A Tiny Matchmaker for Two Star-Crossed Mates by Anya Byrne Page B

injury a while ago, it became hard for me to take care of myself in the wild. I... I take it this is the Lone Wolf Pack?"
    "It is," Mathias confirmed. "The Alpha will want to talk to you, but it can wait for a bit while you recover. For the moment, I'll have something sent in for you to eat. How does that sound?"
    Myles didn't have to respond, because his stomach did it for him. It growled so loudly the sound echoed in the room, making his face heat with shame. Mathias chuckled, but didn't seem to resent him for it. "Okay, that works. I'll be right back. Just relax and get some rest. I promise you're safe here, Myles."
    Myles was still waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he decided to deal with things as they came his way. For the moment, he had food and a warm bed. Even if his heart still held the growing emptiness of a lone wolf's loss, he could focus on the comfort this pack provided and for a little while, just forget.
    ****
    For a few days, Myles did indeed enjoy the hospitality of the Lone Wolf Pack. The only person who came to visit him was Mathias, which helped—because really, he didn't like people.
    As such, when Mathias told him it was time to meet the Alpha and the rest of the pack, Myles naturally panicked. He probably would have turned tail and fled had his muscles not frozen.
    Mathias couldn't have missed his panic, and squeezed his shoulder in a way that was supposed to be comforting—and to a certain extent, was. "It's okay. Saul is an amazing Alpha, and the rest of the pack understand what you've been through. You're perfectly safe."
    Myles really doubted that, but he couldn't exactly complain. He found himself stumbling after Mathias as the half-Sidhe guided him into the hallway.
    There were already several people waiting for him in the main room of the house. Three men who were undoubtedly born Alphas all turned toward him as he walked inside. A forth leaned against the wall, his arms crossed against his chest as he watched on with an alarmingly blank expression.
    Myles's hands started to tremble. Only five people, he told himself. That wasn't so bad. The door was still there, and if it got too much for him, he could bid a hasty retreat. He could do this. He wasn't a coward. His fears didn't rule him.
    One of the Alphas took a step forward and extended his hand. "Hello, Myles. Welcome to the Lone Wolf Pack. I'm Saul Simmons, and I'm the Alpha here."
    Myles offered the big man a tremulous smile and accepted the Alpha's palm, acutely aware of how badly he was sweating.  "T-Thank you for helping me," he stammered.
    Saul shared a look with Mathias, one that alarmed Myles even further. What did they think about him? Did they deem him a spy because of his hesitation? Did they perhaps believe that he had some nefarious secret to hide? Or were they simply disgusted by his pathetic nature, just like everyone else had been?
    As the Alpha let go of his hand, the man who'd been leaning against the wall approached them. "Come sit down," he said, now smiling kindly. His hand was warm and gentle on Myles's arm, and Myles went along with it, because at the very least, it drew him away from the looming, overwhelming Alphas.
    The man guided him to the couch and gestured for him to sit—which Myles eagerly did. A glass of water appeared in Myles's line of sight and he took it with trembling hands. As he looked up, he saw the kind stranger waiting next to him, within his reach, but not close enough to encroach on his personal space. "It's okay," the man said. "My name is Will. I know things seem very scary right now, and you have no reason to trust us, but you're safe here. No one is going to hurt you."
    Myles was aware of the three Alphas talking in the background, and the two people Myles hadn't met yet left. A knot of tension loosened in Myles's chest and he found the strength to smile at Will. "Thank you. I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm not good with people."
    "That's fine," Saul replied. "I didn't realize it at first.