Holding Casey at arm’s length, Jay asks, “What’re you doing here?” She stands when Jeff approaches, and they embrace.
My wolf growls.He’s touching mate!
I know. It’s fine, I tell him. But it’s taking everything in me not to tear him apart limb from limb. I don’t want to ruin her birthday. I’m able to breathe again when they step out of their hug. And I thank the Moon Goddess it’s over.
“Caleb invited us.”
She shoots her head at me, shocked. “You did this? For me?”
“Happy birthday.”
Her freckles dance across her cheeks as she breaks into a smile.
It takes my breath away. She doesn’t smile often—I meantrulysmile. But man, when she does, I’m powerless to her. I grow weak in the knees and want to ask her to be my mate right then and there. Beautiful doesn’t do her justice. It actually reminds me of a common saying in our realm, “Beauty is common, substance is rare.” Jay is the rarest of them all. There’s no denying her good looks, but it’s everything else that makes her shine.
She rushes to hug me, and I breathe in her honey scent, inhaling and adding to the high.
Dammit, I’m lucky.
“Well, I’m sure you and Jeff have lots to catch up on. Captain Wee Bit here and I can go play in the water. Hey, maybe we can even find buried treasure.”
Casey gasps. “Yeah!”
I overhear Jay mutter, “Wee Bit?”
I laugh at Casey’s excitement as she runs to me with open arms.
While Casey and I play mermaids and other water games, I’m keeping my ears out to listen in on Jeff and Jay’s conversation. I tried to give them privacy, but I can’t help it. I’m too possessive.
Jay tells Jeff how she’s being tried for restorative justice. She explains to him what pack life is like and food seems to be a main topic.
“Steaks for everyone? That could feed our entire horde!”
Jay shushes him. “I know. I had the same reaction at first, but they do work for it, same as us.”
“And here I was worried about you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m okay. Caleb’s been taking care of me.”
“Yeah, I noticed. So, are you two a thing or—”
She shushes him. “Jeff, please. Don’t embarrass me.”
“What? He can’t hear us.”
With a playful growl, I toss Casey into the water. She resurfaces giggling and asking me to do it again. I pretend I’m not paying attention, but I couldn’t be more intrigued.
“My question still stands.”
“I don’t know . . . It’s complicated.”
“Well, whatever you’re doing, it’s working.”
“Huh?”
“He’s clearly falling for you.”
Oh, fuck.Maybe tying him up and playing a pirate to get him to come to her birthday celebration wasn’t so subtle. I mean I am falling for her, but I’d rather tell her that than have Jeff do it.
