Chapter 36-1
Kiana
Dean Hewitt had his father’s eyes.
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Not just that comforting deep brown, but also the kindness that was there. Even Finn relaxed a
little more once Willa had been ushered away. Dean had watched her go with an arched eyebrow,
but he didn’t say anything until she was gone.
We appraised each other carefully. He was still in the middle of the dining room, and I was
hovering in the doorway to the kitchen.
There were some other similarities. Same jaw line and widow’s peak. Dean was definitely his
father’s son, but he still had a youthful look about him. He didn’t have that hardness in his father
that Parker did.
“You’re not responsible for my father’s death,” he said quietly. “I came here to say goodbye and to
talk to the people who were closest to him. It didn’t take long for your name to come out and the
rumors to start swirling around. I thought I needed to come and tell you in person in case you have
any doubts. My father was a troubled man. Based on the last few phone calls we had, I know that
he’d found a purpose in life by caring for you. I hope you understand that.”
I wasn’t sure what I expected from Dean, but it was certainly not that. “He didn’t exactly have an
easy job,” I said carefully. “When was the last time you spoke to him?”
“A year ago,” Dean sighed. “Too long. We’d argued. We always argued.”
“A lot can happen in a year. What makes you so certain I deserve your absolution?”
He cocked his head and studied Finn. “Is this my father’s replacement?”
Finn growled, but my chuckle stopped him. “Parker is the reason I no longer need a replacement, but I’m still not a well-liked wolf in this pack. Finn is my guard. He’s also my friend.”
“So he’s not going to let us talk alone?”
“No chance,” Finn muttered. He didn’t even look my way. If I had tried to dismiss him, he wouldn’t have gone anywhere. That was just as well. I was very uncomfortable around Dean.
Despite his words, his father was dead, and it may very well have been because of me.
“The patio chairs were delivered this morning. Why don’t we test them out? I’ve got some bottled beer if you’re interested.”
“I’m definitely interested,” Dean said with an easy smile before he walked outside.
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– Chapter in 1
As soon as we were alone, Finn narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like him.”
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“Any particular reason why?” I headed to the cooler in the kitchen. Since the restaurant wasn’t open, the bar wasn’t stocked. All the alcohol was being kept behind lock and key to deter any more vandalism.
“No. My wolf just doesn’t like him.”
Interesting. Dean was older than Finn, older than me as well, but not as old as Troy.
From the way he was appraising me, he was also unmated. It didn’t make me uncomfortable. He hadn’t pressed the issue or let his gaze linger too long. Initial interest. Finn was also unmated. They could very well consider each other competition.
“He’s a rogue, I think. I’m guessing if he’d joined a pack, Troy would have said something. He left. the day he turned eighteen after he and his father had a fight. You don’t recognize his scent?”
“No, but these mountains are vast. No reason I would have seen him,” Finn said with a shrug. I offered him a beer, but he shook his head. Clearly, something was still bothering him.
We joined Dean at one of the tables. Finn could have done his job from another table, but he chose to sit between us and angle his chair so he could stare at Dean. Not exactly the calm atmosphere I was hoping for.
“Troy must have lost his mind when his mate turned out to be Ragor Thane’s daughter,” Dean said with a soft chuckle. “I almost wish I was around to have seen that.”
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