“You’re welcome.” He snickered. “Mina was terrified the first time I flew with her.”
She took a deep breath and stepped back. “Go home and take your punishment like a man. I’m sure she won’t hurt you too badly.”
“Are you joking? She’s probably naked under that apron.” Dragos winked and started floating. “Call if you need a ride home.”
“I will.” Iva glanced toward the door of Noah’s home. “But I think it will be all right.”
“I agree. Talk to you later.” Dragos waved and took off, flying into the darkness where he belonged.
Iva stared at Noah’s home. It was on the outskirts of town, its back toward the woods, its front facing the best parts of town. It wasn’t as large as Dragos’s mayoral mansion, but it was pretty big, as befitted the alpha of the entire United States. There was gray stone covering the front and a double peaked roof with white painted eaves. There was a lower porch that wrapped around, possibly all the way to the back of the house. Over the garage was a second porch, covered by the second peak. The front door and the shutters were painted emerald green. The stone walkway up to the front porch was inviting, lined with lights to lead the way. The curtains were open, showing a warm and inviting space waiting for her.
Iva stepped onto the porch and rang the bell. There were green Adirondack chairs next to the front door, a small table in between them. She could picture Noah sitting out here with his coffee on a good morning, just relaxing and preparing for his day. Or in the evenings, when the leaves were bright colors and there was a nip to the air, drinking hot cider and watching the birds fly south.
The door opened, a surprised appearing Noah gaping at her. “Iva?”
Iva gulped. She wanted to crawl into his arms and just...be. There was something comforting about his presence. Even her tree hummed in approval down their link. “Hey. Can I come in?”
Noah nodded and stepped aside. “How did you get here?”
“Dragos flew me.”
“Ah. That’s why I smell him all over you.”
Her brows rose. “You’re not...”
“Jealous?” He smirked. “Dragos is mated to your queen. I trust him.”
That made sense. “Yeah, and Mina would put his balls on a stick and roast them.”
Noah shuddered, looking horrified. “That’s a vivid description.”
“Yet accurate.”
Iva stepped into a two-story foyer. The walls were a dark taupe with bright white wainscoting and crown molding. The foyer was huge, with a double staircase centered in roughly the middle of the house. The stunning staircase was made with metal balusters and dark wood rails. The floors were hardwood, the same dark color as the rails and stairs. The mat in front of the door was a pretty ikat print in greens and blues. The chandelier above them was a bunch of spheres with lights inside. A matching chandelier could be seen in the family room beyond. “Wow.”
Noah smiled. “Thank you.” He seemed proud of his home, and rightfully so. The moment she walked in she’d gotten the sensation that she was welcome in his space.
“Uncle Noah, who’s that?” A small boy came from around the dining room corner and calmly stood next to his uncle. She’d thought the kids would be in bed by now, but apparently not.
“Milo, this is my mate, Iva. Iva, this is Milo.” Noah put his hand on Milo’s shoulder.
“Hello, Iva.” Milo tilted his head and sniffed. “You don’t smell like Uncle Noah.”
Noah ruffled his hair. “Because Iva is still healing. She just came out of her tree today, so we’re waiting for her to be completely healed before we bond.”
“Oh.” Milo smiled at Iva. “Hello, Aunt Iva.”
Iva gulped. “Hi, Milo.” She shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You want some hot chocolate? Uncle Noah makes some for us before we go to bed.” Milo took hold of her hand and stared up at her like she was the second coming. “Mom always reads to us before bed.”
“I can do that,” she found herself promising. She’d promise that tiny, hopeful face just about anything.
“Did you know my mommy?” Milo’s face fell. “Uncle Noah told me she died.”
Shit. “I never got to meet her, but I understand she was a wonderful woman.” They passed the dining room on the right and a formal living room on the left, under the stairs and the balcony above before winding up in the family room. The kitchen was on the left, gorgeous and completely open to the family room. An informal dining area separated the kitchen from the family room. Right off the kitchen was a small sunroom with four chairs set around a circular coffee table.
The space was perfect for get-togethers and pack meetings. She could just picture Noah, his beta and his head enforcers in that sunroom, planning their month. But it was the kitchen that truly blew her mind.
“Wow.”
Noah practically beamed. “You like it?”
“Yes.” It put her own kitchen to shame. U-shaped, it had a large island in the middle that could seat four without interfering with the cook. “I need to remodel.” The bright white cabinets and marble countertops were stunning, and not at all what she expected of the big, bad alpha. She would have guessed darker colors would suit him, but he seemed at home as he went to the fridge and pulled out some milk.
Noah chuckled. “You’ll have to show me what you’re working with.”
“I will.” Iva noticed a small, bright-eyed girl peeking over the top of a brown leather sofa. “Sana?”
The girl’s head disappeared.
“My sister’s shy.” Milo hopped up onto one of the barstools and began swinging his legs. “She won’t come out until she knows you.”
“That won’t happen unless she comes out.” Iva stared at where the girl had disappeared.
Milo shrugged, his expression unconcerned. “She’s weird like that.” He glanced at his uncle. “Will Aunt Iva be moving in with you?”
Noah glanced at Iva as he poured milk into a saucepan. “I’m not sure. We might move in with her. She’s one of the ruling dryads and has to spend a lot of time in the Throne.”
Milo frowned. “But what about my water-bending lessons with Frisco? We’re supposed to start soon. How will he find me if I move again?”
Iva smiled. “He’s been to the Throne lots of times. He’s the leader of the water elementals, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” His anxious expression cleared a bit. “Is he nice?”
“Super nice.” Iva glanced at Noah. “Nicer even than your Uncle Noah.”
Milo nodded but didn’t respond. He kept glancing at Noah, though, his brow furrowed. She didn’t like that the poor kid was bouncing his legs, the motions jumpy instead of a smooth back and forth.
“We’ll figure it all out in time, Milo.” Iva sat next to him at the island, hoping Sana would join them. Now that she’d met the children, she felt a little bit better about possibly helping Noah to raise them. It would take time, on her part and theirs, for them to form a bond, but she—no, they—had time. Most of her fears had evaporated. Her focus now was on mating Noah and taking care of the children. “And we’ve got time.”
He nodded, but he didn’t seem to believe her. She couldn’t blame him. His life had been upended, his parents gone in the blink of an eye. To tell him that things might change yet again had to be terrifying for him.
She’d have to figure out a way to spend as much of her time in Noah’s home as possible without shirking her duties or neglecting her tree. Her tree whispered inside her, agreeing with her, the soft rustle of its needles calming her. The others would understand. They’d been there the whole time. They were aware of what the kids had been through, the horror of watching a parent die and unable to do anything about it. The kids would need them to be around, to show that they weren’t going to die anytime soon.
She watched silently as Noah
made the hot chocolate from scratch. When he handed her a mug she took it gratefully. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Noah handed Milo two mugs. “Take your sister one, please?”
Milo nodded and got up, gripping both mugs carefully. He walked like he carried priceless glass in his hands, carefully placing one step in front of the other, his little shoulders squared as he did his duty.
Noah took Milo’s seat. “We’ll head to bed in a moment, guys. Drink your hot chocolate before it gets cold.”
“Yes, Uncle Noah,” Milo replied. In a childish whisper that Iva could clearly hear, Milo said, “Drink your chocolate, Sana.”
Noah returned his attention to her. The burn scars on his neck were thick and ropey, but they looked years old rather than weeks. She ached over the pain he must have endured.
“So. You’ve seen the kids. Feel any better?”
“You knew I was nervous about that?” There was something titillating about having Noah’s undivided attention. She wanted to lean into him, make the conversation far more intimate than it was, but she couldn’t while the children were present.
“Yup.” Noah sipped his chocolate. “Trust me, they don’t bite.”
She wasn’t so sure about that, but she let it slide. “How is Sana handling the loss of her parents?”
“Her beta, as well as her father, died. Hell, they were in the house with him. Unfortunately, Sana was the first one to find him.”
She put her hand on his shoulder. “That’s fucked up.”
“No kidding.”
“Is she talking to anyone about it? A doctor or a psychologist?” If Iva had her way both the kids would be in therapy so fast it would make the therapist’s head spin.
“Yes. They’re still trying to open up to him, though. I’m taking them to see Cliff Owens.”
Iva had met the man. Cliff Owens dealt only with children. As a psychic, he used his gifts to ease their emotional pain.
“He says the trauma was so great Sana might never be more than omega in status. I’d thought she would be alpha after me, but it won’t happen now.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being an omega. I will punch anyone in the nuts if they think differently.”
“Of course they won’t! Omegas are the most treasured members of the pack. We care for them, and they take care of us. They tend to be more empathic than any other pack member, but they aren’t strong fighters. Since she’s now mine...” He stared at the sofa, the pain in his expression prompting her to hug him. He stiffened at first, then relaxed into her embrace, his chin on top of her head. “She’ll be a target.”
It was true. The omega’s position was diplomatic, rather than geared toward fighting. The omega usually worked closely with both the alpha and the beta on fostering relations within and outside of the pack. As a peacemaker, omegas never fought with their claws, instead focusing on using their words to either fight or stop one from happening.
“Then we protect her, as you said.” Iva could sense Yew’s agreement. They were both angered on behalf of the helpless child, willing to kill to keep her safe. “No one will touch her.”
“Whoa there, killer.” Noah pulled back and stared at her for a moment before kissing her softly. “Anyone who tries anything with my niece will feel my teeth in their ass.”
“What will I do?”
He seemed to think about it. “Sit there and look pretty?”
She dug her elbow into his stomach.
“Ouch,” he said, laughing as he wriggled away. “Your elbows are sharp.”
“Thank you, kind sir.”
He snuggled close again. “I don’t know about your tree, but my wolf is going nuts. Spend the night? No hanky panky, but we can cuddle.”
Iva was about to say no, that she wasn’t ready for that step, when her tree practically knocked her out with the force of its opinion. Yew really wanted Iva in Noah’s house. “Yeah, sure.”
“Iva? You okay?” Noah stood, obviously worried. “You’re pale.”
“My tree wants what your wolf wants. My head says wait, but I think you three will win.” Iva got up, swaying a bit as her tree’s relief swamped her. “Yup. You three definitely win.”
Noah laughed. “Remind me to thank her next time I see her.”
Iva smiled. Her tree really liked Noah if the affection pouring in from it was any indication. “She’s definitely on your side.”
Noah laughed and pulled her into the family room. “Okay, imps. Time for bed.”
Iva took the cups to the sink and rinsed them out as Noah began herding the two children up the stairs. She was so comfortable here it amazed her. Noah’s home was welcoming and warm and...and...
It was home, just as much as the Throne. And that surprised her like nothing else could.
Chapter Four
Noah got up the next morning, careful not to wake Iva. She’d slept restlessly, moaning occasionally in her sleep.
He doubted it was from physical pain, but he hoped to the gods of the wolves that she wasn’t reliving her torture at the hands of the Van Helsings. He had done what he could to keep her calm, holding her and murmuring to her when things got bad. She’d woken only once, her gaze shocked and horrified, but when she’d seen him, she’d sighed and curled against him. Her sleepy trust that he’d keep her safe from harm was the biggest compliment he’d ever been paid.
It also made him want to find every single Van Helsing and rip their throats out before they ever got near her again.
He wished he could stay in bed with her, but he had a morning meeting planned with Paisley, his new beta, that he couldn’t miss. They were still going over what Bernadette had done to them, the betrayal burning deep despite Bernadette’s death. That it had been someone outside the pack who’d killed the traitor also burned, but Mollie was a good woman who’d used Paisley’s brother, Carter, to help her. Bernadette had gotten what she deserved, and Noah had to let that part go.
Noah did his morning stuff as quietly as possible, then dressed quickly. He’d probably wind up eating breakfast with Paisley and the kids. Hopefully Iva would sleep through the meeting. She needed it. Despite what she might think, she was still healing. The fact that her tree was so adamant that she spend the night just proved him right. Yew would never do anything to endanger her dryad.
The doorbell rang just as he padded down the steps to the first floor. He glanced through the hallway under the stairs to find the kids were already up and eating at the table. He winced as he thought about how wrecked his kitchen must be, but that would have to wait. He opened the door to find Paisley, her hair done in shades of blue and pulled up in a messy ponytail. Her jeans were frayed at the knees, and she wore a pair of red Converse sneakers on her feet. Best of all, her tank top had a chibi Deadpool on it, his favorite hero. “Good morning, Paisley.”
“Good morning, alpha.” Paisley tilted her head to the side and bared her neck, showing respect for his higher station. “I smell someone new here.” Her eyes went wide with glee. “Did Iva come out?”
Paisley, as well as the rest of his pack, was well aware of how desperately he’d wanted Iva to come out of her tree. “Yes. She’s sleeping, so let’s keep it down. You’ll meet her at the pack meeting this weekend.”
“Gotcha.” Paisley entered the house and slipped off her shoes. Like most wolves she preferred to be barefoot as much as possible. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, “Yo, rugrats! How ya doin’?”
Shit. If Iva slept through that, Noah would have to have her hearing checked.
He laughed as the kids squealed. Sana even got up for her hug from Paisley. His niece gaped at Paisley like a goddess come down from the heavens just for her. Paisley wasn’t just his beta; she was the strongest female in the pack. Sana had been drawn to her from the first moment they met, and the hero worship hadn’t abated one bit. Watching
the little girl follow after the tall, colorful female at the pack gatherings amused the hell out of everyone.
Noah wasn’t going to try to change Sana’s view. Paisley was one of the best, strongest people he’d ever met. Hell, if she thought he was wrong in how he handled things she’d call him on it, without fear or remorse. It made her a great beta as well as a pain in his ass.
When she was done mauling the kids she led the way into his kitchen. She’d been here often enough to know where he kept everything so she got a pot of coffee going and began raiding his fridge. “You’re low on eggs.”
“Thanks, I’ll write it down.” He did just that on the whiteboard he kept pinned next to his fridge. “Have cereal. Thanks to the kids I have plenty of that.” It was the only thing he could get the kids to eat. Despite a wolf’s love of meat, their cubs tended to adore sweet things, especially cereal. Even as an adult Noah tended to love his Froot Loops in the morning with a passion usually reserved for the choicest cut of steak.
Paisley grabbed the box of Lucky Charms and poured herself a bowl. “So, how is Iva?”
Noah grabbed his own cereal and poured a bowl, then led her out of the kitchen and into the living room. He lowered his voice, hoping the kids wouldn’t hear them. “Not bad, but there’s a few things that we need to go over. I’m not claiming her until she gets a clean bill of health from Dr. T. Selena and Greer already gave her one, but the circumstances of her time with the Van Helsings is making me cautious.”
Paisley’s eyes went wide. It was almost unheard of for an alpha to hold off on claiming a mate. The instinct to do so was just too strong to resist, but in this case he and his wolf were in total agreement. Iva’s health came first.
“Why?”
He met her confused, worried gaze. “She took in the black blood and somehow made it her own.”
Her eyes narrowed and her shoulders tightened. A hint of fang peeked over her bottom lip. “Is she a danger to the cubs?”
“Fuck no.” Noah used his alpha voice on her. “Calm down, Paisley.”
Paisley took a deep breath, forced to obey him when he spoke that way. “Yes, alpha.”
Hour of the Wolf Page 4
