Page 84 of Haze

Finn wraps his hand around my arm and stands in front of me. His height forces me to snap my head up and look at him. With the sudden movement, my body trembles. Finn’s eyes blitz green with his wolf. Mine isn’t there to answer him.

Finn’s voice is agonizingly firm. It borders on that Alpha command that could take everything from me. “Listen to me and hear me. I am not repeating this. You almost died, and if it weren’t for the fact that we met, you would have died alone. So, let’s not pretend that your ability to stand here is anything less than a miracle.”

I look away and bow my head, knowing what the appropriate response should be.

Then, there’s a slight, unfamiliar feeling inside me. A growing pressure bends me to its will, and I step forward. My head comes to rest against his chest.

“Now, quit fighting your wolf so your body can heal.” Finn’s voice drops to a soft murmur as he wraps one arm behind my back, embracing me as the other strokes my head. “Faolan, I’m not going anywhere. It’s okay.”

The new pressure holds me to him, not wanting to be removed from his embrace. I know Dinah said her wolf changed after all the terrible things she went through. Is this what that change feels like?

A large SUV flies up the driveway, startling me. Finn bangs on the side of it with his fist as it passes us. I don’t speak Gaelic, but the way the words sound, I absolutely know he’s cussing them out.

“I’ll take care of it.” I yawn.

Am I tired or stressed? Who am I kidding? It’s both.

“No, you won’t,” Finn corrects me.

“I get it. You know I’m a submissive, but the rest of the pack still sees me as their Alpha Female.” I argue with him.

How long before he gives up trying to boss me around?

“That was Revecca’s SUV,” Finn growls, looking over my head.

When he draws his eyes back to me, his features are softer.

Why does he have to look so handsome?

I shake my head. “Well, maybe she can scare off our other house guests.”

“Other guests?” Finn questions as he picks me up like he’s some knight in shining armor carrying the princess back to the castle.

If I wasn’t so fucking exhausted from standing here, I’d argue with him. But I’m tired, and my body doesn’t want to walk up the rest of the driveway. Besides, he’s right. I can’t deal with Revecca. I can only make her Cade’s problem. Though, I’m quite interested in how Deacon’s planning to handle our guests who have overstayed their welcome. Our rooms, Cade’s, Deacon’s, and mine, are soundproofed... the guest rooms where Aunt Alora, Uncle Elliot, Revecca, and her henchmen are staying? Not so much.

Finn kisses the side of my face and starts walking the rest of the way up the driveway. It’s less than a quarter mile, and with stilts for legs, he gets us there while Revecca’s henchmen are unloading her and whatever they’ve found to buy at the local grocery store. The brown paper bags printed with their big oval logo gives away their outing for the day. I would pay money to see the odd looks and hear the speculations from her walking around the store with a massive entourage.

“Nooo!” Revecca screeches, seeing the two of us. “Absolutely not. You cannot be with her. I will not allow it. I forbid the two of you to be together.”

I squirm, and Finn sets me down. Why was she addressing Finn and not me?

Furthermore, what does it say about me that Revecca not wanting me to be with Finn makes me want to strip naked and ride him right here on the driveway in front of her?

“Wasn’t asking your permission, Revecca,” Finn answers her.

There’s a distinct familiarity in the way he addresses her. I’m one-hundred-percent digging into that later. The gift of past sight comes in handy once again. If I can do it without my wolf.

“You still need it regardless,” Revecca answers.

I shake my head. “I’m sorry bitch said what?”

“Lena,” Finn hisses my name, warning me against the shit-stirring I’m doing.

One of Revecca’s henchmen comes around to stand closer to me, trying to create a physical buffer between her and me.

“You’re an Ardelean. Your mate has to be approved by the family,” Revecca answers haughtily.

“Wow, good thing, thanks to you, I found out my family is a bit different than expected. I’ll call Judah. I’m sure he’ll give me his blessing as my blood-related Alpha.” I shrug.

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