Page 93

“What’s got you looking so down?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin, and

barely managed to keep my coffee from sloshing over the lip of the mug.

“Sorry,” Striker said with a laugh. “Didn’t mean to scare you.” He was laden down with grocery bags, and I hurried over to grab a few from his hands.

“What’s all this?”

“Delivery,” Striker said. “The clubhouse got its big monthly order, and this is the alpha house’s part of the order.”

I peeked into the bags. It was like a super-mega Costco order, full of pantry items: canned beans and vegetables, paper products, and dry goods. “Are you guys stocking a bunker?”

Striker laughed. “No, it’s cheaper to order all the stuff like this for the businesses and inner circle all together. Saves us all money in the long run.”

“Wow. You guys really have a system in place.”

“Part of being a clan,” Striker said. He gave me a sidelong glance as he unpacked the cans into the pantry. “What are you up to this morning?”

Prying-without-prying. I appreciated it, honestly. I shrugged as I unpacked a bag myself. “Catching up on my work emails.”

“Work?” Striker asked. “Your job in Atlanta?”

I nodded.

“It’s a remote job?”

“No, I’ve got to meet my clients in person,” I said. “That’ll pick up again in the fall.”

“So, you’re really leaving at the end of the summer,” Striker said thoughtfully. “Huh.”

“Of course.” I definitely wasn’t going to tell Striker I had been considering exactly the opposite moments before. It was an unrealistic dream—and it was foolish to think I could just pick up and move my whole life here because of a few good weeks with Stephan. “My job’s there, my home, Dylan’s school, his friends, everything. We’ve got roots in Atlanta.”

“Mm,” Striker said with a nod. “Well, I’ll warn you, Ace won’t be happy about that.”

“He already knows,” I said. “It’s always been the plan to go back.”

“He might know logically, but I doubt his dragon does,” Striker said. “You’re his fated mate. It’s hard for a human to understand. But the feelings are… different. His dragon will hurt when you leave again, even if he knows you’ll come back. Hisfeelings are deep, all the way into his bones. It’s not something that will go away.”

“I have feelings, too,” I said. “It’s not easy for me, either.”

“I didn’t say that,” Striker said. “I mean… I think there’s more of a chance of you breaking Ace’s heart than his breaking yours.”

I clicked my tongue. What did Striker know about our relationship? Hell, what did he know about the ten years I’d spent as a single mom? “I think that’s a major exaggeration.”

“You’ve both been through a lot,” Striker said gently. “That’s all. I don’t want either of you to get hurt.”

My irritation eased. “Neither do I. Especially not Dylan. That makes all of this harder.”

“Well, those two seem to be having a blast this morning,” Striker said with an easy smile. “I saw them out in the clearing before I headed up here.”

“Steph said they’re ‘dragon-bonding.’”

“I saw a lot of smoke rings,” Striker said. “It’s good for them both. Should make Dylan’s shift a little easier, whenever it hits.”

“I hope it’s soon,” I said. “The waiting is killing me.”

“It seems frustrating now, but it’ll be a good memory,” Striker said. “It’s good Dylan’s with his sire. No matter what happens, he’ll remember this forever.”