Dad didn’t look so convinced and Mom blushed a bright crimson. “Like I said, we should get going.” She nudged Dad with her elbow. “You saw the men’s shoes in there. At least I didn’t miss it, don’t act so surprised.”
“More scandalized than anything,” He shoved his hands into his pockets while my mom put on her sweater. He clicked a button on his keys and I heard the slight sound of the engine rumbling up. I wasn’t surprised by it but Lucas was.
He peeked out the front window. “How fancy.”
It had been five years but hadn’t there been push to start vehicles before then? I tried to think about it while Lucas eyed the expensive car parked in the gravel. Mom kissed my cheek before she hugged me. “I am so proud of you and your success here. I worried like your father but not in the same way.” My dad was too busy talking cars with Lucas to notice what we were saying to each other. Which was a good thing based on what came out of my mother’s mouth next. “If you are having a reverse harem happening here, more power to you. All of the men are hot.” She fanned herself as I covered my face with my hands. “I mean really, I wouldn’t be upset.”
“Mom,” I whispered in horror. “Don’t.”
She shrugged as Dad opened the door. “I wish I had had that opportunity growing up. Have you read the books?” I shook my head. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You should pick one up.”
I practically shoved her out the door. “Thanks for coming to dinner!”
When they were finally gone and the door was closed I leaned against it for support. Lucas grinned. “I think your mom is my spirit animal.”
Mortification rolled over me. “You heard what she said?”
“Ohyesand I’ll be sure to relay it to your mate that your mother approves of it. I’ll also tell him that I’m your first harem boy.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“If you do that then you don’t value your life much.” I hung my head in shame. This was what my life had come to. My father being worried sick about me having multiple partners and my mother encouraging it.How wonderful.
“I think it would be the crowning achievement of my life.” The couch groaned as he threw himself down onto it. The poor piece of furniture. I should have thought out sturdier pieces rather than pretty dainty things.
* * *
Sleep had been easy to fall into after everything that Knox had told me and everything he had told my parents. It was a sweet relief to fall unconscious until something woke me in the middle of the night. I shot up in bed and Nalia came awake with me. She yawned.
What now?
It was still strange getting used to having another soul in my head. It wasn’t a bad thing but after not having her around while I was in captivity, it was an adjustment all over again. My eyes adjusted to the darkness around me. My body jerked in surprise as I noticed someone standing beside the door. Thankfully my wolf vision revealed it was only Rafe. He was wearing pj pants and no shirt. A chill worked its way up my spine. He didn’t say anything as he padded across the floor and climbed into my bed. We had never been alone in my room like this before. It was thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. I scooted over to make room for him, thankful that I had put on decent clothes for bed.
Even with being part wolf, the chill outside was terrible. If not for Lucas complaining about the heat, I would have had it on full blast all night and I loved to sleep in the cold. I swallowed back the dryness in my mouth. “What are you doing here?”
He nuzzled his face into my neck and closed his eyes against my skin. “My wolf is unsteady tonight. Something is happening that I can’t anticipate. I needed to know you were safe.”
“So you watched me sleep?”
“I knocked on the door.” He ran his nose along my shoulder and need shot through me stronger than it ever had before.
“And you thought it was a good idea to come in anyway?” I wasn’t mad but I wanted to give him a hard time about it. I liked to see him nervous when I grilled him. No one else did that.
“There was this awful noise and I was worried about your safety even more.” I shifted so I could look at him over my shoulder while he spoke.
“Yeah? Did you find out what that noise was?” He was telling the truth but there was something else.
He snickered and I could feel his grin against my skin. “Oh yes, you sound like an eighty-year-old man in here when you snore.”
I reeled away from him and smacked him in the chest. “I do not snore.” I could deny it all I wanted to but he wasn’t lying.
He ran his finger down my nose. “On the contrary, you do. It's the worst sound I have ever heard in my life.” There was a slight scent of his lie in that.
“I don’t believe you,” I laughed. “What’s really the worst sound you have ever heard in your life?”
His face went serious and I hated that I had asked it. I could see the pain in his eyes. I pressed my lips together and looked away from him. “The sound of my claws sinking into my father’s chest.”
Rafe slipped from my bed and out of my room before I could stop him. My head felt heavy against my pillow and sleep didn’t take me for a long time after.
