“Don’t overdo it with work either,” I tell him.
Silas nods, but before he can leave, I grab his arm and pull him back into a kiss. “I love you,” I say.
Silas’ cheeks flush red at my confession. For a man who usually never blushes or looks flustered or embarrassed, that’s certainly a sight to behold.
“Don’t worry,” I reassure him. “You don’t need to answer. I just wanted to tell you.”
“You wolves,” Silas groans. “I told you I want you to be my beloved, so I hope you know what that means.”
“I do,” I reassure him. “I know you love me.”
At that, Silas turns even more flustered. Interesting. I didn’t know this was how to tease him. Despite being sophisticated and stoic, he has a cute, adorable side to him, but it’s hard to bring it out sometimes. I might have to remember that.
I am up early the next morning, and to my relief, see Silas lying next to me, which means he indeed didn’t overdo it. Making sure not to wake him, I grab my clothes and decide to use the bathroom downstairs.
“You are up already?” I ask, surprised, when I walk into the kitchen and spot Benjamin. He has already set the table and is making pancakes.
“I thought I could make breakfast,” he says, looking flustered. “I know you are always up early.”
“You are making them for me?” I ask.
“Well, you and Silas worked late, didn’t you?”
“True, but how did you notice? Couldn’t sleep well, huh?”
“Not much,” he admits. I let my gaze wander over him, noticing how pale he looks. In his eyes, it looks like something has broken in him. I sincerely hope we can mend it again.
“Let me make some strong coffee for us both,” I offer.
Benjamin nods while proceeding with his own task. When we sit down at the kitchen table to have our pancakes with coffee, Igrab the folders with the information Micah and I collected last night, and pick up the topic I had discussed with Silas yesterday, filling Benjamin in on what happened.
“So many new poven members in just a week!” Benjamin exclaims.
He said ‘poven’! Pity that Silas wasn’t here to hear it.
“Yes, we have the two vampires coming later today, then the wolves Cassian saved, and the two additional ones that are in a pack a bit further away. I will visit them as soon as possible. They are supposed to join us at the end of the week.” I pause. “Are you up to lending Micah and me a hand or two? I already told you I want you to tend to some of the new pack members - the two shifters, who arrive at the end of the week. But I could do with additional help before that.”
Benjamin’s face lights up immediately. “Are you for real? I would love to help! Is it really okay?”
“We definitely need the help,” I say. “You are doing us a favor.”
It was obviously the right decision to ask him because he is instantly sparked with motivation, asking me what he can do, and even offering some ideas himself, like making sure the housing situation is well organized. I notice some color returning to his cheeks, making him look more lively. I originally wanted to pair him up with Micah to make sure he wouldn’t hurt himself or do something stupid, but seeing him now, I decide to give him a real chance to prove himself and give him some tasks he is supposed to do on his own. Organizing the housing situation is on him now.
“Are you really letting me do this on my own?” he beams.
“Yes,” I hand him the folders. “Here is all the information you need about our new pack members, both for the wolves who will be joining us and for the vampires with their human mates. Make sure to take into consideration that we’ll have humans on pack grounds.”
“I will talk to Lucian,” he says. “To think of a way to involve them in the pack properly. No one should be an outsider here.”
“That’s the spirit,” I say. “You got this, Benj.”
He takes the folders and holds them tightly against his chest. “I won’t disappoint you!” he promises.
eighteen
Allies
*MARCELLUS*