by Evans, Bryce
“What’s so funny in here?” Jonas asked as he walked into the room, making a beeline for his mate.
“Your mate is amazing,” said Pelton.
Jonas placed his hand on River’s shoulder, massaging it. “Yes, I know she is, but if we don’t hurry up we will be late for our date at the clan tonight.”
River saved the program she was working on then closed up her computer. “Sorry, Jonas. I got carried away. Do I have time to go to my room and freshen up?”
“Sure, baby. Come on I will walk you to your room,” Jonas said.
“Ash, is that everything you needed me to do today?” River asked.
“Yep. You have done more in a few days than most could do in years. This program is awesome. You hear me, River Channing. Not everyone can do this type of work, but you have a knack for it and you're fantastic at it. Go enjoy yourself and have a great weekend,” said Ash.
Smiling at Ash, River got up grabbing her book bag. Waving bye to everyone, River and Jonas walked out of the meeting room.
*****
Jonas met River outside her room after she freshened up. He wanted to show her something. He felt River would love it like he did. She always made such a fuss over the flowers in the Lodge. “I want to show you something. I think you will love it like I do. I go there to relax sometimes.” Jonas motioned River out of the elevator first.
“I would love to see it. There is so much I have yet to see here at the Lodge, but everyday I want to explore a little at a time,” River explained.
“Well I’m happy then that I can show you this.” Jonas smiled then walked with her out the back door and over to another small building. River had seen the building but thought it was a storage facility. Jonas opened the door for River then walked to the end of the hallway and opened the next door. River gasped when she saw all the beautiful flowers.
“It’s a hot house,” explained Jonas.
River dropped Jonas’s hand and rushed over to the containers holding beautiful flowers. “I would have never believed this was in here.”
“Yeah, I found it by accident one day and have been coming back every chance I get. It relaxes me to be in here.”
River smiled at Jonas as she leaned over and smelled the beautiful red roses. “I was wondering where all the beautiful flowers came from. I thought the florist came every day and delivered them. Jonas, they are just beautiful.”
Jonas smiled at how happy his mate was. It was the simple things that made her happy. He knew she would love this. “Larken wanted fresh flowers in his lodge every day and buying them from the florist became too expensive so he hired some of his pack members who had a green thumb and this is what he has now. His lodge is ranked as one of the most beautiful places in the United States. I’m proud of what my best friend has accomplished. This was his dream to make a place shifters could come to and feel comfortable.”
“I would think he would be happy with himself. Look at the lodge. It’s a winter wonderland here. I think of fairytales when I look at the lodge,” River dreamily said.
“Look at these.” Jonas pointed toward the different color flowers.
“Wild flowers. Look at the colors, Jonas. They are simply gorgeous.” Jonas took one, broke off the stem, and placed it behind her ear.
“Now it’s perfect.”
River loved this about Jonas. He was so romantic. Reaching up on her tippy toes, River kissed the man who she was falling in love with. He brought happiness to her life when she didn’t think it existed for her.
Jonas looked over at the clock on the wall and saw what time it was. “We need to hurry, baby, and get to Reece’s house.” Taking one last look, River took Jonas’s outstretched hand and walked out the door.
Chapter Eighteen
Jonas glanced over toward River who was rubbing her hands up and down her pants. “You nervous, baby?”
River shrugged. “No…well yes, it’s just I want the clan to like me. I know Reece has been with members and I just don’t want to start anything with them. I’m human and well, he is a vampire. Isn’t there some kind of protocol here where he has to mate with another vampire and you too? Maybe you’re supposed to mate with your kind.”
“River. I never knew you were a bigot.” Jonas laughed as River struggled with what she just said.
River’s eyes widened as she tried to explain her comment. “I’m…not a bigot…I just…want you to be sure about me. I mean I’m not special. I’m not a werewolf or a vampire.”
“Baby. That is where you are wrong. You are special and yes, we are sure. When we find our mate, that is it and you are it, baby. You have to be the most special person I have ever seen. You can heal the sick and I have never seen anyone with your gifts. To be honest, you are more special than any shifter or vampire I have ever seen. Stop worrying about this. They are going to love you just like we do.” Jonas grabbed River’s hand, holding it up to his mouth kissing away any doubt.
Jonas held River’s hand as they walked up to Reece’s house. The house had twinkling lights all over the porch and all over the trees outside. It looked magical like the lodge did. Reece’s house looked beautiful. It was a log cabin too with a wraparound porch. River touched the side of the porch as she walked up it. Reece was waiting on the porch as she got to the top step.
“Hey, angel. How was your day?” Reece pulled River to him and hugged her.
She could feel the tension leave his body as she hugged him back. “It was great. How was yours?”
“It was long since you were not here with me. I missed seeing you,” Reece whispered in her ear.
River hugged him harder. She loved how they said the sweetest things to her. Reece released River, allowing her to follow him into his house. Walking into the house, River’s mouth opened as she gazed at the living room. The fire smelled heavenly, loving the smell of a fire popping in the fireplace. Big stuffy sofas and chairs were placed all around the living room. She loved the thought of curling up with her mates on the big sofas while watching a movie. Dreams like that were usually just that—dreams—but River wanted to believe that this dream was finally going to come true.
He rubbed her cheek with the back of his hand as she looked around his house. “Hungry?”
“Starving actually.” River blushed as Jonas touched her around the waist feeling her belly.
“I thought I heard it rumbling,” Jonas said with a smile on his face.
River took in a deep breath. She shivered with the lustful thoughts she was feeling at his touch. Knowing they could smell her arousal, River walked closer to the fireplace. “Are we eating here?”
Jonas and Reece were both holding on by a fine line having her arousal permeating the air.
“No, angel,” Reece whispered. His voice got lower as he stared at River. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, trying to clear the arousal from his mind. “We are walking to the cookout we are having at Millie Parker’s house. She is the best cook and is very excited about meeting you.”
“Oh…Um…Okay.” River looked down at the floor not knowing what else to say. “Can I use your bathroom?”
“Sure, angel. Sorry it’s right down the hallway, first door on right.” Reece watched as River hurriedly walked to the bathroom. “Did I miss something?”
Jonas laughed then sat down in one of the chairs. “She is nervous. She thinks your clan won’t like her because she is a human and nothing special. I came close to stopping the truck and taking her across my knee to spank her, but when I saw the fear in her eyes…well I couldn’t. She is so scared of not being accepted that it breaks my heart.”
“Not like her because she is a human. No, that won’t happen.”
Jonas looked up at Reece with concern on his face. “Look, Reece, we know it happens sometimes when different shifters mate with others. Some feel they should stick with the same race or animal. We need to be prepared for that to happen. I know I will have to worry about it too. There will be some who will fight this.” Jonas leaned f
orward as Reece sat hard down on the couch.
“I guess I never thought about it. At all times, one of us needs to be with her. Let me know if someone says anything.” Reece rubbed his hands through his hair thinking about someone hurting his mate’s feelings.
*****
River took a deep breath then blew it out. Looking at herself in the mirror, River’s self-doubt burst through her emotions. They need someone who knows how to act around people. Not someone like me. I come from nothing and look at this place. I can’t compete with this. Nope, I need to go back to the lodge. Yep, that’s what I will do. Maybe I can talk to Mary before she goes to sleep.
River dried her hands. She knew Reece and Jonas wouldn’t take it well but she couldn’t do this. River opened the door and walked back into the living room. “If you don’t mind taking me back to the lodge, I don’t feel very well. I’m sorry that I have wasted your time tonight.” Reece and Jonas both jumped up. Jonas put his hand on her head feeling to see if she had a fever while Reece rubbed her arms.
“You don’t have a fever, baby. Where do you hurt?” Jonas asked as he looked into her eyes. She quickly looked away. She could never lie. Her emotions were too raw and close to the surface. People always saw right through her.
“I just want to go back to the lodge. I don’t feel good.” River pulled away from Jonas and Reece.
They stared at her as she walked to the door and turned around. They knew she wasn’t sick—she was scared. Reece knew he had one shot at this and this would be taking a chance but he had to try it. He turned and looked at Jonas. “Go with this.” Reece turned and stomped over to River, picked her up and threw her over his shoulder then opened the door, proceeded to walk down the steps and through the woods to the party. River was pounding on his back yelling for him to put her down.
Jonas swatted her on the butt. “You will enjoy yourself, baby. Just calm down before you wake the dead.”
River didn’t want the others to think she was crazy screaming through the woods so she stopped yelling as she held on to Reece’s belt and waist.
Jonas looked down thinking something was wrong because she had stopped yelling so quick. Reece stopped walking too, concerned that he had hurt her. When he brought her back up and placed her on her feet, they could see she was crying silently.
“Angel. Did I hurt you? Oh God please don’t be hurt.” Reece hugged her body. Stroking her hair softly as he kissed her head, her body shook as she sobbed silently in his chest. “I’m sorry, baby.”
Jonas pulled her out so he could see her face. “Better now?” River looked over at him and nodded. Jonas bent down on one knee. “Don’t be afraid, beautiful. They will love you like we do. I won’t lie to you and tell you that we don’t have bigots in my pack or in this clan, but most of them will love you and cherish you. Now be the woman I know you are and hold your head up and let them see the mate we love.”
River blinked back the tears. She was stunned. “Did…you…you say love?”
Jonas laughed. “Yes, my love. I said I love you.” Jonas held his breath as he watched several different emotions cross her lovely face.
“You love me?” River pointed at herself.
“Yes I…well, we love you.” Jonas and Reece waited for her reaction.
“Really? You love me?”
Reece and Jonas both laughed at her reaction. They figured it would surprise her when they finally told her how they felt.
River stood up straight frowning at the two men.
“Yes. Yes. Yes, I love you, River Channing. I will love you until I die.” Jonas caught River as she jumped in his arms. She kissed his head then his nose then finally his mouth. She passionately kissed his lips then sucked his bottom lip into her mouth. Then she released him, grabbed Reece by his hair, and greedily kissed him as she jumped up on him, straddling his waist as she pushed herself against his growing erection.
The thing had a mind of its own as it pushed against his zipper so hard he thought he would come in his pants. The woman was driving him crazy out in the freezing cold. His body was on fire as he pushed his erection against her, trying to release some of the pressure. It wasn’t working and it only made it worse. Pulling her back off him, Reece placed her back on her feet. “Okay, baby. You have to stop or we will take you right here in these woods. You don’t know how close we are to doing that but people are listening right now. Vampire hearing and all.”
River’s head jerked up like someone doused her with cold freezing water. “Oh my God. They can hear us? Oh my God, please tell me you are lying?”
Jonas’s lips twisted up on one side. “No I’m not lying, baby, they can really hear us.”
River looked over at Reece who still had fire in his eyes. River thought how he looked completely natural making out in the woods with his clan listening to them. River dropped her head into her hands. “Now they will definitely hate me. Slutville is in the woods making out with two men and they can hear me doing it too. Wow! Just shoot me now.”
“Come here, baby.” Jonas dragged River over to him hugging her.
“What are you two doing to the poor girl?” River peeked around Jonas at an older woman who was smiling at her. “Let me take the girl in before you two make it worse and she cries again. I swear if we left everything for the men to do then we would be in constant war.”
The woman pulled River over then placed her arm around her and escorted her out of the woods. River gasped as the woods opened up into a clearing that had people mingling all around. There was a dance floor in the middle with tables and chairs sitting all around. Lights had been draped all over the trees, making it look like a magical wonderland. River looked over at the woman who was smiling at her. She threw her hands up then said loud enough for everyone to hear her, “Welcome, my Prime’s mate.”
Everyone stood up and said, “Welcome.”
River could see smiles on a lot of faces but in the back she could also see a lot of frowns. A few of the women in the back were looking at her like she had the plague. River blushed at all the attention she was getting. She looked away from the snarling women in the back and tried to concentrate on getting away from everyone. She wanted the earth to swallow her whole. Embarrassed wasn’t the word River was feeling, mortified was how she felt. Just plain oh sick. The old feelings of not being good enough were making there way back into her head. She couldn’t stand feeling so weak but the way some of the people were looking at her brought on the feelings she tried so desperately to hide away. River decided she needed to answer since everyone was still staring at her. The people in the back were actually glaring at her.
“Thank you,” River whispered. Reece and Jonas walked up and grabbed her hand.
“Come on, let me get you something to drink.” River followed the woman over to a make shift bar that had been put up for the party.
“What can I get you, little lady?” River smiled at the older man’s Irish accent.
“A beer would be fine,” River answered.
“Not just any beer? Right?” River smiled at the man. Of course he would know his beer. He was checking River out to see if she knew her beer.
“Well I don’t know if you have it since it’s not made here in the United States but do you have a Harp Lager?” The man’s eyes widened surprised at River’s response. He didn’t waste any time when he grabbed a glass and then pulled the tap handle down allowing the liquid to flow into the glass.
“Now where would a little lady like you find out about a Harp Lager?” The man leaned over on his elbows as River took her first sip of her beer.
“Yummy. Well…three years ago I worked in a bar that was famous for selling Irish beer. We had to taste every beer so we could tell the customer which beer they may like from their description and Harp Lager was by far my favorite.” The older man smiled and nodded.
“Ah that it is a great flavor.” The man held out his hand. “My name is Mick Parker and that fine piece of work is my beautiful bride.” Mick wa
s pointing at the lady who escorted River in from the woods.
“What nonsense has this old man been feeding you?” Millie Parker came up to the bar pointing her finger at Mick.
“Feisty this one is. She makes my blood burn hot.” Reaching over, Mick kissed Millie on the lips.
“You old coot. Don’t frighten the young ones. Drink your beer then we will eat.” River already loved the couple. Reece and Jonas came over as Mick pulled two more glasses up and poured them a darker beer.
“Thanks, Mick,” Reece muttered as he sat down on the stool beside River.
“Do you have any Beamish Stout?” Jonas asked as Mick eyed him.
“What do you think, wolf?” Before Reece could chastise the old man, River slammed her beer down on the bar as she stared at Mick. Everyone at the bar became quiet as they watched River eye the older man until he looked away. River had dealt with old men like Mick over the years working at bars. Mick Parker was no different from the human men she worked with. Arrogant and moody until you put them in they’re place. She had to let him know he wasn’t going to be rude to Jonas just because he was a wolf. He looked up at Jonas and whispered, “Sorry.”
Jonas and Reece were still staring at River who went back to drinking her beer. She ignored their reaction and reached over, grabbed some napkins, and wiped up the liquid she spilt from her beer. Then she saw the bowl of pretzels. Reaching quickly for the bowl, “Oh, I love these,” River said with enthusiasm.
Jonas reached over and kissed his mate on the mouth. She didn’t know how much that affected Jonas. In her own little way she gave Mick an Alpha stare until Mick looked away and then apologized to Jonas. This was huge and River didn’t have a clue. She had taken up for one of her mates. Jonas knew he didn’t need the protection but it’s what an Alpha’s mate would do. Challenge anyone who dare harm her men.
Mick grabbed another glass and pulled another tap handle down, allowing a dark brown liquid pour into the glass. He handed the glass to Jonas who smiled then put the glass to his lips and drank until the glass was drained of all its liquid. “This is the best beer. I love the Chocolate flavor.”
