Read Online Pack Security (Were Chronicles) by Crissy Smith - Free Book Online Page B

“Tell me you’re not playing match maker.”
    “No, actually, I’m not,” he assured her. “But Max needs to do something that will make him feel good about himself again, make him feel needed. Plus your family is one of the best I’ve ever known. He needs time to heal and less time to think.”
    She tipped her head back to get a good look at him. “You’re worried about him?”
    “Yes,” Shawn admitted. “I have plans for Max, but he needs to settle things in his mind before I can proceed.”
    “What kind of plans?”
    “The kind I’m sure he’ll fight me on. I want to name him as my successor if anything happens to me.”
    She couldn’t hold in her gasp. “That’s awesome! Why wouldn’t he jump at the chance?”
    Shawn looked over to where the other three men were laughing next to the grill. “Since he’s a non-shifter, Max has never felt truly part of the Pack. Even though everyone respects him, Max doesn’t see himself able to lead the others. I want to show him he’s wrong.”
    “What can I do?” She wanted to help Max see that he could be a great leader.
    “You already are. He seems comfortable here. Once we find out what is going on, I think Max will see on his own that he has even more to offer.”
    She didn’t have time to respond. A loud commotion announced the arrival of her nephews, younger brother and her sister-in-law.
    Her two nephews, Kyle and Korrie, raced up the wooden steps to where she and Shawn were standing.
    “Alpha! Alpha!” Kyle, the youngest at four, cried out.
    Shawn crouched down to catch the small boy. “Hey there, little man!”
    “Me too!” Korrie called, jumping up and down.
    Shawn easily picked him up in his other arm. It was a sight to see the two children in the arms of their powerful leader.
    Cassie leaned over and kissed both boys on their cheeks. “Well, hello to you too.”
    Kyle laughed. “Hi, Aunt Cassie.”
    “Hi, honey,” she said, hugging her sister-in-law. Peyton had been her best friend since grade school. When Peyton and Jacob had gotten married, Cassie had been so happy. Peyton had always been like a sister to her and now she truly was.
    Cassie accepted a quick hug from her brother. Pulling away, he then joined the other men.
    “Come on, you monkeys,” Peyton said to her children. “Let Alpha Shawn breathe.”
    Their Alpha set the kids down, patting them one last time, then he hugged Peyton, then strolled toward the grill.
    “Well, look at Max Lawson,” Peyton murmured. “He sure is looking good.”
    Cassie grinned. “Uh-huh.”
    “Jacob tells me he’s staying at your place?”
    “Yes.”
    Peyton faced her. “And?”
    Cassie laughed. She ran her gaze over the boys then back to Peyton.
    “Oh, an adult conversation? Nice!” Peyton commented. “How would you boys like to play with the Legos?”
    Kyle and Korrie hooted then raced over to where Alex had a small play area in the corner of the porch. The entire family enjoyed hanging out together, so Alex had made sure the boys had plenty with which to entertain themselves.
    Peyton put her arm through Cassie’s and pulled them even farther away from the crowd. “So?”
    Cassie shook her head. “I don’t really know what to say. You’ve seen him, he is sexy as all get out, and he seems to be a really great guy. We kissed last night and ever since then I can’t seem to get him out of my mind. There is just something there, you know?”
    “I do, but are you ready for that? You’ve been fighting Alex on finding a mate for a long time. ”
    “But that’s because I never felt any sort of connection. Max is different. I don’t know what will happen between the two of us, but I do know that I have to find out. I want him, but I’m worried about scaring him off too. He might not be ready. ”
    “Huh.” Peyton frowned. “All I can say is that if you are truly interested in him then don’t give up. Let him set the pace, yet let him know you’re interested.”
    “I guess.”