Page 18 of Kai's Hunger

“What Kai meant to say is that I’m the best-looking of the bunch.” The idiot winked at Lily. “It’s the eyes. They tell me the blue is mesmerizing.”

Lily quirked a brow at him. “The crazy sibling. I suppose every family has one.”

Everyone laughed, except Miggs. The way he watched Lily, as if she were prey ... it pissed me off.

Lily nudged me in the ribs. When I peered down at her, she said, “You missed one.”

Standing apart from the others, Miggs possessed a distinct aura of trouble. His closely cropped black hair and stocky build gave him the look of a battle-hardened marine, lending an air of both strength and readiness.

Before I could answer, Miggs stepped forward and replied. “Miggs,” he said, a slow smile lifting his lips. “Your cook this evening.”

Lily sniffed the air. “Well, Miggs, I’m honored. It smells amazing.”

He tilted his head, then his gaze landed on me. “Yeah, it does.”

A growl started in my chest at hearing Miggs taunt. My teeth elongated and I stepped forward. I’d damn well warned Miggs. Wyatt had warned him. Enough. Just before I could leap at my mouthy brother, Wyatt stepped in my path. “I got this,” he growled low. “Cool it.”

I closed my eyes tight and willed my mind to calm. It took several seconds, then I felt Lily squeeze my hand. I stared down at her. She watched me with concern. I offered her a smile of reassurance, then said, “Let’s eat.”

Wyatt crossed the room until he was standing in front of Miggs. He whispered something into his ear, then the pair left the kitchen. When I saw Lily’s confusion, I shrugged. “They’ll be along in a minute.”

Everyone went to the table and sat. I put Lily between myself and Creeg. She talked with him about her concussion and the stitches, until soon everyone was asking Lily about the accident. The conversation strayed to her life in Walnut Ridge. I watched the door, waiting for Wyatt and Miggs to return. Wyatt would straighten our brother out, but I still wondered just how big a problem Miggs would be. When Lily caught my attention, I stared down at her. Those pretty blue eyes caught me, and I knew I’d do whatever necessary to keep her with me. Miggs had one thing right at least: Lily, my mate, had just taken the top spot in my life. As it should be.

Chapter Four

Lily

Creeg was giving me tips on what to look for if my concussion worsened and I tried to pay attention, but I kept getting distracted by Kai. His back was stiff and he glanced at the door repeatedly. Since I’d walked into the kitchen, there’d been tension. Kai had tried to cover, but I could see something was going on. He nudged my shoulder and I peered over at him.

“You haven’t touched your food,” he replied, pointing at my plate. “Are you feeling unwell?”

I picked up my fork and speared a piece of beef with it. “I’m fine, but you don’t seem to be,” I said under my breath.

He watched me bring the meat to my mouth before asking, “What do you mean?”

I chewed. It was savory and tender. “There seemed to be something going on between you and your brother when I came in.”

---