Page 40 of Marked
He nods back at me, reaching up to fish another mug out of the cabinet above the coffee pot.
“I hope you’re hungry, Chey,” Quinn says as she comes over to take a seat at the table across from me and Iver.
“I am, and this all looks amazing,” I breathe, eyeing the spread appreciatively.
“Well don’t be shy, dig in!” Jax prompts as he makes his way over with coffee cups in hand.
Iver picks up the platter of eggs in front of him, spooning some onto his plate before passing it over to me. Jax slides one of the coffee mugs my way as he takes a seat beside Quinn, and the four of us go about filling our plates, chatting casually as we pass the food around the table.
“So, you’re a friend of Javi’s?” Quinn asks as she drizzles syrup over a waffle.
I nod, swallowing down a sip of my coffee. “Best friends. Javi’s like the brother I never had.”
Her lips curve into a grin. “We just love him,” she gushes, setting the syrup back down on the table. “He makes Lo so happy.”
“Where is she, anyways?” Iver questions as he glances toward the door, brows knitting together. “I could’ve sworn she said she and Javi were coming for breakfast.”
“They’re just running late, something came up with their pack,” Jax supplies.
My brows shoot up. I belong to their pack, and I’m not aware of any pressing matters– but then again, I haven’t been spending much time with my own pack lately. Come to think of it, I’ve barely even talked to Javi in days. When I’m not at the squad complex for training, I’m with Iver, whether we’re hiking in the forest with my camera or curled up on the sofa in his packhouse watching TV. It’s a little jarring to realize just how quickly everything about my life has changed.
“I hope everything’s okay,” I murmur, worrying my lower lip between my teeth.
“Sounded like it was just a squabble between a couple of young guys, I’m sure it’s no big deal,” Jax replies with a reassuring grin.
Damnit if it isn’t the exact same as his son’s.
Footsteps sound from the hall, a dark-haired teenager striding into the kitchen and approaching the opposite side of the table.
“Nice of you to join us,” Quinn admonishes as he circles around to slide into the seat next to her.
“Chey, this is my brother, Tanner,” Iver provides, nodding in his direction.
“Sup,” Tanner murmurs with a lift of his chin.
Quinn elbows him, making a scoffing sound in her throat. “Is that any way to greet your brother’smate?”
Tanner’s hazel eyes pop wide, mouth falling open. “Whoa, you’re mates?” he gasps sarcastically. “No way!”
Iver rolls his eyes, flicking a grape in his direction.
“Hey, no throwing food!” Quinn scolds, turning that same harsh look she gave Tanner on her other son.
“Sorry,” Iver chuckles, batting the grape out of the air as his brother sends it sailing back his way.
Quinn’s head snaps back around to Tanner. “Boys!”
He lifts his hands in surrender, he and Iver sharing a conspiratorial smirk.
Quinn heaves an exasperated sigh, scrubbing a hand down her face.
“Boys, listen to your mother,” Jax orders, giving each of them a stern look, even as the ghost of a smile touches his lips.
I can’t help but crack one of my own, glancing between my mate and his brother. Even though their coloring is completely different– Tanner favoring his mom, Iver favoring his dad– their features are strikingly similar. And their dynamic reminds me of why I always wished for siblings.
Honestly, Iver’s entire family reminds me of what I always imagined life would be like if things were different; if I grew up surrounded by love and stability. I don’t doubt that my parents loved me, but they were gone far too soon, and my memories ofthem get hazier with every passing year.Thisis exactly what I always wanted. What I thought I’d never have.
“Well, now you’ve met everyone but Harper,” Iver says, turning to me. “She’s away at school in Denver, but she’ll be back for the full moon run.”
