Wolf Women (The Madison Wolves Book 10)

by Robin Roseau

  "You will never intentionally hurt me."

  "Never," she agreed.

  I smiled. "Then you may do to me what you want, on one more condition."

  "Oh?"

  "I don't need to do to you the things you did to me last night," I said, "but I need to know I am free to make love to you, that it won't always be you making love to me."

  "Oh darling," she said. "Of course."

  "Then you may do to me what you want," I said. I smiled, wondering what I'd just agreed to. I was fairly sure I would enjoy it a great deal. Over time, I would learn I was right.

  I glanced down at my bound wrists.

  "Did you want me to untie you?" Portia asked.

  I looked up at her and smiled. "Not quite yet. I want you to make me taste you."

  So she did.

  Movie Night

  Ember arrived first. Portia let her in while I remained in the kitchen. But I got a warm hug from the girl.

  "That smells really good," she said. "What is it?"

  "It's just pasta with a pesto sauce, although different from yesterday's," I said. "And I'm making garlic cheese bread to go with it. It's vegan cheese. I like it. I hope you do, too."

  "And don't worry," Portia said, "I am making some meat to go with the pasta, but I have to wait until Zoe takes as much of the sauce that she wants."

  Ember leaned over the pan of sauce I was making. "It smells good this way," she said. "And I like spaghetti."

  "Your body needs the protein though," Portia said. "Zoe tells me she can get me protein from other sources, but my body doesn't recognize what she tries to feed me as food."

  "I suppose it's like candy," Ember said. "Just because it tastes good doesn't mean it has everything we need."

  "Right," Portia said.

  "I-" I paused. "I should learn to cook what you need."

  "No," Portia said. "You should not. I am not biologically able to agree with your moral choices, but I absolutely would never wish you to compromise them."

  "But-"

  "No."

  She stared into my eyes until I dropped my gaze.

  "Zoe," she said, "I am happy we don't fight over our food choices. You share your choices, and I enjoy some of them. And when someone teases you about it, you take it good-naturedly. But you do not try to force your beliefs on me, and while I suspect sometimes it bothers you, you don't show it."

  "I wouldn't want to watch you hunt or kill something, and I don't want to see you bring it home." I still had my eyes down. "If you are ever bloody from a hunt, I hope you will wash off so I don't have to see it."

  "I will," she said gently. She moved to me and lifted my chin, then kissed me.

  When she released me, I could tell Ember had been watching, but she didn't say anything. She carried a small smile though.

  "What?" I asked.

  "I didn't say anything," she said.

  "Uh, huh," I said. "You were thinking awfully loudly."

  "Then you shouldn't have to ask what I was thinking," she replied. "If I was so loud."

  "Portia, are all teenage wolves such smart asses?"

  "Ember is exceedingly well-behaved," Portia said in defense.

  "I didn't say she was ill-behaved. I suggested she's a smart ass while being well-behaved."

  Portia snorted, but Ember only looked pleased, then her frown faded. "I can't tell if you're really upset or teasing me."

  "Oh honey," I said. "I'm teasing."

  "That's okay, then." She grinned. "I'm not afraid. You're outnumbered around here."

  "Tell me about it," I muttered.

  We talked and teased each other for several minutes while I continued to stir my sauce, making little adjustments. I asked them both to try it, then added a little more rosemary.

  The bell rang, and a minute later, Portia returned with Monique and Cassie. They both looked very nice, and I saw they were holding hands. I got hugs from both.

  "Is that what we're having?" Monique asked. "It smells good, but I'm really hungry."

  "Don't worry," Portia said. "I have it covered."

  "And there are things to snack on during the movie, but if you want real butter on your popcorn, you're going to have to melt it yourselves."

  They helped with the garlic bread, all of them assuring me they loved garlic cheese bread. I started with making three slices, cut them in half, then passed them out.

  "Is this all? Aren't you making the rest?"

  "I am, but I want you to try them first."

  So they each took one and declared them perfect.

  I smiled and made the rest, popping them in the oven. While it was cooking, I separated out my portion of the sauce -- I had made plenty, and more than enough pasta, or so I hoped, and then I turned the kitchen over to Portia.

  She pulled a package from the refrigerator, and I saw it was some sort of ground meat. "What is that?"

  "Venison," Monique said.

  "How can you tell?"

  "Smell. It's mixed with pork."

  "You can tell that from the smell?"

  "Sure," she replied.

  I wondered if they could tell I had used vegan cheese on the cheese bread.

  Ten minutes later, we were eating.

  "This is really good, Zoe," Cassie said.

  "What are we watching tonight?" Monique asked.

  "That will be a group decision," I said. "We have to pick a category we like." I got up and retrieved the paper I had along with five pencils. I passed them out and sat down.

  I'd come up with all the categories of movies I could think of, organizing them in groups. "What's the difference between a romance and a romantic comedy?"

  "I suppose a romantic comedy is really a movie in both categories of romance and comedy. A romance doesn't need to be funny."

  I let them read through the list and ask a few more questions. "So, we have to figure out which categories we don't like. If there's a category you hate, you may veto it. There are categories I don't tend to watch, but I wouldn't necessarily veto. I don't think movie night means a documentary, unless it's a really good one, and I don't know how I feel about horror movies."

  "Wolves tend to heckle horror movies," Portia said. "It's hard to take them seriously."

  "I have enough nightmares," I said. "I don't really want more. I could watch something like An American Werewolf in London, but The Shining is right out."

  "The what?" Ember asked.

  Between the five of us, we ruled out about half of the genres. I largely kept quiet; I wanted to see how the wolves worked this out. I had expected them to head straight to the action or adventure categories, but they didn't.

  Ember admitted a fondness for both fantasy and science fiction movies.

  "Are we watching one movie or two?" Monique asked.

  "Unless it's really long, I was thinking about two," I replied.

  "Maybe we should watch an action movie and a romantic comedy movie."

  "I'd rather go to bed with an easy movie second," I said, "but it can be really hard to go from a serious action film to a comedy."

  "We can go for a little run in between," Monique said. "On two feet. It will clear the air, and you know how you laugh when we run you around."

  "All right," I said. Everyone else thought Monique's idea was great.

  We finished dinner, and then the girls told us they'd clean the kitchen. "But we haven't picked a movie yet."

  "I'll get my laptop and we can talk it over."

  * * * *

  Ten minutes later, we all trundled into the living room. "We need to rearrange this room so everyone has a good seat," I said.

  The kids didn't need to be told any more than that. They moved the coffee table out of the way then set the sofa so it was the perfect distance from the television. The two easy chairs were next.

  I expected them to hog the sofa, but Portia pulled me there, and I curled up against her. Then the kids eschewed the easy chairs. Monique and Cassie plopped down on the floor immediately
in front of Portia and me, leaning against Portia's legs. Ember grabbed the opposite end of the sofa from me.

  I didn't know anything about the movie. It was a spy movie with long action sequences, a sort of visual inundation. From time to time, one of the girls asked, "Is that even possible, Portia?"

  Sometimes she answered, "Yes." Most of the times it was some form of "unlikely" or "no way".

  Partway through the movie, Monique grabbed the remote and hit pause. "Snacks?"

  And so we all trooped back to the kitchen. I made popcorn, unbuttered, then flavored it with nooch -- nutritional yeast. I didn't tell anyone what it was, but I put it out and said, "Everyone try a few pieces, then give it a little chance to decide if you like it."

  "What is it?" Portia eyed it dubiously.

  I took some and popped it in my mouth. "It's good, and it's healthier than butter. What have I given you that you've hated?"

  So, somewhat reluctantly, they tried it. Then they tried a little more.

  "May we melt some butter and add salt?" Monique asked.

  "If you don't like it this way, yes." I took my bowl. "That one's for the rest of you."

  "What about mine?" Portia said. "There's not enough there to share with me."

  "Oh. I thought you didn't like it."

  "I did," she said. "Make more."

  So I did.

  Portia made other things that were more wolf-friendly, and it didn't take long before we were back for the rest of the movie.

  Ember stole some of my popcorn and grinned at me.

  The movie ended in the usual flurry of explosions, rippling chest muscles, and male chest thumping. The wolves seemed to like it, but they also heckled it, once it was over.

  Still, it was fun to have had them over to watch it.

  "All right," Monique said. "A run." She grinned. "What fear factor, Zoe?"

  "Oh, no," said Portia. "I heard about that."

  "But-"

  "We're supposed to be making Zoe laugh so she's ready for the next movie," Portia said. Then she grinned. "You'll have to scare the crap out of her another time."

  Monique returned the grin. "You won't stop us?"

  "I cannot promise I won't overreact if I hear her screaming," Portia said. "But all of you better be careful with her."

  "All right!" Monique said. She popped to her feet, pulled Cassie up, then said, "We'll switch halfway. How long a run, Portia?"

  "Ten minutes should be enough."

  "Ember, get the door!" A moment later Monique and Cassie had my arms and we were out the door.

  We went south this time, Portia ranging ahead of us, and Ember following along behind. We stayed to the trail, but we ran so fast, so fast.

  Yes, I laughed and squealed with the joy of it.

  Then Portia came to a stop. Monique and Cassie practically threw me into her arms. She caught me and, with me laughing around it, she gave me a quick kiss. "All right, Ember," Portia said. "Our turn for the trip back."

  We didn't run quite as quickly; Ember wasn't as big as Cassie, and she hadn't been pulling me around as much as some of the other girls, but it was still far, far faster than I could run, and we arrived back at the house with all of us laughing.

  None of the girls had ever seen a lesbian romantic comedy before. I'm not sure Portia had, either, and I didn't tell them that's what it was. I let them figure it out.

  "Oh my god!" Monique finally said. "Those two are lesbians!"

  I began laughing. "You finally figured it out?"

  A few minutes later, Ember lay down with her head in my lap. I thought that was sweet, and I put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me and smiled, then went back to watching the movie.

  Monique and Cassie cuddled together on the floor, leaning against the sofa and Portia's legs. And I, of course, leaned against her side. A while later, Ember captured my hand and held it, pulling it under her chin and cupping it with both hands. I spent the next several minutes looking down at her instead of watching the movie.

  It was all very cozy, and I didn't want the evening to end.

  But of course, it did.

  "I liked that movie," Ember said over the credits.

  "Me, too," agreed Cassie. She looked up at me. "Monique and I already talked. She told me what you said about dating steady. Or not going steady. But..."

  "We'll figure something out. I don't want twenty people here for movie night, but we can handle a few more. I kept it small this time to get us started."

  "So even if Monique doesn't invite me, I may come?"

  I glanced at Portia.

  "You're the social coordinator," she said.

  "Yes, Cassie. Because of all the other things we do, we can't do this every week. We're all going out of town next weekend, for instance. But once or twice a month."

  "Some of the other kids wanted to come," Monique said.

  "The house isn't big enough for more than about one more couple," I said.

  "We didn't use two chairs," Monique said, "and there's room for two more on the floor."

  "We'll see," I said with a laugh.

  Everyone got up. Ember disappeared into the bathroom. Monique and Cassie offered to clean up, but I insisted I had it covered. They gave us hugs, looked after Ember for a minute, then decided to head out.

  Ember was waiting for that; I'm sure she was, as she appeared twenty seconds later. "Were you guys going to bed? Or were you going to watch one more?"

  It was late, but I could tell she didn't want to go home. "Bed soon, but did you want to hang out for a little while?"

  She nodded, so we moved back to the living room. Portia and I sat down, and then Ember curled up on the sofa again, her head back in my lap. "Is this all right?" And she captured my hand.

  "Yes, Ember."

  I looked over at Portia. My heart was breaking for the girl.

  "You know," Portia said, "we could have a slumber party."

  "We could?" Ember said immediately. "Really?"

  "Sure. We'll make space right here and make little nests right on the floor. Ember, why don't you run home and get your toothbrush and pajamas."

  "All right!" she said. She popped up and was out of the house seconds later.

  "Thank you," I said, once the girl was gone. "My heart is breaking for her."

  "I know. Zoe, I like having the young ones around, too. I don't want twenty at a time, but five or six is fine. After that, and they get a little squirrelly."

  "They can get squirrelly with two."

  "Yeah, but it grows exponentially."

  I laughed. "I suppose it does. Do you want to make our nest while I clean up?"

  "I'm going to make sure the right people know she's here tonight, too."

  I moved around the room, collecting the detritus, then headed to the kitchen. A few minutes later I heard Ember return, and then I heard Portia ask her to help. I thought I heard the girl ask which side was mine.

  "All right," Portia said to her. "Go brush your teeth and put your pajamas on. You can use the bathroom down here. We can all settle in and maybe tell stories for a little while, but it's late, and I've had a long day."

  Ember headed for the bathroom, and I heard the door close, and then Portia entered the kitchen. She moved up beside me and grabbed the towel for drying dishes.

  "You're very sweet," I said.

  "Because I help with the dishes."

  "That's not why, and you know it." I paused then lowered my voice. "She seems awfully well adjusted, given her background."

  "I know. She was a little out of control when she got here, but the enforcers took the edges off of her."

  "Who did you tell she was staying?"

  "I texted Michaela. She texted back that she'd take care of it from there."

  I nodded. I was starting to forget why I had been so afraid before. Michaela worried about everyone, and she watched over all of us besides.

  "How did Michaela have time to spend with me when she's busying mothering half the people here?"<
br />
  "She doesn't stop," Portia said. "There's not an enforcer on the compound who wouldn't trade their lives to protect her, and most of the students would be right next to us."

  Then the bathroom door opened, and I hurried to finish the clean up.

  * * * *

  Fifteen minutes later found all of us back in the living room, pajama-clad and teeth brushed. Faces were washed and bodies were ready for bed.

  Portia had made up two beds, and I realized she'd used camping pads with blankets on top of them. We slipped into our beds, and then Ember moved closer to me. I lay cuddled and spooned with Portia while I stared into Ember's eyes, not that far away. Her hand slipped over and looked for mine, so I gave it to her. She smiled at me. "Thank you," she mouthed, and I nodded.

  "All right," Portia said. "Story time. Everyone has to tell one embarrassing story about herself."

  "Oh no," I said.

  "Oh yes," she said. "We'll go youngest to oldest, so you're first, Ember."

  "Do I have to?" she asked.

  "Yep. But we're all going to tell one, so just remember that when we're laughing at your story, you're going to get to laugh at Zoe-the-human's story and Portia-the-enforcer's story. I bet that's worth letting us laugh at yours."

  The girl laughed. "I suppose it is." She closed her eyes for a minute, then began to tell her story.

  Over the next several minutes, we each told an embarrassing story, inducing chuckles and a few outright laughs.

  "All right, now one of the rules is that you don't share these stories with anyone else," Portia declared. "We're all trusting each other here."

  "All right, Portia," Ember said. "But does that mean we can't tease each other?"

  "It doesn't mean that at all, but you can't let yourself be forced to give the story away. So be careful."

  I wondered what she was doing, but I didn't ask.

  "Now, we're each going to tell a happy story. This time, I'll go first, Ember second, and Zoe third." She told the story of how she'd become a member of the pack. Ember followed Portia's lead and talked about being accepted at the school.

  As they knew how I had become a member, I talked about a family vacation when I was younger.

  "Okay, last story, then we can talk very quietly, but it's late, and we need to sleep. Zoe is first; I'm second; Ember is third. This story is from our future."