“Do you like cats?”
Tabitha threw a dish towel at her. “Enough with the cats. Come on. Let’s get the chicken cut up so I can marinate it.”
“I’m supposed to be doing the work.”
“Supposed to be is the operative phrase. Now get your ass in gear.”
Saturday morning, Tabitha was more than ready for the party, mainly because she got to see her twin and Elle. She’d already spoken to him about being nice to Major, and he assured her he had no beef with her mate. That was after he gave her an earful for not telling him everything that happened with Craig and the shootings. He only calmed down after she promised never to hide anything from him again.
The party wasn’t supposed to start until noon, but at ten, Tony sent her a mind message.
“Get off your mate and get dressed. We’re about five minutes out.”
“Ewww. You’re so gross.”
“If sex with Major is gross, maybe I do need to have words with him.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I know you are.”
Tabitha sent her happiness along their bond instead of continuing their banter. “Tony and Elle are on their way.”
“Should I meet him outside to keep blood off the hardwood?”
Tabitha kissed Major soundly before rolling off the bed. “No fisticuffs. I’ve already threatened him.” When Major didn’t move to get up, she tossed his jeans at him. “When I said on their way, I meant they’ll be rolling up to the gate any minute now.”
“Well, shit. I wanted time to shower with you.” Major made the bed before finding a pair of briefs in one of the dresser drawers that was now his. He pulled them on, shaking his ass when he finished. Speaking ofridiculous. Her mate kept a smile on her face whether being cute or being sexy as hell. They had just finished dressing when a whooshing came from the living room. Major’s claws came out. “What the fuck?”
“That would be my brother. I guess they opted to portal here instead of driving.”
“Oh, Lucy!” Tony yelled.
“Yeah, yeah. I hear you, Ricky.” Tabitha took Major by the hand after he retracted his sharp nails, and when they reached the living room, Elle and Nekoma stood off to the side holding dishes. “Hey, Elle. Nekoma. Good to see you both. This is my mate, Major Lazlo.”
Tabitha crossed the room to take the dish from Elle, but before she got there, Tony picked her up and swung her around.“I’ve missed you,”he said in her mind.
Tabitha’s eyes threatened with tears, and she hugged him back.“I’ve missed you too, but we’ve both been busy with our mates.”
“Yeah.”Tony put her on her feet, then turned to Major with his hand out. “Major. Good to see you, man.”
After making sure her two favorite males weren’t going to get into a scuffle, Tabitha turned to Elle and her brother Nekoma. “How have you two been?” Tabitha took the dish from Elle and told them to follow her to the kitchen. Cailín had relieved Tabitha once while she was guarding Trista at the hotel so she could visit Anthony and his new mate. That was before Brad attacked Craig and they were sequestered. Elle was such a lovely being.
Elle clapped her hands together and bounced on her feet. “Great. I started an internship at Solaralun, and Nekoma has been busy making furniture.”
Elle’s mother taught her about potions when shewas young, so it made sense she would go to work with Luna and Solara to learn even more. The first time Tabitha met Nekoma, he’d come through a portal, and Tabitha threatened him with a sword. Now the siblings were her family. Tabitha placed the dish on the counter and gestured for Nekoma to do the same. She poured them all a drink, and they sat down at the table to get caught up.
Cailín came in next, followed by Carleigh and Harlow. Jon and Deklan rode together with Solara and Luna, and finally, Connor and Alyssa arrived a little past noon. Zuri was in Brazil visiting her grandmother, and Carleigh’s sister, Juniper, was off on a safari photographing wildlife.
When Tabitha introduced Major to Connor and Alyssa, Major shook his hand. “You have no idea how much I appreciate the painting. My mother cried, she loved it so much.”
“It was my pleasure. Painting for money is okay, but doing things for family is pure enjoyment. Speaking of…” Connor wiggled a rolled-up piece of paper. “Where is Carleigh?”
“Is that what I think it is?” Tabitha asked.
“Yes. It’s been a few months since I had a vision.”
“Carleigh! Get your ass in here.” Tabitha couldn’t wait to see what Connor had drawn. He had been having visions since he was a little boy. Sometimes they were happy things to come, and sometimes they were warnings.
