by A Lonergan
My mom wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. “You aren’t freezing?”
Shit.
I had forgotten to turn the heater on. I could barely feel the chill but my sweatshirt and flannel leggings kept it away. I rushed to the thermostat in the hallway and clicked it on. “Sorry, I was having some work done on the heater this week and I think I’ve adjusted to it.”
My dad laughed nervously as he sat down beside my mother. “Your house is beautiful. I can’t believe Tracey did all of this while you were out of town.” How many more lies would I have to tell them? Couldn’t I just tell them the truth? Their wide eyes watched me as I moved around the kitchen for a moment. I didn’t know how to be around them anymore. I was different now. Thank goodness for the cold weather, how would I explain the scars on my legs and arms? I would have to tell them eventually.
“Yeah, Tracey is the best.”
“I’m surprised she isn’t here tonight,” My mother laughed but I knew she was fishing for some gossip. After all, I lived on the Crimson Land with her and the rest of her family. We hadn’t kept that a secret. There was no point.
“She is spending some time with her granny tonight. They have run into a few hiccups with a girl they’re fostering.”
Bee’s daughter, the one that sacrificed herself to get the children free. Valentina had been gifted her mother’s magic the night she died, but with all the other children coming into their own, Valentina was having a harder time keeping hers under control. Granny reassured us that was to be expected but Valentina was a nervous wreck. She locked herself in the bedroom and wouldn’t come out. Tracey had dragged her out to eat the previous day but somehow she had used her magic to keep her inside today. She had screamed that neither of them was her mother and she didn’t want them to pretend to be that. I couldn’t imagine what they would be going through when she was a teenager. Except they were actively looking for a coven that would take her in.
“We miss seeing her around the house,” Dad said as he inspected the legs on the couch. “What happened?”
I snorted. “My friend Mav broke it.”
My mother’s face transformed into a look of horror. Of course, she thought it was sexual. I rolled my eyes. “He jumped on it. He’s the massive Samoan that came by the house a few times.”
My dad shook his head but I could see the shadow of a smile on his lips. “You hang around some characters.”
Would they ever get the chance to meet them? I smiled. “Yes, they’re the best. Wait till you meet Knox.”
It was like my words had summoned the devil. Nalia perked up in my head as someone knocked on the front door. Knox’s snicker on the other side of the door made me puff my cheeks out. Why the hell was he here?
I opened the door and widened my eyes in the what the hell are you doing look. He smiled widely. My parents would think I was doing a lot more than hanging out with these guys if they kept popping up like this. Ugh. I should have told them Rafe and I were dating. His auburn hair was braided away from his face and a grin was plastered across his mouth.
“I heard you were making burrito bowls, did you know those are my favorite?” I didn’t think it was possible but his grin continued to stretch.
“They’re vegan,” I deadpanned.
His smile didn’t falter as he leaned against the doorframe. “I love vegan food.”
The smell of the lie was strong in the air. My mother hopped up from the couch in excitement. “Really? You should invite him in!”
Leave it to my mom to be the perfect hostess even when it wasn’t her house. I looked over my shoulder at her. “Are you sure? Knox really doesn’t have to stay. I heard Alice was cooking at the manor tonight.”
Knox didn’t get the hint or he ignored it as he shouldered past me. At least he wasn’t wearing something ridiculous. I should have never spoken his name. He was probably walking by the house when he heard. How did I keep these wolves from hearing everything? It seemed like something I could turn on and off. I didn’t know how to work it just yet. I had to learn how to use it all the time so I could prevent things like this from happening or my parents walking in on me kissing someone.
Chapter 3
Rafe
Knox knew how to crash a party. I watched from the windows of Jade’s office as he knocked on her front door. I smirked as she yanked the door open with enough force to rip it from the frame. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but judging by Jade’s body language, she was pissed. I closed the blinds before I walked down the hallway and to the kitchen. My mom was cooking for the pack again tonight. She enjoyed doing that more lately, especially with all the children here still. Most of the covens didn’t feel safe coming to get them just yet. They were worried Damian would come after them and they figured the children were better off with us. The witches weren’t exactly maternal. If the children’s parents were out of the picture, they didn’t really care to take on orphans. There were only a few covens that really cared about the little ones.
Witches lived abnormally longer lives and didn’t care about the transferring of power. They would rather the power be recycled back to the rest of the coven than go to the smaller children. Which meant that many little witches ended up in foster care or homeless. It was one of the many flaws of being a supernatural. I hated the way their covens worked but there was nothing a werewolf could do to change it. Even if I wanted to.
“You look like you have a lot weighing on your mind,” my mother said as I grabbed a plate from the cabinets behind her.
“Jade’s parents are visiting. We have a ton of kids under our protection. Nine of the witches can’t control or harness their magic. We have a mastermind coming after us and all I want to do is claim my mate.”
My mother let out a soft laugh. “Yes, being the Alpha puts the entire world on your shoulders especially when you are preparing to be in the Pack Law.” She patted my shoulder gently. “It will get easier as time goes on.”
“How did my father survive so long without you?” I didn’t know where the words came from but I almost regretted them as soon as they passed from my lips.
She got a faraway look in her eye. “He wasn’t always alone. He thought he would never find his mate. He thought he would be destined to be married like the humans do. It’s hard to think that he had been ruling this pack for a hundred years before I came around.”
My lips twitched into a smile. “I can’t imagine living that long.”
“It’s easier when you have your mate by your side.” Sadness shot through my heart. How would she continue to live such a long life without my father? These thoughts had never plagued me until I found Jade. Until I ran into her in the grocery store that night. She had no idea that my wolf knew immediately that she was ours.
“I’m sorry,” There weren’t many things I apologized about but I knew I had to about this. I was the reason her mate wasn’t around anymore. I was the reason everything in her life had gone to shit.
She shook her head as she handed a plate to one of the children. “No, that had to be done. He was sick.” Her words didn’t take away the heart-wrenching grief inside of me. “Someday we will be reunited and that will be a joyous time.”
Chapter 4
Jade
Even though Knox had lied about not liking vegan food. He still wolfed it down like it was his last meal. My parents watched him with a mixture of awe and horror on their faces. “I have to say, I don’t think I have ever seen someone eat as much as you have tonight.”
I snorted at my mother’s words but kept my mouth closed. I was curious as to what Knox would say back. He grinned. “Not many have appetites like my family does. We have this incredible genetic chemistry that allows us to have heightened senses. Because of this, we need to eat more.” He let out a belch to solidify his words. I could have throttled him. “Ya know, Jade has-”
My foot connected with his shin and he let out a cough. His eyes blazed as they connected with mine. I gave him a wolfish gri
n as I felt my canines elongate slightly. My mom frowned. “Jade has what?”
I answered for him, afraid of what he was going to say before. “Jade has been working really hard and has come to find this place her second home.”
My dad tucked my hand in his. “We are really happy to hear that. I always worried we hovered too much as you grew up. It worried me that you wouldn’t get the social skills you needed to excel in life. Especially with all of that partying you liked to do.”
I cleared my throat but it seemed like Knox knew the perfect thing to say. “If Jade hadn’t gone to all those parties, she probably wouldn’t have met Tracey or Rafe. I know you worry as parents but she found great friendships there.”
His words usually annoyed me but tonight, I could tell that he was trying. He was showing my parents that they could trust him and his family. For once, he put his goofs aside and did something selfless.
As I was cleaning up the dinner, Knox stood beside me at the sink. He washed the dishes and I loaded them into the dishwasher. “Why are you here?” My parents both sat in the living room talking under their breath. If I had wanted to, I could have heard their conversation but I chose to let them have their business. Thankfully, they couldn’t hear us.
Knox took his time answering and just when I was starting to lose my patience with the brute, he answered, “Tracey has been worried that something would go wrong or you wouldn’t know what to say if they asked certain questions. I’ve been a wolf my entire life, it’s easy for me to find the words to skirt around the topic.”
“Tracey told you that?” His words were true but I didn’t think Tracey would go to him with her concerns. She would go to Rafe.
His cheeks stained pink as I handed him another dish. “Not exactly.”
“That’s what I thought,” I snickered.
He leaned his back against the sink and watched my parents. “My parents died when I was young. They were on vacation and got in the middle of a clan feud between vampires. Rafe’s family took me in. Because of that, so did Tracey’s. We were all thick as thieves until we had to leave to be Guardians. I don’t regret that time, but I think Tracey does. I don’t think she will forgive me for leaving.”
I blinked. Uncertainty filled me. I hadn’t heard this story. “I knew you were all close but I didn’t realize that about you and Tracey.”
He shrugged as he folded his arms across his chest. The muscles in his biceps strained against his shirt. “I thought for a long time that we would be more than friends. That there was something more there but anytime I try to talk to her, she refuses. She tells me that I’m irritating.”
My lips twisted into a smirk. “In her defense, you are irritating.”
He rolled his bright eyes. “Yes, I realize that but I can be serious too.”
“I don’t think Tracey wants what you want, Knox.”
Knox frowned. “I don’t want anything. I just want my friend back. She didn’t tell me, but I can tell. I’ve known her since we were young. She can tell people she hates me but we know each other. I know her. She just refuses to acknowledge it anymore.”
Knox didn’t stay for dessert. I could see it in his shoulders that what we had talked about had made him upset. My mother watched him go with sad eyes. “Is he okay?”
“He’s messed up over Tracey,” I shrugged as I scooped dairy-free ice cream into bowls for all three of us.
My dad let out a whoosh of breath. Alarm snapped through me as I looked at him. His cheeks turned pink with embarrassment. “I’m relieved to know that you don’t have a harem going on around here.”
My mom looked horrified as she smacked his shoulder. “Why would you say such a thing?”
Dad shrugged. “What else am I supposed to think? I know a man’s mind. I was a teenager once. She has men in and out of here. More male friends than female. Can’t a dad worry?”
Mom spoke up before I could. “Why don’t we get going? The snow is supposed to get worse.”
At that, Lucas burst through the front door. Thick patches of snow coated his hair and shoulders. He shot me a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I was planning on staying at Granny’s tonight but there were some complications with their foster.”
Dad gave me that look again. Not the best timing for Lucas to come home.
A nervous laugh escaped my lips. “This is Lucas, Tracey’s brother. He’s living with me currently in the spare bedroom.”
Dad didn’t look so convinced and Mom blushed a bright crimson. “Like I said, we should get going.” She nudged Dad with her elbow. “You saw the men’s shoes in there. At least I didn’t miss it, don’t act so surprised.”
“More scandalized than anything,” He shoved his hands into his pockets while my mom put on her sweater. He clicked a button on his keys and I heard the slight sound of the engine rumbling up. I wasn’t surprised by it but Lucas was.
He peeked out the front window. “How fancy.”
It had been five years but hadn’t there been push to start vehicles before then? I tried to think about it while Lucas eyed the expensive car parked in the gravel. Mom kissed my cheek before she hugged me. “I am so proud of you and your success here. I worried like your father but not in the same way.” My dad was too busy talking cars with Lucas to notice what we were saying to each other. Which was a good thing based on what came out of my mother’s mouth next. “If you are having a reverse harem happening here, more power to you. All of the men are hot.” She fanned herself as I covered my face with my hands. “I mean really, I wouldn’t be upset.”
“Mom,” I whispered in horror. “Don’t.”
She shrugged as Dad opened the door. “I wish I had had that opportunity growing up. Have you read the books?” I shook my head. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You should pick one up.”
I practically shoved her out the door. “Thanks for coming to dinner!”
When they were finally gone and the door was closed I leaned against it for support. Lucas grinned. “I think your mom is my spirit animal.”
Mortification rolled over me. “You heard what she said?”
“Oh yes and I’ll be sure to relay it to your mate that your mother approves of it. I’ll also tell him that I’m your first harem boy.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“If you do that then you don’t value your life much.” I hung my head in shame. This was what my life had come to. My father being worried sick about me having multiple partners and my mother encouraging it. How wonderful.
“I think it would be the crowning achievement of my life.” The couch groaned as he threw himself down onto it. The poor piece of furniture. I should have thought out sturdier pieces rather than pretty dainty things.
Sleep had been easy to fall into after everything that Knox had told me and everything he had told my parents. It was a sweet relief to fall unconscious until something woke me in the middle of the night. I shot up in bed and Nalia came awake with me. She yawned.
What now?
It was still strange getting used to having another soul in my head. It wasn’t a bad thing but after not having her around while I was in captivity, it was an adjustment all over again. My eyes adjusted to the darkness around me. My body jerked in surprise as I noticed someone standing beside the door. Thankfully my wolf vision revealed it was only Rafe. He was wearing pj pants and no shirt. A chill worked its way up my spine. He didn’t say anything as he padded across the floor and climbed into my bed. We had never been alone in my room like this before. It was thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. I scooted over to make room for him, thankful that I had put on decent clothes for bed.
Even with being part wolf, the chill outside was terrible. If not for Lucas complaining about the heat, I would have had it on full blast all night and I loved to sleep in the cold. I swallowed back the dryness in my mouth. “What are you doing here?”
He nuzzled his face into my neck and closed his eyes against my skin. “My wolf is unsteady tonight. Something is happening th
at I can’t anticipate. I needed to know you were safe.”
“So you watched me sleep?”
“I knocked on the door.” He ran his nose along my shoulder and need shot through me stronger than it ever had before.
“And you thought it was a good idea to come in anyway?” I wasn’t mad but I wanted to give him a hard time about it. I liked to see him nervous when I grilled him. No one else did that.
“There was this awful noise and I was worried about your safety even more.” I shifted so I could look at him over my shoulder while he spoke.
“Yeah? Did you find out what that noise was?” He was telling the truth but there was something else.
He snickered and I could feel his grin against my skin. “Oh yes, you sound like an eighty-year-old man in here when you snore.”
I reeled away from him and smacked him in the chest. “I do not snore.” I could deny it all I wanted to but he wasn’t lying.
He ran his finger down my nose. “On the contrary, you do. It's the worst sound I have ever heard in my life.” There was a slight scent of his lie in that.
“I don’t believe you,” I laughed. “What’s really the worst sound you have ever heard in your life?”
His face went serious and I hated that I had asked it. I could see the pain in his eyes. I pressed my lips together and looked away from him. “The sound of my claws sinking into my father’s chest.”
Rafe slipped from my bed and out of my room before I could stop him. My head felt heavy against my pillow and sleep didn’t take me for a long time after.
Chapter 5
Jade
