the next turn we took opened up into a massive dining hall where people seem to be partaking in a very relaxed meal. My eyes widened at the scene before me as I took in the sights and sounds, trying to not overthink it like my mate suggested.
The annex dining hall reminded me of one you would find at a summer camp. The dark wood floors and two story high wood beam ceilings contrasted the light coming in through the large windows on all three surrounding walls. Tables were set in long rows along with some smaller round ones on the perimeters. Upfront was a large long table that seemed to be where we were headed.
No one stopped talking as we entered, but people looked at us with surprise and curiosity. A few little kids pointed to their parents but it seemed everyone was less surprised I was there than myself. I was taking bets that Hunter or Luca may have given them a heads up.
I offered small smiles to a few people in passing, some women around my age offering me friendlier looks while others avoided my gaze and looked down. What the heck was that about? The scent of food somewhat distracted me but when we reached the head table, I couldn’t help but feel a smile break out as Luca’s gaze met mine, Hunter’s back to us as he talked to what I assumed was a large wolf shifter.
“Told you it would be fine,” Dylan teased as I squeezed his hand, thankful he was there to help me keep my cool.
I rounded the table and almost attacked Luca again. Except this time he was ready for me and tugged me against him automatically, his nose buried in my hair as I found myself rubbing my face against his chest in greeting. It should have been weird because it didn’t feel like a human action, but the more time I spent with shifters the more actions like that seemed normal. I was going to just roll with it and see where it took me.
“How did you sleep, angel?” Luca’s voice was relaxed and I could feel that he was far less tense than yesterday, which made me really happy.
“Good, I was sad you weren’t in bed when I woke up though,” I admitted shyly through our bond.
His eyes lit up with genuine happiness at that.
“But then I distracted her,” Dylan nipped my ear and had me melting back into him, comfortable between the two of them. Also, damn him for being able to cue into our conversation, I scowled up at him as he winked. He knew what he did.
“Little fox?” Hunter asked, turning from his conversation as his eyes filled with warmth at realizing I was there.
I slipped from the grasp of the other two, leaving them grumbling. Wrapping my arms tightly around Hunter’s massive muscular frame, I breathed in his pine scent. Honestly, I think I’d given into this mate thing. I knew there was so much more to consider, but I couldn’t help how comfortable I was around these men and how easy it was to touch them.
It felt like home. They felt like home.
“I hope you are okay being here, I know there is a lot you probably don’t understand about pack shit. It’s important that you are here tonight though, we need to talk about our connection before we tell the pack--”
“I know, Hunter,” I smiled, interrupting him, realizing that our connection was as close as the others if not closer because of his wolf’s Alpha magic. I didn’t need a kiss to tell me that, I could feel it from just being close to him. I had a feeling I would be able to talk to him but until I did it, his eyes rounding, I hadn’t been sure. I tried to continue so we wouldn’t get side tracked. “I know we are mates, Hunter. I don’t know how that affects pack stuff, but I imagine it’s important since you’re an alpha.”
He seemed stunned for a minute, making me smile slightly, feeling proud of myself for surprising him. He finally chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, little fox, that makes shit a bit easier.”
I opened up the connection between the four of us, all of them jolting slightly at the odd sensation of being unified like that. I tried to explain how it worked to the best of my ability, relieved they not only knew but that I’d brought the mate aspect up.
“I