go,” Boaz heard himself say.
Alexander blinked, caught off guard.
“Go?”
“Yes,” Boaz said, not loosening his grip.
He pushed his chair back and quickly, rounded the table until he was standing right beside Alexander. Up close, the tension between them felt thick, charged.
“I promised Manlius I would bring you to his coven so you can be checked by a healer."
He’d done no such thing.
But it was the only way he could get the vampire away from Lyla without making a scene.
Alexander’s lips parted, but Boaz cut him off before he could get a word out.
“We need to make sure you’re fully healed, especially if you’re going to keep showing up here,” he said. “I’m not putting my pack at risk.” He made sure to look at Lyla when he said that.
I’m protecting you,he wanted to tell her
Instead, he tightened his hold and pulled Alexander to his feet. He led him out of the barn into the cool night air. They crossed the clearing in silence, heading toward the large building where the pack kept their trucks.
They stepped inside the building just as Hansel climbed out of his truck. His brother froze mid-step, eyes widening as he took them in.
Chapter 6
Boaz
Boaz resisted the urge to fidget under the scrutiny. He knew he looked different. He didn’t clean up like this often. But it wasn’t a reason for Hansel to stare at him like that.
“Everything okay?” Hansel asked.
“Yes.” Boaz bristled at the question. He didn’t have to sound so surprised. It wasn’t like Boaz never made an effort.
“Well…” Hansel hesitated, glancing between them. “Why are you two holding hands?”
Holding hands.
Boaz blinked, looking down and only then realizing he was still gripping Alexander’s hand. He’d been so focused on getting him away from Lyla that he hadn’t even noticed.
He let go immediately, dragging his hand back and wiping it against his pants as a strange tingling sensation crawled up his fingers, his arm, all the way to his neck.
Fuck.
“I’m taking him to Manlius,” Boaz said defensively as he moved toward his truck.
Hansel followed close behind.
“Did something happen?” he asked. “Why is he even here? I thought you told him to leave and never come back.”
He never said that.
But Hansel must have filled in the gaps himself. Boaz hadn’t told him much about his talk with the vampire last night. Left out the part where Alexander said he would come back… and claim his bride.
Lyla.