Three. Fuck, would she sleep next to me? Fill my lungs with her scent every minute of the day?
Two. It didn’t matter. She didn’t want me anyway.
One. This was the only way. It had to be done.
“We’ll leave tomorrow.”
“You’re serious?” Olivia asked, her mouth dropping at me.
“We’ll make it work,” I said with a shrug and hoped she couldn’t hear just how hard my heart pounded.
“You have no idea what you’re walking into,” she whispered, doubt and fear rampant in those deep brown eyes.
“If I can face down an army of vampire slayers without flinching, I’m pretty sure I can handle meeting your parents, Olivia.” I hoisted my eyebrows.
“Don’t be so sure.” She shook her head. “Fine. If we’re doing this, then I need to pack. Don’t forget your tux.” She stood, pushing away from the table and heading for the door.
“My what?” I asked, hoping I’d misheard her. Why the hell would I possibly need formal wear to wake up the Hunters?
“You damn-well heard me!” she called over her shoulder as she threw open the door, nearly tripping over Hawke and Benedict on her way out.
“Did she say…” I muttered.
“Tux,” Alek repeated, shaking his head as Benedict and Hawke took their seats at the table.
“What was that about?” Benedict motioned toward the door.
Alek gave them the rundown while I stared at the wall of computer monitors that controlled all of the surveillance feeds from the estate as well as an unhackable server. That system was my pride and joy.
“Sounds like a quick job. It should take what? Ten days, max to revive the Hunters?” Benedict asked while Hawke sat silently, fidgeting with one of his knives.
“Quick job? Did you miss the part where I have to fake being Olivia’s mate?” I raked my fingers over my hair. Mates were sacred to us, and though I’d seen it happen to my friends, I’d never been in love, let alone experienced a mating bond. I wasn’t sure my acting skills were up for the challenge, but they had to be. Failure wasn’t exactly an option here.
Benedict scoffed. “Like that would be hard for you. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”
“I’m not—” I slammed my mouth shut when Benedict narrowed his eyes at me. Don’t lie. Since the guy sported tattoos on his forearms of every lie spoken in his presence, I couldn't blame him. “Fine. Yes, I look at her. She’s gorgeous. She’s also a damn-good fighter. That doesn’t mean I know how mates really act!”
“They do.” Benedict pointed to Alek and Lachlan, both of whom had found their mates over the last year.
“I may feel different, but I don’t act different,” Alek argued, squaring his shoulders.
“Yeah, okay.” Benedict rolled his eyes.
“You are a little more...territorial,” Lachlan said begrudgingly, the giant highlander leaning back in his chair.
“What, and you’re not?” Alek challenged.
“I keep my shit under control,” Lachlan retorted with a shrug.
Hawke lifted a brow.
“Ransom, it might have helped if you’d put a mirror in here so these two assholes could see what growly, possessive males they’ve become,” Benedict said with a laugh.
“We do not—” Lachlan started.
“He has a point,” Alek admitted with a grimace. “We growl. We didn’t use to do that.”
Lachlan folded his arms over his chest and grunted, which I figured was the closest thing to an agreement as I was going to get.
“So...growl,” I said slowly. “That’s your advice. That’s the best you’ve got.”
Alek opened his mouth, then shut it again.
“Really?” I leaned forward, bracing my forearms on the heavy, onyx table. “You want me to fool Olivia’s entire family with the tactic of growling?”
Benedict barely smothered his laugh.
Lachlan looked like he’d rather be walking across unsheathed daggers with his bare feet than discussing this.
Alek was simply...perplexed.
“For fuck’s sake,” Hawke muttered, sheathing his dagger. “It’s not that damned hard. Stay close to her. Pretend you’re magnets. Don’t go an hour or two without either seeing her or checking in with her—”
“We’re not that bad—” Lachlan interrupted.
“Yeah, you are.” Hawke countered.
“You are,” Benedict and I said simultaneously.
“The growling thing happens. It just does, so let it loose if another male looks at her too long,” Hawke continued, zero teasing or humor in his dark eyes.
“How long is too long?” I asked.
“A heartbeat,” he answered.
Lachlan grunted.
“Knock his ass out if he starts flirting with her,” Hawke went on. “And if he touches her…”
“Kill him,” Alek finished without blinking.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m pretty sure Olivia can handle that part herself.”
“If you were her actual mate, she wouldn’t have to. That’s what Alek is telling you,” Lachlan admitted, scratching his chin. “Mating instincts are just that—instincts.”
“She comes first.” Hawke pushed away from the table and stood. “Her hunger. Her thirst. Her needs. Her wants. Her whims. She. Comes. First. Remember that, and I’m sure you’ll do just fine.” He headed for the door.