Page 131 of Quarterback Sneak
“Evie, I will rip his head from his body before he hurts a member of my family,” Zane’s father says without batting an eye. “What I still don’t understand is how did they knew who you were to Zane? They obviously targeted you. The roommate, the boyfriend…somehow they knew—”
“Before I did,” Zane finishes his thought. He doesn’t look happy about the prospect.
I don’t have any answers. “I don’t know,” I finally say softly. “But they had it set up. Sam even said as much. She asked why I didn’t think it was weird that she was in an all freshman and sophomore dorm. They set it up before I even got to school.” That thought terrifies me. Zane steps close and wraps his arm around my shoulder.
“We will figure it out in time,” Zane’s dad says, dismissing the subject, for now anyway. You two need to get some sleep.” He stands up and gives Zane a hug and shocks me by giving me one next. He looks me right in the eye. “Don’t ever forget that you are safe with Zane. He will never let anything happen to you. Once you’re fully mated, no one can mess with that...ever. And not only will Zane protect you, I will as well.”
“Me too,” Zane’s mom adds.
Zane’s father smiles. “You and Zane are bonded now, and that makes you my daughter now.” Tears dot my vision as he continues. “And as I said earlier...well, you already heard what I said.”
“Yes, Dear. She doesn’t need to be reminded of ripping heads from bodies,” Zane’s mom says with a smile and shake of her head. I can’t help my laugh, and Zane pulls me closer to him.
“Thank you,” I tell them, still trying to keep my emotion at bay.
“No, thank you,” Zane’s mom said. “You love our son.” Her eyes tear up. “And that means more to us than you will ever know.”
“What she said,” Zane’s father says before he transitions back into Alpha. “Son, we’ll have enforcers start running the perimeters here.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Zane’s dad squeezes his shoulder. “Love you, Son.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
Within a few minutes, everybody is gone except for the people that actually live in this house. When Reid steps inside, I feel a heaviness in my chest. I’m going to have to tell him at some point about everything I learned. He needs to know about the threat to Riley. I know her dad will keep her safe, but Reid deserves to know. As if he feels where my thoughts are turned, Reid meets my gaze. His eyes narrow, and he stares at me a moment. I give him a small nod, hoping he knows I need to tell him something. He stares at me a moment longer and then says his goodnights and leaves the room. Zane doesn’t tell his packmates anything, and I figure his dad probably will soon.
I’m suddenly exhausted. “Come on. Let’s get to bed,” Zane says tugging at my hand. I follow him to his room. After I use his bathroom to brush my teeth, I yawn.
“Thanks for coming for me, Zane.”
Zane tugs on my hand as I try to walk past him and tugs me into his arms. He breathes in the scent of me and holds me close. “Stay with me tonight in my room. I’ll take the floor; I just don’t want to be away from you.”
“I don’t want to either,” I tell him, not fighting this thing between us. “But you don’t have to sleep on the floor. Stay with me.” He pulls back and meets my eyes.
“Are you sure?”
I meet his gaze without an ounce of fear or uncertainty. “Yes.”
I go to sleep that night wrapped up in Zane’s arms, and I’ve never had a better night’s sleep. The next morning, I wake up early and slip out before Zane wakes up. I head to the kitchen and jump when Reid calls out my name softly. I whirl around, hand on my chest. “Reid, you scared me.” He must have just come in from a run because he’s all sweaty.
“Sorry.” He stares at me expectantly, and I take a deep breath.
“I’m only telling you this because of Riley,” I say softly.
His entire demeanor changes, and his eyes narrow. “What?”
I tell him everything I told Zane’s parents last night. When I’m done, I feel exhausted again. I eye Reid, wondering if I made a mistake in telling him. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told you,” I say quietly.
His eyes snap to mine, and I flinch at the glimpse of his wolf in his eyes. I take a step backwards, and he freezes. He blinks several times. “You did the right thing telling me, Evie.” His voice is lower now. “Thank you. I owe you.” Then he turns and walks right out the front door. I stare after the door a few minutes and hope I did the right thing.
“Hey, Love.” I turn to see a sleepy-eyed Zane walk towards me. I smile and step into his warm embrace.
“Hey, Handsome.” He nuzzles my neck, and I close my eyes.
“Morning, Lovebirds.”
Zane blows out a breath on my neck. “We need to find our own place.”
