by Morgan Fox
Brie smiled softly at her best friend, thankful she now lived so close. “What you’re doing…that’s exactly what I need.” Brie gave her hand a gentle squeeze and changed the subject. “What do you think of the holiday decorations? Too much or not enough?”
Tabitha laughed, picking up on the instant conversation switch. “They look perfect. Would you like any help with food prep for Friday night’s dinner?”
“I’d love the help. With everyone showing up early, it’s going to be a madhouse. I think the only people arriving on Christmas Eve are Ryder, Bianca, and Brody. Everyone else will already be here.”
“Did you get all the guest rooms set up?”
Brie sighed. “Not yet.”
“Can I help with that?”
Brie squeezed her hand again. “I’d love the help. I need to put new bedding together, towels in the bathrooms, and I can’t forget that I need to grocery shop for enough food to feed an army.”
Tabitha laughed. “I’m your girl, then. I bet we could get everything knocked out in a day if we wanted.”
Brie cringed. “Even the shopping?”
Again Tabitha laughed. “Even the shopping.”
With a heavy sigh, Brie said, “Are you available now? We could get a start on the bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s likely to take us a few hours to get the rooms in order, and it will be dinner soon.”
“All right. Let’s plan to shop in the morning, then.”
Brie stood and Tabitha followed. “That will work.”
“I’ll follow you,” Tabitha said, as Brie placed her cup on the counter and headed upstairs to get the house ready to receive guests.
* * * *
Jonah looked at the clock and groaned. He’d been sleeping for hours. It seemed to be the only thing he was good at these days.
Abruptly, his stomach growled and he headed into the kitchen to see if there was anything to eat. There wasn’t. He knew damn well there wasn’t. He hadn’t done any shopping, and the cupboards were bare. He’d been so distracted over Sebastian, Brie, and the others that had shown up uninvited, that he’d forgotten to go out and get food.
Thanks to Dominic and Reyes, I don’t even have beer.
Why he assumed food would magically appear simply because he wanted it, was beyond him. Maybe it had something to do with Brie always taking care of him. She made sure their home had everything they needed. For all of them. He hadn’t fully appreciated just how lucky he was to have had that until he was staring at an empty pantry and his stomach was rumbling.
Shrugging off the thoughts, he decided it was better to go out and get something someone else prepared, anyway. Truth was he didn’t want to cook. He didn’t want to sit in the apartment alone, pondering what a fool he was or what a mess he’d made of his life.
The only place that seemed remotely up his alley had been a bar that catered to the paranormal. There he could get a good meal, drink a few dozen beers, and not worry that a mortal wondered why he was still stone-cold sober.
Thankfully, the walk to the bar was close. But he planned to run his ass home after dark. There was a lake and a woodsy trail a few miles away. Most normal people would be home and in bed at the hour he intended to exhaust himself. His wolf needed a chance to stretch its legs, and he could use the time to forget everything, but his primal need to be free.
The second he entered the bar, he spotted Jace Cason, a werepanther and one of Ryder O’Laughlin’s pack hunters. When Ryder, a werewolf/panther hybrid had received the promotion to pack leader status, he’d appointed a new hunter to take his place. Jace had been a rookie that quickly proved just how good he was.
Sebastian had asked Ryder and his werepanthers to assist the werewolves in insuring that Lilly and her followers had been eradicated. It had been imperative that none of them rose up and replaced her. Jace had been Ryder’s go-to guy, and every last one of her followers had been found and destroyed. Jace was good. Damn good.
But instead of heading toward Jace, Jonah shot straight for the bar and ordered a burger with everything and the strongest drink he could from the sweet little brunette at the bar. She flashed a quirky smile and moved about to prepare his drink. When she returned, Jonah grinned, eyeing not one but two drinks.
“You look like you could use more than one,” the bartender said. “That’ll be—”
“Just open a tab,” Jonah said, cutting her off as he slid his credit card toward her. “And keep ’em coming.”
She nodded. “I’ll be back with your burger too.”
Jonah slammed back the first drink like it was water, grabbed the second one and did the same. He paused as a firm hand gripped his shoulder. He didn’t need to see who it was to know it was Jace.
“Jonah McCarthy,” he said, taking the open barstool next to him. “What brings you in to this neck of the woods? I heard your family was hosting Christmas at your ranch this year.”
This year? Try every year. That was Brie’s doing. She loved the holidays. It was a chance to have everyone together without pack business getting involved somehow. It was just presents, family, food, and fun.
A flutter of nerves filled his belly, and he’d hoped that another two drinks were placed in front of him soon. As if the bartender read his mind, two more glasses appeared, and he chugged them down, and then slanted Jace with a quick glance.
“I’ve got some work at the office to finish.”
“Damn, you’re more dedicated to your job than I am. And that’s saying a lot,” he teased.
“Why are you here? I figured Ryder would have you somewhere hunting down Christmas dinner.”
Jace chuckled. “Already did that.” His heavily arched brow and crooked grin said he wasn’t kidding. “That must be one hell of a party you guys host. I can’t believe Ryder’s leaving his own pack to hang with yours.”
Jonah couldn’t tell if there was a hint of resentment in his tone or if that was just Jace being Jace. “Family matters to Ryder just as much as the pack. I’m sure he wants to be close to the one woman who’s like a daughter to him.”
Everyone in the werewolf and werepanther packs knew Tiffany McCoskey was special to Ryder. He’d been chosen by fey magic to be her guardian, her protector, and the bond they formed had been as strong as that of a father and daughter. No one could destroy their connection and no one dared try.
Jace curled his mouth downward. “Maybe. But it’s still not sitting right with everyone in the pack. They might not say it, but they’d prefer their leader break bread with them on Christmas. Not the wolves.”
Jonah taped the bar, needing a few more drinks. The way the word wolves left his throat, a scraping sound that irked him, had Jonah balling his hands into fists. “Jace?” he asked, his gaze narrowing on him in warning. “Did you come over here to piss me off more than I already am, or did you plan to sit down and fucking drink?”
After a moment of pause, Jace chuckled. “Damn, who knew you to have an alpha side?”
Jonah grimaced, but eased the tense muscles in his face. He did sound a bit more like Sebastian than himself, something he didn’t seem to mind. Maybe being pissed off, confused, and annoyed at the world was working for him.
“I hope I’m not interrupting you two.”
Jonah’s jaw slackened as he inclined his head to look back at Kimberly. He hadn’t expected to see her again. Ever.
“Hey,” he said, twisting to face her. “What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping to get drunk”—she cupped her hand around her mouth—”and laid.” She laughed. “But don’t tell anyone just yet. I haven’t decided who the lucky guy will be.”
“Well, all righty then,” Jace said, standing. “You two seem to know each other.” He patted Jonah’s back. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Kimberly grabbed his arm. “Oh, don’t go. He’s married. Besides, the more the merrier, I always say.”
“I’m sure you do,” Jace muttered back with a wide-mouthed smile. “I can’t though. I’m actually abou
t to leave.”
She stuck out her lower lip in a mock pout.
He leaned toward her. With his mouth at her ear, he placed his arm around her, his hand at her waist. “I plan to be here tomorrow night should you feel thirsty again.”
She nuzzled against him, twisting to rub her hands over his chest. “Oh, I’m always thirsty.”
Jonah instantly turned back to face the bar as his burger arrived. Timing was good as he couldn’t take the awkwardness of watching her go into heat beside him. It wasn’t how he wanted to spend his night. But Jace was clearly getting what he needed from her.
As silence fell over him, he cocked his head to see them in a full-bodied lip-lock. Hadn’t a day ago she inquired about Jonah being available? How was it possible for a woman to show interest in a man only to dive headfirst to the next?
What the fuck am I talking about? That used to be me, before Brie.
Jonah tried to eat, but Jace and Kimberly bumped against him, and he shrugged to get them off. He and Brie used to dive at each other like that. There were days he’d made love to her on the porch because he couldn’t wait long enough to cross the threshold. His desire for her had been maddening. Nothing came between them.
Except Sebastian.
No, that’s not true.
Not really. If Jonah were honest with himself, which he wasn’t most days, he’d stop blaming his brother and admit that it was his own insecurities, and his inability to impregnate his wife that was coming between him and Brie.
But who wants to admit their faults, right?
Not me.
“Why don’t you two get a room,” Jonah said, slamming back another drink. He sounded like a prick, and he didn’t care.
Kimberly reached behind Jace and pulled his cell phone from his rear jean pocket and started pressing buttons. Jace watched her closely, until she handed the phone back to him.
“Call me,” she whispered against his lips before kissing him once again.
“I will,” he told her, then looked at Jonah. “Have a good night.”
Kimberly leaned against the bar beside him. Her curious stare had him leaning away from her. “What?” he finally barked.
“I thought you said you didn’t have any available friends.”
“Jace is not my friend. He’s just someone I know,” he clarified.
“Details,” she muttered.
She sat down, as the bartender approached her. “I’ll have what he’s having.”
He shook his head. “No she won’t,” he corrected. “Give her something different.”
Kimberly frowned. “What? Is there magic in your drink or something? Only the lucky McCarthy’s can drink from that particular well?” She laughed. He didn’t. His drink was loaded with shit a mere human wouldn’t be able to stomach. Especially a human that had started the night early.
“How much have you had to drink tonight?”
“Not enough. I’m still conscious.”
He knew he was asking for trouble by getting involved, but it wasn’t in Jonah’s nature not to care. That was actually part of his problem. He cared too much.
“What’s wrong?”
She waved her hand through the air dismissively. “Nothing’s wrong,” she said in a long drawn-out way. “I just want to drink.”
He shook his head. “No. You want to get drunk and pass out and most likely fuck a stranger.”
She leaned toward him. “Or fuck someone I know,” she corrected.
He gently pushed her off his arm. “Not gonna happen. Especially since I’m married and you were just face fucking Jace. Do you even remember doing that? I hope you do. You gave him your number, and he’s a young, horny pup, Kimberly. He is going to call you.”
She snorted. “I hope he does. I felt that young, horny pup’s package. A girl wants a man with a co—”
“Whoa, oversharing,” he blurted out, stopping her before she could finish her thought. “I don’t need to know that.”
Her laughter grew more obnoxious. She was clearly drunk.
“Did you drive here?”
“Nope. I had every intention of going home with someone else tonight.”
“How about a cab driver?”
She raised her hands. “Hey, I’m not picky.”
He rolled his eyes, flagging down the bartender. “Do you think you could call her a cab?”
“Sure. We’ve got them on speed dial.”
Jonah grinned.
Kimberly’s lower lips stuck out. “But I’m not ready to go home, Jonah. I want to stay with you.” She fell against him, her arms wrapping around him. “I’ve missed you, Jonah. I miss your mouth. Your cock. The wicked things we used to do together. Everything.”
“Okay,” he said, trying to remove her from his body. She had one hell of a grip. “Come on, let go.”
She shook her head. “Come home with me tonight. It will be our little secret.” She licked his mouth and as he turned away from her, she grazed her tongue over the side of his face.
“Stop that,” he shouted, shoving her back hard enough to let her know he meant it.
“Well, you’re no fun,” she told him, sticking out her tongue. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”
“Actually I do.” He faced the bartender. “Can you make sure she gets in that cab?”
The bartender nodded.
Kimberly tried to stand up, but Jonah shoved her back down. “You stay here. The cab will be here soon to take you home. If you need someone to help you, call Jace. He’s a pup, but he’s a loyal pup.”
He didn’t give her a chance to say anything, to trap him, or touch him again. He didn’t want another woman touching him. What he wanted was Brie. Only Brie.
Watching Kimberly throw herself at Jace confirmed just how lonely and starved she was for love. Jonah had that with Brie and he was throwing it away.
Fuck me.
Chapter Six
Jonah ran. His wolf was in pursuit of something. A rabbit. He could hear its heartbeat racing, smell its fear. The hunt was upon him, and he was closing in. Just before he could pounce and capture it, his wolf switched gears, darting off into another direction. He wasn’t hungry. He wasn’t jonesing for a kill. He wanted to run, to feel the freedom of unleashing his beast and welcome the fever that only the pull of the moon offered.
Tonight wasn’t a full moon, but it was enough to feel the call that beckoned all primal beings into the night. He chased after it. Craved it—the darkness of night that would end with the clashing of the sun. Until then, he would simply run.
Hours later, in the alley behind his loft, Jonah transformed back into his human form. Naked and slicked with sweat, he darted up the stairs, two at a time, praying that no one would see him.
Safe inside his apartment, he headed for a shower with the need to rinse away the grime of the night on his mind. Once he’d bathed and dried off, exhaustion overcame him, and he collapsed onto his bed, letting the welcoming sleep greet him.
* * * *
Brie wrestled within the sheets of her bed, tugging against their restriction. Sleep had eluded her since before Jonah had left. She assumed that eventually her body would just give up and rest. She’d been wrong. Her mind was her enemy, always racing back to the day she’d walked away from Jonah at the loft.
Over and over again, she questioned whether or not she’d made the right decision. Giving up was not in her nature. She was the fey princess that slayed demons and vampires, and united wolf packs. She didn’t quit.
But as the saying goes, if you love someone set them free. If they love you, then they will find their way back.
She whimpered at the thought.
“Anything I can do?” Sebastian’s deep voice crept over her and she froze, guilt consuming her.
“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”
He sat up and switched on the light on his nightstand. “Not really.”
She wasn’t sure how Sebastian had been handling Jonah’s departure from their lives. He di
dn’t talk much about it, and he never once shared with her what had been said between them at the loft. It hadn’t stopped her from wondering.
“Sleep’s hard to catch without Jonah here,” she said, both a statement and a question.
Sebastian sighed hard and then frowned. “That’s not our fault,” he told her. “Jonah has his issues. He’ll work them out.”
Brie turned to him, his words only partially reassuring. “Do you really believe that?”
“Of course I do.” He held her hand. “I’ve never known Jonah to walk away from his duty. You are his wife too. He won’t forget that.”
She pursed her lips tight. That wasn’t how her heart felt. If she were honest, she’d admit just how worried she was that they’d somehow lost Jonah. He was different. Sad.
A shiver of fear slid along the nerves of her body. “What if he already has?”
Sebastian tossed the covers off his legs and paced the room. “He can’t,” he argued. “He won’t. I have to believe that.”
She did too. It was the only way she would survive being apart from him. But as a family what were their options? “What can we do to help him? How can we remind him of how much he means to us?” she asked, her voice shaky with her emotions. She balled her fist and placed it over her heart. “I’m hurting, Sebastian. I miss him so much.”
He came to her, cupping her face in his hands. The softness in his dark gaze had her covering his hands with her own to keep him close. “I know, honey. I know.”
Overwhelmed by the touch of him, she reached out to pull him closer. The silk of her nightgown teased against her sensitive breasts. She nuzzled against his throat, inhaling his musky scent. The air between them buzzed with their energy. Purring, she nipped at his flesh.
Easing back, he looked at her. After a moment of hesitation, as if he needed to read the desire in her eyes, he lowered his mouth to hers. Tasting him felt right. She missed being intimate. Between Sebastian’s office work and pack business, he had been absent from her. With Jonah’s abrupt behavior, Brie hadn’t realized just how lonely she’d gotten.