Page 12 of Mine to Claim

Death by high heels.

I hit something hard, but it wasn’t the ground. My face hit against something solid and warm as arms enveloped me. The smell of pine and camp fire hit me first. Peeking up through lashes, my jaw dropped as I clocked who was holding me—the man from last night. My heart was pounding and that feeling ignited low in my belly. He carried me effortlessly, like I didn’t weigh anything. My gaze was drawn to his intense eyes.Red isn’t a natural color, but I like them.He was staring so intensely, as if he was trying to figure something out.

“Thanks for catching me,” I rasped.

“Thanks, daddy! Lils is fragile.” I peeked over his shoulder at Dani’s words and my eyes went round.

Oh. my. gosh.

He placed me on the ground slowly, and I fell against him. My cheeks heated as my body pressed against his firm one.He’s hard where I’m soft.My breathing sped up as the pieces fell into place.Mystery man is Dani’s dad. I spied on her dad.Groaning internally, I closed my eyes.I touched myself in front of her freaking dad.

Kill. me. now.

I hadn’t mentioned what happened to Dani and a tinge of guilt pricked at my chest. But what was I supposed to say?“I snuck down for a snack and ended up rubbing one out as I watched the hottest man I’ve ever seen in my life bang a blonde in the kitchen?” Yeah, no.My skin heated at the memory. Now that I knew their relationship, I didn’t know how I would broach that.“Hey, Dani. Your dad is hot, and I came while watching him like a pervert.” Ugh.

Pulling away took every ounce of strength I had because all I could think of was climbing him like a tree. I took a step back as Dani walked around him.

“Daddy, Lila. Lila, Alpha Grayson.”

“H-hi. Am I supposed to bow?” I whispered the latter to her. She burst into laughter and when I glanced at him, I swear I saw the hint of a smile.

“No, you don’t bow,” she giggled. His eyes lightened at the sound and she stepped forward, hugging him. His attention was on her now and I missed the weight of his gaze.

The fuck?

Let’s not do that.

I cannot like my best friend’s dad.

No matter how hot he is.

As if he could sense the direction of my thoughts, those red eyes locked on mine again. I wanted to shrink back, but I wanted to make a good impression. Holding my chin up, I held his gaze, and his brow lifted.

“Where are you guys headed?” he asked.

“Wolfsbane, and before you lose it, the guys are coming with.” He looked around at her words and I realized he was searching for them. “They’re outside.”

“Hm,” he hummed.

“We talked about this,” she sighed.

“Blood moon is coming. You shouldn’t be messing around.”

“Are you going to take your own advice?” she huffed. That silenced him, but his eyes darted to me for a second before returning to her. And it was my best friend’s turn to soften. Her shoulders slumped and she grabbed his hand. Pressing up on the tips of her shoes, he met her partway bowing his head so she could kiss his cheek.

“I’ll be safe,” she promised before grabbing my hand and pulling me outside.

I’m not going to.

I’m not.

I won’t.

I do.

Looking back over my shoulder, our eyes connected, and I forgot how to breathe. Flipping back around, I nibbled on my lip. It wasn’t until we’re outside that she spoke again.

“I wish he’d take a mate. He’s mourned long enough. I want to see him happy, you know?” Her voice cracked. I squeezed her hand.

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