“Sounds good to me. Is this really that important to you?”
“They invited you for dinner, Trevor. And you’re one of the most important people in my life. I want you to be part of my new life, and I know it’s not easy to accept all the changes, but we’re friends for the long haul, right?”
He took my left hand and kissed the top of it. “April Showers, always showering me with love.” He sighed dramatically and popped open his door. “Let’s get this over with. Hold on to your panties—it’s going to be a bumpy night.”
We got out of the car and I stuffed my hands in my coat pockets as the chilly wind blew from behind me. I began to wonder if something was wrong because the lights were out inside the house. I hoped it meant a candlelight dinner and not that someone forgot to pay the bill. He held my hand tightly as we walked up the porch steps and took a slow stroll to the door.
When it clicked open, Reno filled the empty space and then closed the door behind him. Trevor backed up when Reno folded his arms, and I feared he might turn around and run to the car.
Then a smile curved up Reno’s cheek and he winked at me. “Good to see you, Trevor.”
They nodded at each another the way men often do and Reno’s brows stitched together. “Well, let’s get this over with.”
On that note, I officially began to get nervous. Reno had promised me he’d be on his best behavior, but this was already kicking off to a cold start.
Which speaking of, a bluster of wind rattled the trees and spun some of my hair around. I moved my long bangs away from my face and tucked them behind my ear. Reno reached forward and touched a long strand. “I’m glad you grew it out. You look beautiful.”
I bit my lip because my smile was borderline comical, and Trevor looked down at me and huffed. “Well, I like platinum. Just so you know.”
I lifted my shoulder. “Always good to try something new.”
“Get inside. Dinner’s getting cold,” Reno ordered. He opened the door, allowing us to walk past him. I walked in ahead of Trevor and wondered why Reno was suppressing a grin.
“Why are the lights off?”
Trevor bumped into me as I stood in the center of the room. Not even the tree was lit.
“Surprise!” The light flipped on and my heart stammered in my chest.
Everyone in the pack surrounded us, but that wasn’t the surprising part.
It was the banners hanging everywhere with wolves on them.
Denver leaned over and flipped on the stereo, which was to our right in the living room. A Diana Ross song came on—“I’m Coming Out.”
“Oh. My. God,” I said, whispered, or exclaimed. I couldn’t be sure which because the sound of disco music filled my ears as I looked at all the banners.
Maizy was sitting beneath the Christmas tree to the right of the stairs, holding a stuffed wolf.
As the music thumped against the floorboards, Trevor backed up. The door closed behind us and Reno blocked it.
“Trevor, I think it’s about time we had a talk,” Austin began. “I think we all know what’s up. Some of the guys had an idea to throw a party and damn, I don’t know if they’re just crazy or stupid. But we’re here to support you and let you know that we… I want to extend an invitation to you to join our pack.”
Trevor’s hand began to sweat and he let go. I gripped his jacket in case he got the bright idea of knocking Reno down and bolting out the door.
Austin approached in his jeans and white T-shirt. Lexi and Ivy were sitting on the stairs, Lynn peered in from the dining room, and the rest of the guys were sprinkled all about. Denver danced chaotically to the music and Maizy was giggling at him.
“What the hell is this?” Trevor said sharply.
“It’s a coming-out party!” Maizy exclaimed.
Austin stepped forward and lowered his chin, giving off a strong vibe in the room of his authority. “It’s an invitation. We’re Shifter wolves and I’m the Packmaster of the Weston Pack. So far, it’s just my brothers and Lexi’s family, but we need some new blood. I’ve been keeping an eye out for candidates, and I can’t think of a better choice. You’ve protected April as long as you’ve known her, shown loyalty and other qualities that I look for. I don’t know why you’re skittish about letting people know what you are, but to each his own. As you can see, this is a bit of a nonconventional pack. We have humans, but I’ve never believed in following all the rules in life. Family is family, and it’s not about whether or not you fit the mold.”
Austin dropped his hand on Trevor’s shoulder and gave him a serious look, albeit difficult with Diana Ross shouting out. “You took a bullet for my brother. And maybe you don’t give a shit about him, but you did it for April. That’s loyalty. That’s love. That’s the kind of man I want in my pack. They’re not all total dickheads,” he said, his gaze skating around the room.