by Julia Talbot
“I do too.”
Sebastian’s words made Alan’s cheeks redden.
Jaxon bit back a grin. “Okay. So, we have a meeting with Ms. Hallie tomorrow. Well, Sebastian does. I’ll be there as his personal assistant. If we’re right and this is her son, even if she’s not involved, this will flush him out.”
“I’m coming with you,” Alan growled.
“I am too.” The Elk Nation was heard from.
“Everyone calm down.” Des said it before Jaxon could. “We have to do this strategically. He’s gonna be worried but suspicious. Maybe reckless if he knows he’s been fingered.”
Jaxon gave Des a thumbs-up. Good man.
“I’m not letting Sebastian be taken again, Des.”
Jaxon stared at Alan. “None of us will, but he’s right. We can’t go rushing in there like—well, a pack of wolves.”
“Fine. You go in with Seb. You’re both wired, Jaxon is armed.” Alan was pure Alpha, to the bone.
Des pursed his lips. “Alan and Tyrone can man the wire. I’ll be somewhere physically close. He’s never seen me.”
“Do you think they’ll let us near her if Jaxon’s armed?” Sebastian asked.
“I guarantee her people will be too.” Des sounded pretty sure.
“I’m pretty good at concealed,” Jaxon assured them.
“He’s my bodyguard. I’ve been kidnapped. It’s reasonable.”
“Exactly.”
Tyrone shrugged. “I’m down.”
“So you’re going to ask her if she has Ron’s baby?” Jaxon asked. They needed a plan beyond “go in and bluster.”
“I am. I mean, we’ll see who she shows up with, but I figure it’s best to be direct. That way we can try to read her reactions.” Sebastian shook his head. “She’s a professional. I’m a professional. We’ll just see her reaction to Ron’s name.”
“Okay. We have a plan. Mostly.” Jaxon moved back to the board. “This is the restaurant. You know it, babe?”
“I do. I had many birthday dinners there.”
“Okay. So how many exits? Just the two on the plans?” He’d dug deep on this place, so he had all sorts of documents, including the elevations and Google maps, but eyewitness information was always better.
“I only used the front door. I was a pup. I remember the spaghetti.” Sebastian grinned at him, the look lopsided and goofy for a second. “Before Ron got attacked, I wasn’t security boy.”
“Okay. Des? Have you been there as security?”
“I have.” Des strode to the board. “There’s another exit here. It used to be a storage area, but they made it into a takeout pickup to keep the hostess stand looking classy.”
“Excellent. Would you imagine she’ll have people posted there?” Because that’s what Jaxon would do. Hell, it’s what he intended to do.
“She’ll have someone. I would bet someone who works there.” Des shrugged. “She chose it. Right?”
“Yeah. Where will you be?”
“Somewhere by the loading entrance out back. No one will strike at the takeout entrance. Too many people.”
“The danger is going to come when we’re coming and going. These guys like to crash cars.” Jaxon rolled his eyes.
“Right. Tyrone will have to be ready, but we need a backup vehicle.” Sebastian looked at Ty.
“I know a guy here in Ron’s pack who owes me,” Ty said.
“They don’t have to owe anyone. I’m putting my ass out for the pack; the pack can cover said ass.” Growly Sebastian also made him hot.
“Well, duh.” Ty rolled his eyes. “Still, he won’t ask.”
“Good point. The less baloney, the better.”
“Exactly.” A timer chimed, and Jaxon sighed. “Dinner.”
“This doesn’t have to be complicated, does it?” Sebastian asked.
“What?” Jaxon blinked, trying to figure out what Sebastian meant.
“It’s reasonable, right? I’m a fabric designer; she’s a clothing designer. Why wouldn’t we meet?”
“Oh! I thought you meant dinner.” He grinned. “No, it’s totally reasonable.”
“Yeah, yeah. Supper is just food and a lot of bullshit joking.”
“I can do that. We ought to head out.”
Tyrone stood and stretched. “We got a plan.”
“For what it’s worth, we do.” Sebastian’s grin was pure wolf.
“Then let’s go get some food! You better hope cook made something vegetarian.” Tyrone gave him a smile right back.
“Have we ever let you starve, man?”
“Never. Not once.” Tyrone leaned against Jaxon, just really quick. “You should have seen how brave I was, the first time I spent the night here.”
“Were you all scared you were on the buffet?”
“No, I knew Seb wouldn’t let that happen, but I thought there might be biting.”
“Ouch.” He lowered his voice. “I like the biting.”
Ty hooted, and Sebastian gave him a narrow stare.
“You would. I like the buxom ladies.”
“I bet.”
“Okay, can you two quit bonding? I’m hungry.”
Des clapped Sebastian on the back. “One of them eats mice and bugs. The other one eats grass. They don’t get it.”
“I’ve seen Jaxon eat a burger like a champ.”
Jaxon flexed. “I can even hunt a steak. Come on, guys.” He led the way out of the room.
The wolves followed him, and it wasn’t the most easy feeling ever. He stopped in the hall, stepping aside.
“I have no idea where I’m going,” Jaxon admitted.
“I’ll show you. I can’t wait to introduce you to my family.” Sebastian took his hand, bringing him back up to Sebastian’s side.
“Yeah?” Those words made him feel like a million bucks.
“Yep. They’re all crazy. Right, Alan?”
“All but me. I’m sane as anything.”
“I knew that about you.” Jaxon chuckled, because Des snorted.
“That’s it. Even the foxes have heard about the sanity of Alan.”
“Lord.” Sebastian squeezed his hand. “Ready?”
“Bring it on.” He needed the pack to understand that he was here to stay.
They opened the door to the dining room, where maybe two dozen wolves milled around.
Sebastian stepped forward. “I want to introduce you to my mate, Jaxon.”
All heads turned, every man and woman in the room staring. Hello.
No nerves. I have your back.
I know you do. Jaxon squared his shoulders. “Thanks for inviting me to supper.”
“Anytime.” Terese, the acting Alpha female, stalked up to Jaxon and held out one hand.
Her grip felt like iron, and he didn’t try to outmetal her. He just shook her hand.
“He’s lovely, Sebastian. Are you well?”
“I don’t suggest getting kidnapped, Terese.”
“No.” She stepped close to Sebastian, lifting a hand to his cheek. “You’re still bruised. Bastards.” Then she turned to Jaxon, peering at him. “And I hear you rode to the rescue. That’s perfect.”
“Yes, ma’am. With Alan and Tyrone. Good men in a crisis.”
“They are. We tend to draw good men around here.” She leaned in and brushed their cheeks together.
Aw. She was sharing scent. She could find him anywhere now, and Jaxon chose to believe that was a good thing.
He could feel Sebastian’s approval, pleasure.
The rest of the introductions flew by, and he knew he would never remember all these names. Not that it mattered. Sebastian would get to go home. He had to believe that.
Their house. Their bed. Jaxon really thought of it that way now.
Our home. Our bed. Our den.
He nodded, drawing a few stares. Jaxon just smiled at them.
Terese beamed at him, obviously pleased. That was good, to have her on their side. Not that Ron had been ugly, not at all.
&nbs
p; In fact, the Alpha hadn’t challenged him at all.
They all sat, Jaxon ending up between Sebastian and Tyrone. Des and Alan flanked Terese. The food was meat heavy, but someone was ready for Ty, because he got salad and bread and beans.
Ron had come in a little late, but he was smiling, chatting with Sebastian, clearly pleased to have him there.
This was the first Jaxon had seen Ron with his pack, happy, easy in his skin. Hell, even Sebastian was calm, laughing and joking. This was family time, not part of the job.
Every so often Sebastian would touch him, unconsciously reaching for him.
Jaxon loved that. His cheeks heated with pleasure every time. This was better than he’d dreamed. To hear Sebastian introduce him as his mate… God.
A rush of warmth filled him, Sebastian’s presence right there.
Sebastian smiled at him, hand catching his.
Thank you.
Mate. Sebastian passed him some luscious beef stew.
His nose twitched, and he drooled discreetly. Uhn.
“It’s good. This is one of my favorite stews.”
“Smells amazing.” He took a good-size bowl.
Not as good as yours.
Hush. He had to laugh, though, for sheer joy.
Truth. I swear.
Love you. He did. His whole heart felt full for the first time since he’d lost so much of his family.
Good. Oh, wasn’t that a satisfied thought?
He laughed again, and this time a couple of wolves smiled along. Their joy was infectious. This was a true family, something he’d not expected somehow.
Tyrone cracked up at something Des said, his big laugh braying out. Sebastian chuckled softly, and Ron began to snort.
God, he was loving this. He just hoped it wasn’t all a pipe dream. He had a bad track record.
Nonsense. You’re mine.
I am. All of me. I never thought I would have a mate. It hadn’t hurt, because he’d had no idea how amazing it was.
Now he had a wolf of his own, talented and powerful and wanton. He couldn’t believe his good luck.
Sebastian vocalized softly, waves of happiness passing between them.
“You two are basking. I kinda want to kick you.” Alan raised an eyebrow for him.
“You can try it.” Sebastian shot Alan a grin.
“I will when you least expect it.”
The guys stared at each other, then began to laugh together, the sound just a little wild.
Jaxon rolled his eyes, but Ron watched Sebastian, looking so happy. Yeah, it was good to see him safe.
He was going to have to help Ron understand that Sebastian didn’t need to be Alpha. In fact, he was going to have to make a plan pretty soon. Once they found and eliminated the threat, Sebastian needed to go back to being a happy designer. Jaxon wanted his job back—cooking and protecting and loving his artist.
Your job? The words were teasing in his mind. You mean your calling.
You think so?
I do. You can’t be fired from being a mate.
Oh. I like it. So his job could be something else. His official title could be “house husband” or something. He would take it.
Hell, he’d be professional security; he didn’t care.
“Damn, that’s good stew.”
Terese laughed at Ron. “And there’s salted caramel mousse pie for dessert.”
“Mmm… caramel.”
Okay, so wolves liked caramel. All of them. To a man or woman, they were oohing and aahing. He would have to remember that.
Jaxon tended to like berry desserts, but he’d take it.
He had to wonder what they’d all do with a peanut butter dessert. Howl and lick their plates?
Not funny.
Jaxon laughed softly. I think it’s hilarious.
I love peanut butter pie. Love it.
I’ll make one when we get home. Jaxon had two recipes: one icebox pie and one baked.
Swear it?
I promise. I won’t even let Alan share.
Sebastian grinned, and that earned him another elbow from Alan.
“You boys behave,” Ty murmured.
“Why?” Alan waved his hands. “It’s not like they’ll refuse us dessert.”
Ron laughed, shook his head. “I never thought you’d mate after all this time.”
“I didn’t either.” Sebastian said it matter-of-factly, which made Jaxon sad, but not enough he wasn’t glad he was the mate. “But it happened and I’m grateful.”
“So am I.” He saw a few eye rolls, but there were just as many smiles.
“Do you have family that we need to meet?” Terese asked.
Jaxon tried not to get all tense. “I have a few friends who double as family. Gunnar and Suzie.”
“We know Gunnar. He’s got quite the reputation with the Marcons.”
“Yeah? I know he went to help Jack out, but the whole sitch was classified.” Jaxon waved a hand. “He’s a good guy.”
“He is. You get along with wolves. I appreciate that.” Ron winked. “Possibly not as much as Sebastian does.”
“All foxes wish they were wolves at some point. I was thirteen when I went through that phase, and insufferable.” Jaxon smiled at Ron, who he knew had to be a little disappointed Sebastian wasn’t going to be producing pups but was being super dear.
“Well, Sebastian and Alan hung with the elk…,” Ron said.
Everyone cracked up when Tyrone made a bugling sound.
This was a good pack. Really good.
Whatever the issue was, they’d figure it out and let them get back to normal.
Sebastian took his hand, the smile he gave Jaxon speaking volumes about the new normal they were going to make.
Hopefully it would be normal with orgasms.
Lots and lots.
Stop it, foxy. You’ll get me all excited.
Are you feeling well enough to get it on tonight? Explore our orgasm options?
I’ll show you how much better I’m feeling for sure.
Jaxon was getting addicted to that grin. So much so that he was starting to wonder how soon they could slip away.
There would be dessert and coffee and conversation. That could take hours.
“Uncle, would it be all right if we took dessert back to our room? I’m starting to wear down.” Sebastian was such a devious man.
Ron’s eyebrow lifted, but Terese chuckled. “Of course. We’ll expect you for breakfast.”
“Thank you, lady. Ron.” Sebastian stood, moving to each Alpha in turn to kiss cheeks.
“So good to have you here for a bit, Seb. Honestly.” Terese had a beautiful smile.
“It’s good to be here. I’ll see you at breakfast.” Sebastian held out a hand to Jaxon.
Rising, he smiled at Terese before taking Sebastian’s hand. “Thank you for being so kind.” He looked at Ron as well. “Both of you.”
“We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Night.” Sebastian tugged him out of the room, only to be met by a server with a dome. “Shall I carry for you, Mr. Sebastian?”
“I can take it,” Jaxon said. “Is there coffee?”
Two cups were handed over to Sebastian. “Yes, sir.”
“Thank you so much.” Jaxon smiled at the guy. “What’s your name?”
“Lance.”
“Nice to meet you, Lance.”
“How’s Susannah?” Sebastian asked the guy.
“Having our second little one. Can you believe it?”
“Dude! Congratulations!” Sebastian shifted both coffees to one arm to shake hands with Lance. “Good deal!”
“Thanks. If you need anything, just call the kitchen, huh?” Lance flipped them a wave before heading off.
“How cool is that? We grew up together.”
“Did you?” Jaxon thought that was the weirdest part of wolf culture. They all lived and worked together, and no one really resented their role.
“We did. He’s a dear man. Gentle.”
“He seems sweet.” He took Sebastian’s hand.
“He is. You’re not. You’re wicked and wonderful.”
“I am.” Jaxon nodded happily. He wanted to be very naughty, and soon.
Soon. I need you. Sebastian had been worried. Jaxon knew he needed touch.
Jaxon needed that as well. His mate had been locked away from him by the drugs, and it had been terrifying. He needed connection, needed to feel Sebastian all around him.
They found their room, slipping inside to wrap around each other. Jaxon offered his mouth, needing a kiss.
“Mate.” The single word rocked him, filled him up.
“My mate.” He wrapped his arms around Sebastian’s neck.
“Yes.” Sebastian drew him close, hugging him with a deep moan.
The kiss Sebastian gave him nearly burned him to the ground. He was on fire, ready to take what he needed.
Sebastian grabbed his ass, fingertips digging in.
“Take me to bed, babe,” Jaxon murmured against Sebastian’s mouth.
“You got it. Kiss me again.”
He kissed that mouth with everything he had, putting all his need into the contact.
Sebastian sat on the bed, drawing him onto Sebastian’s lap.
All he had to do was straddle those long thighs and sink his hands into Sebastian’s hair. Goddess, those long, silky strands tangled around his fingers and made him moan.
“More.” Sebastian grinned up at him, pure deviltry in those eyes.
“Pushy bastard.” Jaxon bent to nip Sebastian’s lower lip.
“Uh-huh. I like it.”
“You do, huh?” He tugged a handful of hair, just teasing.
“Uh-huh.” Sebastian arched for him and tugged his shirt from his waistband.
Jaxon held his arms out to let the shirt slide off. The feel of Sebastian’s lips on his chest made him shudder with pleasure.
“Mine,” Sebastian whispered. “My fox.”
“And you’re mine.” Not Ron’s and not some demented cat’s. His. And he fully intended to keep Sebastian.
Preferably forever.
Chapter Fifteen
SEBASTIAN DRESSED like he was going to battle—bulletproof vest under his tasteful yet vaguely dramatic turtleneck, wiretap carefully hidden. He was wide enough in the shoulders that the look worked for him, even if Tyrone broke into thigh-slapping laughter after one glance at him.
