Page 80 of Stargazer

“I’m surprised you date and don’t just skip to the end,” the Knight captain added, continuing on from his previous teasing remark.

“Please, I like to woo a girl. Take ‘em to dinner first.” His lips tilted in a confident smirk. “I also scrub up well. It’d be a shame for them to miss the opportunity to see me like this.” He gestured to his outfit. He indeed looked dressed and ready for a date in a pair of dark chino pants and a white linen shirt. Most of the time, if Zander wasn’t in gym attire, he wore oversized basketball and baseball tees, or in the case of a barbecue or gathering, colourful button-down t-shirts. But when he did go on dates, he scrubbed up well.

He went on to add, “Don’t worry though, I always bring them back here for a little Netflix and chill. Light some candles and then give them the pleasure of getting to undress me.”

Griffin crossed his arms and leaned against the car before he popped a brow. “What a gentleman.”

“Anyway,” Zan continued, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I know you’ll miss me but our Alpha has kindly offered to be my replacement for the night.”

My mouth popped open.

Great.

“Well,” Griff drawled, “this will be fun.” He got in the car, not bothering to wait for a reply before he slammed the door.

A moment later, River jogged out of the house and headed towards us.

“I’m here. I’m here,” Riv called out as he approached, hand up in a wave.

I smiled at him. “Hey, Riv.”

“Hey, Angel.”

Addressing the hunter in the driver’s seat, whose window was currently rolled down, River said, “Sorry about the change of plans.” Despite his words, River looked uncharacteristically not sorry. A subtle grin graced his lips.

Griff certainly brought out a different side to the Alpha that I’d never seen before. He had never had to fight for me like this. Was never challenged. But even so, the territorial male role was still done in a very River way.

“Get in.” Was all Griffin said in response, nodding to the back seat of his vehicle.

“Always a pleasure, Hunter.”

“Likewise,” Griff said with a faux smile, narrowed eyes and a whole lot of attitude.

Without another word, River hopped in the back and I walked around to the passenger seat, shaking my head in disbelief.

Why me?

Zander gave us a mock salute and a knowing smirk before he walked back into the house, looking pleased with the trouble he’d just stirred. He’d lit the fuel on fire and then quite literally walked away like it was nothing.

I wanted to kick his ass for putting me in this position.

Heading to the patrol spot we’d commence from, a hush fell over the car, uncomfortable and poignant.

Griffin seemed content not to speak. River seemed awkward, not wanting to break the silence. And I was desperately racking my brain to think of something to say to cut the tension. But I came up short. So I also stayed quiet.

I thanked whatever god was watching over us when we arrived and tumbled out of the car into the open night.

Not that we’d have space, the three of us would be stuck together for the next handful of hours until Winter and Bleu took over the next shift. But at least we had fresh air.

I needed all the oxygen I could get after being stuck in a car with those two.

Both of them had a presence that was tangible and so very Alpha-male that it seemed to weigh me down and stick to the back of my throat. And the two of them together in such a small space … it was giving me a headache.

We walked to the post; a little ranger type shed at the top point of River’s territory. We’d start here and police the northern border while Dalton and Koda took the south. Their sentry duty usually occupied this northern post but every so often they needed a change of scenery, since they were on watch more than any of the others and we didn’t want them to go stir-crazy.

I picked my way to the shelter in front of the males, opening the door to throw in my belongings. The space was small, but large enough for two or so people to stay in overnight. There was a bunk along one wall, a large viewing window and a tiny bathroom.

Walking over to the little trunk in the corner, I opened it up and pulled out a bag of cookies. Every time I’d been on patrol so far, I’d felt like a girl scout. The cookies only added to that image. And I’d come to rely on the sugar hit, so the box was coming with me.

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