Brand understood. He wouldn’t have gone to that length to make a point but he respected his cousin on a new level. Payback was something he could relate to. “Were you the one to think up that plan?”
“Mandy did.” Braden grinned. “She said their old man would be too afraid to sell off their younger sisters if she and Tina were to set an example of how to throw a proper send-off party. It also gave them some protection because their new mates would be afraid to hurt them since we’d become intimate friends. Our family is known for kicking some ass to protect the people we care about. Carmen just wanted to piss off her dad and I could relate. Mom hit the roof. You know how she feels about us doing anything she didn’t approve of.”
Brand shook his head but was amused. “Your heart and dick were in the right place, huh? I won’t bust your balls anymore about that night.”
“Speaking of balls, let me go to the runnings. I’ll be careful.”
“It’s too dangerous. Sorry. Hang on while I grab those movies. That’s the best I can do for you. Don’t enter my room again unless I actually yell for you.”
“Got it.”
Chapter Six
Charma grinned as Brand held out the spoon. “Seriously?”
He wiggled it in front of her mouth. “Take a bite. You’re too thin. I bought chocolate ice cream and brownies. Eat.”
“You put them all together and this is lunch? Really?”
His gaze dropped to her waist. “I miss those curves.”
“I’m going to get them back if you keep feeding me this way. This morning I thought the pancakes with chocolate chips and chocolate syrup was over the top but this is junk food on a whole new level. I’m not a full shifter, you know. My human side is going to pack on the weight.”
“Good. You shouldn’t be this thin. You need to gain at least forty pounds.”
“I really missed you, Brand. Have I said that enough? Most guys want model types. You sure don’t.”
“I want you happy and you’re sexy when you’re all curvy and plush. I’m afraid I’m going to break you. I can feel your bones.”
The phone rang and he sighed, handing her the utensil. “Hang on. I have to get that. I’ve been expecting the pack to contact me.”
“Will they be angry about me being here?”
“No. This will concern what to do about the prides.”
Charma watched him stride quickly to the wall and answer the phone. She couldn’t stare at him enough. Sleeping in his arms had been pure heaven the night before and the amount of sex he needed was over the top. Her muscles ached but she wasn’t going to complain.
“Okay.” He paused. “Right. I’ll be there.” He hung up and turned. “That was Rave. He and his brothers are holding an emergency pack meeting at my uncle’s house. A few strangers were spotted on the outer edges of town and from the smell of them, your pride has reached us. They are probably waiting until darkness falls to attack but just in case, don’t leave the house.”
“I would be too afraid to do that,” she admitted. “I’ll never forget last night. I thought those wolves were going to tear me out of the car and rip me to shreds.”
Rage twisted his features. “Fuck. That’s another thing that is going to be taken care of today. It won’t ever happen again once the pack is informed you’re my mate. We have a lot of wolves visiting from nearby areas but they’ll immediately take off to avoid being dragged into a war. Word will spread fast that the runnings have been canceled and why.”
“What is that?”
He hesitated.
Charma studied him. He obviously didn’t want to answer her. “What is a running? Some werewolf thing? Do you shift and all run together?”
“Um…”
The door to the basement jerked open and Braden stepped into the kitchen. He glanced at Charma, grinning. “At this time of year, it’s when all the single wolves get naked and fuck like mad in the woods during mating heat.” He glanced at his cousin. “I heard your conversation as I came up the stairs. We’re going to a pack meeting at Dad’s? Is that what you said? I’m dressed and dying to go somewhere. No offense but your basement is making me claustrophobic.”
The information of what a running was settled into Charma and her gaze fixed on Brand. He avoided looking at her, instead glaring at his cousin. It suddenly became clear why he hadn’t wanted to answer her question. The image of Brand out there running with a bunch of female wolves to have sex made her lose her appetite. She wondered how many of his pack bitches he knew intimately.