Page 96 of Claimed

A future here. With Grey. With friends. Maybe even with a family of our own.

I place my hand on my belly and hope. I hope hard I’ll get to be pregnant soon, that I can have the experience with Ivy and Amie. That our kids will grow up together to build a strong bond.

While daydreaming about this, I hear someone come in.

Taking one more deep breath, I exit the stall and move to the sink to wash my hands beside an attractive, tall blonde who is at the mirror applying lipstick and studying my reflection.

“Hello,” she greets sunnily. “We haven’t met yet.”

“Hello. Stacy Meadows.”

“You mean Blackwood,” she corrects. “I’m Sherry Creed.”

“Right. I keep forgetting about my new last name. Creed? Are you related to Jase?”

“Jason’s my older brother,” she advises, then plants her hand on her waist and leans on one foot. “So, question…how many of our pack members got your special brew?”

I’m taken aback.

“You know…” She holds her index and middle fingers on both hands up to draw air quotes. “Special brew.” She winks.

“I… three. But I –”

“Because I’d love to know what you used. I can think of a few people I’d love tobrewa little something.” She cackles evilly.

And I’m thrown. Is this supposed to be a joke?

“Chances are, you’ll get away with not ever having to cook for one of these things though, huh? They’ll ask you to bring napkins or paper plates. My mother had us cooking at the crack of dawn today for this. Ugh. Hate domestic shit. Chipped a nail peeling carrots.”

She examines her manicure with irritation.

“Well, it was nice to meet you. I should…” I gesture to the door.

“So, is Grey an absolute animal in bed or what? Heard you two were shift-fucking in the woods the other night and that it was insanely hot to watch.”

I’m taken aback.

She keeps talking. “I made a pass at him once, when I was about sixteen, seventeen, but he wouldn’t go there with me. Bro code. Best friend’s sister and all. Couldn’t resist trying with all that confident hot alpha vibe he has goin’ on, you know? But Ihaveheard from someone whoknowsthat he’s bossy in bed in the best way. Still true?”

The door to the bathroom opens and my heart stops.

Because it’s my brother coming in. But his eyes aren’t on me. They’re on Sherry Creed. And while I recognize the look of lust on his face, it’s out of place. He’s here. In the Arcana Falls town hall during Erica Young’s birthday party! Here in this ladies’ bathroom.

“Wyatt?” I breathe in shock.

He’s statue-still, staring at Jase’s sister.

My heartrate kicks up and I feel a little vertigo as I process his presence. How did he get in here? What is he up to? Why is he looking at Jase’s sister like he’s about to rip her clothes off and mount her?

I grab her hand and her eyes dart to me with concern. I’m about to make a move, about to tug her so we can scoot by him to get to Grey as fast as possible, but he seems to shake himself out of what looks like a spell to turn his gaze to me with absolute disgust. He reaches out and grabs my wrist tight. So tight, I’m surprised my bones don’t snap.

Muscle memory kicks in and I avert my eyes and show my neck.

“Oh God, Wyatt,” I whisper. “Please, please tell me you’re not here to cause more problems.”

I dare to glance at his face and his expression sours even further while he pulls his hand back like he’s about to backhand me.

“Cause problems? Are you for fucking real, Stacy?”

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