His face broke into a smile, much more reserved than Ophelia’s. Still I could see the dimples in his cheeks, so much like Alex’s, and the laugh lines around his hazel eyes. He had a strong square jawline like Alex, too. His hair, which was probably dark when he was younger, was a steel grey color and despite his commanding demeanor it fell in haphazard waves.
“You must by Zee,” he stood to greet us, addressing me first. His voice was a low rumble that was both soothing and aggressive. I imagined that it wouldn’t be fun to be on his bad side. “I’m Pearson Kallis, Alex’s father and the alpha of this pack.” I had the sudden urge to bow my head to this man. A feeling that crept up my spine and invaded me until I did just that, lowering my head and eyes with just a shiver of resistance. Alex’s hand found mine and he squeezed it tightly.
“Pearson,” Ophelia’s voice broke whatever weird feeling I was having, and I looked up to find Pearson watching me closely. My heartbeat wildly in my chest and my breaths came rapidly. From beside me I heard Ophelia’s huff of frustration. “Really Pearson, she’s just a girl. There was no need for all that.”
“Of course, my love,” he murmured consolingly to her. Turning back to address me his eyes held a strange look that I couldn’t place. “I’m sorry, Zee. Old habits in the presence of a strong-willed wolf. I would say that Alex has chosen his mate well in you.” I wasn’t sure what he meant but Alex tugged me into his side, pulling Pearson’s attention away from me.
“I think so,” Alex spoke evenly, as if nothing had happened, although his strong grip on my hip belied his ease. I had the feeling that this had been a test, one that had taken even him by surprise. I wondered what would have happened if I hadn’t passed it.
“Well now that you two are done posturing and scaring this poor girl, I think it’s time for us to go eat,” Ophelia gave Pearson a pointed look and then walked out the door without checking if we were following her.
We followed behind Ophelia, and I was about to ask Alex what had happened in the office when someone shouted his name. We both turned to find a young male, probably younger than Alex coming down the hall. He was almost as tall as Alex, but he was broader across the chest. The muscles in his arms came from working out, unlike Alex’s from running. He exuded a dangerous power as he strode silently towards us.
Once I got over the sheer bulk of him, I noticed that his brown hair was a little careless and that his enormous grin took over his whole face. He had a dimple in one of his cheeks and laugh lines around his brown eyes. The eyes caught my attention the most, they reminded me a lot of Wyatt. He chuckled as I looked him over and offered me a playful wink.
“So, this is the white wolf?” the man asked, looking me over for a minute. His eyebrows scrunched together as he contemplated me. “I don’t know what the big deal is. She’s awfully tiny. Kailani could take her down in a second.” I bristled immediately, and a growl rumbled in my chest, which just made the guy laugh harder.
“Kailani can take you down in a second,” Alex chuckled, and I glanced at him briefly before looking back at the oddly playful and dangerous male. He had all my instincts on edge. His eyes twinkled happily as he watched me, like it was a fun game to get under my skin.
“Only because I like when she’s on top of me,” the man shot back. He wagged his brows at me suggestively and I shrank back against Alex. Both men laughed and I wanted to smack them both in the back of the head for joking at my expense. Finally, the other man sobered long enough to hold out his hand to me. I eyed it for a moment before I slid mine into it. His grip was strong but friendly as he pumped my arm.
“Zee this is Aiden,” Alex motioned to the man. “Don’t let him bother you. He might be big, but he’s whipped by one of the smallest females I’ve ever seen so he’s nothing to be scared of.” Aiden released my hand and before I could catch the movement, he had punched Alex in the arm. Heat rushed through me and I growled fiercely at him.
He froze and eyed me again. “Hmm…” I couldn’t tell what he was thinking as he looked at me, but Alex stroked his hand down my arm and whispered nonsense into my ear that I was ignoring. My focus stayed on the danger in front of me. Finally, his posture eased and he took a small step back.
“I bet you’d be fun to watch in a fight little white wolf,” Aiden murmured. His eyes snapped up to look over my head and then he dropped his head briefly. I felt him behind me before I heard him, which scared me. I whipped around to find Pearson watching me. His eyes scrutinized me as much as Aiden’s had. I ducked my head before he had a chance to make me again.
“Fun indeed,” Pearson commented in an absentminded way, “But I’m afraid Opehlia would have your hides if you messed up her house just to find out. I suggest we all go get some fresh air. Zee, how about I show you the back deck. We have a beautiful view of the mountains.”
I jerked my head in a nod and ventured a look up at him. He was smiling at me, and it reached all the way up to his eyes. He looked genuinely pleased about something. I thought
