by Kasey Belle
Mal raised his hand. “I blame Cade and Declan. They started that shit.”
“Don’t forget the resident lion shifter and his trusty canine. He had Sam way before we had a cat.” Cade protested. “Plus, It isn’t our fault Emma Grace and Princess were a package deal. What did you expect me and Dec to do, tell our cub she couldn’t keep her kitten? Could you do that? No, you couldn’t.” The pack beta flashed a know-it-all grin and leaned back in his chair clearly proud of himself.
Mal scoffed and waved away Cade’s argument calling it lame. “I still blame you.”
Kell shook his head and let out a disgusted breath. “Bunch of pussies spoiling your mates and cubs.”
Nick opened his mouth to tick off the many ways Kell also fell into that category where his girls were concerned when, out of the corner of his eye, he caught the quick eye roll Gunnar aimed at his triad partner. Nick thought he imagined it until Gunnar―who must have felt his scrutiny―met his gaze. He was shocked by the truth he saw in Gunnar’s eyes. Oh. My. Goddess.
“You are so full of shit!” He shouted and all eyes turned on Nick. He pointed an accusing finger at Kell. “You’re getting a kitten, too.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kell’s emotionless denial sounded genuine and had Nick doubting himself.
He glanced at Gunnar again thinking he’d misinterpreted what he saw. The man arched an eyebrow and Nick heard a faint whisper through his still forming common pack link. Gunnar’s eyes practically danced with maniacal glee as he sold out his mating partner. Nick’s eyebrows shot up and he barked a laugh. He pinned Kell with a glare making the enforcer squirm. “Two?”
Kell’s head jerked around and he glared at Gunnar. His arm flew out with lightning speed punching Gunnar in the shoulder. “Asshole.”
Everyone burst into laughter. Even Kell finally found humor in the situation. His lips twitched as he glared at his brothers and cousin. “Fine. Fuckers.”
“Turns out our mate and daughter are cat people.” Gunnar explained then snickered at Kell’s pained expression. “Neither one of us could say no, especially when they turned those big chocolate eyes on us. Not that adopting a couple of cats bothered me.” He poked himself in the chest. “Part leopard.”
Kell made a disgusted noise. “I’m fucking outnumbered by felines,” he muttered. Kell looked up at them. Nick, Mal, Paul, and Cade crossed their arms over their chests and waited. Kell narrowed his eyes obviously weighing their commitment to stick it out until he admitted the truth. After a few moments, Kell rolled his eyes and threw up his hands. “Fine. We’re all a bunch of pussies who spoil our mates and cubs too much and too often.”
Nick felt Mal’s eyes on him. He turned his head and met his mate’s loving gaze. Mal held out his hand and Nick didn’t hesitate to respond to the silent demand. Mal brought Nick’s hand toward his lips. His gaze never left Nick’s as he said, “I’m good with that.” Then Mal placed a gentle kiss on his knuckles.
Every man in the room nodded and returned the sentiment.
Chapter 33
Three Months Later
Nick made his way down the east wing hallway. Shane and Chris walked beside him holding hands. The two mates were clearly in love, but not complete. They hadn’t found their third yet. He couldn’t imagine always feeling like he was missing part of his soul or like his mating to Mal was incomplete.
Shane and Chris arrived last night from New Orleans. The three of them became instant friends bonding over snarky comments and laughter at Kell and Gunnar’s expense. Kell and Gunnar pouted like little bitches most of the night because Jennifer insisted they not see each other before the wedding. The men camped out at Paul’s and watched football, ate junk, got their asses kicked in poker by card sharks Jay and Luke, or played with Leo. Nick thought it was awesome how the all the men made the boys feel like a part of the group.
The women, including Emma Grace and Lada, spent the night at Fiona’s and did whatever women do. Which according to Kell and Gunnar was probably lame and Jennifer would probably need rescuing later before she died from boredom. Fiona threatened to castrate them if they showed their faces at the pack house before noon.
Kell and Gunnar complained once more about the stupid tradition as they said goodbye to Jennifer. They hadn’t made it to the front door when Lada caught up with them. She blocked their exit swooping in like a warrior princess hands akimbo and a deep set frown on her beautiful face. Then the five foot nothing girl started poking her much larger and lethal fathers in the chest. Lada proceeded to remind them that her mother had waited a lifetime for this moment and deserved all the “stupid crap” that went along with it, so they better get with the freaking program. Every time her little finger made contact they backed up a step. Nick and Mal had laughed their asses off. He really like Lada. She was a spunky thing.
After hearing the story which Nick related to them with a little dramatic flair Shane and Chris both agreed they couldn’t wait to meet Lada. They figured a girl who wasn’t afraid to stand up to an enforcer and an emissary was worth knowing. Nick couldn’t agree more.
He knocked on the door to the Alpha’s private quarters. Fiona opened the door and frowned at them. “I thought I told you three to just come on in when you got here.” She looked absolutely stunning in her daffodil floor length chiffon gown. The empire waist showed off her big baby belly.
“Sorry, Fee. Old habits.” Nick leaned down and kissed her cheek. Shane and Chris did the same.
“Did you bring it?” Fiona asked Shane.
“I did. How about next time you send me on an errand, you warn a guy first about what he’s walking into?” Shane growled and Chris snorted. He dug in his pocket and pulled out a white silk pouch. He passed it to Fiona. “Dude. Her house was seriously creepy, inside and out. Plus, she’s a swamp person. Next time have her mail your shit.”
“Josephine is not a swamp person. And in case it escaped your notice, her leg is in a cast and she couldn’t make it to the post office.”
“Oh, I noticed. She fell down the stairs that lead from her front door to the ground and broke her leg. The wood was wet, and she lost her footing. Then she tumbled all the way down. And why does she have stairs because her house in on pilings? Why is it on pilings? Because she lives in the swamp.”
Fiona sniffed. “Fine. I’ll never ask you for another favor.”
Shane eyed her warily. “Are you going to cry? Please don’t cry. I swear to the Fates, Fee.” He threw his hands in the air. “Fine. I’ll visit your swamp friends when you need someone to pick up your voodoo shit.”
She flashed him a grin. “Was that so hard?” She gave Shane’s cheek a hard pat. “Let’s go see if Jennifer likes her necklace.” Fiona wagged her eyebrows and indicated they should follow her. Nick stood with Shane and Chris as they stared at Fiona’s retreating form.
Shane sighed and shot a side-eyed glance at Chris. “She played me, didn’t she?”
“Yep.” Chris laughed quietly at Shane. “Come on, babe.”
They caught up with Fiona in the master suite. Cathy appeared to be putting the finishing touches on Jennifer’s hair. Her long dark locks were done up in a half up/half down hair-do.
“Hey, guys.” Cathy called over her shoulder. “Did y’all bring it?” She asked Shane and Chris.
“If you’re referring to the swamp lady necklace, then yes I did.” Shane cut his narrowed eyes in Fiona’s direction.
Nick snickered. The entire pack was like a never ending comedy routine. He’d gotten used to the way everyone interacted over the past few months. Nick even joined in on occasion. He especially loved giving Mal’s brothers hell. They amused him immensely. He’d even left them speechless a few times. Those were proud moments.
“He brought what?” Jennifer inquired from where she sat in front of the vanity mirror.
“Your something new,” Fiona responded with a smile. Nick watch in interest as Fiona dumped the contents of the pouch into her hand and inspect
ed it. A unique heart-shaped pendant adorned with two dangling rose-colored crystals hung from a thin gold chain. She placed the necklace around Jennifer’s neck. The pendant coming to rest just above her cleavage.
“It’s lovely.” Jennifer caressed the heart with her finger tips. “It reminds me of the one you have, Cathy.”
“They are similar,” Fiona agreed. “Both were made by the same artisan. A friend of mine name Josephine Laroux.”
Shane fake cough the words swamp woman. Nick and Chris lost it doubling over with laughter. Fiona shot Shane a covert middle finger.
“The charm represents Erzulie Freda,” Fiona explained.
“Erzulie? Who?” Jennifer cocked her head.
“Erzulie Freda. Voodoo goddess of love. A gracious, luxurious, and refined lwa (Voodoo Spirit),” Fiona explained. Nick noticed her Cajun accent thickened as she spoke of something so deeply entrenched as a part of her heritage. “Erzulie epitomizes femininity, love, and passion. She is often called upon for favors regarding one's love affairs.”
“Wow. Thank you, Fiona.” She stood and wrapped the smaller woman in a hug. “I’ll cherish this forever. You’re the shit, cousin.”
Fiona blew on her fingernails and brushed them against her shirt. Looking smug, she said, “I know.”
Jennifer raised an eyebrow at Cathy. “You kept all that to yourself this whole time?”
“Fee made me swear on Maddie’s snickerdoodles.”
“What was the penalty if you failed?”
“I wasn’t allowed to have any snickerdoodles for an entire month, and because Fee is a mean sadistic bitch, any time she ate one I had to sit and watch while she made yummy noises until my sentence was up.”
“Damn, Fee. You’re brutal.” Jennifer shook her head.
Throughout their exchange Nick stood silently by and took in the stunning bride standing before him. He’d seen her in the gown before, but she looked different this time. Maybe it was the radiant smile and lack of sticker shock. “I am so glad you gave in and bought that gown, Jen. It truly was made for you.”
He stared in awe. She was a vision in her Sophia Tolli off-the-shoulder lace and tulle trumpet gown with sheer lace three-quarter length sleeves. The hand-beaded sweetheart bodice highlighted her cleavage and hugged her every curve showing off her figure in a way that was both elegant and sexy. The floor length skirt hugged her body to mid-thigh then gradually formed mermaid style skirt with scalloped edges and a chapel train. “Turn around.” She looked just as good from the back as she did the front. The semi-sheer lace back gave the illusion of bare skin, not to mention the curve loving gown made her butt look good. Nick may be a gay and not into the lady parts, but he knew a nice ass when he saw one.
She hugged him. “I’m so glad you kidnapped me and made me go shopping.”
A month before the ceremony, he overheard Fiona scolding Jennifer about the fact that she still didn’t have a wedding dress. Jennifer said it was because she hadn’t found one that spoke to her. Something inside Nick told him there was more to it than that. So, under the guise he needed her help to pick out a baby gift for Fiona, Nick kidnapped Jennifer and drove her to Austin. When she figured out where they were going, Jennifer confided in him. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a dress, she put off buying one because of the expense. Even though both Kell and Gunnar were set financially and her wedding dress was their gift to her, she still had a hard time spending money on herself without feeling guilty. Nick understood that. Jennifer was used to putting herself and her needs last. Until six months ago, she’d been a single mom and the sole provider for Lada.
“Oh, look. They came in last week.” She hiked up the skirt and showed off a banging pair of silver platform peep-toe stilettos encrusted with crystal rhinestones that caught the light every time she moved her foot.
“Damn, girl.”
Jennifer snickered. “I know right?”
“Those are awesome,” Chris said. “Emma Grace will steal those from you if you’re not careful. She’s all about the sparkle.”
She met Chris’s eyes then looked over at Shane. “And you are?”
Fiona cringed. “Oops. Jennifer, meet Shane Marks and Chris Fonteneau. Guys, this is Jennifer―Kell and Gunnar’s mate. In case you hadn’t figured that out already.”
Jennifer shook their hands. “Nice to finally meet the infamous Shane and Chris. Emma Grace has told me all about both of you. I’m glad you could make it back for the wedding.”
“We’re infamous.” Chris chuckled.
Nick nodded his agreement. Emma Grace boasted to anyone who would listen about her friends Shane and Chris coming home. She’d been over the moon since she heard the news months ago.
“I love that little cub. She’s great for our egos,” Shane added before they high-fived each other.
Emma Grace was great for everyone, Nick thought. The little pixie unrepentantly stole the heart of whoever crossed her path. In return, you got to bask in the warmth of the little pixie’s unconditional love, support, and innocent enthusiasm.
“Hey, Mom?” Lada rushed through the door looking like a vision in her royal blue dress. The knee length the chiffon dress was beautifully elegant with a deep V in the front and back. Its pleated bodice and cascading ruffle skirt fit her form perfectly and elongated her short frame. Nick grinned imagining Kell and Gunnar’s reaction when they got a look at their daughter in that dress. He was sure those metaphorical graves Declan was always teasing them about would soon to become a reality. “The dads look ready to come out of their skin.” She snickered. “You might want to hurry up and get this wedding show on the road before they storm the castle.”
“Wow. Look at you, Lada,” Nick praised. “Gorgeous.”
Lada struck a hip-cocked sassy pose and winked. “Thanks, favorite uncle.” She straightened and smiled with bright eyes. “Oh and look,” she said as her hands disappeared into her dress. “Hidden pockets.” She pulled out her cellphone. “I brought this in case I get bored.” She shot her mother a cheeky grin.
Jennifer narrowed her eyes and playfully swatted at Lada. “Don’t make me beat you, brat.”
Shane and Chris growled and made a move toward Lada. Jennifer jumped in front of her daughter shielding her. She put out her hand. “Whoa! Hold up. That’s my daughter you’re growling at, wolf boys. Back off.”
They came to an immediate standstill. “Actually, I’m the wolf,” Shane corrected, his eyes never leaving Lada. He pointed at Chris. “Chris is human.”
Jennifer gave him a baleful look. “Do I look like I give a rat’s furry ass?”
Nick studied his new friends. The low rumble. The panting. They only had eyes for Lada. Shane’s eyes flashed as his wolf made himself known. Oh, shit. This was epic. Lada was their mate. Shane and Chris found their third, and he’d been there to witness their first meeting. Nick fought the urge to jump up and down while clapping and squealing like a teenage girl in the midst of her favorite boy band. He had to tell Mal, but in person. He couldn’t wait to see the look on his face and Kell and Gunnar’s faces. Nick just knew their reaction would be priceless.
Fiona and Cathy looked at each other and hooted laughter. They shared a high five then turned their attention to Jennifer. “Welcome to the club, sista-friend.” Fiona exclaimed followed by an evil snicker.
“At least ours aren’t old enough to date yet, Fee.” Cathy made a face. “Sucks for her.”
Fiona commiserated. “Truth.” She and Cathy tapped fists.
“Huh? What club?” Jennifer’s eyes bounced from Fiona to Cathy. She must have seen something in the way they looked at Shane and Chris because Jennifer’s gaze shifted to them. She narrowed her eyes and studied the two young men who only had eyes for Lada. Nick saw the minute Jennifer finally figured out what was happening. She shook her head. “No. Uh-uh.”
“Yep,” Fiona responded with a broad smile. Nick thought she might be enjoying herself a bit too much.
“Mom? What’s going on?” Lada
asked with a frown. Clearly clueless that she’d just met her mates. How she missed the fact that they were practically drooling over her, he’d never know. It was endearing how innocent she was about certain aspects of life, yet so worldly about others. “Mom, why do you look like you’re about to toss your cookies? Do I need to go get the Dads?”
Jennifer shook her head. Her mouth moved but no sounds or words came out.
Shane stepped forward with an outstretched hand. “I’m Shane Marks.” He raised his and Chris’s linked hands. “This is my mate Chris Fonteneau. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. We’ve waited a long time.” Both men wore awed, blissful expressions as they gazed at their future mate. Tears filled Nick’s eyes at the beauty of the moment.
“Lada Alvarado.” Lada held out her hand to shake his gasping when Shane hand clasped hers. Nick never understood the term, “stars in her eyes” until that moment. Lada peered up at her mates with soft, moony eyes and sighed.
The insta-love connection on Lada’s part surprised him. Nick fell instantly in love with his beautiful Malcolm the moment he laid eyes on him, but they were both shifters. It never occurred to him it would be the same for humans. Perhaps it should have, but mixed species matings weren’t allowed in his old pack. So, until now, Nick had never witnessed that initial contact between a shifter and human mates.
Chris playfully pushed Shane out of the way and took Lada’s hand in his before kissing the back of it. “Nice to meet you, Lada. You look stunning.”
“Thank you.” She beamed at him. “Nice to meet you, too.” Lada regarded Shane and Chris with a contemplative eye. “What did you mean when you said you’ve waited a long time to meet me? Did Emma Grace mention me or something?”
“No, little bit.” The endearment earned him an eye roll from Lada. Chris chuckled. “We will talk to her about holding out on us though.” Chris turned to Shane. They stared at each other for a few moments then Chris nodded.
Shane offered Lada a nervous smile. He cleared his throat and said, “We, Chris and I, have searched for you―our third―for a long time. Lada, we are your mates.”
