Page 5 of Coveted By the Alpha Pack

Pressing my forehead against Ethan’s chest, I want to hide in the warmth of his embrace as his muscular arms envelop me. I listen to the wheels of the gurney rolling down the hallway. The sound echoing in the empty silence of the house, followed by the creak of the front door opening and closing, signaling her departure. Slowly, I exhale the breath I’ve been holding, finally accepting the harsh reality of her absence.

“You need to eat something, lass,” Lorcan’s voice breaks through the heaviness of the moment, his tone gentle, and understanding as he leans against the wall.

“I really don’t want to,” I admit with a heavy sigh, my appetite nonexistent as I attempt to navigate my grief. “I know I need to so I can feed Deacon.”

“It’s understandable to lose interest in food with all that’s happened,” Lorcan offers, his words a comforting presence during my misery. “Humor me and introduce me to some of the foods offered here in the states.” His deep brogue sends shivers down my spine, a stark reminder of his allure, even amidst the sadness. If I weren’t so consumed by sorrow, I might have found myself drawn to him in a different way.

A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I pull away from Ethan, making my way towards the kitchen. “What made you laugh, darlin’? I want to do it again.” Ethan’s softer side catches the others off guard, a glimpse of his vulnerability that surprises both Shamus and Lorcan.

“I was picturing Lorcan in a kilt,” I confess, my laughter bubbling up despite the heaviness in my heart.

“What’s so funny about that, lass? It happens weekly,” Lorcan replies seriously.

“Excellent. Then I can finally get some answers I’ve been pondering,” I tease, giggling as I follow the scent of food wafting from the kitchen and prepare myself a plate.

“What answers, Grace?” Barrett inquires, placing some venison rollers on my plate.

Leaning in conspiratorially, I share my thoughts with Barrett. “If they wear underwear under the kilts or if the boys are wild and free under there.”

Ethan sputters, his drink nearly escaping his mouth, while Griffin coughs violently, and Nicolai wisely refrains from drinking altogether when I speak.

As I look around the room, Ethan’s and Nicolai’s moms are exchanging curious glances at me and Lorcan. My heart races so fast I’m certain he can hear it thundering in my chest. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, a brilliant shade of pink that I am thankful he can’t see.

Lorcan bends his index finger, beckoning me closer to him. I can’t help but comply, resting my hand on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breath beneath my touch. “Free as a bird, lass,” he murmurs, his voice a warm caress that sends shivers down my spine. His smile reveals a pair of dimples hiding beneath his thick red beard, and for a moment, I’m lost in the depth of his milky gaze. The soft golden hue of his wolfs eyes try to rise to see me.

“Oh, okay,” I manage to reply, trying to mask the fluttering sensation in my stomach. “Kinda takes the fun out of me finding out for myself.”

Before I can turn away, his large hands grip my wrists, pulling me closer to him. My breath catches in my throat as I feel the intensity of his touch. “I may not be able to see, lass,” he continues, his brogue taking on a deep, smoky quality that sends a thrill down my spine. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t feel my way around. Explorin’ every inch of ya.”

His words send a jolt of electricity through me, and I find myself leaning closer, drawn in by the magnetic pull of his presence. He lowers his face until the tip of his nose brushes against mine, sending a wave of heat rushing through me. “I can’t hunt you like I would like to,” he whispers, his breath hot against my skin. “But there’s other ways, lass, for me to prove I am worthy.” Between the husky pitch of his voice and the dark promise lingering on his lips, I almost forget where we are, lost in the intoxicating dance of desire and anticipation.

Nicolai clears his throat, and I can almost discern a hint of either jealousy or anger in his gaze. My heart sinks at the realization that my closeness with Lorcan may have stirred up these emotions in him. I pull away from Lorcan, suddenly feeling guilty for the tension I’ve inadvertently caused.

“Barrett, please set Shamus and Lorcan up in the guest house across from our house,” I manage to say, but the unsteadiness of my voice betrays me. It’s as if my emotions are bubbling just beneath the surface, threatening to spill over at any moment. Lor distracted me from my sadness momentarily, but now a different sadness is surfacing, one that I can’t ignore.

I know it’s time to call for that long-overdue family meeting. Griff catches my glance, and he nods in understanding. Did I request the meeting in my head or through the bond? I wonder fleetingly. My eyes drift to Griffin again, and he taps his temple, indicating that he heard me loud and clear. The realization sends a shiver down my spine.

Before I can spiral further into my thoughts, Griffin takes hold of me and leads me outside. His touch grounds me, offering comfort while my thoughts spiral.

“Deep breath, Grace,” he murmurs as he pulls me close, his embrace enveloping me in warmth. “It’s a recent development,” he adds softly before pressing his lips to the crown of my head, a gesture of reassurance that I desperately need in this moment of uncertainty.

“What’s a recent development?” Ethan and Nicolai’s voices break the silence almost simultaneously, their concern evident in their tone.

“You didn’t hear Grace in your head in there?” Griffin asks, casting a meaningful look between his brother and Nicolai before turning his gaze back to me.

“I didn’t,” Ethan responds, furrowing his brow in confusion.

“Neither did I,” Nicolai adds, his expression thoughtful as he considers the implications. “Maybe because she still has some of your son’s blood in her, you can hear her clearer,” he theorizes, his words hanging heavy in the air as we all grapple with this new revelation.

“As much as I hate to do this right now, I feel like we need a family meeting,” I say, biting my bottom lip nervously as I glance between each of my mates. Griffin pulls me close to his side. His reassuring presence offering some comfort amidst the tension that hangs in the air, palpable between his brothers and Nicolai.

“Can you see if your mom can keep the girls tonight?” Griffin’s voice is gentle as he addresses Nicolai, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow. Nicolai nods in understanding, already reaching for his phone to send the text.

I feel a flicker of relief when Nicolai smiles in response to the text message. “Mom was expecting it, so she already has the girls in the tub,” he reports back, a hint of reassurance in his tone. Barrett returns with Deacon cradled in his arms, ready to head home.

“Okay, let’s head home and sit around the kitchen table then,” I suggest, trying to push aside the exhaustion that threatens to overwhelm me. I know I don’t have the emotional energy at the moment to deal with this, but I can’t let resentment fester between my mates.

Griffin guides me back to the car, settling me in the passenger seat beside him for the ride home. “I’m proud of you,” he murmurs, casting me a supportive glance that warms me despite my apprehension.

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