Page 99 of Found Objects

Opening the door, I poked my head in. “Is it okay if I come in and talk to you?”

“Of course,” he mumbled, patting the space beside him at the end of the bed.

Rushing over, I stepped between his legs instead, taking his face in my hands and tipping his head back so I could look down into his eyes. “Talk to me.”

Sharp exhale. “What if…what if something goes wrong and I––”

“As long as Abel doesn’t cheat, there’s not going to be an issue.”

“And if he cheats?”

“If he does, then I will intercede. You challenged him, and he has no alternative but to accept. That’s lupine law, and no one is allowed to assist either the alpha or the challenger. But if he has others there, then I am allowed to intervene on your behalf to keep the contest fair.”

He nodded.

“You know all that.”

“I do.”

“I suspect you’re more overwhelmed than anything else. Am I right?”

“I’m nothing today. Tomorrow I’ll be the alpha.”

“Yes. And what will change?”

“What do you mean? Everything will.”

“No.” I bent and kissed him quickly, and I was about to step back, but he took hold of my hips to keep me there.

“Explain.”

I shrugged. “You’ll have to take care of people, yes. You’ll make choices to make their lives better. But you’ll still live here. You’ll still sleep in this bed you’re sitting on with me. You still have to teach your brother to drive, and you have to go to work, pay taxes, get medical insurance for your team, and probably a 401(K). I have an accountant for that last one that I can set you up with.”

“I––”

“I also told your brother he can get a dog.”

Long sigh before he smiled.

“So yeah, big changes for you, but also not. And I can help. That’s what a mate is for.”

He leaned into me, wrapping his arms around my waist and holding tight.

“Your people probably also need vision and dental.”

The chuckle was very good to hear.

When the two of us returned to the kitchen, Reggie was complimenting Evan on his guacamole-making skills.

“You can make guacamole?” Cole asked his brother.

“No. Well, yeah, now I can. Ondine knows how, and as long as she tells me what to do but doesn’t do it herself, then, ya know, nothing will come out weird.”

“He means poisoned,” Ondine clarified.

Cole turned to me.

“It’s fine.”