“The full menu is an option too?” Linda adds, ignoring Ares and looking across at Carolyn on the couch opposite her.
“We will be here all night.” Ollie drops his head on my shoulder in defeat.
“Two proteins from each, sides, and a dessert bar. Or I’ll make it a buffet,” Ares counters with a smug look on his face.
Rosa gasps, turning to glare at him. “Fine, let’s talk flowers.” She may have let Ares think he overrules her on the food, but I’m not so certain.
The debate goes on for another hour. Every decision from flowers and music to the color scheme is a battle of wills between all three mothers, who seem united, and the guys. Milo wants it simple, Ares just wants it over with if I had to guess, and Dante doesn’t seem to have much of an opinion, leaving Ollie somewhere in the middle, wanting extravagance, but not to the extreme the moms want. I’m with Ares on this one. If we could skip it altogether, I’d be happy.
“Okay, it’s settled then?” Dante slams the laptop closed and shoves it away from us. I glance over at the clock. It’s just shy of ten o’clock, and we haveschool in the morning. I wish we had the entire week off for Thanksgiving.
Ollie stands, running his hand over my shoulder as he heads over in his parents’ direction. He leans down and places a kiss on his mother’s upturned cheek. “I’m going to shower so I don’t have to do it in the morning, night everybody.”
Milo stands. “We should all go, we haveschool in the morning.”
I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been shifting my weight trying to get comfortable on this hard stool since I sat down. If it wasn’t so late, I’d be searching out a tub for a long, hot bath. I’m sore in placesI never knew could get sore.
I wince when I stand, and Ares catches the look. His eyes flash to Dante, then jerk overto me,telling him with his eyes to pay attention.
Dante rises and comes around the chairs to stand by my side, his nose flaring as he takes in my scent. I’m not sure how keen his nose is, but I would assume it’s much stronger than mine.
“You guys go ahead, I’ll catch up in a few.” Ares nods his head in our direction, and Milo has joined us now. I give a small wave and plaster a smile on my face. It still feels weirdthatI’m going to be sleeping in their sons’ rooms, and no one seems to mind.
Ollie guides us from the kitchen, and Dante has his arm around my waist like I need help standing. I don’t, he’s overreacting, but I like his closeness so I don’t push him away. Our walk to the room is quiet, and nowthatI’m away from their parents the fatigue I felt earlier is setting in.
Milo pushes open the door, I don’t waste a second shuffling over to the bed and climbing in. Ares changed the sheets while I was in the shower, but Dante pauses at the doorframe, his head tilting to the side as his chest expands. His eyes land on me in the bed, I’ve already got the covers pulled up to my neck, and I can’t meet his eyes, so I stare at his chin. If he didn’t already know what was going whilewe were gone, he does now. He rolls his shoulders and neck, and his head lowers, making him seem more predatory as he steps over to the bed slowly.
Ollie, seeming to not notice, walks over to the closet then heads into the bathroom. “I won’t be long if anyone else needs in.” The door closes behind him before he even looks back in my direction.
Milo shuffles over to the closet and disappears behind the panel. Alone with Dante, my eyes return to him. He’s standing beside the bed, his eyes on me. I swallow, wondering if he will say anything. Instead, he grabs the bottom hem of his shirt and lifts it slowly. His abdominal muscles tighten, and his biceps bulge a little when he pulls it free. He doesn’t move to get in bed and his eyes never leave mine. It’s like he’s putting himself on display for my inspection.
I raise the covers a little more, but I can’t look away. Dante blinks at me, his eyelids heavy as he reaches down. He doesn’t wear a belt, so his hand goes right for the button on his pants.
My eyes grow wide and I look over at the closet, Milo hasn’t come out yet. Returning my gaze back to Dante, I watch as he loosens the button on his jeans. He’s not wearing anything beneath. My face grows warm as I follow the dark patch of hair up his belly, until I meet his eyes.His pupils are dilated, the amber ring surrounding them glowing more orange than I’ve ever seen, outside of his animal form.
I was right to assume he was putting himself on display; I think this is his tiger offering himself up. The itching feeling I get under my skin when I feel his power too close rushes over me. I feel an ache in my mouth and my tongue instinctively runs along my front gums. I don’t know what surprises me more, how pointy my canines have become, orthe factthatI can feel the roughness of myowntongue.
Dante’s head tilts again, and he lifts his chin, baring his neckto me,buthis eyes are locked on mine. I feel my lip curl up as a low growl emanates from my chest. I situp and the blankets fall into my lap. My shields are down. I’m so exhausted after the long day that I don’t have enough energy to fight the demands of Dante’s abilities as they crash into me.
I look at my body, aware of what’s happening, but it’s like I’msomehowwitnessing it instead of experiencing it. Dante jerks his arm out behind him and my eyes, much more sensitive to movement, track it.
Milo is standing near the panel of the closet. My gaze focuses on him as he stands frozen with a bundle of clothes clutched against his wide chest. Another snarl leaves my lips, the predator inside me thinking he might go after my prey, Dante. Another jerk of Dante’s hand and Milo retreatsbackinto the closet. I know deep inside I would never hurt him, but I’m having a hard time reining in the beast inside me.
I dig my hands into the covers still over my lap, only to feel them shred around my fingernails. Lifting my arm, I see not only talon like claws extending from my fingertips, but black stripes slanting up my arms. A jolt of fear causes a whine to leave my chest. I’m frightened, but it’s an emotion the animal inside me doesn’t understand. On some basic level she knows we’re safe, that I’m with my mates, and the fear belongsto me,my human self. How much more will I change? Will I be able to come back? I look up at Dante again andthe prickling feeling under my skin is gone. The desire to pin him to the mattress flares up inside of me.
Instead of pouncing on him, my body slinks up so I’m crawling on all fours to get closer to him. Dante doesn’t move a muscle. His chinis still tipped in the air, the thick line of his neck exposed to my beast, and she likes it.
Once I reach the end of the bed, my face is level with his bare stomach. My tongue whips out lightning fast andlaves Dante from his pubic bone up to his navel. His scent goes stronger, but he doesn’t even breathe.
A muffled noise triggers my senses, my ear twitches. Keeping my face low, I snag Dante’s jeans with my claws, trapping him. Angling my head, I look around him and see Milo disappearing into the bathroom with barely any sound. A snarl of satisfaction purrs from my chest, I’m alone with Dante.
Releasing his pants, the fabric falls away from his hip, leaving even more of him exposedfrom the torn material. I rise until I’m right in front of him, kneeling. A wave of pure contentment settles over me as I do. Mine.
I run my hands over his chest, careful, even though I’m so far gone, that I won’t hurt him. My rough tongue swipes lazily up over chest until I reach his neck. I bury my face there, my vicious teeth, pointy enough to cut myownmouth, dragging over his shoulder.
When he doesn’t make a sound or deny my touches, I rise until I’m standing on the bed and looking down at him. Dante’s eyes meet mine and I don’t see an ounce of fear, lust, maybe even a little respect, butnot fear.
“Turn,” I order, my words a growl. Ever so slowly he does as I asked, making sure not to make any sudden movements. As soon asthe smooth lines of his back are exposed, a purr leaves my chest. He is mine to do with what I choose.
