Jabba’s Journey (Iron Howlers MC #2)

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Jabba

While Electra writes her list, I try to reconcile the things I’m feeling inside with what I always believed about myself. Growing up, I was always told there wasn’t anyone out there for me; I was too big, ungainly, odd. Since finding my place in the Iron Howlers, I’ve adjusted my thinking slightly, but where women and mates are concerned, not so much.

So, to see this tiny pixie with runes etched in her skin denoting she’s a magical being and feel the current running through my body with the knowledge that she’s mine has me off my game somewhat. It’s taken everything in my power not to spend every second in her presence, even when she was unconscious. My wolf was upset that we weren’t allowed to care for her when we first got her back to the clubhouse, but I wasn’t ready to reveal what she was to me, so instead, I allowed Harmony to do her thing.

Now, however, I want to be the one to tend to her and take care of all her needs. Ever since she woke up and I caught her crystalline blue eyes in my gaze, I’ve had to keep my headstrong wolf in check. That bastard is impatient on most days, but right now, he wants me to throw her over my shoulder and head to our den and not come up for air until she’s mated, claimed, and carrying our pup.

“You’re sure this isn’t too much trouble?” she asks, interrupting my thoughts. The fact that she sounds insecure believing that someone would do something to help her out just because it’s the right thing to do has my beast snarling. He wants me to track down anyone who put that doubt in her tone and shred him into minuscule pieces. Nobody has the right to make my female feel less than her worth.

Needing to clear the murderous thoughts from my head, I decide to put all of my attention on her and ask, “Not at all. Are you noting where things are located?”

Eventually, I’ll know everything about her and vice versa, but until we have that discussion, she deserves her privacy. Which means no snooping, even though a piece of me wants to solve the mystery that is my mate.

“Yes. My door is coded, but I’ve written that down.” At my narrow-eyed look she continues, “I often have to go out searching for the things I need and carrying keys doesn’t allow me to move silently so I don’t disturb the wildlife, so I had my door coded for convenience.”

“That makes sense,” Karsyn states, interrupting us. She looks over at Harmony and says, “Maybe Cyrus and Corbin will consider that, because I know Corbin at least has lost a ton of keys over the years.” I smirk at her commentary because men claim women’s purses are black holes, but when you stop and think about it, so are men’s pockets.

I bet he has lost items when he shifts, because while he’s an Alpha, if he transforms while dressed, his clothes are still shredded just like ours are, and keys go flying. Hell, I’ve lost a few wallets over the years and don’t even get me started on how many fucking debit cards I’ve had to replace. My bank ladies don’t even raise a brow any longer when I have to walk into the local branch. It’s something to think about; I mean, if we’re not driving anywhere, maybe we shouldn’t bother putting our wallets in our pockets. Then I nix that idea, because it’s like the swipe of deodorant; it’s an automatic habit and I don’t think any of us will be able to break it easily. Perhaps we need to have a prospect stay nearby who can collect all of our shit when we have to shift unexpectedly. Something else to ponder.

“I’ll bring it up to Cyrus the next time we have church,” I say, addressing their suggestion since I think from a security standpoint it’s something to consider. I know our tech guys will ensure the security at both clubhouses remains intact, but it’ll definitely keep our keys from getting into the wrong hands.

Especially since we have Jazzy and Sage to protect, plus the future babies that I’m sure are coming from Harmony and Karsyn. Both clubs are gonna be growing, and it’s one of my jobs to ensure all of us remain safe from harm. The second the thought of growth in the clubhouse flashes through my head, I shake it off because my imagination went directly to Electra’s belly rounded with my pup. We’re not there yet. But one day, when she’s accepted the significance of me in her life, I’m sure that topic will come up in conversation. And color me surprised, I’m ready for it. Probably because I’ve yearned for a family I could call my own since the one I was raised in felt so toxic.

She breaks into my thoughts once again when she says to Jazzy, “Sprinkles isn’t shy at all, and she’ll go into her carrier without a problem. That’s in my mudroom, which is where my washer and dryer are, so you should be able to find it.”

“I can’t wait to pet her,” Sage says, looking at Jazzy. “Is she fuzzy?”

I chuckle as her question has Electra talking about her pet, her face so animated that it sends me down the path of wondering how she’ll look when she’s sated.

Dammit, there I go again! Shaking my head at my musings which are causing inappropriate bodily reactions, I look at Harmony and ask, “Your mate busy?”

“When isn’t he?” she retorts, grinning at me. “Probably, but I’ve already let him know what’s going on.” When Electra looks at her in shock because she hasn’t physically grabbed her phone and sent a text or made a phone call, Harmony simply taps her forehead with her finger and smiles. When Electra’s mouth opens in a wide O, I duck my head for a second, so she doesn’t see my grin.

I nod, knowing she reached out through their link and told him of the current plan in place. “Good.”

Seeing that Electra is tearing off a page from the notebook, I reach out and take it from her, our fingers lightly brushing. The look on her face tells me she feels the same spark I do, a current of electricity.

“You just rest, we’ll be back before you know it.” I make the excuse, not ready to answer any of her questions about the feelings that flowed between us. When I get the courage to tell her what she is to me and likewise me with her, we’ll broach that subject.

“Oh! I have a clean litter box in the mudroom as well,” she says, smiling at me. “And an unopened bag of her litter.” I grab a pen off my desk and add those items then tilt my head, waiting to see if she thinks of something she might have forgotten. When a few seconds go by and she doesn’t come up with anything else, I know I’m good to go.

“We’ve got it, I promise. Come on, girls, let’s blow this popsicle stand,” I say to Jazzy and Sage who are practically bouncing out of their skin.

Since I only own a motorcycle and have two little girls coming along with me to help me gather Electra’s things, I took the club’s communal truck.

“Do you think Sprinkles will be scared of us?” Jazzy asks, her knees bouncing in excitement as we trek down the dirt path that’ll lead to Electra’s home.

“I’m not sure,” I admit, glancing over at her. “Some felines don’t have trouble with our wolves, but some can’t handle the dominance we radiate.”

“I don’t want the kitty to be scared of us,” Sage whispers.

“Neither do I,” Jazzy concurs, her tone soft.

“Let’s take it one step at a time, huh? Let’s not worry about it until it happens. We could walk in there and Sprinkles could choose to claim us as one of her people.”

“Okay,” they both say in agreement.

The rest of the drive is done so in silence. The girls are both lost in their thoughts of how they’ll win Sprinkles over while I’m contemplating how to help Electra heal both emotionally and physically so I can explain to her that fate has deemed us each other’s soul mate.

When we pull into her driveway and park, her natural scent envelops me. And even though this is not my abode, I get wrapped in the feeling of coming home. I feel welcome here even though this is my first time stepping onto the property.

“Look!” Jazzy hollers excitedly. “She has a koi pond in her front yard and there are fish inside of it.”

“Being that she’s a water witch, it doesn’t surprise me that she’d have a water source or two surrounding her house,” I utter aloud, peering into the pond. I’m impressed at the size of the fish inside, then realize that she didn’t mention them, and I have no clue how they eat.

“It helps her stay powerful, huh?” Sage questions.

“That about sums it up,” I remark, smiling at the inquisitive duo. We do everything we can to keep the girls educated about all aspects of the paranormal and supernatural world. After all, their potential mates could come from any of the facets.

I nod my head and encourage them to follow me to the door. Once I gain entrance, my jaw drops. Natural light shines through coming from every wall of the house. She has picture and stained-glass windows which causes a spectrum of colors to shine throughout and bounce off the surfaces.

“It’s like a rainbow,” Jazzy says, her tone in awe.

“It’s so pretty,” Sage says with admiration.

After a small investigation, I walk into each room, gathering the items off her list, while the girls focus on grabbing the items for Sprinkles, who is following both girls meowing her head off. She’s got a smooshed face and as Electra said, there are sprinkles of color in her fur. They’re both enthralled and I imagine they’ll be pleading with their respective parents to get a pet of their own. That thought makes me chuckle since both Cyrus and Corbin are hardasses. Of course, when it comes to their girls, there’s nothing they won’t do for them.

Pulling out my phone, I call Harmony because I need to make sure we take care of the koi in the pond before we leave. When she answers, I ask, “Can you check with Electra about something?”

“Sure, what do you need to know? I’ll put the phone on speaker,” Harmony replies.

“Jabba?” Electra’s voice coming through the line sends shards of longing through me and I have to take a deep breath in order to respond.

“Electra, do you have anything special you give the koi?” I question.

“Oh! The pond is its own ecosystem, so they find food within it, but the big rock that has the gnome on it is actually a specially made feeder. I usually toss in two scoops to supplement what they get from the pond itself.”

“How often?” I ask, already making plans to make daily trips if necessary.

“Just once a week. They’re past due though,” she replies.

“We’ll take care of it before we leave. Is there anything else you can think of?” I want to get back but talking to her is a delicious torture as well.

Harmony’s voice breaks in and she says, “Maybe anything that would spoil that’s in her refrigerator, Jabba.”

“We’ll get that as well and be back shortly.”