A few people looked at him sideways except for Trevor, whose eyes widened like those of a deer caught in the headlights. When he tried to scoot his chair back, William blocked it.
If the baby wasn’t giving me butterflies, this awkward situation was.
When William placed his hands on Trevor’s shoulders, holding him down in his chair, I realized what was happening.
“It seems a shame to keep secrets within a family, wouldn’t you agree?”
Denver waved his hot dog. “Who’s got a secret? Because if any of you licked my wiener—”
“That’ll be enough,” Lynn said curtly from the other end of the table.
Some of the men were abashed and resumed eating. Katharine didn’t mind the vulgarity, but my mom didn’t tolerate that kind of talk in her presence. I remembered the first time Wes had taught me the F-word. I didn’t quite understand the impact of a four-letter word until I said it at the breakfast table one morning when I didn’t want to eat my banana.
“Did you figure out how that wolf got in my house?” Austin asked, slowly licking the juice off his finger. “Because if I find out that someone left the door open when we went to the party, that person’s on punishment. I don’t care who it was.” He was especially eyeballing the twins, who were busy squirting ketchup all over their shoestring fries.
Trevor looked feverish, with a pink tint coloring his neck and cheeks. Usually he wore nice button-up shirts, but those weren’t practical when you’re running around in the dark with a gun, so he’d put on a white T-shirt instead. Maybe that’s why his skin changing color was especially noticeable.
“Did everyone pay attention to Reno in there?” Austin continued. “This isn’t a game anymore. Every day is an opportunity to prepare for what’s coming. Tomorrow we’ll work on scouting for trees where we can build stands or something larger. I’ve got a few ideas. Reno’s guy is ordering camouflage gear for everyone, so when we get home, be sure to give him your measurements, and that’ll be one less thing to worry about.”
“Hell’s bells. I think my measurements shrank since this morning,” Izzy said, fanning herself with a paper plate.
I traced the tribal markings on Austin’s shoulder with my finger. “I know you’ve got a lot on your mind, but we have plenty of time to talk strategy when we get home,” I said quietly.
Denver stood up, his mouth still full. “Come on, Peanut. Let’s bowl.”
She glared up at him, holding a nacho chip in her hand. “What the heck? We’ve been shooting at each other for hours, and now you want to bowl? I’m not sure if I’m dating a Shifter or a rechargeable battery.”
“Sit down,” William said curtly.
Denver pointed his finger, and I seized his wrist, lowering his arm before the argument escalated.
William eyed everyone at the table. “As I was saying before, I don’t like living in a house with secrets. There’s one I’ve kept a long time, but it has nothing to do with the pack.”
Reno lined up the salt-and-pepper shakers, then focused on collecting the packets of ketchup and stacking them on a napkin. “And what secret is that?”
“It’s a delicate subject where matters of the heart are concerned. I’ve been in love with someone for years, and now that I’ve decided to mate with them, it affects the pack.”
Wheeler stroked the scruff on his chin. “Who’s the lucky lady? Don’t tell me it’s that bitch, Rebecca. Church may have thrown her out of his pack, but I noticed she invited herself to the peace party and was all over you.”
Denver snorted. “You dirty dog.”
“It’s not Rebecca,” William said with annoyance.
Trevor rested his elbows on the table and rubbed his eyes tiredly, only it wasn’t because he was sleepy. He was wiping away tears.
April, who was sitting next to him, took notice. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” William said gently. “Not anymore. I’m asking with the entire Weston pack as my witness if you, Trevor, will be my life mate.”
Eyes widened, jaws dropped, and the distant sound of bowling balls striking pins was the only sound.
Melody eyed the burger she held between both hands and smiled at Hendrix. “Told you.” She took a giant bite, and a swath of blue hair slipped in front of her eyes.
Trevor’s cheeks flamed, wet with tears. Although we’d always accepted him, perhaps old memories—bad memories—from his previous pack had resurfaced. He looked crippled with fear, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.
William stood proud, his hands resting on Trevor’s shoulders. “This isn’t the ideal location for a proposal, but the only thing that matters is how I feel. You’re an incredible man, Trevor, and I want to call you mine. I’m not leaving this spot without an answer. I’ll stand here until they close the place down.”
A slow-rolling laugh arose from the right end of the table. Maddox leaned back in his chair, covering his eyes. Then he dropped his arm and slammed his fist on the table. “Dammit, boy. Either you say yes or I will.”