Chapter 39

Selene

"So, what are you guys doing here? Phoenix didn't really tell me anything," Sam asks, casually digging into my plate without permission. I'm mere seconds away from biting his fingers off if he doesn't pass it back.

He flashes a grin, as if reading my thoughts, and shoves another forkful into his mouth, chewing with exaggerated satisfaction.

Yeah, I'm going to kill him.

"Some weirdo broke into our house, and stole Selene's birth control and vibrator," Makayla answers, finishing up her bowl.

Sam grimaces. "What? Really?"

"Yeah, and then left a note that said 'slutty whores don't get to cum'," I add, my voice dripping with disgust and anger.

"Um, what kind of psychos have you been seeing lately?"

"That's just it. I haven't been around any guys besides Phoenix and Zack. Unless it's someone from work. Do you guys know anyone that doesn't like me?"

Both Makayla and Sam avert their gazes to the floor, their discomfort palpable.

"What?" I demand, narrowing my eyes.

Makayla twirls a strand of hair around her finger. "Well, there's a few people that aren't particularly fond of you. They think you only got your internship because Philip's your stepdad.

I gasp. "And you're just now telling me this?"

"We didn't want to make a big deal about it," Sam says quickly, his tone apologetic. "It's not like it's true. You worked hard for it, and you're good at your job."

How can I just go back to work knowing people dislike me because they believe there's some kind of nepotism going on? I wish I could tell them that Philip doesn't even like me that much, and he didn't just do it as a favor to my mom. I earned my internship.

Sam suddenly shudders, even though he's wearing a whole cardigan.

Seriously, why hasn't he gotten that checked out yet?

"Do you need the heater on?" I tease, grabbing another fork to eat from the other side of my bowl.

"Yes, please," he says, wrapping his cardigan tighter around his body.

"Of course," Makayla says, rolling her eyes playfully as she heads to the change the thermostat.

Once she's gone, Sam turns his attention back to me. "I doubt anyone at work hates you that much. Let's go back to Phoenix and Zack."

"Okay, well Phoenix was with me that entire night, so it wasn't him. That leaves-"

"Zack."

I shake my head, dispelling the idea. Zack would never do that. Being a cop has been his dream since he was a child, he wouldn't risk losing his job because of me? For what? Just to prove a point?

He did see me with Phoenix that night and we had that whole fight. But he's not immature enough to retaliate like that, right? I told him I was just going to dinner with my stepbrother. There was no reason to assume there was something more going on between us.

"Zack wouldn't do this, but Luke and Phoenix are going to figure out who did," I say, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

After I reluctantly finish sharing my plate with Zack, we all migrate into Makayla's new room to watch a movie. The flickering light from the screen casts shadows on the wall, and I'm halfway asleep when Jamie walks in and kisses Makayla.

"What are you doing here?" she asks sleepily, lifting her head from Sam's shoulder.

Jamie crouches beside her, concern clouding his features. "I just wanted to come check on you. Phoenix told me what happened."

She smiles at him. "I appreciate that. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you about it myself."

"That's okay, Phoenix told me why you couldn't, that's why I asked him if I could come see you in person."

If he's here, does that mean that Phoenix is back?

Butterflies flutter in my stomach, a mix of anxiety and hope. Maybe I should go downstairs and see him, ask him how his day was. But what if I seem too desperate?

It's not like we're together. His uncle is just letting us stay here for a few days, but the thought of him sends warmth spreading through me.

"Well, I'm going to go talk to Phoenix and Loki. I'll come up here and say goodbye before I leave, okay?" Jamie says quietly.

Makayla nods. "Okay."

Jamie kisses her again before walking out of the room, shutting the door behind him with a soft click.

"I'm just going to go say hi to Phoenix really fast. Be right back," I say quickly, slipping off the bed.

When I descend downstairs, Phoenix is standing in the living room. He looks dangerously gorgeous, dressed in a black hoodie and jeans. His eyes flicker to mine immediately, the tense look on his face softening as if my mere presence relaxes him and his wolf.

"Hello, little wolf." A pleasurable shiver runs up my spine at the sound of his deep, inviting voice, my heart racing.

I can't help but smile. "Hey, Phoenix."

My wolf whimpers in my head, yearning to be close to him. I want to run over there and bury my nose in his neck, but that would be insane, especially in front of Loki and Jamie. I'm sure they know that Phoenix is my stepbrother.

Instead, I manage to control myself, fighting the urge to close the distance. "Umm, where is Luke at?" I ask, shifting uncomfortably.

I notice the subtle tick of his jaw. "He's still at the office, got caught up in some work. How are you feeling? How's Makayla?"

"We're good. This is a really nice place," I reply, forcing my voice to sound casual despite the flutter of nerves.

He nods, his gaze lingering on mine like he never wants to look away. "Yeah, it is."

The air between us thickens, heavy with unspoken words and emotions. Okay, maybe I shouldn't have come down here. This feels awkward, but maybe I'm the one making it that way.

Amusement glimmering his eyes, Phoenix strides across the room, the confidence in his walk sending heat searing through me. He yanks me into his arms, burying his nose in my hair. "I'm glad my little stepsister is enjoying her stay. Nothing makes me happier than knowing you're safe," he purrs.

"Phoenix," I whisper, heat rising to my cheeks.

"Shh, let your brother hold you like this just for a little while."

I know I should pull away, but I just don't. I allow myself to melt in his embrace, inhaling his musky scent that clings to his hoodie. "I missed you," he murmurs into my ear.

I don't reply, but the heart swells with warmth at his confession.

He missed me.

"Phoenix," Loki says gruffly, breaking the moment.

"I know," he responds, his voice laced with irritation. He pulls back to look at my face, his intense gaze searching mine. "We'll just be outside running the perimeter. I'll be back soon to talk about our sleeping arrangements."

"Sleeping arrangements?"

I already have my own room. What else do we need to talk about?

Instead of answering, he just kisses me on the forehead. "Go back upstairs for me, little wolf," he urges gently.

"Okay," I whisper, the word escaping as a breathy sigh.

I'm only obeying because I want to. I want to please him, even if this is something small. So I turn around and head back upstairs, a helpless smile spreading across my face as I replay his words in my mind.