Page 74 of Savage Fate

Xavier groaned. “Anyone but her. All she does is talk about the farm in Oklahoma she grew up on. If I have to hear one more story about her horse, Snowdancer, or that damn pig, Beans, my ears will bleed.”

Saint shrugged. “Should have been nicer.”

As Saint tookme around the house—or large log cabin—I marveled at all the detailed woodwork and art. Fane would appreciate the scenic paintings of mountains and forests. Hell, most shifters would. They made my inner wolf stir and long to run outside.

A huge theater room in the basement was equipped with a large projection screen and comfy leather seats. At least a dozen people could fit inside. There was even a popcorn maker and soda machine in the corner. You’d get the theater experience without having to leave the pack.

Jayla would have loved it. She would have watched action movies all day and stuffed herself with junk food.

“What’s wrong?” Saint asked when he noticed my sudden melancholy mood. He moved closer and rested his hand on my shoulder. “Is it the separation from Fane? I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

I shook my head and forced the sadness away. “I’m fine.”

Would there ever be a time when I could think of Jayla and not want to curl into a ball and weep? She deserved to be remembered. She deserved to have people know she existed and left a mark on this world.

She had certainly left one on me.

Saint continued the tour while he talked about some of the other pack members who lived in the house. He didn’t flinch orturn somber when he mentioned the other fated mate pairings in Blackwater Falls.

“And here is my favorite place.” Saint motioned me into a room packed with various musical instruments.

Guitars hung on the walls, a full set of drums occupied the center, and black cases of smaller instruments filled the shelves. A few mic stands and microphones were in the corner. There was even a harp on the left and two pianos.

I motioned my finger around the impressive collection. “Do you play all of these?”

“Not all of them.” He gave a casual shrug and then jerked his head to the right. “The drums are my favorite. I could play for hours.”

My gaze roamed over him, taking in the gorgeous guy with otherworldly silver eyes, sharp features, wild black hair, and colorful tattoos painting his muscular arms.

I could definitely picture him playing those drums.

“Don’t let Saint fool you.” A large man with the same black hair and dark gray eyes strolled into the room, giving a crooked grin. “Saint is a musical genius. He can play everything. Even the harp. He sings too.”

“That’s not true.” Saint shook his head. “I can’t play the harp.”

The man—probably Saint’s father—laughed. “Have you tried?”

“Layla would kill me if I broke it with my”—he used air quotes—“big, dumb man hands.”

“Your sister loves picking on you.” He tossed his tattooed arm over Saint’s shoulders. “And you let her, so don’t complain when she hurts your feelings.”

Saint scoffed. “Layla thinks she’s tough, but she’d bawl like a baby if you took away her prized book collection.”

The man shuddered. “And then she’d turn feral and start hunting us one by one.”

Saint’s laugh sounded like warm honey and chocolate. “Tate, this lively guy is my dad, Ryland.”

His father extended his hand, and I reluctantly took it, his massive one nearly swallowing mine whole. “It’s nice to meet you, Tate. Of course, I wish it were under better circumstances.”

My hand fell back to my side. “I don’t recommend falling off a cliff into a freezing river. It’s not as fun as I’d hoped.”

Ryland’s head tilted back, laughter pouring out. “I bet not. You’re lucky you ended up here, running into Avery. Those cute little fingers would be frozen by now.”

I frowned. “These cute little fingers can do some damage.”

Saint playfully shoved his dad off. “It’s true. She has a set of lethal talons that could shred your face off in seconds.”

Ryland took a step back and showed his palms in surrender. “Please don’t rip my face off. My mate is rather fond of it. And I’m too handsome to be faceless. You can’t deprive the world of this beauty.” He fluttered his lashes.

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