3) Sweet as Honeysuckle

Moxie nestled himself at the bar behind Jay as he watched the hunter’s entire body tense the moment Mj’s hand was touched, “easy Jay, our little sister is a smart girl, and you know the commander would never let anything happen to her,” Jay grunted as Moxie squeezed his shoulder and swatted at his hand. “Knock it off Mox this is dangerous... and where the fuck is Ed?”

Moxie pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned, “you need to have trust in her Jay... she is not some small kid who needs you to rescue her-” Moxie’s words caught in his throat as Jay whirled around to face him, “she is my sister, Moxie and her mate left her! She is vulnerable and needs us now more than ever.” Jay thrust his hand in Mj’s direction, and Moxie watched as the strange wolf’s fingers roamed all over her body. “If you think her acting like that is her being able to cope, then you clearly understand women less than I do.” Jay grabbed Moxie by the shoulders and walked them away from the bar, “I know that the Alpha and Ace would never put Mj in danger without a way to get her out of it, but you also need to think about the fact that they are counting on her to ultimately make the right decisions for herself, and Mox you know how connected we are…. I am telling you I can FEEL that she is struggling a lot more than she is letting on.” Moxie leaned against the wall, so he could still scan the dance floor as Jay kept a watchful eye on his sister, “come on JJ it’s not that bad... so she doesn’t eat with us anymore, and she doesn't go to any of the parties, she never really did any of that before assholes-R-US went A-wall anyway, so it’s really not that big of a jump for her to have stopped doing them now.” Jay pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head, “No Mox you are in denial on purpose dammit, she WAS getting better she WAS going out with us and folding into the pack, even after the attack at the Alpha’s private cottage... but that changed the day Ace started her training, and you know it Mox.” Suddenly, Jay’s pointless whimpering had Moxie paying ruthless attention to the fellow hunter, Moxie cocked his head slightly and bore his eyes so far into Jay’s he could swear he was touching the wolf’s very soul. “You will not speak against the Commander, he is the toughest and most honest of us all...he would never do anything to make our little sister weak he would only make her stronger...like she is now little brother, look at her JJ.” Suddenly Moxie’s demeanor shifted and with lightning speed, he flipped positions with Jay, keeping him caged between the cold wall and Moxie’s steady heartbeat.

Moxie watched as Jay’s pulse fluttered to life under the large veins in his throat and the scruffy yet handsome wolf purred seductively as he leaned in so close to Jay’s neck, his lips brushed the lobe of his ear as Moxie spoke. “Look at the control our little sister has over her body, her impulses are hidden to the naked eye like a true hunter.” Moxie pressed his torso against Jay, so tightly he could feel the faint quiver of the young wolf's heartbeat, but the sudden sound of Mj squealing brought both of them out of the unspoken haze still hanging in the air. Moxie spun around, ready to pounce when Jay caught him by the elbow, “relax Mox... what happened to trusting in our little sister and the Commander... look before you leap honey,” Jay’s implication was solidified when he jerked his skull in Mj’s direction. Moxie glanced toward Mj and noticed that she was now smiling, perched on the shoulder of the large stranger like a parrot or pet monkey, watching her grip onto him and laugh as he squeezed her hip provocatively had the subtle pur in Moxie’s chest quickly turning to a deadly growl before her tried to cover it by clearing his throat, “we watch, we wait.” Jay shook his head slightly and pushed himself away from the wall, walking toward the edge of the dance floor in an attempt to get closer to Mj without being obvious.

Ed watched the two pairs from across the room. He was a hunter, but his position was to also keep a silent, watchful eye on the mental health of these young wolves and report it directly to the Alpha. Ed appreciated the covert part of his job. He had been around when Azreal’s father had been Alpha, and although he had been a good leader to his pack, his hunters had suffered. 

Ed was not part of the hunters when Azreal’s father lead the Quicksilver pack, but he had been close friends with a few and after Calix ascended to Azreal the young Alpha had retired the older hunters in an effort to honor their service, but unfortunately, they were thrust from the life of a hunter to the life of a civilian wolf and the outcome had not been a pleasant one. So, Ed now kept a watchful eye on the mental wellbeing of the younger generation in hopes of avoiding the same damage that had been done to the previous wolves.

For the most part, Ed ignored any outburst between Moxie and Jay, he knew the two of them had some kind of lovers falling out or were at least making a sloppy attempt to hide their affair, so he left them to their healthy and mostly harmless quarreling. However, he kept them in his peripheral vision in case one of the two got out of hand. 

As Ed scanned the room, his main focus once more fell on Mj and the spectacle being made by the club owner to warn off any other potential wolf waiting to pursue her. Ed watched with an eagles eye as Mj began to stroke the underside of his jaw with her fingertips and Ed’s heart ached slightly, not just for the sadness he knew she was hiding behind her smile but for the fact that he had watched her move with the same tender care when soothing her angry shifted mate. Ed exhaled again as a petite cocktail server brushed her hand over the top of his shoulders, gaining his attention. “Can I get you something to put a smile on that handsome face,” Ed politely smiled and shook his head. “No, thank you miss, I am waiting for someone.” Instead of leaving, the young woman moved her slight frame to stand directly in Ed’s line of view, making it impossible to see Mj unless he made it obvious he was watching.

Ed cocked an eyebrow as the girl popped her gum and swung her small hip out to one side. “come on honey...you look like somebody stood you up, I know the perfect drink to wash that away.” The petite server sat down in the chair actress from Ed and leaned over the table with a coy smile. Ed glanced down at the young girl and gave her his most dazzling half smile while readjusting his focus on Mj and her ever agitating companion. Ed blinked a few times and licked his lips, watching the inexperienced girl’s attention dart to his mouth, the older wolf leaned forward in an almost predatory manor. “Tender little lambs shouldn't sit down at tables with big bad wolves they don't know.” Ed hated the sound of that line but choked it out anyway and to his dismay instead of scarring off the pestering but pleasant looking cocktail waitress she slid her narrow hands forward and laced her fingers with hers, “who says I’m the lamb... maybe you should be worried about me.” The young girl chirped, and Ed’s eyebrow peaked at his hairline as a mischievous giggle erupted from her plump lips. Ed swallowed hard and willed himself to remember he was a hunter and not a man. Ed pulled his hands from the soft grasp of the giddy young girl and folded his arms behind his head. “Well aren't you just delicious... what's your name,” The cocktail server stood up and drug her tongue over her bottom lip slowly, making sure to keep Ed’s attention,”it’s Honeysuckle, and just like me, it’s sweet.” Ed chuckled lightly as she winked and blew a small pink bubble, and the older wolf gracefully leaned forward and punctured the delicate sphere with a single digit, covering his finger in the sugary confection. The small erotically flirtatious server grabbed Ed’s palm and quickly stuffed his bubblegum covered finger into her mouth, surrounding it with her smooth warm tongue as she worked the gum free and let his finger slowly pop from between her lips.

Ed let a small grin creep up the side of his mouth as he placed his hand back on the table and leaned back in his chair, “how about a drink Honey?,” he sang in a low and rich voice, patting himself on the back as he watched the youthful woman’s pupils dilate with her inexperienced lust. The young cocktail waitress swallowed hard and nodded quickly before dashing off and Ed laughed to himself as he wiped his still wet finger on his jeans, the poor young thing had been so flustered she didn’t even bother to ask him what he wanted to drink. Ed’s attention narrowed as he watched the club owner walk away from a distressed but still calm looking Ace, and Ed chewed his lip as Mj waved sarcastically at the Commander as she was carried away from the bar and toward a roped off part of the club. Soon Honey returned with a few drinks on a tray and set them down in the middle of Ed’s table, the older wolf chuckled, and before he could say anything she slipped her slender frame between his chest and the edge of the table, placing her delicate body on his lap she wrapped her long lean arms around his neck and looked toward the table. “I forgot to ask what you liked, so I brought you a few different things... I hope you don’t mind.” Ed patted the waitress on the rear, and she giggled like a flirty school girl, “not at all sweet little Honeysuckle, I am flattered you would worry about what this tongue finds pleasing.”

The sound of cackling laughter caused the pettit server to squeeze Ed’s neck tighter, and her body jolted in his lap as he rolled his head to the side in time to catch Moxie and Jay saddling up to the table with him. Honeysuckle tried to hide her face in the fold of Ed’s shoulder, but he caught the edge of her chin with his index finger and thumb, lifting her eyes to his. “I was waiting for company, but the extra drinks were brilliant thinking and won’t go to waste.” 

Ace cleared his throat as he approached the table, and once more the young server almost curled into a frightened ball. Ed lifted her off his lap by the elbow and offered her a dazzling smile. “could we get a few waters and reserve you as our hostess for the night?” The server’s eyes almost lit up with dollar signs as she clapped her hands together excitedly and then leaned down into Ed’s ear, stroking the back of his neck with her long, thin fingers. “I would be more than happy to open a tab for you, I will be right back with your water... and don't forget while I'm gone, my name is Honeysuckle because I’m twice as sweet.” The small cocktail server drug her tounge from the back of Ed’s ear lobe to the front of his jaw before she pecked him lightly on the cheek and skipped off into the techno color chaos of the club. Ace reached forward and slapped Ed in the back of the head before grabbing a chair for himself, “we are supposed to be working Ed” he barked, and the older wolf laughed as he crossed his arms, “Don't worry about the way I work Commander... what about you? Aren’t you supposed to be on Mj’s six tonight, where the hell is she?”

Ace slammed his fists down on the dinner table as Moxie and Jay frantically picked up drinks before they could spill. “I was doing my job just fine, Mj is the one who decided to take off with that overstuffed fuck wad.” Ace didn’t notice the cocktail server until her barely covered breasts swung in his face as she giggled and placed ice-cold, sweating glasses of water on the table. “Did you say your friend took off with someone in the club?” Ace rolled his eyes as he sat back in the chair and growled under his breath, “what’s it to you,” the Commander barked, and Honey wilted a little at his harsh tone. “Come on man, ease up, she just tryna help,” Moxie said, and Ace huffed in irritation as she crossed his arms tight over his chest. “She went into the roped off area of the club,” he grumbled, and the young server giggled, “that’s the VIP lounge...you boys opened a tab, so I can get you a table back there if you want, but if you need me to help you find your friend I would only ask for one small favor.” Honey tried to gently place her plump, round hips in Ace’s lap, but the Commander jolted to his feet. “That will be enough of that. I don't want to play games. Tell me what you want and keep your trampy ass off my pants.” As Honeysuckle righted herself and pulled down on her very short uniform, she glared at Ace, “Fine asshole!... you have to buy the first bottle of my choosing, and then I will get your fucking friend.” Ed struggled to hold in his laughter, but the rhythmic shuddering of his shoulders gave it away completely.        Ed stood and extended his hand out to the cocktail waitress, “sweetest Honey, it would be my honor if you would allow me to escort you to the VIP lounge,” as Ed gave her his extended elbow the young woman giggled and latched onto Ed like he was a celebrity.

Ace, Jay, and Moxie followed behind Ed and his giggly arm candy as they made their way through the roped-off section of the club and true to her word, she set them up immediately at a nice secluded corner table. Ace was more than pleasantly pleased with the seating. He could observe all the other VIP booth’s and still keep a watchful eye on the club without having to turn his back to anyone but the wall. Honey brought two large bottles to the table and Ace told her to leave both. The ear to ear grin that spread across her face gave Ace a sour feeling in the pit of his stomach. “Lighten up Commander,” Moxie sang as he sat back and took a long drink from a freshly filled glass. Ace sneered at Moxie and jerked straight out of his chair, “I guess I will go find our sister... Jay, you take the far side of the lounge, and we will meet back here.” Jay simply nodded and took a small sip of his water before he rose and left the room without a word, and Ace followed behind. Ed sat back and scanned the club once more as Moxie leaned back in his chair, “get anything good from the drink girl?” he asked and Ed just shook his head, “not yet... but she is definitely going to give me something.” Moxie laughed behind his glass, “careful Eddie, she might have rabies,” he mocked, and both hunters laughed as they continued to examine the surrounding crowd.//