Page 57 of Tamed Wolf

Warmth blooms in my chest. “He did?”

Blake nods.

“I can…pretend to be surprised.”

“It's just us two right now, Lark. One of us can totally give up our room if it will make you more comfortable, but we want nothing more than to have you under our roof.”

“That feels sudden.”

He shrugs again. “We're not human. Hard to feel like things are moving too quickly when you have a goddess giving you proof that you belong together. And as a reminder, you know moving in with us doesn't mean you're giving us permission for anything else.”

“What about Rowan? Won’t that confuse him?”

“You're really cute with him, you know that?”

“He’s a cute baby.”

“I know we jumped into the deep end because of the heat, but I'd like to think we'd be in this position either way. Do you see yourself building a family with us? Becoming part of our family?”

“You just love offering me things I shouldn't say yes to.”

His smile is so big it nearly falls off his face. “But you want to?”

“I wouldn't want to offend the goddess or anything,” I reply self-consciously, trying to rein in the hope blooming inside of me.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Brooks, Now

Once Lark leaves the room and Blake follows her, it doesn't take long for questions to start pouring out of my mom's mouth. I know she only wants the best for us, and she is a great mom and Luna to the pack, but at least she doesn't question the bond we seem to have struck with Lark.

Even thinking her name has me grinning like a fool, something my mother likes to comment on every time it happens, of course.

My parents are just filling us in on everything they've done with Rowan in the last few days when there's a knock on the door, somebody entering before actually being given permission, but that's my dad's business, not mine.

“Brooklyn, what can we do for you?

“Hi Alpha,” she says with a little bow. “I just came for my daily playtime with Rowan.” Then her eyes meet Beckett’s, where he's holding the kid in question, and I have to hold in a groan. She may be innocent enough, but I smell a scheme.

“That won't be necessary,” Beckett says a little sterner than he needs to.

My mother has a sudden interest in looking anywhere else but us, and I sense her play in this, but I'm not going to call her on it now in front of company.

“Oh,” the girl says, pausing and putting her hand on the couch next to me. It's too close and my wolf doesn't like it; she doesn't smell like maple bakery treats. Pretty weird criteria to desire in a woman, huh?

“Well if you're sure... you know, Beckett, I make a pretty mean roasted chicken. I'd be happy to come cook for you and your brothers. And then I could get my time in with that cutie you've got on your lap there.”

“Appreciate the offer, but I don't think our mate would appreciate another she-wolf in her space so soon after her heat.”

She looks down at me in confusion, eyes wide, calculating something in her head. “But I don't… can I speak to you outside, Brooks?” She bats her eyes, trying to come off as pleasant, unaware I’m not the least bit interested in taking her bait.

I look to Beckett, who gives me a nod, making sure I know that when she exits this room, she doesn't come back in. As heirs to the pack, it’s important that we're accessible to anybody who needs us, so I can't just refuse her. Unfortunately. She might actually have something important to say. I'm only giving her a few minutes though, because I know we’re all anxious for some family time.

Not wanting to come off too intimidating, I lean against the wall down the hall from the room we were in, kicking up a foot to rest behind me as I cross my arms. “What can I do for you, Brooklyn?”

“Well,” she says as she steps towards me a little bit. “I wasn't aware that your pack was seeking applicants to replace Arabella. I've been biding my time, waiting. I'd like to apply.”

I snort. “We aren't taking applicants,” I tell her succinctly.

---