Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
She’d soon see she was the most significant thing in his life—Eli would make sure of it. “If you want the truth, they always push me to go to you. Especially Shaya and Roni.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m apparently a moody and highly irritating fucker when you’re not around. My wolf’s the same. We want to be with you, and so we are. Now sleep. You need your rest, baby, because I’ll be fucking you into oblivion later.”
“Sounds promising.”
Eli kept on stroking her back, doodling the occasional circle here and there with his fingers. He knew she was asleep when her breathing evened out and her body completely melted into his. Satisfied that she was getting the rest she needed, he flicked through the channels until he found a movie that piqued his interest. He couldn’t have been more than an hour into it when there was a brisk knock on Casey’s front door.
Eli stilled. She didn’t wake, thankfully—which was a testament to how tired she really was. But then another knock came; this one a little louder. Worried they’d try calling her cell and then wake her with the damn ringtone, he carefully slipped off the sofa and settled her in his spot.
Her eyelids swept open, and he cursed under his breath. “Go back to sleep, baby. There’s a knock on the door—I’ll get rid of whoever it is.”
Crossing to the door, he opened it. A couple stood there. He recognized the broad, blond male as one of the coaching staff who’d stood at the sidelines during Casey’s game. The curvy brunette was unfamiliar, but there was a “note” to her scent that told him she was related to Casey somehow.
Neither looked like they wanted to be there—particularly the male. Good. Because Eli did not want them there.
“You must be Casey’s mate,” said the brunette, eyeing him somewhat clinically.
“I am,” confirmed Eli. “Look, this isn’t a good time for her. She’s had a hard day.”
“I know. I wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t asked me to come.”
He frowned. “She asked you to come?”
There was a rustling behind him. “Mallory?” Casey sounded both sleepy and surprised.
Grinding his teeth, Eli slowly stepped aside, allowing the couple to pass.
Mallory strolled into the apartment and stared at Casey, lips thinning. “God, you look awful.”
She snorted. “Thanks. Eli, this is my cousin, Mallory, and her mate, Preston. Guys, this is Eli, my mate.”
Preston tipped his chin at Eli while Mallory offered him a too-quick smile. Eli just stared at them, folding his arms across his chest.
Mallory glanced around the apartment, and her expression twisted into a look of distaste. “I really don’t know how you live in this place.” Putting her hands on her hips, she faced Casey. “Anyway, what do you want?”
Casey blinked. “Huh?”
“Sherryl told me that you wanted to speak with me, so here I am. And by the way, I can’t believe you still talk to that bitch.”
Casey shook her head. “I didn’t tell her that I wanted to speak with you.”
Preston grabbed his mate’s hand. “See, I told you Sherryl was probably just messing with you.”
Mallory weakly flapped her arm. “But why would she?”
“You know she didn’t like that I imprinted on you.” Preston tugged her closer. “It’s not that she wanted me for herself, she just found it hard to see one of her friends settle down. Now Casey’s mated, and so she’s probably pissed about that, too. It’s spite and jealousy, honey, that’s all.”
Mallory sighed, brow wrinkling. “I still don’t get why she’d send me here.”
“She probably just wanted someone to disturb Casey while she needs her rest,” said Preston.
Mallory huffed. “Whatever. If you really don’t need me for anything, Casey, I’m going.” Without even a goodbye, she swanned out of the apartment with her mate in tow. Preston gave both Casey and Eli a nod before closing the door.
Eli looked at his mate. “That’s really your cousin? She didn’t even congratulate you on your win today.”
“It would have been fake if she had.” Casey braced her elbows on her thighs and plastered her hands to her face.
Eli crouched in front of her. “What is it, baby? You were good at hiding it from Mallory and her mate, but I could feel how anxious you were when she mentioned Sherryl. What’s going on?”
Her fingers spread just enough for her to peek through them. “I don’t think I could handle you being disappointed in me.”
“I could never feel disappointed in you. Tell me.”
With a deep breath, she dropped her hands to her lap and sat up straight. “Okay … Before he mated Mallory, Preston and I had a one-night stand.” She bit down hard on her lip.
Even as jealousy rushed through him, Eli gently rubbed her thighs. “And Mallory doesn’t know?”
“I would have told her if he hadn’t pursued her in the hope of making me jealous.”