by Elle Boon
“Alright, this is what we’re gonna do. We’re going to go to Chaps, get a drink, and find out what movies are playing. Then, we’re going to go to whatever we can all agree on, ‘cause this isn’t a sheocracy, even though we want to get into your pants. Then, if you’re really good, we’ll make you come while watching the show.”
Sky laughed, then covered her mouth when she snorted loudly. “A sheocracy?” she questioned.
River nodded, taking her hand. “Yep, it’s she and democracy put together. Women have magical pussies. Therefore, we men have to do as they say or hand to dick time. Hence, sheocracy. My hand and dick have been dating a long ass time. I will not be bullied into a sheocracy.” He winked. “Unless of course you wanted to sit on my lap during the movie, nekkid,” he joked.
Between her laughter and Raydon’s groan, they made it to Chaps with only a few verbal jabs at him for his words. “Looks like we weren’t the only ones with the idea to come in for a drink.” River looked at the line of vehicles outside the bar and then at Raydon.
“You good, hellmouth? We can go somewhere else.” He looked down the block, seeing the other bars had a few cars and trucks in front of them, but nothing like Chaps.
“I’m good, guys, really. Let’s get a drink and find out showtimes. I wonder if there’s like a matinee of The Notebook or something like that?”
Raydon growled as he opened the door. “Not happening, cupcake. Magical pussy or no, I’m not watching that movie in a theater. At home with a bowl of popcorn, a naked you, me, and River, maybe, but not today, cupcake, not today.”
Chapter Six
River scanned the inside of the bar, wondering why half of the Mystic Wolves pack were there. Hell, there were probably more like three quarters, but who was counting? They made their way to the bar, finding two stools open. Raydon took a seat, pulling Sky onto his lap with a murmured explanation about space and River being too big to sit on his lap.
“What’s going on? Why’s everyone here, and why weren’t we invited to the party?” he asked Jett Tremaine.
Jett sat three bottles of beer in front of them before answering. “The ladies decided they needed a girls’ day out, which means the guys had to come into town as well. You know, because ain’t none of them fuckers able to stay at home when their women are gone. Then Taryn was challenged by a couple chicks to a dance off. I mean, what the fuck, right? So, they had their dance off, Taryn won, of course. The other chicks got pissed, demanded a redo. It was a shitshow, to which Talia had to come and intervene. Goddess, I love that mama Fey. Anyway, now the women are all drunk and sleeping it off in the backroom. Oh, did I mention the Fey can add some sparkle shit to drinks that get shifters shitfaced? Yep, it can, and it did. So, now I got a bar full of asshole men.” He gave Bronx a two-finger wave, then flipped him the bird. “Who ain’t gonna be getting laid tonight. Bottoms up, kids, there ain’t no Fey dust in these drinks.” Jett finished with a slam of his hands on the bar top, a wicked glint in his eyes.
“Well...shit, I’m glad we weren’t invited.” River turned on the stool, observing the room at large. Grouped around the pool tables were several male shifters, playing pool and drinking. The dance floor was empty save for a few human women. “Do you know what’s playing at the theater in town?”
Torq stomped by, coughing into his hand what sounded like pussywhipped but didn’t stop to talk.
“Where’s he going?” Sky asked.
“Probably to check on his mate. She’s in the back with the others having drank a lot of the fey laced beer. I contacted Niall and Zayn once they were all passed out, but both men told me to handle it. I’m handling it like a boss, yep.” He gave another two-finger wave when someone yelled out they needed a refill, this time with both hands that ended with his middle fingers up. “All these motherfuckers here are so damn needy. Come get your own damn drinks, I ain’t your waitress, assmunch.”
“Err, I think you’re supposed to be serving them, not calling them names?” Sky offered.
Jett leaned on the bar with his arms crossed. “You want to become a waitress for the evening?” He jerked his head up as another guy yelled out his drink order.
River and Raydon downed their beer, slamming their empty bottles on the counter. “Nope, not our female.”
Sky grabbed her own bottle, drinking a huge swallow, taking a breath before speaking. “I’m gonna have to decline.” She chugged the rest of her drink, slamming the empty down like the twins, then burped loudly. “Oh, goddess, that was rude.” She covered her mouth.
Raydon took her hand from her mouth and kissed it. “Nah, it was cute. Let’s get out of here before mayhem starts. I have a feeling there might be a riot, or a fight, both probably.”
They made it to the door just as the sound of shattering glass was heard. River placed Sky behind him, looking to see what was going on. Jett launched himself over the bar, taking down a human male in a smooth and quick move like a professional football player would. The bar fell quiet and still as Jett hauled the man to his feet. “You don’t ever break shit in my bar. You want to bull up, come at me with your fist. Toss a bottle across a crowded bar again and I’ll shove said bottle, broken or not, so far up your ass you’ll be singing soprano and begging someone to pull the fucking cord, and I don’t mean like on Flashdance, fucker.”
“Where’s all the hot waitresses at, asshole? We don’t come here to see a bunch of roid rage, tatted up, biker wannabes,” the guy spat.
Jett gave the guy a shake, laughing in his face. “Really, you accusing me of roid use, when you reek of the shit? Get the fuck out of my bar and don’t come back.” He let the man who was about twenty pounds heavier than himself, drop to the ground.
Raydon and Sky moved outside, waiting for him while he kept an eye on what was happening inside. Jett stood with his arms crossed next to Torq, while roid boy and his friends grabbed their coats and headed toward the door. “Rye, get Sky away from the door, asshole and his buddies are coming out.”
His twin didn’t respond, but he watched through their link as Raydon and Sky walked around toward the back of the bar. “Who’s out back?” he asked Jett through their pack link.
Jett named a couple of pack members that had him relaxing, while he followed the men outside. He’d watch as they left to make sure they didn’t do anything stupid. Or at least not any stupider than throw a bottle at Jett. All three men climbed into a sedate looking sedan, probably one of their mothers, then drove off. He made a mental note of the plate number, before hurrying around back to Sky and Raydon, coming to a hard stop at the sight of his twin and Sky kissing. He cleared his throat once, then twice. “Alright, cut it out, or I’ll have to demand my turn.”
Sky broke away from Raydon’s lips, doing that little wiggle thing that entranced him. “Your turn,” she said and crooked her finger toward him.
River wasn’t a stupid wolf, and never one to turn down a kiss from his mate. He eliminated the space between them, lifting her into his arms, taking what she offered and gave back just as much. Goddess, she tasted like cotton candy and spiced apples all rolled together, making his mouth water. He broke away from heaven, his breath and hers mingling. “Damn, you are truly the single most delicious thing on Earth,” he swore.
She lifted her thumb, wiping away the moisture from his lips. Before she could take away the wetness, he grabbed her wrist, sucking her finger into his mouth. A moan escaped before he released her. “Fuck, I think I might have a woody.”
Sky’s head jerked downward, then back up. “There’s no thinking about it,” she laughed.
“Come on, let’s get out of here and see if we can’t make her have a lady boner in the theater.” Raydon’s arm swept Sky away from him, but River saw the wink he tossed over his shoulder.
“Girls don’t get boners, they get wetties, bro.” River hurried to catch up to his two favorite people in all the world.
“Excuse me, but what is a wettie?” Sky asked, taking his hand in one of hers.
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River shrugged before answering, his wolf suddenly on alert. He lifted his head, scenting the air. Raydon did the same, both of them trying to keep Sky from noticing. “A wettie, my dear, is what a female gets when her mate, or mates in your case, get you all hot and bothered and make your panties wet. Hence, a wettie.”
Sky gave a very loud snort. “Where does he come up with these things? First, he says hand to dick visit, instead of jacking off, now a wettie. What’s next?”
She let go of both their hands and hurried to move in front of them, turning so she was the one walking backward. Besides, I don’t have any panties on to get wet,” she informed them.
Twin male groans accompanied her words, each tried to pull her into their arms, but she evaded them, skipping away just as they almost touched her.
“Sky, you are a very naughty mate. Please, continue to be so.” Raydon caught up to her first, his voice deeper than normal, his wolf coming closer to the surface.
She shivered at the thought of what it would be like to run with the two men in their shifted forms without fear. Never had she been allowed to run with the pack, her parents too worried Keith or one of his higher ups would decide she was theirs for the taking. Not that they’d truly cared for her safety, but that she’d no longer be a bargaining tool.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” River asked, his body blocking her view of the road.
“I was just thinking how much I’d like to run with a real pack, but then memories of my old one made me...I’ve never been a part of a functioning pack. Not one that was truly pack oriented. With Keith, if there was a run, it was not for any purpose other than to further his goals, which usually meant someone else’s suffering.” A chill ran through her. “You ever hear that saying about a cold breeze that means someone just walked over your grave or something?”
When both men looked at her as if she’d lost her mind, she tried to smile and changed the subject. “So, what movie are you taking me to? By the way, I want a large popcorn and a large water, even though I know they’ll charge for it, I want one in a cup with ice, so I can add some sweetener to it. I have a craving for sugar all of a sudden.” Her mouth actually watered at the thought of sweets, which was weird since she normally didn’t indulge.
“Hellmouth, you can have anything you want.” Raydon pulled her into his side and began walking again, this time heading back toward the truck. She could feel both men’s tension and hoped she hadn’t done anything to upset them.
River’s hand went to the back of her neck, lifting her hair up and ran his hands through it. “Have I told you how much I love this? There’re so many different shades of blondes, browns, and even some pink hidden underneath. I bet that’s Lula’s doing.” He brought a handful to his nose. “And like you, your hair smells delicious. I bet, when you get a wettie, even without panties, you’ll taste delicious.” He licked his lips.
River knew he was pushing Sky, but the scent of her fear and uncertainty was driving his wolf crazy. He figured getting her excited was a much better scent, until her needy sweet smell hit him, making it uncomfortable for his jeans to contain his huge erection. A hand to dick moment would be a great thing if he could slip away for a few minutes, but the look in his twin’s eyes let him know Raydon would totally block any escape plans, the jackass. “You realize pay back is a beotch, right?” he asked Raydon.
Raydon’s head fell back on his shoulders as a deep chuckle escaped. Sky looked from his laughing hyena of a brother to him, then back again. “Did I miss something?”
River wanted to point to the obvious bulge in his jeans, but figured if she didn’t notice, he could pretend his dignity was saved, for the moment.
“You okay to drive, or you need me to drive your baby, River?” Raydon asked, laughter escaping even as his twin tried to hide it.
“Not gonna happen, you crazy ass nondriving fool. Sky, if he ever tells you he can drive my baby, he’s a liar and a fat mouth. Feel me?” River shook his head, pointing to where his brother stood.
His brother stopped laughing on a dime, his eyes still watery from the mirth he couldn’t contain. “That’s mean, bro. I’d let you drive my rig.”
“That’s because your truck is a beast and built to tear shit up. Mine is...precious,” he laughed, knowing his brother would take care of his vehicle but enjoyed teasing him.
Raydon leaned over and punched him in the arm. “Feel me?” he joked, dancing backward pulling Sky in front of him. “Protect me, love. Don’t let the mean man hurt me.”
Their female’s giggle evaporated what was left of her sadness. “You two are crazy.”
“River’s the crazy one I’m the lovable one. That’s why we’re two peas in a pod our mama said.” Raydon opened the door.
River lifted their mate off her feet, nuzzling her neck. “I think actions speak louder than words,” he whispered next to her ear, helping Sky inside, waiting until she scooted over before climbing in after. Raydon already moved around to the passenger’s side, his head lifting like he was checking traffic, but River knew he was scenting the air. Ever since they’d left Chaps, there’d been a strange sense of them being followed that came and went. If they hadn’t promised Sky they’d not communicate via their twin link, he’d ask Raydon for an update. As it were, he had to wait until his brother got into the vehicle and rely on body language. Raydon got in, his hands relaxed, shoulders squared but not rigid. River released the breath he’d been holding. He rattled off the movie choices, grinning at Sky’s choice. “You were fucking with us about a chick flick all along?”
“Well, a girl does need to see how you menfolk will act when they think they’re gonna have to lose their man card for a couple hours. By the way, you both did remarkable. Besides, I love action movies more than chick flicks. However, don’t even think of taking me to a scary movie, or I’ll be in the ladies’ room the entire time. The one about the clown and the red balloon still gives me nightmares. No thank you, sir.”
“Good to know. River likes horror movies, but only ones that have plots and little gore. I like shoot em up ones, or ones about fast cars, and movies with lots of action. However, I will admit to watching Pretty Woman and Dirty Dancing a couple times. My man card is safe though, since it was when I was trying to impress the ladies.” He winked.
“I don’t think I want to know how those evenings ended,” Sky growled.
Raydon reached for her hand, placing it over his heart. “Love, all those were watched with our mama. She loved to make us watch a movie with her every Sunday, and it was always lady’s choice. Strangely enough, I didn’t mind as long as we were all together. Family means everything to River and me. You, you’re our family, too. For you, we’d walk across hot coals to see to your happiness and wellbeing.”
A tear slid down her cheek at his brother’s words. River wiped it away. “Haven’t you figured it out yet, hellmouth? There was nothing before you? Sure, we cared for all the women we were with because we weren’t monsters, but we never made promises we didn’t intend to keep. Never did we get into a relationship, ever. We knew our mate was out there, somewhere, and didn’t want to...well, we didn’t want this. We didn’t want her hurt because of something we’d done in the past. Our promise to ourselves and our future mate was made long before you came. We said we wouldn’t give to another what was solely meant for our one. A single night or day couldn’t be confused as forever. That was all we ever allowed ourselves, and those were few and far between. Right Rye?”
He looked over to see Raydon nod as they pulled into the theater parking lot, finding a spot at the back under a light pole. “Obviously, we’re not virgins, but we’re not man whores either. You can trust that you’ll never run into a female that had a claim on us, love.”
She took a shaky breath before nodding. “I have all these insecurities. You both deserve more than I can give you, but I can’t let you go either.”
Raydon unsnapped her belt, then pulled her across his lap. “What we deserve is a mate who
was meant for us. That’s you.” He silenced her with a kiss.
River took the time to check their surroundings, allowing his wolf to push closer to the surface while Raydon had Sky occupied.
“We’re gonna be late for the previews if you don’t let our female go.” River turned back in time to watch Raydon rest his forehead against Sky’s.
“You gonna share that popcorn, or do I need to buy one for River and I?” Raydon traced Sky’s swollen lips with his thumb while he talked.
Sky’s purple eyes looked like shiny amethyst glass as they stared back at Raydon, then at him. “Popcorn?” she asked.
River reached over, taking her from his brother, easing her between him and the steering wheel. “Yes, that wonderful fluffy stuff with yellow liquid gold they pour over it that you said you wanted a large bucket of?” he joked as he maneuvered her out the door with him. Loathe to release her, River kept her in his arms for a second longer, then let her slide down his body, allowing her to feel the erection he couldn’t, nor wouldn’t, hide from her.
“Oh,” she gasped. “I can...can share.”
He took her hand as Raydon rounded the truck. The beep beep sound as he engaged the locks on the vehicle echoed around them. “Good to know. If my hands are busy, will you feed me some?” He waggled his eyebrows up and down.
Raydon felt the fine hairs on the back of his neck standing up, but his nose didn’t pick up any other scent besides theirs and of course the others who were already inside the theater. Fuck, he remembered why he hated going to crowded places, and one of them was because there were too many scents that confused his wolf.
“I’ll get our tickets if you two want to get in line for the popcorn and shit.”
“Hey, popcorn and twizzlers are not shit, buster.” Sky poked him in the chest.
He raised his right brow. “Ah, so you want twizzlers too, huh?”
She nodded, holding up her pointer finger. “You need salty popcorn, but you also need twizzlers for the pseudo sweet, and then the sweetened water to wash it all down.” She held three fingers when she finished talking.