Chapter 57

She couldn’t believe she had already spent a month at Umbris Pack. The time just went by in a blur and she was already in her fifth week without feeling the need to go back home anymore.

Hunter made her feel like this is her home. He makes her feel like she belongs here and she has gotten to believe that she does belong here. This will be her home. She still felt skeptical about being his mate but the moment she lay eyes on his beautiful face, every doubt comes out running out of her. He makes her feel so safe like she’s the only thing that mattered to him. He wouldn’t mind cancelling a pack run just to lay in bed with her for hours without getting tired of it. And he has been such a gentleman—he doesn’t push her to do anything she wasn’t pleased with. He’s so tender and thoughtful. She has grown so fond of him that whenever he wasn’t around, she gets upset. She spends most of her days in the bakery with his mom when he’s having a busy day or with Auburn at the pool. Sometimes, Kayla joins them and they would spend the whole time chattering and making up impossible scenarios.

Today was one of those days when he’s having a hectic schedule and she gets to spend time with his sister, Auburn and Kayla. She never thought Auburn was so cool and friendly. Auburn has this kind of look in her face that’d make you think she eats souls for a living. She has this cold and scary force in her that’d make you think she doesn’t talk about boys or do her mani-pedis. But when you get to know her, she’s so lively and friendly.

Elise grabbed her sunscreen and towel before she heads out of the house. She knew Auburn and Kayla were already at the pool waiting for her. She picked up her pace in the new slippers Hunter just got her. Looking down on her feet, she smiled. They were yellow slippers with sliced watermelon printed all over them. He knew her favourite colour is yellow and she loves eating watermelon. How did he get to know all that? He observes every little thing she does and everything that excites her.

She enters the private pool Hunter lets them use and encountered with the two girls already enjoying the cool water under the hot sun.

“You couldn’t even wait for another minute.” Elise dropped what she came with on the table and relaxed on the hammock.

“We just got into the pool and Auburn was telling me about her new guy Justin,” Kayla said, making Elise to snap her head towards them.

“Auburn? A guy? She likes a guy?” Elise was already on her feet, walking towards them. She walked over to the stairs and walked into the water. “Okay, how much did I miss?” She swam towards them.

“Just that,” Auburn said, glaring at Kayla. Kayla shrugs it off and went ahead to tell Elise more about it. “He is one of Hunter’s pack warriors and they have been seeing each other for about a week now.”

Elise gazes at Auburn in awe and she looks away. “Does your brother know about you two?” When Auburn didn’t look at her, she knew Hunter has no idea about the two of them. “Why don’t you want to tell him?”

Auburn rolls her eyes and scoffed. “Because he always scares them off with his death glares and threats. They always end up not being able to handle my big brother and ghost me. I am not going to let him ruin this one for me.”

“What’s the worst that could happen, Auburn?” Elise asked. Auburn gasped in disbelief. “I just told you what your husband does and you’re still questioning me?”

Elise was taken aback by her remark. She blinks her eyes and lets out a heavy breath to digest it. Kayla muffled a laughter, swimming away from the chaos.

“Okay, first of all, he is not my husband. And secondly, have you ever sat down with him and tell him how you feel? Your brother is a very understanding man, for all I know.”

“Oh, he sure is the most understanding Alpha I know,” Auburn said and she could hint out the mockery in Auburn’s voice. “Hunter is so stubborn but he listens to you. He listens to only you, Elise. I don’t even know how you do it but you’re like a remote control—you can control him into doing whatever you want.”

Elise tilts her head and gave her a quizzical look, because she doesn’t know whether it was a complement or not. Whatever Auburn meant by that, she wasn’t going to let it give her a sleepless night. Hunter is submissive to her?

“I know he’s stubborn when it comes to something he wants it to be his way. But I am not sure I can control the Alpha of Umbris pack. He can be domineering and conceited, yes. But he is really understanding. And if this guy really means a lot to you, I’d talk to him if you want me to.”

Auburn’s eyes gaped and Elise could see the fear washing over her face. She shakes her head, hugging herself with her arms as though it wasn’t hot at that time. “He’d cut his head off and deliver it home to me. Do not tell him anything about Justin. At least not just yet. I’ll tell you when I’m ready to let him know. I have to make sure he’s the right guy first, okay?”

Elise gave her a teasing look before nodding. “Tell me more about this Justin guy. How does he look? Is he hot? Is he older than you? Does he have a deep, flirtatious voice like your brother has?” Maybe she shouldn’t have said that. Auburn just threw her a disgusting look at the mention of Hunter’s tempting voice.

“What? I can’t control how I feel about him…” She shrugs it off when she hears the sound of Kayla’s laughter.

“This girl right here used to hate your brother, so much.”

Elise rolled her eyes and swam to the tray of pineapple juice. Auburn smirked, looking at Elise’s retreating back. She knew Auburn was looking at her and she dared not to turn her head around and face her.

“This is always my favourite topic to converse. Tell me again, Kayla.”