Page 42 of Wulf's Pack
His eyes narrow, and he purses his lips, but he doesn’t argue.
“I know you want to have my back, but we’re not fully secured here yet, and Victor’s pack is still coming. Word is out about us. It’ll be easy for him to find us. We can’t leave the Kellers home alone to defend themselves and without proper protections.”
Carl’s jaw relaxes. He sweeps his gaze over the Kellers and nods his understanding. His job is as important as Bree’s. More, even. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Get in touch with Parker and Oliver. Parker will help you go over the security I have on this building and come up with a plan to fortify our defenses as much as possible. Have Oliver take a look at our wards and see if there’s anything he can do to make them stronger. We may have to fight our own battles, but there’s nothing wrong with having friends help us get set up as a new pack.”
Carl cracks a smile. “It’s nice to have friends in high places.”
I return his grin. “That it is.” I look around the whole group and take a deep breath. For better or worse, we have a plan. “Nothing like being thrown straight into the deep end.”
“We can do this, sir,” Elise says.
I force a confidence I’m not sure I feel. “Yes, we can. Let’s get to it.”
Chapter
Thirteen
Flying is not my favorite activity. It’s sort of the opposite of being in Terrance’s underground den. It’s a cramped, small space and instead of being buried beneath the earth, you plummet 35,000 feet to it. I really am a bit claustrophobic. Being squished in the middle seat isn’t helping, but Skylar’s never flown before, so I wanted her to have the window, and Bree is taking her job as my beta very seriously. She insisted on taking the aisle seat so as to put herself between Skyler and me and any possible threat. I didn’t argue. I wanted to sit beside my mate.
The plane takes off, and I hold my breath as the ground falls out from underneath us. I don’t realize how tense I am until Skylar rests her hand on my arm and releases some of her power. I welcome the soothing feeling and allow it to calm my nerves. She watches me a moment, and slowly her concerned brow smooths out. “Better?” she asks.
“Thanks.” I give her a sheepish grin and take her hand. “I’m not a flier.”
She smiles at me with a hint of amusement that lights up her eyes. “The famous Wulf Winters, afraid of flying?”
My smile turns wry. “Afraidis a strong word.”
She smiles wide, flashing teeth. “And here I thought you were worried about going to visit the most dangerous underworlder in Denver.”
“Nah. Nothing unnerving about showing up to a vampire mobster’s home unannounced, hoping to bargain with the man for my mate’s safety and bringing news of a plot against his clan.”
Skylar’s smile droops. It was a horrible joke, but I’m more nervous than I’m letting on. Not that I can fool her when she feels my anxiety. “This plan will work,” she says softly. “It’s a volatile situation, but I know Samuel. If we go in strong, but still respectful, he’ll make the deal. He might want me, but he’ll want Victor’s name more. He’s both prideful and vengeful.”
It’s impossible not to admire this woman. I must stare at her a little too long, because she blushes and looks at her lap. I know she’s shy about us, but I’m getting desperate to form a connection with her. I place my finger under her chin and gently lift her gaze to mine. In the crowded space, it brings our faces just inches apart. Her breath hitches, and her eyes search mine. Part of me yearns to close the distance between us, but I want more than a kiss. I want to get to know her. “Your courage is so attractive,” I murmur. She tries to look away again, but I refuse to release her chin. “A lot of people mistake confidence for courage, but they’re not the same thing. Courage is the absence of confidence, but the determination to go forward despite fear. It’s admirable.”
I let go of her chin and graze my fingertips across her cheek. She swallows hard and wets her lips. My gaze drops to her mouth, but I don’t give in to the temptation. “Your courage was the first thing I noticed about you when you walked into the club. You looked ready to crawl out of your skin with anxiety, but even all the way across the room I could see your resolve. You wereterrified, but you had a purpose, and you were going to achieve it. It was beautiful. You captivated me instantly.”
Skylar’s eyes bounce between mine. She gulps again. “You captivated me too,” she says shyly. She leans back, breaking the trance we were in, and wrings her hands in her lap. “I watched you for hours. I wanted to get a feel for you before I approached you. Victor and his pack are the only alpha males I’ve ever known. I didn’t want to end up in a situation similar to the one I’d just escaped. But it only took me a minute to see that you were different. You smiled and laughed with everyone who approached you. You were friendly.” She wrinkles her nose in the cutest little scrunched up way. “Well, except for with that she-wolf.”
I chuckle. “One of my many faults.”
She cracks a small grin and keeps going. “But after you fought those rogues, you were back to your cheerful self. You were kind, fun, and just…happy.” She blushes again, but dips into that deep well of courage and admits, “You were mesmerizing. I’ve never met anyone so genuine.”
I grin again. She’s adorable. “I’ve never met anyone so beautiful.”
A small snort escapes the lioness sitting on my other side and she mutters, “I’ve never met a bigger flirt.”
I’d forgotten Bree was even here, but I chuckle at the dry amusement in her tone. I can appreciate sarcastic humor.
Skylar’s eyes widen, and she looks so horrified that Bree called me out that I burst into laughter. “A horrible habit, I’m afraid.” I take Skylar’s hand again and bring it to my lips. “But I promise, from now on, I’ll try my best to save all my flirting for you.”
“You might kill her if you do that,” Bree quips.
I shake my head, but my eyes stay locked on Skylar. “Nah. She likes it.”
Skylar’s face turns bright red. I tug on her hand, forcing her to lean toward me again. I pull her so close her nose bumps into mine. “Can I kiss you?” I ask.
