Page 64 of Shattered

“Mumsy, may I go play?” Abby zipped up her coat and sniffed as she glanced at all of the children outside, especially Mikey.

“Sure. Be careful. Remember to be respectful and don’t overdo yourself,” Aurora replied.

“I will, Mumsy,” Abby replied as she headed for the door.

“You made it!” Keeley wrapped her in a hug filled with warmth. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“T-Thank you.” Aurora grinned, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “This place is packed.”

“We’re missing a few people, and Kalkin’s on his way back with a couple more family members.” Keeley chuckled. “Christmas this year will be interesting, too.”

“Oh? Why?”

Keeley didn’t say anything, instead, she showed Aurora around the house, introducing her to different family members along with pack/pride members Aurora hadn’t had the chance to meet yet. Most of them were from the Dryer Pride. “I worry about the stupid things. Are you happy here, Aurora?”

Keeley’s question caught her off guard. “Yes. I like it here. Abby is feeling better, and I think we’re in the right spot to help her continued healing.”

“What about yourself?”

She glanced over her shoulder at Mackenzie who stood at the kitchen island with Jase, his youngest brother. How did she answer Keeley’s question, especially when the truth had been more complicated than the question? What happened between her and Mackenzie was instantaneous. Combustible. Resisting him was futile. Yet, he could hold her at arm’s length without hesitation. Sure, she could blame it on his past. He had shit luck when it came to women, and her story could almost be a carbon copy to Holly’s, but they also diverged at the part where she’d never believed for a second she’d be raising her sister’s daughter on her own.

“I guess I’m okay,” she answered. “Working as much as I can, so I can move out of our shitty apartment.”

Keeley frowned. “Kalkin has been trying for years to get that apartment complex condemned and tore down.”

“I wish the staff was more willing to fix stuff.” Her mind wandered back to the day Mackenzie showed up to fix the pipe. The way he pinned her to the wall and crushed her lips with his. The way he seemingly grew before her, looming over her like the wolf did all those weeks ago. Then, when they should have pushed apart, he brought her to a quaking orgasm along with himself. While he held her against the wall, both of them breathing hard as though they’d run a marathon, she worried about the ramifications. However, it’d all been for not. Mackenzie didn’t remember what happened. “If it hadn’t been for Mac, I don’t know what I would have done.”

It didn’t stop there, though. She and Mackenzie had sex. Incredible mind-blowing sex. It was hot. Desperate. It curled her toes, and she couldn’t sit properly. She assured herself, in a few years, she’d look back on this moment and laugh. Hopefully.

Keeley pursed her lips. “Probably been forced to pay for the damages.”

“Yeah.” It’d been the biggest thing she’d worried about. “Mac kind of jumped my ass for not having renter’s insurance.”

“He’s an asshole,” Keeley quipped. “Trust me.”

“You’re preaching to the choir.” She snickered. “So, I guess these dinner parties are a hit around here.”

“More or less.” Keeley’s brows furrowed. “We’re missing a few.”

“Bad?” Aurora hedged.

“Pretty shitty, honestly.” She sighed. “One day, it’ll get fixed, until then, we have to remind them—all of them, the door is always open.”

Keeley’s cryptic answer perplexed Aurora, but she wouldn’t push anymore. They were there to have fun, and that’s what she’d do. “I think it’s all you can do.”

A quick knock came at the door before it opened. There in the entryway, stood a distinguished man, a little over six-feet tall holding Fern, Charisma’s daughter. Beside him, a man a few inches shorter than him, with long black hair pulled back at his nape. His piercing, green eyes startled Aurora. For a man, he was arresting. Gorgeous. She automatically envied him.

“Hello, everyone,” the taller of the two men said with a wave. “It good to see most of you again. It’s been too long.”

“Daddy!” Penelope hurried toward him. “You’re here.” She glanced at Jochi and grinned. “Mr. Sloan. Good to see you again.”

“Likewise.” Sloan smiled, and it took Aurora’s breath away.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

“He’s got a way about him,” Keeley said. “Penny Ann’s father is Jefferson, and you know the man beside him, Sloan.”

“His name isn’t Sloan,” Mikey said, confused. “It’s Jochi. He’s a snow leopard. I told you I wasn’t lying, Momma. See he’s here!” The little boy pointed to the man beside Jefferson.

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