Hestia House Book One

Chapter Eight

~Leo's POV~

My mate was in my arms and I never wanted to let go.

'I am going to fillet whoever is behind that door,' my murderous thoughts started filling my mind as Arynn pushed away from me and walked to the door. Our heated moment had brought a flush to her cheeks, which were filled out now. In fact, I could see that this past year had allowed her to become more than the shadow she was when we first met. And there was a confidence that had been missing that she now possessed. I watched her unashamedly, glad I had been able to find her.

The person behind the door turned out to be two people, a Latino man with a scowl on his face, and a motherly type woman wearing an apron and a scowl. When the man’s eyes met mine I instantly knew he was a wolf, though I don’t know why he was so protective of Arynn. I could tell he was strong, probably a close match for me in a fight, but he wanted to protect my mate more than anything else, so I didn’t feel the need to provoke him. Yet.

The woman on the other hand I couldn’t read. She had deep, dark brown eyes that seemed to gaze into my soul and connect with my wolf, but she was definitely not a wolf. Her presence was unassuming, but my wolf didn’t want to engage with her, not until we figured out what she was. But Arynn went to her first in a calm and respectful manner, so she was obviously a friend for now.

“Sue Ann, I would like for you to meet my… boyfriend. We haven’t seen each other in over a year, so his showing up took me by surprise. I’m sorry I left in the middle of the rush without an explanation.” Arynn had stumbled over what to call me, but who wouldn’t when talking to someone outside of a pack setting. At Arynn’s explanation, Sue Ann seemed to relax and her eyes warmed up to me ever so slightly. The guy’s wary glare turned to daggers at her comment, so I knew things would get heated rather quickly if we stayed here. But Arynn was already ahead of me and was asking for the rest of the day off. I frowned as I thought quitting immediately would be more in line with our plans, but we could talk about that later. And my frown deepened as Sue Ann used a name I had never heard before for my mate. We needed to talk sooner rather than later but the smile my mate gave me as she turned back to me made my brain go mushy and I almost forgot about the entire world for a moment. Dang, this mate thing was more dangerous than everyone let on.

“Let’s get going Leo. Diego will drive us back to our house and we can talk.” Arynn led the way, and I pulled out my cell phone to text Tom. He would be thrilled to know she was safe and thriving, and would want to come meet up right away. His reply just a minute later reaffirmed my thoughts, and I promised an address to meet as soon as I had one. This was going to be an interesting evening.

~Arynn’s POV~

I could sense Leo’s tension. Maybe because of the mate bond? This mate bond thing was still confusing, and talking to the other wolves in my house who would share about it hadn’t cleared anything up. I could also see the aggravation practically rolling off Diego. I had finally told him my real name and story last week when the first unknown visitor had shown up, so he definitely didn’t miss the darkening of Leo’s face when Sue Ann called me Aster. I was not looking forward to the conversation to come, but better to have it now then later I guess.

Once we arrived back at my house, Diego having driven us, he went in and disappeared. I could barely hear conversations inside, but was definitely aware of slamming doors and locks. Diego must have gone ahead so that no one would disturb us or be sighted by my alpha mate. Based on some of their stories, I couldn’t blame them for not trusting Leo. I mean, honestly, there was no reason for me to trust him outside of our mate bond. He was texting and just as I was going to ask him about it, Diego came back outside, aggravation still pouring off him.

“I have the living room ready for us to talk. I grabbed some water bottles if we need them.” Diego’s accent was heavier, a sign that he was angry as well. I could almost feel the headache starting already. I may need something stronger than my evening tea tonight.

“A friend of my mate’s is on his way. I will come inside with him when he arrives.” Leo’s tone was dismissive, but also possessive when referencing me. Diego started to crouch, ready to leap and attack my mate for his tone, but my hand on his shoulder as I climbed up the porch steps slowed him down. But my innocuous touch in turn made the hackles on my mate rise and want to attack. Seriously, I am not sure how I would survive if all this testosterone stayed this high. Sighing, I walked inside to the living room and grabbed a water bottle. Slumping onto a couch I considered what to tell Leo about the past year, about my personal history, and what the name Aster meant to me. I sat up when I heard a car on the drive, ready for the guys to come inside. But my joy at seeing Tom run into the room replaced any anxiety over the impending conversation and I gave him a firm hug.

Tears started streaming down my face and he started babbling and trying to back away as Diego and Leo walked into the room, both bristling because of my crying. It took me about ten minutes to get my waterworks under control and explain why I was crying. By then we were all settled, Diego and Tom in their own chairs, and Leo next to me on the long couch in the room. He wanted me close enough to touch, but this worn couch allowed me room to turn and actually talk to him. And so I asked him the only question I could at the moment.

“What do you want to know?”