Cherry #2
Maddox goes about filling the tub, adding in some sort of bubble bath that smells like vanilla. I sit beside him and watch as he keeps testing the water and adjusting the temperature until the tub is three-quarters full.
“I’m going to lift you in,” he says right before he scoops me up in his arms and slowly lowers me into the tub.
The water is warm and relaxing, and immediately I get the urge to sink myself down into it, but I know it’ll be over my head if I lie down.
“Sit down,” he instructs and I do as he asks. “Good girl.” A shiver runs down my spine from those words, confusing me, but I’m quickly distracted when he grabs a small jug and starts to pour the warm water down my back.
“I'm going to wet you down, then shampoo you, rinse that out, condition your fur, then one final rinse, before I blow dry you, okay?” I appreciate him explaining what he’s doing. I duck my head in a quick nod as he continues to make sure all my fur is saturated in water.
As he shampoos my fur, my body starts to relax, enjoying the way his fingers massage me.
This is always my favorite part whenever they’ve bathed me in the pond.
He takes time to carefully wash my face, avoiding getting any in my eyes or nose, then lifts each leg to fully clean them.
He uses a washcloth to clean below my tail and between my back legs.
The whole thing is less awkward than I expected, and I find myself relaxing even further, approaching his level of detail and care.
I wonder if looking after me is an alpha thing? Or a Maddox thing?
“Try to stay awake, sweetheart,” Maddox chuckles, making me open my eyes. When did I close them? I rest my chin on the edge of the bath, and he kisses my nose, smiling at me.
“You’re being such a good girl for me. We’ll have to do this more often. Would you like that?” I let out a sigh in agreement, making him smile even bigger.
When we finally finish in the tub, he lifts me out so I don’t slip and gives me a soft towel dry before grabbing a brush and the blow dryer, then we head into his bedroom.
He takes his time to brush me while drying my fur, and I slowly melt into his bed, lying down and rolling when he instructs. By the time he’s done, I feel more relaxed than I’ve felt in over a decade, maybe even my whole life.
“There, now don’t you look beautiful?” he asks as he runs his hand up and down my belly.
“She always looks beautiful,” Hunter adds from where he leans on the door frame.
“Yes, but now she’s practically glowing. Look how bright her fur is,” Maddox comments, stroking me. “And soft.”
Hunter steps forward to feel my fur, and I can’t help but preen under their compliments.
“Guys, you ready?” Chase calls up from downstairs.
“Alright, little wolf, time to go.” Maddox motions for me to follow Hunter downstairs.
It only takes the ten-minute drive to Alpha Kane’s house for my relaxed state to be completely replaced by nerves.
Before we get out of the SUV, Maddox turns from where he sits in the driver’s seat to address us all.
“Red is never to be left alone. She must be in at least one of our sights at all times, understood?”
Worry fills me. I know I’m not exactly safe anywhere, but he makes this sound like it’s extra dangerous here.
“It’s just a safety precaution,” he says when he sees my ears lower in worry. “You should be safe with our pack.”
We exit the vehicle and head around the side of the house to where everyone is gathered in the backyard.
There are several large grills set up with platters full of uncooked steak and chicken nearby, the smell of the raw meat making my nose wrinkle in distaste. Tables are scattered all over the yard, some covered with food, others surrounded by chairs.
Glancing around, I notice there are probably around a hundred people here, and I can’t help but push against Bain’s leg a bit as we walk. His fingers stroke my head, silently telling me he’s here with me.
The guys head straight for Alpha Kane, who is sitting on a large chair surrounded by other males I recognize from the last time we came here.
“Uncle,” Maddox says in greeting.
“Ah, my boy! So glad you could all make it.” His eyes move to me, and I try not to cower under his glare. “I’ve heard some concerning rumors about your new packmate.”
“It’s not like you to concern yourself with rumors,” Maddox says in a way that feels like he means the opposite.
“Still, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t ask. Is it true she tried to attack Juliet again? In town?”
“No,” Maddox says firmly, his hands resting easily in his pockets, like he’s not boiling with rage. Somehow able to keep his demeanor calm and collected. “Juliet was verbally attacking Red and upsetting her, so we left.”
Kane presses his lips together as if he wishes to argue, then his eyes bounce to the other alphas surrounding me, and he seems to think better of it.
“Hopefully, there are no more instances like that, or we might have to discuss her presence here.” His frown instantly changes to a smile as he turns back to Maddox.
“Nevertheless, I hope you all enjoy yourselves today. We need to have a quick conversation a little later about the rogue wolves, but it will only take a few minutes. I’ll let you know when I’m ready. Now go off and enjoy yourselves.”
At his dismissal, Maddox instantly moves us away, and we start wandering through the people meandering around.
They say hi to a few people, but it’s not until we’re in front of two men and two women sitting in the grass near the back of the property that they stop to talk.
I vaguely recognize one of the men as one of the people who greeted us that first day we came out of the woods, weeks ago.
“Max, Trevor, it’s nice to see you here with your mates,” Maddox nods in greeting as we approach.
“Hey, how are you?” the one I think is called Trevor replies, nodding to my men.
“We’re well, thank you. Jenn, Lacey, nice to see you ladies,” Maddox nods to the women. I know he said they are mated to these men, so I don’t feel jealous per se, but instinct still drives me to step forward and lean against Maddox in a feeling of possession.
He glances down at me and smiles. “I’d like to introduce you to Red,” he says as he strokes my head and neck.
One of the women speaks, drawing my attention. “So it’s true? You brought a stray into your pack?” She doesn’t say it like it’s a derogatory word, more like she’s just curious, but it still stings a little to be called that.
I can hear the low growls from Bain and Chase, making her eyes widen as Trevor wraps an arm around her and pulls her to his side. “She didn’t mean anything by it,” he says, looking worried.
“Maybe try to refrain from calling our packmate a stray?” Maddox suggests, sounding unamused.
“Yes, of course,” the woman, whom I think is called Lacey, says with wide eyes as she quickly nods her head.
Chase moves forward and sits in front of them in the grass, then beckons me over to sit with him. They all watch as I sit at his side, leaning against him as he wraps an arm around me, almost mirroring Trevor and Lacey’s position in front of us.
Maddox sits on my other side, and the others take seats around us, making the two couples relax.
“Can…” Max starts to speak, his eyes flashing to me as he trails off.
“What is it?” Maddox asks.
“Would it be okay if we asked you some questions? About Red?” he asks, looking nervous. When nobody responds, he quickly adds, “Of course you can say no, it’s just everyone is curious, and the rumor mill is going crazy.”
“What do you want to know?” Maddox asks as his hand comes out to stroke down my lower back.
“Is it true she was a rogue? You found her in the forest?”
“I wouldn’t call her a rogue, but yes, we found her injured in the forest.”
“Is it true she can’t shift?” Jenn asks with a sudden burst of courage.
Maddox nods once. “For now.”
“How are your kids?” Hunter asks, thankfully changing the topic away from me as he motions with his head toward where a group of young wolf pups is running around and playing.
“Oh, you know,” Lacey says with a sigh, “they’re good, but driving us crazy.” I see the way she smiles as she looks at them playing, her eyes filled with fondness.
I turn to watch the kids. There are six of them, all in wolf form, running around through the clearing where some smaller trees are scattered throughout. Behind them is the forest, the same one that runs along the back of our pack house.
As if they notice our attention on them, the six little wolf pups suddenly come running our way. I tense up, unsure what to expect from them, and Maddox and Chase hold me a little firmer, reminding me they’re here with me.
The pups slow as they approach, and when they seem to smell the alphas, they immediately sit and wait, their tails wagging eagerly.
“You got some good kids here,” Hunter says in amusement at the line of little wolves who seem far too interested in me.
Chase leans over and whispers in my ear, “I think they want you to play with them.”
I stare at them with unease. I’ve never seen such young wolves before, and I have no idea how to play with them. I wouldn’t want to hurt them.
“It might help you relax to be around them,” Maddox adds quietly, even though every wolf around here can hear him with their heightened senses.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Gage adds from behind me.
As I watch the pups’ tails wag excitedly every time I glance at them and I start to feel the urge to play with someone smaller than me for once.
I give Maddox’s hand a lick and Chase laughs as he tells them, “That was a yes.”
“Okay kids, listen up. This is Red, she’s new to the pack, and very important to us, so play nicely, understand?” Maddox says with the slightest bit of his alpha command. All six of the pups let out a single bark.