He’d exhausted her. She’d fallen asleep after he exhibited of masculine endurance. Ellie found herself pleasantly sore in the usual places. But that didn’t stop her from checking in the mirror for bites. She was half afraid he’d distracted her enough that she might have missed him biting her. Ellie sighed with relief. “All you needed to do was ask if I’d bitten you, babe. But stand like that, naked, much longer. We’ll be right back in my bed, and I promise I will bite you.” There it was again, that wolffish smile of his. It had her weak in the knees. “I don’t have time to be your bouncy castle. I have to figure out what stock we have. Figure out where I am again with the orders that must ship. Never mind stock for the shop.” “You forgot something. We’re sitting down with Malcolm this morning to discuss how the pack will improve your business model.” “About that. Why would any wolf shifters help with our business? A fox shifter business. You’re not ma
Malcolm wouldn’t let up and, as tired as Melody was, she didn’t have it in her for a prolonged argument. He wanted things his way and he would get it by wearing her down and he didn’t have very far to wear her down. There she was lying in bed determined not to sleep and then she was waking up to light coming in from an enormous window and Malcolm coming into the bedroom with David chattering away in his arms. “Hey, are you ready to say morning to mommy? I bet you are, and I think she’s finally rested enough that we can have a sane conversation once you’ve had breakfast and are ready for your day. Morning sunshine, it appears we have a busy day ahead of us. If we don’t hurry, we may miss out on breakfast with the pack.” Melody sat up and took David from Malcolm. He seemed far too alert and happy suddenly. What happened to the wolf on the warpath from last night? “What alternate universe it this? Why would I be eating breakfast with your pack? Malcolm
Melody insisted on taking David with them instead of leaving him with some. He was hers and no one else would look after or raise him but her. So there she was in the dining room full of wolves eating breakfast. She thought she’d be far more out of place. That wasn’t the case. These weren’t just the important wolves of the pack gathering to eat. She was fairly certain that almost every wolf came to this meal. The formal dining room was far more simply set than she expected as well. There didn’t appear to be a dress code either by the looks of an old wolf walking by in cartoon patterned pyjamas pants and a t-shirt in one notable instance. His table mate appeared to be ready for an office job even as she cut up food for a small pup beside her. Later, they appeared to play past the pup as she left the table, not to return again. Malcolm insisted she stay seated, and he’d bring her food. That was the last thing she expected. They were eating when finally Ellie
Melody and Ellie didn’t have time to talk to each other for quite a while because Malcolm and Jordan were so focused on what they planned to do. Ellie and Melody didn’t find out what the other’s opinion about all of this was until far later. Right now, Malcolm and Jordan were introducing them to person after person. Their names, positions, and attitudes were a whirl for Melody. She ended up asking for something to take notes with. She expected paper and a pen. What Malcolm handed her was a tablet, and Malcolm told her to keep it. It was connected to the pack’s indoor systems, and she could access anything she wanted or needed. When she looked more closely, he’d given her his personal tablet. That made her wonder about the security and why wasn’t he concerned about her being a security risk? It was like an old-fashioned staff introduction to a grand house. As breakfast ran its course and fewer people entered looking for their morning meal. The purpose of the r
“What do you think? I honestly believe you can work with this, don’t you? Space to create, package, and sell all in one and you don’t need to take your work home with you or spend your days juggling David with your work.” “I will ask again. Why didn’t you just walk away, or take David? Why go to all this trouble?” Melody asked Malcolm and Ellie, watched from the corner waiting for the explosion or violence to happen. Melody was asking similar things all morning, and Malcolm was ignoring the questions. Except he showed that his patience was thinning. “Why? Because this is how I want it. I am the Alpha here and if I want my lover to be fulfilled and available to me when I want her, then I will move heaven and earth to have that. Remember? We’re not finished until I say we are.” “So showing this to me isn’t for my approval, but a show of your control over everything and everyone. They want to stay, then they do as they’re told, and it’s no different for me.”
“In this affair, I make the rules as well. In this case, we aren’t welcome in that conversation and I like my heart beating in my chest as much as the next guy.” “You left Melody in there where she could die?” “Oh, she’s the only one that’s safe from him. He’ll never do her harm. It’s if you or I interfere, we could be in danger. Also, I’m not much into watching them get intimate with each other. Now, if you wanted to have an adult version of parallel play, I could easily take part in that kink.” “What is parallel play?” “It is where two kids play side-by-side doing different things.” It scandalized Ellie by the visual that entered her mind. The four of them having sex on the floor in the shop at the same time. It engrossed each couple in their partner, ignoring the other couple. It was kinky and interesting at the same time. Ellie felt her core melt, her panties dampening as her thoughts brought back what they’d done with each other last nigh
“You know I’m right, Melody. This isn’t about wants or pleasures. I need you here and you’re not safe out there. David isn’t safe out there either. So, for his safety and yours, we’re seeing my lawyer and setting into motion correcting his birth records. That way, I can work in his best interests.” They we’re on their knees now. His climax was over, but it still locked his engorged shaft within her. She felt so vulnerable as his body covered hers. There wasn’t a more intimate position for a shifter. “Malcolm, that’s crazy. That’s confirming you’re his father and putting a target on his back. I won’t sign it. What assurances do I have you won’t take him from me and then throw me out on the street?” She winced, fearing he’d be violent with her. If looks could start thunderstorms, Malcolm’s face would have started a hurricane. Melody saw his face out of the corner of her eye and instantly regretted saying anything. But she’d took that stance, and she couldn’t s
“Sign here. Here and here. Now this requests the documents to be changed. Mr. Richards will appear as the father and David’s name will appear with the last name of Richards.” The lawyer put papers in front of Melody. The pressure to sign them overrode her need to stay with her pup. She was exhausted from Malcolm’s use of her. She couldn’t believe how he could make her enjoy his dominant nature and actions. Yet hate it when she had to take a stand. Right now, taking a stand was not in her cards. She needed to keep her head down and make him happy. She just prayed he wouldn’t change his mind about this situation. There was no way she could grow to love him willingly right now as he was. Melody was worried about Ellie. What was happening to her? She didn’t like the idea of stepping back and becoming a silent partner. She was also trying to find out what happened or was happening with Malcolm’s mate. He appeared so sure he knew who and where she was, but
The investigation took weeks, and by then they’d moved into the packhouse. Life slowly got back to normal. The pack warmed up to Melody and Ellie. When they realized they were the minds behind their products. The she-wolves embraced them readily. Malcolm and Jordan split their time between the city and the Muskoka territory. Even the various construction projects were progressing well, with no more interference. The Fae were nowhere to be seen. But there were new rogues in the shadows of the neutral zones, and they weren’t living there quietly. The council of alphas were making plans to deal with them along with an ever pending war between the Toronto packs, the Scarborough Grove, and the Don Valley. It was something that cropped up again and again. They had history and family conflict. No one could blame them for the father they had. Now there’s a girl driving a wedge between them again, with her mere existence. Ellie was concerned about Jordan. He’d have to come to terms wi
“When I stepped into leadership of this pack, I made it clear we wouldn’t hold on to old prejudices. This might not be a message that got to some of the most recent pack members. This is a historic time and events have been fast and furious. So, I will state this again without naming names or telling tales out of school, as the humans say.” He paused and looked about. Several uneasy people were now relaxed. “That’s not to say those people will avoid the appropriate punishments later. Now, we are a wolf pack who recognizes fate can grant us mates who aren’t wolves. We don’t punish a person for their species, race, lack of magic, or anything like that. If you have a problem with another, you seek to resolve it without harming each other. Yes, I know for some that is a tough thing to do. But we do that within this pack. I have heard that someone has used their station and position of responsibility to force their political beliefs onto the pack as a whole. The reports I rece
“Now you’re sure we have everything. I’d hate to get there and find out we’re missing something.” Melody was checking her bags again. Malcolm could see her anxiety in her actions. Normally, she would never reveal it. Now he figured it was her motherly instincts kicking in to protect and care for her pups. “Melody, there will be other families there. I’m sure if you’ve forgotten something, someone will have it.” If looks could kill, Malcolm would need a healer, at least if not an undertaker, as the humans would say. Melody didn’t appreciate his assurances. As Jordan passed him with another car seat. They had to install three of them and that was the last. Jordan made eye contact with Malcolm, and they exchanged a sense of commiseration. Malcolm figured it was because Jordan just escaped a similar situation upstairs. “Ellie, let me get the base in the car and then I’ll come get the pups for you. I don’t want you to carry two of those heavy car seats. Just
Malcolm didn’t stay long after that at the meeting. The elders clearly had a lot to chew on and get straight. He’d gone on to remind them their job wasn’t to run the pack or tell people what and how to do things. They weren’t to threaten the pack members if they said or did anything. Their job was to advise and give council. Use their experience and list, assist in finding answers. Guide the next generation. Someone had lost their way and Malcolm would keep an eye on them. So this wouldn’t happen again. They were getting ready to settle down for the rest of the evening when the elders appeared at their door. This time they requested if we could introduce them to the new pack members. A far cry from the morning. Malcolm noticed the speaker wasn’t there, but Cathleen was. “I’m sorry about all of this, Alpha. I truly didn’t believe it. Gisselle was sent by the others. However, I spoke with her about how unreasonable the horrible words were. She agreed with me. I just ask that you
Malcolm was unhappy when he entered the elder’s meeting room to hear this information. What were they thinking, pulling this? Running on rumours and speculation. That wasn’t how he or how he expected his pack to run. Malcolm waiting rather impatiently for a response that didn’t appear to come fast enough for his liking. “Tight lipped, are we? Anyone else like to step up to the speaker’s spot and inform me of exactly what my mate, they accused your Luna of what and by whom?” “I can’t tell you who reported this to us, but I would love to fill you in on this. It’s rather disgraceful, over-the-top, and factually unbelievable.” Cathleen stood up from her seat, a look of sour disapproval on her face. “To make matters worse, they kept me out of the loop on the births that happened at the cottage. This, I gather, was to ensure that I didn’t spill the beans about what they were doing.” “Madam, if you’d please state the accusations that they forced m
Gisselle found herself basically being escorted to the elders. She was sure they weren’t pleased with her right now after the subtle stance she took. Now she’s having to tell them their information about the Luna was full of misleading or outright false information. That wouldn’t go down well either. She entered the building that the elders used for their private meeting. Cathleen was there this time. She’d been missing when the elders stopped in to see the Luna and recognize the pups. “I hear they left me out of the loop in being told the pup was born early this morning.” Cathleen cornered Gisselle about this as soon as she got there. “For that, I’m sorry. I left a message with someone, and they were supposed to contact everyone. Whatever happened, it wasn’t on my part, I had my hands full at the time.” “Tell me you found these fools were acting out of ignorance and that none of this is true.” “Truthfully, none of it was true. Not
When Malcolm woke up, his phone was inundated with messages, wanting to know about everything. From where was he, to be everyone alright, even a few inquiries about complaints from a couple of elders about him throwing tradition to the wind? Business seemed to be well contained, with only a few reassurances that he takes his time, and it would be managed for him. That meant he would need to deal with several things here at home, make several decisions, and find his footing in this new dynamic. If someone told him he’d be mated and a father of two right now, three years ago, he’d have laughed at them and asked them what they were smoking. Now he had one almost running. They needed to get some safety items set up in the cottage. Malcolm was there to catch David this time before he fell down the stairs. No one told him pups moved that fast. Now there were four! He thought he’d let Melody look after this. But with the mess in how people were communicati
Malcolm was more than annoyed with the elders. This was his family and his pack. That meant his word was law and what they did was overstep their place. He didn’t have to listen to their advice, and that’s all their words should be. A voice of experience or a different perspective. They shouldn’t be demanding anything. “What is going on out there?” “Insensitive, self-important ninnies every one of them. The elders were downstairs. They expected you to give birth and then get up and walk down to them so we can present the boys to them officially.” “Is that what it was?” Melody sighed and kissed David’s head as he cuddled. He was still trying to wake up after being woken up several times during the night. “I would have thought you’d want to get it over with.” “We don’t have a name for this little one. I’m not leaving anything to chance. They make me worry that if we don’t have a name, then they’ll select one themselves to expedite things. Are they still giving yo
Three hours after returning to the cottage, Malcolm saw his pup come into the world. It wasn’t at all what he’d expected and if they had any more, he’d gladly wait elsewhere. Gisselle believed the little male would be another pup. So, Malcolm finally made a list of the information he needed to add to the pack’s registry. He couldn’t believe that he’d not added Melody or David to the registry. They’d added Ellie along with the twins. He hoped that’s why no one was respecting them before this. Once things quieted down, it was late enough in the morning for the elders to make their appearance and demands clear. They wanted to be introduced to both pups and do it all official. Malcolm was more than annoyed by this. They expected to be catered to without thought to Melody’s health or anyone else. Why did it even have to be today at all? “Alpha, could you let me handle this as the Luna’s healer? It’s my duty to ensure she recovers. I know you haven’t said anyth