by Kat Bostick
Later that afternoon when they finished helping Deak with chores and studying a new book in the library with Clem, Jasper headed up to his room for a well-earned nap. Werewolves loved sleeping almost as much as playing. He’d barely settled onto the bed when Mari came in and closed the door behind her. She slid between him and the wall, snuggling close and tugging his arm over her like a blanket. This was the boldest she’d been with her affection. Jasper liked her bold.
“We’re not going to call it courting.” She murmured.
“What?” Jasper tried to sit up but she pulled him back down.
“This thing that we’re doing. It’s dating, not courting.”
“Does it matter what we call it?”
“Yes.” She said seriously.
He was quiet for a moment before asking “have we been dating long enough for me to ask you to move in with me?”
“Keep dreaming.”
“I will.” He smiled and drew her closer before closing his eyes and doing exactly that.
Chapter 37
Jasper
If she knew there was a small gathering of werewolves hiding around the corner of the kitchen doorway to watch her, Mari would be mortified. Jasper wasn’t sure if it was the music, the dancing, or the tripled batch of cookies she was mixing up that drew the audience.
The pack wasn’t completely isolated from the outside world but they weren’t good at keeping up with culture. Cash enjoyed listening to the radio when he drove, though he stuck to oldies stations which didn’t lead to much exposure to trending music. When Deak browsed the internet, it was never for entertainment, only to find pertinent information that he needed to protect the pack. Once in a blue moon Teal and Cora would go into town to visit one of the bars, an attempt to experience life as it had been before they were bitten. They never stayed long.
Perhaps that was why Mari’s upbeat music and dancing had them enthralled. It was new and intriguing. Everything the little witch did was graceful but there was a special elegance to the flow of her body in rhythm with the song. Even when she paused to measure and mix ingredients, her hips continued their sensual sway. Jasper was always captivated when she danced.
He wasn’t particularly happy at the thought of his brothers being equally captivated. They probably came down to the kitchen because they smelled the mouthwatering scents of vanilla, brown sugar, and chocolate, but they stayed for the show. They expected it whenever Mari was baking.
In a shocking display of trust, Cora started ceded the kitchen to Mari and the pack had been reaping the benefits ever since. Her homemade cookies were a magic of their very own. The pack would insist she stay solely for her baking.
They could have her cookies. The rest was for Jasper alone.
With a sharp growl he turned on his pack mates, giving them a chiding look. Clem crossed her arms. Cash lifted a cocky eyebrow. Teal nearly gave them all away with a deep chuckle. Coralee was the only one to heed his warning and scurry down the hall.
Fine. Nothing in this house was private anyway.
Jasper glowered at the spectators one more time before striding into the kitchen. A new song was playing, slow and sweet. He rested a hand on Mari’s shoulder, startling her into a yelp. Powerful or not, the little witch was at a disadvantage against a wolf. She couldn’t hear or scent Cash and the others lurking just out of sight.
“Hairy Christ, Jasper!”
“I didn’t mean to scare you.” He smiled his most charming smile. “Can I have this dance?”
Mari stared at his outstretched hand, a creeping blush warming her cheeks. A heartbeat passed, then two and three, and Jasper feared her uncertainty would win out again. Then she slipped her nimble fingers into his palm with a shy “yes.”
Jasper tugged her into his arms, positioning her hands where he wanted them before beginning a gentle sway. Mari’s eyed remained glued to his chest for the first half of the song but eventually the color receded from her cheeks and she shot him a mischievous grin. “So you do know how to dance?”
“It’s significantly easier when you’re a bipedal.”
“Where did you learn to dance?”
“I took lessons.” He said as if it should be obvious.
“You took…lessons? Dance lessons?” Mari snorted. “You took dance lessons?”
“Yes, I think so.” Jasper considered it for a moment. “In school.”
Her brows hit her hairline. “You went to school?”
“Sometimes.” He answered cryptically. “Looks like you don’t know everything after all, little witch.”
“Looks like I don’t.” She tilted her head, studying him in a new light. “I guess we should play the question game again. It’s much more fun when you can actually talk.”
“Ask and I will answer.”
A line formed across Mari’s forehead. Some question was lingering on the very tip of her tongue, held back only by her pinched lips. She parted those lips, ready to ask for the words written on his heart, when the song ended. And just like that, the spell was broken. Mari quickly separated herself from him with a polite thanks, mumbling an excuse about checking the cookies in the oven.
“You don’t have to hide from me, Mari.” He said quietly, trying to disguise the sadness in his voice.
“I’m not hiding.” Came her terse reply from the oven.
Nothing made sense about this hot and cold behavior. Jasper couldn’t figure out what she wanted him to do. There was no winning her affection because it was there, already overflowing for him. She simply withheld it. As if that would make it less painful if she were to leave.
Before, when he walked on four legs, his witch loved him. She doted on him and took comfort in his presence. At night she trusted him to watch over her as she slept. Jasper realized this was strange for her but no amount of understanding could negate the abysmal loneliness that her reservations created.
More and more often he was slipping into a despondent state simply by thinking about it. They’d made progress—Mari was willing to concede that there were feelings between them—but the days were ticking by and it didn’t feel like enough. She erected an invisible emotional barrier in some unnecessary defensive move to keep him at a distance. He couldn’t see it, couldn’t study it to comprehend it’s weaknesses, so he spent hours throwing himself at it and hoping for the best.
This slow-dance courtship was far more difficult than Jasper had anticipated. Every step forward was accompanied by another step backward. Mari refused to let him lead but was too indecisive to consistently take the lead herself.
It was in a wolf’s nature to be bold, yet bold brought mixed results with her. There were not unspoken feelings between werewolves and there was little tact in communicating those feelings. Affection was given freely and eagerly. What reason would a wolf have to take measured steps?
A frustrated growl built in his throat but he swallowed it, deciding instead to focus on the next best option to make himself happy. His finger was halfway into the bowl, ready to scoop a hefty serving of dough when Mari cried “not until they’re done baking!”
She definitely hadn’t heard him so unless the witch had eyes in the back of her head, Jasper couldn’t fathom how she detected his thievery. In the mood for making trouble, he ignored her scolding and took a bite anyway.
Mari booted him away from the counter with her hip, quickly returning to her task as if that would deter him. Jasper ducked around her, encircling her waist and stooping to tuck his chin in the crook of her neck. He indulged in a long inhale of her scent mingled with baking spices. Mari continued scooping cookie dough onto baking sheets, relaxing back into his hold as she did.
“Do you know why I like baking?”
“Because it’s hard to be sad when your house smells like cookies.” He answered quietly.
“You remember that?”
“I remember everything you say to me.”
“Not everything.” She insisted with a hopeful note in her tone. He suspected Mari mig
ht try to eliminate her habit of talking to herself now that none of her mutterings went unheard.
“Everything.”
She puckered her lips and blew out a noise of disagreement. He attempted to continue the argument but he was interrupted by Mari’s fingers in his mouth. She quickly deposited a bite of cookie dough and withdrew before he could chomp on her. The second time he was ready. Jasper captured her pointer finger between his molars and bit down. It wasn’t hard enough to break the skin but she did make that gratifying yelp.
“Release me!” She squeaked, failing to tug her finger from his maw.
Too amused to keep his grip, Jasper obeyed her demand. She wiped her hands on her apron with a grumble before plopping another ball of dough onto the cookie sheet, pretending not to enjoy his playful affection.
“Are you going to tell me what’s upsetting you?”
“I’m not upset.” Technically that was the truth. Now that he’d captured the sound of her laughter and blanketed her in his arms, he wasn’t upset. He could barely remember the way he’d felt moments earlier.
“Have you always been such a bad liar?”
He had to chuckle at that. “Nothing gets past you, tiny hunter.”
“You don’t have to talk about it but if you’re not going to, you don’t get to sulk.”
“Last time I checked, Charlie was my alpha. Are you giving me orders now, witch?”
Her hazel eyes brightened, amber flecks glowing with mischief. “Maybe I’ll challenge Charlie. Don’t you think I could run a pack?”
“You’re too soft. What kind of alpha bakes cookies and coos at her wolves?”
“Soft?” She growled—well, tried to growl—and dropped her spoon, turning to glare defiantly at him. “I’m not cooing, I’m calling the wolves! It’s powerful magic, thank you very much.”
“It’s okay, pup. Come here, little wolf. I won’t hurt you.” Jasper pouted his lips and did his best impression of her voice. It wasn’t a particularly good or flattering imitation but why would it be when he intended to rile her. Jasper liked it when she got feisty.
“Oh yeah? Well what kind of scary predator whines about cookies?” At this proximity she had to crane her neck to meet his gaze, making her feel small. She backed up until she hit the counter behind her, putting as much space between them as she could manage.
Jasper devoured that space. “The hungry kind.”
There was a flash of some emotion in Mari’s eyes. He didn’t have time to interpret the look before she reached into the bowl, grabbed a handful of cookie dough, and smashed it on his face, leaving bits of dough and sugar crust in his stubble. Giggling, she spun away from him and scooped up more ammunition.
“You shouldn’t run from a wolf, Mari.”
“Ooh, is that supposed to scare me?” She mimicked the tone he’d used while mocking her.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” As soon as he finished delivering the warning he launched himself at her.
Mari scurried around the corner and put the island between them. Jasper feinted to the right. Smart little witch also went right, spoiling his second move. She’d become quite good at this particular game, making it harder for him to catch her off guard. They spent a minute eyeing each other for weaknesses, playfully darting back and forth without losing the granite barrier that separated them. Jasper was gathering for an attack when a chunk of cookie dough slapped him in the chest. He growled at the offending dough, baring his teeth at Mari. She did the same, beaming a smile so devilish and beautiful that it almost had him weak in the knees.
While she took the opportunity to gloat, Jasper rushed around the corner and charged toward her. She chucked another lump of dough, backpedaling fast. With a few hurried steps she managed to once again put the island between them.
“Are you afraid? I’m not going to eat you.” He said innocently. “Promise.”
She puffed out her chest. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“Then why are you running like a frightened bunny?”
“A bunny?” She huffed. “I need distance to use a long range weapon.”
Tilting her palm up and drawing her knuckles back to her shoulder, Mari catapulted the last of the dough at him. He bounced on his heels, mouth open wide, and caught it. He chewed the dough longer than necessary, letting the muscles of his jaw work in languid circles. That distracted her just enough for him to pounce. Mari skidded to the side but far too slow to escape his grasp when he propelled himself over the counter and directly in front of her.
She made a last-ditch effort to keep him from entrapping her by biting the closest part of him that she could reach. Her teeth found purchase on his peck and sank down through his shirt. When it came to play fighting, Mari showed no mercy. And the little witch could bite hard. Even as his arms tightened around her, capturing her, he winced from the pain.
Thankfully, his mate was not as indomitable as she thought herself to be. Mari’s teeth lost their hold when Jasper dug his fingers into the flesh above her hips and she opened her mouth to shriek. Tickling was a cheap move but no one ever accused the red wolf of playing fair. Once the laughter made her body pliable, Jasper heaved her over his shoulder. He hooked one arm around her waist and used the other to secure her legs so she couldn’t kick him in the gut.
“Jas-per!” His name came out of her mouth in a whine. “Put me down!”
Jasper ignored her request and instead made a victory lap around the island with her bouncing in his grasp. She flailed wildly—slapping his back and nipping the flesh on his shoulder—but her efforts to free herself failed. By the time he made it back around to her work station, Mari was barely struggling. He thundered a satisfied growl at her submission and hoisted her onto the island beside the stand mixer, positioning himself between her legs so their eyes could meet.
That was when the witch made a grave mistake.
“Bad dog.” Mari said bitterly.
“I’ve changed my mind.” Jasper responded in a dark tone. “I am going to eat you.”
There was no time for her to react before he clamped his teeth in the crook of her neck, biting smooth skin and sucking flesh into his mouth. She made plenty of verbal objections as he left a bruising mark but the fingers snaking through his hair and the thighs wrapping around his waist told him she was enjoying it. That also told him that he was being far too gentle. Jasper locked his jaw and bit harder until he could almost taste her blood on his tongue.
“Ow, ow! Jasper!” Poor little witch set herself up for this one. She had a habit of feigning pain to force him to ease his attack and give her the upper hand. Jasper had to assume she was faking it and was therefore allowed to ignore her pleas for mercy. She would get none if she gave none.
Alas, she had other tricks up her sleeve. Mari slid to the very edge of the counter and ground her hips against his. If tickling her was a cheap move, that had to be cheating. With a groan Jasper moved his mouth from her neck to her lips, kissing greedily. Mari didn’t pull away or hesitate to kiss him back. Her fingers tangled further into his hair and her lips parted. She tasted of cookie dough and smelled of fragrant blooming honeysuckle.
Hot and cold. And within the same ten minutes, no less.
Absently, he hoped his pack mates had found something else to do. Otherwise they would get much more of a show than they bargained for.
Mari made him feel as though he was a drowning man and she was oxygen. He only reached the surface when his hands, lips, skin—all of him—was on her. Some of the desperation with which he devoured her came from the fear that someday soon he wouldn’t have the chance. What a cruel twist of fate to find the most important person to him only to lose her.
Maybe the gods truly were punishing him. If so, Jasper would repent for whatever it was. He would spend the rest of his life praying if it saved his battered heart.
Mari sensed the angst eating at his psyche. She withdrew her fingers from his hair and brought them around to gently caress his cheeks. The ferven
t heat behind the kiss died down to tender warmth and suddenly the affection became more about soothing fear than satisfying hunger.
“What is it, Jas?” She murmured in that dreamy tone her voice always took on after he kissed her.
Jasper didn’t want to explain his fears. He didn’t want to admit them and risk increasing the guilt that she was already experiencing. There would be no happiness for them if she stayed out of obligation. And he didn’t know how to talk to her about it. Jasper couldn’t find the right words to convey the weight of emotions that sat on his chest like stones.
Frustrated, he pressed his forehead against hers and cupped her face in his hands. With eyes closed, Jasper willed his thoughts to open up to her so that she might share in his feelings. Mari’s breath hitched. He opened his eyes to see sadness flooding her expression. Instantly he regretted his decision.
There were tears welling in Mari’s eyes but her voice betrayed none of that emotion when she spoke. “I think you need more cookie dough.”
Jasper was relieved that she didn’t give him any excuses or offer false hope. There was no pity in her words. He kissed her forehead, then her nose, and finally her lips. Mari smiled weakly before pressing her face into his chest and pulling him into a tight embrace. The spot on his peck where she bit him smarted at the contact and he jolted slightly.
“Sorry,” Said Mari sheepishly.
“No you’re not.”
She glowered at him. “I’m sorry that it hurts. I’m not sorry that I did it.”
Jasper traced his finger across the dark purple hickey on her neck, pressing down enough to make her shudder. “I’m not sorry that I did this either.”
Mari’s response was to take another finger of cookie dough—at this rate there would be none left to put in the oven—and shove it into his mouth. He did the same, smearing dough and melting chocolate all over her chin so that he could lick it off. They exchanged a few more aggressive bites before they were once again laughing.
Deak and Cash strolled into the kitchen from the study just as Jasper was cleaning the corner of Mari’s mouth with his tongue. Deak groaned loudly and slapped a hand over his eyes. “In the kitchen? Really? We make food there!”
