Page 15 of The Bunny Blues

I laughed harder at the ridiculous mental image, but my amusement faded when I realized no one else was laughing. They were staring at me with wide, horror-filled eyes.

“Are you serious? They really did that to you?” Rig’s jaw flexed.

I glanced toward Monroe and caught the slight quiver of her lip.

Hating that I’d upset her, I whispered, “Um, yeah.”

“Your parents knew you didn’t want the guys as your matched, but chose to ignore your wishes?” Reese clenched her fists.

“It would’ve been an embarrassment for them if I disobeyed the elders.” I interlaced my fingers to keep them from trembling.

“They knew if you were trapped in the mansion, you’d be driven to do whatever you had to in order to ease the pain.” A fat tear slid down Monroe’s cheek. “They knew you’d end up claiming the fluffle as your mates, whether you liked it or not.”

Taking several deep breaths, I worked to calm my tumultuous emotions. “Yes. Exactly. Everyone got what they wanted. Everyone except me.”

A fearsome snarl shook the room, causing me to jump. Twisting around, I stared at the two unfamiliar men standing in the doorway. Were these Reese’s brothers?

My gaze locked with their glowing eyes, sending a shiver down my spine. I was in danger… but deep down, part of me liked that thrill of danger. Still grieving the loss of her mates, my rabbit remained silent, but I caught the tiny twitch of her ears in response to their growls.

If these wolves scared us—even though I knew I was a guest in Monroe’s home and they wouldn’t dare hurt me—these men were perfect to scare away any unwanted visitors from my burrow.

I was willing to suck up any discomfort or unease I felt if it meant having the opportunity to live out my remaining days in peace.

This plan just might work.

“Oh, good! You’re here!” Reese squealed.

She rushed to the scowling men and threw her arms around first one man and then the other.

“Hey, sis.” The taller guy’s face softened a fraction as he hugged her back.

The guy with dirty blonde hair raised a brow at Reese. “Staying out of trouble as usual, I hear.”

Reese lightly punched his chest. “Shut up, Quin. You’re just jealous I’m having all the fun while you’re stuck running border security circles.”

The tall guy, who must be Coda, laughed. “She’s got you there, Quin.” All humor faded from his face as he pinned Reese with a stern look. “But you should be more careful. If you’d been killed the first time Macarius went out of town, he’d never have let us hear the end of it. And we all know he can be a total burro’s butt.”

The three siblings exchanged a look that made me both curious about, and terrified of, this Macarius guy. A perverse part of me wanted to meet the mysterious man, but the logical part of my mind was relieved he was out of town.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Monroe’s yawn and the worried look Cillian sent in her direction. I wasn’t sure what had happened before I arrived, but I’d gleaned enough from their comments to know it hadn’t been good. They’d seemed reluctant to talk about it in front of me, probably because they saw me as a broken bunny.

As thankful as I was to Monroe for giving me sanctuary, I could see she needed rest. The last thing I wanted was to overstay my welcome.

Clearing my throat, I spoke up. “Monroe, since Coda and Quinten are here, I think it is time I get out of your hair?—”

Syrus snickered, but it turned into a cough when Monroe narrowed her eyes at him.

He raised his hands defensively. “What? She said hair. You know, like hare?”

Monroe blew out a sigh and rolled her eyes. “Hares and rabbits are two different things. We’ve already had this conversation, Syrus.”

“I know. But it’s still funny, Puff.” Syrus shrugged unapologetically.

He called her Puff? My heart melted into a puddle of goo. Could her wolf mates be any sweeter?

Another pang of regret stomped on the shards of my already broken heart. If only I’d run sooner, maybe I would’ve had a chance to be loved like that.

“Are you sure you don’t want to make a run for it while you still can?” Monroe offered, pulling me from my depressing thoughts.

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