Page 22 of Spike

My initial anger at Nitro faded. Nitro was just concerned about me, how easily I threw my lot with Gray despite us being strangers.

It should've bothered me too, except it didn't. My inner grizzly wholeheartedly agreed with my decision to become Gray's protector.

"It's getting late, and I want to head back to my mate," Nitro said. "We'll talk more tomorrow."

"Couldn't agree more," I muttered.

"Spike?" Nitro added as I began to head for the stairs.

"What?" I asked.

"I do want what's best for you. The last thing I want is to see you get hurt," Nitro said.

"I'm a big boy, Nitro. I can take care of myself," I said. "What I could use is my best friend on my side."

"Then call me anytime. I have your back," were Nitro's last words to me for that evening.

As I ascended the stairs to my room, I couldn't help but think that Nitro might be overprotective, but he genuinely cared.

Nitro's concern lingered in my mind, but my thoughts quickly shifted back to Gray.

He was occupying my every thought, and the kiss we shared played on a loop in my mind. For now, I decided I needed some rest.

GRAY

The sound of a familiar rumbling engine woke me up. No, I thought drowsily, my sedan didn't sound like that.

More often than not, my car sputtered and coughed like an old man in the throes of death.

Shutting my eyes, I tried to get back to sleep, only to jolt up at a knock on the door a moment later.

Rubbing my eyes, I pulled myself away from the incredibly soft sheets. Boy, did I miss sleeping in a proper bed.

The sleep I had in the Blue Vale Wolves Pack compound didn't count because today, I didn't wake up with dread in my belly, wondering what sinister plans Jack had for me.

As I approached the door, the knocking continued. I opened it cautiously, and to my surprise, there stood Spike in his familiar leather jacket.

Under the morning light, Spike looked more rugged and handsome than I remembered.

When he smiled at me, my entire body felt warm. I was tempted to kiss him again, then realized I hadn't brushed my teeth yet. In fact, I wasn't ready at all.

"Morning," he greeted with a crooked smile. "Ready for breakfast?"

I flushed, realizing I was standing there in just my ratty sleeping shirt and boxers.

"Um, do you mind giving me a few minutes to shower and change?" I asked.

"Sure, I'll be downstairs," Spike said. "Take all the time you need."

As I closed the door, I wondered where Spike had been all my life. His presence brought a strange mix of comfort and excitement, and my wolf seemed to like him a lot.

Maybe it was time to stop overthinking and go with the flow, at least for now. After all, breakfast with Spike sounded like a pretty good start to the day.

Half an hour later, I met Spike downstairs in the lobby. I found him drinking coffee and chatting with Rooster.

He looked up from his conversation when he spotted me. I shivered as he gazed at me like I was a tall drink of water, like I was the only thing he could see.

That never happened to me before. I never stood out in a crowd.

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