Page 113 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

Looking over my shoulder, I watched Kirsten throw her head back and laugh at whatever Harley had said. God, the woman was perfect. I wanted her to be that happy all the time. Forever. I’d do whatever I needed to ensure that happened.

By the time we finally arrived back home, Waylan looked ready to crawl out of his skin. The nervous energy inside him was bubbling up like crazy. Tapping the steering wheel, bouncing his feet, constant mirror adjustments, and about ten thousand surreptitious glances back at Harley. I was about ready to punch him in the face.

“So, this is your place?” Harley asked as she climbed down out of the cab. “I did not expect this.”

“What did you expect?” I asked as I unloaded her bags.

She crinkled her nose, her mouth twisting to the side slightly. Waylan let out a muffled whimper of delight at the expression, but it was thankfully too quiet for the girls to hear.

“I’m going to sound like a stuck-up bitch, but I sort of thought shifters lived in little one-room huts or something.”

I laughed, wheeling the bags around. “Sorry to disappoint you. We have houses like everyone else.”

“Well, yeah, but”—she gestured to my home—“this is like a mansion. I know houses. It’s literally what I do for a living. I know buyers right now who’d give you about a million bucks for this place.”

“Good to know,” I said. “But it’s not for sale. My grandfather built it with his own hands. I will admit it’s bigger than most, but it’s the alpha’s house. It’s supposed to be bigger. We hold meetings here. Guests of the pack, like yourself, are welcome to stay. It’s part of it. Come on, let me show you your room.”

Harley’s room was right beside Kirsten’s, and as Kirsten got her settled in, Waylan and I went back downstairs.

“You know,” Waylan said, looking back up the stairs, “maybe we should find Harley a more private place to stay. You and Kirsten are still getting back on even footing. Having someone around might make things harder.” He turned back to look at me, eyes wide and hopeful.

“She’s not staying at your place,” I said.

Waylan’s face fell. “But it’s safe. It’ll give you and Kirsten time and space to work things out.”

“Waylan.” I shook my head like he was the dumbest person on earth, and in that moment, he was acting like it. “You said exactly seven words to the woman the entire trip from the airport, and those were, ‘Do you need to use the bathroom?’ You’re a stranger to her, bro. She’s not going to want to stay with you.”

The look of pained understanding on his face was the closest I’d seen to him looking miserable in a long time. “Sorry,” he muttered. “I’m not thinking clearly.”

“Obviously.”

The creak of the stairs cut our conversation short.

“How do you like it?” I asked Harley.

“Yeah, how do you like it?” Waylan chimed in before she could respond.

I groaned inwardly.

Harley gave Waylan a confused and quizzical smile before saying, “It’s great. Thanks. I love the architecture of the place. Your grandfather really knew what he was doing.”

“I appreciate you saying that,” I said.

“So, what are the plans for the afternoon?” Harley asked.

“Actually,” I said, turning to Kirsten, “Waylan and I need to head out soon. I’ve got a meeting with the pack elders to discuss the public declaration of the challenge. We need to iron out some details. I’m gonna have a few of my betas come up here to patrol outside, make sure nothing happens while I’m gone.”

“I’ll call them now,” Waylan said. He looked embarrassed and uncomfortable as he stepped outside.

“It’ll give you guys some time to catch up more,” I said.

“That works,” Kirsten said.

“I’ll hang in the driveway until my guys get here,” I said.

Without thinking, I stepped forward and hugged Kirsten. It was the first physical contact we’d had since the day before. Despite all that had happened, there was still tension between us. My screw-up and the way it had affected us were still there. The wall hadn’t yet come fully down.

There was the slightest hesitation from Kirsten before she hugged me back.

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