Page 65 of Those That Are Lost

I tuck Red into my side and glare at Ash, who seems to be about to quip a remark.

‘Our scents are entwined now. With their heightened senses, they probably could tell as soon as we entered the hallway,’I tell Red, grateful I can speak to her through this new secret channel we share.

“Oh, of course.” Red flushes in embarrassment, her hand coming to cover her face… and forgetting to not verbalise her response.

I kiss the top of her head.

“Don’t be shy about it dear, it is a wonderful thing. I am pleased for both of you.” Eetu steps forward to congratulate us. “It’s about damn time.”

Following a few more congratulatory embraces, everyone settles back down around the two round tables they occupied and eating resumes. I take one of the empty chairs and pull Red into my lap, hands immediately finding her waist and thigh. She mildly protests, trying to move to the seat next to mine but I don’t want to stop touching her.

‘Stay,’ I growl into her mind and she immediately settles, leaning into me.

We catch up on the festivities we missed after we left the celebrations last night, which were plentiful and had carried on for several more hours. I watch with intrigue as a few of the wolves shuffle around once the food is gone. Ash, Millie, Joey, and his mates have all congregated around Henry and are all talking in low voices amongst chuckles and glances our way.

“What’s up with that?” I ask Eetu with a nod of my head towards the group. My question gets Red’s attention, she’d been chatting to Luna, who’s sitting next to us.

Eetu glances at the group at the othertable and smirks before answering, “I think they are trying to decide who won.”

“Won what?” Red questions, now also looking as Joey gestures wildly.

“Who takes the credit for you two,” Colton replies with a sigh as he retakes his seat next to his mate after clearing the table. He places a hand gently to Luna’s swelling stomach and it’s hard to ignore the rush of warmth between them.

“Say that again.” I couldn’t have heard that correctly.

“Care to explain, Dad? I know you and Mum were in on it too.” He gives his father a pointed look. Eetu takes his time to lower his coffee mug.

“Thanks, son. I adore your loyalty.”

“Come on, with that lot being so bloody obvious, it was hardly going to stay a secret.”

“Can someone please let us in on what you’re talking about?” I say through gritted teeth. Red’s hand comes to my chest soothingly, although her thoughts are just as confused as mine.

Millie must’ve caught our conversation because she calls over. “We’re trying to decide which one of us finally pushed you two into action. We’ve been trying to get you to declare your feelings for one another for weeks!”

Red echoes my own shock. The bond is a whirl of surprise as both of us try to put the pieces together.

“Millie, what do you mean?” Red beats me to forming actual words.

“Well, Dad’s been talking to Ty continuously about the future, Joey came up with the snowball fight last night, Ash and Henry have been trying to make Ty jealous for days.” She glances at me sheepishly before looking back at Red. “And I finally got you to drink from someone who’s not mated. And Henry at that, so, I think I win.”

“No, if anything, Henry gets the points for that!” Rawson pipes up.

“Henry?” I practically growl. The jealous rage has somewhat simmered now Red is my mate but it quickly resurfaces at the reminder.

“You’re welcome.” He has the audacity to spread his hands in awhat are you going to do about itgesture and actually bows his head.

“You fucker!”

“Tell me you regret my actions.” He shrugs.

Red launches from my lap before I can respond. She’s covered the space in a blink and slams a hand down on the table and her voice drops lethally calm as she leans into Henry’s space.

“You manipulated us? You’re meant to be his friend. Do you know how scared I was that he’d left last night?” Her voice is the most domineering I’ve ever heard.

Henry has the decency to shrink in his seat, as do the group around him who all played a part in this.

“You put him through emotional hell last night. It was one thing that I bit you unaware of what the consequences were, but you purposely pushed him to breaking point.” Red continues to berate them.