Page 71 of Confusing Hearts

Meeting Chase’s family wasn’t as weird as I’d expected. I’d already met Liam and Patrick before, but only very casually. That whole night had been a bit of a blur. It was the night Chase realized I was a twin and that he wasn’t going crazy, just mixing us up.

My life had been such a whirlwind since then, but getting to spend time with Maddie and his brothers, gave me hope that our future would work out okay. I was envious of their closeness. A part of me wished Tessa and I could be that close.

Kyle and Patrick spent most of the morning securing the land and installing a surveillance system around the house. Liam stayed close to Maddie, who I now realized was pregnant. I wasn’t sure how I had missed her protruding baby belly sooner, but they were ridiculously cute together.

Kyle walked back in just in time for lunch. “Damn you, pup. Did you have to mark the entire property line? You’re disgusting. I told you we’d secure it for you.”

Chase shrugged. “Had to do what I had to do.”

After lunch, they said their goodbyes when an Uber car arrived to take them to the rental car they had booked, to return home in. Maddie hugged me close and told me she couldn’t wait to see me again. We made plans to get together over spring break.

“Take care of that boy,” Kyle told me as he hugged me, too.

Wolves were far more touchy-feely than panthers. It would take a little getting used to, but it didn’t feel awkward or uncomfortable, either. Their scents were comforting with similar smells to Chase’s, but not exactly.

“Why do you all smell similar?” I finally asked Chase when everyone had left.

“I’m actually surprised you noticed. Your nose is more sensitive than you let on. That smell is pack. All Westins have a similar scent; it’s one of the ways we recognize each other as pack.”

“Will I smell like that too?” I asked curiously.

Chase leaned in and sniffed, sending shivers through my body. “Yup, it’s a little faint, but I’m pretty sure it’s not just me.” He trailed kisses down my neck, tickling my skin and making me giggle.

A knock on the door interrupted things before they could escalate. I went to answer it.

“Are we interrupting something?” Anita asked. “You’re looking a little flushed there.”

I knew I was blushing, but I didn’t care. “Come on in. His brothers just left, so no, you weren’t, for the record.”

“Wow, this place is huge!” Anita said, looking about in awe. Matt was with her but had kept quiet so far.

“Hey, who is it?” Chase yelled from the kitchen as he worked on washing the lunch dishes.

“Matt and Anita are here,” I hollered back.

“Hey, man, welcome to our humble abode,” Chase said, walking around the corner, then stopping to shake hands and bro hug Matt.

“I still can’t believe you bought her a house. You said a cabin. This is not a cabin,” Matt said, shaking his head.

I left the two guys and grabbed Anita’s hand. “Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

We started upstairs, four bedrooms plus the office that we already set up with desks and work areas for both of us in the loft. We originally considered each taking one of the upstairs bedrooms for offices, but neither of us wanted to be that isolated from the other.

“I really thought there was no way we needed four extra bedrooms, but we filled three of them last night, so I guess they’ll get some use after all,” I confessed.

“This is amazing, Jenna. I can’t even believe it. I’m so proud of you,” Anita said, getting a little emotional.

“You are?”

“Yes. Look at you, you’re following your heart instead of your head. I never thought in a million years you’d defy your father like this.”

“I’m not trying to defy anyone, Anita,” I said sadly. “I just—I just can’t do what’s expected of me. It’s been kind of freeing actually, not living up to anyone’s expectations, but mine.”

Anita hugged me. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Chase Westin isn’t exactly the model image of boyfriend. I’m worried about you.”

I laughed. “He’s not my boyfriend, Anita. He’s my mate.”

“I know. I think I’m still in shock.”

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