Autumn Feast - Charlie Richards Page 0,29

a limpet. “Wonderful idea, love.”

Kirill pumped his fist in the air. “Yes!” If his expression held some guilt, only Andrei knew the reason.

Chapter Three

“Is this necessary? I don’t think I’m in any danger.” Kirill took in the many women, men, and children milling around the town square of Paw’s Cove. Clan members had grouped beside the stage, putting together a garland made of oak leaf clusters, rowanberries, and faux green silk. Haley had been happy when Kirill had handed her the one color scheme Andrei hadn’t ruined. Bright green, ruby, and tan were the official Harvest Feast colors.

On the other side of the stage, three men heaved pumpkins from a trailer attached to a tractor. Children sat at a long picnic table, crafting stuff out of chestnuts and acorns.

Kirill started out of his reverie when Louis nudged him and pointed. He followed the direction he indicated and tensed.

“Are you sure you’re not in danger?” Louis snickered.

“Kirill,” Haley called out to him, raising her arm. As though he had any chance of missing her in this crowd.

Kirill whirled around to Louis and fisted the beta’s sweatshirt with both hands. “Help me. It’s your duty to protect the alpha mate. Prove you’re worth your huge salary.”

Louis cocked one eyebrow. “Beta is an honorary position and has no salary. Well, I do live in my house for free, but I also have a regular job—”

“Drivel.” He slapped Louis’ chest. The guy was as tall and broad as Andrei. “Go and distract her before she’s on me. If she asks me one more time to assess the marching band’s costumes, I’ll run away screaming. Flirt with her if you have to.”

Louis coughed. Pink stained his cheeks. “Actually, I’m kinda bisexual. And ever since Andrei came out to us and mated with you, I’ve been hoping to... date a guy. I never—”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Kirill growled and gave Louis his back. “You’re good for nothing.” He raised his voice. “Haley, hey. Looks good, huh? Do you still need me around? I thought”—he checked his watch—”I’d go and see if Mary needs anything.”

Haley narrowed her eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line. Stopping before him, she placed one hand on her hip. She held a clipboard in her other hand. A pencil stuck out of the messy bun on her head. “Kirill Vasiliev.”

“Bazin,” he reminded her. “Changed my name so Andrei, the baby, and I will have the same surname.” Kirill hoped that would distract her from harassing him with something he had to do. Please, don’t let it be the marching band.

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, whatever. I need you to come with me and talk with Hester. He complained about the order of songs we decided on.”

Hester was the band’s boss. And not they had decided on the order, Haley had done it because he’d ditched her the day he and Andrei had had dinner at his dads’ house. He was sure reminding her wouldn’t win him any sympathy.

She rattled on. “And you have to talk with the women in the band. Some of them don’t want to wear skirts.” She huffed. “They actually accused me of being sexist. Can you believe it?”

Kirill shot Louis a begging look, but the useless lug shrugged his shoulders and held up his hands. Traitor. Kirill sighed deeply and scratched his hair. “Haley, I don’t see the problem. As long as everyone’s dressed, I don’t care if they wear a skirt or pants, be they man or woman. Don’t be so stuffy. This is a festival, a cause of celebrating our great town where everyone is welcome regardless of gender identity, color, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.”

Louis clapped his hands, a wide grin on his face. “Awesome, Kirill. I think that’s a perfect closing sentence for your big speech.”

“My what now?” Kirill turned to him, squinting. When Louis’ grin fell and his mocha skin paled, Kirill lowered his voice to a deep growl. “Haley?”

“Of course you’ll give a speech. Didn’t Andrei tell you? I asked him to do it, but he said you’d be much better suited.” Haley sounded pissed. “And I’m not stuffy. You know what? Take care of everything on your own if you’re such an expert on Paw’s Cove.” She slapped the clipboard against his chest, turned, and marched off.

Kirill shook his head. “What the fuck’s wrong with her?”

Louis pursed his lips. “She’s jealous because you’re alpha mate, a title she’s salivated over since her father handed the reigns to Andrei. Haley thought