Page 64 of The Alpha's Chosen Outcast

The other woman is tall and sinewy, with nearly white-blonde hair. The man is shorter than the blonde, with jet-black hair cropped short and the sharp, defined features of his Korean heritage, as Heather had mentioned when describing everyone.

When they spot Heather and me, all three of them are beaming. They stand up and walk toward us, and then I notice Heatherjogging toward them. They practically collide into a group hug. I can see the love there, at least for now.

They missed her. She had been in New York for a long time, so it makes sense. It’s jarring for me to see other people love her as much as I do.

They really are her family. She turns to me and waves me over. I smile and approach the group. They’re still sort of linked with their arms all around each other.

“Trey, this is Callie,” she points to the blonde, “Sam,” she points to the redhead, “and Logan,” she points to the man.

“Hello, it’s wonderful to meet you all.” I put my hand out.

Logan comes forward to shake my hand first. “Nice to meet you too, man. Heather’s told us a lot about you.”

I look at my mate. “Did she?”

Sam comes forward next after Logan steps back, and she shakes my hand.

“Yes, and I looked up your family too. The Hanovers are powerful wolves where you’re from. I’d love to know more about that.”

My heart drops into my stomach. I had almost forgotten how famous my family is throughout the country, not only in NewYork. I wasn’t counting on them knowing I’m a wolf right off the bat.

The blonde comes forward next. She shoots a look at Sam, and Sam lets go of my hand. Her name was Callie, right? I shake her hand when it’s offered, and she smiles.

“Don’t mind Sam,” Callie says, “she’s a little overprotective.”

“I can understand that.” I wink at her, and she pulls back her hand.

Fuck. I hope I didn’t make this harder on Heather.

She goes to sit at their table, and I see they’ve left a chair open for me. It’s on the end of the table, showing that it’s usually the four of them and they added on something extra for the occasion.

I suddenly feel like I’m intruding on some private party.

Heather takes my hand while under the table and squeezes. She looks back at her friends and takes a deep breath.

“I have to tell you something important,” she says in the most serious tone I’ve ever heard her use.

They all lean in, knowing her well enough to pick up on the tone, and Sam breaks the silence after a moment.

“Well? What is it?”

Heather looks down at the table. “I’m also a wolf.”

I can barely hear her with my wolf hearing and I know her friends didn’t hear her at all. They look around the table at each other. This time, Callie speaks up.

“Sweetie, we can’t hear you. Whatever it is, you can tell us.”

She looks up. “I’m also a wolf.” This time, her voice is clear—confident.

Logan smirks and nods. “That explains so much!”

Heather’s eyebrows fly up, and her jaw hangs open. Callie takes up the conversation next.

“Oh my gosh, you’re right, Logan! All those times she couldn’t come out with us. It was the full moon! Heather, was that why?”

She nods, her eyebrows still raised, but her mouth is now closed. I’m surprised how well they know her, but Sam hasn’t said her piece yet. She stands up abruptly, her chair sliding behind her with the force of the motion.

She walks toward the door, hesitates, and then comes back and sits down in her chair. She looks up at Heather, tears shining in her eyes.

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