Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,116

your boyfriend. He's probably feeling pretty miserable. If you need anything, Heather and I will both have our phones."

"Thank you," he breathed.

Then Heather turned me toward the door and started walking both of us that way. As soon as we were in the front yard, she paused, letting out a heavy sigh. "Did you see him? He was terrified."

"Yeah," I agreed. "Do you think Lev would really kick out his son? Especially after what I heard happened to his wife?"

"But Nik has a point," Heather reminded me. "Some men - like Theo's father - judge their sons on these stupid ideas. Times like this? It's exactly what our Sisterhood is for. If Nik can't tell his dad himself, then I dare that man to try to come through us. Tiger or not, he's never seen what it's like to threaten a she-wolf."

I had to laugh at her vehemence. "Right. Well, having seen Nik in his cat-form, I have a feeling we'll probably be running as fast as our wolfy legs will carry us. But, on the upside, at least you'll have a little more of a chance, right? Since, you know, next week are my running and jumping lessons."

Heather laughed at that. "I think we'll be fine," she promised. "It's also why I'm coming with you. So, drive on, Alpha."

We headed to my car. Heather took the passenger seat, but Lev's place was just right up the street, about two blocks away. It was close enough that we could've walked if we wanted, but this wasn't the kind of night for a lazy stroll. No, things were falling apart, and I had the worst feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Because if that man rejected his son because of who he loved? God help me, but I might tear apart a tiger with my bare hands. I'd actually liked Lev. I'd respected him. He'd been a single father for a long time now, and I knew just how hard that really was. He always seemed so proud of his boy, and he'd taken in those fox girls as if they were truly his family. For him to be so paternal and yet Nik so terrified of telling him?

I was braced for the worst when the pair of us made it to the front door and knocked. From the back of the house, I heard the man yell "Just a second!"

So we waited. Then we waited a little longer. I could hear him moving around inside thanks to my super-special wolf ears, but I couldn't make out what he was doing. Just as I turned to ask Heather if she could tell, the steps came closer. The deadbolt clicked as it released. Then, Nikolai's father pulled open the door.

The man was standing there in nothing but a pair of jeans. Jeans that were zipped up but not yet buttoned. His hair was wet and I could see the droplets on his chest. The scent of some masculine soap wafted in the air.

"Alpha?" he asked. "Heather? Is Nik ok?"

"Can we come in?" I asked.

Beside me, Heather just nodded. When Lev pulled the door open wider in a clear invitation, I elbowed her, aware that her eyes were still hanging on his almost-open jeans. Granted, who knew that tigers had abs like that? Sure, the hair on his chest might be a little salt-and-pepper-colored, but it was over some rock-hard muscles.

"What's going on?" Lev asked. "Did the kids get jumped again? I told them to stay off the trails until we had all the gates and grates put up."

"No," I said. "Actually, this seems to be a little leftover from the last time they were out. Lev, what did you teach Nikolai about not exposing others?"

"The usual," he said. "Never donate blood, if he goes to a hospital without me, then he should say there's a chance he's been exposed to HIV so they'll be careful, and that he can't have sex with a human girl."

Heather groaned. "And when his teenaged hormones went stupid? Did you tell him about condoms?"

"Uh..." Lev was looking from one of us to the other. "I told him that when he was ready, he had to use protection. He didn't want to get a girl pregnant or have her turn. Why? He said he wasn't interested in Samantha. She's just Gabby's friend and doesn't like him that way." Then he stopped. "Did he infect a wolf? I thought the doctor said - "

"No," I broke in. "No, Lev,