Fighting for her Mate

6

Lael sat quietly, nursing her glass of wine. Since the night of the attack behind Mason’s bar, Emma had been thinking of a way to include her. On her own accord, Lael was endangering her health by using her Wiccan powers to keep an eye on the future of the pack. When Emma suggested they invite her over, everyone thought it was a great idea. Ellie liked Lael and having her as part of the ladies’ night had been a good move.

“I don’t think it’s your brothers that’s bothering your mother, Ellie.” Lael’s eyes glazed over for a second. “There’s darkness in her past the fates were able to save her from. That darkness would have consumed everyone here. Now, it lingers over the pack.” Her cheeks warmed and she dropped her chin to her chest. “Sorry, Ellie. I didn’t mean to pry into your mother’s life. Sometimes my powers decide to do their own thing.”

She gaped at Lael. She knew the witch was powerful, but damn, this was something she hadn’t expected. Her mother was keeping something from her. “I don’t have a problem, but she might. What darkness do you see?”

Lael chewed on her lip. “You should ask your mom. It’s not my place. I should not have said anything.”

Jordan gave Ellie a glance that spoke volumes and sat her wine glass on the table. “Lael, we can’t thank you enough for what you’re putting yourself through for our pack’s safety. I didn’t know what you are capable of and how it affected you until you passed out when Emma was attacked behind the bar.” The others agreed.

“Thank you,” she replied. “It’s my honor to be chosen as the one to protect your kind’s species and the role you play in the future.” The others sneaked looks at each other.

Jordan repositioned in her chair and smiled at Lael. Ellie knew that smile. She wanted answers. “What do you mean our kind’s species and our role in the future?”

Lael dropped her gaze to the floor. “I’ve said too much. I apologize.” She looked at Ellie. “How’s your training with the enforcer, Mike, coming along?”

Ellie was taken aback at the sudden change in subject. “It’s going great. Once Caleb got over smelling him on me, Caleb’s been happily pushing me to work with the guy. We’re set up on a schedule to train in the gym after the kids have left for the day. I’m definitely more prepared for an attack from any douchebag Rocco sends our way.”

She scanned her friends’ faces. “You all should get training, too. You never know when you’ll need to defend yourself. Especially you, Jordan, since you’re the pack’s next alpha.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. I’m sure me getting more training would only make Aric happy,” Jordan said. “But this book on the mating ritual is taking up so much time. After I get it published, I’ll look into it. If not with Mike, then maybe a class at one of the women’s shelters.”

All eyes turned to Jordan with excitement and expectation.

“When do you think it will be published?” Emma asked.

“I need to add some pictures—”

“Oh my god,” Emma interjected, “tell me you’re not writing the wolf version of the Kama Sutra.” The group burst into laughter. If Ellie had wine in her mouth, it would’ve come out her nose.

Ellie’s mom’s voice floated into the room. “I heard that. Wait for me before continuing that line of thought.”

“Nope,” Ellie whispered, “we’re changing the topic right now. Not going there with my mother.”

“I heard that, too, spawn of mine.” Everyone laughed.

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Great.” She wracked her brain for anything else to talk about. “Oh, Emma, have Aria and Trevan hooked up yet? We’ve all seen the looks they give each other.”

Emma shook her head. “I know, right? I feel like maybe they need some help or something. They clearly have the hots for each other, but vamps and shifters don’t mix. You know the story about Trevan’s pack being wiped out by vampires—”

Nicole gasped. “Seriously? Holy crap. Talk about twisted fated mates.”

“No doubt,” Emma continued. “That’s the whole issue. He’s having a hard time getting past that species thing. He’d gladly take out every vamp, if someone would let him. But I think he’s starting to see Aria is different,” Emma said. “Seeing her as different, but her still being a vamp is probably messing with his head and his emotions. I mean, he hates them, but he probably can’t help wanting her. I don’t care what either of them say, those two are meant to be together.”

“Do you think they’ll get together? Trevan seems like a nice guy,” Jordan said. “That would be some love story. Vampire and wolf.”

Emma gave a sad shake of her head. “Right now, Aria is supposedly engaged to the leader of the southern vamp clan. They’re supposed to get bonded or married to bring the two groups together. But she never talks about the guy. I’ve never seen him around. And no one has ever mentioned his name that I know of. Very strange, that group.”

Barbara entered the room. “Okay, back to Kama Sutra. What page?” She held up a thick paperback book.

Ellie groaned and the others howled in laughter.

Lael watched the women interact. She enjoyed the camaraderie and bond they shared. It went past blood. This family was stronger than anything physical. All was right in the world of the Wolfes, until Ellie’s mom decided to share her s*x life. At that moment, a baby’s cry cut through the air.

Ellie sighed. “Saved by the screaming baby bell. Thank god.”

Karla hopped to her feet, as did Lael. “Karla, may I see the babies? I hear they’re adorable.”

“Absolutely. Come on back with me. We’ll see who’s fussy. Be right back, ladies.” Lael followed Karla down the hall to the new nursery Tristan put in so there was no excuse for his grandbabies not to come over any time.

Karla opened the door to see three sets of eyes patiently waiting. “Well, now that one of you woke the rest, I guess you all want to get up, hmm?” Karla stood at the crib with all three lying in content.

Lael raised a brow. “Is it safe to have all three in the same bed? Doesn’t that pose some kind of danger?” She realized how that might come across as intrusive and rude so she winced. “Not that I know; I don’t have kids or anything.”