Page 56 of Plus-Size Mate

Squeezing Winter's hand, he said, “Thanks for coming with me.”

He was surprised when she leaned over, placing her free hand on his forearm to steady herself as she reached up and pecked him on the cheek.

“I had nothing better to do,” she said with a shrug. “Besides, what are mates for?”

Eddie's insides fluttered at her words. It felt odd for her to be so warm. There was no hint of the cold Winter he had known previously. In a way, he actually missed her sharp tongue, though he certainly had been having fun with the warm Winter, too.

“I have no idea what we're going to walk into in there,” Eddie warned as they reached the manor yard. “Are you sure you don't want me to walk you back to the shop?”

Winter cocked her head and scowled. “Do you really think I walked all this way just to walk back? Besides, I forgot the witch's grimoire in all the excitement last night. It should be returned to the store, but I need to ask Jack’s permission first.”

Eddie sighed. In the aftermath of the spell, he, too, had entirely forgotten about the book. Was it still laid out on thelawn, or had one of his packmates had the sense to bring it in after their run?

With all that was going on right now, he highly doubted it. First, they'd cast the spell, then they had captured Christopher and he had learned of Winter's parentage, and now they were having to deal with Kane's sister's arrival.

Why was it that everything in Nightstar always seemed to happen all at once?

“I guess we should go in, then,” Eddie suggested, straining his ears towards the manor in order to try and assess the situation inside.

Winter nodded and tightened her grip on his hand. “Let's do this.”

Eddie had to admit that having Winter by his side made things feel far less awkward as he made his way into the manor to find that whatever meeting Jack had just held was finally wrapping up.

“Well, well, look who finally decided to show up,” Zander said, clapping Eddie on the shoulder as he exited Jack's office. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

The beta winked at Eddie, glancing at Winter before he added, “To you both.”

“Thanks,” Winter said, blushing a little.

Eddie cringed, trying not to react too harshly in front of her. He was used to his packmates busting his balls, but when it came to Winter, he didn’t like it one bit.

“I'm surprised you even bothered to show up,” Will said as he, too, appeared from the office. “Jack said you were tied up.”

He, too, glanced at Winter, his gaze slightly suspicious.

Again, Eddie had to control himself. A werewolf's suspicion towards a witch was a natural instinct and yet, Eddie hated the way his packmates looked at her.

After all she had done for them, they should be worshiping the ground she walked on, yet even that thought gave him a hint of jealousy. He was the only one who would be showering her with attention from now on.

“We thought we could use a break, and so we came to see what we could do to help, right, Eddie?” Winter said, squeezing his hand as she clutched his forearm with her other.

“Yeah, right. Would someone mind filling us in?” Eddie asked.

“I'm afraid I've got orders to attend to,” Zander said, taking his leave.

“What about you?” Eddie asked as Kane appeared from the office with Miley following close behind.

“Sorry, I've got to go check on my sister,” Kane said, his face reddening and his voice strained.

“I'll fillyouin,” Will said, looking pointedly at Eddie.

A growl rose in the back of Eddie's throat. “Anything you can tell me, you can tell Winter, too.”

Will looked Winter up and down unapologetically.

“She's a witch. She has no reason to be involved in pack business.”

At that, Eddie dropped Winter's hand and made for Will, closing the space between them in an instant.

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