Bearing It All

by Tl Reeve

  “Nothing. I watched a movie with the kids, and then ...” She shrugged. “Went to bed.”

  Yeah, Emma didn’t buy it. Whatever bothered her friend, she wouldn’t push. When Terri was ready, she’d be there for her. “Anyone else want to share?”

  “I like Henry,” Joy sighed. “He’s so ... altruistic.”

  Bell’s mouth fell open.

  Hayden laughed.

  Zoe followed.

  “Henry? The panther Henry who also happens to be the feline alpha's son, Henry?” Emma couldn't believe it. Well, she could. Between the Dryers and the Rafertys, both families were special. Unique. Once she got to the gooey center.

  The wistful smile gracing Joy's face reminded Emma of the classic movies she used to watch with Cassidy, where the woman would give a full teeth smile, and the scene would pan out to some party or relaxing day at the pool. The dreamy husband or love interest would saunter over to her, cigarette in his mouth, a glass of scotch in his hand. He'd wrap his arm around her, growl something Emma suspected could be a little risqué, then smack her butt before continuing on.

  Had Henry smacked Joy’s butt?

  “Does he know?” Bell asked.

  Joy shook her head. “No. I-he ... clumsy me,” she rushed. “Walked right into him with my empty plate last night. Hadn't been paying attention. Which with your full moon is quite hard to assimilate. All the flesh and decadence makes a water element a little loopy. I guess I stared too long at an adult couple and ran right into the slab of his chest.” She lifted her shoulders and tucked her chin. Her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink. “He was so polite to me. Didn't make a fuss. I guess we talked a good portion of the night. He walked me back to Caden and Danielle's home and wished me a good night.”

  Emma sighed with Joy.

  “He’s a good guy,” Bell stated. “If things work out, you’ll be part of our family, too.”

  Joy waved off Bell. “Oh, I don’t count my chickens or put carts before horses. He’s amazing though and very ... nice.”

  Zoe laughed then lifted her chin in Raquel’s direction. “What about you and Utah?” For the last two days, she’d been super quiet like things between her and Utah simmered.

  It didn’t sit well with Emma, and after last night, she experienced a charge of courage, and she wanted to test it. “Are you guys okay?”

  Raquel rolled her shoulders. “It’s no biggie. I thought I had something.”

  Everyone frowned.

  “What happened?” Hayden pushed. The fiercely loyal girl would stop a train from hitting anyone she loved if she could.

  “Nothing. It’s fine. Honest. But,” Raquel sighed. “Can you change who I’m matched up with. It’ll be for the best.”

  Yeah, now she smelled it. A lie. Something had happened. It chafed Emma's bear and sent her protective instincts into overdrive. “Did Utah hurt you?” None of the females around town messed with him much. She'd noticed it the day they saw him at the construction site. He seemed to keep to himself and his own pace, which in a way fit tigers, she supposed. However, one girl, in particular, she believed Jenna said her name was Rosy came and went with her brother as she pleased.

  “He’d have had to have liked me to have hurt me,” Raquel quipped. “It’s all good. Like I said, signals got crossed.”

  Ugh. The human lied. How did they force her to talk, though? If things were meant to be it would work itself out. Look at Emma and Bodhi. Or, Nico and Hayden. They were perfect examples of how love conquered everything.

  “We’re here if you need us,” Emma said, glancing at Raquel.

  “Thanks,” Raquel replied. “So, are we almost done?”

  “Yes, thank fuck,” Zoe grumbled. “Let’s blow this sh-popcorn stand.”

  Guilt ate at Emma the whole way home. She hated leaving Cassidy alone, and had even told her sorority if they couldn't accept her weird timetable due to Cassidy's school and homework, she'd leave. Thankfully, no one had an issue with it. Everyone got along with her sister when she wasn't being a pain in the ass. So, instead of going to the diner in town, she had Logan bring her to Loraine's to check on her sister.

  As she climbed the stairs to the second floor, she heard giggling and a warmth Emma had been missing since she’d been a little girl filled her. She smiled as she opened the door, ready to ask her sister if she wanted to explore where they’d soon be calling home. “Cas— What the fuck?”

  Nic lay to her left and Aiden to her right. All three of them were above the covers and were fully clothed—thank the gods—yet, they were making out like a couple of horny teenagers. Which technically they all were, but they were kids for fuck sakes!

  “Emma, hi,” Cassidy whispered. Her face turned crimson under Emma’s watchful eye.

  Beside her, Nic and Aiden were both stammering to give some kind of answer. “Out, both of you!” Emma pointed to the door, just as Blake appeared and sighed.

  “We didn’t even hear them come in,” he said. “The sneaks.”

  All of a sudden, Emma became overwhelmed by it all. Between the finishing touches of Hayden’s ceremony, figuring out she was a mate, to the hormones, and now, this? She shook her head. “I can’t even ...”

  “We didn’t do anything,” Cassidy whispered. “I promise.”

  Emma grimaced as Nic and Aiden slipped past Blake leaving her to deal with her sister. “Cassidy, I don’t even know where to begin.”

  “I’ll leave you two alone.” Blake eased out of the room.

  “We talked about this the other night,” Emma said, sitting on the bed. “You’re not ready.”

  Her sister lifted her chin. “I’m not a child, Emma. I understand what can happen and we were only kissing. Both of them know the rules, too. Their father would kick both of their asses if they hurt me. But, they’re mine, and I’m theirs.”

  None of the human responses would work with mates, Emma realized it before she even attempted to say anything. “You’re still kids. You have been in one shitty situation after another before I could take care of you, don’t you want to ... I don’t know, spread your wings?”

  Cassidy shrugged. “I thought we’d do it together moving here.”

  Emma didn’t know what to say. “We will. I promise, but I need you to make a promise for me too, okay?”

  “Sure, what?”

  “If you ever get the urge to go through it, you’ll tell someone, even if it isn’t me?” Emma hedged.

  “I can do that,” Cassidy agreed.

  Emma sighed. “Thank you.” She stood and headed for the door. “I guess I should go let everyone know the coast is clear.”

  Her sister chuckled. “Yeah, might be a good idea.”

  Emma stepped out of the room, still completely overwhelmed. As she headed down the hallway to apologize for what transpired, Loraine appeared at her side, almost as if the woman knew she needed a little motherly advice. She wrapped Emma in a hug then led her to the nursery only two doors down from where Cassidy stayed.

  “What a couple of days, huh?” Loraine gave a breathy laugh as she awkwardly lowered herself into her chair.

  “Yeah, you can say it again,” Emma agreed, glancing around the room. She loved the decorating. The walls were painted in a neutral color, while wolf mobiles hung from each polished, handmade crib. A plush, carpet circle lay in the middle of the room while matching dressers sat side by side against the far wall. “I’ve never experienced anything like this.” She sounded like a broken record.

  “Teen wolves are a little higher strung, but you get used to it. They tend to mellow out by eighteen. Look at Hayden and Bodhi,” she teased.

  Emma laughed. “Sure enough.”

  “It takes some getting used to. I understand how you feel. Plus, this family, they tend to run a little hot. You’re going to have your growing pains even as you try to navigate between being a mother and a sister to Cassidy. You’re all she has. Well us, too, now, I guess.” Loraine laughed and rubbed her belly.

  “You’re ri
ght. I guess, I worry because for so long I couldn’t be there for her. It took a year to get her back in my arms after I aged out. The place we were sent isn’t like what you have here. We were left with humans, not shifters.”

  Loraine nodded. “I understand. It’s not been easy, but you’re here now. The past is behind you. We’re in front of you as long as you accept it.”

  She had a point. Loraine was also wise like a mom. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. It’s going to be fun having you in our family. We just have to get through the adjustment period first.” Loraine hissed. “And, these two need to get born. I don’t think my bladder can handle their tap dancing anymore.” She held out a hand to Emma. “Help me up?”

  “Of course.” Emma rushed to her side.

  “So, are you going to tell me about your mating to Bodhi, or do I get to hear about it third party from Jace?”

  Blake entered the room a moment later. “If we’re gossiping about our son and our new daughter, I want to hear this.”

  Emma giggled, a bit bashful from all the attention. “I guess it’s okay. What do you want to know?”

  “Everything,” Loraine and Blake said together.

  Chapter Twelve

  Emma woke with Bodhi wrapped around her body. It made her feel, safe, secure and, best of all, loved. It was the best feeling in the world and one she could experience for the rest of her life.

  Today also happened to be the big day—Hayden and Nico’s mating ceremony. There was a lot of work still to be done, and she had a schedule to keep, which meant she had to get up, even when she didn’t want to move. Emma, quietly as she could, so to not disturb Bodhi, wiggled out from under his big body. He rolled onto his back, snatching her pillow as he went. The sound of his gentle snores announced to her that he remained asleep. It also allowed her the perfect opportunity to observe him, freely.

  All of the Raferty brothers looked similar with subtle differences. Her mate was no different. He had been all Raferty, from his black hair, which currently lay in an unkempt mess, thanks in part to her running her fingers through it last night, while he feasted on her sex. On more than one occasion. And, his blue eyes, which were warm, inviting, and often twinkled in amusement when he spoke, had been a tad bit darker than his uncles’ or his father’s.

  Her gaze flickered to his lips, which currently held a grin, even in his sleep. Cocky bastard. Then down the long length of his body. For a wolf shifter, he had very little body hair on him. He, of course, had a sexy little trail from his belly button, down to his dick. Emma stared at it, completely fascinated by it. It rested, semi-erect against his right thigh. Even at rest, it was impressive.

  She had yet to have the pleasure of pleasing him with her mouth. Of tasting him and feeling his release as he came. She craved it, and if she didn’t have a schedule to follow, Emma would crawl back into bed and wake him up with her mouth.

  Later.

  Tonight.

  Licking her lips, she gave him one last look before she turned and silently left the room.

  After a quick shower and an even quicker breakfast, Emma got a ride with Kalkin who was driving to the community center.

  “Where’s Bodhi?” Kal asked, maneuvering his SUV onto the road.

  “He was still sleeping when I left my room,” Emma answered, a bit distracted as she opened her journal, to review one of her several lists. “I hope he's up. Maybe I should have woken him up before I left.”

  Kal snickered. “Maybe you two shouldn’t have stayed up all night fucking like rabbits.”

  Emma glanced over at him trying to figure out his mood and whether he was serious or playing with her. He had one hand on the steering wheel, his other arm was bent at the elbow, resting on the open window. Kal looked at ease, his body loose. His shoulders were relaxed, and his lips twitched, in what Emma could only describe as amusement. She’d almost bet if he was looking at her without the navigator sunglasses he was sporting, he’d have a twinkle in his eye.

  Joking. He’s joking with me. I’m going for it.

  Emma shrugged. “Full moon, you just gotta deal. I noticed you and your mate weren't exactly quiet last night, either. Or this morning.” Emma fought back the blush she could feel rushing up to her cheeks at coming back at him ever so slightly and admitting she had heard him and Keeley fucking.

  He chuckled. “Very good, Emma, mate of my nephew.”

  “Was that okay? Not disrespectful or anything, was it?” She worried her bottom lip as she turned toward him in her seat.

  Kal shook his head, clicking his tongue at her. “You can’t come off all big and bad, then ask if it was okay. What the hell is wrong with you? Stand firm.”

  “Easy for you to say, you’re the alpha.”

  “You’re also family, Emma. Don’t ever forget it.” Kal slowed down before turning into the community center parking lot. After pulling into a spot, he threw the SUV into park, before he turned toward her. “If you speak your mind and your truth from your heart, it’s hard to be disrespectful.” He took off his sunglasses. “Truth one: it was the full moon last night. Truth two: Keeley and I were loud last night and again this morning, but then again, we’re always loud. It’s who I am, and I’m always who I am. I don’t sugar coat shit. On the flip side, I’m never going to lie to you. Much like Bodhi.”

  Unsure how to respond to his declaration, Emma simply nodded, her gaze focused on the parking lot filled with supplies for the ceremony as she waited for him to unlock the vehicle.

  “You finally ask him about his childhood?”

  “Yeah,” she hedged, not wanting her now uncle by mating to know her feelings toward his brother.

  “Whose ass did you want to kick more? Jace, me or Caden?”

  Emma whipped her head around to look at him, surprised at the question.

  “Ahh ...” She gulped, rubbing her hands up and down her legs. He was testing her, and this time, damn it, she wasn’t going to fail. “All of you. Mostly Jace.”

  “He tell you Keeley took a bat to him?”

  “He did.”

  “Did he tell you I let Keeley get in one good hit in before I stopped her?”

  She blinked in surprise. “No. He didn’t tell me that!”

  “Jace deserved it. I know I fucked up. Shit, so did Jace, in how we handled the situation with Bodhi. It is my biggest regret,” he confessed. Emma realized this was a big deal for the bad-ass alpha. She’d bet he rarely admitted his errors to others. “Jace’s too. I can’t go back, none of us can.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  Kal sighed. “I'm asking you to give Jace a chance. He's made great strides to rectify his relationship with his son. Bodhi still has moments, and God knows the boy is allowed. I just gotta feeling, if you're open and willing with Jace, Bodhi will remain the same.”

  Emma laughed. “I don’t have the power you think I do.”

  “Bullshit,” he growled. “Pussy whipped. Every single one of us mated males.” He shook his head as if disgusted. Emma saw his face and eyes, though. He was anything but. He was amused. Maybe even somewhat proud of how his tiny, little mate, who had figured out how to stand her ground with him and even come back at him. “Ask my brothers. They’ll all tell you the same thing. Fuck. Ask Keeley. She’ll tell you.”

  “I don’t want to control him, Kal,” Emma admitted.

  “It’s not about control, Emma. It’s about us being men, being stupid, and often thinking with the little head before using our big head. Our mates, they see the world in a different way, advising and counseling us when needed. It not about control. It’s about working as a cohesive team. You’re no longer alone, a single identity. You’re now a united pair.”

  “You're right,” she admitted, knowing she had been too young, when her parents passed, to remember how loving couples worked with each other.

  He snorted. “Always am, bear. Remember it, and we’ll always get along just fine.”

  Emma chuckled. “You’re
full of it.”

  “Full of what?” he prodded.

  Laughing, Emma gave him what he wanted. “Shit. You’re full of shit.”

  “Very good, Emma,” he snickered. “Now, get your ass out of my truck and go get some work done. Shit is not getting done by itself.” He hit the button to unlock the doors.

  A couple of days ago, she might have peed her pants at his bluntness. Today, she was good with it, knowing his mate was correct. He was hard on the outside, but soft on the inside, and Emma was honored to be part of the inner circle he allowed to see that side of him.

  “Are you helping?” Emma asked, grabbed the handle of the door.

  “Was there any doubt? According to Keeley, I gotta follow your orders, since you have it all planned. Don’t get giddy on me, I’m still in charge of this pack and pride with Rapier.”

  Emma opened the door and stepped out.

  “Fuck. I thought you two were going to grow roots and stay in the damn truck forever. We got shit to do. Let’s get it done. It’s still full moon, and at some point, I want to get home and fuck my mate,” Rapier called out from the side of the building, where he had obviously been waiting for them.

  “He’s so eloquent,” Kal observed.

  Emma burst out laughing. If anything, being around the Rafertys and Dryers would never be dull. Truth be told, she'd had enough of it to last her several lifetimes.

  Keeley arrived hours later, dropping off lunch for the hard at work group. She stayed long enough to give her mate a kiss and a wave before hopping back into her car to head back home to get ready. They ate in shifts, wanting to finish the last remaining items before calling it a day.

  Bodhi had yet to show up, and it worried her. He’d promised to be there to help, and he hadn't. Kal seemed to be aware of her unease, and he had gone out of his way, again, to assure her things were going on behind the scene, and Bodhi was working on those items.

  Done eating her sandwich, Emma scrunched up the white paper and chucked it in the trash before heading over to the arch Utah built. The tiger had been working for the last half hour, weaving delicate palest pink and white peonies through the ivory he had added.