“What’s this?” He looks at my mom in surprise.

  “I was just doing a little spring cleaning, going through some old boxes of Ranger’s stuff.” She shrugs. “Figured they might fit you.”

  My heart swells, and I can feel tears at the edges of my eyes.

  Ranger walks up and peers over Rev’s shoulder into the box. He picks up a shirt, a dark blue and gray flannel that looks a little worn, but still vivid in color.

  He held it to Rev, smirking the whole time.

  “Very nice, Jo. I think it brings out his eyes, don’t you?” He tosses it back into the box before making a beeline for the breakfast spread.

  My mom always knows how to make people feel at home. It doesn’t matter if it was visiting packs, the Starfall pack mothers, a bunch of wiry, energized shifter kids, or just me and Ranger.

  And seeing the box of clothes she’s given Rev, makes me feel more than at home.

  It makes me feel like everything is going to be okay.

  “Thanks.” Rev nods.

  Hannah and Melody walk in, still wearing their pajamas. Scarlet is nowhere to be seen.

  “Everything good with the guesthouse?” Mom places the cinnamon rolls on the counter, and immediately I remember the prior day. Rev licking icing off my finger.

  Rev licking Ranger. My thighs tighten at just the thought, and I swallow nervously.

  My skin flushes, and I hope no one notices. “Yeah. Everything’s good. Nice to have some space to relax.” I pick up a plate and start piling on food like there’s no tomorrow. A mountain of eggs, bacon, sausage, cinnamon rolls. “Where’s Dustin?” Hannah pulls up a barstool, Melody following suit.

  Most people think Hannah and Melody are twins, but they are a year apart. They move like they are on the same wavelength though. In tandem.

  “Brooding alpha wolf stuff.” Ranger shovels a forkful of eggs into his mouth. I watch as he douses them with ketchup, and I wrinkle my nose. I can’t stand the smell of ketchup, especially on eggs, but Ranger puts it on everything.

  Mom flashes me a worried look.

  “He’s got a lot on his plate, that one. Always has.”

  Rev stands in the living room, alone. He sets the box on the floor, but his expression is full of apprehension. He watches us all in the kitchen intently. I set my plate down on the table before walking up to him quietly as Hannah and Melody chat with mom and Ranger.

  “You okay?” I reach out and grab his hand.

  “Yeah, I just…” He pauses, looking into the kitchen again.

  “Come get something to eat. You must be starving after your little workout last night.” I wink at him, and suddenly all the apprehension disappears. His eyes light up and his alluring smile I love so much is back.

  “I’m starving alright, but I don’t think food is what I’m hungry for.” I can’t help but smile back.

  “I’m not asking, Rev. I’m telling. Come, get something to eat.” I pause.

  I haven’t been a very good alpha to Rev. Not that I knew I was supposed to be, I didn’t know biting him would make me an alpha. After all, there are no female alphas in Starfall, or anywhere I know of. I assumed he’d just be part of my pack, what with our rules and all. But I need to be better. I need to be more attuned to his needs. I should be the one to give him clothes, and shampoo, whatever.

  A warm bed, instead of a cold mattress in the middle of the woods.

  I need to be better at all of this. Rev deserves better.

  He follows me to the kitchen, and it doesn’t take long for him to find his place.

  Ranger slides him a cup of coffee and a plate of cinnamon rolls.

  And as I look around at the people in front of me, I am struck with sadness.

  This isn’t my home anymore.

  I won’t wake up to the smell of fresh cinnamon rolls, or hear Ranger yelling at Scarlet because he is sick of hearing Moonlight Sonata five times in a row. I won’t get to curl up on the couch with a book while my dad does crosswords, or sneak in late hoping my parents won’t hear me.

  I am no longer a Hollow.

  But what did that make me?

  What did that make Rev and Ranger?Ranger wasn’t born a Hollow like me. I don’t even think he remembers his last name.

  I’m not sure what any of it means, really. Everything just happened so fast... I’m not sure I know what I'm doing at all, despite wanting this.

  My own pack.I’ve dreamed of ruling my family’s pack, but my own is a different story.

  My mom hands me a coffee.

  “We’re not going anywhere, honey. Sit, stay a while. I know a lot has happened but you can relax for now.” The way she says the words, they are full of love and acceptance.

  But they are also reality.

  If Dustin chooses his role as Hollow’s Pack Alpha, he could take them away from me, if he saw fit.

  He could keep me from them.

  My sisters, my mother, my father.

  When my father had said it would be up to him to decide if my pack could stay on Hollow’s ground, Dustin hadn’t said yes.

  He’d only said he’d take it into consideration.

  Those words cut me deeper than any knife ever could. I thought things were different between us, but that’s how it always is with Dustin and I.

  Just when I think he’s changed, he does something to show me he hasn’t, and I’m always pissed… devastated.

  I can’t help but think about the look of pain and anger on his face when I opened the door this morning. Like I’m the one who broke his heart.

  I sip my coffee, and watch Ranger and Rev. The two of them sitting side by side, drinking coffee, joking around. Just watching them together brings me a sense of peace, but it also makes my heart skip a beat. I know what I have to do.

  There is only one way this will end in my favor, and I can't tell Rev or Ranger about it. They’d most certainly try to stop me.

  Not that I’d blame them, they know how much I truly care for Dustin, and I think in their own way they care for him too.

  I knew this day would come, I just didn’t think it would be this soon.

  I will not leave my pack—or my family—up for debate.

  At the ceremony, I will challenge Dustin for the right to do what I have always known I was born to do.

  Rule the pack. Hollow’s Pack, and my own.

  Chapter 46

  Ranger

  I’ve never been one to be surprised by Dustin’s behavior. Alpha male wolf shit was just normal to me.

  Sometimes I kind of liked it, if I’m being honest, but this wasn’t just alpha male wolf shit.

  This was broken Dustin shit.

  Jo and Maverick had always welcomed Dustin with open arms. Whether it was because he was our friend, or because they felt bad Dustin was trapped in that awful house with a bunch of assholes, I don’t know.

  But they’ve always stuck up for him, since day one. And when Jade and Dustin would fall into an argument, like they always did, which usually ended with Dustin running off and Jade crying about it to me—if it was bad enough—Jo would often make us a cup of hot chocolate and tell us we needed to be kind to Dustin.

  That he needed us.

  That he needed to know, no matter what, we’d be there for him because everyone else in his life was only there as long as he did something for them.

  But I couldn’t find it in my heart to be kind to him when he degraded Jade like he did in front of Rev and I.

  That's low even for him.

  I want to tear his fucking throat out so he’ll never be able to talk to her like that again.

  I’m pretty sure Rev is just as pissed, the upcoming full moon bringing out heightened emotions in him—some he may not be familiar with, like the anger that’s been showing up.

  Jade’s barely touched her pancakes.

  She loves blueberry pancakes, especially her moms. The fact she isn’t eating speaks volumes about her mood. Reverie swivels on the barstool next to me, and I can’t help but smile as I catch the sun illuminating him.

  Hannah and Melody are hitting him with a hundred questions; about the human world, about his friendship with me, about his fairytale romance with Jade.

  They’re the most inquisitive of the bunch. They eat up his answers like they’re made of chocolate. It’s kind of adorable, actually.

  You’ll fit in just fine, Rev, I think to myself.

  I catch the tears on the edge of Jade’s eyes, and I know she’s thinking about her sisters.

  Jade never really had girlfriends growing up, except for one or two, but that didn’t last long. She didn’t get along with most of the girls in Starfall, I think because she didn’t know how to relate to them. She was a good sister though, to Hannah and Melody. Always putting band-aids on their skinned knees, making sure their shoes were tied, and they were tucked in with their favorite stuffies, even after Jo had put them to bed.

  She was close to them in her own way.

  Scarlet was a different story. She’d always been around, hanging out with the three of us, but she always held back. Socializing wasn’t natural to her like music was.

  Scarlet stands in the shadows, and I can feel her eyes on me. A hundred unsaid words hanging in the air.

  She quietly comes to the counter and avoids me.

  A part of me feels bad, I never wanted to hurt Scarlet, and despite her minimal relationship with her sister, I don’t think Jade ever wanted to hurt her either.

  “Good morning, Scarlet.” Hannah chews on a piece of peanut butter toast.

  “It’s morning. Not quite sure it’s good yet,” she drawls as she pushes past me towards the cinnamon rolls.

  Jo leans against the counter, smiling at all of us.

  She looks happy in a way I’d never seen before, and when her eyes settle on Jade with a knowing look, I have to wonder what is going through her mind.

  “How are you liking Starfall Creek, Reverie?” Jo sips her coffee, dark green eyes putting him on the spot.

  Oh no. Here it comes.

  I could feel my lips perk up. I know that tone.

  I’ve heard it quite a few times over the course of my life. Sometimes it was directed at me, but mostly it was directed at Jade.

  Scarlet never brings boys home. Outside of me, I don’t think she really has an interest. She is too busy locking herself in her room and practicing.

  Her music is everything to her. Nothing else will ever compare.

  I’d watched JoEllen Hollow give the boyfriend speech to plenty of guys—Jade’s high school prom date, Hannah’s first boyfriend, Melody’s friend who she insisted was not her boyfriend but we all knew he was.

  And now dear Rev is going to get the JoEllen Hollow Boyfriend Speech.

  “It’s amazing. I can’t believe how much is out here. Like, the forest is huge… but then you’ve got all these neighborhoods…”

  Jo smiles.

  “Yeah, sometimes folks take it for granted, being as they’ve grown up here. It’s a lot of land to learn though. But I’m sure you’ll discover it all.” She smiles, bringing her coffee cup to her lips.

  “I know things are changing for you at a rapid rate. It’s a lot to keep up with. Just know if you need anything, my door is open.” Jo looks at Jade briefly.

  My gaze follows hers, and Jade seems to be staring into her coffee cup. Her shoulders are tense. I don't think twice about heading to her.

  Something is on her mind, probably Dustin.

  Fucking asshole.

  I pull her dark hair back behind her shoulder, it’s still slightly damp from her morning shower. I run my fingers up and down her arm, tracing little circles along her smooth skin.

  “You need to eat,” I whisper in her ear. I was acutely aware of Scarlet’s intense gaze, but I don't care. I don't care who sees me right now. All that matters is that Jade needs me.

  “I’m not hungry,” she whispers back. Jo is rolling on with her speech, and Rev’s cheeks flush as Hannah and Melody giggle.

  “One pancake,” I bargain as I continue to run my fingers over her skin.

  I’ve done this a thousand times throughout our life, but I’d never really felt her. Her warmth, the soft flesh.

  She sighs heavily. “One pancake.” She picks up her fork.

  The room is quiet all of a sudden, and I can feel Rev’s eyes on us now too.

  “That goes for you too, Ranger.” Jo pulls me from my thoughts.

  “What?” I ask, realizing I’d zoned out completely.

  Jo let out a laugh.

  “You know my door is always open should you boys need anything. I don’t care what the laws say, you will always have a home here.” She smiles, and my heart feels like it is going to explode out of my chest.

  “Why don’t you take Reverie out for a tour of the lands. Show him the neighborhoods.” She looks at Jade again.

  I know that look, and I am more than happy to oblige.

  If anyone knows how to pull Jade out of a funk, it’s her mom.

  “Great idea.” I smile and nod at Rev, who nods in response.

  “Sounds good.” He smiles at me.

  “Great. Jade, I have some deliveries to make today. Would you mind keeping me company?” Jo pushes her golden braid back behind her, dark green eyes full of command, even though her words are suggesting otherwise.

  JoEllen is like that. She has the sweetest way of commanding you to do something, in a way that feels like she is just asking a favor.

  A trick no doubt she has picked up from being The Starfall Creek Alpha’s female.

  Second in command.

  “Yeah, sure.” Jade pushes forth a smile, but I know it is for show.

  Whatever is going on in that head of hers, I hope she’ll fill me in later.

  Chapter 47

  Reverie

  I should feel weird about this one on one time with Ranger. I know I should, but I don’t.

  Even after everything that happened between Ranger and I last night, I don’t feel anything but comfortable and happy. Really happy.

  This whole thing was scary at first, I was terrified. Even thinking about it now, my stomach twists but mostly with excitement. I’ve hung out with Ranger before, many times. We’ve been out late at night, one on one, alcohol involved, and not once did I ever look at him the way I see him now. I don’t know what changed, or why, but it’s turned out really great. Better than I could have ever imagined.

  “Where to first?” I ask.

  “Well, after the morning we’ve had I thought we could grab a beer.” Ranger smiles.

  “A beer? It’s not even lunch time.”

  “And?” He winks and starts towards the road. “Keep up. Wouldn’t want you getting lost. The big bad wolf may find you.”

  I shake my head and jog after him. We walk a few blocks, the area looking much like any other neighborhood does, sidewalks and trimmed lawns, only less urban. There are trees everywhere, dirt roads, and houses. Not any type of store front building anywhere. Hell, I don’t even recognize the bar when we reach it. I should be surprised it’s open at this hour, but whatever.

  This “bar” looks more like a small cabin one would rent on a camping trip. It’s too small to go inside, but there are a bunch of picnic tables with umbrellas around the lawn. We walk up to a window on the side and a woman slides the glass open. She leans long, tanned arms over the sill, and the motion showcases very round, full breasts. Her dark hair is pulled back in one of those messy buns, bright blue eyes focusing on us.

  “Heya, Ranger.” She nods at me. “Who’s this handsome fella?” She snaps her gum, batting her eyelashes at me

  “Aw, you’re breaking my heart, Cammy.” He dramatically clutches his chest, and I can vaguely make out his tattoo underneath the thin white fabric of his shirt.

  “Oh, Range, you know I like to spice it up a bit. Can’t have the same wolf in my bed more than once.”

  I raise a brow at Ranger. Has he really slept with this woman? He looks to me and winks before ordering us each a beer. We wait only a moment for them to come out. Once they do, we each grab a bottle and find our way to a picnic table closest to the road.

  “Care to explain that?” I ask.

  Ranger just grins. “Jealous much?”

  “Maybe I am,” I challenge. “What of it?”

  “Didn’t peg you as the jealous type.”

  “You haven’t pegged me at all, Range.”

  He takes a long pull of his beer before placing it onto the picnic table gently. “Not yet.” He cocks his head to the side.

  I love how carefree Ranger is. I love how he’s always flirting with me and Jade. And hell, I even like seeing him flirty with others. I like seeing that side of him, and love knowing it’s all for me. And Jade. Ranger is ours, and I know without a doubt, he would never do anything to hurt us.

  I pick up my beer and take a sip. “Pretty sure you’d be the bottom,” I snark. “Jade on the other hand… Well, I wouldn’t say no to letting her take charge.”

  “Now that is something I would love to see,” he says, bringing his tongue along his bottom lip in such a way that it makes my cock twitch. I groan dramatically before taking another sip.

  “You know what I would love to see?” I laugh to myself a bit at the thought.

  “Do tell.”

  “Jade pegging Dustin.”

  Ranger barks out a laugh. “Yeah, right. When pigs fly.”

  “It would be good though,” I say, finishing my beer.

  “Damn right it would be.”

  After two beers, Ranger pays our bill and we keep on going with my tour, taking a shortcut through the woods. We come across a small clearing with a tiny shed. Just big enough to fit only one person, it looks like.

  “Now this, this is the crème de la crème. It’s—”

  “A shed.” I cut him off. “Never seen one of these before,” I deadpan, feeling the need to mess with him. He narrows his eyes at me and I smirk.

  “It’s not just any shed, smarty-pants. This is a shifting shed.”

  “And what’s so special about it?”

  He pauses a moment, placing his hands on his very delicious looking hips. “Well, nothing. You were right. It’s just a shed.” He shrugs and walks towards it, opening the door and waves me in.