“So, I did what any emotionally compromised man would do when shown an ounce of kindness,” I sighed. “I let them suck me off and then we became a regular thing. And now… well… they might have mated me last night.”
Andy nearly dropped his coffee. “Shut the fuck up! No way! Did you really? TotwoAlphas at the same time! My god, how can you even walk?!”
“That’sthe part you’re focusing on?” I laughed. “Not the fact that it’s only been a couple of weeks or that these two were already mated?”
“Sam,” Andy said, placing his hand on my shoulder. “You’re the most level-headed person I know. You run this whole business by yourself, you manage half the damn town, and you’ve practically created this werewolf haven with your own two hands. If there’s anyone in the world I trust to make a smart decision, it’s you.” He gave my shoulder a squeeze. “So I’m not worried about this being fast or intense. However, Iamworried about your poor butthole.” He took another sip of his coffee. “So was it a one-at-a-time deal or did they just double stuff you like an Oreo and tell you to deal with the consequences? I’m not one to brag, but with Josh there isnotroom for another dick in there. I don’t care how stretchy people claim buttholes are.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “It was one at a time,” I said at last. “And thank you for telling me your mate’s cock is huge.”
“You’re welcome. And I’m glad to see you don’t need a wheelchair after last night.” He gave me a sly grin. “There’s always time though. If I was getting twice as much good dick as I am now, I’m sure I could give up walking.”
“Oh my god.”
“So, I need more details! Tell me where they’re from, what they do, and how they make you feel good. I want to know everything!”
I just shook my head. “Nope. You got more than I intended already. I need to talk with them first before I go telling everyone our business. They may want to keep things quiet for now while we work through the first couple of months of our relationship.”
“A couple ofmonths?!” Andy scoffed. “You fucking tease!”
“Sorry. I gotta keep my boys safe until they’re ready.”
“Always the savior,” Andy nodded. “I hope they know how lucky they are to have you.”
“I’m lucky to havethem,” I corrected.
“I’d say it’s mutual.” The watch on Andy’s wrist vibrated, and he turned it over as the screen flashed a message. “And it looks like my own mate is wondering where I ran off to.”
“Go help him,” I said, shooing Andy away. “You can’t make him do all the work just because he fucks you.”
“First off, yes I can. And secondly, I hardly make him do shit. He doesn’t like to share tasks, so I have no choice but to let him do it alone.”
“Go help him anyway.”
“Fine, fine.” Andy put his coffee cup back on the counter and pointed back at me as he headed for the door. “But I want more details! And I want them soon! Also, you need to throw a small get together or something so we can meet them. I have questions!”
“Goodbye Andy,” I said, pushing him out the door.
“When y’all have the wedding, you better use the bakery for the cake!”
I just laughed as Andy got back in his van and pulled out of the alley, heading back toward the bakery. He was a great friend, if not a little nosey. Then again, how could I judge him for that? He was right, I had a reputation for being a meddler.
Pulling the door closed, I gathered up the box of pastries and my coffee before heading back out to the lobby. There were a handful of wolves who had jobs that started early, and they always stopped for snacks and coffee on the way out in the morning. I didn’t want to disappoint them.
So, for the next few hours, I sipped, munched, and read as the morning slipped by. I helped myself to a second cinnamon bun because I was the owner after all and that came with privileges. Plus, I’d been having alotof sex lately, so I needed the carbs. There were a few passing conversations as well with tenants. Liam and Cory passed through around ten as they headed out for the day. Apparently, they had some sort of hiking trip planned with David, our resident human who knew our secrets. I wasn’t sure why anyone would want to hike in a foot of snow, but at least it kept them active.
By the time afternoon rolled around, I was starting to get hungry. I was just about to abandon the front desk and slip into the kitchen to make some lunch when the lobby door opened. A blast of cold air filled the room, and I shivered as a figure stepped inside that wasn’t one of my tenants. He was bundled up in a hoodie that didn’t look nearly thick enough for the weather. I could see the trembling in his hands as he reached up to pull the hood back. His shoulders were hunched and although I could tell he was well built, he looked sort ofdefeated. I knew right away he had to be the rogue wolf I’d been waiting for all week, the one who’s name Erick forgot.
“Welcome to Shifter Grove,” I said, putting on my best customer service voice. “You must be the one I’ve been…”
My voice trailed off as the hood fell back onto his shoulders. Underneath was short sandy blonde hair, a sharp stubbled jawline, and a pair of pale gray eyes that I would recognize anywhere. My heart nearly stopped in my chest and my stomach twisted into a hard knot as I stared at the last man in the entire world I ever expected to see again. I felt like I was falling.
“R-Roger?”
He looked up, his gaze landing on me for the first time since he stepped inside the hotel. His eyes lit up, he let out a choked sob, and he rushed me. Before I knew what was happening, his arms were around me, pulling me into a tight hug.
“Sam…” he whispered against my neck, as if he could barely believe the words on his own lips. “It’s really you…”
I was too stunned to speak. After all, what should I say to the man I just spent that last decade trying to forget? He’d renounced me to keep his place in the pack, turning his back on our mate bond that we’d already solidified in our secret moments together. He was the reason I had to struggle to survive, had to turn to doing illegal things on the streets just so I could eat. And now he was here, holding me like I was the most important person in the world to him.