Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,135

dinner last night, and nothing since. Granted, it was before noon, so she was probably still asleep. I sent a quick text to her anyway, following my nose to the scent of bacon.

But it wasn't Trent or Pax in the kitchen. Instead, it was Lane. He wore only a pair of pajama bottoms and an apron - which ended up looking cuter than I'd imagined - and was scowling at the food. Then, suddenly, his head snapped up and he looked over at me.

"You're awake," he said, his scowl completely vanishing.

"And I think your bacon's winning," I teased. Dropping my bag by the back door, I made my way over to help. "What has you looking so intent, Lane?"

"Crispy or chewy?" he asked, moving to wrap his arms around me. "I was trying to remember which you liked, because I heard the shower going."

"Trent and Pax said they were going to cook."

He leaned in to kiss that spot on the back of my neck he liked so much. "I was faster and said I wanted to."

So I turned to face him. "Wanted to?"

"Mhm..." He guided me away from the stove then up against the counter. His mass didn't pin me there, but he was close enough that it almost counted. Then he pushed a damp strand of my hair behind my ear. "They got to have all of your attention last night. It's my turn."

"With food," I teased, unable to keep from smiling. "Keep this up and I'll get fat."

"You'd be cute fat," he assured me, before stepping away to turn the bacon over. "Um, are you doing anything tomorrow? It's Valentine's Day, you know."

"Actually..." I paused as I heard feet on the stairs, turning to see Ian making his way down. "I'm thinking I should spend it with Gabby. I mean, this is probably the last time she'll care about spending it with her mother."

"Want company?" Ian asked. "No is an acceptable answer, Elena."

"No," I decided, hoping that didn't sound rude. "I've never been a huge fan of the holiday anyway, but we usually make some cupcakes and pig out on sweets while watching girly romance movies. It's sorta become our thing."

Ian nodded, but he was looking at Lane. "And having that crashed by five men would probably change the focus away from her. I get that."

"Can I get her a present?" Lane asked.

I had to turn around to see him. "Like what?"

He was pulling out the bacon to drain on a paper-towel-covered plate. "My sister used to love Valentine's Day, and Gabby reminds me a lot of her. She died in the crash. I just thought that maybe a stuffed animal or something. No, she's too old for that. I could probably get her - "

"Stuffed animals are fine," I assured him. "I don't really think women ever outgrow those. And if you can find a little wolf? She'd be thrilled."

Ian stepped in, hooking his arm around my shoulders before leading me into the living room. "Let him cook," he said. But once we were a little further away, he added, "Yes, he's nervous. Lane's trying really hard not to be too much, but it's not easy for him." Then he guided me down onto the couch, taking the spot beside me. "I told him not to embarrass you or to assume that you spending the night here means he has free rein."

Which explained so much. "Actually," I said, "I'm trying to accept that this is just normal. Ian, I keep feeling like we're all working really hard to keep this from being weird, which ends up making it weird. It just seemed easier before."

He ducked his head. "You're right. Look, I don't want to push. None of us do, but every time we think we know where the line is, you move it a little further, and while we're not complaining, the truth is that we're a little worried about chasing you off."

"I'm not going anywhere." I looked up and met his eyes. "I have five boyfriends. I am the Alpha Female. I'm ok with this, and I'm going with the theory that all of you are as well. I mean, I slept with both Trent and Pax last night. We've already had an orgy in your hot tub, which is how I got this title. What more is there to worry about?"

"Dunno," he said. "What makes you sit two inches away from me today when you didn't before? What kept you from wrapping your arms around