Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,1

but I also knew he was right. "Ok," I said, stepping away from him to head into my bedroom. "I need to get dressed, and you need to make sure those guys don't try to stop me from going to work."

"I was chosen to talk you out of it, actually," Seth admitted. "Lane was worried you'd say he couldn't understand since he's always heard like this."

"And Ian?" I asked as I pulled on my shirt.

Seth shoved a hand across his mouth. "Um, he didn't want to make it a dominance thing, and he knows you're still getting used to those pack urges."

"That's actually kinda cute," I admitted.

Seth just nodded. "Yeah. But Trent and Pax might be over at the office already, adjusting the phone settings for you and, um, warning Ashley." Then he shrugged. "We're trying very hard not to smother you, so don't get mad?"

Next, I pulled on a pair of slacks. My most comfortable pair, because I was going very office-casual today. "I'm not," I promised. "But can you check on Gabby today? The subtle kind?"

"Because she's allowed to date Roman again, you'll be out of the house, and you have a feeling she's going to try something with her boyfriend," he guessed. "Sure. I can do that."

I groaned. "And sneak some of those condoms into the upstairs bathroom or something?" I begged. "Just, you know, in case? I'd rather she waited, but if she's not going to, I'd prefer she doesn't end up pregnant because of it."

"Promise," he said, backing toward the door. "And you're dawdling." Then he winked. "Breakfast will be ready soon."

When he opened the door to leave, I could smell it. My stomach growled, reminding me that the broth and soup I'd had the last two days - while good - didn't count as a real meal. The scent of eggs, bacon, and sausage was even more amazing now, and I was suddenly craving it. I also needed to put on enough makeup to make myself feel presentable.

I hurried through that, knowing I didn't need to impress anyone. The entire pack had basically seen me naked on Wednesday night. Sure, I'd had a pair of wolves lying on me - and a rather large man - but still. This meant I had nothing left to worry about. Nudity was necessary for changing forms, they always said. Running as a wolf wasn't exactly the best way to "look good." Styled hair and painted faces didn't shift with us, so I would need to get used to looking like a werewolf sometimes.

Because I was one. I'd done it, I'd survived, and I was happy about it, but I was still getting used to all the nuances. Gabby had made this all look so easy. Then again, my daughter was fourteen - almost fifteen now. Her birthday was officially on Monday, and her big quinceañera to celebrate her becoming a woman was in a week. I still hadn't managed to get her a dress, either!

I'd planned to, but having a kid shoot up my daughter's school had shifted my priorities a little. Now, I was going to need to scramble a bit. Thankfully, Roman and Olivia would be willing to take Gabby around to look, narrowing down the options. My five boyfriends - no, mates - had offered to help pay for it, which meant tailoring was covered. This could still happen. It was going to be ok.

And I was actually a wolf. I couldn't stop thinking about it, as if my mind kept repeating that like a mantra. It felt good, like some guilty secret, except that there was nothing to hide. At least, not from my pack. So when I walked into the kitchen, following the scent of breakfast, there was a little extra spring in my step. It was almost enough to make up for the drag of my aching muscles.

"You look happy," Lane said as I rounded the corner.

I just grinned, and yep, my mind replayed my mantra. "I feel good," I told him. "Like a whole new woman, although I still ache all over."

His eyes just slid down my body. "If you stay home, I'll give you a long and very thorough massage."

"No." I laughed to take the sting out of that. "Guys, seriously. I need to get used to hearing more than just all of you being extra quiet. I need to smell the air outside. I have to get used to this, but I'm not going to push too hard.