Page 15 of Don't Howl At Me

That’s not bro-code.” Wolf shook his head with a tilt to his lips. “But I get it. Let’s greet our visitor. We have new plans for the night.”

“Finally,” Alec said as we headed to the front steps, where he awaited us. “I’ve been waiting for you for at least five minutes.”

“Oh, poor baby,” I responded. “Perhaps if someone confirmed when they would be visiting, they wouldn’t have to wait five minutes. You’re lucky we were horny enough that we left work tonight despite the case we are dealing with. Otherwise, you would’ve been sleeping on our front porch swing.”

“Shit,” Alec said. “I’m interrupting sex? Fuck. Sorry, dude. What a way to introduce myself.”

“That’s fine. We always have later. Welcome to our home.” Wolf chuckled. “Let’s get inside, and we can figure out dinner. Is there anything else we want to do tonight?”

“I like you,” Alec said. “That’s good. I was afraid I’d have to tell Ollie to dump you.”

“Too late,” Wolf said. “He licked me; now I’m his. He’s stuck with me.”

Heading inside, joy built in my chest. Alec and my mate bantered back and forth easily. I had a sexy mate I loved and a best friend to joke with. Life was good.

And if all goes well, I’ll get that sexy time later.

“So, Alec. Tell me all about my mate,” Wolf said as we sat in our kitchen enjoying coffee and some muffins Wolf made this morning.

Alec looked at me with a quirk and leaned in to whisper, “I think he might kill me if I told you half of the embarrassing facts I know about him.”

“He’s right.” I handed him another blueberry muffin. “Here, stuff your face.”

Alec moaned as he took a bite from his second treat of the night. “Who made these? I might have to marry them to have these every night.”

“Sorry, he already told you I claimed him.” I winked at Alec. “But if you keep my secrets, you can have some of his muffins whenever you visit. I might even ship them to you.”

“No fair. Sexy, smart, and he bakes like this. Why did it take you so long to come back here again?” Alec no longer even looked at us. He was too interested in admiring the partially eaten sweetness in his hand.

“Alec, I will bake you a batch of muffins for every embarrassing adventure you spill about my mate.” Wolf waved a muffin at Alec.

“Did he tell you that his nickname in kindergarten was Moo-Moo because he drank milk with every snack? He would always ask for his moo-moo juice.”

“Traitor.” I pointed to Alec. “You are dead to me.”

“Then in freshman year—”

I covered Alec’s mouth before he could tell my mate anymore about my tomfoolery.

“I think that’s enough for the night. It’s such a shame you are only here for a night. Wolf will bake your muffins in the morning before you go.”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny.” Alec pushed me gently away and examined the muffin that got squished in my attempts at keeping my secrets safe. “I already told you that I am here for the whole week. And after this, I might stay forever.”

“Fine. You can stay.” I huffed. “But can we put a cap on this teenage Ollie talk? I will tell Wolf about my misadventures in dating some other time, okay?”

“Oh, Moo-Moo.” Wolf pulled me close to his body even though I half-heartedly fought against him. He kissed the top of my head. “We are just bonding over our love of you. But we can stop.”

“Yup,” Alec agreed. “At least until I need more muffins.”

I rolled my eyes at them.

“Well, if you are going to stick around,” I said, “be prepared to step up and help with our case. I think having as many eyes as possible on it will help.”

“That was on my agenda anyway,” Alec said, stretching from his chair. “Well, if you point me to my room, I will let you guys get to your previously scheduled plans. I need to get some sleep after driving all day.”

“Sure. I can show you to our guest room.” I took Alec’s arm in my own and started toward the door. “Oh, and, Wolfie-baby, clean up the kitchen before heading to our room.”

“Sure thing, Moo-Moo.” My mate chuckled but picked up the used dishes from the table.

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