Page 29 of Unknowingly Adopting the Alpha
Cass could clearly sense the awkward tension, and moved closer to my side, seeking my comfort. I wished I could bask in this moment.
“I’ll bring Cass over in a few,” I said, letting Milo know he was dismissed.
He seemed rather glad to leave, hurrying to nod his goodbye before stripping off my pants and leaving through the back door. Poor Cass had to avert his gaze, his cheeks turning pink.
Once I knew Milo couldn’t overhear us, I asked, “You sure you feel ready to meet the others? We tend to shift whenever we want when in safe company. I won’t know if any of them want to meet you in their wolf forms.”
He let out a deep breath. “I’m ready. I guess Milo just surprised me. I never felt that afraid of Red.”
Letting out a soft chuckle, I hugged him closer to my chest, loving his short intake of air. “I love that you still talk about my wolf form like it’s not me.”
He huffed. “It’s the easiest way for me to deal with all of this, but I do know you’re the same, please trust me on that.”
“Are you afraid that I’ll judge you if not?” I frowned.
“Well, yes, sort of… I guess I just don’t want you to think I’ve gone mad or something.”
“Why on earth would I think that?”
“Well, after thinking Red had been a figment of my imagination, I’ve been worried it was still true, somehow, but seeing Milo just now switched a button somehow, you know? And I don’t want you to worry that how I react is… wrong.”
“Baby,” I sighed, kissing his temple, my lips lingering . “You get to react however youdamnwell want to. I know all of this shifter stuff isn’t normal for you, so I’ll be patient while you work through it all. It might take a while before you see Red and me as one and the same. It might also never happen, whatever makes this work for you.”
“You wouldn’t be mad if I couldn’t ever see you as one and the same?”
“Never. If you prefer to make us separate beings, then that’s fine with me.”
I surprisingly meant every word. I didn’t have any pack mates who had humans in their lives as close friends or lovers that I could ask for pointers. To be brutally honest, had Cass not been my fated, I wouldn’t have pursued a human either. It was just a lot of hard work to bring a human into our world. Cass was worth it though. Being fated meant we were meant to be, so however he wanted to deal with this new knowledge was fully up to him. As long as he accepted both my forms, I was happy.
“Thank you,” he whispered, then leaned up and stole my breath away as he placed a soft kiss on my cheek, warming me from the inside out.
Chapter Sixteen
Cassian
Jeremy and I walked towards a huge house which he called their community center, or pack house. I was glad for the ten-minute walk. It allowed me to center myself before meeting all of these people, who were all a part of Jeremy’s pack, a part of his family.
Meeting Milo had helped, even if things seemed tense between the brothers. I was glad my reaction had happened then and not in front of the whole pack. I would’ve died from embarrassment, no doubt.
“In here.” Jeremy held the door open for me. I slid inside, eager to get this whole thing over with, but also nervous as fuck. What if I accidentally offended someone? I had no handbook on manners when in the company of shifters. MaybeIshould write a handbook for humans… I guess it might help someone in the future. If Jeremy and I ended up dating for a long time, these people would be sort of family to me too, I hoped.
The door led to a hallway with several open doorways, and I was gently guided to the one straight ahead. We stopped in ahuge room with several tables and chairs, which opened up to a kitchen. This was definitely where they all ate and celebrated together. I loved it!
The floors were reddish in color, the style I believe was called parquet, making them look fancy.The walls were a beige shade, but instead of looking dated, it made the room feel inviting and comfy. Six golden chandeliers brought more warmth to the room. It was easy to see why so many were sitting in here, enjoying themselves.
“Everyone!” Jeremy called out, and I felt the intense stare down of a lifetime. “This is my boyfriend, Cass.”
I did a little wave, feeling so damn awkward as I stood there. I was also feeling rather smug to be called his boyfriend in front of everyone. I’d somehow claimed their Alpha as mine, was it really a surprise I felt like puffing my chest out?
“Welcome, Cass,” Jeremy’s dad greeted, approaching us with a warm smile.
“Shit,” I muttered, before he got close enough to hear it.
Jeremy leaned down and whispered, “shifter hearing, baby. He definitely heard that.”
Blushing somewhat fiercely, I caught his dad winking at me. “A better introduction might be in order then. I’m Paul, Jeremy’s dad and former Alpha of the Groove Vale Pack.”
I shook his hand, smiling as best as I could. “Nice to meet you, Paul. I’m sorry I called you a jerk.Multiple times,”I hurried to add.
