We did both to an uproarious applause.
“I need to get my drums out of storage,” Tak said to Lakota while patting him on the back. “You can join me in a ceremonial song after dinner tonight.”
After Eden left,Bear presented a feast of appetizers: bacon-wrapped treats, bruschetta bites, shrimp, and so much more. Dark clouds rolled in and made the candlelit tables even more enchanting. We feasted on gourmet salads, shish kebabs, fruit cups, and a good Southern dinner with fried chicken, loaded mashed potatoes, and grilled corn. They had even bought a frozen margarita machine for those who drank, and Bear made punch for those who didn’t. The food kept rolling out, including more desserts than I’d ever seen.
Once Violet ate and went down for a nap, we also celebrated Salem’s news with his new assignment. Even though I’d felt like this was my home before, it felt even more so with Tak acceptingAtticus into the tribe. I had my own family now with a man who understood me.
We talked and played games all afternoon. The men even had an axe-throwing competition in the yard until it started raining again. Everyone took turns watching the baby, but the pack remained together instead of going off to their rooms. Bear had cooked a feast for dinner, and shortly after, Tak and Lakota sang outside to the beat of his ceremonial drum.
I never wanted the night to end.
Virgil cruised into the game room with a margarita glass in his hand. He had changed out of his clothes and into one of his long silk kimonos and slippers.
Atticus twirled me as we continued to dance. “If you’re trying to seduce my mate, you’re in for some stiff competition.”
Virgil chortled while setting his glass on a stack of record albums. “If Virgil Nightingale wanted to seduce your woman, he would be wearing his sleep clothes.”
By his quizzical brow, Atticus didn’t connect the dots.
“He sleeps in the nude,” I whispered.
“And how do you know this?”
A laugh bubbled out. “Becauseeveryoneknows it. And you will too if you ever bump into him at the wrong hour.”
Virgil browsed through his extensive collection. “Let me know when you’re done slow dancing so I can play the party music. The night is young.”
Atticus stopped and glanced at the entryway. “Violet’s awake.”
I put my arms around his neck. “I want to dance with my new husband a little longer.”
“Mmm,husband. I like that word. I thought you would be calling me your mate forever.”
“It’s the same thing, so maybe I’ll use both.”
When his lips touched mine, a flame ignited between my legs.
“Enjoy the heat house while you can,” Virgil said, pulling a record from a sleeve. “I caught a whiff of Cici’s pheromones, and her ovaries are about to have a fiesta. Nobody wants to smell that.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. “Whenyougo into heat, get as far away from here as possible. It never bothered me before, but now you guys are like my sisters, and getting a hard-on because of your scent is creepy as hell.”
Atticus turned. “May Joy and I have a private moment?”
Virgil scratched the record when he changed it. The next song that came on was a love song. His robe floated behind him as he waltzed out of the room.
After a second of listening, Atticus resumed dancing. “I have good news.”
“Oh?”
“I got in touch with your former accountant. You’ll get all your money back that you saved from your career.”
I stared at him in shock. “You did that?”
“You can leave your life behind, but you shouldn’t leave your future with it. Perhaps you couldn’t access your money before, but your situation has changed. I already sent a trusted messenger to retrieve the money, and you can do with it what you wish. Buy anything you want. Go anywhere.”
I put my arms around his waist and held on tight. “I want to give it to Hope and Melody.”
“Why?”
I stepped back and met his eyes. “I’ll keep some for myself, but now that money is more than I need. Before, I was alone. Now I have a pack, and we take care of each other. They’ve talked about opening a second store location, and maybe if I offer them the finances, it’ll encourage them to do it. Being in a pack isn’tabout me anymore; it’s about taking care of my family and our future.”
