Page 52 of Surge of Ice

The door opens onto Zane in nothing but his boxers. In his arms, he’s holding a soaking wet, very angry-looking cat, all wrapped up in a towel. He holds the cat out to me like a trophy and grins, which is exactly when I see that his arms and chest are covered in deep, bloody scratches.

“Zane!” I exclaim, reaching out to gently touch beside one of the scratches on his arm.

He just keeps smiling. “They will heal. Come in. I want to let her down, but I do not want her to run out the door.”

Not sure what else to do, I step into his room and let the door close behind me.

He sits down on the floor and sets the towel in front of him before gently peeling back the layers until the orange mess leaps out from the fabric. She runs a few feet away from Zane, then starts to lick herself. I can’t help but laugh. With her long fur, it’s going to take forever to get it “right” again after her bath. But at least now I can see the beauty under the mess. She’s prettier when she’s not filthy.

“So, you like cats?” I ask, studying his innocent expression.

He smiles back at me. “I love them. Our home had many of them, and although you and the others only tolerated them at first, they grew on you. Over time, each of you would have your favorites. One would constantly ride on Aydan’s shoulder around our home, a smart little white cat with black and orange spots.”

I didn’t have trouble picturing Aydan and Evander warming up to cats, even if I didn’t completely understand the fuss about them. Wolves as pets made sense to me, but cats? Something about it just didn’t compute.

The door buzzes. Zane stands, looking like a gorgeous Greek god as he crosses the room and opens the door. I turn to seeAydan, Granger, and Evander in the doorway. They’re carrying supplies for a cat. It’s obvious they were just in the middle of a fun conversation, but their amusement dies on their faces the second they take us in.

“Why the hell are you half-naked?” Aydan asks.

Granger mumbles underneath his breath. “Maybe he couldn’t find his clothes.”

“And what happened to you?” Evander’s gaze is racking over his new injuries.

Zane smiles. “I was just giving my new pet a bath. What do you think of the name Miu?”

“Miu?” I repeat in confusion.

“It means she who meows,” Zane says matter-of-factly.

I laugh. “Well, that’s accurate.”

“So you two are really just in here talking about cats and cat names?” Aydan asks, and he sounds completely confused.

Zane cocks his head. “I was also wondering about the cat supplies.”

“Here,” Granger says, holding up a bag of cat food.

The guys crowd in and some of the tension eases. It’s like Aydan and Evander are looking for a fight, but Zane just won’t give it to them. It’d be funny if I wasn’t involved in it.

A pink water bowl and food dish are set up on the floor and filled, the food dish with wet food. The cat, Miu, instantly perks up at the smell and cautiously eases across the floor before eating, like a thief.

Zane’s eyes practically fill with hearts. “Look at my Miu. She is such a beautiful girl.”

Evander gives me a look.

I smile. “Apparently, Zane has always brought lots of cats into our homes, and we’ve always grown to love them.”

“Cats?” Aydan asks, wrinkling his nose.

“Cats,” I repeat, trying to hide the fact that I’m less than thrilled.

Granger goes across the room and starts digging in a dresser. A minute later, he tosses Zane some clothes. “Here you go. It looked like you were having trouble finding them.”

Zane looks away from the furry mess and his brows wrinkle. “I can find my clothes. I am just more comfortable in less clothes. I am most comfortable in no clothes, but society does not agree.”

Evander crosses his arms over his chest. “We’re just not exactly happy with you being half-naked around Sam.”

“Why?” he asks.

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