Page 28 of Haze

“Oh, Lena.” Deacon puts on a thick, fake Minnesotan accent. “You’re wearing your I’m-getting-in-so-much-trouble face.”

With an eye roll from me, Deacon takes it as an invitation into my room. He plops down in one of the seating area chairs.

“What shit are you getting yourself into?”

I say nothing, and Deacon gets back up and closes the bedroom door.

The three of us all agreed that even with a massive house, anything that could be soundproofed would be. Besides the main entry door, a long hallway and an additional interior door into the bedroom ensure we won’t be privy to each other’s proclivities.

When he sits back down this time, he leans forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “Lena?”

“It’s time I decide what I want to do for my autumn heat. There’s no reason I can’t do the test trial. It fits in with my school schedule,” I argue with logic and frustration in my voice.

“I don’t like it,” Deacon says sternly. He shakes his head with disapproval.

I hate when he goes parental on me.

“I know,” I groan. “If I don’t try it, who will?”

Deacon motions over his shoulder toward where the rest of our pack lives on the property. “Seems to me there are at least a hundred females living right down the road. At least a quarter of them will be going into season surely in the next month or two. I’m positive at least three of them would be willing to help you. Everyone values your research; you’re putting the fun back into heats.”

I roll my eyes. “For almost everyone.”

He releases a huge sigh and nods. I don’t have to say it. Dinah and I suffer from the same pressure. On some level, being Ardeleans means it’s a matter of time before someone takes claim on what isn’t theirs.

“And what’s this about Finn O’Leary?” Deacon pops a smirk.

“How the fuck do you know?” I growl at him.

My wolf pushes forward at the mention of Finn. Her obsession is wholly unhealthy.

“Cade and the ancestors.” Deacon leans back in his chair. “With the tidbit I caught, I’m guessing Finn’s asked Cade to hold off any intentions that come in for you, but your reaction says it all.”

“The audacity of that motherfucker. He would lay a claim behind my back like a slimy little—” I clench my fists and draw a deep breath.

Deacon moves to sit on the couch with me. His proximity quells my anger.

It’s happened, regardless of my feelings about it.

I huff. “It’s not fair. This isn’t fucking fair, and I know I sound like a petulant child right now, but for fuck’s sake. I’m doing perfectly fine, and it’s all going right until—”

He pulls me into his arms and agrees. “It’s not fair. You’re still doing just fine. It’s not the fine you had imagined. Maybe it can be better?”

My wolf relaxes within me, and I turn to contented mush.

I push my head against his shoulder. “What if I don’t want a mate?”

“You’ve wanted a mate since we were pups; the only thing that’s changed is now you have one. You have someone who wants you bad enough that he stood his ground against Cade. Which, even if the Irish aren’t believers in the Ardelean gifts, you’ve got to believe Finn is at least skeptical of The Leviathan’s power, and he’s intimidated enough that he wouldn’t claim you without your consent.” Deacon pets my hair. “I’ll cover for you for a little bit with Cade. But Revecca is here to stay for a while. There’s something not right going on there,” Deacon murmurs.

We’re cautious with what we say. Despite our home being soundproofed, her presence is affecting us, making us more careful with what we say and how loudly we say it.

“We’re not his siblings,” I tell him the truth.

Tears come from nowhere in a vicious attack on my self-control.

“I know. I saw your homework forever ago.” Deacon nods. “Lineage won’t change anything for Cade. He doesn’t value bloodlines. Never has, never will.”

Deacon’s reassurance with the revelation that he knew all along instills some hope. At least I’ll have him.

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