Page 84 of For the First Time
I was grinning like an idiot—or maybe just someone in love.
Neither Atlas nor I lasted long in keeping our secret when Oaks came home.And by the time Everett arrived I had two more broaches to add to my hummingbird.A flower with a tiny bee, and clouds with a large sun shining through.
****
Hannah was right.Bartholomew’soffice was fancy.So fancy, in fact, that I was no longer surprised about the state of Bartholomew’s mansion.A lawyer this prestigious was bound to make good money.
It did, however, have me leaning over my chair to whisper in Everett’s ear, “How expensive is this guy?”
“He’s taking our case pro bono.”
“What does that mean?”
“He’s doing it for free.”
My jaw dropped.“What?Why?”
“He didn’t say, but I have my guesses.”
“What are you two whispering about?”Atlas was on my other side, his large frame leaning over his chair’s arm, and mine, too, to get as close as he physically could.
“I was just making sure we won’t be bankrupt after this case,” I told him.“Make sure you don’t take any of the water or snacks unless they say it’s complimentary.I bet a bag of chips here costs more than I spend to make us dinner.”
Atlas chuckled.“Damn, I was just starting to crave those salted nuts I saw while walking in.”
“I can make those at home.”
“I’m surprised you aren’t more into homesteading,” Oaks said.He was on the other side of the large oak table for ‘strategic positioning’ he’d assured me.I’d thought that was unnecessary since we were meeting withmylawyer who was onmyside, but both Atlas and Everett had nodded solemnly like Oaks’s idea was a good one.
“Homesteading?”
“Yeah.Growing your own vegetables and food.Milking your own animals or caring for chickens for eggs.Trying to be as self-sustained as possible.”
“I don’t know, I think I’d rather do those little markets and buy wholesale from farmers than grow the plants and food myself.We already have that garden in the backyard, and I’m pretty sure it hates to see me coming.”
To my dismay, Atlas said, “To be fair, I’m pretty sure the only reason it’s still alive is because I check on it.”
“What?”I whipped my head to look at him.
Atlas was saved from answering as Bartholomew knocked on the door, announcing his presence as he entered the room.The tan colored blinds blocked out the large space from the rest of the office, giving the illusion of privacy in the meeting room.At least, as private as it could be, considering the windows showed off the view of the entire city.We were so high up that I was pretty sure the building swayed on a harsh wind.
“Hello, pack Wilder,” Bartholomew greeted us.“Thank you for coming in.I’d like to extend introductions to Lilith Vidalii.She has requested to speak with you, Eve, as well as your pack.”
The woman—Lilith, apparently—was an alpha.I could tell just by her simple physical appearance.Her hair was bright red and so curly that not even the knot she’d put it up in had managed to contain it.She looked to be about six feet tall, if not more, and she was covered in lithe muscles that showed she was active daily.Freckles covered her skin and face, attempting to soften her appearance considering the hard set of her jaw and the natural ways her eyes narrowed in automatic defensiveness.
She seemed to glare at the males in the room, Atlas included, before her gaze landed on me, offering the faintest of smiles.Her presence was loud, forcing everyone’s attention toward her like she was the ultimate predator in the room.
“Hello, Ms.Tellus.It’s an honor to meet you,” Lilith said.Her voice was raspy, like she was just getting over a cold, except she didn’t look like the type of alpha that ever got sick.
“Just Eve is fine.And it’s nice to meet you, too, although if I’m honest, I’m not sure exactly why you’re here.”My gaze flittered to Bartholomew who was still standing, I suspected, because Lilith was.
I was proven right a moment later when Lilith finally took a seat and Bartholomew did the same.Both of them were a few chairs separated from Everett and the rest of my pack, probably because of how large this table was.With all the space, I couldn’t even make out Lilith’s scent, and I wasn’t sure if my packmates’ stronger sense of smell could either.
“Eve,” Lilith started, “Do you mind if I’m blunt?I find it’s best to just speak plainly so there’s no confusion or room for misinterpretation.”
“All right.”
Atlas’s hand came to my thigh, his touch equally grounding and possessive.
