Page 38 of Mated to the Wolves

“Don’t worry. I just realized how exhausted I am.”

He chuckles. I close my eyes. I focus on the sound of chopping.

“That’s normal, given everything you’ve been through,” Kirk says.

“Where did this house come from?” I’m eager for a distraction from my hunger.

“It’s always been here. Alpha has gifted it to influential families in the past, but it’s been empty for some time.”

“Did you know about this?” I open my eyes and study his handsome face.

“No. I’m the last person the Alpha would’ve shared his plans with,” Kirk says with wry humor. It’s an odd statement for the man who was once responsible for our leader’s health.

“Why?” Fascinated by his stiffness I press forward.

“We didn’t part on the best terms,” Kirk says. What’s that supposed to mean?

“I know we’re all shocked by this match, but we need to adapt,” Cadoc interrupts my digging.

The scent of garlic and onion fills the air. Mouthwatering, I admire the boy’s ability to work as a unit.

Fell cuts the bread while Bo blends herbs and butter to create a spread. Cadoc adds ground beef to the pan and my stomach rumbles its approval.

“How do you suggest we do that?” Bo looks around. “None of us are friendly.”

“I’ve worked with Cadoc plenty of times over the years.” Kirk shrugs.

“Yeah, 'cause you’re both like pushing two-hundred years old.” Bo waves his butter knife at Kirk and Cadoc.

“I’m only one hundred and fifty.” Kirk protests. “Cadoc is the old man. He’s one-hundred and ninety”

“And aging gracefully,” Cadoc gives a mock bow.

“Good thing for you two geezers.” Bo jerks his face toward at Kirk and Cadoc.

Kirk sniffs. “You reek of jealousy.” He breaks of a bit of bread, and pitches it, hitting Bo directly in the forehead.

I giggle as the others chuckle.

“That’s how you want to play it?” Bo returns the favor.

“Enough with the food waste,” Cadoc cautions.

“Is that what you plan to do? Browbeat us into submission?” Bo sets the bowl down on the counter.

I tense as his animosity shifts the mood in the room.

Cadoc turns away from the gas stove, black spatula still in hand. “I will keep the order by any means necessary. How smooth that goes is up to each of us.”

He stares Bo down until the younger wolf looks away.

Part of me enjoys seeing the cocky man put in his place. Kirk shifts in his chair, looking uncomfortable. His eyes flicker to amber when his wolf briefly comes to the surface and retreats.

“Respect will be the foundation we build from. Without that, we can’t have much else,” Cadoc says.

“Respect is earned,” I wrinkle my nose.

“It’s a common courtesy,” Kirk replies.

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