Vivianna
“That was all three of them in one sentence; you have to take three gulps,” I challenged Koit.
“He didn’t say ‘Captain Jack Sparrow’—it was only ‘Captain Jack.’ It doesn’t count,” Koit argued.
“Oh, that’s bullshit. Don’t split hairs. Drink up, buddy,” I said, lifting his beer up to his lips.
“If I’d known you were this competitive, I would’ve never suggested turning this movie into a drinking game,” Koit grumbled as he took his allotted amount.
“You’re the one who picked the phrases, but really you should be blaming Rik, he split them up between us. You just happened to get the ones that they keep saying,” I teased, not having had this much fun ever in my life.
Please stop jumping around, I can’t see straight.
I was intrigued to see that I wasn’t getting the least bit drunk, but my wolf was totally trashed.
I wondered if I’d suffer the effects once she was beyond intoxicated.
Koit, on the other hand, was feeling the amount that he had been drinking throughout the second movie.
Rik had joined us in his own way and was on his second bottle of wine.
Once the snacks were gone, we raided the kitchen for more and found bags of chips and crackers, which were now scattered all over the coffee table.
“Please tell me this movie is almost over,” Koit begged, sliding off the couch to lie on the floor face-first.
I leaned down and smacked him on the ass. “Good game, Koit. The credits are rolling.”
Rik and I laughed at the groan that came from Koit as he rolled over. Just then, Darius and Tav walked back in and took in the state of us and the living room.
“What the fuck happened in here?” Darius demanded, his face a storm cloud of irritation.
“Oh, look, the no-fun police are back,” I muttered under my breath. Apparently, though, I hadn’t muttered it quietly enough to escape the guys’ keen werewolf hearing.
Darius shot me a look, threw up his hands, and left the room, stomping up the stairs. Oops, maybe I might be a little tipsy, after all.
It’s only because of me you aren’t blackout drunk right now. Don’t you know you’re supposed to ease back into drinking when you haven’t in years? Is this payback for making you roll around in the dead deer?
Ha, ha, ha, sure, let's call it that. I’m just letting loose and having fun for once.
Next time, let's have fun without drinking. How about board games? That seems safe.
Tav made his way over to the couch, careful not to step on Koit, who was still on the floor. He sat next to me, running his hand over my head in greeting. I snuggled into his neck, taking a deep breath of his scent. God, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that smell.
“Looks like you guys have been having a good night,” Tav said, combing his fingers through my hair.
“We were just about to start the third movie, if you want in on this movie night,” I said as Rik put the next movie in.
“No drinking this time,” Koit called from the floor, raising a hand to add to his point.
I laughed. “Do you admit that I won?”
Koit turned his head to look up at me. “Wait, there was a winner to this game?”
“There’s always a winner and a loser. You lost when you tapped out,” I said, smirking at him.
Koit pointed at me, frowning. “You’re evil, you know. Pure evil in a sexy body.”
“I’m okay with that,” I said, snuggling in for the next movie.
Tav reached over to take my beer from me, but I growled at him before I realized it.
I slapped my hand over my mouth as if that would help.
I looked up at him, and he just gave me an amused smile and tried again.
This time, I released the bottle, and he took a swig from it, resting it on his leg.
Apparently, I wasn’t going to get it back.
No more, please. I can’t even stand. I think I’m going to die…
As we watched the third movie, I felt the energy draining from me.
Koit’s snoring cut through the sounds of the movie, making me giggle.
At some point, I managed to curl up sideways on the couch with my head in Rik’s lap and Tav holding my legs.
Rik ran his fingers through my hair, lulling me to sleep.
I fought against it, but it was a struggle I was losing rapidly.
Finally, I gave in and let the warmth and comfort of my surroundings pull me under.
When I woke next, I felt the effects of being hungover—my head pounded, and I felt like I could drink a gallon of water.
I also felt like I was on fire and that I would combust at any given moment.
I moved to kick the blankets off, but when I shifted, so did my blanket—or should I say blankets.
I peeled my eyes open and found I was lying on someone's chest with another someone nuzzling into the back of my neck with his arm around my waist. I was the middle of a man sandwich, and if I didn’t feel like death, I would have loved it.
I shifted my head up to see who I was laying on and found it was Rik.
He was shirtless, and my cheek was resting on his pec, right over his heart.
His wooded pine scent was strong in my nose, and it seemed to help with the spinning in my head.
The hand around my waist tightened and pulled me closer to him.
His earthy scent wafted up to me, and I knew it was Tav.
“How are you feeling?” Tav whispered into my ear, sensing I was awake.
“Like I need a shower, all the water in the world, and ibuprofen for my headache,” I grumbled.
Tav started to move, but I grabbed his arm, looking up at him. “Where are you going?”
I wasn’t ready for him to leave yet. As awful as I felt, being cuddled was amazing. Tav leaned over and kissed me on my shoulder, giving me a tender smile. “I’m going to get you something to make you feel better. I’ll be back soon.” He smoothed my hair out of my face and headed out of the room.
Rik shifted under me, and I moved to roll off him, but he stopped me. “You’re fine. Just relax until Tav comes back with something to help your head.”
I nestled against him again, loving the contact.
I’d never known how starved I was for physical contact of any kind until these guys entered the picture.
They never shied away from simple touches.
They weren’t always sexual; it was more natural, comforting, like it was just the way things should be. Maybe it was a werewolf thing.
Wolves naturally use touch to communicate with one another, so it would make sense that you crave it.
How are you feeling today?
Oh, I’m peachy. I transferred everything to you while you slept so I could protect us if I needed to.
Why do I get the feeling that you did that just to get back at me? You know as well as I do that we are perfectly safe here.
My wolf didn’t answer, which told me everything I needed to know. I listened to Rik’s heart as he ran his hand up and down my back. “How did we all end up in bed together?” I finally asked, not having any memory of it happening.
“You asked me to stay when I carried you up to bed; you wouldn’t let me leave. So, I stayed,” Rik answered, his voice rumbling in his chest under my ear.
“Sorry I was such a mess last night. I haven’t had that much to drink ever. I hope I didn’t make it awkward for you and Tav,” I said, feeling guilty.
“It was nice to see you let loose and have fun. Maybe next time we can skip the drinking game. I don’t think Koit or his ego could survive another round,” Rik said, chuckling. “As for me and Tav, he was fine with it, and I didn’t see it as a problem if your mate didn’t.”
“He didn’t mind? I figured he would be super protective and everything since alphas normally only mate with one wolf,” I said, unsure.
“Viv, we all realize that with you, the rules that normally apply are going to be thrown out the window. As I explained the other day, the female alphas of old had more than one mate. Tav knew that in being your mate, he might not be the only one you have. You’ll be his forever mate, but it’s up to you if you want to bring more into the mix,” Rik explained.
I think someone is hoping to be added to this list. I am all for it if you ask me. Oh, and Koit too!
“What about you, Rik, would you feel the same way?” I asked, holding my breath as I waited for the answer.
Rik shifted me so he could look me in the eye.
“I would be honored if you ever decided to take me as a mate. I’m in no rush though.
I understand a lot has changed in your life.
I’ll wait for you to make that choice for yourself.
Just know that I’m prepared to set aside my life back home to make this work.
I agree with Tav that you are the future for werewolves, and I want to be a part of seeing our kind prosper like it once did. ”
Lord, I could listen to him talk like this to me forever. His way with words was so elegant. I did notice that others didn’t get the same treatment—his normal conversations were more blunt and to the point. It made me feel special that he took the time to pick his words with care for me.
I’m sold, let’s get this show on the road, mate number two, coming up!
I would love that, but right now, I’m pretty sure I would throw up all over him if we had sex, and no one would think that’s cute.
Tav walked back in the room with a tray full of everything I needed.
He walked back over to his side of the bed and climbed back in while Rik helped me sit up and get situated.
Tav placed the tray on my lap and sat back to let me enjoy it.
He’d made me pancakes smothered in butter and syrup, with a side of bacon.
There was a large glass of water with three pills next to it and a mug of hot black coffee.
I looked over at Tav and gave him a quick peck on the lips, fully aware of my unbrushed teeth. “Thank you. This is amazing,” I said before I swallowed the pills, needing those to start working as soon as possible.