Finding You (Pack Bardot Book 1)

by M. K. Harper

  I’m even more confused, but still smiling. I check my last message.

  Beatrix: I’ll be there at 9, love. Be ready!

  I look at the time and see it’s already 8:30. Well shit.

  “Mom!” I yell, grabbing an overnight bag from the closet.

  “You hollered? Or more aptly, screamed like a Banshee?” She leans against my door and sips her coffee.

  “What is happening?” I drill her, positive she knows something.

  “I refuse to ruin that man’s hard work. The only things you need to know are Chevy and Beatrix are on there way here and you need to pack a bag. Preferably for a few days.” Her cheeks tint pink with the implication that I’ll need stuff for after the ceremony and the days that follow. Panic grips at me, trying to find purchase. I am so out of my depth here.

  “Mom...” I cry, my voice a bit hysterical. She sits down her coffee and comes straight to me, wrapping her arms around me and holding me close.

  “Do you want this, Inds? Because I know that Dax won’t bat an eye if you’ve changed your mind and want to wait a little longer?” Her blue eyes search mine. “He loves you so much sweetheart, and I know it probably sounds batshit crazy for me to advocate for my barely legal daughter to attach herself to someone so permanently, but we both know the seriousness of mate bonds. I truly believe he’s your other half, Indy.” Her watery smile makes my own eyes sting.

  “It’s not that,” I shake my head. “I just feel clueless about everything that’s going to happen. Ya know...after the ceremony.” I blush, but my mom is the person I need right now. That might sound weird to some people but I’ve always known I could come to her for anything. Sex advice included, I suppose.

  “Oh, honey,” she laughs. “I thought we’d have this talk a couple of years ago. You catch the eye of every guy in the room. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that you’ll experience this with someone you love and who loves you back just as much. Don’t worry about the mechanics of it. It’ll come naturally, Indy.”

  “Will it hurt?” I scrunch my nose.

  “Probably,” she nods. “But not near as badly as you’re imagining and not for long. I always swore I’d be a progressive mother, that I’d respect the decisions you made with your body. But I’m really thankful you didn’t have to sift through a bunch of assholes to find a good one.” I smile, real thankful too. With my daddy issues, I was a prime candidate for giving it to the first guy who said anything nice to me. Thank the Lord for my hermit crab ways!

  “Five minutes, Linden,” she pats my cheek.

  “Shit!” I spin around, so flustered I don’t know what to do first.

  “You go get ready and I’ll pack,” she steers me towards the bathroom. “I’ll leave some clothes on the counter.” I nod reluctantly and flip the shower on. I’m in and out in record time. I’m still half wet as I try to slide on the high waisted leggings and cropped camo top Mom left out for me. It hangs off my shoulder making the comfy outfit look a little more appealing. I unclip my hair from where I twisted it up so it didn’t get wet and fix it in a cute, high pony tail. I forgo makeup, not even seeing my cosmetic bag anywhere. Mom probably snatched it when she left me clothes so that she could pack it. I head out, hopping from foot-to-foot as I try and slide on my black chucks without unlacing them. Mom is dragging her bag into the living room to join mine when the door flies open and Chev waltzes in like he owns the place.

  “I have arrived, bitches,” he does a fake hair flip. “You’re welcome.” He plops down a box that says Sickly Sweet Treats. I remember passing it on Main Street before. They had all sorts of unique concoctions made from ordinary desserts. I lift the lid and my mouth waters. Inside there are donuts, but not just any donuts. Oreo donuts. The glaze is the melted creme filling and they’re topped with crushed cookies. My mouth waters and I groan.

  “Pray tell, what genius came up with these?” A sense of wonder laces my words. I grab one and shove half of it in my mouth in one bite. I groan, there is definitely a food-gasm happening. Mom and Chev grab one of their own after watching me scarf mine down. We have cookie crumbles all over our faces, sticky fingers, and groans and moans fill the small house when Beatrix walks in, her eyebrows arching in amusement.

  “Ther tho ooood...” is all that comes out as I shove the last of donut number two in my mouth. I push the box out to her, demanding she take one and experience this life altering moment with us. Her reaction is much the same as ours. We polish the dozen donuts off, instantly regretting it.

  “I think I just gained five pounds,” Chev complains from the couch where he’s rubbing his aching stomach.

  “Same...” I say from the chair across from him.

  “What’s this?” Beatrix asks, waving a little envelope. I haul ass across the room, a giddy feeling warming me all over.

  “I didn’t see this before.” I look at the small card, my name written on the outside in Dax’s handwriting. Mom and Beatrix share a smile and I get the feeling that she brought the note with her. I peel it open, nervous excitement filling me.

  “Hurry up,” Chev nudges me and I scowl at him. The card inside reads:

  Linny,

  There are a million things I love about you, but I thought I’d tell you just a few of my favorites today.

  #5 - I love how much you love Oreos. Your commitment to the superior cookie is admirable. Even if there are other tasty cookies out there, you only have heart eyes for your beloved Oreos.

  P.S. I want to be your Oreo...

  They’ve all gathered around me, reading over my shoulders. A chorus of awww’s fill the air and I fall just a little more in love with Dax than I already am.

  “I gotta get me one of those,” Chev states. “You got any more like him floating around Pack Bardot land, Mrs. B? Preferably one that likes matching parts and not opposite parts if you get what I’m saying.” I grunt, feeling a mixture of humor and disbelief that he just went there when they haven’t even been properly introduced.

  “Beatrix, this gem is my best friend, Chevy. You’ll learn to just mute out the some of the things he says.” I give him a ‘behave’ look. Beatrix laughs and pats Chev on the cheek.

  “We have a few that like matching parts. Come on down and catch yourself a wolf, good lookin’,” she grins at him as his eyes widen. The poor boy thrives off shocking people with the shit that comes out of his mouth, but he doesn’t have a clue how to handle anyone turning the tables. He’s such a drastically different person from the boy I met in the cookie aisle two weeks ago. I can’t wait to see how much he’ll have grown in six months or a year from now. It’s so easy to thrive when you find your perfect tribe of people. Better yet, your pack.

  “Alright, who’s ready to find out where we’re headed first?” Beatrix wags her eyebrows at us theatrically and we all roll with laughter. Linking her arm with mine, she leads me out to her Tahoe. We all pile in and eagerly wait to see where we end up.

  Chapter 25

  “A freakin’ spa?!” I squeal, already thinking of the deep tissue massage that awaits me.

  “I think we deserve it girls...and guy,” Beatrix adds quickly.

  “Meh,” Chev shrugs. “Might as well be. My father seems to think so.” Us three share a look and I want to pick apart that statement so badly but I know it’s not the time or place. More often lately, Chevy says things that seem to hold hidden meanings and it makes me worry about how he’s being treated at home. That unexplainable Mama Bear instinct engulfs me and makes me want to tear down anyone who’d dare say anything cruel to my best friend. He can see the gears turning, and quickly backtracks.

  “Kidding,” he rolls his eyes and hops out the car. We share another look, none of us buying it but not willing to hash it right now. We climb out as well, my eyes landing on Chevy by the door and I give him a look that I hope says everything I’m currently holding back.

  This conversation is far from over.

  The inside of the spa is serene. They have everything from
a hair salon and massage therapy to waxing. Full freakin’ service. I want to say I don’t deserve this man, but I certainly fucking do. He is my light at the end of tunnel, my reward for the shitty years I survived, barely even existing. I pull out my phone and type out a quick text, the need to tell him how much I love and appreciate him nagging at me and I know if I don’t I won’t be able to relax and enjoy this.

  Linny: Have I told you how much I love you today? Because I do, even more than Oreos. You light up my world, Wolf-Man.

  Linny: Also....

  Linny: Donut Oreos?! I may have gained a few pounds since this morning.

  I tuck my phone away before I keep serial texting him. It’s a bit of a problem, so I remove the temptation and catch up to everyone. An older lady is busy explaining what they offer.

  “Any package you’d like has already been covered, so please let us know if there’s anything you need while you enjoy our facility. Feel free to take a minute and look over our packages. Whenever you’re ready we can set everyone up,” she smiles and hands us a leatherback book. The inside is filed with everything they offer. No prices are listed so it’s gotta be expensive. Only fancy, rich folk places omit the prices. I nibble on my lip, hating that Dax is probably spending a small fortune on us when I’d be content with vegging out in our pajamas all day. At the same time, I love that he’s so thoughtful and wants to do this for not only me but our moms and my friend. I push away all thoughts of money and focus on what I want to get. Chev and I decide to get a massage together and he plans something else for us after, refusing to clue me in. Mom and Beatrix go with pedicures and manicures and we go our separate ways.

  Ninety minutes later, I feel like an entirely new person. I’ll probably be sore tomorrow but it’ll be worth it. I’m changing out of my robe and back into my clothes when my phone dings with a text alert.

  Dax: Fifty extra pounds wouldn’t change how beautiful you are, sweetheart.

  I snort, thinking he must be grossly underestimating what fifty more pounds would look like on my five foot frame. I’d be as big around as I am tall. But who am I to argue with his logic.

  Linny: I’m gonna keep you forever. Mine.

  Dax: Yours. Now and forever.

  I’m smiling, pulling my shirt over my head, when the tornado that is Chevy flings the door open, exposing me to every Tom, Dick and Harry in the vicinity.

  “Hairy donkey balls, Chevy!” I screech, yanking my shirt down.

  “Calm your tits,” he waves a hand at me dismissively. “We’re about to get a lot more acquainted than that my little pupper.” Did he really just refer to me as a goddamn dog?

  “You are aware that I can’t shift into a wolf, much less a dog, right?” I stare at him blankly, but he gives me nothing. “Whatever, what do you mean by that?” My spidey senses tingle. In hindsight, I should’ve trusted that gut intuition that he was up to no good.

  “You’ll see.” That’s all I get as he yanks me along, grinning like the damn Cheshire Cat. He leads me into a small room where an older Asian lady is bent over something beside a waxing table. This is where I should have throat punched him and made my escape, but my brain still hadn’t caught up. Stupid, stupid brain.

  “Love you!” He smacks a kiss on my cheek and leaves the room so fast you’d think the place was on fire. My brows furrow in confusion. I turn my attention back to the old woman, only to find her right behind me.

  “Good God you move quietly,” I place a hand over my racing heart. Someone get this woman a damn bell.

  “Yoo git nake naow,” her lips move and words come out, but I haven’t a fucking clue what she just said.

  “Uh, what?” I so eloquently respond. She rolls her eyes and dumbs it down for me.

  “Yoo,” she points a finger at me. “No,” she shakes her head. “Clo,” she points at her pants and shirt. Lightbulb. The crazy lady wants me to get naked.

  “Chevy!” My voice pitches, a little panicky if I do say so.

  “Get naked, Lin!” The traitorous bastard replies from the other side of the door.

  “Yeah...that’s gonna be a no for me,” I say, not taking my eyes off the little ninja lady.

  “Linden,” Chev’s voice is stern. “Do you really want to go into tomorrow night looking like you have a baby gorilla between your legs?”

  “It does not look like that!” I screech.

  “I bet my left nut it ain’t as smooth as a baby’s ass!” he counters. At any second we’re going to be thrown out of this fine establishment. I’m freakin’ counting on it! There is no way half the building can’t hear this twisted conversation. But Chevy keeps talking, and no one comes to save me. I guess Dax’s money has bought us the right to publicly discuss the state of my vagina.

  “Seriously, Lin. I wouldn’t steer you wrong. This is a necessity. It’s over in seconds and the slight sting will be more than worth it,” his voice takes on a calming cadence. I hate that I’m so clueless and don’t know if he’s telling me the truth or not. It’s not like there’s much going on down there. Is this what men expect? I whine, really not keen on having hair ripped from any place on my body.

  “Nut up, Buttercup!” Chev’s calming voice is gone, his no nonsense one replacing it. It’s in that moment that I know I’m not leaving here until I have not one pubic hair left.

  Five minutes later, I’m naked as the day I was born and spread eagle. The little Asian Assassin, as I’ve so lovingly dubbed her, is standing over me with a stick of wax seconds away from pressing it to my lady bits.

  “Rela, it o-k,” she gives me a thumbs up and proceeds to scald my hoo-hah, just like I anticipated. I suck in a sharp breath and clench my eyes shut. A second later, her hand pats my no-no square. Pats my fucking no-no square, folks! It’s then that I remember, that was has basically been glued on, must be ripped off.

  “Wan...” she holds up one finger, so I’ve gathered we’re doing a countdown. I’ve barely thought the number two when she rips the wax away, taking my soul with it.

  “Holy Mary-Mother of Jesus!” I wail. My first thought post vaginal scarring - both physically and emotionally - is that she’s ripped off my hair and my skin. The second? Chevy is a fucking dead man. Tears prick my eyes as she goes back in for round number two. I’m tempted to bail, half-bald vagina be damned. A quick peak at my angry red skin with one hairless side and I know that’s not a possibility. We repeat this step three more times until she’s satisfied. I’m convinced her slogan is no hair left behind. Just when I think the torture and humiliation is over, she slaps a goo stick between my butt cheeks. My eyes widen in complete shock, but before I can ask what the hell she thinks she doing, she’s rips it off.

  “Hell’s bells...” I groan.

  “No more!” I glare at her once I’ve regained my wits. “You put that goo back where it came from, lady.” Another eye roll. After she lathers my hair-free lady parts in some creme, I’m free to get dressed. And I do so with a speed I didn’t even know I had. I throw the door open, and march straight across the hall to where my ‘friend’ is laid back in a chair, reading cosmo.

  “I hate you,” I seethe at him. “A slight sting, Chevy?!”

  “That bad?” he asks with a wince.

  “You’ve never had it done?!” I’ve reached a whole new level of hysterical.

  “Um, no.” He looks at me like the idea is preposterous. I’m going to murder him.

  “You are dead to me,” I declare and turn to leave. Chevy groans behind me, but tosses the magazine aside and follows.

  “Don’t be so dramatic. You’ll thank me later,” he brushes it off. I clasp my hands together to keep from strangling him after I throw open the door to leave the building. Mom and Beatrix are already waiting by the Tahoe as I stomp across the parking lot. I don’t say a word as I heave myself into the massive truck, trying not to wince at the discomfort between my legs.

  “She’s in a mood,” Chevy whisper shouts when we’re all buckled in.

  “I’m gonna need
industrial amounts of aloe and lidocaine to numb the damn sting, you asshole!” I snap. Mom and Beatrix have turned in their seats to watch the show. “She put her goo on my butthole, Chev! That little Asian Assassin just slipped right into no man’s land and lathered up my back door with no warning!” The entire car falls silent. It’s just on the edge of supremely uncomfortable when they all keel over laughing.

  “You had her get a wax?” Mom is laughing so hard she can hardly talk. “Oh hell...” she wails, another burst of laughter stealing her words. Even sweet Beatrix has joined in, the little traitor.

  “Laugh it up, traitors,” I grumble as we pull back on the highway. “Next time, it’s your balls getting waxed,” I glare at Chevy. Determined to have is crowned jewels freed from their hairy restraints. Or maybe I’ll just dump a colony of fire ants down his pants when he least expects it. The burning outcome would be the same.

  Chapter 26

  Ten minutes later, we pull up to a cute fifties style diner. Inside, we’re lead to a teal booth with red accents. I hobble along, trying not to draw attention. I take the seat next to Beatrix, forcing Mom to sit with my ex-best friend.

  “My freakin’ hoo-hah burns like it’s been condemned to the fiery pits of hell,” I groan, trying to find a comfortable position.

  “It won’t last much longer,” Beatrix pats my knee.

  “It better not or somebody’s getting a swift kick to the dick,” I grumble, sending death glares across the table.

  We order our food as soon as the waitress comes to greet us, our Oreo donuts having long worn off. When my cheeseburger, fries and chocolate shake are placed in front of me, all thoughts of my burning vagina flee. We eat in silence, all of us too hungry to come up for air and converse. When I’ve managed to eat every last bit of my food, I push my plate away and lean back to rub my food baby. We’re polishing off our shakes when our waitress comes back with a familiar card in her hand.

  “This is for you,” she smiles and hands me the note. The jukebox in the corner starts up just as I pull the card out and begin to read...