“And rather than lie to them, you’ll cuddle their stuffed animals.”
“Correct,” he rumbled.
April nodded as though this were only what she would expect from him. Well, good. She ought to know he wouldn’t lie, especially for a frivolous reason.
From across the house came Aaron’s signature pine-and-nutmeg essence—the nutmeg a copy of Ember’s. Of all the wolves, Aaron’s personality was best fitted to “smell like Christmas,” as described by Trevor. But at the moment, that scent was spiked with an odd tang of deference. It wasn’t new to Malachi’s senses; all the wolves exuded it during a council or any time he exerted his authority. But for a low-key dinner with friends…
“Malachi,” Aaron said as he stopped in the doorway of the kitchen. “What on earth…?”
Both women looked back and forth between him and Malachi. Aaron continued to stare at him as though he couldn’t look away.
“What is it?” Malachi said.
“You. Your essence. It’s so thick, I’m practically chewing it. What happened to you?”
“Let’s eat, and I’ll tell both of you.”
“Um, first…” April wrapped one arm around Malachi’s waist and tucked herself close to him. “Aaron, would you acclimate me?”
They’d discussed it beforehand, but Malachi hadn’t assumed she would be able to go through with it. He circled an arm around her shoulders and gave a low, supportive growl.
In minutes Aaron sat in a chair in the living room, and across the room Malachi and April sat on the couch. She clung to him, both her arms wrapped around one of his, her eyes wide.
“Ready?” Aaron said softly.
“Y-yes.”
A moment later, April gasped and pressed herself snug against Malachi’s side. His insides caught fire as she whimpered. But then, almost immediately, her scent leveled with calm. A whole minute passed while she sat silently, holding onto Malachi.
“April?” Aaron said.
“I—I’m waiting for it to—to happen.”
“It did. You’re acclimated to me.”
“What? No, it’s—it’s horrible. I can’t stop screaming for…I don’t know, at least five minutes.”
“When it’s done in an abusive fashion,” Malachi said. He kissed the top of her head. “You’ve been through the worst version six times. I think you’ll find each acclimation to the wolves of this pack as easy as Aaron’s was for you.”
“Really? Aaron, you’re not shielding anymore?”
“I’m not. You were a rock star.”
“Oh…oh.” Her arms relaxed around Malachi’s bicep. She let out a shaky breath. “I could have done that weeks ago. I should have been—”
“Don’t you dare saytougher,” Ember said from the kitchen.
April’s quiet laugh brought a song to Malachi’s heart. He stood and brought her to her feet with an offered hand.My courageous, beautiful mate.He walked her to the kitchen with an arm around her shoulders, and she tucked herself into his side, belonging there perfectly.
Anticipating the intensity of his own hunger, Malachi had grilled a typical portion of chicken for each of the others and a double portion for himself. In addition to his chicken and April’s cheesy potatoes, they loaded their plates with Ember’s expertly fashioned crispy brussels sprouts and roasted carrots.
“Where’s Quinn?” April said as they all began eating.
“At Nathan’s, learning how to blow glass,” Aaron said. “We weren’t sure how adult the conversation would get tonight.”
“He’s had a rough couple weeks,” Ember said. “He’s got a real peacemaking soul, almost to an extreme sometimes, and just knowing the rogues were out there bothered him even before the attack on Malachi. Plus a visit to see his parents is always a little stressful, not knowing how his mom will be. We didn’t want him overhearing additional stressful things.”
“That seems wise,” April said.
