Page 95 of Savage Claim

“Nope, my favorite.” I jerked my head toward Fane. “He’s second.”

The twelve-year-old pumped his fist. “Awesome. I’m the favorite!”

“We’ll see how long that sticks, Dyl.” The demon shifter ran his hand over my back as we walked into the living room, sparks of electricity crackling down my spine.

“Tate!” Preston grabbed me in a bear hug, lifting me off my feet. He smelled like spicy cologne and chocolate.

I patted his back. “It’s good to see you, too, Pres, but I’d like to breathe at some point.”

“Oh!” He dropped me to my feet. “I just feel like I haven’t seen you in years.”

“It’s only been a few months.” Fane scowled at the lack of space between Preston and me.

Such a possessive beast.

Preston rushed at his cousin, giving him the same enthusiastic welcome. “Aw, I missed you, too, Fane.”

Fane slapped his back. “I’m sure.”

“It’s nice to see you getting all territorial over Tate,” Preston said as he drew away, flicking honey-blond hair out of his face. “Just like old times.”

The demon shifter shook his head and muttered something unintelligible under his breath.

We entered the large kitchen where Nora and Kesa chatted at the center island like best friends, and Ephraim unloaded food from bags they must have brought. A whole family of shifters would need copious amounts of groceries. Dylan darted to the counter and searched through the bags with Preston on his heels.

Ephraim noticed us first and set the package of meat down before striding in our direction. His amber eyes were so similar in shape to Fane’s that they were obviously related. “It’s so nice to see you guys.” He hugged his nephew and then waited a beat as if asking my permission before pulling me into a tight embrace.

Fane’s uncle was the only Anders who still attempted to respect my boundaries. Not long ago, I would have cringed in their hugs. Now, I was beginning to enjoy them.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispered, squeezing one more time before pulling away. “When Camus heard there was a disturbance at Silver Ridge, I had a feeling you two were involved.”

Heat flamed my cheeks as guilt twisted my gut. Did he know why he’d suddenly been uprooted? Did he know I was Barric’s human-born daughter?

“They only know that Barric turned on us after you uncovered dangerous information about him,” Fane said into my mind, knowing where my thoughts had turned.

“Will Camus be pissed? I thought you couldn’t just leave a pack. Isn’t that defying the alpha or something?”

“Camus will get over it.”

Ephraim cleared his throat as a grin worked over his mouth. “I see you two are doing better. At least you aren’t trying to kill each other.”

Fane dragged his hand through his midnight locks. “Not yet. There’s still a chance.”

I smacked his rigid stomach. “I’m so sorry about this, Ephraim. Once again, your family is put in danger because of me.”

The humor evaporated from his face, and he rested his hand on my shoulder. “Our family,” he corrected. “You’re part of this family, Tate. Blood doesn’t matter. And when one of us is in trouble, we’re all in trouble.”

Blood doesn’t matter.

Barric may have been my father by blood, but he would never be my family.

A burning began in my eyes, and I looked at the black and white tiles, blinking rapidly. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me. I couldn’t take it?—”

“We’re shifters.” Ephraim squeezed my shoulder. “We aren’t fragile little creatures. We can hold our own. And protect our own.”

“And like it or not, you’re one of my little pups now.” Nora had meandered over and hugged me tightly, spilling all her warmth into my soul. “Just like Fane.”

He scoffed. “I was never little.”

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