by Maggie Walsh
Jesse smiled at him. “You don’t have to do that, Micah.”
“I know, but I really want to. I think he would probably like to know that you’re both safe.”
Jesse nodded then put his head back onto Micah’s chest. He sighed contentedly, which made Micah smile as he wrapped his arms around Jesse again. “You know, I really like when you said that.”
“Said what? I feel like I just read the whole dictionary, I talked so much.” Jesse chuckled.
Micah chuckled, too. “My name, I like when you say my name.” Micah kissed his temple, and Jesse smiled against his chest.
They sat like that, wrapped around each other quietly until it started to get light outside. “Damn, the sun’s coming up. You must be exhausted and hungry. Come on, let me get some clothes on and I’ll get you something to eat. Then we’ll set you and Taylor up in one of the guest rooms so you can get some sleep.”
Jesse pulled back and looked at Micah with a soft smile. He leaned in and kissed Micah chastely on the lips. “Thank you.” Then he kissed Micah again with a little more pressure this time. Micah didn’t push it, he just let Jesse set the pace, take what he was comfortable with. Then he felt it. Jesse’s soft wet tongue glided over the seam of his lips. Micah opened his lips slightly and Jesse swept his tongue into Micah’s mouth. Micah tilted his head so their lips sealed together and he took over the kiss gently. He swept his tongue into Jesse’s mouth and their tongues glided together in a passionate dance.
The flavor of his mate made Micah’s head spin. He lifted a hand to the back of Jesse’s head and cradled it, gently twinning Jesse’s hair around his fingers. Jesse’s arms went around Micah’s neck and his fingers went into Micah’s soft hair. With his other hand Micah pulled Jesse closer to him so their chests were pressed against each other as he deepened the kiss.
Jesse had never tasted anything as wonderful as Micah. His taste was strong and clean, almost like fresh rain on a summer day, with a slight musk. Jesse moaned at the taste and the pleasure. His belly was heating up and he just wanted to climb inside Micah. He felt so safe for the first time in his life. This felt right, like it was where he belonged, like home.
They slowly pulled apart, breaking the kiss. Both panted for air and stared into each other’s eyes. Micah put his forehead to Jesse’s and gave him a quick kiss. Jesse smiled and chuckled softly. “Come on, baby, let’s get you some food and some rest,” Micah said as he lightly patted Jesse on the hip.
Jesse stood up and watched Micah as he stood with the blanket wrapped around his waist and a rather large tent in the front. Jesse giggled. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been sitting there going on and on, and you’ve been sitting there with a blanket wrapped around you the whole time. I’m so sorry, Micah.”
“I’m not.” Micah pulled Jesse into his arms and kissed his forehead. “It was the best night of my life. Well, early morning. I wouldn’t change it for a minute. And I got rewarded with the cutest giggle ever.” Micah smiled from ear to ear and Jesse melted. Micah released him and walked over to the dresser and took out some clothes, then walked into the bathroom and shut the door.
“Damn, and dimples, too. I’m gonna fall so hard for you, Micah. Please don’t hurt me,” Jesse said softly to the empty room.
Micah’s strong wolf hearing picked up every word Jesse said from the other room. “I’ve already fallen hard for you, Jesse, and I promise to not hurt you. Never again,” Micah said to the room as he got dressed.
Chapter 5
Micah held Jesse’s hand as he opened his bedroom door. As they stepped out, both smiling, they nearly tripped over Raith, who was sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. He looked up at them and Jesse put his hand to his mouth and gasped. “Oh my god, Raith, I’m so sorry. I forgot you were out here. Oh shit, I so suck.”
Raith laughed as he stood up. “It’s okay, Jesse, and no, you don’t suck. So, are we okay now?”
Micah’s eyebrows were in a deep V with a confused look on his face as he asked, “What are you two talking about? And why are you eavesdropping outside my door, Raith?” Micah growled that last part. Jesse squeezed his hand. “It’s my fault, Micah. I was really nervous coming in here, and to make me feel better, Raith promised he would stay out here in case I needed him.”
“I knew he wouldn’t need me, but I wanted to make Jesse more comfortable, and I did make a promise, I had to keep it,” Raith said as they all started walking down the hall.
“It’s okay, I understand, Raith. Thanks, brother.” Micah reached out and shook Raith’s hand. “We’re heading to the kitchen to get my mate something to eat, join us for breakfast?”
Raith nodded in agreement and the three of them headed down to the kitchen.
* * * *
As they got closer to the kitchen they could hear a lot of voices. Load laughing voices and a lot of clatter. They stepped into the kitchen and Jesse spotted the big table full of huge men. Another large man was over by the stove cooking and laughing. Taylor was being his usual bright self, fluttering between the cook and the table delivering plates overflowing with pancakes and bacon.
“Are you sure there’s not too much food here? I think I have the number to China, we can invite some more people,” Taylor said as he turned to grab more food plates. He spotted the three newcomers and smiled brightly. “Hey, you guys. Where you been? Breakfast is ready, come and sit. Eat.”
The sounds all stopped as all heads turned to look at the three coming across the kitchen. It was so quiet now that you could hear a flea fart, and all eyes were focused on Jesse. He swallowed nervously and held Micah’s hand tighter, taking a step closer to him.
Micah squeezed Jesse’s hand, then released it to wrap his arm around Jesse’s waist, pulling him close. Micah kissed Jesse’s head and smiled at the group. “Everyone, this is Jesse, my mate. Jesse, this is my pack. Now your pack, too.”
They walked to the table. “Over there is Xavier, Crew, Lexi, Cass, Gabriel, Sebastian, Christian, and Thomas. And the cook over there is Xander.” Micah introduced the pack.
Each member nodded at Jesse with a hi or hello as their name was spoken. Jesse shyly smiled back at them. Jesse turned his attention to Xander. “Can I help you with anything?” He received a big smile in return as Xander answered him, “No thanks, man. It’s okay. I’m all done here. Just take a load off, sit, relax, eat.” Xander headed over to the table.
Taylor walked over to the table with two pitchers of orange juice in his hands. “Jesse is an amazing cook. Wait till you try it.” Taylor winked at Jesse then sat down between Lexi and Gabriel.
Micah looked down at Jesse, smiling. “You can cook, baby?”
“Yeah, a little. I like to cook,” Jesse answered shyly. Micah led him to the table and one of the men, Jesse thinks his name was Crew, got up and moved over, giving Jesse his seat. Now Jesse could sit next to Micah, who sat at the head of the table. Micah held Jesse’s chair out for him and Jesse blushed and whispered, “I’m not a woman, Micah.” Micah kissed his cheek and then whispered in his ear, “Thank gods for that. I am a gentleman though, so have a seat.” Jesse blushed again as he sat down. “Thank you.”
Taylor spoke up. “Don’t let him fool you, Micah, he’s an awesome cook. We can call him the singing chef.” Jesse looked at Taylor and smiled.
“Wait, doesn’t The Muppets have a singing chef?” Lexi asked.
“That’s the Swedish chef, ya idiot,” Crew answered as he slapped Lexi upside the back of his head.
Jesse looked around and noticed no one is eating or moving. He started to squirm nervously in his seat. He whispered to Micah, “Why isn’t anyone eating?”
“The Alpha mate goes first, Jesse, so help yourself. When you’re done, we’ll eat,” Raith explained.
“What? No, eat, everyone please,” Jesse cried out, shocked.
From next to him, a big cutie with jet-black hair with white streaks through it, and mesmerizing violet eyes turned to answer Jesse. “Hi, Jesse, I’m Seb
astian, you can call me Bass. It’s pack law, once the Alpha mate has been found, you get served first. Then the Alpha and then we’ll take what we want. You don’t have to eat alone,” he said with a big smile.
Jesse was in awe of Bass’s eyes. “Thank you. I thought I had to eat and then when I was finished you all could eat.”
“No, dig in, it’s all good, Jess man,” Lexi said from across the table. Jesse gave him a big smile. Micah nodded at Sebastian and Lexi in thanks.
Micah took Jesse’s plate and started putting food on it. Jesse’s eyes bugged out at the amount of food Micah was piling on his plate. Jesse reached out and touched Micah’s arm, stopping him. “Thank you, Micah, but that’s too much for me. I’ll never be able eat all of that.”
“Are you sure?” Micah asked as he put the overflowing plate in front of Jesse. “Yes, thank you,” Jesse answered, then leaned over and kissed Micah’s cheek.
Micah smiled and winked at Jesse, then started piling food onto his own plate. The chatter started up again as everyone filled their plates. Jesse started eating, just listening to the chatter around the table but not understanding half of it. Then Jesse froze with his fork halfway to his mouth, his eyes were wide open and jaw dropped. He slowly put his fork down and turned to Micah. He had a look of pure terror on his face. Taylor had the same look, and everyone stopped talking.
Micah grabbed Jesse’s hand, his face full of concern, “What is it, baby? Are you okay? Why do you look so frightened?” All the wolves at the table started to growl softly.
“V-v-v-vampires and d-d-demons are real?” Jesse stuttered.
“No freaking way,” said Taylor, just as shocked.
“Shit,” Gabriel groaned from next to Taylor and started caressing his back in comfort.
Micah pulled Jesse onto his lap and hugged him. “It’s okay, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you and Taylor didn’t know. We just start talking business and, damn, I’m sorry, baby.” Jesse was shaking like a leaf, as Micah held him tighter.
“Well, if they’re not running…again, and they’re sticking around, they do need to know these things Micah. If it’s too much for you…gentleman, you should say so now and get out sooner rather than later,” Thomas said stiffly.
Micah and Gabriel both started to growl. The rest of the pack started to look around, as if suddenly there were more interesting things going on, on the ceiling, walls, and floor. Raith jumped to his feet and glared at Thomas. “What the fuck, man?”
Taylor glared at Thomas, too. “What is your fucking problem asshole?”
Thomas looked at him coldly. “If you humans can’t handle our world then you shouldn’t be in it. Yes, shifters of all kinds exist, vampires, demons, and fae. The supernatural community is big and scary and dangerous, and you humans are too damn weak to protect yourselves.”
Jesse jumped up and directed his anger at Thomas. “We didn’t ask to be thrown into the supernatural world! But we’re here now! Obviously you don’t like it, but you wanna know what? Tough shit on you! Put your big girl panties on and suck it up! And the next time you talk to my friend like that, I swear to god, wolf or not, I will end you, you asshole.”
“You have no idea what you’re doing! You and this other twink could be snapped in half faster than…” Jesse interrupted him as he took off over the table to get to Thomas. “Fuck you, you piece of shit!”
Micah was quicker than Jesse. He grabbed Jesse around the waist and held him against his chest. “Enough!” Micah yelled, his eyes were glowing yellow as he glared directly at Thomas. There was pure anger in his eyes as he bared his teeth and growled. Thomas quickly lowered his eyes and lifted his head, exposing his throat in a sign of submission to Micah.
Micah continued to hold Jesse to him as he seethed at Thomas, “You will never speak to my mate with such disrespect again! Ever! Do I make myself clear, Thomas!”
“Yes, Alpha. I’m sorry, Alpha,” Thomas answered, lowering his head.
“No one will disrespect my mate. If you have a problem with him being a human, or for any reason, speak now or shut the hell up. If it’s a problem, then you may leave. You are released from the Angel pack and can find somewhere else to go. But if you choose to stay, you will behave appropriately to my mate, any mate. And you will show that same respect to Taylor. He is my mate’s best friend, his brother and are always welcome here. If you can’t live by this rule, you may leave or you will deal with me and I guarantee you won’t like it. Anyone have anything to say?”
Everyone shook their heads with a chorus of, “No, Alpha’s.”
“Good.” Micah sat back down and pulled Jesse back onto his lap again. “Then let’s finish our meal and get to our duties.”
Everyone started to eat again as the chatter slowly started up. Micah refused to let Jesse off his lap as they continued eating.
Taylor looked at Jesse. “So does this mean we’re staying, Jess?”
Jesse looked at Taylor, then around the table at each man as they looked at him. His eyes shifted to Thomas, who was looking down at his plate. Jesse turned and looked at his mate. There was an uncertainty in Micah’s eyes and a little hurt. Jesse whispered to Micah, “I don’t want to go, but I don’t want to cause trouble with your pack.”
“You’re not, Jesse, everyone just needs to get to know each other, that’s all,” Micah said with a sad smile as he cupped Jesse’s cheek.
“What about Tomas? He doesn’t want us here,” Jesse whispered lower.
“I’ll talk with Thomas, and I promise you everything will be okay.” Micah kissed his lips chastely.
“You asked if I could take that leap of faith. Well, I’m leaping, don’t let me fall.” Jesse smiled at Micah and kissed him gently on the lips.
Micah smiled with relief. “I won’t, baby.”
Jesse turned to Taylor. “Yeah, we’re staying, Tay. I think you’re right, I think we finally found our place in the world.”
“So are we staying here, or going back to the apartment to get our keys back?”
“What? Wait. No, you can stay here. Both of you,” Micah said, panicked. He and his wolf were not happy with Jesse leaving.
“We can’t do that, Micah,” he whispered.
“Of course you can. You’re my mate. You belong here with me. With the pack. We can keep you safe here, with me,” Micah said pleadingly.
Jesse reached out and cupped Micah’s face with both hands. “I know, but this is so far from the club and we don’t have a car…” Thomas interrupted with a mumble. “You’re not claimed.”
“What?” Jesse turned toward him. “What does that mean? Claimed?”
Micah turned Jesse’s face to him. “I was hoping we could discuss that alone, later, after you got some rest.”
“Claimed, what is that? How is that done?” Taylor asked.
“Sex,” Lexi blurted out. Jesse froze in Micah’s arms and swallowed hard as he blushed.
Taylor smiled wickedly. “Really,” he said with amusement. “Do tell.”
“What’s there to tell? It’s sex, do you need lessons on the subject, little one? I can help you with that.” Lexi winked at Taylor, flirting with him. Taylor just smirked back at him, amused. Gabriel growled and everyone turned to look at him. Raising an eyebrow in question. Taylor asked, “Hairball? Still? You must really like pussy a lot.” Lexi laughed so hard he fell backward on his chair. Cass and Xavier both spit their drinks out across the table, they didn’t know if they should laugh or be shocked. Then they started to laugh with everyone else. Gabriel just stared at Taylor, who was still smiling at him. Gabriel’s lips slowly started to raise into a smile and he shook his head. Taylor grabbed his glass of juice and started to drink.
“Only if it’s a male pussy with a nice big, thick, hard dick,” Gabriel said with a straight face, and Taylor spit his mouthful of juice across the table as his hand went to his mouth to try to stop it. Gabriel stood up as he was laughing at Taylor’s reaction. He grabbed his plate and walked away with a smile on hi
s face. Micah’s eyes went big at Gabriel’s behavior. Jesse was laughing as he tried to explain to Micah. “Something from last night, I’ll explain later.” They looked back to Taylor as he wiped his mouth then narrowed his eyes at Gabriel. He looked at Lexi and winked. “Holy popping snot, Batman, The Wolfman actually has a sense of humor. Let’s put out an all-points bulletin and alert the media.”
Gabriel paused in his tracks for a second, his back to Taylor. His smile got even bigger. He bent to put his dishes in the dishwasher, then walked out of the kitchen.
Lexi was laughing as he looked at Micah, who, along with Jesse, was still laughing. “Can we keep him, dad? Please, please, can we, can we, huh, I’ll walk him, and feed him, please, dad?” Lexi had his hands together in a praying gesture.
Micah threw his head back and laughed. Raith threw a sausage at Lexi and hit him in the face, which only made Crew and Taylor laugh harder.
“Okay, okay.” Micah settled down. “That’s enough kindergarten for today.” He chuckled. “Let’s get you two into a guest room for now so you can get some sleep. Later, when you’re rested, you and I can have a private conversation,” he said to Jesse.
Taylor jumped up and started to clear the table. “Yes, please. I’m exhausted and could really use a shower. I smell like ass, and not in a good way, if you know what I mean.” He walked to the dishwasher as Lexi rolled with laughter again.
* * * *
Micah was in his office working on his computer when there was a knock on his door, “Come.”
Raith walked into the office and took a seat in one of the chairs opposite the desk. “So are you going to start using this office now instead of the one at home?”
Micah looked up and smiled at his best friend. “Only while Jesse is working. I don’t want him coming here unprotected.”
“Frank must love this. You and enforcers around.”
“I don’t care what Frank likes. He works for me. I stay out of his way, let him do his thing. I’m doing my normal pack stuff, but now at night, and from here instead of home.” Micah shrugged his shoulders.
