by JJ King
“Your hair,” Quinn murmured when she licked her tongue down the length of his neck, making him shudder and pull her even closer.
“Fuck my hair,” Katherine growled, pushing the straps of her dress off her shoulders. It fell in a puddle around her waist, stuck there by the zipper that fit the dress over her hips.
Quinn’s eyes went dark with lust and his hands immediately covered her breasts, kneading them while his lips covered every inch of her collarbone. Katherine closed her eyes and arched into his seeking mouth throwing her head back to present her breasts. She needed his mouth on her sensitive nipples right now.
Katherine’s skin felt as though it could spark with electricity at any moment. Quinn’s mouth and hands stroked her, licking flames over her entire body. She cried out when his teeth grazed over her peaks, tugging viciously at her while his hands explored every inch of her uncovered skin, until her mind threatened to explode with pleasure.
She needed to touch him, stroke him, feel the velvety softness over his hardness. Katherine pulled at his belt, whipping it free of his pants before attacking the button and zipper keeping him from her anxious hands. She moaned as he spilled free, so hard for her, so ready.
Desperation drowned out reason. Katherine palmed her husband, stroking him, teasing him as she grinned evilly, wanting nothing more than to drive him mad.
It worked. Quinn groaned and grabbed her, whipping her back around so he stood at her back. Katherine laughed as he grabbed the skirt of her elegant dress, flipped it up over her back, and bent her over the nearest chair.
He filled her, plunging inside her so completely, stretching her so perfectly, that Katherine barely managed to keep her feet under her. She held onto the chair as Quinn thrust over and over, driving her closer to release with every stroke. It was wild and fast, hard and heady, and Katherine loved it.
She bucked back, grinding against him as he grasped her hips and took her. Colors began to swim behind her closed lids, stretching toward that illusive something, searching for release. Quinn reached around and closed his fingers over one of her nipples, pinching hard enough to make her cry out in pain.
Katherine screamed as she came and heard Quinn’s shout of release a moment later. He slumped over her spent body, breathing wildly and stroking her side as she recovered from their intense quickie.
When Katherine had regained enough of her breath to speak, she lifted her head and looked over her shoulder at Quinn, “Well,” she sucked in another lungful, “that was fun.”
Quinn chuckled and stumbled to his feet, looking utterly sexed. Katherine bit her lower lip and assessed the damage to his suit. “I think you’ll be fine, but I’m not so sure about me.” She pulled the straps of her gown back up, settling them onto her shoulders and turned to see what could be done.
Katherine’s first thought was that she looked radiant. Her face glowed with life and love and her hair, so meticulously done had been mussed enough to make it look purposeful. She looked like a Victoria’s Secret model without the angel wings and the big breasts. “Meh, I’m good.” She touched up her lipgloss and dusted her face with powder, then turned back to see Quinn come out of the bathroom, looking as pristine as he had before they’d had their impromptu romp.
He held out an arm, like a perfect gentleman, “Shall we?”
Katherine grinned. He might look like a gentleman, but she could still see the beast within. Her beast. She grabbed her clutch purse and crossed to take his elbow, “After you Mr. Deschains.”
♀♀♀
Rose stared at the array of different sized forks on the table before her and fought off panic. Suck it up, she chastised herself as her eyes grew misty, this is just supper. But it was more than just a simple meal, she was surrounded by Liam’s family, Katherine’s family, every bloody Alpha family in the world. The ballroom, which is the only word she could use to describe where they were eating, was huge and filled to the corners with the most important people in her world, all of whom were anxious and excited, some still in disbelief that the Geliget were actually real. The sheer amount of power present in the room was intimidating, especially since she was now a part of this world.
They’d be watching her, Rose knew. And if they weren’t watching her at this very moment, they would be as soon as word leaked out about who she was and how she’d been born. She’d be under a microscope then. The thought of it made her stomach churn.
Liam’s steady hand covered hers where it lay hidden beneath the table on her skirt, bunching the material. She glanced down and saw the wrinkles she’d unconsciously put in her gown and a fresh wave of mortification sucked her under.
“Rose, mo chroí,” Liam leaned into her and whispered so only she could hear, “have I told you how radiant you look tonight?”
Rose flushed. She was getting used to him using Gaelic around her and knew mo chroí meant “my love.” It made her a little weak still to hear him speak to her like that. She smoothed the wrinkled material and raised her eyes to look into his piercing blue eyes. “You may have said it once or twice,” she smiled, remembering how he’d taken one look at her in the dress and had promptly taken it right off again.
She wished their life together was all like their time spent in the bedroom, or the bathroom as they’d done last night. There, with him, she felt powerful, confident in herself even though she was so new to loving. Here, though, she was as insecure as a teenager, all gangly limbs and pimples. At least that’s what she felt like.
Liam’s mouth pressed even closer, “Tá loinnir na gréine i do shúil,” he purred the words and she felt her core turn to molten lava, “Is tú mo ghrá.”
Rose closed her eyes, focused on the words she’d been secretly practicing and whispered back, “Tá grá agam duitse freisin.”
Liam’s delight was instant. He pulled back and beamed at her, looking so proud Rose wondered if she were actually glowing. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the mouth, a mere promise of more, then put his arm over her shoulder and pulled her into his side.
He’s good, Rose realized a moment later, smiling to herself. He’d known her fears and had distracted her long enough to let them slide away. She gazed up at him and her heart filled with thanks and love.
She was about to say as much when a very old woman and a middle-aged man who looked to be related to her walked together to a podium and the room went silent. There was an air of importance about them both and Rose knew they would speak for the Geliget.
“Welcome,” the man began, his voice ringing out clearly throughout the room. All eyes focused in on him as everyone waited with baited breath to discover the mystery of their summons. “My name is Jeremiah Racean and this is my mother, Ida Racean.” He smiled down at this mother, “We would like to thank you all for coming today, we know it was short notice and a bit of a shock.” He paused dramatically, then said with a grin, “we are real!”
Rose nearly spit the water she’d just take a sip of out onto the table. She managed to swallow but the coughing fit that overtook her was embarrassing. Or, it would have been, if the room hadn’t been filled with nervous laughter at just that moment.
The old woman shook her head but her eyes danced with laughter at her son’s attempt at humor. She bumped him gently and stepped up onto a stool, so that she could reach the microphone. Once there, she smiled at the room and took a deep breath, “As my son so eloquently said, we are pleased to have you all here, finally. It has been unbelievably difficult to stay away over the years, especially when the packs were young and needed guidance, but we did because we believed in you, in your ancestors and all those who worked to make your world as it is today.” She waited while everyone clapped.
Rose’s stomach fluttered. She knew what was coming, where this lovely little speech was leading, and the potential for panic and infighting that would come from it. The only thing that would hold back a full-scale meltdown at this point, was the fact that the news was being delivered by what were essentially magical u
nicorns. The Geliget were their ace in the hand.
“I am the oldest of our people, so my sight is long and true,” she scanned the room, stopping at Jacob’s table. Rose glanced over and saw Daphne smile and nod at the woman, then lean into Keme. She wondered what that was about.
Ida continued once the room grew quiet again, “We believed so much that we lost sight of the problems inherent in your world, choosing to wait for your evolution to complete naturally, as ours had.” Eyebrows raised around the room and quiet whispers filled the hushed space.
“And we didn’t see the corruption that can come about when power is given absolutely, which is why we’re all here today.” The whispers grew louder, more insistent. Ida waited for them to cease again.
“Your world has been run by the politics of the few, a Council of Alphas who have overseen the development and leadership of your world. You placed your trust and confidence in those men and lived your lives as if their word was law.” Ida frowned deeply now. “You accepted rules that refused your daughters and wives the right to rule and pitted your sons against one another in competition because the Council decreed it so.”
“Where is the Council?” Rose heard one Alpha shout out, then look affronted when his wife glared at him and told him to hush.
Ida motioned for her son to take over and Rose couldn’t help but wonder if it was because she was a woman. From what she’d learned about the Geliget, they’d long ago moved past the gender rules that still held her people captive. Her people were still very much mired in that crap, though, so hearing about the Council from a woman, no matter her position within the Geliget, might diminish the authority of the announcement. Rose could see that Ida was intelligent enough to surmise this on her own and humble enough to want what was best for wolfkind.
Jeremiah stepped to the mic and leveled his eyes at the crowd, patiently waiting them out. Power buzzed everywhere around her, wafting off the Alphas like a bad cologne. Rose glanced over at Daphne and saw that she was facing Dalia now, squeezing her hands tightly. Dalia was stiff and anxious, her jaw incredibly tight, but otherwise alright from what Rose could see.
“The Alpha Council has been dissolved,” Jeremiah announced, holding his hands up before the commotion could begin. The humor that had graced his face when this had begun was gone now, replaced by stony strength. “Evidence came to light that the Council, led by Alpha Malachi, knowingly ordered the genocide of the North American wolves prior to the expansion of the packs into that territory. The native wolves were unwilling to comply with pack rule, choosing instead to continue living as their ancestors had, and the Council was unwilling to let that happen.” Jeremiah’s voice rang out over the disbelieving gasps, “The proof in unassailable, the Council had entire villages of wolves murdered and those who survived did so by hiding and staying hidden until Jacob Littlefoot united them and revealed the North American aboriginal packs.” He waved a hand toward Jacob’s table.
The entire room turned to look at Jacob and all Rose could think was, thank the fuck I’m not at that table. Liam must have read her mind or sensed her relief because he chuckled and bumped her shoulder with his.
“We are here to create a new future for wolfkind,” Jeremiah said almost quietly, forcing the masses to quiet to hear him. “Consider this a new conclave, one in which all wolves have a say, including women. Now,” he continued, not giving anyone time to react, “let’s eat and talk, but be mindful of where you are,” Jeremiah’s voice radiated with power now, sending chills down Rose’s back, “and whom you are among.”
He stepped away from the podium and escorted his mother back to a table filled with whom she assumed were Guardians. Goosebumps sprouted along her bare arms, making her shiver. It was amazing, she’d been present the moment their world had disintegrated and now she’d be present for its rebirth. Ignoring the mix of excited, angry, and nervous chatter in the room, Rose picked up her fork and joyfully speared a head of asparagus, which tasted, when she bit the tip off, like Heaven.
Chapter Twenty-six
Katherine held Eve in her arms and smiled as her daughter buried her sweet face in her hair. “She’s being shy,” Katherine stroked her hand over Eve’s head and whispered to her that these people were family, that there was nothing to be afraid of. Whatever she said worked, because a moment later she was holding a squirming ball of fur with bright excited eyes. She laughed and lowered her daughter to the floor. “Have fun and be good,” she nodded to Eve’s nanny who grinned and took off after the rambunctious young wolf as she set off to explore the room and its inhabitants.
They were gathered in a large family room, filled with couches and games, a huge tv screen and everything that could possibly make for a good time, for an adult, Katherine realized. Her eyes trailed after her daughter as she bounded between legs and under chairs, leaving smiling faces and true joy everywhere she went. The magnitude of Eve’s existence hit Katherine. Her daughter was the first in Geliget born in over two thousand years. She was a miracle.
Everyone else thought so too, it was easy to see, and Eve thrilled in the attention she was getting from Quinn’s family.
“She’s like a burst of sunshine, isn’t she,” an older man sidled up next to Katherine to watch Eve, who was chewing on the leg of a wing chair. Katherine turned to respond to the man and froze, recognizing his features instantly. Her cheeks lifted in honest delight as she finally met Quinn’s father. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Katherine.” Jonah Deschains extended a hand and a welcoming smile.
Katherine laughed, “Not a chance,” she said, dismissing Jonah’s hand. She stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tight. After a moment, his arms tightened and Katherine felt him squeeze her back. She let go and looked up at the handsome man, “We’re family,” she said simply. “Families hug.”
Jonah chuckled, “I can see why my son loves you so much.” He motioned for someone to join them and a second later Katherine heard a squeal of delight. Selina Deschains rushed forward with an armful of Eve and a grin that lit up the room. “Look who I found!” Eve wiggled in bliss and covered her grandmother’s face in kisses. Still Selina pulled Katherine into her arms, holding her warmly.
“I thought you weren’t going to be back until tomorrow,” Katherine grinned, so happy to finally meet her in-laws in person. She scanned the room, looking for Quinn, but didn’t see him anywhere. “Does Quinn know you’re back early?”
“No,” Selina grinned cheekily, “we decided to surprise him, and you,” she kissed Eve right on the nose, “and this little bundle of love.” Eve yipped and wiggled so hard Selina could barely hold onto her. “And we wanted to meet the rest of your family.”
Katherine checked the room for her mother and didn’t see her either. Curious now, she chewed on her lip and wondered what the two of them were up to. She caught sight of her husband’s familiar shock of hair a second later as he strode into the room, her mother on one arm and Ida on the other. “Speak of the handsome devil…” she pointed her chin across the room.
Selina passed Eve to her husband and raced across the room like a streak of lightning, while Katherine followed more sedately with Jonah and an excited Eve. The reunion was sweet and greatly informative. Seeing Quinn side-by-side with Jonah was enlightening, since they resembled each other so much. She’d seen pictures of her husband’s family, but seeing what Quinn would turn into in person made her heart race a little. He’d be so distinguished with silver streaks, she treasured the thought.
They embraced like manly men, standing stiffly for a long moment before relaxing into the hug and slapping each other’s back. “I missed you, Dad,” she heard Quinn murmur to his father.
“Come here little one,” Ida reached up to pluck Eve from her grandfather’s arms. She snuggled the tiny pup under her chin, brushing her wrinkled hands over Eve’s thick fur. Almost instantly, the little girl quieted, blinking slowly and repeatedly until she yawned and fell asleep on Ida’s chest. Kath
erine’s heart squeezed at the sight. “I’ve missed this terribly,” Ida whispered, pressing a kiss to Eve’s fur.
Still holding the baby, Ida made her way to a round sitting area and settled into an elegant looking wing chair that, Katherine noticed now, no one else had sat in since they’d entered the room.
Without her having to say a single word, Ida’s presence calmed the room and, as if by unspoken command, everyone found a seat or stood facing Ida, waiting silently for her to speak. Katherine took her mother’s arm and followed Quinn and his parents over.
“What’s this about?” Anthony asked, quietly coming up on their rear with his two brothers.
“Not sure,” Katherine whispered, covering her lips with her forefinger.
“Today is a wonderful day,” Ida began, her voice low as she rocked softly in her chair. “The hard news of last night has been delivered and there are many discussions to be had, but right now,” she laid another kiss on Eve, “right here, we are a family reunited. We are a family with hope.”