My sister and her mate stand up, holding hands, smiling at each other. “We have an announcement to make.” He kisses her hand.
“We’re going to have a pup” I knew she went into her heat, but I didn’t want to ask because the last few times weren’t very successful.
Getting out of my chair, I hug her to me I am so happy for you.” My mother starts crying–her first grandchild. Even my father’s eyes are watering, Everyone sheds happy tears, grateful tears. I send a prayer of thanks to the moon. They have been trying for years and years.
Dallas testing there looking slightly uncomfortable, but maintaining appearances
Once the excitement has calmed down, plates are cleared into the sink, Fresh teats put out with dessert plates.
My mother goes to the fridge and pulls out my cake. I can’t help the stupid smile that spreads wide across my face. Nothing is better than this: my family happy, enjoying themselves. It’s like the past never happened and the future is just so full of hope.
“Happy birthday, Rya.” Excited, everyone is cheering, Dallas looks at me in question but says nothing
All of them join singing happy birthday to me. This is the first time I have someone other than my family sing happy birthday to me since I shifted. His voice is masculine and deep against my ears. Mom places the cake in front of me with all twenty–three candles lit Looking out the window, I see him, just the shadow of him watching us…my family celebrating another year of my life. Their voices are raised loudly, so I know he hears. He knows it’s my special day, vethe’s not sitting at my table with me.
“Make a wish.” I look at everyone’s expectant faces and wish for my own happiness. I’m selfish, but that’s what I ask for.
1 blow out the candles in one go. Dallas leans toward my ear and whispers, “You should have told me it was your birthday.”
“It’s not a big deal.” I glance at him with a shrug of my shoulder.
“You’re wrong! It is a big deal. He pulls his mouth away from my ear. I need to get up to cut the cake.
Handing my family slices of cake, I ask, “Dallas, would you like a piece?”
Eyes of Caribbean blue sea bore into me. “Yes, I’d like a piece,” 1 hand him the plate, and he takes it, letting his fingers touch mine. We make eye contact just a moment longer than it should, and it’s my turn to start blushing. He notices while I try to look some place other than his eyes
He’s growing out his hair. I can almost fist it with my hand and pull his mouth on mine if I wanted to. He’s starting to cloud my mind. It’s unfamiliar to me, thinking about this male wolf io almost kissed me. I can still sense the way his lips almost brushed against mine. That thought sends such images Inside me, fantasizing about his lips on mine. Instead of all my nighttime dreaming of Clayton, Dallas is now stalking his way inside my thoughts. Even my daytime thoughts are starting to include him.
The tension between the two of us is like a string, pulling tight at the ends, ready to snap at any minute. It’s taunting us, having a good laugh on our behalf.
At work, we try to pretend it doesn’t exist. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me, looking at my lips. I have to pretend I don’t notice the wolf’s eyes that have a dominance now in his stare. He tries his best to suppress his nature, at times having to leave the room flushed with an excuse of needing to check something in his office. Nothing has happened between us since that night.
I can see the way his head turns, mouth slightly parting in an easy smile. It gives me feelings deep down in my stomach that makes me want to reach out and touch him.
Even though my stomach is full, I hunger for something else. My chest rumbles inside, it’s sudden, without warning. I look back up; his eyes haven’t left mine. The table is hushed. I’m mortified now. Getting up, I go to the sink and start to do the dishes.
“I’m sorry,” 1 mumble to everyone
It’s like I’m so malnourished from being so alone for so long, he has something that can satisfy me. I want to let myself indulge in him….
My father gets up, grumbling that he needs some air. Dallas is right behind him. The mates of my sisters practically run out, I can see them through the kitchen window, standing by the fire. Dallas, with his hands by his side, eyes my father, my sisters‘ mares surrounding him. Shoulder back, had held high I try to turn my ears their way to listen in on what they’re saying to each other,
Book Chapter 24
My father looks at the lake, nods his head yes, wiping away at his eye. A long discussion with hand gestures and posturing toward Ballas. He holds kingselt still, listening; as they all give him something that’s on their minds. Dallas nods in agreement with everything they say
“How long have you been interested in
Her voice hits my back with my sisters standing behind her.
“Don’t far We always can tell when you’relying. We just let you believe that we’re tricked by your words.” That takes my breath away with her truth.
“I just think that he’s nice” The plate in my hand almost falls back hit the soapy water.
as he met his mate yet?” There was a hint of sadness in her voice. “She died.” They all inhale a breath
“So he’s free to be claimed.” “Mother, I have a mile. “
“Who doesn’t want you.” It’s spit out by my sister, Her disgust for him rolls off her body in powerful waves of contempt.
Looking out the window, I can see that my father is shaking hands with Dallas, along with my sisters‘ mates. Glant grins are on all their faces.
“What pack is be from?”
“Liver
asked. All I know is that his mate died and he’s here. That’s it. I don’t want to talk about this again.” Turning to look at my mother, I let her
know this conversation is over.
My mother goes to open her mouth again. “Stop, Mom.”
The males enter the house, Dallas ging me a once–over before looking away.
“Time for presents!” my sister cheers.
Bags are placed in front of me, and everyone watches as open gifts bought with love. Each one has a special meaning to the buy. I feel overwhelmed with emotion. I don’t need the presents; I just need this. How it is right now, in this moment..this is the best feeling
Dolls is close to me on the couch, not touching, just there beside me. I can feel the beat of him soaking into my slan, and a shiver passes through m This is how Clayton must feel with Kennedy beside him. This is how he must constantly feel by her presence, a constant state of arousal
My family stays well into the night laughing and telling Dallas stories of when I was a small pup. My mother tells him I was born in the month of abundance, that I’m a giver, always giving what I had to others. It starts with a yawn by my father, stating he needs to get to bed, that he’s too old to stay up so late. My sisters follow, leaving Dallas, who doesn’t look too keen to go anywhere except where he’s sitting
My stomach is fluttering to be all alone with this male woll
“Do you want anything else to drink or eat? I’m at the sink, potting away the dry dishes.
“No, Findine.” His voice has dropped lower. He’s standing right behind i now. I hold onto the sink with my hands to steady myself. I can feel him taking the hair tie that binds my brakt. He doesn’t say a word. His nose rests against my head, inhaling. He unravels my hair; it’s loose, wavy. His fingers start to in through it. This is the first time a male has groomed me. Strong Lagers run through the pale blond hair, my scalp is tingling.
His warm breath tickles behind my ear, then the softest kiss is placed on my neck. The collar of my red shirt is pulled to expose the slain of my shoulder. He tastes me with his tongue. My legs are going to give out; I can feel it.
Rya.” His hand on my hip turns me to face him.
It’s slow motion plorious the way he steps into me…the way his male body brings quivers to my skin. Soft lips brush against my cheekbone, a nip to my jowline. I can feel his head pull away just enough for our eyes to meet. He doesn’t let me have time to decide; he decides for me. His lips are gentle against mine. A hint of congue glides out against my mouth. I move my mouth with his load, hands wrapping around his neck, pulling myself into him. A rumble deep inside of him shakes me l’unshaking.
I can’t get close enough as I rub against the part that makes me quiver. He gives a moan, biting softly on my bottom lip. I can smell myself, my body’s response to drive him forward, signaling, to the wolf that I am receptive to his advances.
