Wulfe Untamed (Feral Warriors #8)(35)

“X, your sister’s here,” Wulfe said.

“Hey, Nat!” Her brother turned toward the door.

“Hey, Xave.” But her gaze remained riveted on those tense, unblinking eyes. Natalie smiled. “You must be Pink. You have quite a fan in my brother. I’m happy to finally make your acquaintance.”

Xavier reached for the bird-woman without hesitation, his hand clasping a feathered arm. “Pink, this is my sister, Natalie. And, yeah, I’m a fan. Pink does all the cooking and cleaning around here, or she used to when there weren’t so many people. I’m her helper, now.”

Natalie met Pink’s gaze with a rueful look. “This place is mobbed. I don’t know how you do it all, even with help.”

Pink’s stiffness eased a little. “Most of our guests are temporary, and we’re managing. It’s a pleasure to meet Xavier’s sister.”

“The pleasure is all mine. I’m delighted that Xavier has you as a friend, Pink.” The truth of that statement hit her hard, because it was more than clear that a good deal of the reason Xavier radiated such contentment with his captivity was due to Pink. She met the woman’s gaze, letting her see her thoughts and emotion. “You have no idea,” she said quietly, and smiled.

“Are you going to watch the Ferals shift this morning, Nat?” Her brother launched into one of his dear and familiar rambles. “It’s so cool when they shift, though a little scary when they fight like that, but then they’re best friends again, usually, except for the evil Ferals, but they’re all with Inir, now, or maybe in the prisons below Feral House. We’re not sure about those guys. It was scary as shit when the evil Ferals attacked. We weren’t sure what they were going to do. Pink and I hid, then the bad guys ran to Inir, and the good guys finally healed and came back.”

Natalie shook her head with a smile. “You must be a good listener, Pink, because my brother can talk the ears off an elephant. Mom likes to tease that he came out of the womb talking, that she had to buy him a pacifier just to get a little quiet.”

Xavier laughed at the old joke. “What can I say? Active mind, active mouth.”

As the two women’s gazes met, Natalie watched a small smile form on that remarkable face. “I enjoy Xavier’s thoughts. He’s my friend.”

Gratitude welled up inside Natalie, and she started around the island that separated her from the pair, talking as she went so that Xavier could follow her movement. “It’s no wonder you’re happy here, Xave.” Natalie gave her brother a hard hug, meeting Pink’s gaze over his shoulder. Thank you, she mouthed, earning a sweet smile.

As she released her brother, Pink held out her hand to her. “I am very pleased to meet you, Natalie.”

Natalie took that soft, feathered hand between both of hers. “The pleasure is all mine.”

“We need to go,” Wulfe said from the doorway. “Later, X and Pink.”

Natalie followed him back to the dining room. As the kitchen door swung closed behind them, she glanced at Wulfe. “She’s amazing.”

He watched her with eyes like velvet. “So are you.”

“Natalie,” a woman’s voice called softly from a short distance away.

Wulfe turned. “Kara.”

Lyon slowed his walk through the dining room, the woman in his arms holding out her hand toward Natalie. She appeared wan, with dark circles under her eyes, her blond hair pulled back in a lifeless ponytail. But as she gazed at Natalie, she smiled warmly.

Natalie took the proffered hand. “You must be Kara. Wulfe says we met the last time I was here, but I’m afraid I have no memory of that visit.”

Kara’s smile turned rueful. “That’s what they were hoping. I’m sorry you’ve been pulled back into all this.”

“I’m not.” And she realized that was true. “I know I probably won’t be able to keep these memories, either, but it’s worth everything to see my brother again and see him so happy.” She glanced at Wulfe, a welling of pleasure filling her chest. “This is turning out to be quite an adventure.”

Kara laughed. “Everything the Ferals touch turns into an adventure.”

“Funny,” a Feral she hadn’t met said, joining them from the hallway. “I’d say everything we touch turns into a goat f**k.”

“Jag, watch your language,” Lyon snapped.

The shaggy-haired warrior grinned unrepentantly. “Sorry, ladies. I just call ’em like I see ’em. Are we ready to start this war dance? The sooner Kara stops looking like death warmed over, the better.”

“Thanks, Jag.” Kara met Natalie’s gaze with a wry smile.

Jag leaned over and kissed Kara’s cheek, his gaze turning stone-cold serious. “I mean it, little lightbulb. I want you getting better. That’s an order.”

“Yes, Jag.” Kara looped her free arm around his neck and pressed her cheek to his. “Thank you.”

When Jag had stepped back, Wulfe reached for Kara’s hand and brought it to his lips, earning himself a sweet smile. Then Lyon started forward again, heading for the back doors. “Let’s get started.”

Wulfe grabbed Natalie’s hand and led her to the sideboard laden with coffee mugs and industrial-sized coffeepots. “First things first.”