Six

Vespa POV

My shoulders ached from the tension of the entire day, and my throat felt dry from arguing with people I never wanted to see again. By the time I reached my room I was starving, exhausted, and done with everyone.

I kicked the door shut behind me, yanked off my boots, tossed my backpack onto the bed, and dropped onto the couch.

Ria sat at the desk with her laptop open. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes scanning my face.

“You look like a horse pissed on your leg.”

“Is there some cosmic deity I need to bribe to stop this chain of disasters?”

She shut the laptop immediately and turned toward me. “What happened?”

“My personal pack of lunatics won’t leave me alone.”

Ria frowned. “The wolf brothers?”

“Who else?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “I thought you ditched them.”

“I tried. They spent the entire lunch arguing over me like I was the last steak in the restaurant.”

Ria burst out laughing.

I stared at her. “You think this is funny?”

“Three hot werewolves fighting over you? I’m trying very hard to find the tragedy.”

“It wasn’t flirting. It was… weird.”

That word still didn’t cover it.

The way Kai watched me.

The way Ziah kept pushing.

The way Zeke looked like he was trying to stop something bigger from exploding.

“Something about them felt off,” I admitted. “They weren’t joking. They were acting like rivals.”

Ria leaned forward.

“That’s not normal, Vespa.And you said the pregnant girlfriend is their cousin?”

I nodded.

Her eyes widened. “Holy shit. That’s messy.”

“You think?”

I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone, scrolling through the messages Donovan had been sending.

“Look at this.”

Ria grabbed the phone. Her expression darkened.

“Vespa…”

“What?”

She turned the screen toward me.

Donovan:

Stay away from the triplet brothers. They're danger. Call me back.

“I swear he’s addicted to drama,” I muttered.

Ria didn’t laugh.

“Why would he say that?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care.”

I grabbed the hand mirror from the desk and looked at my reflection. My freckles stood out against my nose and the small mole near my neck caught the light.

Earlier today three different men had stared at me like I was the center of the universe.

I still couldn’t understand it.

“I’m not even good looking,” I muttered. “Why are they after me?”

Ria snorted. “You’re fishing for compliments now?”

“No. I’m trying to understand why three idiots suddenly decided I’m worth fighting over.”

“Because you are gorgeous and men are stupid,” she said.

“That’s the most convincing explanation I’ve heard today.”

My phone buzzed again.

Donovan.

I declined the call.

“Persistent bastard,” Ria said.

Before I could answer, my phone rang again. This time it was my sister, Astrid.

I answered and switched to speaker.

“What’s up?”

“Mom and Dad left this morning,” Astrid said immediately. “Grandma Beryl isn’t getting better.”

I sat up.

“They didn’t tell me.”

Typical.

Astrid continued, “Since they’re gone, I thought I’d come stay with you for the weekend. Luther is boring and I need entertainment.”

“Let me ask Ria.”

“Do you even have to ask?” Ria called out. “She’s always welcome.”

“Perfect,” Astrid said cheerfully. “I’ll be there soon. And I’m bringing Snowy.”

Ria yelped. “That demon cat?”

“He’s not a demon.”

“He bit me last time.”

“You weren't exactly nice to him.”

I ended the call before the argument could continue.

I leaned back into the couch and grabbed a bag of chips while music played quietly from my phone. Hours later the door burst open and Astrid walked in dragging a huge pink suitcase.

Snowy jumped out of her arms and started inspecting the room. I scooped him up immediately. He rubbed his head against my chin.

“Hey baby. You missed me?”

I found Snowy in a park last year. He followed me home and refused to leave. I loved him to death.

Astrid dropped the suitcase with a loud thud.

“Why does that thing look heavier than my entire wardrobe?” I asked.

“I brought outfits for the party.”

“What party?”

Astrid blinked. “The welcome party for the wolves.”

Ria grinned from the couch.mAstrid clapped her hands. “Perfect. We’re going.”

“You’re not.”

She rolled her eyes. “Vespa, I’m seventeen, not five.”

“You’re still my responsibility.”

“Relax,” Ria said. “I’ll watch her.”

“You hate parties.”

“I hate boring parties,” she corrected. “But a wolf welcome party? That sounds fucking wild.”

I glared at her.“You two are impossible.”

Astrid and Ria immediately started going through makeup and clothes while I tried to lie down and sleep.

It didn’t work.

My phone kept buzzing. Donovan again. Call after call. Message after message.

Finally one slipped through before I blocked the number.

Donovan:

Do not go to that party. They’re dangerous.

I stared at the screen.

Astrid stepped out of the bathroom wearing a tight top and a short skirt. I sat upright.

“Astrid. You look like you’re auditioning for a strip club.”

Ria burst out laughing.

“She looks amazing.”

“You’re encouraging bad decisions.”

Astrid grabbed her purse. “Relax. I’ll survive.”

“Make sure she does,” I told Ria.

“Got it, Captain.”

They headed for the door.

Astrid looked back and grinned. “Try not to brood all night.”

The door shut behind them.

Silence filled the room. Snowy jumped onto the desk and stared at me.

“You and I are staying out of trouble tonight,” I told him.

My phone vibrated again.

Unknown number.

Donovan wasn’t giving up.

Frustrated, I powered the phone off.

Snowy meowed.

“You’re right,” I muttered. “Men are the worst.”

About ten minutes later, a knock hit the door.

I walked across the room and opened it.

Then I stopped.

Donovan stood in the hallway.