Page 57 of How to Trust a Hellhound
I huffed, but my tears were slowing down. I was running my hand through Wilder’s beard, marveling at how soft it was.
“What do you do?” I asked.
“I suppose it depends. If I’m angry, I hunt. I know that we can all be fiery, and although age has taught me how to control myself, I do still get angry on occasion. When I’m worried or happy, I suppose I seek out those I love. I like physical contact. That’s one of the things that grounds me.” As if to prove his point, Wilder ran his hand through my hair again.
We lay there quietly for a few moments, and I felt more peaceful because of it. Wilder kept up a soft, low grumble that I wasn’t going to ask about, and I kept petting his beard while he caressed my back and occasionally ran his fingers through my hair.
It was soothing, and I felt my thoughts drift to the last few weeks. It felt like it was a year ago when I’d stood in that kitchen with Rick yelling at me.
“Sometimes I just feel like I’m an emotional wreck,” I muttered. “Like I can’t get my bearings on everything.”
“You’ve had to deal with a lot, and this latest news only adds to that. Are you sure having Thea here won’t be too much?” he asked. “There are plenty of places for her to stay.”
“No, I want her here. I don’t know why, but I do.” I paused,pulling back. Wilder let me this time, and I looked into his eyes. “I want you here, too.”
His eyes lit up, quite literally, and I blinked. He leaned down to kiss me, and we gently explored each other’s mouths, our hands wandering over each other’s body. Before the kiss could get too heated, Wilder pulled back. He gave me light kisses on the corner of my mouth and squeezed my ass with his hands.
Eventually he sighed, pulling back. “She’s nearby, I think. Still plenty of time, but notthatmuch time.”
“Well, then, let’s get ready to welcome our guest.” I grabbed hold of his beard and pulled him in for one final firm press of our lips.
He gave my ass a squeeze and then smacked it lightly, and I groaned in response. He smiled against my lips, and I couldn’t help the smile that lit up my own face.
I could do this. I could do anything I needed to. Hellhounds, asshole exes, cults, immortal bad guys—I could just go with the flow. I could bend with the wind, because Wilder would be there to hold onto me. I didn’t know why I had so much faith in him already, but I did.
He wouldn’t let me go.
Chapter 20
Wilder
When Thea was within a mile of us, I could firmly sense her presence, so Josh and I went out to meet her. The boys, thankfully, stayed out of sight for the moment. I was sure she would get along with them, but she didn’t need to be overwhelmed by them right off the bat.
I didn’t think she was sold on the idea of a pack.
Some part of me wondered if she was meant to be a permanent addition. I’d been instructed to find her, and I could sense her, but there wasn’t that bone deep connection I’d had with the boys. Her hesitation shouldn’t have mattered; not all the boys had been sold on the idea of a pack, either, but I still knew they were mine.
Thea felt like someone I needed to guide and help, like her pack was supposed to run next to but not within my own pack. Which made no sense, because she had no pack.
I could sense Josh’s surprise the moment she opened her car door. He had probably expected the female version of the boys—someone muscular, menacing, and tall.
Thea was none of those things. She was short, well under six feet in height, and she was curvy. I knew she was strong, but she didn’texactly look it. She was easily underestimated. She looked rather sweet, but that impression was dispelled easily enough once you got to know her.
“This town smells fucking weird, Wilder,” she said, stopping about five feet away from Josh and me.
She looked Josh up and down and sniffed, barely glancing at me. I hated to admit it, but I was rather at a loss as to what to do to set her at ease.
Josh stepped forward and held out his hand. “Hi, I’m Josh, and this is Wilder, which I’m sure you know already. We’re… umm… dating?”
I didn’t like the hesitance with which he said the last word, so I stepped forward and placed my hand along the back of his neck. “We’re partners and mates,” I clarified. I didn’t know if it would mean much to either of them, but I had to say it anyway. Josh was so much more than just someone to date.
“Athena,” she answered, “but call me Thea.”
To my surprise, she reached forward and shook Josh’s hand.
“What particular afterlifers did you detect? Did you sense a cult on the way in?” I asked.
Both Thea and Josh turned to stare at me. I looked back and blinked, unsure what the issue was. Thea had brought up the smell of the town, not me.
