Page 44 of The Alpha Option
Being with Cassidy? Absolutely happening. Leading the pack? Sooner than later. Kids sometime in the future? He wasn’t ready yet, but he did want them.
He damn well wanted it all.
The blue sky overhead gave way to sunshine peeking through bright white streaks, and by the time the official dinner rolled around, tall thunderstorm clouds filled the sky from one side of the horizon to the other.
Jace tracked down Cassidy where she was holding court with Steph, Sophie, and some of the elders of the pack.
The ladies offered him knowing grins as he inched his way as close as possible to Cassidy’s side.
“Good to see you back.” Mary Daccoda offered an approving smile. “How are your parents enjoying themselves out in the Maritimes?”
Another part about having grown up in the community. Everyone knew everyone else, even if his parents had moved about the time Jace had headed to college. “Dad considered becoming a lobster fisherman, but Mom prefers he keep his paws firmly on shore. They’re giving tours at theAnne of Green Gableshouse instead.”
Mary laughed. She tilted her head toward Cassidy then winked. “Maybe they’ll have a reason to come visit sometime soon.”
He kept his expression mellow. “Good to see you all again. Excuse us.”
Jace wrapped his fingers around Cassidy’s and tugged lightly.
She leaned into him but kept her attention on the woman in front of her until she’d finished speaking.
“Sounds like a lot of fun,” Cassidy said to the woman. Parker? Paller? Some name like that. “We’ll be sure to let Stacy know as well. Steph’s sister and her boys will be here in less than a week. I know they’re very excited to meet others their age.”
“I’ll make sure you get the information about when and where,” Sophie promised.
Jace found himself the center of female attention. A half dozen sets of inquiring gazes looked him up and down. A few women noticed his and Cassidy’s fingers tangled together and smiled.
Stephanie waved them off. “Go do whatever. Sophie and I are going to make big plans for a—”
A flash of lightning danced across the sky, followed seconds later by an enormous boom of thunder.
“They said the storm would be here before nightfall.” Mary looked up expectantly as more flashes arrived along with a thickening wind. “That’s my cue to head home before the rain hits. Thanks for the fun, Cassidy. Stephanie. Timberwolf Lodge is going to do fine under your management.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Stephanie said. She glanced up as another boom rang out. “Whoa. That came on fast.”
Everyone who’d gathered scattered quickly. Camp chairs were folded, picnic baskets closed, children scooped up or herded toward vehicles. Others of the pack stripped down, tucking their clothes into the totes at the edge of the gathering that Blue had placed there in the morning. They shifted and then, as singles, couples, or families, headed into the trees and raced for home.
“That’s so amazing.” Cassidy leaned into him. Her eyes widened as she watched with a keen interest. “Will they be safe?”
“They’re wolves,” he reminded her. “They’ll be fine. It’s pretty exhilarating to be out in a storm—although my wolf isn’t a fan of wet fur.”
A moment later the beach and grassy areas were nearly empty, which was a good thing because the skies opened and the rain fell as if dropped from a bucket.
Instantly soaked, Cassidy tugged Jace with her toward the house. “Come on.”
He pulled back slightly. “Afraid of a little water?”
“Heck no.” She twirled, her soaking wet hair flying out in an arc as she spun. “I love the rain. You’re the one who said you’d melt if you got wet.”
“Oh, a challenge, is it?”
She grinned at him, rivulets of water pouring down her face.
He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly before tipping his head toward the forest. “Come on, then. I’ve got something to show you.”
Wanderinginto the woods while a storm raged down on them had to be one of the most impulsive actions Cassidy had ever done.
But the thrill of excitement inside her matched the growing pulse of need, and she raced beside Jace with the eagerness of a teenager on the last day of school.
