to Jez, seeking an ally in this little upset. “Who wants to play strip poker?”
“I do,” Jez chimed in, raising her glass in an air toast.
Our lame attempt at changing the subject failed. The mood had shifted with such a brief exchange. Resentment tainted the air.
Arys’s appearance was casual and relaxed, but I could feel the defensive fury spilling through him. “I think it’s safe to say we’re all monsters here. Is there no blood on your hands, Kylarai?”
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