honestly? Not having the responsibility is kind of a relief. I don’t know what will happen once Tate’s back and this is all over, but I like the idea of being able to make whatever life I want with the people I love. Zero expectations.”
I got that. Hell, I totally got that.
Barely a week into being Alpha and I already felt like I was drowning.
But part of me knew I wouldn’t have it any other way. I would never walk away from my pack and my family.
“You’ll always have a place here,” I said firmly, meeting his eye.
“I appreciate that,” Dante said. He glanced down at his phone. “Ryd’s back. I’m going to go see him, unless you need me?”
I shook my head. “No. We’re done for tonight. I’ll call Griffin myself to work out the logistics.”
Rhodes stood up with Dante. “Yeah, I’ll see if Larkin needs help with dinner.”
I frowned. “We can order out or something. I don’t want Larkin to feel like she’s our personal chef.”
Rhodes shrugged. “You know Lark. She wants to help any way that she can. Besides, she likes cooking.”
“Still,” I said, “she has a fuck of a lot more value to us than just cooking. She needs to know that.”
Rhodes grinned and winked at me. “Oh, trust me. I remind her of her value every night. And morning. Several times a day, actually.”
I groaned. Larkin was like my sister and Rhodes was my brother. I didn’t need that image.
“Whatever,” I muttered.
“You coming?” he asked me, pausing in the doorway.
“I’m going to call Skye first. She should be waking up now,” I answered, my phone already out. I was becoming addicted to my phone in a way I never imagined.
But soon I would have her back and then I planned to hide my phone for a few days while I reacquainted myself with every part of my mate.
I was suddenly glad I was sitting behind the desk. Rhodes definitely didn’t need to see the semi currently pressing against my jeans.
“Cool. Tell Skye we miss her,” he said, tapping the wall as he and Dante left me alone and headed for the main floor level.
Gritting my teeth, I readjusted myself in the chair before calling her.
I almost had my body under control when she answered the video call, her face filling the screen.
“Hey,” she greeted warmly, her emerald eyes sparkling. “Hang on a sec, okay? I just got out of the shower.”
She set the phone on a countertop for a second before picking it back up with a towel wrapped around her chest.
A fucking towel.
I stifled another groan. That imagery definitely wasn’t helping my situation.
“Are you okay?” Concern filled her voice as she looked at me.
“Do you have to be so damn gorgeous?” I asked before I could censor myself, the words rolling out of my mouth with a growl.
Her eyes flared wide, her cheeks pinking as she bit her lip.
“Sorry,” she apologized sweetly, shrugging. “I was going to call you when I was done getting ready. Nikolai wanted to show me around before we leave, so we’re meeting earlier than usual.”
“Don’t apologize,” I said, shaking my head. “You’re just way too fucking tempting for my self control.”
“Oh, really?” She grinned at me. “I’ll be home soon.”
“I’m counting the hours, babe,” I assured her.
“How are things there? Everyone doing okay?”
“Dad woke up. He’s going to be okay,” I informed her.
Happy tears immediately filled her eyes, the phone wobbling as her hand shook. She released a hard breath. “Thank God. Does that mean he’s taking over the pack?”
I swallowed and shook my head. “No. He won’t be at full strength for a few more weeks. Maybe months.”
“Okay,” she said, taking the news in stride. “It’s fine, Rem. You’ve got this.”
“You know when you say it, I actually believe it,” I confessed softly. “God, I fucking miss you.”
“I miss you, too,” she whispered sadly. “But I’m getting on a plane in a few hours to come home to you.”
Sighing, I nodded.
“Anything else I need to know?” she asked gently. “You know I’m here. You can unload on me if you need to.”
“I know,” I replied. “Damien called me earlier. Tried to get me to join his pack peacefully.”
“What the hell?” she exploded. “He’s out of his damn mind.”
“Yeah. Well, he even tried making a deal. Said he would let me keep you and give Maren back to Katy.”
She sucked in a sharp breath. “He has Maren.”
I nodded. “He all but openly admitted he kidnapped the girls from school