Page 30 of Unknowingly Adopting the Alpha
My admission caused several snickers, but at least no one seemed angry with me.
“I fully deserved it,” he agreed, shooting me a wink. “I should’ve been better at containing my laughter, but seeing a human protect my son like that.” He shook his head. “You had the strongest wolf in our pack on your backseat and named him Red. Not an ounce of fear in you.”
“I would never fear Red,” I stated indignantly.
“No, it would seem not,” he smiled.
“Did Milo talk to you before we got here?” Jeremy asked his dad.
“He did. Everyone knows that you two are dating and are very happy for you both,” he answered, giving me a kind smile.
“Glad to hear it. I was told Mary needed some help in the garden removing the fallen leaves?”
“True, if you two are up for getting dirty,” Paul grinned.
“Sounds fun,” I decided, looking forward to escaping the constant staring from around the room.
“We’ll go help her now.” Jeremy began steering me through the room until we reached the back door. “I hope you don’t mind helping Mary out. She’s one of the eldest in the pack and always tends to the garden herself, but with the fall weather upon us, she’s suddenly feeling overwhelmed .”
I waved that off. “I’ll be happy to lend a helping hand.”
“Good,” he grinned. “Because Mary is like the mother of the pack. If she likes you, everyone will.”
“No pressure or anything,” I muttered. The bastard just laughed and steered me outside.
Mary was easy to spot, mostly because we heard her before we saw her. Her muttered curses told us she was having trouble with the leaves, and from the colorful language she used, it seemed the rake wasn’t very helpful.
“Mary?” Jeremy called out, amused.
“Jer? Is that you?” she called back, confused.
We stepped around the corner and spotted her. She was a short woman with white hair that had a lavender shine to it, making it look like it was colored periwinkle.
“There you are!” she beamed. “Here, take this.” She handed him the rake, or rather pushed it at him, like she was eager to get rid of it. “That damn thing doesn’t work.”
Looking fondly at Mary, he turned it around, showing her how the tipped part should be against the ground.
“Oh,” she shook her head. “It seems you know how to use it. Get to it.” She snapped her fingers and pointed at the many leaves. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Mary,” Jeremy laughed, stopping her mid stride. “I want you to meet my boyfriend, Cass.”
“Oh!” She turned her beaming smile my way. “What a handsome one! Let me get a closer look.” She was soon all up in my business. “Is that?” she sniffed me, like actually fucking sniffed me! “Cat?” She sniffed again. “Maine Coon, to be exact.” Another sniff. “Female. Young.”
“Um, yes? I just got a new cat yesterday,” I explained, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
Her smile widened. “I love that for you!”
“Alpha!” A male voice called. “We need your help in the garage!”
“Coming!” Jeremy called back.
“I just need to help them real quick,” Jeremy said, looking sad about leaving me. “Can you help Mary while I’m gone?”
“Sure.” I forced a smile on my face, since I didn’t want him to worry.
“Off with ya,” Mary shooed him away.
He ran, which I found endearing. Like maybe he was trying to get there quickly so he could return to me faster. Or something like that.
