“It’s been six years.” He walks out of the bathroom. He’s cleaned himself off.
“That’s not healthy. You need to shift. Maybe, later on, we could introduce our furs to each other. Maybe on Sunday after my family leaves.”
“Your family’s coming for a visit?”
“My mother has had this visit scheduled for the longest time. She and my brothers will all be here. I expect you for dinner at my house tonight.” He doesn’t leave room for any argument.
“I’m not sure.” My head goes down again. They won’t like me.
“My family won’t bite, I promise.” He gives me a sly smile, making his eyes crinkle at the sides. “Don’t be afraid of them. They’ll like you.” He’s standing up now in front of me. I wrap the duvet around my body. I feel exposed now that the heat between us has cooled down.
“How many brothers do you have?”
“I have four. I’m the oldest.” He looks at me as if I should say something. When I don’t, he smiles to himself.
“Go get dressed. I’ll take you out for breakfast.” He’s already putting his clothes on from last night. Unfortunately, I have ruined his shirt. He’ll need to go home and change first.
“I should shower first.” My body reeks with lust.
“No! I want everyone to smell us,” he says, a feral look in his eyes.
“We won’t hide this from the wolves. I want them all to know what I am doing with you.” That makes me smile. He doesn’t want to hide me in the closet. He wants everyone to understand I have someone who is interested in me…that I have a male and he’s it.
Chapter 12
Trash/Treasure
Waffles and milkshakes start our day.
This isn’t your greasy breakfast joint. It’s hipster chic…waiters with wiry beards and soft brown hues serve us. Wearing their beanies, tattoos that travel the length of their arms, plugs in ears. Pants that sag slightly in the ass. The background music is indie, playing songs I have never heard of, but the hipsters, they are all humming along to the tunes.
My fork crunches through the top crust of the golden waffle, digging into the soft fleshy middle. I ordered a vanilla fried waffle, with cinnamon and maple-poached apples, topped with coffee whipped cream. I close my eyes slightly with every bite.
The coconut vanilla chai milkshake is so thick I feel like I should use a spoon to eat it instead of trying to suck it through the straw. My cheeks pull in with the effort. Dallas is wide-eyed watching me, a flush creeping on his face, his hands going underneath the table.
“Rya, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” I sip my shake again.
“Have you dated many wolves or humans?” I choke on the thick liquid in my mouth.
“No, Dallas, this is actually my first date. Does this count as a date?”
He smiles at me. “You haven’t been on a date before?”
“No.” I shake my head, not meeting his eyes.
“Really?” He’s surprised.
“Dallas, you were the first male that I have ever kissed.” My confession makes me turn that shade of red I was drinking last night. He stills in his seat, big breath in, and a big breath out.
Kimberly and a few other juvenile females I don’t know sit down just a few tables away. I smile toward them; they are the only other wolves in this human place. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice their heads tilted up, scenting the air. They all look at each other, leaning in, soft whispers. Phones come out, fast fingers spreading the news like wildfire through a forest deep in a drought. They remind me so much of my youth, the cool girls…the untouchables…the ones who could make your high school years miserable or bearable. They have no power over me anymore. I’m a full-grown female, not an impressionable juvenile that just wanted to fit in.
Kimberly holds my eyes, a judgment behind them, as if I am in the wrong, as if they just caught me cheating on my mate. She must feel all puffed up by her friends, who surround her with confidence. I hold those eyes of hers until her confidence fails her, and she looks away with her tail curled under.
Dallas takes my milkshake away, sucking it back using the same straw I just had my lips on. He smiles with his teeth, showcasing them to the females. They get all big eyed, shoulders hunching forward. It’s not a threat; it’s just meant to say, “I see what you’re doing, and I don’t like it.”
Curiously enough, some more pack members start to arrive, gawking at the sight in front of them until more wolves than humans populate the place.
The alpha saunters in with his two betas in tow…big males with scowls on their faces. I see Dallas prickle up slightly. Tense muscles twitch in his jaw, and he leans back in the booth, legs spread wide, with a wickedly sexy smile on his face.
The males approach our tables, mouths open with the breaths they are taking. Quiet settles in, the hushed voices only creating a deeper quiet…like it’s waiting for something to break it.
The three are standing shoulder to shoulder, almost touching. One is Kennedy’s father, the Alpha’s best friend, raised together like brothers. Dallas looks up to all three of them, meeting each of their eyes. I’m holding my breath, waiting for that silence to break.
The Alpha’s fingers tap on the table before he leans in close to Dallas’s ear. “Do you understand what you’re doing?”
“Perfectly.” It’s Dallas’s turn to lean into the Alpha.
“Rya.” His focus is on me now.
“Why don’t we set up a meeting? I think we should have a sit-down and discuss some things that are important to the pack’s future.” His head is turned to the rest of the wolves in the room. It’s as if I have already decided I would meet with him.
“You’re right. I do need to discuss some stuff with you. I applied for a transfer out of this pack, but the Luna won’t allow it. I expect that you can have a talk with her, let her know that it’s my choice that I choose to leave. She might not like my choice, but it’s mine to make.” His hands are off the table now.
“We don’t have a replacement for you.” He just walks away from me. The conversation is shut down. Taking a seat close to the door, they order breakfast while the wolves look on.
“You want a transfer out?”
“I did.” He smiles.
“You did?” His eyebrows shoot up in question. Cutting into his waffle, he takes a bite, leaving a little on the fork before putting it up to my lips to finish the rest.
“I have two years left on this contract. After that, I get to go wherever I want. Maybe I could go home.” He’s looking as if big decisions are resting on his shoulders. “Maybe you could come with me if things work out?” I take the bite from his fork, the food he’s offering me in front of the watching eyes of pack members. I hear some rumbling growls from the wolves eating breakfast around us. Not very loud, it’s on the lower level of the hearing spectrum, but loud enough for them to sound their displeasure.
It would be a great loss to any pack to lose their midwife but a disaster to lose a doctor. How long have they been searching, recruiting, to find him? Dr. Peters must have been in his early eighties when Dallas came. So I’m not sure if their rumbling is about me going with Dallas or about him stating that he might leave.
“Ready to go.” Dallas puts money on the table, paying my share of the bill.
With one more long pull on the milkshake, I take Dallas’s hand. We walk out, Dallas leading the way until we get to the door. He opens it for me, allowing me to brush by him. He follows behind, taking all their stares against his back while protecting mine.
Getting into the car, he kisses my lips. He tastes like my milkshake, vanilla with chai…yum.
The ride to my home is perfect. His hand is on my thigh. Can he smell me again? I’m dying for a repeat of last night.
“Please come tonight. I really want my family to meet you.” He’s kissing my wrist as we sit in my driveway.
“I’ll come over. What time again?” I’m breathless, his tongue licking at my p
ulse.
“Five, come over at five.” His lips are on the side of my neck, sucking in the skin. Teeth are grazing the spot that holds marks of mates. I’m not sure I can get out of the car, my skin is so warm. He’s kissing me like in the movies…
His phone starts to ring. With a sigh, he pulls away.
“Hello.” He’s annoyed. His voice lets the other person on the line understand this.
“Luna Catherine, so good to hear from you.” He gives me a wink.
“I can’t meet with you today. My mother should be at my house very soon. Unless…why don’t you come over tonight after dinner?” He’s rolling his eyes while listening to her talk.
“That sounds good. See you around six-thirty.” He hangs up his phone, laughing.
“Seems that the Luna is very interested in my personal life all of a sudden.”
I try to talk, but he’s kissing me again.
“I don’t want you to worry about anything, Rya. My mom will absolutely love to talk to this Luna about my personal life. You should go before I just follow you inside and do lots of new things to you.” I shiver in my own skin with the thought.
***
Walking up the path to his home, I balance a pumpkin pie in hand. I slow roasted the pumpkin all afternoon in cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar. Golden flakes of butter crust hold the contents in place. I brought a little bowl with cold whipped cream to put on top if they like. I couldn’t come empty handed. That would be rude.
Breathe.
My stomach is doing some flip-flopping lurches as I knock on the door. Please let them like me. Smelling the pie, I let it coat my brain, softening my nerves. I see the family at the table. That’s different from when I was here last. They are laughing, smiling. It looks like a picture should be taken.
Dallas opens the door. He looks nervous as well.
“Come in, Rya.” Entering, everyone’s eyes turn to mine. Four big males stare into my eyes, not looking away, open mouthed. His mother gets up from her spot. She sniffs the air. Thank the moon I scrubbed myself clean. It would be mortifying meeting her for the first time with his scent all over me.
Surrounded by soft strands of medium caramel hair, her eyes look like miniature small earths from far away. She’s of medium build but carries herself with dignity. Shoulders back, spine straight, she approaches. It takes all my resolve to stand up straight and greet her at her level. I don’t slouch; I don’t look away.
“Rya, this is my mother.” He gives a slight pause before saying her name. “Grace. Mom, this is Rya.” She gives him a look but says nothing to her son.
“Rya, it’s nice to meet you.” She presses her cheek against mine, inhaling my neck. I can almost feel her lips press against my skin.
“It’s nice to meet you as well, Grace.” A soft, comforting smile touches her eyes.
“Rya, these are my brothers.” With his hand, he points to Caleb, Cash, Carson, Crane…
They all bow slightly to me, but not touching me. Males don’t touch other males’ interests, even brothers.
His mother takes the pie out of my hand, putting it on the table…but not before smelling it.
“Did you make this yourself?” she questions.
“Yes, I had some pumpkin in the garden, so I thought I should use it up instead of it going to waste.” I’m so nervous I can hardly think. They’re all looking at me. Please like me.
“That’s so smart of you. I hate when things go to waste.” She’s giving me a once-over.
“Come sit down with us.” I’m not sure where my place is. I know where my place at my parents’ house is, I know where I belong at my own house, but I have never been invited to sit at anyone else’s table beside my teacher, and that was just the two of us.
His mother makes it easy for me as she pulls out a seat to Dallas’s right. He’s at the head; I take the right, and Caleb—I think that’s his name—takes the left. His mother sits at the other end of the table. Food, lots of food, is piled high on serving plates. Lots of slow-roasted buttery vegetables of every kind. There’s a roast that looks like you could cut it with the edge of your fork. Biscuits and rich, thick gravy. Sweet tea in pitchers filled with ice.
Dallas puts his hand over mine, giving it a squeeze. Can he tell how nervous I am? His brothers are giving me the side-eye.
“Rya, I’m told that you’re the midwife here.”
“Yes, I am.” I just can’t put the food in my mouth. My nerves are making me slightly sick.
“Your parents must be very proud of you.” She’s smiling, not really eating her meal, just drinking that sweet tea.
“They are.” I tell the truth because they are proud of what I have accomplished.
I sip my glass of tea. It’s a rich brown in the heavy crystal glass. Ice cubes clink together in the swirl of liquid.
“Rya, I know all about you—” My throat tightens.
“I should go.” I say it to Dallas as I take a step away from the table. I just can’t have her judging me. She must know my own mate rejected me, that somehow she must know I’m defective in some way for her son.
“Mother,” he roars, and I shake. A knock on the door swings everyone’s eyes to the intruder.
The door opens. Luna Catherine is here early with a smile on her face.
“Dallas, sorry I’m early, but I just wanted to drop by and say hello to your family.” She’s looking around the table. A slight bow to Grace. She’s looking at the places everyone is sitting. Her eyes fall to mine and hold. Her jaw clenches slightly.
“Come in.” He closes the door behind her.
Grace stands from her spot to greet the Luna.
“Luna Catherine, finally. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Luna Grace, so nice to put a face to the name.” Both embrace quickly, no lingering touching.
My mouth is open as I look to Dallas, who’s looking away from me. I try to catch his eye to try and ask why he didn’t tell me his parents are pack leaders. I’m upset that he’s kept something like this from me.
Luna Catherine eyes me, looking at my neck. She lets out a breath of relief.
“I like your new table, Dallas.” Grace cringes slightly when she hears her son’s name.
“Thank you. My mother just brought it for me today. A gift.”
“Where did you find such a masterpiece?” I think that Luna Catherine is trying to start off light, compliment something before starting with the real stuff.
I look at the table more. It’s dark oak that’s been keenly carved with an artisan’s care.
“I found this table at the side of the road. Could you imagine my reaction when I realized someone just threw this away?” She shakes her head with a click of her jaw. Her hand starts to trail along the edge of the table. A finger traces a stain that’s buried deep in the wood.
“Sometimes people don’t realize what they have in front of them until they see it again. It makes them realize what they actually did and regret throwing it away in the first place,” Luna Catherine interjects.
“Very true. But once you throw something away, it’s up for grabs to anyone who wants to put the time in to make it beautiful again.” Luna Grace is staring now into the other Luna’s eyes.
“This will be a very good addition to my son’s future. It’s strong, solid, has a good base. There might be little stains here and there, a nick in some spots, but I think it gives it character. What do you think?” A very smug look comes across his mother’s face.
“Yes, very true, but I think the owner of the table could come back. Maybe make an offer that benefits both parties?” Just like politicians, these Lunas speak their own language.
“No, this table is very special…blue moon special. No offer would be good enough. How does that saying go…” She taps her chin. “One wolf’s trash is another’s treasure.”
Luna Catherine postures herself to Luna Grace, showing molten black eyes. It’s as if she has a scorpion’s tail curled, ready to strike. All four brothers
get up from their seats at the same time. Heavy growls rumble out of their chests. They don’t like what they’re witnessing.
“I think, Luna Catherine, it’s time for you to leave. Everyone’s fur is getting a little ruffled.” Dallas opens the door.
“Rya, we will talk very soon.” She turns those dark eyes to me before walking out. I’m screwed.
She closes the door behind her, and the whole group takes a calming breath.
“I think you could take her, Mom.” Is it Caleb that says this or Crane?
“Rya, I didn’t mean to offend you by saying I know about you. I only meant that I know about the hardship you have faced.” She brings me into a hug, smoothing my hair down.
I turn my head to Dallas as I am in his mother’s embrace. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re an Alpha?”
His mother pulls away from me. “Because he isn’t an Alpha, his father is. After his mate died…” The grief in the Luna’s eyes makes my eyes want to water.
“After his mate died, he decided to become a doctor, someone different, instead of following his true path. I think it took his mind off her death because he was so consumed with studying that he couldn’t think too much.” His brothers look uncomfortable with all this emotion coming from their mother.
“We’re preparing for when the time comes for my mate to step down as Alpha and how the challenges will work without destroying our pack. Unless my son changes his mind and decides to claim what’s his.” Hopeful eyes all turn toward Dallas.
“There’s a lot to think about. I’m not ready yet to make a decision on that.” He’s looking at me when he says this, like I’m the answer he’s looking for.
She brings me back to my place beside her son at the head of the table. We spend the rest of the night talking about his childhood, his pack, how big it is—easily it’s triple the size of my pack. We also talk about his mate and how wonderful she was. It doesn’t get me jealous. I just feel so bad that he lost someone so precious. He tells me the story of when he found her the first time, he claimed her immediately. They were together one year before she died in a boating accident.
The Wildflower Series Page 10