Page 139 of The Wolf King's Mate

I ignored his wishes and threw my arms around him, hugging tightly. He remained stiff for a moment, but finally returned the hug.

“You reek of Enzo.”

I smiled, though it was sad. “He smells good to me.”

“Of course he does.”

I smacked the side of Fletcher’s head lightly, and he hugged me tighter.

“I miss him,” I said quietly. “Do you?”

“Every fucking day.”

My eyes flooded with tears.

Fletch and Simon had been much closer than Simon and I had. “When this all blows over, he’ll go back to his pack. They still like him.”

“Unless he decides to stay for Nova. I’d have to take his pack over, and run the fucking post office. I can’t?—”

“That’s not going to happen,” I said firmly. “It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. Silas isn’t going to stay. Simon wouldn’t blame you if he was still alive, so stop blaming yourself. If he was the one related to me, you would be the one who died.”

“But he wasn’t, and I’m still here.” Fletcher’s voice was low.

Bitter.

Sad.

He needed something to focus on other than me. The Creek Pack had been good for him. If Enzo wasn’t going hunting again soon, Fletch would need another job. Something to keep him busy.

“I’m making you a cake. We’re going through with our usual birthday thing,” I announced, releasing him. “Your present isn’t here yet, but I’ll figure something out.”

“Don’t pretend you ordered me something. You always shop last-minute.”

“For once in my life, I’m prepared,” I protested.

He snorted.

He didn’t need to sniff out lies to know that was bullshit.

“I’m sure your king is already making you a cake. We don’t need to swap,” he said.

“If Enzo is making a cake, it’s for you, because we’re trading just like we always do. Deal with it.”

He scowled, but it was half-hearted. He loved cake too much. And given how good of a cook Enzo was, Fletch would love the Alpha’s cake even more.

But I still didn’t think Enzo was making one.

“I’ll walk you back to our room while I try to come up with a way to get ingredients for your chocolate behemoth,” he said, slipping his hands in his pockets.

“Better a chocolate behemoth than the dainty little fruit puff you like.”

He chuckled.

It was good to see a tiny bit of humor weaving its way in, even if I knew it would fade quickly.

Maybe I’d ask Jake to bug him in a little while. Jake wouldn’t ask questions. Not too many, at least.

I gave Fletcher one last hug before he left me in my room. Something told me he’d wait in the hall until he knew I was safe. And that he would text Enzo.

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