Page 19 of Dying in Flames (Reborn 4)
I walked towards the living room, wondering if this would be weird. I was bad with strangers, so I didn’t want them to feel uncomfortable. Immediately they were looking at me with interest as I took a seat on the couch.
“There are a lot of humans around,” the littlest one stated.
“There are.” I nodded and offered him a friendly smile, trying to distract from the chaos. “So, I never got your names. If you guys are going to be staying here for a bit, we should probably know one another. I’m Maya.”
“We know,” a second one perked up. “Marco said you’re in charge.”
Really? That was sweet of him.
“Well, I don’t know about all that, but I do know that if you need anything, I’ll try to help.”
“I’m Arthur,” the littlest one next to me said, his smile bright despite the shadows in his dark eyes.
“Nathan,” the other said, the two of them clearly the youngest at nine or maybe ten.
“What about you guys?” I asked the four older boys, all of them regarding me with more caution.
“Oakland,” a kid with bright red hair introduced himself before nodding towards the others. “That’s Clive, he’s our Alpha, and then Bodhi is our Beta.”
I smiled at the two oldest before looking at a large kid who was sitting against the couch, looking honestly a bit grumpy as everyone stared at him in expectation, before he let out a sigh.
“Emeric,” he said, his words accented and his expression a bit vulnerable before closing off again, as if I was going to somehow make fun of his name.
“Nice names,” I admitted. “It’s really nice to officially meet all of you. I know this past day has been a lot, but hopefully it will calm down. You guys let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“We will be fine,” Arthur insisted. “We are used to being alone.”
I hated hearing that, but I offered him a small smile of understanding. “I was alone for a long time too. Even if you are okay alone doesn’t mean you have to be. Sometimes it’s nice to have friends.”
“You want to be friends with us?” Oakland’s eyes were wide. “But you’re a princess!”
“Princesses can have friends,” I ensured. “Plus, can I tell you a secret?”
They nodded, the oldest even looking curious at my words.
“I’m honestly not sold on the princess thing yet,” I admitted easily, “Even if I am a princess, I don’t feel like one. I’m just Maya.”
They seemed to like that, as they all nodded in understanding. Suddenly, Croy’s energy filled the space as he looked at the boys. “Atlas needs all of you really quick. It’s about tonight.”
The group of them got up, all offering me small smiles before disappearing and leaving me with Croy, who motioned for me to come to where he now sat on the couch. I sat right on his knee and leaned into his large chest, his eyes running over me appreciatively.
“What did you say to get them to relax?” he asked curiously.
“Told them that if they needed anything to ask me and that even if they were used to being alone, it didn’t mean they couldn’t have friends.”
Croy’s eyes warmed as he cupped my jaw. “You are so damn sweet, sugar.”
“Yeah?” I teased. “Is that why you call me that?”
“Well, that’s not the only part of you that is sweet,” he rumbled, making me blush.
“Croy!” I slapped his chest lightly with my hand, unable to stop my smile.
“It’s true.” He shrugged before pulling me closer. “Atlas wanted me to let you know that these assholes out front are probably going to be here for a bit. You are going to use the back access road to get off the property, but it is going to be a bit cold tonight, so you should change into something a bit warmer.”
I looked down at my skirt and frowned. “But I like this skirt. Do I have to change it?”
Croy looked over it, his wolf flashing in his gaze. “For more reasons than one, you look entirely too tempting in it. Knowing that I could just push that up—”
