Page 42 of Heroes & Hitmen
Drew trails behind Charlie shyly, gaze darting around my new apartment. She’s only seventeen, still technically off-limits to most of our sister shenanigans, so her presence at my door is the most unexpected. I shoot Jordan a questioning look as she brings up the rear, and she’s quick to fill me in.
“Found her scoping out your old place downstairs,” she provides, stepping inside holding something even better than candy– and considering how insatiable my sweet tooth is, that’ssaying something. The sight of my potted plant clasped in her grip almost brings tears to my eyes, the tightness in my chest loosening as a flood of warmth surges through me. That plant is the missing piece– the last thing I need to make this place truly feel like home.
I throw my arms around Jordan, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. She laughs as she hugs me back one-handed with the plant pinned awkwardly between us, then pulls away to level me with a glare.
“So, you find your fated mate and suddenly can’t answer your phone?”
“Sorry, I’ve been busy unpacking,” I breathe as I take the plant from her, ushering her inside. “I honestly don’t even know where I left it.”
“Uh huh,” she scoffs as I kick the door closed, cocking a brow. “I see how it is.”
“Shut up,” I laugh, giving her a playful shove.
“Dang, you look like you’re already all moved in,” Charlie comments as she wanders toward the living room.
“Getting there,” I sigh as we all move further inside, my sisters’ footsteps and laughter breathing new life into the apartment.
“This place is really nice,” Blake gushes, looking around wide-eyed.
“Make yourselves at home,” I say casually, dropping the candy bag on the coffee table and setting my plant on the windowsill where the afternoon sun hits just right.
Not that they need the invitation. Within minutes, my sisters are sprawled out on the couches and chairs like they live here, rifling through the candy and gossiping as if it’s just another Sunday.
For a few minutes, I let myself pretend it is.
Then the questions start.
“So, what’s he like?” Charlie asks, tearing into a bag of gummy bears and popping one into her mouth.
“Tell useverything,” Blake chimes in excitedly.
“Well,” I start, voice catching as I scramble for how to respond. Lying to my father was easy, but lying to my sisters just feelswrong. “Honestly, I’m a little overwhelmed.”
“Totally understandable,” Charlie replies with a sympathetic nod, passing me the bag of gummy bears like sugar can fix everything. “I’m sure Alpha didn’t take it well.”
I wince as I reach into the bag. “Understatement of the century.”
“I bet he was furious,” Jordan remarks as she unwraps a lollipop, the corner of her mouth lifting in amusement. She’s been suspiciously quiet since she settled onto the chair by the window, but the thought of our father being bested by fate has her dark eyes shining with vindication. “I would’ve paid to see how it felt for him to havehischoices taken away, for once.”
“Yeah, well, he’s already spun it in his favor,” I mutter, popping a gummy into my mouth and chomping down on it bitterly.
“You can say that again,” Charlie chuckles. “Everyone’s talking about how fate blessed one of the Alpha’s daughters.”
“What does the fated bond feel like?” Blake asks, green eyes wide and earnest.
I glance away, fiddling with the edge of the little plastic bag in my hands. “Well, it’s…” I trail off, suddenly at a loss for how to answer.
This is why Ares said we needed to get our story straight– because it’s only the first day, and I’m already cracking under pressure. His words from earlier resurface in my mind, and suddenly I’m reciting them verbatim, hoping my delivery is convincing.
“There’s sparks when we touch, and our wolves are intensely drawn to one another,” I say, forcing a smile. “But most of all, I can’t stop thinking about him.”
The room fills with a collective swoon from my sisters– all except Jordan. She’s eyeing me a little too suspiciously as she sucks on her lollipop, as if she can see straight through the façade I’m putting on.She knows me too well.
“That’s so romantic!” Blake gushes, clutching a hand to her heart as she flops back against the cushions.
I nod, but the ache in my chest is real.
“So, when do we get to meet him?” Charlie probes, wagging her brows.
