1
Percy
I was running late. I absolutely hated being late. Yet there I was, tardy for my best friend’s baby shower, of all things.
I should have been the first one there to celebrate Tuck and Jamie’s new baby, Addison. But it was out of my control. When Tuck called a half-hour ago, asking me to pick up a cake because Jamie’s friend, Easton, was running late and no one could get in touch with him, I’d said I’d take care of it. Of course.
Glancing over at the blue and white frosted cake sitting on the passenger seat, I shook my head in annoyance. If not for this Easton guy falling down on the job, I would have already been at the party. At least the bakery had some premade cakes ready to go.
Sighing, I turned up the music and tried to shake off my irritation. I wanted to enjoy the celebration of Addison’s birth, and I knew Tuck wouldn’t appreciate me coming in with an attitude. This was his and Jamie’s day, and as his best friend, I’d do whatever it took to make it special.
As I pulled into the drive leading to their house, though, I felt another wave of irritation. The yard was packed full of cars. It looked like half of the Blackwater Pack had turned out to show their support and love. But that was how it should be. Tuck was adored by his family and pack mates, so of course they’d be there to celebrate.
I was the one who had a problem being around so many people. But today wasn’t about me, so I took a deep breath and steadied myself for what was ahead.
I climbed from my car and went around to the passenger side to retrieve the cake, balancing it carefully in my arms. Making my way toward the house, I noted that Ryker Bennett, our pack’s alpha select, and his family were there. It looked like everyone important had come out for the party.
Briefly, I wondered what it would be like to have so many friends and family members showing up to support me. I’d never know, though. I wasn’t one to have a lot of friends. I kept mostly to myself. And as for family…well, I’d never had much support there either.
In the Rivers family, love and affection weren’t high on the priority list. I’d learned early on that working hard and being successful were things my parents prized. And I’d done well for myself, committing my life to become one of the most successful attorneys in a hundred-mile radius of Blackwater, Montana.
Squaring my shoulders, I focused on the reason I was there—celebrating with Tucker. Tuck was the one person I could truly call a friend, my best friend, so it was the least I could do to paste a smile on my face and endure the crowd. Tuck had told me countless times that I needed to open up more, but I just hadn’t found it in myself to be able to. I was self-aware enough to know I often came off as callous and cold. It was certainly why I wasn’t as well-liked among the pack.
Sounds of laughter and music drifted from the back yard, so I headed around the side of the house, bearing the cake. With Addison nearly two months old, the party was more of a celebration of birth than a baby shower. Still, I spotted a table full of gifts as I turned the corner, which proved the little guy was already well-loved.
I stopped at the edge of the yard, a little overwhelmed by the crowd. The party was in full swing, and I wasn’t sure where I should put the cake.
Just as I was about to set it down on the gift table, I saw Jamie’s mom waving and smiling at me from a few yards away where she was talking with some of her friends. Addison was in her arms, and she said a few quick words to her friends before she broke away and headed toward me.
“Percy,” she said, a welcoming smile on her face. “I’m so glad you made it. I was starting to wonder where you were.”
“Tuck asked me to pick up a cake.” I lifted the cake in question. “He said Easton—the guy who was supposed to bring the cake—hadn’t shown up yet, and he was worried there wouldn’t be one at all.”
“Oh, wonderful! You’re such a good friend,” she said, still smiling, bouncing little Addison in her arms. “No wonder Jamie and Tuck asked you to be one of the godfathers.”
Ah, yes. I’d almost forgotten I was one of two godfathers for the baby. The other being Jamie’s best friend.
“Easton did show up with the cake, though, but with this crowd, I’m pretty sure we’ll need both anyway. Here, trade with me, and I’ll take care of the cake.”
Before I could say anything, she was taking the cake from me, balancing it with one hand while she held Addison cradled against her with the other. I quickly reached for the baby, tucking him in tightly to my chest. Then Jamie’s mom was taking off through the crowd with the cake, leaving the two of us alone.
I looked down at the little bundle and smiled. Addison had to be the cutest baby I’d ever seen, and I wasn’t just saying that because he was my best friend’s son. I brushed a finger over his chubby cheek, marveling at the softness of his skin, and he let out a little coo that made my heart melt.
Even if I wasn’t the best with people, I definitely loved kids. Maybe because they were so innocent and accepting. They didn’t have expectations or make assumptions. They just took you as you were.
I adjusted my hold on Addison, rubbing his back as I lifted him up to cradle him against my shoulder, and then I gave his soft cheek a little kiss. Yeah, I loved this little guy already. As much as if he were my own. Tuck must have realized this, and that was why he made me one of the godfathers.
Glancing around the yard, I spotted Jamie and Tuck across the way and started to pick my way through the crowd. It took longer than I expected since I was holding Addison. Everyone wanted to stop me so they could get a look at the baby, cooing and marveling over him.
It took some effort, but I kept a smile on my face and attempted to make some kind of small talk with each of them. It was exhausting.
As I got closer to my friends, I realized they weren’t alone. Another man was standing with them, holding another cake, his back to me. I could only assume he was Easton, Jamie’s best friend—and the other godfather.
Tuck caught sight of me and laughed, looking over the guy’s shoulder. “Look who decided to finally show up,” he said, teasing.
I started to throw back some mocking retort about having to pick up the ball that Easton had dropped, but then I realized Easton was still holding the cake. And it was way more extravagant than the one I’d brought, made by some fancy bakery, no doubt. Annoyance flared in my chest again. Maybe it was petty of me, but I was pissed at being outdone, even though it hadn’t been my job to get the cake in the first place.
Before I could come up with something else to say, I heard a lupine whine, followed by Jamie’s voice. “Oh boy.”
Jamie glanced from Easton to me, his eyes wide, and I could feel the weight of Tuck’s stare on me as Easton finally turned around.
That was when I’d felt it. All thoughts of the cake and any annoyance were gone in an instant, replaced by confusion as my wolf seemed to roar to life inside my chest.
I clutched Addison tightly to me with one hand and rubbed at my chest with the other. What the fuck? My heart was racing, my pulse pounding out of control. My wolf paced, just beneath the surface, wild and primal and demanding. And for the life of me, I couldn’t look away from the man standing before me, his blue eyes wide as he took me in. What the hell was happening?