Page 36

“Right,” Drew drawled, clearly not buying it. “And that explains why you’re sitting here looking like someone kicked your puppy because…?”

“I don’t look like that,” I protested, though my flattened ears probably betrayed me. “I’m fine. Just… working through some art stuff.”

Drew’s eyes flicked to my closed sketchbook, then back to my face. “Uh-huh. And this ‘art stuff’ wouldn’t happen to involve three overprotective alphas who can’t decide whether to smother you or avoid you completely?”

I threw my eraser at him, which he caught easily. “Don’t you have business homework or something? Go calculate some spreadsheets.”

“Nope.” He grinned, tossing the eraser back. “My only assignment today is making sure you don’t spend the entire afternoon moping in your studio.”

“I’m not moping,” I muttered. “I’m contemplating the existential absurdity of fate.”

“Same thing.” Drew stood, stretching. “Come on. I just got the new volume of that manga you like. The one with the demon hunter guy.”

Despite myself, I perked up. “The one where he finds out his sister is actually part demon?”

“That’s the one. It’s waiting in your room, along with those weird Japanese snacks you ordered online.”

My stomach growled. “Fine.” I sighed, setting aside my sketchbook. “But only because I’m hungry, not because your distraction techniques are working.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, foxy.”

I spent the rest of the afternoon in my room, losing myself in manga and pretending the world outside—specifically the part containing three alpha werewolves—didn’t exist. The strategy worked reasonably well until evening, when my enhanced hearing picked up the sound of car tires on the gravel driveway.

My ears swiveled toward the sound before I could stop them, and my heart rate kicked up embarrassingly. I told myself it was just surprise, not anticipation, definitely not excitement at the brothers’ return.

I was still trying to convince myself of this when Drew poked his head in my room twenty minutes later.

“Dinner in ten,” he announced. “And after, I’ve got the new superhero movie cued up. The one with the multiverse thing.”

“I thought that wasn’t streaming until next week?”

Drew’s grin was pure mischief. “Keir has his ways.”

Of course he did. Keir could probably charm state secrets out of government officials if he put his mind to it.

“Fine,” I said, trying to sound put-upon rather than eager. “Let me finish this chapter first.”

Drew gave me a knowing look but retreated without further comment.

When I finally made my way to the dining room, the brothers were already seated, their massive frames making the antique chairs look like dollhouse furniture. Cade sat at the head of the table as always, with Logan and Keir flanking him. Drew had claimed his usual spot next to Keir, leaving me the chair beside Logan.

I slid into my seat, trying not to make eye contact with anyone, especially Cade. My fox ears twitched nervously as Elena began serving, placing a plate of her famous garlic butter salmon in front of me.

“You changed,” Keir observed, his eyes lingering on my t-shirt—my own this time, though still oversized.

“Yeah, well, paint stains,” I muttered, stabbing a roasted potato with unnecessary force.

“I must say, Cade’s shirt suited you,” Drew said.

I choked on my water, earning a concerned look from Logan, who thumped me on the back with enough force to dislodge a lung.

“Easy,” he rumbled, his hand lingering on my shoulder a moment longer than necessary. “Chew, then swallow.”

“Thanks for the basic eating instructions,” I rasped, shrugging away from his touch. “I’ll try to remember that complex sequence.”

Drew snorted into his wineglass, earning a disapproving look from Cade.

“How was your afternoon?” Cade asked, smoothly changing the subject. “Did you make progress on your portfolio?”