Page 53 of Plus-Size Bullied Mate

“Likely within the next few hours, which means we should probably head out soon.”

The others nod among themselves, surely taking mental note of whatever they need to do to prepare.

The energy on the porch shifts, and within five minutes, the conversation turns to preparations and getting home in time.

Bags and belongings are gathered, more subtle congratulations are given, and their cars start to fill after the girls offer me warm goodbyes.

They head out, suddenly leaving the house feeling very empty.

But Dominic is the exception.

He’s still on the porch when the others pull away, leaning against the railing and watching as the sky continues to change little by little.

When we both look at him, he hums. “I can help with getting the pack ready for the storm.”

“You don’t have to,” Hunter says.

“I know, but since Luke was getting tired of me bumming around in Coldreach, I figured I’d drop myself here for a bit,” Dominic muses.

Hunter huffs, but he looks more amused than anything. “You mean his sister is getting tired of you being around?”

“Something like that.”

Despite that being the claim, Dominic’s grin isn’t repentant in the slightest.

The two of them eventually disappear to get things in order while I stand on the porch alone and feel the changed air moving around me.

It’s mostly warm with a cool undercurrent, and the clouds move much faster than they did before.

Even in the middle of an approaching storm, Naia’s voice sits somewhere in the back of my mind.

Don’t decide in advance that it’s impossible.

The storm rolls closer, and I go inside to take cover.

Chapter 20 - Hunter

The rain hits sideways and harder than I anticipated.

It runs down the windows in sheets by mid-afternoon, and the wind howls loudly while it catches the storm shutters.

Every conceivable necessity has been checked and prepared, leaving us with only one option: to let it pass. It’s easy enough, even if the room feels a bit awkward now that we have to occupy ourselves for the time being.

After a quick call with Mom to make sure she has what she needs, followed by a check-in with Cole to let me know that everyone around him has hunkered down too, most of my concern settles. Still, I’m vaguely on alert, as the alpha in me won’t let me relax completely while such a big weather formation is passing through.

Dominic made himself at home on the couch not long after we returned, completely at ease while he now thumbs through a book he probably couldn’t care less about. He watches the rain through the window and makes the occasional comment about it before checking his phone again.

Tessa sits in a chair near the fireplace with her laptop as she works, and she seems to be trying especially hard not to look in my direction. This time, it feels more like she’s resisting the urge rather than harboring any anger towards me. Still, I know she’s aware of me, as the bond keeps confirming that fact without being asked, feeding me the warm frequency of her attention even when her eyes are on the screen.

Checking the fire, I add another log to it before I glance in her direction.

“You want tea?”

“I have some,” she says without looking up.

“It’s been sitting there for an hour.”

She pauses. “I’m aware of that.”