He realized neither had touched their food at the meeting, as both stood silently in his home. “Are you hungry?”
“A little. That food did look good.”
He softly growled. “I’m sorry. I just took you out of there without thinking about that.”
“We could go downstairs to eat in the cafeteria.”
“The others will want to ask you more questions about human females and sit at our table with us. You were too nice to them before. We won’t have the opportunity to talk alone if we go down there.”
That had Mel laughing, and he liked seeing that she could after the meeting they’d had. He wasn’t feeling as generous. The male who’d attacked Mel was with the humans. He wanted that male sent to Fuller Prison but he couldn’t fault Justice for the tough decision he’d made. They got to keep the two males who’d attempted to kill Species. They were a deadly threat if they were ever freed. That wouldn’t happen.
“I have cereal,” he offered.
“That works.”
He rushed into the kitchen and prepared two bowls. They took seats next to each other on the floor, using the coffee table in his living room as a surface to eat. “What are you thinking, Mel? Please share with me.” He wanted to plead with her to stay with him instead of returning to her parents. Part of his education once he’d been freed included learning maps of the United States. Indiana was far from California.
“I’m not returning to Indiana.”
He felt immense relief at hearing her say that. “Good.”
“It’s not just because I don’t want to live with my mama.” She held his gaze. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“I don’t want to lose you, either,” he admitted. “I want you to stay with me. You belong here. We can get married like humans do. Other Species have legally wed their human mates. We’ll also sign mate papers. It will officially make you Species.” He tensed, prepared for her to argue with him.
She put down her spoon and stared at him.
He reached out and took her hand, forgetting his own food. “I know you want more time…but I’d like for you to think about it. I swear I’ll give you a great life, Mel. Tell me what to say or do to convince you.”
“You are so sweet, Snow.” A smile played at her lips. “I missed you when you took me home after the first night we spent together. All I wanted to do was come back here to be with you. Then that jerk was waiting at my place, and we got to spend another night together after you picked me up from the station. You even went along with my bait plan when I know you didn’t want me to be in danger. You understood how important it was to me to try to get him in case he wanted to go after Mary next. You had my back.”
“I always will.”
“I believe that. It’s why I’m saying yes.”
He felt stunned but fearful that he might be misunderstanding her.
“Yes,” she repeated. “It might be crazy to jump into this so fast but I know you’ll catch me. I’ve fallen in love with you, and I already can’t imagine my life without you anymore. I don’t even want to.”
“You’ll be my mate?”
“Yes, Snow. I’d like to get legally hitched, too, if that’s okay.”
“I will marry you,” he swore, grinning. “You’re my heart, Mel. You have all my love. Forever.”
“I figured that when you asked me to mate you. You’re a pretty serious guy.”
He pushed the coffee table back and grabbed her, putting her on his lap. “You’ve made me very happy.”
“You make me happy, too.”
He held her tight, inhaling her scent. “I’ll have mate papers drawn up today and ask the NSO to arrange for our wedding. I want to do it right away.”
“Okay. I don’t want anything fancy. Can we sign these papers and do a wedding in a few days? I would really like Mary to be there, and I need to call my folks. I’m not sure if they can come, but they’d be upset if I didn’t invite them anyway.”
“Anything you want.” He chuckled. “I’ll make it happen. We can fly your parents here. Don’t worry about money.”
“You’re the best, Snow.”
“I just want you to be happy.”
“I am.” She cuddled into him.
Chapter Fourteen
Mel was nervous as she stood in front of a black SUV watching the road. Snow and a few other New Species were sitting inside the vehicle, where she’d asked them to stay. The windows were all down, though, so they could talk while they waited, and there was a tall wall about a hundred feet behind her. Two uniformed New Species stood on top of it, guarding the area. Others were out of sight.
Snow hadn’t been happy to leave Reservation but they weren’t technically off NSO lands. Mel had insisted that they go outside the walls. It made it easier for her best friend to meet her if she didn’t have to go through security and be patted down.
“I see a vehicle coming,” one of the Species on the wall shouted.
Mel spotted Mary’s car. “It’s her,” she called out. “Just stay in the SUV.”
Mary parked on the side of the road and got out of her car. She looked nervous, glancing at the SUV and up at the wall.
“It’s okay,” Mel told her. She walked forward but a low growl, probably Snow, brought her to halt. He had warned her to stay close to the SUV. “It’s all about compromise,” she muttered to herself, waving Mary to come closer. “I am so proud of you for driving this close to Reservation. Get over here.”
Mary kept her car keys in hand as she approached. “I missed you.”
Mel hugged her when she got close. “I missed you, too.”
“Why did you make me drive all the way out here instead of coming to my apartment?” Mary relaxed a little but kept shooting worried glances at the SUV and the wall. “We’re being watched by armed people up there,” she whispered.
“I know. The New Species are sure I’m in too much danger going back to town because the reporters know my name and who I am. That’s why I had you meet me here. I didn’t think you’d willingly enter Reservation to see me. They have some strict security measures.”
Mary paled.
“It’s fine. That’s why we’re here.”
“Whose house is that? I swear I just saw someone move one of the curtains.”
Mel glanced to the left. No way was she about to admit there were New Species in that house—and in the woods around it—to protect them in case of trouble. “Brass thought this would be a safe place for us to meet. The house had been empty for a while and the owners agreed to sell it. The NSO bought it but the paperwork hasn’t been filed yet. It’s probably just a breeze from a broken window or something. Ignore all that and look at me instead. You’re safe, Mary. They know you’re afraid of them and will stay back.”
“They probably think I’m an idiot for that.” Mary stepped back, still shooting nervous glances around her.
“They don’t. It’s a phobia. Some people have them. Did Sheriff Cooper talk to you? Did he tell you we caught the jerk who broke into our places and how?”
That snapped her best friend out of her fear and gained her full attention. Anger flashed on her features. “Yes! What were you thinking? You’re nuts for doing that.”
“I wasn’t alone. I knew Snow and his friends would keep me safe. And they did.”
“Sheriff Cooper also told me you did it because you were worried about me, and that you’re the one who came up with the idea.” Tears filled Mary’s eyes. “I’m calling you a crazy hillbilly. You purposely returned to your apartment and lured that asshole into coming after you again! That was insane!”
Mel laughed, not offended at all. “We got him. That’s all that matters. Vermin problem dealt with.”
“You would say that. What’s going on now? Are you going to stay with Snow for a few days?”
“I’m marrying him.”
Mary’s eyes widened.
“I love him, Mary. I know you’re probably going to tell me it’s too fast and we should w
ait, but I don’t want to.” Mel put a hand on her chest. “Snow has my heart. I already signed mate papers before you came. I’m officially a New Species now.”
Mary’s mouth just hung open.
“You’re gonna catch bugs if you don’t seal your lips together,” Mel teased. “You’d hate to swallow a bee or something.”
Mary closed her mouth and swallowed hard. “Mel, this is so fast.”
“I know. But I’m one hundred percent sure.” She patted her chest. “In here. It’s right. He’s my one. I love him more than life. Please say you support me and have my back, Mary.”
Tears filled Mary’s eyes again but she gave a quick nod. “Always. I’m happy for you.”
“Good.” Mel dropped her hand and reached out, taking Mary’s. “That should make the next part easier—I need you to be my bridesmaid in a few days when we have a wedding. The NSO is holding it at Reservation, inside the hotel. They have a minister they use at Homeland that they’re flying in. I’m going to look at dresses online at a store near here. They are willing to ship them overnight to Reservation and to your apartment. I’d like your help picking out my wedding dress and you need a gown too. I just need your sizes once we decide what will work.”
Mary’s mouth dropped open again.
“I know what you’re going to say,” Mel rushed to say. “But I need you! You don’t want me getting married without you there, do you? We’re family. I’ll be all alone if you don’t come.”
“What about your parents?”
Mel felt a little pain over admitting it, and she lowered her voice. “I called Mama to tell her about Snow. She didn’t take it well. I didn’t expect her to, really. You know she wants me to marry Bobby Roy.”
“The old alcoholic neighbor.” Mary scowled.
“Yeah. Him. She ordered me to get my behind home and to stop taking drugs,” she whispered. “She figured I had be on them to say I was going to marry a New Species. Snow is still pretty upset. He has really good hearing, and Mama was yelling at me. She refused to come meet him and threatened to disown me if I was serious. Then she hung up on me when I tried to get her to at least talk to him and be reasonable.”
“Oh, Mel. I’m so damn sorry. Your mother is such a bitch.”
“That’s why we’re best friends.” Mel shrugged. “We’re hoping she’ll call Snow’s phone back once she calms down and has time to think about it. I gave her the time and date of when we’re getting married. The NSO offered to fly Mama and Papa here first class on a fancy airplane. Maybe that’ll tempt them into coming. They’ve never been on a plane before.”
Mary scowled again.
“I know. But don’t burst my bubble of hope. You’ll be at my wedding, won’t you? I need you, Mary.”
Dread flashed in her eyes. “Mel—”
“We both know my folks probably won’t come.” Mel wasn’t above using guilt. “There won’t be many New Species at the wedding. It’s going to be small. Snow promises to keep you safe, and I swear no one will try to bite you.”
Some chuckles sounded from the SUV.
Mary tried to yank her hand free, probably attempting to escape to her car. Mel grabbed her with both hands and dug her heels in to keep her there.
“They aren’t laughing at you. It was my smartass remark about biting. Don’t you go running off on me. I need you, Mary. It’s just a few hours. The minister is human. And look how close you are to New Species and none of them are trying to maul you. They can bring you in through a back gate and hide most of the guards. I’ll meet you there and stay with you every minute you’re at Reservation.”
Indecision flashed in Mary’s eyes. “I want to. I’d do anything for you.”
“You’ve been close to New Species before. Just stare at my back. Remember how we did that at the diner? It’ll be fine. You can walk me down the aisle or whatever we use. I need you!”
“Fuck.”
Mel smiled, seeing Mary’s expression soften, even as she cursed.
“Best friends do scary things for each other. I made myself bait, didn’t I?”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
“Because you didn’t need to. I’ve got your back.”
“Goddamn it,” Mary gritted out, glaring at her. “Fine. If this turns bad, it’s all your fault.”
“None of them are going to hurt you.”
“We won’t,” a male called out from the wall.
“We protect females,” another voice called out, from the woods that time.
Mary jumped, frantically glancing toward the trees. Alarm creased her features.
Mel yanked on her arm to draw her attention. “There’re a couple of them guarding us to keep us safe. See? None of them have hurt you. You’ve been talking to me this whole time with New Species nearby.”
Mary shook her head. “Shit. I know in my head that they wouldn’t do anything to me but I still feel this fear.”
“They’re more human than animal,” Mel whispered. “I’ve told you that. Trust me. I won’t let you panic and flip out. You could totally come to my wedding without it turning into some fiasco everyone will laugh over. Please say yes, Mary.”
“Like at the grocery store with that damn dog that ran at me. I still get shit about that.”
Mel nodded. “I know.”
“I’ll go to your wedding but that’s it. A one-time visit to Reservation. Because your parents are assholes.”
Mel would take it. “Thank you! I knew I could count on you.”
Sadness took over Mary’s expression. “I’m going to miss seeing you all the time.”
Mel frowned. “You will.”
“How? You’re going to live at Reservation. I don’t want to have to go in there to see you. The New Species were attacked at the diner. I doubt they want to let you go have lunch there after that. How am I going to see you if they won’t let you go back to town?”
“Can I answer that?” Snow opened the back door of the SUV and slowly got out, but he didn’t come closer.
Mel kept her tight grip on Mary, though her friend didn’t try to yank free to rush back to her car. She did tremble, and her complexion paled further.
“I had you meet at this location for a reason.” He pointed toward the house. “It’s in very good condition. I was with the team that inspected it before the NSO bought the property. We’re not planning to enclose this area behind our walls for a while, since this road is used by another home with acreage that the NSO doesn’t own. It’s close enough to the wall, though, for us to easily monitor. With a few teams, we can keep you both safe if you want to spend time together there.”
Mel smiled. “You mean we can come here to have picnics and stuff?” She loved that Snow had thought of something she hadn’t. He really was wonderful.
“You can use the house whenever you want. The owners left a lot of furniture behind and the NSO will turn the utilities back on. You two can meet here and spend time together alone.” Snow tore his gaze from her to stare at Mary. “It will be safe as long as this location is kept a secret. You can’t tell anyone when you’re coming to see Mel, or where you’re going. Is that acceptable? The only condition is that Species will patrol while you’re inside the house. I won’t have my mate in danger.”
Mel peered into Mary’s eyes. “That’s very reasonable, right? And we can still hang out together whenever you want.”
Mary appeared relieved. “That sounds perfect.”
Mel released her hand and hugged her. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad we got that worked out.” Snow climbed back into the SUV and closed the door.
“He seems great,” Mary whispered in her ear. “But he better keep me safe when I’m at your wedding. I want that to be part of your damn vows. Make him swear to not let any of his friends maul your best friend.”
Mel chuckled, knowing Mary was joking. “Deal.”
They pulled apart, and Mary glanced at the house. “That’s going to be our new hangout, huh?” Then she fixed Mel
with a look. “You’re getting a phone, instead of just using Snow’s all the time. I want to be able to talk to you often since I won’t be seeing you every day anymore. I take it you’ve quit the diner?”
“Yeah. I called Joel while you were on your way here.”
“Did he yell?”
“Nope. He said Sherriff Cooper had already told him I was in potential danger if I went back to work, so he was pretty good about it. He’ll have someone else work the early shift with you.”
“Not Tina.” Mary scowled. “I refuse to work with that man-stealer.”
Mel laughed. “Not Tina. Joel mentioned one of his nieces wanted more hours. I’m just not sure which one.”
“I can live with that. I like all of his nieces.” Mary’s eyes watered yet again. “I’m going to miss you.”
“You’re going to see me all the time.” Mel waved toward the house. “Right there. You heard Snow. Isn’t this a great surprise?”
“It is.”
“I’ll get my own phone. And do you know what that means?”
“What?”
“You’ll regret asking me to get one. I’ll be calling you all the time. I don’t have a job anymore.”
Mary glanced toward the SUV. “I think your man is going to keep you pretty busy.”
Mel laughed. “Probably, but he still has a job. I can’t be with him twenty-four seven.”
* * * * *
Brass cleared his throat. “It seems to be going well.”
Snow kept his gaze on Mel and Mary as they laughed and talked. Their voices were soft but he could pick up some of their conversation. So could the others in the SUV with him.
He nodded. “I’m glad. I know my mate worried her friend would take the news badly of her decision to stay with me.”
“That female really fears us badly.”
He met Torrent’s gaze. “I’m hoping with time, Mary will grow to trust our kind.” Then he addressed Brass. “Thank you for getting permission to use that house.”
Best Friends (New Species Book 15) Page 17