Page 2 of A Breath of Fresh Air

I can see it in Dad’s eyes that he’s thinking the same thing. “I love you, Dad,” I tell him quietly, rubbing his back. His body may be old and frail, but there’s still a quiet strength to him that I don’t think will ever go away.

“I love you too, bubs.”

Two of Ellie’s friends — both women in their 70s — make a beeline for us now that the ceremony is over. “Did I hear you mention the Hikurangi Rugby Club?” the first one asks Dad. “Igrew up just around the corner!” She’s Maori too, and I put two and two together — this is the gardening club friend of Ellie’s from the same iwi as us all.

I leave Dad in their hands after a quick round of introductions, stepping away so that I can go talk to my daughter. There’s already a group gathering around the newlyweds, and I hang back, waiting my turn.

That’s when I notice him.

I can tell straight away that he’s a wolf — the yellow eyes are a dead giveaway — but it’s where those eyes are currently trained that catches my attention. The big, handsome, muscle-bound man is staring at my ass. His gaze travels up my body, pausing at my tits for a few seconds, and it’s clear that he appreciates what he’s looking at. I have such mixed feelings about it all. Ilikefeeling desired, but at the same time I want to crawl under a rock. I haven’t had a man look at me with such intensity in a while.

I have to admit, the moment he realises he’s been caught is pretty entertaining. His mouth drops open, and his eyes grow wide, his embarrassment obvious.

“Really?” I ask quietly, raising my eyebrows. I don’t know what’s come over me to try and flirt with him, but I know he can hear me — these wolves all have far more sensitive hearing than I do.

A grin splits his face, sharp canines on full display. He looks like he’d be full of mischief.

Lordy.I’m in trouble.

Dinner has been served,the cake has been cut, and the first dance is done. Ellie tossed her bouquet, and it was a huge reliefwhen the thing didn’t go flying in my direction. The cake is delicious, and I’m having my second serving with a good dollop of cream while I chat to an old friend — Van’s mother, Bronte.

She grins, flashing sharp werewolf teeth as she leans in close to my ear. “That shifter has been staring at you all night,” she whispers. At my alarmed look, she adds, “Don’t worry, he can’t hear us over the music.”

“Do you know him?”

She laughs, gold eyes crinkling with amusement. I’ve always thought Bronte was stunning, and even though she looks a little different now, post-Unravelling, she’s just as beautiful. With thick dark curls and a wide mouth, she reminds me of a movie star. “Just because I’m a wolf, it doesn’t mean I know them all. We’re not even the same species.”

“I know, I didn’t mean it likethat. I just wondered, because I don’t think he’s someone Ellie knows, at least she never told me anything, and he seems a little older than her, so I thought maybe he’s a family friend? Someone from your husband’s…pack?” I add, hoping I’m using the right term. I’m still learning all the ins and outs of the two wolf cultures my daughter has married into. Van is both a shifter and a werewolf, and the alpha of his own pack. Bronte is a werewolf. Weston, Van’s father, is a shifter, and he isalsoan alpha with his own pack. It’s a lot.

“Oh no. He’s one of the workers here, on the construction crew Van hired. So he’s worked with Ellie on the garden. I’m not sure what pack he’s from, but if he’s here at our kids’ wedding it’s a good sign that Evander trusts him,” she explains, using her son’s full name, the way she always does when she’s serious, “and there’s no way an alpha like Van would tolerate someone dangerous in his territory.”

Alphas, territories…I think Bronte sees how my mind is still catching up to this new world, because she gives me a sympathetic look. “It took longer than you’d think for me tounderstand all the intricacies of shifter politics, so don’t let the unknown deter you. That man is handsome, and he’s been looking at you like he wants you for his next meal.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“Honey,no. Let me tell you a secret.” She leans even closer, her lips brushing my ear, and I can smell the wine on her breath. “Wolf men love eating one thing and one thing only:pussy. And they’re fucking good at it.”

“May I have this dance?”

I register the deep voice and an Aussie accent, and glance up to find a familiar pair of yellow eyes staring at me, pupils large and shining in the dark room. His hand is outstretched, but I make a show of looking around, pretending that I’m certain he’s not asking me…

“I’m askingyou,” he laughs good-naturedly. “Can’t have ya sitting here all by yourself tonight. Come on, let’s dance, and I’ll introduce myself.”

“Isn’t that a little backwards?” I ask, but I take his hand anyway. It’s blazing warm and huge, and as he pulls me to my feet I can appreciate thatheis also huge, towering over me the way all the wolf men seem to do. Up close I can see that his shirt barely fits him, the fabric straining at the shoulders, his large biceps looking somewhat strangled by his rolled-up sleeves.

“Nah. I don’t think so anyway. I’m Brett.”

“Brett. I’m Amaia.”

“Amaia. It’s lovely to meet you.” He pronounces my name right the first time, and that’s always a good sign. The DJ changes the song as we join the bodies already on the dance floor, and there’s a collective whoop from the crowd as the firstfew recognisable bars play. More people jump up from their seats as the first words play over the speakers.

“What is it with you Kiwis and this song?” Brett asks, shaking his head. “Every party I’ve ever been to, it’s like a siren call, bringing everyone over forty to the dance floor.”

“Just wait for the chorus!” I yell back. Half the crowd is already singing along.

“Believe me,I know!” he replies, bending lower so I have at least some hope of hearing him.“I’ve been here ten years; I’ve witnessed it! Sorry If I’m being offensive about the song of your people!”

I laugh, shaking my head. My hand is still in his, his other hand on my waist, and I’m surprised by how natural this feels. When the chorus of The Exponents’ most famous song does start, the volume is so loud from all the yelling guests that Brett winces, so I tug on his hand. “Let’s go outside instead!”

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