“What’s going on?” Dad muttered, immediately suspicious.
“Who cares? Whatever it is, it smells delicious,” Flynn groaned, inhaling deeply.
Miles was waiting for us at the entrance to the dining hall, looking more relaxed than I’d seen him since the start of the semester. “Your girl cooked dinner,” he announced, tipping his head respectfully at the three of us.
“I figured.” Thank the Fates, I’d been craving a decent meal, and I knew Wren’s cooking far surpassed decent.
Even knowing how talented she was, the sight that greeted me when we walked in the room still blew my mind. Wren had dug out the silver warming dishes and lined them up in the center of each long table, with all the fixings for burrito bowls. There was rice, chili, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, grated cheese… It was an impressive organizational feat considering we’d only been gone a few hours and there were two hundred pack members to feed.
It had been a long time since I’d seen the pack look so excited about dinner. Especially the pups, who were staring greedily at the food in the center of the table, not touching it until the Alpha had served himself.
Wren was fussing over the food at a table near the front, though I suspected it was because she felt awkward sitting at the head table without me. Cute.
“What, no ‘kiss the cook’ apron?” I asked as I looped an arm around her waist and hauled her back from the table. The pack members let out a chorus of awwwws as I guided Wren’s chin back towards me with my other hand. I paused, my lips a hair’s breadth away from hers, waiting.
Wren narrowed her eyes at me, hesitating for a split second before closing the distance and pressing her lips to mine in full view of the whole pack. It was a brief, chaste kiss, but the pack hollered like we’d just announced a pregnancy or something. I led Wren to the top table, feeling smug as shit, my grin only growing when I saw the defiant set of her chin despite her flushed cheeks.
Going to add PDA to the list of things to get Wren used to, right after compliments.
“How did it go?” Wren whispered, leaning in close to me as we took our seats. Dad was already helping himself to food, which gave everyone else the go-ahead they needed. No one was paying us any attention.
I almost told a joke about male bonding in the wilderness — anything to avoid talking about this — but I realized I didn’t want to do that with Wren. I wanted to give her something real.
“Hard. Good. Weird.”
Wren nodded like she knew exactly how I was feeling. “Finding a new normal is all of those things.”
I rested my hand on her thigh, squeezing it gratefully. “Dad will say something to the pack after dinner.”
Wren nodded silently, pulling the dishes down the table and filling up both of our bowls before sliding them along to Flynn. I glanced at Dad, who was watching Wren and I with a small smile on his face. A relieved smile.
I groaned as the fresh, yet comforting flavors hit my tongue. This was exactly what I needed.
“You’ve been a busy little bird this afternoon,” I rushed out between mouthfuls.
“Fates, you’re really sticking with that nickname, aren’t you?” Wren grumbled, not sounding all that put out about it. “The kitchen team was short staffed with so many couples in heat, they needed an extra pair of hands.”
“Burrito bowls were totally your idea though,” Flynn piped up from Wren’s other side. “Did you know you’re my favorite sister?”
Wren laughed — a proper, hearty laugh — and the sound filled me with satisfaction that felt like a warm, comforting glow. My happiness was directly tied to hers.
If only it wasn’t my idiot brother making her laugh.
As the sounds of eating and clattering cutlery diminished, Dad stood, and the chatter faded into silence at his solemn demeanor. “Audax wolves.” His deep voice resounded in the quiet room, making everyone sit up straight and pay attention.
“My mate, your Luna, Mandy…” He paused and took a deep breath. “I know you will have been wondering why you have seen so little of her in recent months. Mandy has a degenerative brain condition. I had hoped it would progress slower, but we need to accept that she will most likely live out the rest of her days in her fur.”
There were no gasps of surprise, no loaded looks being exchanged, just a quiet, resigned acceptance. Wren was right. The pack had known far more than we’d given them credit for.
“Claudia has been fulfilling some Luna duties, and will continue to do so for as long as needed.” Dad hesitated, glancing at Wren out of the corner of his eye. I gave him a subtle warning look. Do not pressure her. I could tell she still had reservations about pack life, despite jumping in with both feet today and organizing dinner.
“If you have any concerns, I am always available to talk to you.” I almost snorted because no one would ever take him up on that. Alphas weren’t known for their heart-to-hearts, the Lunas handled that. “You have nothing to fear from Mandy in her fur. She is the same kind and gentle wolf that she always has been, and she would be very grateful for your company.” Dad surveyed the room, gave a decisive nod when no one said anything, and took his seat.
I wasn’t entirely sure what he was expecting. Joe and Miles already knew and hadn’t challenged him — it was unlikely they’d have won if they had. Flynn wasn’t strong enough yet, and it wasn’t my time. I knew I’d have to challenge Dad sooner rather than later — without a Luna, the pack wouldn’t function as well — but I wouldn’t until Wren and I were both ready for everything that came with being the alpha pair.
We made our way around the dining hall after dinner, every wolf in the pack eager for a chance to talk to Wren and to comfort me as a way of showing concern about my mom. I found it reassuring, but I could see Wren getting overwhelmed and after an hour of small talk, I made our excuses so I could get us both out of there.
“You were amazing today, little bird,” I told her honestly, slinging an arm around her shoulders and leading her back to the Alpha House.
“You weren’t too bad yourself, baby Alpha,” she teased, not shrugging off my embrace.
“Just ‘baby’ is fine, you know. Or ‘handsome’. Maybe ‘stud’? No, too cheesy,” I pondered out loud, practically feeling Wren’s eye roll. I wanted to tell her I liked it when she called me ‘Arch’, but I didn’t risk it in case she never did it again on principle.
“I’m too exhausted to come up with a snarky reply right now. You’ll have to use your imagination,” Wren said, stifling a yawn with the back of her hand. I scooped her up before she could protest, carrying her the rest of the way to the house in my arms.
Exactly where she should be.
Chapter 20
Wren
This time, I was the one crushing Archer. Not that he seemed to be complaining. I was draped over him like a blanket in his tiny twin bed, his hands resting loosely against my hips. I’d slept in one of his t-shirts again and was very aware of how high it had ridden up during the night and the distinct lack of panties I had on.
All of my bits felt like they were working okay now, and I wasn’t opposed to a bit of morning action, but I didn’t want him to think I was trying to seduce him. Especially after I’d been all ‘it was just a one-time thing to get me through my heat!’
He had to seduce me, and then I could cave and pretend to be mad about it while retaining my dignity. It was the only way.
As discreetly as I could, I slid my hands down my sides and tugged the t-shirt over my ass. Archer’s fingers flexed as he made a delicious groaning wake-up noise, stretching out underneath me. My ovaries sat up like meerkats, hyperaware.
“I can’t decide if I liked my face on your tits or my hands on your ass more,” Archer said, voice raspy with sleep as his hands slid up to cup my ass cheeks under the too-short tee.
“What a conundrum,” I replied drolly, propping my forearms on his chest so I could look down at him. My hair fell around us like a heavy, black curtain, ensconcing us in our own
little world.
“Isn’t it, though?” Archer murmured, his thumbs rubbing teasing circles over my skin. “I’ll have to try both positions again to determine the winner. Maybe a couple more times.”
I bit the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from smiling. “Well, that’s just good science.”
Archer grinned before leaning up to brush his lips softly against mine. Yes. This was definitely going in the right direction. Tell me how much you want to fuck me so I can tell you that you’re delusional while I writhe all over your perfect dick.
“Let’s get some breakfast before we hit the road. You can shower first,” Archer said abruptly, rolling me off him and depositing me on my ass on the floor. I blinked slowly, trying to process what just happened.
“Well, if you’re just going to sit there, I’ll shower first. You snooze you lose, little bird!” Archer called over his shoulder, striding into the attached bathroom and taking his perfect dick with him.
What the hell just happened?
I dressed in leggings, a long-sleeve top and Archer’s Carson College hoodie I’d already decided I was keeping. It was soft and well worn, fell to mid-thigh, and smelled like Archer, which my wolf loved and I didn’t totally hate.
We walked into the dining hall together, Archer’s arm draped over my shoulders. I allowed the contact, not wanting the pack to sense any tension between us and risk upsetting them, but I was definitely not talking to him after his little tease this morning.
I was more annoyed at myself, but he was an easier target.
“Kye! Zoe!” Archer cheered, clapping a young guy on the back and smiling at the girl. “Wren, this is Kye and Zoe. Guys, this is Wren, my fated mate. How are you both?”
“Tired,” Kye laughed, scrubbing a hand down his face. I remembered Archer and Flynn telling me they were only sixteen, but they looked older with dark smudges under their eyes from the past few days of their heat.
They were a beautiful couple — Kye was tall and fair, with pale blonde hair and golden eyes. His jaw was lined with the faintest scruff after a few days of not shaving, and he held his mate close to him like she was made of glass.
I doubted he needed to, Zoe looked more than capable of holding her own. Despite her tired state, there was an alertness about her that wouldn’t rest. She had rich black skin and pale brown eyes, with the highest, sharpest cheekbones I’d ever seen. Her thick, curly hair was pulled up in a tight bun, and her simple winter clothes hung stylishly off her willowy frame.
I was almost jealous of this sixteen-year-old who looked more effortlessly cool and regal than I could ever pull off.
“How are you feeling, Zoe?” I asked, examining her face. Something stirred in me — an instinct to care for her, reassure her somehow.
“Hungry,” she admitted.
I linked our arms together and guided her to the buffet table, Kye and Archer following close behind us.
“Perhaps start small? Some plain toast and fruit?” I suggested piling items of food onto her plate. “Do you think you can manage that? Would you rather have broth? Archer, why isn’t there broth on the buffet table during the heat cycles?” I demanded, forgetting I wasn’t talking to him. “How mortifying to have to go to the kitchens and ask for it.”
“You’re absolutely right, little bird,” he agreed, sounding infuriatingly amused. I glared at him over my shoulder.
“I’ll try some toast,” Zoe said, taking the plate and giving me a warm smile. “Thank you.”
“Come on, Wren. You need to eat too,” Archer reminded me, working on his customary breakfast mountain of toast and jam.
I wrinkled my nose distastefully at his plate, making myself a bowl of sugary cereal. The buffet table was a practical option, but the selection was dire. If I were arranging it, I’d put out something different each day, like bagels with fixings or porridge in winter.
Fates. Getting way ahead of myself.
Rather than sitting at the top table in the quiet dining hall, Archer led us to a central table, and we slid onto the bench opposite Kye and Zoe. Kye murmured words of encouragement with every reluctant bite of toast Zoe took, stroking her back and neck constantly, never breaking contact. He was so tender with his mate; I wanted to cry a little bit.
Flynn had not been fucking around when he called them “Audax Pack Relationship Goals.”
“How are your parents coping with everything?” Archer asked, briefly pausing in his mission to consume a whole loaf of bread in under a minute.
“It’s a little awkward.” Kye grimaced. “This was the first year my mom didn’t go into heat, and then Zoe did… She’s feeling old and she’s kind of down about it.”
My gut twisted uncomfortably. It would already be difficult watching your child transition into adulthood so young. Then to be leaving that part of your own life behind, knowing for certain that there were no more babies on the horizon… Maybe I could make her some muffins or something. Something chocolate-y and comforting. Then I could drop them over under the guise of getting to know her so she didn’t feel like I was pitying her…
Archer picked up my hand and pressed a soft kiss against the back of my knuckles.
“Next time, little bird. We don’t have time today.” Fates. Either I had an expressive face or Archer really was a mind-reader. I nodded mutely, chewing on my cereal. I’d mention the idea to Claudia. She could make it happen.
Kye and Archer chatted a little about school over breakfast, but the poor kid looked about a minute away from passing out on the table. Zoe’s eyes were already drifting closed, her body leaning heavily against her mate’s.
“Have you thought more about attending Cars—, what?” Archer asked, baffled as I elbowed him hard in the ribs.
“Why don’t you take some toast with you and go lie down? You look ready to drop,” I suggested softly. “Archer can grill you on your five-year plan later.”
Kye and Zoe giggled sleepily at the mock glare Archer was giving me, his lips twitching in amusement.
“Wren’s right, you two should rest. We’ll talk more next time. We should hit the road anyway, little bird.”
I gave Zoe a quick hug as we separated in the clearing. The surrounding pack members realized we were leaving, surging forward to say goodbye.
I let out a sigh of relief when Claudia approached. “Claudia! Could you check on Kye’s mom? I think she’s having a tough time,” I said, speaking into her ear so I wouldn’t be overheard.
“Oh, of course! You’ll come back soon, won’t you?” Claudia asked eagerly, clasping my hands in hers. She was such a warm, effusive person. Miles definitely got his serious disposition from his dad, Joe.
I pulled Claudia into a hug to avoid answering her question. I felt like I’d probably be back sometime, but Archer and I weren’t on solid enough footing for me to make any guarantees. Nothing about our future was set in stone.
“Thanks for looking after Mom,” Archer said, uncharacteristically somber, giving Claudia’s arm a squeeze while deftly extricating me from her grip at the same time. I’d thought he was cagey about males touching me, but it turned out, he didn’t discriminate.
Archer Ellery was very greedy with my affection.
Claudia began fussing over an indignant-looking Miles, and the Alpha — or Samuel, as he’d given me permission to call him — and Flynn immediately stepped into the space she vacated.
“I know Archer struggled with keeping Mandy’s condition hidden,” Samuel began quietly, looking between Archer and I, “but I’m not sure he would have pushed the issue with me if you hadn’t encouraged him. It was what Mandy would have done too. You’ll be a wonderful Luna someday, Wren.”
I gave him a tight smile, confident I’d never felt more awkward in my life.
“Thank you, Samuel,” I replied respectfully, opting not to argue with him. Archer’s arm tightened approvingly around my waist.
“Archer,” Samuel said, acknowledging his son with a nod. Approval glinted in his eyes as he ass
essed his son, and pride swelled in my chest. It had taken guts for Archer to dispute his Alpha’s decision. Soon, he’d be strong enough to challenge his father if he wasn’t already.
“We should get on the road,” Archer announced, loud enough for Miles to hear. Archer released me long enough to pull Flynn into a one-armed hug, before snatching up my hand.
“What, I don’t get to give my new sister a hug goodbye?” Flynn teased.
“No,” Archer replied curtly.
Flynn’s laughter followed us as we passed through the central buildings — me on Archer’s left, Miles to his right and slightly behind him. The pack lined the walls of the buildings and hung out of windows, calling their farewells and reaching out to brush their fingers against our arms, scent-marking us.
“Shift, if you want,” Archer instructed Miles. “We’ll meet you down there.” Miles nodded, and I scoffed as Archer’s hands clapped over my eyes the moment Miles started pulling his jacket off.
“I have, in fact, seen other men naked before you know,” I pointed out. Nudity was just a reality of pack life. I’d been seeing naked bodies since I was born.
“Do not remind me of that, little bird,” Archer grumbled.
Before I could point out his obvious hypocrisy, he pulled his hand away and thick fur brushed against my fingers. Miles’ wolf had similar coloring to my own, but with more gray patches than cream-colored fur and darker eyes. He wasn’t as enormous as Archer’s beast, but he was certainly big enough to do some damage.
In any other pack, Miles would be an obvious candidate for Alpha — his wolf was definitely bigger and more dominant than my old Alpha — but I doubted he could take on Archer, or even Flynn, in a few years’ time. The Ellery boys were mammoth. Had they been born that way? Would Archer and I have enormous babies?
I shook my head slightly to clear the errant thought. Shifters were lucky if they had more than one baby after an entire lifetime of heat cycles, and Archer and I weren’t even properly mated. The chances I’d fallen pregnant from my last heat were almost non-existent, but until I got my annual period in a couple of weeks’ time, I wouldn’t know for sure.
Fire & Gasoline: A Shifter Romance (Audax Pack Book 1) Page 23