by Morgan Fox
“Thanks,” Dominic replied with a sarcastic smile as he flopped onto the sofa. “Got any beer?”
Megan waddled her way over to him and smacked his leg. Instantly, he moved his booted foot off the coffee table. With her fists dug in at her hips, she looked fierce for a werewolf who was at least eight months pregnant. “You’ll have to forgive him. He was raised in a barn.”
“By wolves,” Reyes corrected with a chuckle, adding a bit of werewolf humor.
Sighing hard, Jonah headed for the kitchen to grab a few beers. It took all the restraint he had not to chug down a few for himself before closing the refrigerator door. He handed one to Dominic and Reyes, but skipped Megan. Her two mates obviously had no trouble knocking her up. They were like Bull’s-eye Bobby when it came to impregnating their mate. It seemed Jonah was the only one who lacked in that area.
“Where’s Dom Jr. these days?” Jonah asked Megan. “Been arrested for stealing cars yet?”
Dominic beamed. “No cars, but he can run like a motherfucker. You should see him on hunt nights.”
Jonah wouldn’t know anything about those. Sebastian had been the one to take Kayla out when she’d been in wolf training. Things with her were different though. She was also magical and would simply wish the rabbit to appear in front of her and it would. Fey cheating was sort of annoying to Sebastian, which pleased Jonah. Kerri, on the other hand, hadn’t shown any interest. She was still too young.
“Ah, fuck. Was that a smile?” Dominic cheered, standing up with his index finger clasped around the neck of his beer bottle.
Jonah frowned.
“Yep. I think it was a smile,” Reyes teased.
“Either that or he has gas,” Dominic added.
“Seriously,” Megan snapped. “Can’t we just have a normal conversation without making me want to puke? I’m pregnant, remember? It wouldn’t be hard to blow chunks right now.”
Dominic raised his hands, his face draining of blood. “Please don’t throw up on me again.”
Reyes moved closer, clearly ignoring the fact that Dominic looked as though he might pass out from the idea of puke landing on him. Jonah glanced down, remembering the way it was when he’d held Kayla and Kerri as babies and the numerous times he’d worn spit-up.
How Dominic survived the birth and raising of his son was beyond comprehension.
“As you can guess, we’ve resorted to house calls,” Reyes finally shared.
Jonah figured they were visiting because Sebastian had spoken with them. Their pack leader would pull out all the stops if needed to get what he wanted. That’s what Sebastian did.
“Great,” Jonah muttered, sipping his beer. “What for?”
Megan stood beside Reyes, her gaze softening. “Brie told me something was wrong with you, that you left the ranch to stay here, and I dragged these two with me to find out why?”
Now that surprised him. It wasn’t Sebastian, but Brie who had contacted them. “It’s only been a day since Brie left me.”
“She left you?” Reyes repeated, as if shocked by the news. “How are you holding up?”
Like shit.
She left him to return to McCarthy Ranch where she belonged with her daughters, he reminded himself.
And Sebastian.
Shut up. His mind was at war.
“Look, I appreciate you guys stopping by, but I’m fine. Really.” Liar.
Megan arched a brow, her gaze drifting over him the way Brie’s did when she was trying to unravel the truth. “Who are you trying to kid? Brie’s your mate. We know something’s wrong, but she won’t say more than hint that we should check in on you. You’re the only one missing from the equation.”
“What about Sebastian? I’m sure he’s there to comfort and protect her. Hasn’t he stepped up yet?”
Megan walked up and smacked him on the back of the head. “Seriously? Are you that stupid?”
Dominic chuckled, folding his arms over his chest. “I’m going to go with yes on this one.”
Jonah felt like the world was closing in on him. He just needed time. Something no one in his pack apparently understood. “Where’s Kayla and Kerri?” He found it funny that his instincts drove him to think about the daughters that weren’t even his.
“I heard they were staying at a friend’s house,” Reyes told him.
Jonah nodded. He was glad they weren’t lingering around McCarthy Ranch. Grown-up discussions should remain that way. He never wanted the girls to think that he was abandoning them.
Shit. Wasn’t that sort of what he’d done by leaving? He growled, raking his fingers through his hair.
“When are you heading back?” Dominic asked.
His frown deepened. Explaining himself was starting to get old. “I came here because I needed to—” He turned to face Reyes, the one he hoped would be the most rational. Dominic, Megan, and Reyes’s relationship mirrored his with Sebastian and Brie. But like him, Reyes was the other in the relationship and most likely would be the only one who could understand what he was going through. “I need to clear my head. Things have been going on that…that I can’t talk about right now.”
“Grow a pair,” Megan blurted out. “Your wife needs you. Shit, we all do. I can’t imagine how she must be—”
“Megan,” Reyes called out sharply, cutting her off. “You’re letting those wild hormones rule that tongue of yours.” He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them, just before he faced Jonah. “Is there anything we can do?”
A sigh fled from his lungs. “I wish there was, but truthfully, I just need a little time to sort out a few things.”
“Are you fighting with your brother or something?” Megan asked, her tone softer and less threatening.
“Please tell me you’re not being a pussy,” Dominic said with a sarcastic roll of his eyes. “If you and Sebastian are having issues, I know you’ll work it out. You guys always do.”
That was true. It’s what brothers did. They had issues. They worked shit out. Problem was, Jonah couldn’t see how that was going to happen now.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Jonah told them, hoping that hearing so would satisfy their intrusive need.
“But it’s Christmas,” Megan muttered as the floodgate to her emotions let go. Tears streamed down her face and both Dominic and Reyes were scrambling to comfort her. She shoved them away in seconds, the emotional switch flipping once again. “Oh, for the love of the moon, stop smothering me. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” Jonah asked, not remembering Brie acting so strangely when she was pregnant. Then, he had a vision of the bed levitating as Sebastian, Brie, and he tried to sleep one night. The memory opened up his mind to just how insane things had been. Brie’s magical pregnancy had been—earth-shatteringly awesome. Something he loved even though she hadn’t been pregnant with his child. That hadn’t changed his love for Brie or the baby.
Jonah shook the thoughts away as Megan muttered, “I’m hungry.”
“We’ll stop for burgers on the way home,” Dominic promised.
“It’s a two-hour drive to McCarthy Ranch. I’m going to have to pee a dozen times before we get there.”
“We’ll plan for pit stops,” Reyes assured her. “We could even stop for the night at a hotel, if we need to.”
“Oh,” she gasped, grabbing hold of Dominic’s arm. “I’d love to go to that ice cream shop on Kirby. That place has the best sundaes.”
“Not to mention, they have bathrooms,” Dominic reminded her with a quirky grin.
Reyes smiled, but that pleasing expression faded the moment he locked eyes with Jonah. He lowered his voice so only Jonah could hear him. “I’m not sure what it is that’s going on between the two of you…or three, but if you ever need to talk. Call me.”
Jonah gave Reyes a pat on the shoulder. “Thank you.” He arched his chin in the direction that Dominic had taken Megan. “You might want to catch up to them. She’s likely to convince him that food is more important than you.”
> “Megan knows better than that,” Reyes replied with a wink and was out the door after them in seconds.
As Jonah closed the front door, he thought about what Reyes had said. Did Brie see him as just as important to her as Sebastian? Or was that wishful thinking? At the rate they were spiraling apart, that was a question he may never learn the answer to.
* * * *
Brie hung the ornaments on the Christmas tree alone this year. It was strange to hear the house so quiet. Her daughters had extended their playdate and weren’t set to be home for a few more days, and Sebastian was handling pack business. She didn’t know where Ryken, Tabitha, or Luken had gone off to, but she had a pretty good idea.
The crackling of the fire was soothing to her weary mind. Since leaving Jonah at the loft, she needed help collecting herself. Her emotions were all over the board. Erratic hormones sucked, especially when all she wanted to do was hide her feelings from everyone. Sebastian knew she’d gone off to see Jonah, and as Jonah had warned, Sebastian was pissed. Not that she’d gone to see him, but that she’d gone alone. Sebastian hadn’t said anything to her about Jonah, but she could feel the change in him, the worry.
After being with Jonah again, she couldn’t help but feel confused. One moment he told her that he didn’t want to share her with Sebastian, the next he was claiming her again, only to end up wanting space from her. Jonah was making her dizzy.
Brie selected another ornament from the box and put it on the last available branch. Then she added a royal blue string of garland and silver ribbon and stepped back to admire her work of art.
“It’s gorgeous,” Sebastian said, catching her off guard. “Just like you.” He wrapped his arms around her.
She sighed as the warmth of his body reached out to comfort her. The tree was beautiful. The star was the last thing that needed to be added.
She gently broke his hold and moved to pick up the star and faced him. “Care to put it on the top?”
Sebastian’s crooked grin grew as he closed in to take the tree topper from her hand. He climbed the step stool, and she couldn’t help but admire the view. Then she remembered a time when that step stool had been the perfect place to begin making love to Jonah. Redecorating their home had given her more pleasure than she’d ever imagined possible. Most of which she’d done while Sebastian had been searching for information about her background and Mason Levi. Jonah had been the one to stay with her—the one to keep her bed warm and her nights occupied.
“Is it crooked?” Sebastian asked, glancing down at her.
She cleared her thoughts. “Looks perfect.”
Christmas was in full swing at McCarthy Ranch. The Christmas tree was officially done, thousands of colorful lights were hung on bushes and trees along the property, the fireplace was lit and crackling, and holiday music filled the house. Soon Kayla and Kerri’s laughter, and the joyous sounds of their friends’ and family’s voices would fill the house, and the season would warm their hearts as it always did.
Keeping herself distracted, she asked Sebastian, “Did you pick up the last of the presents for the kids?”
He nodded. “Do you have any idea how many dolls are on the market?” He frowned. “Some look more like aliens with heavy makeup than a child’s toy.”
She grinned. “I know. I’m shocked at how much stuff they can cram in those isles.”
He followed her into the kitchen as she prepared a hot cocoa for herself. “Would you like one?”
“I’d love a coffee, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all.” She’d prepped the coffeepot earlier in anticipation of his afternoon coffee fix. Pressing the brew button, she turned to find him standing close.
“I love you, Brie.”
“I love you too,” she replied, her brow twitching with curiosity. Considering, the timing of his endearment, she brushed her fingertips over his cheek. “We’re going to be okay, you know.”
He nodded, dipping down to take her lips in a slow, sweet kiss. “I do. I only want to make sure you know that as well.”
She hugged him, wrapping her arms around him with a gentle squeeze. “This will be a beautiful Christmas for the kids, and one I know we’ll never forget. You and the girls mean the world to me.”
He teased his knuckles over the smooth skin of her cheek, and she leaned into his touch. His caress was one of the most soothing things she’d ever felt in her life. Sebastian’s power and strength were unmatched by anyone she’d ever known. She could read in his eyes that he wanted to talk about Jonah. Words he didn’t have to speak because she felt them too. But the timing wasn’t right. She didn’t want to be upset anymore. She wanted to feel the season of love engulf her and bless her with its magic. She’d do whatever had to be done for her children. That was her priority now.
Jonah had made his decision, and he needed space from them. It was in his hands now—the control he seemed desperate to obtain.
“Do you two lovebirds need privacy?”
Tabitha’s voice brought a grin to both hers and Sebastian’s faces. “She always did have terrible timing,” Sebastian teased.
“The worst,” Brie added, just before Sebastian kissed her.
With a sigh, he parted from her. “I’ve got a few things to wrap up. You two have fun.”
Brie held his hand, not wanting to let it go until the last possible second. He smiled back at her as he left the room.
“Well, that was so sweet, I think I got a toothache,” Tabitha said, moving up to hug Brie.
“Stop,” Brie told her, facing the counter to finish making herself her favorite chocolaty drink.
“I’m serious. I’ve been barging into your house for years, and that was the first time I saw you kiss in a sensual, sweet way.” She paused, eyeing Brie. “Right?”
That was the first time he’d ever kissed her that way, but it wasn’t as sweet and sensual as Tabitha thought. It was more a kiss that screamed, I’m terrified I’m losing everything. She knew the feeling well. “I’m just trying to survive the holidays. So is he.”
Tabitha laughed. “I think you guys could handle an apocalypse better than you can emotional change.”
Brie looked at her, handing her a cocoa as well. “What are you talking about?”
She sat the cup down on the counter and folded her arms over her chest defiantly. “Just because you haven’t said anything to me doesn’t mean I don’t know.”
Brie arched a brow. “Don’t know what exactly?”
Was Tabitha talking about Jonah or the pregnancy? Either way, Brie was shocked since she hadn’t shared any real details with anyone since he left. And she was pretty sure she’d done an excellent job of hiding just how tired she was. Brie’s pregnancy was drawing her energy down. Her body was starting to respond the exact same way it had when she’d been pregnant with Kayla and Kerri. It was only a matter of time before her secret was discovered. She suddenly pictured giving birth to another little girl, one who had Jonah’s eyes.
“Come on, Brie. I’m your best friend. I know something’s going on with you and Sebastian. Is he too much the alpha for your liking? To be honest, I thought you might kick him to the curb now that you’re all magically badass and shit.”
Brie gaped at her. Was she serious? “I’m not having issues with Sebastian,” she argued. “I would never leave him.”
“So it’s Jonah, then,” Tabitha said, as if identifying the missing piece of a puzzle. “And that kind of surprises me since he’s the one I would’ve expected to see kissing you the way Sebastian just did.”
Brie paused, thinking back to the kiss she’d shared with Sebastian. He had kissed her just like Jonah would’ve done. Was he afraid she’d leave him without Jonah being part of their lives? She would never do that. She loved Sebastian too much to lose him.
But I thought the same thing about Jonah.
She looked to her friend, her heart falling into her stomach. It seemed that Tabitha knew her better than she knew herself.
Chapter Five
“I think Jonah wants out,” Brie admitted, and saying the words aloud had her absently rubbing her belly. She quickly turned to lead Tabitha into the living room. The fire in the hearth had gone out, but with the flick of her wrist, a whoosh of flame ignited once again and the crackling of the fire was present.
“Okay. Two things,” Tabitha started. “First, I’ll never get tired of you doing that. And second, what the hell are you talking about?”
Brie sat down on the sofa and pulled the blanket that had been draped over it onto her lap. She sipped her cocoa and inhaled a lungful of air, hoping it would give her the calm she needed to talk with her friend.
“I’m not sure exactly why, but I think Jonah feels like he doesn’t fit into our relationship anymore.” Brie paused as Tabitha’s jaw slackened. “I saw him yesterday, and he said he needed space. So I’m going to give it to him.”
“But it’s Christmas? Why would he pick this time of year to do this to you?”
Brie understood better than most the feeling that can sometimes surface during the holidays. She spent many holidays sad and depressed. It was strange that while others were celebrating, she’d only wanted to cry. It wasn’t until she married her mates and had Kayla that that feeling had finally gone away.
“The holidays can be a time of reflection for some people. Plus, we haven’t had much time to ourselves these last few years.”
Tabitha furrowed her brow. “No date nights. Nothing.”
Brie sipped her cocoa, wishing she had a different answer. If she had, maybe things would be different with Jonah right now. “No. I’ve been caught up in pack business, fey princess bullshit, and being a mother.” She laughed awkwardly. “What’s funny is that I scheduled time for us to be together this week. I made sure that Sebastian and the kids were good, and I told the fey council that I was to be undisturbed until after the New Year. I wanted this time to be with my family.” She looked to Tabitha. “Especially Jonah.”
Tabitha moved to sit beside Brie on the sofa and took her hand in hers. “I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?”
