Jacque and Zara worked quietly as Bethany watched and hummed Christmas songs. Jacque continually shot glances Zara’s way but tried not to make it obvious she was watching the girl. Apparently, subtletywasn’t her strong suit.
“Yes, somethingiswrong.” Zara caught Jacque glancing at her, probably for the tenth time in the span of a minute.
“Thank goodness.” Bethany breathed out. “I was trying really hard not to ask, and you know pregnant women have no filter.”
Jacque nodded.“Accurate.”
“Okay”—Bethany motioned to Zara—“spill it.”
Just as Zara was about to speak, Wadim came striding in with a ladder in hand. He set it up in front of the tree and glanced at his mate. “When you said you were hanging ornaments, I figured you’d probably need one of these.”
Jacque assumed Zara must have been speaking to her mate through the bond … or maybe Wadim was just being nosy. Probably the latter. Hewasa mated male wolf, after all.
“Thank you.” Zara smiled at him. Wadim simply stood there, a few feet from where Zara was, staring at her. Zara’s eyes darted from Jacque to Bethany and then back to her mate’s.
“Is this awkward for anyone else?” Bethany asked. Definitely a broken filter.
“You’re pregnant,” Jacque pointed out. “Everything is awkward for you.”
Bethany snorted and replied dryly,“Funny, real funny. Won’t be so funny when you’re knocked up and trying not to have to turn sideways to get through a door.”
“Been there, done that,” Jacque sang.
“I totally knew that, just had a momentary lapse in brain function,” Bethany shook her head. “I’m pretty sure I can hear my brain cells yelling,‘Please help, we’re dying.’”
Jacque glanced back at Wadim,who now had a small grin on his face, though he was still staring at Zara. “Learning a lot about being knocked up?”
Bethany’s eyes widened. “Mother of trolls, are you pregnant?”
Zara’s face was blank as she reached for an ornament, her shoulders stiff as she walked to the tree and looked for an empty spot that wasn’t too high up. “No, Bethany, I’m not pregnant. Pretty sure there has to be some flower pollinating going on for there to be any new flowers growing.”
Wadim let out a low growl that caused Jacque’s eyes to snap to him.
“I’m just going to continue growing this brain cell killer and try to keep my trap shut.” Bethany rubbed her swollen stomach.
“Zara, can I speak with you?” That Wadim asked out loud was not lost on Jacque. Either he was doing it for their benefit or Zara was ignoring his use of their bond.
Zara glanced up at the top of the tree where it was still empty of ornaments. “We have a lot to get done. We can talk later.”
“I would really like to speak with younow.” Wadim’s hands fisted, and then he shoved them in the pockets of his jeans. His jaw was clenched tight, and his eyes bore into his mate, who was acting completely oblivious, but her shaking hands gave her away.
Zara’s eyes flashed up to his. “We don’t always get what we want, historyboy.”
Burn. Jacque reached into the box to grab another ornament, only her hand came up empty. She glanced down and saw she’d used them all. Saved by the box. “Wadim,” Jacque said, keeping her voice light, “would you mind grabbing another couple boxes of ornaments from the main living room?”
Wadim didn’t take his eyes off of his mate as he answered. “Of course, Alpha.” His body was stiff as he turned on his heel and headed out of the sitting room.
“Zara,” Jacque whispered. “Are you okay?” She felt like she was having déjà vu from the day before when she’d asked Crina the same question.
The girl hesitated before answering. Her mouth opened, but yet again, she was interrupted as Wadim came striding back in, carrying two boxes of ornaments stacked on top of one another. He set them down gently, which was surprising considering his eyes were glowing with his wolf, and he looked like he was ready to chew someone up. Then he headed straight for Zara. Wadim took her face in his hands and leaned down. He pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss. He pulled back and then, justas quickly, leaned down further to her neck and nipped her. It was hard enough that Zara gasped and then growled at him. The historian jumped back before she could smack him with the hand that was already flying through the air.
“You bit me,” Zara snarled.The girl wasstill unable to phasedue to the pack magic Vasile had used on her. ButJacque had a feeling thatifZaracould, shewould have been in her wolf form with her hackles raised.
“You denied me,” Wadim snapped back.
Zara’s eyes narrowed. “You denied me first.”
Jacque had no idea what she meant,but Wadim obviously did because if it was possible, he grew even tenser. Jacque could practically feel the frustration rolling off of him. Wadim was rarely upset and never with Zara. He took a step toward her, but Jacque stepped in between them. Apparently, she felt like playingchickenwith a pissed off werewolf.
