Page 19 of The Price They Paid

CHAPTER 7

Justice

I WATCHED THE SUNRISE FROM my bed. I hadn’t been able to sleep all night after that kiss and the fears that plagued my mind. My hopes were up, though, because Seuss had been awake. I decided not to tell anybody because I didn’t want to set them up for false pretenses. Maybe it was space that I needed from Seuss and that’s why I was caught in my feelings. My job was to cure him and then go home, simple. Not to be caught up in the titillation of HIM. There was a knock at my bedroom door, and I didn’t move to get up. I was comfortable and fully covered.

“Come in.”

Maddox walked in with his hand covering his eyes. “I needed to get to Seuss and you didn’t unlock the door.”

“Oh!” I chuckled. “I’m sorry. I’m decent so you can uncover your eyes. Feel free to head on over.”

Maddox looked at me and smiled. My first reaction was to laugh at how coy he was trying to be though I could tell that he was nervous.

“Have you been in to see him this morning?”

I shook my head. “Nope. I’ve been watching the sun.”

Maddox went into the other room and stopped short. “Well, shit! Maybe I should have you trim my beard too, Justice. You look damn good, brother.”

The compliment warmed me, and I listened as Maddox went about doing things. He emptied the water and changed the sheets in the room.

“He’s a lot warmer too, Just.”

Was that a nickname?

“Good!” I shouted to him.

“Whatever you’re doing, keep it up. It seems that the Alpha likes being pampered by his mate.”

I snuggled further into my blankets to hide my blushing cheeks.

“There is a pack meeting here in the East Wing today at noon. You don’t have to come, but it would be greatly appreciated if you could.”

“Is there anything that I need to do for it?”

I still hadn’t gotten any clothes of my own and that needed to happen before the meeting. It would look god awful to attend my first pack meeting in the Alphas clothes. Or would it? Somehow, the thought of being covered in his scent and wearing his clothes didn’t sound horrible. It sounded … right. I still wanted to look the part of his mate so laying around in his shirts would have to wait.

“Everybody usually brings a tray of some sort since there are so many people. I’ll have the girls sent over so that they can set up the chairs.”

“I’ll be there.” I glanced over at the clock. I had about four hours to find something to wear and then find a way to make the Alpha house look good.

I jumped up and headed to the bathroom to shower. Showtime.

***

I purchased quite a few decorative pieces, clothes and personal items before I headed to the grocery store to buy the food on my list. I got back in enough time to make everything happen. I made pinwheels, roasted bbq wings, deviled eggs and salami rolls. Maddox came back early from his errands to get dressed and stole an egg. He ran out of the room before I fussed at him. I snickered and went back to sprinkling paprika. He walked back into the room licking his fingers and shaking his head.

“Damn girl, you can cook.”

“They’re just eggs, Maddox.” I laughed at how easily food gratified him.

“Damn good eggs.” He stole another, and I smacked his arm.

“Out!” I pointed toward the door and waited for him to depart.

Maddox put his hands up in surrender, but when I walked away with the platter to put it into the fridge, he stole a salami roll.

“Make sure you save some of those for after the meeting,” he said with a mouth full of cream cheese and salami.

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