Page 78 of Forget

Rolling my eyes, I ease through the opening as soon as there’s room, driving up the long driveway. The plow hasn’t been down this way, which means they’ll also have to shovel their own driveway. It’s fucking massive. I do not envy them.

My leather gloved hands grab the bag filled with Aisling’s clothes as I park, and I have to keep myself from opening it and breathing her scent in like a creeper. I resemble what the word represents, but I’m trying to curb my baser instincts today. Baby steps, after all.

Turning off the truck, I open the door and climb out, trudging through the snow up to the front door. It opens before I can knock, and Everest stands there with a smirk, holding his hand out for it.

“You drew the short card?” he asks. “Aisling, your bag has arrived!”

“I swear, I’m going to have to keep a change of clothes in the car from now on,” she grumbles, her hand reaching out for it before she disappears.

Brow raised in amusement, I try to look around him to see where she ran off to. Everest leans in the direction so I can't see shit, and I huff in annoyance.

“She’s not a morning person, even though she’s typically up early,” he offers. “We’ll send her out with coffee so she’s in a better mood.”

“I can pick some up with her,” I offer, but Everest shakes his head.

“Nah, she needs a cup while she’s getting ready, and then a cup of coffee after,” he explains.

“I’m bringing her up a muffin and coffee,” Flynn says, though I only see a glimpse of his red hair.

“Does she stay here often?” I ask, surprised by how well they know her.

“I don’t know what your deal is, but if you’re courting her, I need you to understand that she’s practically family to us,” Everest says, his face going blank.

I’ve heard that he’s the most jovial of the alphas, but I think it’s a mask that hides what I see now. Death, with colorless blue eyes that seem to go on forever. He’s the one people should worry about.

“I am,” I tell him honestly. “Our schedules haven’t aligned, so we haven’t had a chance to spend as much time together as I’d like. Mr. Sullivan asking me to pick her up works well for me.”

I will always be respectful of my position as the boss’ lawyer, regardless of what I call him in private or in my head. The families all talk, interact, and work together. I don’t know PackMohan well enough to relax around them, and there are very few people I trust.

Everest nods sharply, glancing over his shoulder at something.

“She’ll be out shortly,” he grunts, shutting the door in my face.

I didn’t really think I’d be invited in, but for fuck’s sake. Returning to the truck, I crank up the heater in an effort to get warm. When the door opens again twenty-five minutes later, I jump out to help Aisling to the truck.

While I parked as close as possible, the snow is still piled high.

Her coat is bundled tightly around her and she starts to slowly walk down the steps.

“Stop!” I bark, just short of an alpha bark. “Please. The snow is insane right now.”

Putting her hand on her hip, she shrugs. “I still have to walk through it, Domh. Also, good morning to you too.”

“Good morning, Sugar,” I tell her when I’m in front of her, my mouth by the shell of her ear before I sweep her off her feet into my arms.

It may be a bit cliched, but the answering gasp makes my entire fucking day. All I can smell is the scent of sugar cookies as she holds tightly to her bags. Walking carefully through the snow, I’m glad for the boots I chose to wear today.

Holding her with one arm, I grab the handle of my truck door, pulling it open.

“Your chariot awaits,” I state with a chuckle.

“Well that’s one way to pick her up,” Ambrose says from the door. “Did you finish your coffee?”

“Most of it,” she calls over her shoulder as I place her carefully on the seat. “Thanks for everything, Amb!”

“Eh, it’s no big deal,” he says with a smile. “You have precious fucking cargo, Domh. Take care of her.”

The front door slams closed as Aisling snickers and I shake my head.

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