Page 13 of The Bunny Blues

“My name is Cillian, and I’m the Alpha. I’ve already sent a message through the mental link that you are to be protected as a member of the pack. Monroe has been cut off from the local burrow, and that is hard for any shifter, so I’m glad you are here. Please stay as long as you wish.” Cillian bent and pressed a soft kiss to Monroe’s lips.

He disappeared but returned a moment later with a box of tissues that I happily accepted. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

Monroe squeezed my hand. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through since I wasn’t bonded before I escaped. But I will do whatever I can to help. You only need to ask.”

“Monroe, you’ve had a stressful day, and you need to recover.” Cillian’s tone was gentle but firm. “How would you feel about letting Ellora settle in with some of my trusted wolves? She would have more privacy as well.”

I wasn’t sure what had happened that day, but I could see the fatigue on Monroe’s face and the dark smudges under her eyes.

Despite their laughable size difference, Monroe crossed her arms over her chest and faced off with her wolf mate. “She’s staying here where I can protect her, unless you have another idea where I can know she is equally safe.”

A second male wolf appeared behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Rig!” Monroe yelped.

“What? You’re so cute when you’re angry. I just can’t resist.” Rig nuzzled her neck.

My stomach clenched, and my heart ached at the tender gesture. If I’d found my way here before my heat, I might’ve had a chance at love like that. At that point, the best I could hope for was safety until my inevitable end.

“Gross!” An unfamiliar female voice startled me from my dark thoughts. “She doesn’t want to see all that lovey-dovey stuff. I’ve already texted my brothers; Coda messaged back that she can stay with them.”

Monroe turned toward the female. “Ellora just got here. She might not be comfortable in a house of male wolves. But thanks for the offer, Reese.”

“Ellora is going to feel a lot more comfortable with my bros than she’s going to be if she stays in the house with you guys. You’re practically newlyweds. Heck, as much as I love you, I can only stand so much of the mushy crap before I need a break.” Reese shot me a wink, and an unexpected smile touched my lips.

Years ago, my parents had a dinner party for their clients, and a wolf couple had been among the guests. They’d been well-mannered, and honestly, two of the nicest people I’d ever met, but the entire evening, my inner rabbit had been demanding I run for safety.

Bunnies were prey, and the instinct to flee from a predator was nearly impossible to ignore. Hopefully, the wolves’ presence would deter my burrow from coming after me since they’d be wary of the wolves, too.

I’d expected to be terrified of the wolf shifters in Monroe’s pack but was surprised to find I was only slightly on edge. Red flags waved somewhere deep inside my skull, but it seemed my inner rabbit was either too shattered to be fully aware of the danger we were in or I was too exhausted to care.

If Monroe could learn to feel comfortable with wolves, maybe I could, too.

Cillian rubbed his jaw and nodded. “That’s a good plan, Reese. Your brothers are among my strongest enforcers, so Monroe won’t need to worry about Ellora’s safety while she’s in their care. Very few wolves in the US would dare to cross their path, so I doubt the rabbit shifters would risk it.”

The wolf, whom Monroe had called Rig, gave a low laugh. “And what does Macarius think of having a houseguest?”

Both male wolves watched Reese with inscrutable looks. Who was Macarius, and why did Monroe’s mates seem amused?

Reese rolled her eyes. “Macarius is out of town, so this has nothing to do with him. Coda and Quinten said it was fine.” Her phone chimed, and she glanced at the screen. “They want to know if they should head over here now and escort her home?”

“The poor dear isn’t going anywhere until after I’ve fed her. She looks like she might topple over any minute.” An older woman bustled into the living room. “I’m Stella.”

Not giving me a chance to respond, Stella wrapped me in her arms. The delicious scents of spicy peppers, fragrant onions, and roasted garlic enveloped me.

A fresh wave of tears welled up in my eyes. This was the second hug I’d experienced in a matter of a week, and I was once again overcome with emotion. It was ridiculous that complete strangers had given me more affection than I’d ever received from my family.

“Don’t smother her, Stella.” Monroe giggled.

“I don’t mind.” My face was still buried in Stella’s shirt, so my words came out muffled.

Monroe’s eyes met mine over Stella’s shoulder, and I saw sadness and understanding reflecting in their depths. Rather than commenting on my tears, Monroe grinned. “You’re going to love Stella’s food. It’s incredible!”

My stomach chose that moment to release a ferocious growl, and Stella released me with a chuckle. “We need to get you fed before that beast in your stomach attacks. The food is ready. Everyone to the table!”

A deep blush stained my cheeks, but no one seemed to notice. Monroe linked her arm through mine and pulled me toward the delicious scent of food.

We spent the next hour devouring empanadas, tamales, elote, chile rellenos, and other dishes I didn’t know the names of. It was the best food I’d ever tasted in my life, and I prayed Stella would be open to giving me cooking lessons.

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