Sonia's dad and Andre exchanged handshakes and a few greetings.
"It smells so good in here," Wanda said. "What's cookin'?"
"We baked a ham and made a bunch of sides to go along with it. A mix of both yours and dad's favorites. Mac and cheese. Fried cabbage. Corn bread. Peach pie. Food that calls for a very long nap afterward, which I'm sure you and dad need after that drive," Sonia said.
Wanda turned around and grinned at Sonia's dad. "See? We raised 'em right. No one went hungry here during the blizzard, that's for sure."
He placed his hand at the small of Wanda's back, just like he did when they were first dating. "Yeah, I can see that," he said.
Sonia was glad that her dad was happy, but the predicament they were in was uncomfortable. She was thinking of ways to bring up the issue at the dinner table. She wasn't even sure anymore if the dinner table was the best place to bring up the issue. Maybe she'd tell them tomorrow.
"Why don't you get settled in and then we can eat," Andre suggested, rubbing his belly. "We didn't sleep in the second master bedroom at all, so that one's ready for the taking. If another room is needed, I can sleep out on the couch."
"So, where'd you sleep?" Sonia's dad asked out of the blue.
"Where'd I sleep?" Andre frowned. "In the guest bedroom."
"With my daughter? Did y'all sleep together in the same bed?"
"Oh…" Andre breathed outward at the same time Sonia gasped in shock.
"How'd you know?" Sonia asked.
Wanda put her hand on her dad's chest. "Not now, Bentley. Let's just get cleaned up and get ready for dinner. Sonia, your father already knows that you and Andre are together. Blame that on me. I couldn't keep the secret obviously. Andre mentioned something to me last week and I suspected it and I asked him outright yesterday before we left. He wouldn't say anything, but I know my boy. He wouldn't lie to his momma either."
Sonia turned to Andre and sighed. "Well, then that cat's already out of the bag."
"That's all you can say? The cat's out of the bag?" Dad exclaimed, his frustration coming through loud and clear.
"Dad, if you're going to turn this into a back and forth arguing match, I'd rather sit it out. The secret is out. All I want you to do is accept that I'm an adult and I want who I want," Sonia replied.
"Let's sit down here. We need to get this straightened out now. I couldn't believe it when Wanda told me on the way in here. I knew you two liked to go on walks through the woods when you were here, but I was shocked about this," her dad said.
When they were all seated on the couch, he sighed heavily and then asked, "Sonia? Do you understand what this means?"
"Yes, Dad. I do. I've liked Andre for quite some time now. A very long time."
"When?" he asked. "How long have you two been…having sex? Since before we left the first time? On your supposed walks through the woods?"
"No." Andre shook his head. "I'm not like that. I had plans to wait for Sonia."
"It just happened over the past week," Sonia added.
"Do you think that makes it okay? Lusting after her? Waiting to have sex with a young girl?"
"Dad!" Sonia said. "That's not how it happened. Andre never forced me. He never lusted after me. He was the one who suggested that I stop flirting with him until I was legal. I didn't. I kept teasing him. I was the one lusting if you want the truth. Like I said, I…I was attracted to Andre."
Dad held up his hand. "This is too much for me to deal with. I just need some time to think."
"Dad, this isn't going to go away. I love Andre. I know how some people might talk about us being brother and sister, but they can mind their business. We're not even blood related. And Andre and I know the truth."
"Yeah, I know about him being a shifter and all that. That's why I said, this is too much. I'm not saying you two getting together is wrong. It happened. You love each other. I understand. What I'm gonna need help with is understanding this shifter part about you. I've never been welcomed into that community," Dad said.
"How do you know you’ve never been welcomed?" Andre asked.
"Well, I don't know any shifters by name. You're the first."
"They're not gonna run out into the middle of the road declaring themselves to you," Andre said. "That's not how we do it. Who knows? Maybe some of your business friends around here are shifters. We aren't any different. I'm just a man. You don't have to learn it all now. We'll take it one day at time. How's that sound?"
"Alright, but hurt my daughter and you're dead. Is that a deal?"
"I wouldn't even think about hurting Sonia. Not ever."
Her dad held out his hand, and he and Andre shook on it.
"We've got a long road ahead of us, son."
With the heavy burden of how her dad would respond to their secret lifted off her shoulders, Sonia could finally revel in the fact that the people she loved the most were all under the same roof together, making amends and sorting out their issues. Just like families are supposed to do.
Chapter 16
Two Months Later
Sonia and Andre walked hand and hand through the dense crowd. The carnival resembled a winter wonderland. Laughter and chatter surrounded them as people waited in lines to get on rides or to purchase food. The smell of cotton candy, funnel cakes, and BBQ filled the atmosphere. There was a brisk chill in the air and light snowflakes fell all around them.
It was the first time in three years that Sonia visited the fair. The place brought back so many memories, including a not so distant one.
"I can't believe this place looks almost the same as it did four years ago," Sonia said.
"Almost the same set-up too, except for a few new rides here and there. I heard the same guy owns the place. He still runs a tight ship around here too," Andre said.
"Thanks for bringing me." She snuggled closer to him.
"I thought maybe we could ride the infamous Ferris wheel while we're here," he said.
"You can see the view of the mountains from it. It's so nice."
"Would you believe that in all the months that I worked here, I haven't ridden that thing?"
"Let's take it for a spin," she said. "I'm sure your mom and my dad are occupied at the moment."
They were headed to the other end of the fairground to meet their parents to enjoy a cable car ride together, and then to the booth to take a few pictures. When they arrived at the Ferris wheel the line was extra long. A crowd of people were waiting and further inspection revealed that the ride might have been down, maybe broken. Either that or the attendant had gone on break.
"Hmmm, maybe we should come back after the cable car ride," she suggested.
"Looks like we'll have to do that. You know what…wait right here for a moment, will you? The main office is right behind that building. I'm gonna go see what's up and see if they can make this happen for us."
"Okay, I'll try to save us a spot in the line," Sonia said.
He kissed her on the forehead and then disappeared through the crowd.
Sonia stuffed her hands in her pockets and waited. Soon, her memories took her back four years ago when she first saw Andre. He was right. It'd been like love at first sight, but back then, she didn't even know what that was. All she knew was that she felt a consistent pull towards him. Who would have known that she'd end up with a reformed bad boy who made her happy every day? If she had never left Aspen Valley, things would've been different.
There were always what-ifs…
But maybe this was the way it was meant to be.
The attendant manning the Ferris wheel returned to his port and the crowd parted. She looked around for Andre, but couldn't find him. Intent on getting on the Ferris wheel with him, so they could enjoy the views, she moved forward to take her place in line. Luckily, she was the first one.
But no one moved to stand behind her on the line. She looked around, confused. It was odd because the attendant was standing right there with his ticket bucket ready to take new riders. She
began to notice something strange. The people in the crowd were looking at her and the empty Ferris wheel.
"What's going on?" she asked the attendant at the gate.
The guy smiled but didn't reply.
Sonia looked out into the crowd again and saw her dad and step-mom standing front and center, holding hands, grinning and whispering in each other's ears.
She had only taken a few steps toward them when Andre called her name from the far left.
"Sonia." He walked toward her.
"Andre, what's going on? All these people are looking at me," she said, her heart beating a trillion beats a minute.
"It's because you're beautiful," he said, taking her hand.
She chuckled nervously. "Andre, let's be for real…"
"I am being for real," he replied.
Lights began flashing on the Ferris wheel and, without anyone onboard, started spinning.
"I love you, Sonia. You're the only one for me. I knew it the moment I saw you. Like an endless Ferris wheel, our love knows no bounds."
Andre turned her around and she looked up immediately at the lights on the wheel flashing avidly, reflecting beautifully on the night sky. There was a question on the wheel, illuminated by letters that lit up.
It read: Sonia, will you marry me?
"Oh my God," she breathed, her heart stopping in her chest.
She couldn't breathe. This was surreal. Like a dream.
Andre got on one knee and produced the biggest diamond ring she'd ever seen and asked her for her hand in marriage.
"Marry me, Sonia."
She couldn't see for the tears in her eyes, but she found the strength to voice her intent.
"Yes. Of course I'll marry you."
He slipped the ring on her finger and her heart flooded with joy. If someone had told her that on this day four years ago that she would actually end up mated and married to her biggest crush and the love of her life, she wouldn't have believed them. Now her fantasies were actually becoming. reality.
When he rose and took her lips in a kiss, the whole crowded began clapping and cheering them on. They drowned out the crowd for a while, losing themselves in the embrace. Sonia was grinning from ear to ear when they parted, but what brought the most content was seeing both of their parents smiling and cheering right along with the crowd.
He gently wiped tears from her face with his thumb. "I don't think I've ever seen you cry."
"I'm crying because I love you," she said, and then slipped her hands around Andre's neck and kissed him again.
Epilogue
Five Months Later
Sonia picked up a handful of clothes from the washer and threw them into the dryer. The basement door was open and a nice spring breeze wafted inside and wrapped around her. There were two peach trees out in the garden and she scented the ripeness of the fruit.
She glanced out of the little basement window thinking of what other seeds she could put in the new garden box that Andre crafted for her. She wanted to make sure they had enough fruits and vegetables to store away before the first frost hit. Weather forecasters were predicting a longer winter this year.
Just as her memories drifted to all the blizzards they had endured just last winter, she saw a huge black wolf emerge from the trees. In the wolf's jaws was a small brown leather sack that belonged to Andre.
Sonia smiled when the wolf reached the entry of the basement. After seeing him shift for the first time months ago, it didn't take her long to recognize Andre in his wolf form by scent, the color of his fur, and the amber hue of his eyes. She went to the wolf immediately and ran her fingers through his soft fur, caressing his face. The wolf seemed to caress her back in a way of his own, softly nudging her belly and licking her palms.
The wolf stood back and shifted. The transformation was quick and fluid.
Andre normally got to work in wolf form—removing his clothes and stuffing them in his sack just before shifting.
He stood before her naked and more enticing than ever. His well-formed physique, taut muscles, and sexy grin drew her in every time.
He kissed and cheek, and then laid his hand on her belly where their baby had been growing for about a month now.
"I told you to take it easy with the housework," he said.
"I'm pregnant. Not helpless," she said. "There's a difference."
"Oh yeah?" His fingers lifted her chin gently and he captured her mouth in a kiss.
"Yeah." She returned the kiss, falling into his embrace. "How was work?"
"It was a mediocre day," he replied. "We had a crane malfunction so the work slowed down a bit in the afternoon. The second half of the day was…how can I say this…boring…not very stimulating."
"Hmmm." She reached down and wrapped her fingers around his semi-erect shaft. "Leave the stimulation to me."
He moaned and then slid his free hand up her dress and grasped her hips, pulling her closer. "You're not wearing panties. You've been waiting for this all day, huh?" he rasped into her ear.
"Yes, I need you badly," she said.
Andre bent down and then heaved her up off the floor. She screamed when his big hand slapped her across the ass cheek firmly. He took her into the master bedroom and laid her out on the bed. She lifted the short dress over her head and tossed it aside.
His gaze landed directly on her breasts. He licked his lips once and then he descended over her. He licked her bare breasts, moving his tongue leisurely from nipple to nipple. She held his head gently in her hands, offering herself to him. His mouth was ravenous in his attempts to please her.
Andre kissed downward, spreading her legs apart as he descended. His lips left wet trails down her chest, across her belly, and on her bare mound. He found her swollen clit and suckled it, causing her hips to lift off the bed. His mouth was hot and hungry on her, lapping at her folds and flicking her sensitive bud, luring her to the edge of a climax. His tongue prodded deeper, lapping up her honey as it spilled from her sex. Her whole body tensed and the sensations intensified. Even as she lay shuddering on the bed, he licked her to completion.
When he rose again, his cock was at full attention, dripping wet with remnants of pre-cum.
He paused a moment, letting his amber gaze wash over her, paying the most attention to her glistening pussy. "You drive me crazy, Sonia. Fuck, you're so hot," he rasped.
"Yeah, but you know you like it. You've got me all wet and ready. Now you're going to drive that big hard cock inside of me." She lifted a single leg, hooked it over his shoulder, and pulled him downward between her thighs.
He came down on her with her leg still propped on his shoulder, causing her to spread even wider. His heavy cock found her entrance and he slid down into her, slowly, inch by inch.
Sonia bit her lip and cried out at his full invasion of her pussy. There was no getting used to how good he felt inside of her. Even time he fucked her, he sent her to new heights.
Fully seated within her, he increased the tempo, thrusting hard and deep until her clit was pulsing in post-orgasmic bliss. Her hips came up to meet him thrust for thrust. But he seemed content on taking her over the edge again, positioning her in such a way that his stiff shaft mashed against her clit on the down stroke.
"Oh…" she cried, feeling the beginnings of yet another climax.
"That's right," he groaned. "Come for me."
His face contorted into pleasure. His plan to take them both over edge was apparent by the look of determination on his face and the way he plundered her pussy with his massive cock. There was also another expression. One of pure primal sexual aggression. She loved every moment of it. She loved it all. She loved Andre. She loved the wolf. And soon she would bring his baby into the world to love just as fiercely.
"Mine," she declared.
"Yours," he groaned, his balls expanding, ready to release his load.
Sonia surrendered, her energy spilling out of every pore on her body. He joined her in climax, riding her through the sweet storm of emoti
ons.
When all of his seed was spent and the tension left her body, he pulled out, draped his arm across her torso, and pulled her into his side possessively. She loved that he stayed close to her as they shared in the aftermaths of something so incredible.
"Do you think we'll have lots of children?" she asked.
He kissed the top of her head. "At this rate, yes. What do you think about having three? Or maybe six?"
She smiled. "Six? That's a stretch, but we can aim for that."
"Well, we already have a head start," he said, rubbing her belly.
"I can't wait to meet our baby," she said.
"The feeling's mutual."
Story Summary
BAD WOLF (ASPEN VALLEY WOLF PACK/SHIFTERS OF TIMBER ROCK )
Wolf Shifter Noah St. Patrick has turned his life around. Bad boy no more, he’s now a man with real-life duties. He serves his Alpha as an Omega in the Timber Rock territory. When he’s sent on an assignment to help the shifters of Aspen Valley with the issues involving Pack safety, he catches a whiff of his mate. And when he sees her, he knows that nothing will stop him from claiming the raven-haired beauty—not even the distance between them.
* * *
Street-savvy waitress Tania Fischer has spent most of her life without a real family. Growing up in foster care has molded her into the determined young woman she is today. Her life hasn’t always been easy. Whatever she wants, she has to go out and get herself. Her unimpressive list of misdemeanors isn’t exactly the type of thing she’d be proud to flaunt around—not if she ever wants a dutiful, loving husband and a family of her own. At least that’s what she thought before she found her equal—literally. She never knew that there was such a thing as true mates, but the hot-as-hades shifter who wants to claim her won’t take no for an answer.
Aspen Valley Wolf Pack (The Complete Series) Page 68