Ryne popped into her mind, no doubt due to the fact that he was leaving tomorrow. No sign of Marla had been found much to everyone’s frustration, but Ryne vowed to keep an eye out for her and would warn any pack he might come in contact with, as he searched for a new home. Both Bryan and Daniel were accompanying him and Elise wondered how the three would fare.
She’d miss Bryan of course, but knew their lives were heading down separate paths. Daniel had been very quiet lately; hopefully a new environment would help him come around. And Ryne... She smiled when she thought of him. He was so like Kane, but with a very strange sense of humour. The man was also a bit rough around the edges, at times making her blush with some of his comments. It was all meant in fun however, and she wished she could have longer to get to know her brother-in-law. Still, once he settled somewhere, they’d be able to visit occasionally.
As if he’d known her thoughts, Ryne appeared in the doorway. He was dressed all in black, exuding the same air of confidence and power that Kane did. “Hey, Elise. What are you up to?”
“Nothing much. Just enjoying some quiet time.”
“Mind if I join you?”
She patted the spot beside her and he wandered in, his stride fluid and predatory. Elise loved Kane with her whole heart, but it didn’t stop her from admiring the pure male beauty of the man approaching her. With his slightly too long black hair, and piercing blue eyes, broad chest and long legs, the man personified sex appeal. Elise couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on her lips when he sat down beside her.
“You look happy.” He commented as he leaned back in the sofa. “What brings that smile to your face?”
“You.” She laughed at the shocked look on his face. “I was just thinking that, next to Kane, you’re probably the best looking Lycan I’ve ever encountered, and here I am with both of you under the same roof.”
Quick to regain his composure, Ryne leered at her. “You’re lucky that Kane saw you first or I’d be carrying you off with me.”
“No, you wouldn’t. There’s nothing that special about me and you can have your pick of any number of beautiful females. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how every single girl in the pack has been hanging around here. And you haven’t exactly been turning them away, either.”
The slightest hint of a flush appeared on Ryne’s cheeks and he ducked his head in acknowledgement. “True. But I haven’t encouraged any of them. None of them can hold a candle to you.”
Elise folded her arms and gave him a disbelieving look.
“I mean it, Elise. You’re special. You have guts. When I think of how you tried to drag yourself through the ravine with a broken leg, and then saved us all from being killed by Marla...” He reached out and brushed a curl from her face, staring deeply into her eyes. “And you’re sweet and kind...” His gaze dropped to her mouth and he slowly leaned closer.
A wave of panic washed over Elise as she felt the attraction build between them. She tried to lean away, but the arm of the couch was preventing her.
“What’s going on here?” A rough voice rumbled from the doorway and both turned to see Kane framed in it. He had clenched his hands into fists and was holding them stiffly at his side. His expression was anything but pleased.
“Kane, it’s nothing. I was just—” Elise pushed against Ryne’s chest trying to create some space between them. She immediately sent positive thoughts Kane’s way in order to reassure him, only to shiver in fear as they bounced off the edge of his mind. Kane was blocking her, and from the look on his face, he was more than a little annoyed.
“You, I trust.” Kane barked the words as he strode into the room. “It’s this rogue that I don’t.”
“What’s the matter, Kane? Don’t you believe in sharing?” Ryne taunted, getting to his feet and facing his brother.
Elise was getting flustered. Her relationship with Kane was finally on solid ground and she didn’t want anything to upset it. “Ryne, don’t tease him like that! Kane, I don’t know why he’s behaving this way.” Her gaze darted back and forth between the two men.
“Don’t you, Elise?” Ryne mocked. “I’m starting a new pack. I need a female to breed with and you’d suit me just fine.”
Gasping at his boldness, Elise struggled to her feet and placed herself in between the two, her back firmly pressed to Kane’s chest. She could feel it starting to rumble. “But you’re his brother; part of the pack. You can’t claim a pack member’s mate!” She hoped he was joking. There was a glint in his eye, which made her think he simply had a weird and ill-timed sense of humour, but still...