Chapter 20

[ 738 words ]

She wants us

20: 20.

She wants us Kade

I lean against the doorframe of Barric’s woodworking shop, arms folded across my chest, pretending I’m here because someone needs to be with Aria.

Someone does need to be with her.

But it’s not the low-hanging job I’m trying to make it out to be.

I want to be here.

I want to be near her.

Inhaling the scent of fresh-cut cedar, pine sap, sawdust, and Aria, I try to clean the need of my wolf.

Aria is standing at Barric’s workbench with a pencil tucked behind her ear and a smear of wood dust across her cheek, as she belongs here.

And it’s driving me insane.

Barric stands beside her, showing her how to hold the plane properly.

His big hands guide the wood across the blade.

Aria laughs when the shaving curls away in a long ribbon.

“See?” Barric says.

“Smooth, steady pressure.”

“I am applying steady pressure,” she protests.

“You’re fighting it.”

“I am not fighting it.”

My wolf snorts inside my head.

You’re staring.

I grit my teeth.

I’m observing.

You’re brooding.

Shut up.

Barric leans closer to Aria, adjusting her grip.

She listens—really listens—head tilted toward him like whatever he’s saying matters.

It shouldn’t bother me.

It’s not like he’s touching her wrong.

Barric’s harmless.

Loyal.

Basically carved out of oak and patience.

Still, something hot and ugly twists low in my gut.

It’s not exactly jealousy.

At least… I don’t think it is.

It’s more like—

Frustration.

Because Aria fits here so easily.

She fits with him, and I’ve seen the fondness he gives her.

My wolf shifts restlessly.

She fits with us.

That thought hits too close to something I’m not ready to look at.

Aria suddenly glances up.

Her eyes find mine across the shop.

Her grin spreads instantly.

And just like that, the tightness in my chest changes shape.

“Hey!” she calls.

Barric follows her gaze and chuckles.

“Kade’s been lurking there for ten minutes.”

“I have not.”

“You have.”

Aria waves me over.

“Come here.”

My wolf perks up.

Go.

I’m not a dog.

Go anyway.

I push off the wall and walk over.

Aria gestures dramatically toward the bench.

“Barric says I’m doing this wrong.”

Barric raises a brow.

“I said you were wrestling the wood as it insulted you.”

“It started it.”

I huff a laugh before I can stop myself.

Aria points the plane at me.

“Don’t laugh. You try it.”

Barric steps aside.

“Be my guest.”

I roll my shoulders and pick up the plane.

“Alright,” I say.

“Step back before someone gets hurt.”

“Oh wow,” she mutters.

“Big talk.”

My wolf grins.

Show her.

I drag the plane across the wood in one smooth pass.

A long, perfect curl peels away.

Aria’s eyes widen.

“Okay,” she admits reluctantly.

“That was impressive.”

“Years of experience.”

“With… carpentry?”

“No. Being perfect.”

She laughs, bright and easy, and something warm spreads through my chest.

She bumps my shoulder.

“Alright, wood master. Teach me.”

Barric watches us for a moment, then shakes his head with a smile.

“I’ll leave you two to it. When I get back, we’ll figure out dinner.”

As he heads toward the other side of the shop, I suddenly feel very aware of how close Aria is standing.

Her shoulder brushes mine.

Her scent curls around me—wildflowers and rain and something uniquely her.

My wolf lifts his head.

Mine.

“Focus,” I mutter under my breath.

“What?” she asks.

“Nothing.”

I hand her the plane again.

“Try again. Slow.”

She narrows her eyes.

“If you say smooth steady pressure again, I’m throwing this at you.”

“Smooth—”

She raises it threateningly.

I hold up my hands.

“Alright. Alright.”

She sets the blade to the wood and pushes.

The plane jerks.

She makes a frustrated sound.

“Ugh.

Why does it hate me?”

“Because you’re fighting it.”

She glares.

“You’re enjoying this.”

“Immensely.”

She elbows me.

I step closer behind her.

“Here.” My hands settle lightly over hers.

Her body goes still.

The contact sends a spark straight through me.

Get closer, my wolf murmurs.

That was a bad idea, I just can’t remember why.

I guide her grip.

“Relax your wrists,” I say quietly.

She exhales slowly.

“Like this?”

“Yeah.”

Together we push the plane forward.

A thin curl of wood lifts away.

Her face lights up.

“Oh!”

I grin.

“See?”

“That one was mostly you.”

“It was all you.” She glances up at me.

Our faces are suddenly… very close.

Too close.

My wolf goes very still.

Her scent shifts.

It’s subtle.

Warmer.

Richer.

Desire flickers through my veins like a struck match.

Aria seems to notice it too.

Her breathing changes.

My jaw tightens.

“Kade…” Her eyes search mine.

“Yes?”

“I…thank you for helping me.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

The air between us feels charged.

A flush rises to her cheeks, and the tang of arousal enters her scent.

My mind flashes to another moment—

Walking into Ronan’s office.

Seeing the Alpha standing close to Aria, his hands cupping her face.

The way he looked at her.

That intense, claiming focus I understood too well.

The same feeling is burning in my chest right now.

What the hell is happening to me?

What’s happening to us?

Aria shifts slightly.

Her hip brushes mine.

The contact sends heat straight through me.

My wolf growls softly.

She wants us.

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