Page 10 of Embraced By the Alpha Pack

“Well, since he is her ‘husband’, I deferred.” Griffin motions to the bar and we pull out two stools, letting Grace enjoy the show.

“Solid plan. My receptionist hit on me on the way out.” Shaking my head, I shiver, feeling disgusting. “How long until our reservation?” The bartender drops our drinks off in front of us and we clink glasses.

“About fifteen minutes. Conrad and Barrett will meet us after you two have your dinner, so we can give her our presents.” Griffin’s gaze slips over towards Ethan and Grace. “I have to admit, I’m jealous of their relationship. But, the relationships are unique with each of us. We have a once a week talk now about how the relationship is going.” He sips at his drink and looks back at me.

“Poly families are harder to manage until a clear leader is chosen and the nurturing one. Everyone needs to pitch in equally and work together.” I watch Grace fawn over Ethan until she notices we are at the bar.

Grace comes walking over, and Griff leans over to the bartender and whispers an order to him. When the bartender returns, he hands Grace the glass, and she smiles. “I hope you had a good day at work Nic.” Grace sips at what looks like a Long Island Iced Tea, but her scent screams she’s pregnant. I shoot a questioning glance over at Ethan, and he pulls out his phone and sends me a text.

Looking down at my phone when it pings, it says it’s a virgin drink just the rim is dipped in alcohol. “Sorry work message. No more work for tonight.” I silence my phone and slip it into my back pocket.

The hostess approaches our group, looking us and Grace over. “Volkov, party of two, your table is ready.” She sweeps her arm in the direction she would like us to follow her.

“After you Grace.” I motion for her to walk ahead of me and she smiles, pleased with the offer. Grace follows the hostess, and we are seated in a large private booth in the back corner. We are still in direct line of sight of Ethan and Griffin. If what they told me is true and she’s being hunted by a few crazy exes, I don’t blame them for wanting to be close.

“How did your day go, Nic?” Grace’s tone holds concern and curiosity. It gives me hope we are going in the right direction.

“It’s vastly improved in the last twenty minutes. How was your day today?” I slide the menu over to her and take one for myself.

Her eyes dart up and over towards the guys, then back to me. “They’re up to something. I can feel it in my bones.” She narrows her eyes, staring at them, trying to puzzle out what’s off about their behavior.

Reaching out, I place my hand over hers, and her eyes dilate staring down where our skin is making contact. I know she feels the same hum of energy under the surface from the bond trying to form. “I’m sure whatever it is, it’s for your safety and best interest. You are their world. One day, I hope you will allow me to treat you the same.” I throw it out there. I’m too old to be playing teenage boy games of I like you but … I know what I want and that’s my mate by my side until one of us dies.

“I’m sorry I’m being difficult, Nic. First I was human, then I found out my ex is a wolf shifter and my daughter is one, too. Then there are these four incredibly hot guys that are my fated mates from when I was five, and they are wolves, too.” Shaking her head, she raises her gaze to look deep into what I feel is my soul. “I was abducted and almost died. Ethan gave me a wolf to save me.” She raises her free hand and looks down at it, turning it over slowly as she partially shifts it. “It’s a lot to come to terms with. Thankfully, their mom is a turned wolf like me, so she’s been a tremendous help.”

I get up from my side of the circle booth and slide in next to Grace and pull her to me. “However fast or slow you need to take things with me is fine. All I ask is that you talk to me and be honest about how you feel. Everything else will fall into place when it’s time.” I take a chance and kiss her on her temple, leaving my lips there for a little while. Not wanting to push my luck, I get ready to get up and go back to my side and Grace stops me.

“Stay with me.”

Those three words almost made my heart stop. Maybe there’s hope for us yet.

Chapter 7

Grace

-Miss Independent—Kelly Clarkson-

There’s something soothing from the way Nicolai presents himself. He’s not an in your face alpha, not like Ethan and Griff. He’s also not as reserved as Conrad is either. With him sitting next to me, I feel calm and relaxed enough I’m not on high alert watching the room. I pull out my phone instead of looking at the menu and pull up my photo app.

“Smile Nicky.” I scoot in closer and take a selfie of us together. The smile that graces his lips is mesmerizing. Gently, I rub my cheek on his and I freeze. The faint scent of another female on him causes me to growl. “Did someone touch you before you came here tonight?” Climbing up on the bench, I bury my nose against his throat, then across his shoulder. The scent is faint, just barely there. My anger spurred Ethan and Griffin to join us at the table.

“Unwanted contact, yes. My receptionist invited me to her place as I was leaving to head here. I firmly declined her offer and changed my shirt and cleaned up the best I could before coming here.” His tone of voice rings with honesty and I sit down next to him again.

With narrowed eyes, I study him. He’s not lying. My wolf says softly to me. I know she’s right, but it seems I have developed a possessive streak.

“Darlin, you’re making me nervous. One minute you’re ready to attack, the next nothing. What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” Ethan’s tone pulls me out of the thought cycle I was stuck in.

“I accept your truth, Nicolai.” Turning to face Ethan, I smile. “Sorry, something came over me and I had to settle myself down.” The waitress comes over and looks surprised seeing Griffin and Ethan in the booth. “We need ribs enough for four people, oh and hush puppies with apple butter and cran jelly.” The waitress gets ready to address the guys and Griffin just raises his hand to stop her.

“Grace placed the order, and that’s what we’re having.” He doesn’t give her a chance to say a single word. I can only guess he knows it would piss me off further.

“So, since you two decided to crash our party. Why are you two acting so sketchy? You’re up to something, I know it.” I look between my mates and then over at Nicolai. He hasn’t learned to avoid my questions.

“Nic? What do you know?” I turn and face him and grip his chin, forcing him to face me. Thankfully, he has a short beard because I give it a little tug, so he knows I mean business.

“You know I can’t not answer her.” He looks over at Griffin and Ethan, and they nod at him. “I have a mating present for you, as do your mates. After dinner, we were going to head back to your house and share the presents.” Nic bites his bottom lip and I can’t help but stare at him as he does it.

Releasing his beard, I slide my hand to the back of his neck and pull him down to me. “See, that was easy.” I whisper against his lips, letting mine brush against his. “If that bitch ever touches you again…” Pausing, I let my wolf show for a moment. “It’s not Ethan’s temper anyone will have to worry about. You’ll find her head on your desk.” I press my lips against his briefly and sit back in the booth like nothing happened.

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