The plane ride with Colin went by quickly since we talked the entire time. I haven’t spent much time alone with him since I joined the Teton pack, so it was nice being able to get to know each other better. We spent way too many years separated after our parents were murdered. We’ve changed so much since we were children.
We land in Montana, and there’s a black rental car waiting for us at the private airfield. Colin gets in on the driver’s side, and we head on our way. The closer we get to Tate’s house, the more it reminds me of my cabin in Wyoming being secluded in the woods. Chase lives out in the open with vast fields of grapevines. It’s not easy for him to run out his back door and shift into a wolf without the chance of being seen.
“Several of the women in Chase’s pack asked about you,” I say, looking over at Colin.
His lips pull back in a smirk. “Oh yeah?”
I giggle. “Yep. You should probably get out and visit some of the other packs as well.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not that easy for us males, sis. Men don’t like it when others encroach on their territory, regardless if they’re friends or not.”
I shrug. “That’s the problem. If we aren’t finding our mates within our pack, then things need to change.”
Colin chuckles. “I agree. It’s just some males get a little tense with a royal arctic around.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that, Colin. Killian and the other alphas weren’t nervous in the least being around Micah.”
His jaw clenches. “That’s because they have a witch helping them out. In a fair fight, they wouldn’t last two minutes.”
That may be the case with Orin and the other wolf, but not Killian. He has a strong wolf presence about him. That could be coming from Tia and her magic, but I don’t know for sure. Laila would be able to tell, but I’m hoping she doesn’t get anywhere near Killian and his men.
We turn down a long, paved road, surrounded by trees. It winds around the mountain and when we get to the top, Tate’s cabin is there with a giant workshop in the back with a sign that says Grayson’s Construction.
“What all does Tate do? I never asked him before.”
Colin parks the car in front of the cabin. “He’s a man of many talents. I’m an architect, and I design houses, but Grayson is the one who builds them. He also buys old houses and fixes them up. His company has been passed down from son to son.” I look over at him and can see the sadness in his eyes. He never got the chance to have something special like that with our father.
We get out of the car, and Tate’s sister, Kami, opens the cabin door. Her light brown hair is longer now, and she still has gorgeous gray eyes that I’ve been envious of ever since I met her many months ago. Out of all the women I’ve met from other packs, Kami and I clicked instantly. She waves and beckons me up onto the porch.
“You’re early. I’m almost done getting your room ready.”
While Colin grabs my bags out of the car, I rush up the stairs and hug her. “We should’ve gotten here earlier so I could help you.”
She scoffs. “Please. I’m happy to do it. I’ve been excited to have you here. How did it go with Chase?”
I let her go and looked into those silvery-gray eyes of hers. “It went great. I enjoyed being able to see California. As you know, I haven’t gotten out much in my twenty-six years of living.”
“I know how that goes.” She nods toward the door. “Come on, let’s go inside. I made dinner for you and my brother.” Then she winks. “Figured I’d do something to make you feel welcome. Plus, my cooking’s rather impeccable if I say so myself. I haven’t heard any complaints yet.”
“Sounds perfect to me.” Colin comes up behind me, and I turn to face him, draping an arm over her shoulders. “You remember my brother, Colin, right?”
Kami snorts, and I can sense a bit of sarcasm in her tone. “I do. We met at Laila’s party.”
Colin’s lips tilt up. “If I remember correctly, I had to save you, didn’t I?”
Kami waves him off. “Please. I could handle myself. It was just a human. Also, I’m not a damsel in distress.”
Mouth gaping, I stare at them both. I’m starting to think Kami doesn’t like my brother much. Then again, he can be a little arrogant at times. “How did I miss this?”
Colin laughs, but Kami purses her lips. “It was nothing. I was in the parking lot, and a guy stumbles by, clearly drunk I might add, and starts hitting on me. Colin comes out and scares him to the point he pisses himself.”
Colin shrugs. “The dumb ass deserved it. He was about to whip out his cock, and nobody wanted to see that shit. He needs to be more respectful of women.”
“Wow,” I gasp. “I had no clue that happened.”
Kami glares at Colin. “I had it all under control.”
“You did,” Colin agrees, his voice flirty like he does with all the women, “but it felt good to put him in his place.”
I pat his arm. “I bet it did.”
Kami waves toward the door. “Well, let’s get inside so I can show you around. Tate’s still in the shower, but he’ll be out soon.” She glances back at my brother. “Are you staying for dinner, Colin?” It’s obvious she doesn’t want him to, and by the smirk on his face, I know he wants to say yes just to piss her off.
We follow her upstairs and down the hall to the second door on the right. When she opens it, I walk in first, loving the homey ambiance. It’s rustic-styled with a queen-sized bed, a reading nook by the window, and a fireplace on the opposite side of the room. There’s even a large window overlooking the lake with the Rocky Mountains in the distance, the perfect landscape for a painting.
Colin sets my bags down on the bed. “I’d love to, but I need to get back home. I’m meeting with a client first thing in the morning.”
Kami tries not to appear overjoyed and fails. “Maybe next time then.” She takes my arm and leads me out of the room. The front door opens, and a guy walks in. I know I’ve met him before, but I can’t remember his name. He’s tall with medium brown hair, gray eyes, and a small scar above his right eyebrow.
Colin goes straight to him and shakes his hand. “Hey, man. How ya been?”
Kami leans in close. “That’s Anson, my brother’s second-in-command.”
I nod. “Got it. I couldn’t remember,” I whisper.
She giggles. “Don’t let him know that.”
Anson looks at me and smiles. “I didn’t think you were getting here until tonight. I came by to show Tate my new motorcycle.”
Colin nudges him toward the door. “I want to see it. Been thinking of getting one myself.”
“Oh yeah, that’s just what you need,” I tease.
Anson and Colin head outside, and we’re about to follow them when I hear Tate’s footsteps above us. I look up at the top of the stairs, and there he is, dressed in a pair of jeans and a plain white T-shirt with his hair still slightly wet from the shower. His hypnotic blue eyes lock on mine, and he smiles. It’s been a few months since I’ve seen him, and I can’t help but notice how hot and rugged he is, especially with the stubble on his cheeks. Out of nowhere, my heart races out of control, and I fight the urge to rub my chest.
“You’re here,” he says as he comes down the stairs.
“I am.”
Kami clears her throat and bumps into me. “Now that Faith’s here and settled, I’m going to go. Your dinner is ready in the oven.”
“You’re not staying?” I say, jerking my attention to her.
Her eyes twinkle, and she shakes her head. “There’s somewhere I need to be. You two enjoy.” She winks at me and waves as she leaves.
Tate chuckles. “Is Colin staying for dinner?”
I take a deep breath, hoping it’ll slow my heart. If I can hear it pounding in my ears, then I know Tate can. When I look at him over my shoulder, I shrug. “I don’t think so. He needs to get back to Wyoming.”
Tate’s grin widens. “Guess it’s just you and me tonight.”
“I guess so.” Why am I so nervous? I’ve been around him before and never had any issues. And now I’m going to be alone with him for a week. It’s a good thing he can’t read my mind because even I’m blushing with the thoughts running through my head.