by Evans, Bryce
River put her hand over her mouth. “Maybe we need to work on that.” Then River burst out laughing. Jonas laughed too. He pulled her down on top of him as they laughed. She was so cute and adorable as she laughed uncontrollably.
“You had enough, angel?” Jonas asked.
“Yeah for now.” Jonas grabbed her, throwing River over his shoulder then skated to the side of the ring. Her squeal could be heard as Jonas sat her down.
“You big faker,” River squealed.
“Nah. I was praying I didn’t drop you.” Reece laughed as he held River’s hand so she could sit on the bench and take her skates off.
“Hungry yet?” Jonas asked.
“Starving.” Jonas frowned as he looked at River.
“What? What’s wrong?” River turned, looking around. Panic stirred in her stomach as she looked around for what Jonas was frowning about.
“You should have told us that you were hungry,” Jonas said angrily.
River couldn’t believe that was what got him upset. She put her hand on Jonas’s chest. “It’s okay. I’m used to it. Really! I was just having so much fun that I didn’t notice it.”
Reece nudged Jonas. He didn’t want her to stop laughing. “Just tell us if you get hungry, baby. We want you eating and not skipping meals. Okay?”
“Yeah…sure.” River didn’t know what to say as she slipped her shoes back on. She never had anyone who cared whether or not she ate something.
“Let’s go eat.” Reece reached down for her hand when a young boy with a camera came up to them and bowed to Reece.
“Would you like your picture taken, sir? It only cost five dollars and you can pick it up right over there immediately.”
“Hey, Jimmy.”
The young boy smiled. “Hello, sir.”
“Yes. We would like our picture taken, Jimmy,” Reece responded. Jonas put River in the middle then they both put their arm around her. River smiled then put her arms around Reece and Jonas.
“Smile.” Jimmy took the picture of the happy threesome smiling.
“Thanks, Reece. I mean, sir.” Reece laughed then shook Jimmy’s hand. River reached out to shake Jimmy’s hand. By now everyone had heard about Reece and Jonas finding their mate. Jimmy looked down at River’s hand then smiled and shook it.
“Thank you, Jimmy,” said River.
“You’re welcome, ma’am.” Jimmy walked off but turned around and waved bye to River who smiled and waved back.
Reece watched the interaction between young Jimmy and his mate. “You are great with kids.”
River scrunched up her face. “You think so?”
“Yes, ma’am, I do.” They walked over to the booth and watched as their picture appeared on the screen. “We need three copies please.” Reece pulled out fifteen dollars and handed it to the man who put their copies in a bag and handed it to River.
River smiled at the man. “Thank you, sir.”
Reece looked over at Jonas as River pulled out one of the pictures. She smiled as she looked at the picture. Clearing her throat, “Thank you both for a perfect evening.” River never looked up but continued to look at the picture.
“It’s not over with yet, my lady.” Jonas turned his arm and River hooked her arm through his then did the same on the other side with Reece. They walked to the sleigh and headed back to the lodge.
After the entered the lodge, Reece dusted the snow that fell on River’s jacket as he took it off her then handed it over to the man taking their coats. “This way please.” A beautiful woman smiled at Jonas then winked as she escorted them to their table. River watched as the woman flirted openly with Jonas. She knew she shouldn’t get mad but couldn't the woman see he was on a date. No, stop thinking like he is really yours. Remember to just enjoy the moment. Just enjoy the time you have with them before you have to leave again.
“Your server will be with you in a few moments.” The woman winked and patted Jonas on the arm. Like she was familiar with him already. Before she walked away, she leaned in and whispered, “I get off at eleven, Jonas.” Then walked away before Jonas could say anything.
Jonas’s body was stiff as his eyes blinked in surprise. He looked over at River who wouldn’t look at him as she grabbed her glass of water, and took a sip. He could see how red her cheeks had gotten and knew she had heard what Rhonda said. She was pissed off too.
“Um, River…I…” Jonas started.
River held her hand up stopping Jonas from talking. “Look, Jonas. Don’t say anything, it’s okay. I understand. Really I do.” River looked down at her watch. “It’s probably for the best. I’m not real hungry anyway. I need to go and call Mary and check on her. So…” River was about to scoot back in her chair and get up when Jonas put his hand on her arm.
“Please don’t do it, River. It hasn’t gotten out to everyone in the packs yet that I found my mate. Don’t do it. Don’t get mad and leave. I don’t want anyone but you...” Jonas said.
Reece watched and prayed that River would understand and stay.
“Hey, guys.” Everyone looked up at Nash Porters.
“Hey…Nash,” Reece said.
River stared at Nash. He was a good-looking man. She could see his wolf inside him.
Jonas directed Nash to sit down. “Nash, I would like to introduce you to our mate, River Channing.”
“Well, well, hello, beautiful. I heard that today when I got back from New York. Congratulations, River. These two are very lucky,” said Nash.
River continued to look intensely at Nash. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew him from somewhere. River looked down at her fingers. “Well…I’m not their ma—”
“I understand that you will be working for Ash. That is great. Maybe you can help me with my computer. I think it has a bug in it,” Nash said.
River grinned when he said he had a bug in it. “Sure. I can look at it tomorrow.” The woman who escorted them to their table came back to the table. “Juliet is busy trying to get out the orders to that big table so she asked if I could take your order.” The woman never looked at anyone but Jonas.
The whole table could feel the crackling in the air. River’s face had turned a dark crimson color. Jonas put his hand on her arm. “Rhonda, I would like to introduce you to my mate. This is River Channing.”
River looked up to see what the woman’s expression was when she saw the look of fear. Looking back and forth to Jonas then River, the woman looked like she had seen a ghost. “Oh, I’m so sorry, River…I mean Ms. Channing. I didn’t know Jonas had mated. Oh, please forgive me for how I acted.” The poor woman looked like she could fall into a hole and cover herself up. River couldn’t let the woman feel that way. She didn’t know so honestly she couldn’t be mad at the woman. Plus when she left the lodge, Jonas could go back to his ways. She wouldn’t take that from him.
“Rhonda. It’s okay. Really it is.” River smiled, trying to let the woman off the hook.
“Again I’m so sorry. Can I get everyone’s drink orders then? River, what would you like to drink?”
River smiled. “Well I think tonight I would like a glass of wine and some water too, if you don’t mind.” Rhonda took the rest of the order and walked off to the bar.
“Well that was interesting,” Nash whispered.
River couldn’t help it but the look Nash had on his face made her start laughing. Then the whole table burst out in laughter. When Rhonda brought the drinks over she had a bottle of champagne with her.
“If you will accept my apology, will you also accept this bottle of champagne on your mating,” Rhonda offered.
River looked at the bottle and knew how much it cost from working at some restaurants. “Oh, no. That cost a lot of money and I can’t let you do that. No, Rhonda. Really, it’s not a problem. You don’t have to do that.”
Rhonda frowned and looked over at Jonas. “Is she for real? Most people would have just opened it and never said anything about how much it cost. Now I know you have to take it, River. It would hurt my
feelings if you turned down this gift.”
River swallowed. She didn’t like this one bit, but she could tell that everyone was waiting for her to answer. “Uh…well,” she said awkwardly. “Thank you, Rhonda, for your gift.”
Jonas and Reece blew out the breath they were holding. Jonas looked up at the ceiling and mouthed, “Thank You Lord.”
Nash was amused at how these two hardcore Alphas were acting. He knew that now wasn’t’ the time to make fun of them. He could see they were having a hard enough time with their human mate. Nash started to get up. “Well, I better leave and let you guys celebrate.”
“No, Nash, you must join us. Have dinner with us. I insist,” River added.
Nash waited to see if Reece and Jonas were going to say something. He knew this was a date so he didn’t want to intrude. “Join us, Nash. Celebrate with me and Reece on finding our mate.” Nash couldn’t say no to that.
“Okay, then let me make the first toast.” Rhonda passed out the glasses then opened the champagne. The top popped open then she poured the pink liquid into the glasses.
“Get yourself a glass too, Rhonda,” River insisted. Rhonda didn’t know what to think of this woman. She was so sweet and generous. Her face lit up as she poured her a glass too then sat down beside Nash.
“Now, River, I must say this. I have known these two for a very long time. I moved here when I was eighteen years old and consider them family. I have laughed with them, shed some tears with them, but most of all they are genuinely honest and good men. The fates have been very kind and good to you by picking these two as your mates. Now I know I don’t know you yet but I’m pretty good at reading people, and you, my dear, seem to be the most honest and sweetest person I have met in a long time. Two qualities that I happen to love in a person. I know we will be friends and if you ever need me for anything, then all you have to do is ask. I consider you as a new addition to my family. So welcome to the family, River.” Nash held his glass up and said, “Congratulation my friends.”
River felt the tears pool in her eyes as they dropped onto the table when she blinked. “Thank you, Nash,” River whispered. She couldn’t say anything else. Her emotions were too raw and she still didn’t know what to do. When she left, it would crush Jonas and Reece. They would hate her for sure. She would hate herself.
Chapter Twelve
After dinner, Reece and Jonas escorted River back to her room. She opened the door then turned around and fell silent for a few seconds. “I had a wonderful time. I…never had so much fun in my life. It was the best time I’ve ever had and I can’t thank you both enough for giving me that dream. I can always remember it when times get bad. Thank you.” River leaned forward, pushed up on the tip of her toes, and kissed Reece.
He inhaled the musky scent that was all River. She was a natural woman that smelled divine. Then she hugged him. As he held on to her, he could feel the shiver cross her body. She was a kind soul. She was too kind for this world. He would need to watch over her so nobody could take advantage of her.
When River let go of Reece she immediately hugged Jonas then kissed him softly on the lips. Saying goodbye one last time. Wanting to reach over and grab River, Jonas smiled back at River then told her to lock the door when she closed it. Both of them waited until they heard the lock in the door before they walked to the elevator.
Jonas pushed the button to go back downstairs. “That went well.”
“Yes it did. Now tomorrow we take her to my house and cook for her. Maybe watch a movie on the couch.” Jonas stood up straight thinking about snuggling with his mate on the couch. “Perfect. Now I’ve got to meet with Ash and Pelton about the new member joining the unit.”
“Okay, I will go prepare for tomorrow. See you in the morning.” Reece walked out of the Lodge, leaving to go and prepare for their date.
*****
River ran to the shower. She needed to turn the water on cold to get these urges under control. All she wanted to do is screw them both. Just looking at those two men made her want to do wicked things. It had been a long time since she had sex but this would mean something. This would be a mating and she didn’t know if she could promise that. She found them so distracting with their gentle touches and those eyes they had. Reece with his brooding looks he gave her. She could see the lust in his eyes. With him she knew that sex would be fast and so intense. Jonas with his mischievous looks and the way he winked at her was driving her insane. She knew sex with Jonas would be slow and hot. Even their touch on her back as they escorted her back to her room made her crazy. Yep these guys were going to be a struggle to be around. But River found herself dreaming about her next date. She knew it would be just as fabulous as the one tonight.
She burned with the thoughts of having these two men. Could she do this? Would she be able to handle both of them? She knew she shouldn’t be contemplating or even fantasizing about a relationship with these two men, but River only knew one thing: she was going to give it one hell of a try. What are you thinking? Have you forgotten about Paddock. Damn she couldn’t even give herself a little bit of pleasure without ruining it. I have to stop this and find some type of happiness. It’s time to stop running. River smiled as she came to the realization that she was going to allow herself a little bit of happiness. Thinking about Jonas and Reece, River rubbed the soap over her stomach, then trailing lower, she rubbed, trying to relieve the ache she had been feeling all day. Sliding her fingers between her folds, she pressed her thumb to her nub, circling it, feeling the pressure build up inside her. Sticking two fingers inside herself, she continued to rub the sensitive nub a few times as the sensations exploded. Surprised that she made herself come so quickly, River knew she was in trouble now. When her fantasy would soon become reality.
As River dried off, her thoughts went back to Mary. She knew something was off. She felt it deep down. Deciding to take the chance, she called Mary on the disposable phone she bought her, Mary telling her to keep it with her. She explained to Mary that she would call in a few days once she was settled, but the feelings she was having made River pick up the phone and call Mary. She needed to make sure she was okay.
The phone rang a few times before Mary answered the phone. “Hello.” River could tell by her voice that something was wrong. She was sick, she could hear it in her voice. “Mary. What’s wrong?”
“River…I…” Mary started coughing and couldn’t catch her breath.
“Oh Mary, Mary. Are you there? Are you okay? Please say something.” River couldn’t control the fear in her voice. Mary was her only family. She would always be her family. She loved Mary as if she was her mother.
“I’m fine, dear. I think I have the flu and well, it has kept me in bed.”
River’s body turned cold. Flu like symptoms could mimic the cancer. At least that is what she read in the pamphlets the doctor sent home with Mary. “I will be there tomorrow to get you, Mary. I won’t leave you there.”
“No, River. You can’t…it is too dangerous…” Mary started coughing again.
It sounded worse every time she spoke. “Mary, just rest now. I will see you soon. I’ve met some friends who are helping me. They are genuine people and they can help me. I will be there late tomorrow, Mary, so get some rest. Please take care of yourself until I get there.” River could hear it in her voice that she needed River. She needed someone to take care of her.”
“Okay, dear. I will be waiting for you. Be careful.”
River hung up the phone with tears in her eyes. She knew what she needed to do. She had to go and get Mary. She wouldn’t let Mary die alone.
Chapter Thirteen
Pelton Miller stood in front of the board writing down some ideas on what they knew about Paddock Reed when Jonas walked in the room. “Hey there, boss,” Pelton teased Jonas.
“Hey. What have you got so far?” Jonas didn’t want to play with Pelton. He liked Pelton but right now all he could see was his niece, Kammy, and Pelton together and that made him crazy.
Pelton cleared his throat knowing what the problem was between him and Jonas, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it. Kammy was his mate and he was trying his best to let her have fun and grow up more before he chased her down and claimed her as his mate. Remembering the conversation he had with Jonas six months ago wasn’t something he wanted to relive. Pelton still remembered the way his jaw felt after Jonas knocked him across the room when he told him that Kammy was his mate. They came to an agreement that he would not pursue her until she was twenty-one years old. He didn’t want Kammy to have any regrets when they mated.
Pelton passed the spreadsheet to Jonas he made up of all the information they had thus far on Paddock Reed. “Well we know where he lives and who some of his clan are. What we don’t know at the moment are how many members we are going to have to deal with. Going after him without knowing that is suicide.”
“I agree, but I won’t have that son of a bitch hanging over my mate’s head. I plan to eradicate his ass when we find him. He has tortured her for the last time,” said Jonas.
Ash looked at Larken and saw the concern on his face that he had for his best friend. “How did it go tonight with River?” Ash held her breath as she waited for his answer.
Jonas smiled at the mention of his mate’s name. “It went great. I think she liked what we did for her on the date. Tomorrow we are going to Reece’s house to meet the clan then watch a movie. We plan to do all the normal stuff with her since she has missed out on so much in her life.”
Ash smiled as she listened to Jonas talk about his mate. She could see the love in his eyes. Jonas was a kind soul. He would be good for her.
“You know we just took her on a sleigh ride and ice skating and you would have thought we had given her a million dollars. Something so simple was what made her happy. I couldn’t believe how happy that made her. It broke my heart knowing she has been alone most of her life without any family or friends, except her friend Mary, and that was too short of a time for her to really enjoy it. I plan to do whatever it takes to make that woman happy.”
