Page 117 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“Only what they teach university first years. Not that it would help me now.” She laughed derisively as her gaze focused on the guys.
Jonas threw the disc to Dean as he jumped up and caught it. He twirled around, taunting Grif with it.
“I know we got off to a poor start. Grif means a lot to me, and his happiness is important. You don’t need to step back or make concessions. Just be good to Grif and don’t ice me out or plot against me. This ismypack. I willnottolerate being replaced.” I put an edge to my voice, so she knew I was serious.
Grif chased Dean around the table, then picked him up while Jonas took the disc from him. Dean licked Grif.
Horror coated her face. “I would never, Alpha AJ. Promise.”
“Good. You make him happy,” I sighed.Alpha AJ.That was some southern shit right there. But her fried chicken? I could demolish an entire platter of that.
Jonas gave the disc to Grif, and they started back up again. Sometimes I played with them, but my knee hurt today.
“I’m the newcomer. Tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it. I’m not here to make trouble,” she assured me.
Verity wasn’t like any lady alpha I’d ever met. I understood why Grif liked her so much.
Also, she was smart, driven, educated, beautiful, and smelledamazing.Fucking shit I was in trouble.
“As long as you don’t pretend I’m not here, it’s fine. Which you weren’t doing. Grif is his own person. He can go on dates with you, fuck you, be with you in public, whatever he wants. I want to spend time with him, too. We’ll get it figured out. You do love him, right, and aren’t out to use him?” I prodded. Because I had to ask.
“I genuinely care for him. But I’m going to take my time and I won’t intrude on your plans. Talk to me? I’m not always very observant when I’m busy with my research. I’ll talk to you, too. We’ll make this work.” She looked so hopeful.
Yeah, she did want something.Love and acceptance.
I shot her a measured look as Dean jumped on Jonas’ back to steal the disc. “As soon as our pack paperwork is approved, I’m going to court him. When we have a pack contract, I’m going to mate him.”
Grif rolled his eyes and ruffled Dean’s hair.
“Aww.” Her hands went to her chest. “I love love.”
Grif plopped between us. “How’s it going?”
“Great.” She put her arm around him and laid her head on his shoulder.
The three of us talked for a bit while Dean and Jonas climbed the gigantic tree next to them. Several children joined in. Laughter echoed through the park. Grif gave the kids a wistful look.
I know Boo-Boo. One day.
An alarm beeped and she glanced at her phone, silencing it. “Sorry, but I have to collect Mercy. I’ll see you tomorrow?” She stood, then leaned in and gave Grif a little kiss. “So lovely to meet you, AJ.”
She hugged Dean and Jonas, who’d hopped down from the tree, and set off, giving Grif a big wave and a goofy smile.
“So? Isn’t she great?” Grif’s look was expectant as he leaned into me.
“I’m still deciding. She has an awful lot going on.” Like the whole teen sister who was a pro athlete and getting a PhD in plant genetics, where she was probably developing pharmaceuticals that would change the world.
He squeezed my hand. “Please give her a chance.”
I squeezed his hand back. Maybe I would. Because I felt that sense ofpackI had when I’d met Jonas and Dean.
Though my alpha was a lot more curious about what she’d taste like than he’d been with those two. Hmmm.
We’d see.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Verity
