Rise to Embrace [Rise of the Changelings, Book 3] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) by Lynn Hagen Page B

babysit Harmony tonight. Does that mean you will be staying here?” Trisha asked as she set her tray down. Isabelle had already brought her tray back and was now sitting next to her mate as he fed her from his bowl. Willow’s heart tightened at the sight. She dreamed of having a man like that, someone who looked at her like she was their entire universe. She watched the two, feeling so damn envious.
    She glanced over at Deluca and Brooke and saw them gazing her way. Willow quickly turned back around. She grabbed the cloth and began to wipe the counter down. “I wasn’t told to stay here, but if he wants you to babysit, then I guess this is where I’ll be.”
    The alpha was keeping her from her niece. Willow saw the act for what it was. He knew she didn’t like Trisha to be at home because Sarah wouldn’t be there. So why would she want Harmony there? Garrett knew this. He knew how everyone viewed the reckless aunt. Yet he was allowing a fourteen-year-old to care for a three-year-old overnight, alone.
    Willow hated the idea of not being home and keeping Harmony safe herself.
    “I’m done here so I’ll go pick little Peanut up from Alpha Garrett’s home.” Trisha leaned forward and kissed Willow on her cheek. “Be careful,” she whispered before she left the aerial loft.
    Willow stayed in the kitchen for as long as she could. There was no one she had to watch out for. Although these people were strangers to her, Willow knew they would not be running to Garrett to tell the alpha if Deluca and Brooke boxed her in once more.
    She cleaned everything she could, twice, and then folded the cloth up and set it aside. Willow knew all eyes would be on her as she crossed the room, but she had to gain a little privacy. Knowing the two men were constantly watching her was fraying her nerves.
    Quickly walking to the bedroom, Willow blew out a slow breath when she was finally alone. But even in the quietness of the room, her thoughts were on the two men on the other side of the wall.
    They were like night and day in appearance. Brooke was well toned, his muscles defined nicely from what she could see. He was fit, sculpted, and gorgeous. His amethyst eyes drew her in and had held her captive. She wanted to run her fingers over his short, black hair just to feel the thick strands under her fingertips. He was about four inches taller than her and smelled so masculine that her thighs tightened at the remembered scent.
    Deluca was another story. The muscles rippling under his shirt seemed to stretch the fabric and show off the power he possessed. He was a lot broader than Brooke and an inch taller than his friend. His light-grey eyes were just as stunning as Brooke’s lavender ones, and he wore the same styled short hair, only his was a sandy blond.
    They were both so damn tempting that Willow wanted to whimper. Her fingers had tingled to touch Brooke’s handsome face and see if the hair that shadowed his jaw was as soft as it looked.
    But she knew that no matter how much she wanted the two men, it wasn’t going to happen. They were prisoners here, and Harmony was being kept from her. The odds of this going anywhere were stacking up, and Willow knew she needed to forget about any desires she had.
    Her pack would kill her if they knew just how much she wanted those two men. It didn’t matter to her that they were human. In Willow’s eyes, a person should be judged by his or her character, not their species.
    “I wanted to thank you for dinner.”
    Willow’s heart jolted in her chest when Deluca appeared in the doorway. Gods, he had scared her.
    He frowned. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    “I’m fine,” she quickly replied. “You’re welcome for dinner.” She stood in the middle of the room, hoping he went away and praying he stayed. She was conflicted as hell. Deluca scanned the room with his eyes and then walked closer to her. Willow’s coyote lifted its head and watched the man closely as his presence seemed to