climbs two steps until he’s on the one directly below me, peering up into my eyes. He reaches for my hand but pulls back. “I-I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
I don’t give thought to my movements when I lift my hand to place it on Whit’s shoulder then slowly drag it down his clothed arm, stopping before I reach his hand. I’m not sure what it is that has me keeping my skin from touching his. Maybe it’s the fear of the unknown. Uncertainty of who he is to me, if anything at all. Do I want him to be more than a friend? My heart says yes but my mind reminds me that I don’t know if he’s bisexual or gay. He could desire females for all I know and have zero interest in me romantically.
But then I see the look he currently has in his eyes. I see how his gaze holds mine and his breath hitches as I gently hold his wrist. Maybe there is more to this feeling I have for him. Maybe he feels it, too.
10
Whitlock
There’s so much I want to tell Cam. Tell him how I feel and how he’s the one I want. No, I don’t think he’d say anything bad to me. No one in the pack would. Aries and the others would never tolerate it. It’s just hard to speak those words I’ve hidden since I first saw him.
I’m about to tell him when laughter rings out not far from us. It’s then I remember where we are and how we’re very exposed. I take a step back. Disappointment flashes across Cam’s face but it’s gone as quickly as it appeared.
Did he want me to come closer? Does he want something with me?
No, I shake those thoughts away. How could he? Look at Cam and look at me. I’m nowhere near the same realm as him. But there’s a little voice inside me telling me Cam has never treated me or anyone else here like he’s better than them. It’s my own worry driving my fear. The fear that’s so ingrained in me it’s hard to shed.
I turn and finish descending the steps with Cam behind me. Sawyer and Gage round the corner in front of us. Sawyer gives me a brief nod and smile as they pass us. I don’t fight the smile forming on my lips. It’s weird to be included in something only a handful know about. I’m part of this secret society the Avynwood Pack has. Well, not yet. I may be in on the secret but that doesn’t mean I’m part of the team. I plan to remedy that, though.
Inside the kitchen we find Aries leaning against the counter and Cassie opposite him as food spins around in the microwave.
“Hungry?” Aries asks. We both nod. He walks over to the fridge and pulls out a plate of sliced turkey and stuffing then grabs the gravy. “It’s not Thanksgiving yet, but you know how it is around here. Turkey all month long. It’s one of my favorite times of the year.”
Cassie swats at her mate. “You say that every month when they make special meals. You just like to eat.”
“That I do.” He grins.
The microwave dings and Cassie heats up food for Cam and me next. There’s no point in telling her we can do it ourselves. Cassie loves looking after the pack and taking care of us when she can. Obviously, her mate and immediate family are her first priorities but we’re a close second.
Their son, Quinn, comes into the room with Wake right behind him. Quinn is a month and a half shy of turning three. I can’t believe how fast time has gone by. I remember when he was born.
He walks over to Aries and holds his hands out so he can be picked up, which Aries easily does. He cradles Quinn close, but his son isn’t having it. He wants the turkey sitting on the counter behind Aries.
“Just like his daddy,” Cassie says. “Always after food.”
“He’s got good taste,” Aries states. “He’s going to grow up big and strong just like me and his brother.”
“You got that right,” Wake adds. “Do you two have him? Paige and Ari are going Christmas shopping and want me and Rion to watch the kids. If I add Quinn into that mess, we may lose our minds.”
“It’s fine, go.”
The pack is one big babysitting agency. No matter what’s going on, there’s always someone around to