by Robin Roseau
From underneath came the cutest little growl you can imagine. I flopped onto my belly and craned my head to the side, trying to look underneath the edge of the sofa. And there was Fiona, her fur raised, her big eyes flashing back and forth between all of us, not sure which of us to growl at the loudest.
I was overwhelmed, absolutely overwhelmed with the desire to have my own. But Angel and I had talked, and we were waiting until we were both a little more financially established.
"I want us to build a house together. Then we can have kids."
What she had meant was she wanted me to design the house, and then the pack would help us build it, just like we had all helped Portia and Zoe. I hadn't told Angel, but I'd been working on a design for two years. I kept trying to find ways to make it more affordable. I'd designed our dream house, but our dream house was more than we could pay for, even if most of the labor building it was free.
I hadn't figured out what to do about that part yet.
I chuffed at Fiona. She turned to me and growled.
It was so amazingly cute.
* * * *
We played with the three pups for perhaps another ten minutes. But then Michaela closed her books and said, "Scarlett, I need to talk to you." Seconds later, Angel and I had shifted back to human and were pulling our clothes on. "Not you, Angel," Michaela said. "You may keep playing if you want."
Angel didn't say anything, but she watched The Fox as we continued to get dressed. Finally I moved into the dining room. "What's up, Michaela?"
"Walk with me," she said, putting an arm around my back. "Portia and Angel, please stay here with the pups." Then she led us to the front door. Serena got there ahead of us, already pulling on a jacket. She handed out two more from the closet then opened the door, stepped outside, then held it widely enough for Michaela and me to join her.
"You're letting her out of the house with one enforcer?" I asked Serena.
"What are you?" Serena asked. "I see two enforcers."
I'd had that title officially now for a while, but I still wasn't used to it. I was actually pretty proud of it. In practical terms, nothing had really changed. I'd been helping out alongside Angel all along. But the title meant I was "on duty" just a little bit more often, and people took me just a little more seriously. And that had been Elisabeth's intention.
I grinned at Serena. She reached past Michaela and fluffed my hair. "Making you an enforcer was one of Elisabeth's more brilliant moves."
Michaela huffed. "Stealing another of my friends," she muttered. "All my friends are enforcers now."
"Zoe isn't," I pointed out.
"No, you're right. Zoe isn't. That's what I wanted to talk to you about." She zipped her jacket then put her arm around my back again, tugging me towards the stairs. "Let's walk a little further."
We didn't go that far, just a short walk along the sidewalk leading beside the barracks. Serena gave us a little room so we could talk while being close enough to handle any trouble. Not that there would be any, not here at home.
"You have a date Saturday night."
"No I don't," I replied. "You have a date Saturday night, and my mate is on duty."
"Right. I'm sorry about that."
"Don't be," I said.
"But you have a date, too. Now, you're not going to fuss about this and do what I tell you, aren't you?"
"Michaela, Angel is on duty."
"Yes, and so is Portia. That leaves you and Zoe alone. So you're taking Zoe out. It's my treat."
"I'm not sure Portia and Angel are going to enjoy that plan."
She snickered. "First off, we're not telling them. This is hush-hush. Lara and Elisabeth know. I put my foot down, and by some freak alignment of the stars, they listened. Serena is spending the night with Emanuel. Benny and June agreed to take care of the three pups; Kaylee will help until her bedtime. Rory is on duty, so we'll have two enforcers. And Elisabeth put Shelton and Nash on duty, too. So all the kids are covered."
"What about you?"
"Lara, Elisabeth, Portia, and Angel. Eric and Karen both have dates."
"With each other?"
"Good lord, no! Eric's ego couldn't handle Karen."
I chuckled. Eric was big, but Karen was tough.
"And Nora?"
Michaela laughed. "Last I looked, she had seventeen offers. No lie. Seventeen."
I laughed. Nora had everyone wrapped around her little paw.
"So, we're not telling Zoe. She's just going to fret if we do. Tomorrow, I want you and Elisabeth to take me shopping."
"You're going to let Elisabeth pick your dress?"
"The two of you together. I'll wear whatever you two pick, and I want you to do my makeup."
"Of course, Michaela."
"We're buying a new dress for you, too. If you argue for a millisecond, I am going to be angry."
"Yes, Alpha," I said.
"Damned right, and don't you forget it. I want something sexy."
"For you?"
"Well, yeah, but I meant for you."
"You're telling me to dress sexy for my date with Portia's mate."
"That's right. You will do your makeup, too. June will tell Zoe when she picks up Fiona, but you know she's going to dress like a fuddy duddy. So here's what you're going to do..."
Zoe
"Honey, you are so beautiful."
Ember turned to me, and there were light tears in her eyes. "Oh Honey, what's wrong?"
"This," she said. She gestured to herself. Ember was one of few wolves who could look good in a dress. Scarlett and Nora could as well, and Cassie sometimes wore skirts for her dates. As for the rest? Well, they looked fabulous, but not quite like this.
"You look beautiful, Honey."
"It's not that," she said. She moved to me and pulled me into her arms. "It's just... You and Portia Mom take such good care of me."
"Oh, Darling," I said. Ember's earlier years had not been good, and her time away from Portia and me just as bad. But in our house, she knew she was loved and cherished.
We hugged for a while then separated. I smoothed her dress and declared her perfect.
Fiona had been watching us, and for once, she had been quiet. I wondered if Ember had anything to do with that. Daughter Number Two was in fur, curled up on Ember's bed, but she stood, stretched, then jumped down to the floor before bounding over to her sister. Then she tried to climb up Ember, asking to be picked up.
Instead, I scooped her up myself. "Fiona, Ember loves you, but she doesn't want werewolf puppy claws poking holes in her new dress."
But Ember leaned close, brushing her nose against her sister's. Fiona gave her a quick lick before settling into my arms, her head over my shoulder.
I loved holding my daughter like this. She could be a complete handful as a pup, but she was warm with the softest fur, and I loved her to pieces.
It was so surreal. I was holding my daughter. She looked like a dog. My daughter. The fruit of my womb. Well, with an egg from Portia and sperm from an anonymous human donor.
"You're good with her," Ember said. "You're a good mom."
"Thanks, Honey. You're an excellent daughter and big sister."
"Ah, the mutual admiration society," Ember said with a grin. "So, when are you popping out another one?"
"Ember!"
"Come on. It's a fair question. When? Or maybe Portia Mom wants to carry this one."
"I'm not sure which Portia Mom thinks is worse: being pregnant and fat or taking care of me while I'm pregnant and fat."
"You know she loves taking care of you."
"Yeah." I did. I sighed happily. "We haven't talked about it. I think life is perfect the way it is. We have you and Fiona, not to mention all the other kids who hang out here."
"Not to mention. Well, we should check on dinner."
* * * *
Fifteen minutes later, the bell rang, then the front door opened.
"They're early!" I said. "Kiss your mother, then I'll get out of here."
Ember grinned. "It's not Monique and Cassie."
"Hello..."
"Benny?" I called, turning around. "Kitchen."
A moment later, Benny, with his mate, June, appeared in the doorway. It was so strange to see the two of them together. Benny was bigger than I was, but he was a small man. And June was an enforcer with a body to match. She towered over him. He didn't seem to mind, and the two were clearly very happily in love.
"Were we expecting you?"
"Maybe not," June said. "Where is the little darling?"
"Right here!" said Ember. "Didn't you see me?"
"You look amazing, Ember," June said. "Monique and Cassie are very lucky."
"Does everyone know about that?" Ember said. "Mom..."
"I didn't tell. I imagine someone much smaller than I am, on the other hand."
"How did she find out?"
I laughed. "Surely by now you know that Michaela knows everything." I took my time pronouncing the last word. I turned back to June. "If you're not here for Ember, why are you here?"
"We're babysitting the pups tonight," June said. She grinned. "You have to shower and get dressed. Scarlett will be here in forty minutes."
"Excuse me?"
Benny stepped forward and held out an envelope to me. He was grinning.
"A valentine's day card for me, Benny?"
I took the envelope; it had my name written across it in a hand I knew.
"It's not from me," he said. "You're supposed to open it."
I did. It wasn't a card. It was a simple note. "Do what you're told. M."
"Does M stand for Meddler?" I asked.
"Probably," June said. "You don't have a date tonight. Scarlett didn't have a date tonight. Now you both have dates. She's taking you to dinner. Dress nice." She looked me up and down. "Show some cleavage. Now, where's the little darling?"
"I'm not going on a date with Scarlett," I said.
"Zoe Fleming," June said. "I am an enforcer in the Madison Pack. You are a member of the Madison Pack. You are holding in your hand a note from the alpha of the Madison Pack telling you what to do and reinforcing my authority."
I lowered my eyes submissively.
"Good," she said. "You are letting Scarlett take you to dinner. I understand it is Michaela's treat. You will dress to impress. You will have a nice dinner and good conversation. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Enforcer," I said quietly.
"Good. Now, where is the little darling?"
"She was stalking her sister, but now I imagine she's either playing hide and go seek or stalking Benny instead."
* * * *
After my shower, I found a dress laid out on the bed along with everything else necessary: undies, nylons, shoes, and a note.
Dress to impress. Or else.
I looked at the dress. It was new and revealing; it was to be a surprise for Portia, and I wasn't wearing it for a dinner out with Scarlett. I put it back and picked out something a little more sensible.
I didn't bother with more makeup than just a little mascara and lipstick. I was capable of going the whole nine yards, and I had found myself doing so far more frequently over the last few years than I ever had. But this wasn't a date, whatever Michaela and June were calling it. This was the consolation prize.
I picked out a pair of flats and headed downstairs.
The kitchen was empty. So was the living room. Then I heard laughter wafting down from upstairs. I recognized Scarlett's voice. A minute or two later, I heard them on the stairs. I moved in that direction and looked up.
Scarlett had clearly taken charge of Ember's makeup. She had looked good before, but now she was stunning. I beamed up at her.
"How do I look, Mom?"
"Ravishing, Honey. Scarlett, you did an amazing job."
"You're..." she trailed off. "Next. What are you wearing? I know for a fact that is not what June picked out for you."
Ember laughed. "Someone's in trouble."
"That was a new dress Portia hasn't seen yet," I said. "And it's a little too revealing for a night out with a friend."
"You look like someone's mother."
"I am someone's mother," I said. "Two someones' mother."
"Was that even grammatically correct?" Ember asked.
"I believe I made my point."
"Ember," Scarlett ordered, "Go wait for your dates. I have to help mine dress properly, and then I'm doing her makeup. Zoe, come with me."
"No. I'm fine, Scarlett. I'm sorry I'm not Angel, but that's not my fault."
"Zoe Fleming," said Scarlett in a stern voice.
"Oh, oh," Ember said. "Someone is really in trouble."
"Ember, I told you to go wait for your dates."
"Yes, Enforcer," Ember said. She brushed past me, but I heard her snickering.
"Traitor," I muttered.
She lightly spanked my ass then kept going.
"Ember!"
"Now, where was I?" Scarlett said. "Oh, yeah. Zoe Fleming, I am an enforcer in this pack. You are a member of the pack. You received a note from the pack alpha. What did the note say?"
"Scarlett-"
"No, it did not say Scarlett. What did it say?"
I answered in a small voice. "Do what I'm told."
"So what are you going to do?"
I sighed. "Whatever I'm told."
From downstairs, Ember said, "Does that mean whatever I say, too?"
"No," Scarlett and I said together. Ember chuckled again. Scarlett turned around, and I meekly followed her up the stairs.
Scarlett
I didn't understand Michaela's orders, but I did what I had been told. "Where is the dress June set out?"
"Scarlett-"
"Zoe, I have direct orders from the alpha. They include sending her a picture of how you're dressed, and if she's not satisfied, we're both going to be in trouble."
"This is ridiculous," she said, but she stopped fighting. I ignored the petulant way she stomped to the closet. Frankly, I didn't blame her.
She pulled out a dress. I took one look. "Where's the other one that June pulled out."
"Scarlett."
I upped the ante. I growled. It wasn't loud, but I made my point. She gave me a dirty look but put the dress back and pulled out a garment bag. As soon as she unzipped it, I knew it was the right dress. "I don't even know how June found it," she muttered. "I had it hiding in back so Portia wouldn't look."
I didn't tell her that Portia had probably already smelled new dress and then either took a peek or decided to grant Zoe some privacy.
But I crossed the room. "It's new."
"Portia hasn't seen it."
"Do you want some advice about werewolves, Zoe?"
"I guess."
"Wolves can be visual. But smell is more important to us. That dress smells like a new dress. It smells like the store, and it smells like the garment bag. Portia is going to like it a whole lot more once it smells like you, especially if it also smells like her. And maybe Ember and Fiona, too."
"How do I do that?"
"Well, I understand hiding it in that bag. But before you wear it for her, take it out as early as you can and hang it amongst her clothes, especially anything that hasn't been laundered since the last time she wore it. Then, an hour beforehand, take one of her suits that she's worn recently and drape it over the dress. Do you understand?"
She nodded.
"Then dress in it early, not at the last minute. You can hug it, too, if you want."
"Like Ember's teddy bear."
I cocked my head.
"The night she moved in," she said. "She has a teddy bear. She asked me to hold it."
"Oh." I smiled. "Yeah." I held my hand out. "Give it here."
She handed me the dress. "What are you going to do with it?"
"Make it smell like Fiona and Ember. Get out of that. I'll just be a few minutes." I took the dress and headed back downstairs. Monique and Cassie had arrived, and the three were involved in a thre
e-way hug by the door. The separated quickly when I descended the stairs. I decided to ignore this.
"Ember," I said. "Hug this for a while." I didn't need to explain. She took the dress and was about to rub her face along it, but I screeched. "Your makeup!"
"Oops," she said. "Sorry." So instead she hugged it to herself, pawing it with her hands, moving it around to catch all of it. "Why am I doing this if she's going on a date with you?"
"In case she doesn't think of it before she wears it for Portia," I said.
"Give it here," Cassie said. She took the dress from Ember then ran it through Ember's hair several times. She sniffed the dress then turned to me. "Enough?"
I nodded. "Thanks. Now to find something of Fiona's to brush it with."
"She had a jumper on earlier," Ember said. "It should smell like her, but she didn't wear it long enough to spit up on it. I think spit up might be going a little too far."
I smiled. "Ember, Zoe is human. You're old enough to help her now."
"I do help her!"
"You're old enough to help her about the wolf things, the stuff Portia doesn't tell her."
"Oh." She looked down. "I wouldn't know how."
I realized she hadn't had a good example. "Come talk to Angel and me next week, and maybe my dad. He had to go through a lot of this, figuring out my mom. But you're going to have to help her, Ember. She had the dress in a garment bag."
"It smells like plastic."
"Yeah. Anyway, you three have a nice time tonight."
I hurried back upstairs. It only took a moment to find Fiona's jumper. I used it to give the dress a good rub down. I would rather have used the pup directly, but she wasn't here, so this would have to do. The dress still smelled like plastic, but it was better than it had been.
When I got to Zoe's room, the door was closed and locked. I knocked. A moment later, the door opened a crack, and Zoe peered around the edge. "Give it here."
"Zoe-"
"I'm not wearing a whole lot."
"So?"
She offered an exasperated look. "Maybe wolves are casual about nudity, but humans are not."
"Oh. Sorry." I slipped the dress to her. "If you ruin the lines, I get to watch while you change."
She sighed then closed the door. It only took her a minute or two before she opened the door. I smiled. "You look much nicer. Now your face."