Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,135

we can sneak around the side to see Gabby," he said, pointing at a door.

"Coming with," Pax said. "The rest of you going to wait here or shuffle back to the cars?"

"Here's good," Ian told him. "We don't want to make too much of a fuss, right?"

I did a little dance to make my way around Ian, then Trent found my hand. He led me toward the aisle, but Pax fell in behind me, clasping my shoulders so I wouldn't get lost in the chaos. Together, we all made it down to the front where it was open, then aimed for a door at the side. Passing through that put us in one of the random halls of the school.

Lockers lined the walls. Doors down the way were all wood with long, narrow windows set off center. It even smelled like a school, if stronger because of my new wolf-improved senses. Yet the guys both paused and turned to me instead of continuing on.

"What are you doing tomorrow night?" Trent asked.

"Uh..." I wracked my brain. "Nothing. Why?"

"A date," he told me. "The two of us have been trying to ask you out on an official date for far too long. Something always went wrong, so we decided not to say anything until Gabby's play was over. You know, so we didn't jinx it."

"Drama students," Pax groaned playfully. "But we're serious, Elena. The three of us, together. A nice dinner, maybe an event?"

"Not a movie," I told them. "I'm far too old for that."

Trent scoffed. "You're not, but I was thinking more about something where we could actually spend time talking."

"Star watching in the park?" Pax offered.

"It sounds perfect," I told them. "Just one question. What am I supposed to wear? Casual? Fancy?"

"Sexy," Trent told me. "Attire should match tonight's event, and our goal is to make sure that tomorrow is even better."

"Time?" I looked between the two of them.

"Eight," Pax decided. "Ian already said he'd keep an eye on Gabby."

I couldn't have stopped the smile if I'd tried. "Oh, he did, did he?"

Trent ducked his head. "Busted. No, it was to remove one more hiccup, because I've been waiting to take you out like you deserve since before you were a wolf. That night in the hot tub when you said you wouldn't be ashamed to be with us both?"

I reached over and caught each of their hands. "Guys, I can't imagine a single reason to be ashamed. I'm the woman with the hot men, right? Trust me, it's not a problem at all to show you off to the whole world."

CHAPTER 41

* * *

Pax and I had a plan. We'd spent all night working on it, so I sincerely hoped that this wouldn't fall through. As I trimmed up my beard and styled my hair, I realized my hands were trembling just a bit. Yes, I was nervous. I had good reason to be, because I wanted to be sure that this thing with Elena wasn't just a fluke.

I liked that woman too much. I adored her daughter. Being with them made me feel as if I belonged there, and the way Gabby treated me? I could finally understand Henry's obsession with being a father. Evidently, it was a whole lot like being someone's hero. The fact that Elena seemed to approve of how I acted with her kid?

This really had to work.

I was just finishing when Pax stepped into the bathroom beside me to focus on his own hair. The two of us were dressed to complement, and a sneaky little text to Gabby had helped us out with the right colors. I knew it was stupid, but it seemed like the perfect little detail to prove just how invested Pax and I were in making this work.

Gabby had said Elena's dress was burgundy, and she'd even sneaked in a picture. Sadly, the dress was still in the closet, not on our mate, but it helped. Now, Pax was wearing a shirt that was pretty close to the same color with a black tie. I had on a black shirt, but my tie matched Pax's shirt. We were going for full suits tonight, but mostly because one of us would have the chance to loan Elena our coat. Maybe both, since her legs might get cold too.

Then I grabbed the Bluetooth speaker, Pax went to the kitchen to get our big surprise, and the pair of us headed to my truck. Our stuff went in the back, along