Page 54

I watched as both brothers moved to take the offered seats, Cade settling in beside Sophia while Logan slid in next to Mia. The Blackwood cousins immediately angled toward them, their body language screaming interest. Sophia’s hand casually brushed Cade’s arm as she leaned in to say something that made him smile, while Mia’s eyes never left Logan’s face as she spoke.

“Guess that leaves us to fend for ourselves,” I muttered to Keir, trying to ignore the knot forming in my stomach.

“I don’t mind,” Keir replied, his hand returning to the small of my back as he guided me to two empty chairs across from Drew. “Gives me more time with you.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t deny the small thrill his words sent through me. “Lucky you.”

“Lucky me,” he agreed, his voice dropping to that register that made my insides melt.

“So, everyone ready for the Harborview Festival tomorrow night?” Drew asked, his excitement palpable. “The Howling Moons are headlining the main stage.”

“No way!” Tyler exclaimed. “They never play venues this small.”

“They’re friends of the family,” Logan explained, his casual tone suggesting this was completely normal. “The lead singer’s father is on the council with Cade.”

“Of course he is,” I muttered into my water glass.

“Will you be joining us, Finn?” Sophia asked, her attention momentarily shifting from Cade. “Drew mentioned you usually skip these events.”

“I’m not really a festival person,” I hedged. “Too many people, too much noise.”

“Too many werewolves,” Drew added helpfully.

I shot him a look. “That too.”

“You’d enjoy the art section,” Keir said, his thigh pressing against mine under the table. “They’ve added an entire new area for local artists this year.”

“Maybe,” I conceded, though the thought of navigating a crowded festival with three alpha werewolves hovering over me sounded like my personal nightmare.

“It’s settled, then,” Sophia declared with a bright smile. “We’ll all go together.”

“I don’t remember agreeing to that,” I pointed out.

“You said ‘maybe,’” she countered. “In festival terms, that’s practically a blood oath.”

“My definition of ‘maybe’ must be different from yours,” I replied dryly. “In my dictionary, it falls somewhere between ‘unlikely’ and ‘when hell freezes over.’”

“We’ll convince you,” Mia said with confidence, her hand boldly resting on Logan’s forearm. “The Blackwoods are very persuasive.”

“So I’ve heard,” I murmured, not missing the way Cade’s expression tightened slightly at her words.

“The Blackwood booth is always popular,” Sophia added, leaning closer to Cade. “My uncle brings his special wolfsbane wine.”

“Wolfsbane wine?” I asked, unable to help myself. “Isn’t that, you know, poisonous to werewolves?”

Sophia laughed, the sound musical and practiced. “It’s just a name. The preparation process neutralizes the toxic elements while preserving the herb’s… enhancing qualities.”

“Enhancing?” I repeated skeptically.

“It amplifies certain sensations,” Mia explained with a sly smile directed at Logan. “Makes everything more… intense.”

The way she said “intense” made it clear she wasn’t talking about taste buds.

“I’d be happy to let you sample some,” Sophia told Cade, her fingers trailing along his arm. “It’s quite the experience.”

“I’m sure it is,” Cade replied, his voice dropping to a register that made something in my chest ache.

I stabbed at my lamb with more force than necessary, trying to ignore the irrational jealousy building inside me. So what if these beautiful werewolf women were flirting with Cade and Logan? It wasn’t like I had any claim on them. Except for that whole “destined mates” thing that they clearly wanted nothing to do with.