Page 63 of Bound By Alphas 1: Bound

“Learned from the best.” He winked.

Once everything was loaded, we all climbed aboard. I immediately claimed a spot near the bow, as far from the main seating area as possible. If I was going to survive this day, I needed space—physical and emotional.

Drew took the helm, guiding us out into the lake. The day was perfect—clear blue sky, warm sun, just enough breeze to keep the temperature comfortable. Under different circumstances, I might have enjoyed it.

From my isolated perch, I watched the others settle in. Sophia and Mia had positioned themselves strategically on either side of Cade, both wearing identical expressions of adoration as he explained something about the lake’s history. Logan stood nearby, seemingly engaged in conversation with Jake and Tyler, but his eyes kept drifting to where I sat alone.

Keir was the wild card. He moved around the boat, chatting easily with everyone, but I could feel his awareness of me like a physical touch. It was only a matter of time before?—

“Hiding?” His voice came from behind me, making me jump.

“Observing,” I corrected, not turning around. “It’s an artist thing.”

He settled beside me, close enough that our shoulders touched. “And what are you observing?”

“The mating rituals of the North American werewolf,” I replied dryly. “Fascinating stuff. All that hair-flipping and arm-touching.”

Keir followed my gaze to where Sophia was laughing at something Cade said, her hand resting on his forearm. “Bothered?” he asked, his voice neutral.

“Why would I be bothered?” I kept my tone light. “They’re consenting adults with functioning hormones. Good for them.”

“Hmm.” The sound was noncommittal, but I could feel him studying my profile. “You know, for someone who claims not to care, you’ve been glaring daggers at them for the past ten minutes.”

“I have an expressive face.” I shrugged. “It’s not my fault if it defaults to ‘mildly homicidal’ when I’m thinking.”

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “What are you thinking about that’s so murderous?”

“How much longer until lunch,” I lied. “I’m starving.”

“Liar,” he said softly, but he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he reached into the cooler beside him and pulled out a soda, offering it to me. “Peace offering?”

I accepted it, our fingers brushing in a way that sent a jolt of awareness up my arm. “What are we making peace about?”

“You tell me,” he replied, his eyes never leaving mine. “You’re the one who’s been avoiding us for two weeks.”

Before I could formulate a response, Drew called out that we were approaching the perfect swimming spot. The boat slowed, and Jake and Tyler immediately began helping him drop anchor.

“Saved by the anchor,” Keir murmured, rising to his feet. “This conversation isn’t over, little fox.”

The nickname sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine. I watched him walk away, trying not to notice how the sunlight caught in his golden hair or how his swim shorts hung low on his hips. This was bad. Very bad. I was supposed to be maintaining emotional distance, not cataloging the exact shade of gold in Keir’s hair or the way his shoulders moved when he?—

“Earth to Finn!” Drew’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “We’re going swimming. You coming?”

I glanced at the deep water surrounding the boat and shook my head. “I’m good here. Someone needs to guard the snacks.”

“Suit yourself.” Drew shrugged, then executed a perfect dive off the side of the boat.

I watched as the others followed—Jake and Tyler with enthusiastic whoops, Keir with effortless grace, Logan with powerful precision. Cade was the last to go, removing his shirt in a casual motion that shouldn’t have been captivating but somehow was.

Rather than joining them in the water, I settled in with the cooler of drinks and snacks Elena had packed. The sun felt good on my skin, and I had to admit, despite my reluctance to come, there was something peaceful about being on the water.

“Not swimming?” Jake asked, pulling himself back onto the boat and shaking water from his hair like a dog.

“Maybe later,” I lied, handing him a towel. “Someone has to make sure Drew doesn’t eat all the food.”

Tyler climbed aboard next, accepting the beer I offered. “Man, we should’ve done this yesterday instead of sitting around the house.”

“Blame Drew,” I said. “He’s the one who insisted on showing you guys his video game collection after lunch.”

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