Page 23 of Wrestling With Werewolves

Perfection, Big Daddy sighs. Look at that as?—

“Hey everyone,” I break in, elbowing Big Daddy through our connection.

Even as my comment causes everyone to turn toward Connall and me, my eyes drop to the aforementioned ass, Big Daddy and I both appreciating how round and firm it looks. High and tight and so damn muscular. The bottom swell curves into fit-looking thighs encased in jeans that leave nothing to my currently wild imagination.

Connall brushes past me, knocking me to one side as he clears his throat. It takes herculean effort for me to snap my focus away from Lola and glance at something else before looking at my leadership crew.

Lola wears a concerned expression, the glass now gripped between her fingers. “Richard, you alright? Is it still okay for me to join your meeting? If not, I’ll totally go…” Her words drift off as she jerks a thumb toward the front door.

“Of course not,” I say. “You’re always welcome.”

More than welcome. Come sit on our lap, pretty girl.

I level my crew with a big smile as Connall takes his spot on the far side. Someone else clears their throat as I skirt past Lola behind the bar to grab beer glasses. I fill them as Connall starts the meeting, same as always.

Half an hour later, I’m pouring the second round of drinks, and we’ve been through the majority of our to-do list. Continuing to support Leighton’s family is at the top of it. Connall was stoic during that part of the conversation. Leighton was his friend, and I know he feels the loss even more acutely than I do.

Eventually, we come to a topic that does bring me joy. I grin at my leadership crew. “I’m going to be challenged this week.”

A rousing cheer goes up as they all clap. Lola claps too, but there’s a tense edge to her forced smile. It doesn’t take a genius to assume she’s thinking of how Marco’s Second is planning to challenge him soon.

I reach across the bar and pat her hand when she puts it down. “It’s not a big deal in our pack; it’s more practice than anything.”

She nods, but her near-black eyes come to mine and flash with worry. “You could still be injured. Fights go sideways all the time.”

Let her see our strength, Big Daddy presses.

I lean over the bar as my crew snickers. “You haven’t seen me fight, omega. I won’t lose. Not today and not any day in the foreseeable future.”

One of her dark brows curls upward. “Is that so? Seems a little cocky, Richard.”

I shake my head as I slide her whiskey sour across the bar. “No. I’m assured and confident. Those are different things.”

Plump lips curl into a smile. “Then I look forward to seeing you fight.”

Yessssss, Luna is into us, as she should be. Let’s show her our di?—

Lola is Marco’s daughter—our friend’s daughter. She’s a fraction of our age. Even if she was our Luna, which she’s not, it could never happen. Just stop.

After that, Big Daddy recedes into the farthest edges of my mind, not bothering to respond. But his ire is palpable and painful in our connection. Eventually, Connall does a surreptitious nod toward Vikand, but I find I don’t want to discuss my Big Daddy issues in front of everyone right now, so I shake my head. Vikand watches us and seems to read the room, not bringing up how we invited him here but haven’t asked him for anything.

I’ll take care of this later.

Somehow.

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER - LOLA

It’s fascinating watching a leadership meeting take place within a regular pack. Richard, Connall, and the rest of the small group laugh and drink and carry on, and it’s…easy. I can never remember a time it was like this for my father. His leadership meetings are all veiled innuendo and subtle threats. And sadly, no alcohol.

I mull that over as I watch pack members who are obviously close with one another.

Connall slaps the bar with both hands and rises, looking at the group. “I’m gonna head to Leighton’s parents’ place for a visit.”

“I’ll be there in the morning with breakfast for them,” Richard says, his expression serious.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to offer to go with him, but I’m not part of this pack. I’m just…here. And I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to take care of me. I shouldn’t even be here at all, but for my own stupid mis?—

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