Page 36 of Stealing Sloane

“Hey,” he greeted, sheepishly lowering his hand to his side. “I was wondering if you were up.”

“Uh, yeah, I’m up.”

“Did you get enough rest?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“So … what do you want to do?”

“I don’t know really.” What did one do on a farm? Milk cows? Shave sheep? Somehow she didn’t think the Alpha would even let her near any animals.

“Hmm. Well, I think Stella should be out training somewhere. We should ask Lily where she is and then we could go see her?”

“I guess that’s would be okay.” She was curious what they were teaching her sister.

They found Lily outside, tending to her garden. She said Stella was training by the pond today, so they set off, Jacob leading the way.

“You didn’t have to come with me,” she said as they began to walk across the sunny field just behind the farmhouse.

“I got nothing else to do. Grams said I should go check on you.”

“No, no, I mean coming all the way here.”

“Uncle Killian said I’m supposed to protect you.”

“Ah.” Of course. That’s why he was here. His boss ordered him.

“But, that’s not the only reason.”

Her heart stumbled, hoping she was the reason.

Ridiculous.

Before he could elaborate, she changed the subject. “Is there any news on the Lone Wolves Ronan hired?”

“I’m afraid not. According to Uncle Killian, I burned them pretty badly,” he said, sheepish. “Might be a few days before they’re able to talk. They’re healing pretty slowly and in a lot of pain. Er, sorry about that.”

That was too bad, but part of her relished the thought of them suffering, especially after they almost killed?—

Can’t think of that. “Er, so, interesting family you have.”

He chuckled and kicked a rock in his way. “Yeah. We’re not blood related you know. Not all of us I mean.”

“Lizzie and Cliff explained some of it, but she didn’t explain how your Uncle Jackson fits into the picture.”

“Yeah, I’m not related to Uncle Jackson or Lily biologically, only Cliff and Charley are. But as Grams said, we’re all family.” He wrinkled his nose. “Actually, I never realized it, but it’s such a coincidence. And it makes sense.”

“What’s a coincidence? And what makes sense?”

“Cliff’s and Charley’s dad and Uncle Jackson were twins separated at birth. Some guys apparently kidnapped Uncle Connor when he was just a baby and left Uncle Jackson behind.”

She stopped and turned to face him. “Really?”

“Yeah. No wonder Lily was so welcoming to you. She and Jackson never stopped searching for Uncle Connor, until one day, he showed up here.”

Itwasa bizarre coincidence. “But you’re still Lily’s favorite, huh?”

He smirked. “Oh yeah, I am.” A fond smile crossed his face. “This place is really special. My cousins and I spent a lot of our summers here with our parents. It’s where we learned to control our Lycans.”

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