Page 50 of Savage Hope

“The Alpha Pack isn't nice to anyone,” she insists, a teasing smile on her lips as she elbows her brother.

“Thanks for that,” Lincoln grumbles, leaning back, feigning shock and disappointment, and she rolls her eyes.

“It's the truth. Besides, you seemed cozy enough with her last night,” she states, turning to her brother, who frowns down at her.

“With who?”

“The girl.”

Lincoln's frown darkens as he shakes his head. “Midnight? She had black hair, not silver.”

“Midnight?” I repeat, eyeing him, confused, and he shakes his head.

“You wouldn't understand it.”

Amusement churns in my gut. “Please, enlighten us,” I insist, finding it funny that he’s not aware thatMidnightis the same girl we protected from Blaze yesterday.

Lincoln sighs like the conversation is irritating. “There's nothing to enlighten. She was a goddamn virgin, and I was not going there.”

Minnie looks at me, bewilderment written in her eyes, and I’m sure it reflects in mine, too.

This guy is dumb. How is he even pack alpha? Yes, her hair was black last night, and now it's silver again. However, it was clearly the same person beneath.

Polaris.

She said that was her name. I was mesmerized by how innocent she was to the world, eager to learn, and curious to understand. Flashing images consumed my thoughts all night as I saw her pressing the shot glass to her plump lips and watching the liquor pour down her throat. Her eyes were bright, her laugh soft.

It would be impossible to deny there is something about her that is enticing. There is definitely something about her that would entice Lincoln, that's for sure. But a virgin? Nothing screams a giant red stop sign like the wordvirginto Lincoln.

Minnie peers at me, pointing slightly at her brother, but I shake my head.

We're not telling him.

He can figure that out for himself.

If he can't put one and one together to get two, that's not our problem. Besides, it'll be amusing to see when he realizes it.

“So, does Midnight have a name?” I ask, intrigued, and he shakes his head.

“Nope, just Midnight,” he replies, taking a bite out of his breakfast.

“Are you feeling okay?” Minnie asks, leaning back so his arm drops off her shoulders, and he stares at her in confusion.

“I’m feeling fine. Why?”

She clears her throat. “No reason.” She fails to hide her smirk as she glances across the room and then back to the table. When her eyes find mine, I know the subject has changed. “When's your next fight, Wylder?”

“Next weekend,” I answer, already feeling the tremors of anticipation and adrenaline forming in my veins.

She nods. “We will be there to cheer you on, as always,” she promises, and I grin.

“Thanks.”

“Maybe Midnight could join us too?” she asks, and I struggle to hold back the grin and laughter that threatens to burst from my lips.

Thankfully, the bell rings, cutting through the air and distracting Lincoln from the comment, but I can't deny that I like the thought of having Midnight or Polaris watch me in all of my glory.

21

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