The sunlight played on my eyelids as I slowly opened them. I looked down at the arm draped over my side still holding me close. A small smile reached my lips. I couldn’t remember the last time I slept so well. If I was being honest… it was probably the last time I slept by his side. I guess I knew there was a good chance Sion was my mate, but I still didn’t understand it. Why did I feel connected to him before? He wasn’t my first mate so I shouldn’t have felt anything, right?
Speaking of feeling something… I couldn’t ignore that something firm was poking me from behind. I knew exactly what it was. I turned my head and met with his eyes.
“Good morning.” He said with a crooked grin.
“Yes, it seems like it.” I grabbed the sheet and pulled it up to cover my smile.
He chuckled and released his grip from me. “What? I have to pee… that’s all.” He rolled over and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “I’m going to get a shower… then I’ll come back, and we can go down for breakfast.”
“That’s a good idea. A shower sounds great.” I sat up and watched his predatory eyes on me.
“I’m a bit of an environmentalist. Maybe we should shower together to save water and all…” I watched a sly grin spread across his face as I shook my head.
“I think the world will be just fine if we take our own showers.”
“It takes everyone to do their part.” He shrugged and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m sure it does. So, should I be checking with Logan and Conner for when they shower in the future? You know… to do my part.” A triumphant smile reached my lips as I watched him scowl at the idea.
“You win. I’ll see you after the shower… though it would have been more fun together.”
“If I drop the soap, I’ll call for you.” I said in a sarcastic tone as a smirk spread over his face.
“Now that’s the spirit.” He winked at me before walking towards my door. He paused standing there watching me.
I slipped off of the bed testing my ankle. Thankfully it felt fine. No more being carried, hallelujah! I looked up at him and smiled. “All better…”
“Good…” He then nodded his head and stepped out of my room. “I’ll be back shortly.”
I took a scalding hot shower soaking up every minute of it. Usually, I had to rush so I could be there to lead the pack. But I didn’t have to hurry today. So after a wonderfully long shower I stepped out and got dressed. I put on a t-shirt and blue jean shorts. After drying my hair, I stepped out of the room to see Sion sitting on my bed waiting for me.
“I thought you drowned in there.”
“Not to worry I stayed out of the deep end.” I listened to his sweet chuckle as he walked over to me. His hand slid around my back as he leaned in to kiss my forehead.
“If you ever need a lifeguard in there, I am certified.” His hot breath sizzled my forehead making a shiver go down my spine.
“You’re certified?” I looked up to him trying to act like he had no effect on me.
“Yes… and I know mouth to mouth.” His lips curled up and I rolled my eyes at him.
“Well, aren’t you a handy person to have around.” I moved towards the door and could feel the quiet rumble from his laughter behind me. His hand rested on my waist as he followed me down the stairs.
There was a dining table just beside the kitchen bar. At the table Logan and Conner sat sulking.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t you sleep well?” I asked and listened to Logan’s dramatic whine.
“Darla’s the one on the schedule to work today and her daughter has gone into labor. Tanna is out visiting another pack, and Darlene isn’t answering. There is no one to cook for us todaaaaaay.” Logan whined and I couldn’t help it but laugh. I tried to cover my mouth, but it just came exploding out.
“Oh you poor helpless babies.” I snorted.
“Alpha Sion!”
And it was such a nice morning. The voice of satan chirped off the walls as I heard her walking closer. ‘Call me Bree’ had arrived to wreck the day.
“Dr. Snyde.” Sion said in an annoyed voice. He wasn’t even trying to hide his agitation.
“Such a sleepyhead today I see… It’s past 10. I’ve been waiting for you at the office. Remember we have important documents to go over today.” I looked over as she gave me a poisonous smile. Gosh it was like Taylor in another body.
Sion shrugged still staying close to my side. “I ended up falling asleep in my masseuse’s arms. One of the best night sleeps I ever had. She is simply amazing. I’m keeping her forever.” He winked down at me flashing me a dazzling white smile.
“Oh well isn’t that sweet. You know I have a lot of patients who could use massage—”
Sion growled lowly interrupting ‘Call me Bree’. “Mine. She is only here for me. In fact, she is under orders to only use her services for me and me alone.”
I swear I saw her eye twitch and for a split second she looked angry. Though she instantly recovered herself and let out a very fake laugh. “That’s an alpha for you.” She looked at me like she was trying to make girl talk now. Eewww. “Well, we need to work on those documents.”
Sion sighed and looked down at me. It looked like he was asking for my permission to leave my side. “Maybe Logan and Conner can show me around?”
“I will! Conner has training today with the pack. So, I’ll be your escort today.” Logan beamed up at me and I smiled up at Sion and nodded my head.
“Stay with Logan and don’t leave his side. I’ll be back soon—”
“Actually, Alpha Sion this will take several hours. I also have a patient we need to discuss—” She stopped talking as Sion sent her a murderous glare. I swear if looks could kill he would have diced her into shreds.
“This was your father’s work.” She finally said in a quiet tone and the anger was gone from Sion’s eyes. Instead, they looked pained. I instinctively reached out and placed my hand on his arm wanting to comfort him.
He looked down and smiled at me but there was such a tenderness in his smile. His eyes were fixated on mine, and I felt his body relax. He reached up and placed his other hand on top of mine and squeezed it gently.
“Keep her safe Logan.” Sion said keeping his eyes on mine. I felt myself being affected by him in such a way… I couldn’t explain it. My heart seemed to be trying to leap out of my body to get to him. My enitre being was yearning for him. And then… pathetically I felt sad that I wouldn’t be able to see him. What the hell was wrong with me?! I was going to miss him!
“Aye aye chief!” Logan said in a fake army voice.
“If you need me, they can mind link me instantly. No matter what the reason I will instantly come to you.”
“I’ll be fine… go do your job… Alpha.” I watched as his lips tugged upwards and he nodded his head.
“I’ll come back as soon as I can.” Sion was looking at me reluctant to leave. It looked like he felt the same way I was feeling. As if this was torture to be removed from my side. He finally sighed and turned away. His hand left mine and so did his warmth. Instantly I missed it as I watched him leave with Dr. Sinister.
“I guess I’ll get out the cereal.” Logan pouted and I rolled my eyes shaking my head.
“Oh for goodness sake. I’ll make something.” I walked over behind the bar in the kitchen as the two puppies came and sat at the bar.
“Scones?” Conner asked giving me puppy dog eyes.
“Pancakes.” I smiled as I began to search around the kitchen grabbing ingredients and placing them on the counter. The two men watching my every move as I mixed up a batch of pancakes and cooked them up. I even found chocolate chips and made my specialty ones. For a moment, I felt a sense of sadness. I had just made these a few days ago right before chaos seized my life. I never did give Denny the gift I had gotten him. I left it on my nightstand before I left. It was a watch, and the hands were wolf claws instead of arrows. I wonder if he found it. Okay I needed to push all of that from my mind.
I put the pancakes on three plates and passed one to Logan and Conner.
“Oh my gods…” Conner groaned. “Mmmmm…. It’s so good. I asked you to marry me first remember. That should trump Sion.”
“She cooks better than our cooks.” Logan began tapping his feet on the floor as he gobbled up his food. “I think Clover should be our new cook.”
I giggled and shook my head. “I’m a better warrior than I am a cook. As soon as I get my wolf back, I want to get back to training.” I looked up to see both men having a strange expression on their face. “What?”
“The thing is… our women are not warriors here.” Conner looked up at me and I thought he was joking at first.
“Wait… what?” I looked over at Logan. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This was modern times. What do they mean their females aren’t warriors?
“It was decided back when Sion’s father first took over as the alpha. It isn’t a cut on our women… it’s because they are that precious to us that we don’t want them in battle.” Logan was looking at me as I scoffed.
“Are you crazy? What if the battle comes to them?” I felt my blood pressure rising.
“They take self-defense and learn the basics.” Conner said and I snorted.
“How caring… so nice that you allow them the basics.” I spat out clicking my tongue. “Well, that doesn’t work for me. I am not going to sit in the house and knit while all the males are fighting. I’m stronger than most of your male warriors here… well with my wolf.” I gripped my fork squeezing it tight making my knuckles turn white.
“Then change it.” I looked up at Logan whose serious face was locked on mine. “Become the luna of our pack and change it. For you… he will change everything… you know that right?”
“Logan…” Conner said in an annoyed voice.
“What? You don’t think he would?” Logan challenged as Conner shook his head.
“It’s not that. I know he would. But don’t pressure her and make her feel like she has to stay.” Conner then lifted his gaze up to me. “I want you to stay because you choose Sion. He deserves to be in a loving relationship… I want him to have that. He’s been through so much…”
I looked up at Logan and Conner. Their eyes had the same sadness that Sion’s had earlier. I needed to reassure them that I had no intention of playing with their alpha’s heart. “I won’t lead him on… I just need some time. Everything has happened so fast, and I need a chance for the dust to settle so I can get my bearings.” One of the things I needed to find out was what the other pack members were like.
“So…” I looked up at Logan as he finished his last bite of pancake. “You ready to show me around?” If this pack isn’t horrible… then maybe… maybe this can really be my new home. I hated to admit it and I wouldn’t out loud… not yet… but I was falling for Sion already. I missed him… his face, his warmth, his touch, and the way his eyes looked at me. It hadn’t even been an hour, but I felt deprived of him. This had to mean something… right?
Okay, Clover focus! Today we analyze the pack. I needed to concentrate on that. I followed Logan and Conner to the door. Whether I stay or not was probably going to be decided today. Even if I was just internally making that decision.
It was all up to the Chance pack now.