Page 62 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Eve tapped Crank on the shoulder. “And is Sauljustyour boyfriend?”

Saul chuckled. “She got you there.”

“All right. I apologize. You’re way more than his girlfriend.”

Eve smiled. “Apology accepted.”

“And I was thinking of getting some chocolate chips for Mrs. Landon. You know, the ones she puts in the cookies?” Hashtag retorted. “That’s where she buys them.”

Eve arched her eyebrows. “Okay, I have a couple of questions. Who is Mrs. Landon, and where are we going?”

“To the home of a shifter called Dellan Carson,” Saul told her. “Except it’s more like HQ for the group.”

“The barracks are only about twelve miles from the house,” Hashtag added.

“And is that where I’ll be living? At the barracks?”

Crank snorted. “Seeing as your mate lives at Dellan’s place, I don’t think that would be a likely scenario. One or more of you might have something to say about that.”

“Do you takeallyour recruits to HQ?”

“Nope.” Saul glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “You’re the exception.”

“Shouldn’t that beexceptional?” Crank said with a snicker.

“It’s a big house.” Hashtag smiled. “And if you want a room to yourself—at least at first while you come to terms with the situation—that’s fine. You can have my room, and I’ll bunk up with Roadkill.” Not that he wanted her in another room, but these were weird-ass circumstances, and he had to tread lightly.

I don’t want to piss her off.Who in their right mind would piss off a gorilla?

This has to be a dream. Any second now, I’m going to wake up in bed, hearing Horvan, Dellan, and Rael fucking like bunnies above my room.

Except hereallydidn’t want it to be a dream. He’d watched as the team found their mates. He’d seen how their love reflected in their eyes. He’d never admit it to anyone, but he desperately wanted that for himself. To be loved? Needed? Wanted.

Please let this be real. I think I’d die if it wasn’t.

“Which leads me to another question.” Then Eve returned Hashtag’s smile, and it was as if sunlight filled the SUV. “By the way, you scored major points.”

“I did?”

She nodded. “That bit about giving me my own room. You didn’t assume.”

“Wow. I’m seeing a whole new side to you, Hashtag.” Crank grinned. “I don’t even recognize you.”

Hashtag gave him the finger. He gazed at Eve. “Ask your question.”

“Hashtag… is that really your name?”

Before he could respond, Crank butted in. “No, but that’s what everyone calls him, and maybe he likes it that way. I know if anyone called me bymyreal name, I’d flatten ’em.” He twisted in his seat to stare at Hashtag. “I don’t think I evenknowyour real name.”

He snorted. “And that’s the way it’ll stay.” He held his hand out to her, and she took it. The light touch connected them, and with it came a sense of calm.

Eve gazed at their joined hands. “This still feels so… fantastic.”

Hashtag said nothing. She’d nailed it.

Saul gave a snort. “Wait until you hear Hashtag’s voice inside your head. First time that happened? It freaked me the fuck out.”

Crank smacked Saul on the arm. “I don’t hear you complaining now when we—”

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