by Quinn Loftis
She dropped her arms and walked over to where he sat on their bed. Thia was asleep in her room, though Gavril and Rachel would have kept her. But Decebel preferred their daughter with them. Thankfully, she was a good sleeper. Decebel placed his hands on Jen’s hips and nearly sighed. He loved touching his mate, clothes or no clothes. He loved the way she felt in his hands. Decebel ran his hands down to her bare thighs and then back up again, sliding under the shirt to rest on the bare skin of her waist. Their heads were level when he was sitting because he was so much taller than her, so she didn’t have to lean down to kiss him. Her lips pressed firmly to his, and he forced himself to hold still, feeling through their bond that she wasn’t quite ready to move on. He would let her exhaust all of her words, and then he would love her until she no longer had the energy to worry.
“Less of a drill sergeant?” She pulled back.
“Yes.”
She seemed to think for a minute and then nodded. “I guess I can do that. As necessary as it is, bossing everyone around can be quite taxing.”
Decebel immediately bit his lip. There was so much he could say to that, but he really wanted to make love to his mate. So, he just smiled up at her.
Jennifer threw her head back and laughed, having caught his thoughts through their bond. It exposed her neck nicely, and the beta wolf wasn’t one to miss a perfect opportunity. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her down. A second later, he sank his teeth into her flesh at the location of his mark. Her laugh turned into a satisfied moan.
“No more talking.” His wolf growled through their bond.
“No more talking.” Jennifer’s wolf agreed.
As he released her neck, Decebel quickly relieved Jen of the shirt and then rolled until she was under him on their bed. “I love you.” He stared into her beautiful blue eyes.
“I don’t know why.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m not exactly easy to love.”
Oh, his precious mate. She protected her heart as fiercely as she protected those she loved. “You’re mine to love. You’re mine to care for. You’re mine to protect. And I am yours, made for you alone, to love you exactly as you need to be loved. Hush and let me show you just how much I love you.”
She didn’t argue with him. She rarely did when they were in bed. This is where his Jennifer blossomed under his dominance. It was where she let go of her need to be in control and her duty to ensure everyone and everything was taken care of. Instead, she let him have full control.
“Am I really that bad outside of our bedroom?” Her voice was slightly breathless.
“We’re both still learning what it is to be equals in our relationship, while still having specific roles. We have strengths and weaknesses, Jennifer. I love you when you submit to me, and I love you when you fight with me. I love you, every part of you. Stop worrying, baby. Stop thinking. Just let me give you what you need.”
“You.” She gave him a sexy smile.
“Exactly.”
“And what do you need?” Her voice was husky with desire.
“You, Jennifer. Only, ever, always, you.” Decebel kissed her deeply, cutting off anything else she might have said. Then he began to let his hands roam, effectively shutting off any thoughts that might have attempted to distract her. He kept her focused on him while he showed her why he was created for her and her alone.
Chapter 5
“On the fifth day of Christmas my werewolf gave to me five satisfied smiles, four hours of hotness, three growling males, two cursing pups, and a furball in a fir tree.
No, I don’t know why there weren’t more than five satisfied smiles after the mutiny from the males, and for once I’m going to mind my own business … and if you buy that, I’ve got some oceanfront property for sale in Arizona you really need to take a look at.” ~Jen
Once again everyone gathered in the kitchen for the required daily celebration committee meeting. Jacque sat in front of Slate’s highchair, feeding him his favorite jar of baby food—sweet potatoes—while Thia sat in her highchair beside them picking up handfuls of green beans and shoving them into her mouth. Jacque looked at the girl and shook her head. “That’s super attractive, Thia. Keep that up and you’ll totally be beating the boys off with a stick.”
“There will be no boys around to beat,” Decebel rumbled as he leaned down and kissed the top of his daughter’s head. Though his voice was gruff, he seemed much more relaxed, as did most everyone else in the room. Jacque smirked to herself. She noticed, though, that Sorin, Lucian, Gavril, and Wadim didn’t have the same lightheartedness the other males showed. That didn’t necessarily mean anything. Sorin, Lucian, and Gavril weren’t typically talkative, and they showed little emotion unless dealing directly with their mates. Wadim … that was a little different. He was one of the more relaxed wolves in the pack. Jacque glanced at Zara and noticed the girl concentrating much harder than necessary to make a sandwich. Wadim stood behind her, his own sandwich in hand, staring at her back as if willing her to turn around.
Zara suddenly growled at the mustard bottle as she tried to squeeze it out and nothing but little splattered droplets came out. Wadim stepped forward and gently took it from her hand. He pressed close to her and leaned down. His lips moved next to her ear, and he spoke, but there was too much surrounding chatter for Jacque to hear. Not that she had any right to hear what he was saying to his mate. But the new alpha female was finding it hard not to worry about the other females in her pack, especially the ones she was close to.
“They’re fine, Luna.” Fane’s voice filled her mind.
“She doesn’t seem fine.” Jacque put another spoonful of sweet potatoes in Slate’s open mouth.
“You have to remember that their situation is quite a bit different than the rest of ours. Their bonding process has been slower, and rightfully so.”
He was right. Zara had been through hell at the hands of the vampires. The Great Luna had known what she was doing when she made Wadim her mate. He was incredibly gentle with her, but not in a patronizing way. He was patient, playful, and loving. They balanced each other.
Jacque frowned as these thoughts ran through her mind. So what is the problem? She glanced back over at them. Zara’s head lifted at the same time, and her gaze met Jacque’s. Zara gave her a small smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes. She didn’t seem terribly upset, simply resigned.
“Luna.” Fane’s voice held a deep warning.
“I’m not going to pry,” she replied at the same time Jen said out loud, “History boy, what’s wrong with my new bestie? I realize that y’all probably only got to watch Netflix last night and not chill, but dude, a foot massage or hair brushing can go a long way.”
“Jen’s prying for me.” Jacque knew her voice through the bond would sound much too happy that her friend had just called Wadim out.
Zara’s cheeks flushed pink. She put down her sandwich and headed toward the fridge before opening it and practically disappearing behind the enormous door.
Wadim didn’t miss a beat. He followed his mate, pulled out whatever it was she’d been looking for, and handed it to her. “Read the shirt, Jen.”
Jacque hadn’t noticed his shirt because one of Wadim’s arms had been folded across his chest. Now she could see it just fine, and the picture made her grin. There was a large square divided into six smaller squares, with two stick figures in each one. The first square showed one of the stick figures saying, I heard you started a new business. In the next square, the other stick figure responded, Yep. In the third square, the first stick figure asked, What’s it called? And in the fourth square, the other stick figure answered Noneya. In the fifth square, the first stick figure stood with a question mark above his head. Then, in the sixth square, he was frowning at the other stick figure who was grinning.
Chuckles filled the room as everyone else had obviously read the shirt as well.
“How am I this old and never heard that one?” Peri took a sip of her—Jacque frowned. Was that a gla
ss of wine? At noon? Peri must have felt her stare because the fae’s head turned to her, and she winked. That was when Jacque also noticed that Lucian wasn’t prancing around like a proud peacock. He stood behind Peri with his arms wrapped around his mate. His head rested on her shoulder, and to Jacque’s shock, he nipped Peri’s neck, right on her mark … in a room full of people. Damn, they must have had quite a night if Peri still needs wine at noon the next day, and her mate can’t keep his teeth off her.
Movement at the island grabbed Jacque’s attention, and she noticed Jen had jumped up to sit on the counter. Jen wasn’t looking at Wadim’s shirt or Peri. Instead, she stared a hole into the side of Zara’s head. Jacque could tell Jen’s wheels were turning. That was never a good thing. Jacque opened her mouth to say something to change the subject when Bethany and Drake walked into the room. Bethany’s eyes widened a bit as she obviously picked up quickly on the tension in the room. Drake was immediately on alert, glancing around as if someone was about to pounce on his mate. The poor wolf, he looked exhausted. Bethany’s eyes quickly zoned in on Jen, who hadn’t glanced in the couple’s direction, like everyone else had. She then looked to Zara, who was the other person in the room who hadn’t paid them any attention.
Bethany looked over Zara’s shoulder to Wadim, who was once again standing behind his mate, still eating his sandwich. “Umm, why does it feel like someone’s about to get schooled?” Bethany asked carefully.
Jen didn’t take her eyes off of Zara as she spoke. “Because I think it’s time for someone to be educated like you were, Bethy. Now you can share all the wisdom Jacque, Sally, and I imparted to you.”
“Do not drag me into this,” Sally said. “I’ve got like a thousand more lights to hang.”
“What she said.” Jacque pointed the spoon she was holding at Sally.
“Zara?” Bethany asked, her voice rising a notch.
Jen’s lips turned up in a much-too-satisfied smirk. “Yep. Girl’s night. Class is in session.”
“Wadim,” Drake said, but Bethany raised her hand and slapped it over Drake’s mouth.
“Maybe we let Zara decide if she wants a girls’ night,” Bethany said as she narrowed her eyes on her mate.
Drake wasn’t backing down. He gently removed her hand and placed a kiss in her palm. “With all due respect, mate, I think Wadim has a right to know what this class entails.”
“Nope.” Jen shook her head. “Girls’ night code. Sisters before misters. Hoes before bros.”
“Oh dear.” Sally sighed. “Here we go.”
“Chicks before—”
“Jennifer!” Decebel practically barked.
She glanced at her mate and batted her eyelashes. “What? I was going to say licks.”
Decebel pinched the bridge of his nose as coughs filled the room. “Like that’s any better?”
“At least mini-me won’t say the other word,” Jen pointed out.
“She’s got a point,” Fane said.
“What exactly does this girls’ night class entail?” Elle asked. “And why haven’t I ever been invited?”
Jen glanced at her. “Because you’re already educated. Although there’s always something new to learn.”
“There’s a book.” Bethany nodded as if she thought she was being helpful. Pregnant brain was alive and well with this one.
“I’m in.” Peri raised her wineglass.
“Me, too.” Crina grinned. Jacque nearly laughed when she saw Adam hold up his hand and give his mate a high five. Of course he would be in favor of her gaining more education on his favorite topic. It was good to see Crina looking so happy as Adam pulled her tightly against him. Thank the Great Luna that issue was fixed.
Sally cleared her throat, and Jacque felt a pull inside of her to look at her brunette friend. The healer’s eyebrows went up as if to ask: What the hell are you going to do?” Jacque shrugged. What was she supposed to do? Veto sex education?
“Yes, Luna. That’s exactly what you should do,” Fane said in her mind. His voice filled with humor, but she could tell he was completely serious.
Jacque took a deep breath and then looked at Wadim and then his mate. “Zara, we’re going to have a girls’ night tonight.”
Jen shot a fist in the air.
“But…” Jacque shot a glare at her bestie and then looked back at Zara, who had given Jacque her full attention. “The decision is between you and your mates on whether you’d like to join us. No pressure, regardless of what our resident nympho says.”
Zara turned and looked at Wadim. Jacque couldn’t see the look on Zara’s face, but she could see Wadim’s. His jaw was clenched, but he didn’t look angry.
“I assume everyone knows their assigned tasks today?” Jen suddenly said, drawing the attention away from the couple. Jacque was surprised, considering she’d only just a moment ago been so adamant about the topic. But she saw the list in front of Jen and knew that her friend had simply glanced at it and realized how much there was to be done between now and her so-called class.
“Yeah, about that. Can I just ask why we don’t let the awesome, cool, amazing fae pack members do the decorations?” Jacque said. “I mean, they just could snap and, boom, done.”
“Because that would be like buying a pre-lit Christmas tree.” Jen’s voice sounded sad. “Some of my favorite memories of Christmas are my parents trying to untangle the lights from the year before and then wrap them around the tree that they’d already put too close to the wall. It’s like a tradition. You don’t mess with traditions.”
“We could start a new tradition,” Sally offered.
Jen was staring down at her list. Her hands were trembling. Jacque glanced at Fane. “Babe, could you maybe clear the room?”
Fane spoke out loud. “Let’s get to work, everyone. Traditions are good. They make excellent memories.”
The room began to clear. Rachel came over and took Slate. “Thank you, Rachel.” Jacque touched the healer’s shoulder.
“We are happy to take care of them,” Rachel said. Jacque could feel her joy. Gavril was already holding Thia, and Titus was at his side talking a mile a minute. Jacque watched as the couple walked out with the kids and then it hit her. They’d been mated for centuries and had no children of their own. Jacque couldn’t imagine her life without Slate. Not to mention, the last Canis lupus child born before Thia had been Fane, two decades ago. Though Rachel had lived a human life, once upon a time, it had been ages ago. She’d likely forgotten what it was like in the human world, where hundreds of children were literally born every minute. It was no wonder the couple loved being around the children.
“Jacque.” Sally’s voice pulled her attention from the couple, and she turned to see that she, Sally, and Jen were alone. She stared at her usually unshakable best friend and felt a deep pain in her heart. The bond she shared with Jen was pulsing with anguish.
The female alpha walked over to the island and rested her forearms on it. She placed her hands on the papers upon which Jen was so fervently focused. “Jen,” she said, her voice soft. When her friend didn’t look up, Jacque sharpened her tone. “Jennifer.”
Jen’s head snapped up, and her blue eyes met Jacque’s.
“It’s just us.” Jacque motioned to Sally. “We’ve never kept secrets.” She paused and then added, “Well, not for long because you usually beat them out of us.”
Sally snorted. Jen’s lips turned up slightly, but then fell.
“What’s going on?” Sally leaned on the island next to Jen.
“I called my parents.” Jen’s voice broke on the last word.
Jacque kept her face neutral. Jen and her parents were like gunpowder and a match. Most of their contact ended up with someone exploding. The last time Jen and her parents had spoken had been over a year ago when they’d been in Texas, and she’d been pregnant with Thia. It had not gone well.
“What did you talk to them about?” Sally asked gently.
“I invited them to come spend Christmas wit
h us, to meet their only grandchild.” Jen gave a small sniff. Jacque could tell Jen was trying to hold back the tears. Jen hated crying. It was one of those things that made her feel out of control, and Jen loathed that feeling.
When it was apparent Jen wasn’t going to offer more information without them pulling it out like stubborn molars, Jacque said, “I’m guessing their answer was no?”
Jen laughed, but there was not an ounce of humor in it. “Their answer was, ‘Now you want us to know our grandchild? The one you had over a year ago and haven’t so much as sent us a picture?’”
“Oh,” said Jacque.
“I, of course, told them we’d been too damn busy saving the world for me to have time to take pictures of my own child, let alone send them some 5” x 8”s.”
“You didn’t.” Sally’s eyes widened.
“No,” Jen answered. “I didn’t. But I sure as hell wanted to. Instead, I apologized. But, as usual, that was not good enough for dear ol’ mom. She had to go on and on about how uncaring I was, how I only thought about myself. The woman had the nerve to ask if that boy, as if Decebel wasn’t a freaking man, had at least made an honest woman out of me.” Jen hastily wiped the tears she’d been unsuccessfully trying to keep from falling. “She might as well have asked if I was giving him the milk without making him buy the freaking cow.”
“I’m sorry, Jen.” Jacque squeezed her friend’s hand. She could feel the pain radiating up through their unique bond. It hurt. “Why is Decebel not in here losing it?”
“I may or may not have told him I started my period, needed some space, and failed to mention that I’d called my parents.” Jen glanced around the room as she pressed her lips together.
“So, you definitely told him you started your period and didn’t tell him you called your parents,” Sally clarified.
“Yep.” Jen nodded and pointed at Sally. “That.”
“And because he’s a dude, he totally didn’t want to touch the whole period thing with a ten-foot pole?” Jacque asked.
