As if on cue, Zackary appeared around the corner with a group of boys his age. Spotting Eva and his father, he broke off, waving at his friends as he jogged away.
"What's up?" he said, bumping Eva in the shoulder before he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Family breakfast?” he asked, smile hopeful.
"Sounds perfect." Eva smiled. "Dad was just telling me how much he misses you."
Zackary laughed. "I saw you this morning, Dad, before I went for a run with the guys."
Their father shrugged.
"Well, I'm here now." He turned his gaze to Eva. "So, big sis, something to tell us?"
"No. Why?"
She didn’t like his tone, and from the happy “I've got dirt on you” look he was giving her, Eva wasn't sure she would like his next words.
"Rumor is you've hooked up with John."
Eva screwed up her nose. "Hooked up? Really, haven't people got more important things to worry about other than who John asks on a date?"
"So, you did go out with him? Damn, and here I was defending you. I was certain you'd be afraid of John. I mean, look at the man, Ev. He's huge, scary, and looks like a wolf even in human form."
"He's not that scary once you get to know him, and anyway, what's the big deal? I only went to a pack party with him."
"Hang on a minute." Their father interrupted. "I did not approve of this date."
Eva paused before entering the pack kitchen. The last thing she wanted was nosy wolves overhearing her business.
"Dad, I'm twenty-one. I don't need your permission, and everyone is blowing this out of proportion. I haven't eloped."
"That's a point. How old is he?" her father continued.
"Twenty-eight," Zackary answered helpfully. "I had two old ladies ask how old you were this morning, Eva. This whole situation is hilarious."
"No, it’s not," she hissed. “I'm beginning to see living in a pack is like having too many nosy relatives sticking their noses where they don’t belong."
"Mine’s the only nose you need to worry about, Evaline," her father argued, flustered. Great, now everyone is using that name.
Zackary burst out laughing. “About time it was you in trouble, sis. Miss Goody Two-shoes.”
“Ugh!” She threw her hands up, leaving them behind. "I have done nothing wrong."
Every head turned her way as she entered the seating area next to the kitchen. At least two younger women scowled. Eva wasn't used to this. Her brother was right. She was a good girl. But damn, she wasn't backing down now. Hell, if kissing a man wasn't allowed, someone should have told her. She wasn't even sure if what was going on between her and John would last. She didn't need other people looking over her shoulders.
Anger and frustration had her eyes narrowing, some unknown part of her awakening. Her smile was calculating as she took in the room.
"Next time, maybe someone should hang a sign around their neck if a man is off-limits," she announced firmly.
Eva turned on her heel and marched out, passing her laughing brother and shocked father. She had no idea what she was doing; John was revealing parts of her she'd never known existed. And truthfully, she quite liked it.
Being good was overrated. Her brother had had his time; it was her turn to have what she wanted. Be damned the consequences.
Chapter 14
John
There was too much laughing and joking going on when John arrived at the training grounds and one too many glances his way. He was about to ask what was going on when Bass’s presence prickled down his spine, and he turned to see what his alpha wanted.
“Bass, Kat…” There was a brightness to their gazes. John had a sinking feeling he wasn’t going to like what was said next. “Come to join in with our training session?”
“I have,” Katalina answered. “But Bass is just here to gossip. He’s an old lady when it comes to that.” Giggling, she danced to the side out of Bass’s reach and over to the group she’d train with.
“Gossip?” John questioned. “Isn’t that best saved for after this war?” The only gossip he could think of was taking Eva to Logan and Mia’s party as his date. He hadn’t kissed her in front of anyone, but he’d also made it clear she was his. John didn’t want to keep Eva a secret, but it would also be nice to court a woman without his pack losing their minds over it.
“Depends how you view it. Maybe the pack needs something good to focus on. Plus, Eva is making it rather entertaining for them,” Bass explained.
“Entertaining?” he asked cautiously.
“You don’t know?”
Quiet laughter erupted behind him. John snarled. “Start warming up. This isn’t a social gathering.”
Bass’s lips twitched, his gaze amused.
“I swear, Bass, you might be alpha, but I’m not above hitting you.”
“Eva declared her claim on you this morning at breakfast. She’s impressed most but annoyed those who pine after you.”
John rolled his eyes. “No one pines after me, Bass. What do you mean declared?” That seemed awfully like a wolf move, not a human one. Whatever she did, his wolf was pricking its ears, pleased.
“Erm… I might have videoed it… if you want to see?”
John turned toward the nervous voice, eyeing Cody sternly. “You videoed Eva?”
He dipped his head, voice trembling. “Yeah… it was funny.”
“Delete it now!” John snapped.
Cody stepped back. “I will. I will…. But don’t you want to see it first?”
“I do,” Bass answered, stepping beside John. “Though in future, maybe not video fellow packmates, Cody.”
“Okay.” Cody handed over his phone, anxiously flickering his gaze from Bass to John.
Taking the phone from Bass,
