Darker (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #6)(94)

Her face grew red. Grey eyes flashing angrily, she clutched a glass of vodka lemonade in a white-knuckled grip. Ky wasn’t a big drinker. The lowering of her inhibitions was not going to help me play peacemaker.

I sought Coby’s gaze. He stood quietly by the barbecue, watching the growing conflict with calm unease. He was the only person I’d ever turned. Though we weren’t close by any means, we were learning to move past what I’d done to him.

“Wolf family meeting,” I announced, standing up and descending the patio steps into the yard below.

Coby and Kylarai followed me to the empty fire pit in the middle of the backyard. I sat on the concrete edge, waiting for them to do the same.

“Ky, you are entitled to your opinions, and you know I love you for them, but you have to understand that Arys isn’t to blame for anything that happens to me. He’s a victim of circumstance, too. And anyway,” I reached to touch her arm. “You’re Alpha now. You need to focus on that. Don’t worry about me.”

Guilt slid over her face like a mask. “I’m sorry, Lex. I just worry. I know it’s not his fault. And, I’m sorry about the pack. I’ve been meaning to talk to them about taking you back.”

“Don’t,” I said, putting my arm around her shoulders. I pulled Ky close, resting my head against hers. “They’re right about me. I’ve brought enough trouble to them. It’s better for me to be on my own right now. Seriously. No hard feelings.”

“Alright. I’ll apologize to Arys,” she relented. “But, I won’t be happy about it.”

“Fair enough.”

She returned to the patio, leaving Coby and I behind. I expected him to follow her. Instead, he slid closer to me on the fire pit.

“Alexa,” he began nervously. “I want to thank you. When we first met, I wasn’t the nicest guy. You were so understanding. You took me in when I had nobody. I met Kylarai because of you, and I am insanely in love with her.” He paused, and a blush spread across his cheeks. “The wolf fits now. It’s become a part of me. I’ve learned that you are also a part of me. I wanted to tell you, if you ever need back up, anything at all, I’m here for you.”

I was surprised and touched. I’d come to accept that Coby might always hate me for what I’d done to him. Never had I expected him to thank me.

“You have no idea how much that means to me.” I leaned over for a casual hug. He took it a step further and pulled me in for a nuzzle. Rubbing his face alongside mine, it was an entirely wolfy action. It meant a lot to me.

“Hey wolf, hands off my woman,” Arys called from the deck. It was nice to see him smiling, unaffected by the small rift with Ky.

I stood up to go, but Coby grabbed my hand. “Alexa, wait,” he pleaded. “Um, would you uh, I don’t know how to say this. Maybe it’s too soon, but I know I want to marry Kylarai. Do you think she’ll say yes?”

“Holy crap, Coby, you couldn’t possibly be more adorable,” I laughed. “I can’t see why she wouldn’t.”

My heart squeezed in both joy and envy. I’d accepted that the picket fence life wasn’t for me. At least, I thought I had. It was for Kylarai though, and now she had a chance to make it happen. I was thrilled for her.

It was hard to keep from crushing her in an excited hug when we returned to the patio. Somehow, I managed to keep myself contained. Jez prattled on about the upcoming Las Vegas trip while Coby dished out burgers. I was pouring a lemonade refill when the doorbell rang.

Immediately, I was concerned. Everyone I was expecting was already present. I glanced at Arys who shrugged, unaffected. That was weird.

I entered the house, crossing through the kitchen and down the long hall to the front door. I paused, reaching out metaphysically to sense who was on the other side. The earthy energy was strong and familiar. Werewolf.

I jerked the door open with my heart in my throat. I was a little lightheaded, unable to believe my eyes. There, with his platinum hair long enough to hang in his jade green eyes and a quirky little smile, stood Shaz.

“Hey, babe,” he said. “Am I late for the party?”

I gawked at him like a moron, staring in stunned silence. If this was just a dream, I was going to be pissed when I woke up.

Before I could pinch myself, he stepped over the threshold and captured me in his warm embrace. The scent of wolf and pine filled my nostrils, scratching an itch I’d learned to live with. I ran my hands over him, down his lean body and up into his hair. No dream, this was real.

I tried to speak though no words could squeak past the knot of overwhelming emotion that choked me. I clung to him like a drowning woman to a life preserver. I wanted to say so many things that I must have mumbled something unintelligible.

“God, I missed you, Lex,” he murmured, stroking my hair. “I never got used to being without you.”

“When did you get back?” I finally managed to say. I held him tight, afraid to let go.

“Today. Just a few hours ago.”

He kissed me, a tender press of his lips to mine that quickly grew into a passionate exhibit of frenzied love. My wolf leaped for joy at his touch. I couldn’t get enough of the way he felt. I was ready to let go of the past, of the mistakes we had both made. He was here now; that was what mattered.

The sound of applause broke us apart. Jez stood in the kitchen, grinning from ear to ear. “Perfect timing. Dinner’s ready. Although, it looks like you two are ready for dessert.”