While waiting somewhat patiently for my response to his request, Kiren, standing uncomfortably close behind me, suddenly stiffened. My innate response was to tense up as well. His eyes widened, pupils dilating, and his light blue irises darkened into a deep navy as his wolf pushed forward. In that brief, frozen second, my heart rate tripled. I was sure he was about to attack me—though I hadn’t the faintest idea why. I hadn’t even said anything yet.
Instead, his head snapped to the right, and he murmured, “Mate.”
Mate?
Following his gaze, I saw her. At the top of the stairs, equally awestruck, stood Kilani. A radiant smile lit up her face before she darted down the stairs and launched herself into Kiren’s arms. I instinctively stepped back, moving in sync with Kelton, still pressed prote
