When she mastered her wolf, Gillian had told her, then she could begin her training as a healer. Since the feeling of other came in went within her soul, she expected mastering her wolf was easier said than done. At least she hadn’t ripped herself apart since waking earlier in the day.
Smothering a yawn, she retrieved the lemonade Margie had pressed into her hand. She’d already eaten the brisket sandwiches and potato salad Charles delivered to her followed by the braised ribs Luc dropped off. Not far from Brett, Luc held court, with a woman on each arm and looking all the happier for it. The charmer had been broken a week before and if she was any guess, she’d bet he’d be bedding both of the females vying for his attention before long.
When a man drew Brett’s attention away, she glanced down at the envelope. A clearing throat behind her interrupted before she could decide whether to open it or not. Twisting, she found Samantha standing a foot or so away. The tall, leggy blonde didn’t wear the same bitchy expression she’d had when she appeared at Brett’s house.
“I owe you an apology.” The hostile tone didn’t carry an ounce of sincerity, but it didn’t matter because Colby didn’t agree.
“No, you don’t.” The response seemed to surprise the other woman.
“I have my orders.” Either Brett or Luc, or maybe her parents. Fine, if they wanted to force an apology, that was their business.
“I don’t care.” She shrugged. “When I was kid, my mother would always tell me to apologize whenever a disagreement happened whether it was my fault or not. Whether I meant it or not. If you want to apologize because you genuinely feel bad or feel that I deserve one, knock yourself out. You were pissed, not at me, but at someone else and you took it out on me. I also belted you in the face, and I don’t plan to apologize for it.”
Despite her frown, Samantha seemed more intrigued than offended. “I kind of deserved it.”
“Yes, you did.” On that point, they could agree. The other woman wouldn’t quite meet her gaze. She kept trying though. Hopefully, the wolf politics thing would come easier to her. “Look, you care about your brother. As it happens, so do I.” The words flowed out of her. “If I thought someone was doing him harm, I’d probably want to rip into them, too. So we’re good.”
“Huh.” The other woman shook her head slowly. “You’re not at all what I was expecting.”
“I get that a lot.” Colby grinned. Story of her life. But only part of the story…she came from somewhere. Her wolf did and Brett wasn’t pushing her, but she got the impression he thought she needed to know.
Damn man was right, too. Alphas are always right, he’d said with a grin over coffee earlier and she’d made a decision. Maybe he would always be right, but she didn’t think she needed to join the kiss ass parade.
“You’re okay,” Samantha exhaled. “Maybe we can get coffee at some point. Try the whole get to know you thing over again.”
“I’d like that, but on one condition.”
Wariness returned to the woman’s deep blue eyes. “Which is?”
“I need dirt on Luc. He’s way too cocky.”
Her sudden grin chased away any lingering reservations Colby might have. “I have tons of dirt on Luc.”
The man in question let out a shout and his sister laughed. Still grinning, Colby looked back at Brett and found him gazing at her. The love in his eyes sent a wave of heat over her skin and something within her stirred. It almost felt like…fur rubbing against her. Still trying to process the sensation, she missed Brett crossing the field until he knelt in front of her. “You okay?”
Samantha mumbled something and disappeared back into the crowd.
Nodding slowly, Colby said, “I think so, I just…I felt my wolf.”
“Your eyes changed,” he told her and she blinked. They had? “And back to normal.” With a light hand he rubbed her bare thigh. “Have I told you how much I loved you today?”
“Several times,” she grinned. “But I haven’t told you.” He stilled and she cupped his face in her hands. “I love you Brett Dalton, crazy wolf stuff and all.”
His arms closed around her and then his mouth fused to hers and she basked in the passion of his kiss. Applause broke out around them and Luc shouted again. “Get a room.”
“What a great idea,” Brett said against her lips and she laughed. Everything was easier when he was at her side. It was… “Colby?”
“Mates.” That was what he’d called Owen. Owen was Gillian’s mate. His parents were mated. Samantha had thought she was supposed to be Luc’s, and yes, she loved the man but she wasn’t in love with him. He didn’t quicken her pulse or brighten her world. “You’re my mate.” It sounded so weird—and so damn right at the same time.