Page 86 of Midnight Moon
“I know.” I rounded the island and wrapped my arm around her. “Trust me, I can’t wait for this all to be over and go home.”
“Me too.” She returned my embrace. “Asher and Chase better follow through on throwing this last game, or I will make sure their lives become a living hell.”
I hummed my agreement as Stephanie and I drew apart. Inside, I panicked.
Would the bond change things for Asher? Would he try to win the last game so I’d be forced to move to his pack’s lands?
Immediately, I dismissed the idea.
If Asher and Chase won the Alpha Games, I would be bound to mate with his pack’s alpha. Surely, he wouldn’t subject himself to that.
Right?
“Hello? Blair? Are you even listening to me?”
I jolted and met my best friend’s suspicious stare.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
For a moment, I thought Stephanie was going to call me out on my distracted behavior. Instead, she said, “I asked if you wanted to grab brunch in Billings. Putting some distance between yourself and the games might do you good.”
Distance was exactly what I needed.
“I’ll be ready in five.” I disappeared into my room to change out of my athletic gear. Before rejoining Stephanie, I picked up my cell phone and called my dad.
It went straight to voicemail.
I convinced myself he must be on the plane with his phone turned off. I would try again later. I planned to bombard him with calls until he answered and explained why he left without saying goodbye.
But, for now, I would try not to worry.
Instead, I would focus on ignoring my burning desire to seek out a particular Wilds shifter, and a few mimosas and the company of my best friend seemed like just the ticket.
Brunch proved to be the distraction I needed. Stephanie had a way of doing that. Honestly, I didn’t think I would have gotten through the stress of adolescence without her.
As we chatted over fizzy mimosas and fluffy pancakes, the truth about what happened with Asher lingered on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to confide in my best friend, but I held back.
Once all was said and done, and we returned to Colorado, I would tell Stephanie about the bond. Until then, it would be my secret.
Rain pelted the car as we drove back to Badlands’ territory. Stephanie was telling me about a Moors shifter she’d been flirting with when we pulled up to my guest cabin. A tall, broad figure stood under the porch awning.
The flutter in my chest told me who it was before I saw his face.
Asher’s eyes met mine through the wet windshield. My stomach flipped. He looked way too good in a pair of fitted joggers and a long-sleeved, thermal shirt.
“Want me to get rid of him?”
I tore my gaze away and looked at Stephanie. Concern drew her eyebrows down as she glanced between me and the waiting shifter.
“No, it’s okay.” I unbuckled my seatbelt. I was determined to act like nothing was going on.
I opened the passenger door and hurried to the porch, escaping the worse of the continued rain.
The moment my feet touched the wood, Asher asked, “Where were you?”
My forehead furrowed, blindsided by his irritated tone. “Billings.”
“Billings?” He sniffed the air, then frowned. “Have you been drinking?”
