Moira said, “None of us down here chose. A couple upstairs did, lured away by a handsome face. They’re pretty upset because their males are either dead or on the road.”
So she and Desi would indeed face some acrimony, but there was nothing else to do but face it. “If you didn’t choose, then you’re not rogue. And if your packs don’t… That is, if you can’t return, you’re welcome here.”
Slowly, using her analytical skills, because they served much better here than her emotions, which were all over the map, River coaxed information from those present and sketched out an overall plan. Desi filled them in on the pack, seeing as she was much more familiar.
“We’ll provide you with a therapist, and continuing medical care.” Some of them accepted but others were reticent. Again, time would tell.
Leaving them to consider the options, feeling a taste of hope in the air, she climbed the stairs. There were four women huddled in separate rooms. Three refused to even look up and pretended not to hear anything she and Desi said. They would be the ones connected to the single males.
“Were you claimed?” she asked each one. That elicited a response. An adamant shake of the head accompanied a hostile glare in each case. The fourth woman, Denise, proved to be the exception.
She didn’t respond at all, lying on her bed with her face turned to the wall. But her shoulders shook with sobs and River cautiously approached. “Will you tell me his name? We might be able to determine his whereabouts.”
When Denise remained mute, she said, “If you change your mind, tell Moira. She can call me, or give you my number.”
Drained, she preceded Desiree downstairs where Moira waited.
“I made up that list. For the ones upstairs too, though I don’t know…”
“Thanks. We’ll figure it out from here. You’re kinda the leader of them.”
“More like a sorority mother of a dysfunctional group of women. Dysfunctional women.” The redhead tried to smile but hiccupped on a sob.
“We’ll arrange for someone to come here and see you, individually. Perhaps group therapy,” offered Desi.
“Not so sure that works when the other members of the group were front and center for most of what happened.”
Or it could mean that there’d be no hiding or denial, thought River, having made some recent revelations herself. But she said nothing. That would be up to the therapist.
****
Moira locked up behind them, the sound of the deadbolt snapping in the clear afternoon air. Austin went ahead to once again open the vehicle and Kris brought up the rear. River didn’t like having the male behind her and hurried to get inside the SUV, silently berating herself for over-reacting.
“That went better than I expected.” Desiree leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “Those poor women.”
“They’re in bad straits,” River agreed. She considered the sheets of paper folded in her hand. “Once we find out where their packs stand, especially on the ones who went willingly, we’ll know how to proceed. Although we’ll send someone over to talk with them regardless.”
“The pack has a couple of shifter-friendly therapists.”
“Really?” She didn’t think her old pack had any, but then she’d avoided learning too much about anyone there.
“What about Denise?”
That was troubling. “I don’t know. I’ll talk to Jett.”
“Atta girl.”
“What?”
Desi turned her head and smiled. “You’ve already learned when to handle things yourself and when to ask your mate.”
Was that what it was? River figured she simply knew her own limitations but didn’t enlighten the other woman. “We have to work it out. Those females are going to take a long time to heal.” If ever. “Kris, is there any chance of any of those rogues finding those women?”
“No. No one followed us, and we have someone watching the place. The women have no way of communicating with the outside. No phone or internet access. Moira knows she can signal our guys if she needs anything.”
“Right.”
“Do you want us to drop you at your house, Desiree?” Kris asked.
“Yes. Unless you need me for something else, River?”
She tried to read the other woman’s face but detected nothing but calm resolve. Desi wasn’t open to talking about herself, at least not yet. “If Jett knows who to call for therapy for the women, I’m good. But I’d like to spend more time with you.”
“Another time.” Desi’s smile nearly took the sting out of the rejection, and in truth, River didn’t take it personally. She knew what it was like to be self-reliant and Jett’s mother would be home in the next day or so.
“Okay. I’ll call you.”
“Sure.”
Desiree lived in a much smaller house than Jett’s, with her mother, but the place had charm and character. It reminded River of an old English cottage. She hoped Desi would invite her over sooner than later. “See you.”
Nothing in the way her sister-in-law moved indicated that she’d received a blow to her self-esteem, and worse, her heart, followed by a sad and depressing visit to a house full of abused women. She stepped gracefully to the house with a wave and disappeared inside. River heard Austin sigh and looked to see him watching Desiree’s progress with intent.
They pulled away and it occurred that she was alone with two single wolves. Austin didn’t bother her at all, but Kris wasn’t as easy to share space with, and she wondered why that was. Taking out her cell, she considered calling Jett then decided to wait until she saw him. There was no need for the tether of a phone call.
His vehicle wasn’t in the driveway, and she experienced a keen sense of loss, once she identified the hollowness in her belly and tightness in her throat. The males escorted her to the door and she entered the code.
“I’ll wait with you, River,” Kris announced. “Austin has other things to take care of.”
Austin smiled, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners, and she realized he was older than her first appeared. “I hope to see you soon.”
“Likewise.” And she meant it.
Kris sauntered toward the kitchen as if familiar with the house, and she supposed he was. But it was her home, and her right to offer anything. “Would you like something to drink?”
He slowed and stopped. “Oh. Sorry. I’m used to organizing things at the council meetings. I was going to get us a couple of beers.”
“I don’t drink beer.” And I shouldn’t be drinking anything alcoholic right now, for more reasons than one. “I’ll make tea and get you a beer. You can take a seat in the living room.”
With a slight smile, he headed that way. “Thanks.”
Setting the kettle to boil, she found a tea to her liking and reached for her cell. It was silenced, out of respect for the women she had gone to see, and she checked the screen. Jett had left her a text, citing a matter to take care of and would see her soon. She checked the end of the message for an emoticon, flinching at her disappointment when there wasn’t one. Silly, romantic female.
Carrying her mug and a bottle of beer with a glass crammed over the neck, she headed to where Kris presumably waited. The male was sprawled over the end of the couch, one arm stretched out along the back, long legs cramped by the placement of the coffee table. River set his beer down and took a chair as far from him as she could manage.
“Thanks.” He leaned to free the glass and set it aside, taking a swig directly from the bottle. “Sounds like you did a nice job with those females,” he complimented.
“It was more Desi than me.” She wished Jett would soon get home. Her wolf was restless and she too craved what he could give her. Her heat was waning, but he’d said something about the many times in between…
“Jett figured you’d do right by them and, as usual, he knows what he’s talking about.” Kris ignored her deprecating comment and gave her an admiring glance that swept from head to toe. “We knew he’d pick the right mate.”
“You’re all very loyal.”
“He demands loyalty. More like commands it. He doesn’t ask anyone to do anything he wouldn’t and we follow him willingly. It doesn’t hurt that he surrounds himself with wolves who know what they’re doing.”
How was it that Kris could compliment both Jett and the other council members yet come across as being such an egotist? River decided she didn’t much like him. Maybe if she got busy in the kitchen she could put a lid on her need for Jett. She placed her tea on a coaster to make her way there. “I’m going to make something to eat for me and Jett. Can I fix you anything?”
“Sure.” He leaned into her space and sniffed. Appalled at his rudeness, she stepped back, and Kris had the grace to look sheepish. “Sorry. It’s your heat. Makes the single wolves crazy.”
Cheeks flaming, she crossed her arms over her breasts. “You’re being offensive. Better you leave.”
His eyebrows shot up and he blinked. “What? Shit, River. I guess your pack is more formal. Again, I apologize, but I think we can put aside those formalities. I mean, there’s no need for them between us.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m one of the single males Jett can call upon to assuage your mating heat. He and I have helped others in the past with their mates. Kind of the go-to guys.” He winked.
Her first instinct was to flee. But she’d done enough running. If her mate had made arrangements without talking to her about it, she was going to hurt him in painful and creative ways. For once her wolf was in total agreement, snarling at the thought of Kris touching her. “What makes you think we require your assistance?”
“I guess I don’t. Not exactly. But I asked him if he’d share you and he said—” Kris furrowed his brow. “I don’t remember what he said, but you’re still in heat so I assumed.”
“I’m not talking to you about this.” She invaded Kris’s space this time and poked him in the chest. “It’s between Jett and me. I don’t need any single males in my bed.”
“Our bed.” Jett vibrated in the doorway. A big man, he’d never deliberately used his size to intimidate her, but wrath fairly emanated from every pore. River hurried over to him, blissfully aware she was totally safe. He tucked her alongside him and some of the tension bled off.
Kris piped up, “Hey. I was just explaining to River—”
“That you wanted to offer assistance?”
“Right. Exactly.” Kris’s face creased in puzzlement.
“Did I request it?”
“Uh, no.”
“Then what the fuck are you doing offering it?”
The other male’s face tightened in shock. He shook his head, and then bowed it, setting a fist over his heart. “Presuming. My deepest apologies.”
River watched Kris stride past. He didn’t look at either of them, merely hustled out the door. It shut quietly, a marked contrast to the screaming testosterone in the room. Then Jett squeezed her. “That wolf and I are having a serious fucking discussion in the near future. You okay?”
“I am. Better than you’d have been if you’d actually thought to share me with that man.”
Nuzzling her hair, he replied, “I’d have to sleep with one eye open for the rest of my life.” He paused and held her closer. “You’re still in heat.”
“Some. But mostly thinking about you and what you promised.”
He stared into her eyes. “Were you?”
“Weren’t you?”
“Wench.”
“I shouldn’t even be thinking about it,” she nearly whispered. “Not when there’s so much pain around us.”
“Sex—procreation—always increases when there’s a tragedy, sweetheart. I think it’s a way of celebrating life, understanding that we are still around when others aren’t.” He leaned down to take her lips and the kiss fired up her waning heat, making her wolf howl.
Her feet barely touched the stairs as Jett spirited her up them.
****
She relaxed on her belly, occasionally twitching as Jett traced her spine with a rough fingertip from nape to the small of her back, over and over.
“Your skin is like silk.”
“Umm.”
“And your ass is perfect.” He cupped first one buttock then the other, and she squirmed.
A sharp spank pulled her completely out of her contented drowse and she flounced onto her side to stare at him. “Ow! What was that for?”
“I love the way your skin pinks when I smack it.”
That comment shouldn’t have stoked her desire, but coupled with the sensuous timbre in his voice and the naked lust in his eyes, she felt the first stirrings of a physical response. “You’ll have to find something else to love then because you are not spanking me again.”
“Made an impression, did it?”
“You know it did. I went off on you because of it. I’m not letting you bully me.”
Jett frowned. “A correction isn’t bullying. Now that I’ve come to know you better, I can see there was another way to deal with you breaking pack law, though.” He took her hand.
She melted. This male wasn’t too proud to own his mistakes. She’d better own hers. “I don’t know if talking to me about it would have had such an impact. At least not until I understood about the heat issue.”
He yanked her to his chest and kissed her hair. “Such a good girl.”
“Not a girl,” she mumbled against his damp skin, noting that his cock was once again up for the challenge, pulsing against her abdomen.
“An endearment.” He held her closer.
“Okay, snuggle buns.”
He shook with laughter, the sound rumbling against her cheek. “Sweetheart it is. I notice you don’t object to that.”
“So the therapists will be there tomorrow morning?” She figured they needed to pay attention to the pack.
“Both of them. They put this as a priority. And I’ll reach out to the packs shortly. Thank you for going this morning, sweetheart.”
“It’s my role, Jett. And I’m glad I did, regardless. Desi was kind and supportive too.”
He hitched to sit against the headboard, easing her along with him. She looked up at him, his face worried and eyes somber. “How was my sister? She took Tahl’s news better than I could have hoped. I guess he’s just one of many Desi is interested in.”
“She was gutted.”
“What? Shocked, maybe and surprised. I mean, we’ll all miss Tahl—”
“Heartbroken might cover it, but she doesn’t want anyone to see it, especially him. She has her pride.”
“Shit. My mother is going to want to kill him.”
“I’m not sure she’ll even let on to your mom. I mean, I don’t know how close they are, but it feels as though Desi … shut down. She probably needs some time. Not that I’m particularly wise in the nuances of romance.”
“You’re getting better,” he teased, again cupping her ass.
Somehow ignoring the weight of his big hand against her skin, all five digits spanning her buttock and creating spirals of awareness to wreak havoc on her senses, River said, “Well, I suppose I have a lot of catching up to do. Kris seems to be in awe of your exploits.”
Groaning, he tipped his head back and screwed his eyes shut. “I’d hoped you missed that part of the conversation.”
“Kinda hard to do so, when you bragged about your prowess already. And you pointed out that you know about who has needed assistance, being the Alpha and all. The single Alpha.”
He rolled her under him with that unerring ability to position her exactly as he needed. Caged by his arms and trapped beneath his bulk, she never felt safer. He rested his forehead against hers, his eyes crossing comically. “We’ll leave that in the past too, River. There’ll be no other woman in my bed but you.”
The press of his cock against her core erased any hint of her teasing as it worked past the stricture of her entrance and deep inside. She should tell him there’d be no other man for her but
speaking became too much of an effort compared to simply feeling, and she gave in to his skilled possession.
Chapter Nine
Jett’s mother, Marlene, was nothing like what River expected. Jett and Desiree were both tall, well-built individuals, and the pictures of his other sister confirmed she was the same. Marlene wasn’t even as tall as River, and comfortably plump accurately described her. Her blonde hair was streaked with silver and she wore it in a casual twist on her neck.
A stylish tunic top over capris and a pair of flat sandals completed her ensemble, another sop to fashion being some nice earrings and bangles adorning her left wrist. A pair of sun glasses sat atop her head.
But the eyes were all Jett, Desi, and Lizbeth. Those orbs were a pale, icy blue, and Marlene studied her thoroughly with those familial eyes as Jett presented her.
“She’s perfect, son.”
River somehow stayed upright. The relief that his mom approved of her was staggering, not that anyone or anything messed with a bond. But it was important to her that her mother-in-law liked her. For Jett’s sake. She gave Marlene her best smile.
“You’ve been thrown in the deep end, I hear.”
“It’s been interesting.” Aware that Marlene indeed harbored no wolf, she strained to determine what other paranormal entity favored the older woman.
“Come and sit with me. We’ll get to know one another.”
“Sure.” With a glance at Jett, she followed Marlene.
“I’ll be in my office.”
She turned on her heel and went to him, going up on tip toe to offer her lips. He obliged, stealing her breath, and his lids lowered at her reaction. “Can’t bear to be away from me for even a few minutes.”
It was true, and his teasing might have stung, but she knew he felt the same. “Come join us when you’re finished.”
“I won’t leave you alone with her for too long.” He released her and patted her backside. That man and her ass.
Marlene was installed in one of the club chairs, her feet tucked up beneath her. Her smile was tolerant and satisfied. “Every heat is the same, River. It binds ever stronger.” The pleased look dimmed. “It can also make the pair vulnerable, of course.”
Bound by Destiny (Blue Star Shifters Book 1) Page 12