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I clinked my glass against his while Skye rolled her eyes. She was no longer thrilled about me meeting her brother, as she had been in the car on the way here, which she had expressed between colorful curses and irritated groans. Now, she sat with one leg crossed over the other and her

arms snugly tucked in at her sides as she cradled her champagne flute. The t-shirt and yoga pants she wore barely hid her buxom curves, which were drawing my attention.

Could she feel that? My inner wolf smiled. She’ll feel it later, I’m

sure.

“It’s rude to stare,” she pitched in a low voice in my direction.

“Didn’t your parents teach you better than that?” “They taught me a lot of things.”

She scoffed. “Apparently, not how to treat a lady.”

“I beg to differ, Skye. I think I’ve treated you with more fairness than anyone.”

She couldn’t argue with me because I was right. I hadn’t dared to mistreat her, especially not publicly and especially not in front of her solider brother who could probably knock me out with a punch to the nose. While I had plenty of confidence in my fighting skills, I hated to waste those moves on a comrade. Fighting her brother was easily avoidable. Fighting with her? Not so much, it was quickly becoming apparent.

She lowered her gaze to the table. It was more of an aggravated pout than a defeated look, but she didn’t try to argue with me. That was fine with me. I wasn’t one to argue.

She shot up from the table while muttering, “Excuse me,” under her

breath.

I stared after her with a mixture of frustration and curiosity.

“She does that,” Emmett commented. “The bratty attitude thing.

She’s super independent.” “I couldn’t tell.”

He laughed. “You’ll get used to it.” “I’m not sure she’ll get used to me.”

His sigh drew my attention. “You just need to give her some time.

She’s not used to this sort of thing.” He shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t think any of us are used to this.”

“Has your alpha announced your pairing?” “No, I haven’t been so lucky.”

Luck—what a concept. Did he truly think being paired with

someone his opposite was lucky? Skye was, at best, a plaything to pass the time, someone to bolster my reputation. No matter how sweet her lips and lovely her hips, nothing could change the reality of the situation. Our lives

entwined because her alpha dictated as such. I wouldn’t disrespect his word. But I would do everything I could to test her limits so I wouldn’t have to participate.

Even if it was appealing to be with her.

I glanced away from Emmett, almost embarrassed by the thoughts I was having about his sister. He clearly cared about her. Whatever energy I wore in regard to her name would be evident. Well-trained soldiers could pick up on that sort of thing.

“You smell like her,” he whispered. I resisted the urge to look at him. “She’s always smelled like fruit to me. She says the same.” He

chuckled lightly. “Actually, she says I stink of gooseberries.”

“I suppose your scents would be similar considering that you’re family.”

He nodded. “Naturally. But you carry that familiar berry scent of

hers.”

“Is that bad?”

“No, it’s not bad. I’m not sure about your pack customs, but ours are

pretty relaxed. You’re not in trouble.” His smile grew. “Though as an alpha, I’m sure you’ve gathered plenty of my intentions through my energy.”

He was a great soldier. That much was evident. “I certainly have.” “Listen, she’s…” A clatter caught his gaze for a second. But he

turned away from it to lean toward me. “She needs someone to love her.

Don’t let her down, alright?”

Consider me shocked that her brother was being so forward.

Whenever I had encountered traditional wolf families in the past, the father had always taken the helm and forced arranged marriages throughout the

family. Brothers took over when fathers weren’t alive or present. My pack had disposed of such customs ages before my time.

Yet I found it endearing that Emmett was acting in such a supportive manner. He cared about his sister, indeed. She had no idea what he would do for her, did he?

No wonder he’d shoved her into a bunker.

Though I had to disagree with his methods and reasoning, I could

sense his love and affection for her, for the remaining member of his family. He seemed to think that he owed her everything. And he did well to provide for her.

Before I could say much else, Skye returned. She settled into her chair and snatched up her champagne flute, swallowing the whole glass quickly. I chuckled while hiding my true reaction to the situation, one I hadn’t ever anticipated feeling, yet couldn’t seem to release once I got it within my clutches—approval.

And if I wanted to keep that feeling, I had to do something to keep her around. I had to make a move that spoke of my position and kept our relationship intact. To hell with shoving her away and denying what Blake wanted of me. I had to act as soon as possible.

I had to act before the feeling faded.