6. Maya #2
Turning back into him, I reached up and cupped his jaw. His frown deepened.
“How do you feel after yesterday? I was worried about you, baby girl.”
My entire body softened at the honesty behind his words, and I couldn’t help but step closer into him and tilt my head back so he knew I wanted a kiss, which he gave me before I answered.
“I’m okay…” I hesitated and tried to formulate my thoughts.
“It was never about you guys, Marco… I am a bit more aware now of what you guys normally do as a team, but you guys didn’t do anything wrong.
You protected me, just like I would have you.
I mean, they had been attacking us, it was completely justified…
It’s just more that I was okay with it, even liked it, and after everything I’ve been through, that felt wrong.
So incredibly wrong. But Ledger is right—it does feel natural to my shifted side, so I have to believe that means something. ”
His eyes warmed as he nodded, grasping my hand and running his lips across my ring, seeming to relax completely. “Good. I have good news then, and some even better news.”
“What’s the good news?”
“I have someone in Louisiana looking into the compound, and they are going to report back by tomorrow morning, as well as someone looking into the local witch territory,” he explained as I offered him a smile.
I knew what we would find could be bad, but it made me feel hopeful that we were a step closer to figuring out how deep this went.
“And the better news?”
“We are going Halloween costume shopping today and going to a party tomorrow downtown,” he muttered, looking grumpy but pretty cute. I immediately threw myself into him and kissed his face, unable to help the smile that broke onto my face.
“I am so excited,” I admitted, unable to contain my elation.
“The only thing I had to arrange was where the boys should spend the night, so I had to figure that out this morning,” he explained easily.
“I called up Alpha Creed, and he said that the younger kids in the pack were having a bonfire and that they were more than welcome to come, as well as stay in the large guest house on property for the night. I figured it would give them a chance to meet some local shifters.”
“That’s a great idea,” I agreed and then frowned. “Did you find out if Lorn…”
Marco let out a hiss. “Yeah, he escaped when Malcolm did. I don’t think it was intentional—I think Anna was there to break out Malcolm and Lorn happened to just catch a damn break and made a run for it. I haven’t been able to get eyes on him yet, but I have people looking.”
“Okay, good.” I nodded. “And what about Jordan?”
“I talked to Marcellus and invited them to come with us. Apparently Jordan has something today, but they will be coming over tomorrow.”
My smile only grew as he spoke. “Thank you so much, Marco, I really need this,” I whispered.
“Anything for you, baby girl.” He kissed my forehead before pulling back. “But expect me to be a bit insane about your safety, especially with Malcolm at large. I am trying my best to keep relaxed, but the idea of you being in danger scares the hell out of me.”
“I like that you care about my safety,” I admitted. “Always have.”
His lips kicked up. “Good. Then hopefully you won’t be mad at me for telling you to not leave the house until we are ready to go.
I don’t want those fuckers taking any more pictures of you.
We have been trying to get them out of here, but because it’s national news, we can’t exactly manhandle them without creating a massive problem.
Plus, that would be the exact type of thing the FBI would love, so they could get involved even further. ”
“That’s frustrating,” I murmured, slightly distracted while looking towards the living room where the younger boys were sitting, watching the television. “While you handle that, I am going to meet them officially.”
“Sounds good. I’ll keep an eye on Bella.” He nodded towards our kitten, currently playing on the counter, as I offered her a small smile, unable to get over how adorable she could be.
I walked towards the living room, wondering if this would be weird. I was bad with strangers, so I didn’t want them to feel uncomfortable. Immediately they were looking at me with interest as I took a seat on the couch.
“There are a lot of humans around,” the littlest one stated.
“There are.” I nodded and offered him a friendly smile, trying to distract from the chaos. “So, I never got your names. If you guys are going to be staying here for a bit, we should probably know one another. I’m Maya.”
“We know,” a second one perked up. “Marco said you’re in charge.”
Really? That was sweet of him.
“Well, I don’t know about all that, but I do know that if you need anything, I’ll try to help.”
“I’m Arthur,” the littlest one next to me said, his smile bright despite the shadows in his dark eyes.
“Nathan,” the other said, the two of them clearly the youngest at nine or maybe ten.
“What about you guys?” I asked the four older boys, all of them regarding me with more caution.
“Oakland,” a kid with bright red hair introduced himself before nodding towards the others. “That’s Clive, he’s our Alpha, and then Bodhi is our Beta.”
I smiled at the two oldest before looking at a large kid who was sitting against the couch, looking honestly a bit grumpy as everyone stared at him in expectation, before he let out a sigh.
“Emeric,” he said, his words accented and his expression a bit vulnerable before closing off again, as if I was going to somehow make fun of his name.
“Nice names,” I admitted. “It’s really nice to officially meet all of you. I know this past day has been a lot, but hopefully it will calm down. You guys let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“We will be fine,” Arthur insisted. “We are used to being alone.”
I hated hearing that, but I offered him a small smile of understanding. “I was alone for a long time too. Even if you are okay alone doesn’t mean you have to be. Sometimes it’s nice to have friends.”
“You want to be friends with us?” Oakland’s eyes were wide. “But you’re a princess!”
“Princesses can have friends,” I ensured. “Plus, can I tell you a secret?”
They nodded, the oldest even looking curious at my words.
“I’m honestly not sold on the princess thing yet,” I admitted easily, “Even if I am a princess, I don’t feel like one. I’m just Maya.”
They seemed to like that, as they all nodded in understanding. Suddenly, Croy’s energy filled the space as he looked at the boys. “Atlas needs all of you really quick. It’s about tonight.”
The group of them got up, all offering me small smiles before disappearing and leaving me with Croy, who motioned for me to come to where he now sat on the couch. I sat right on his knee and leaned into his large chest, his eyes running over me appreciatively.
“What did you say to get them to relax?” he asked curiously.
“Told them that if they needed anything to ask me and that even if they were used to being alone, it didn’t mean they couldn’t have friends.”
Croy’s eyes warmed as he cupped my jaw. “You are so damn sweet, sugar.”
“Yeah?” I teased. “Is that why you call me that?”
“Well, that’s not the only part of you that is sweet,” he rumbled, making me blush.
“Croy!” I slapped his chest lightly with my hand, unable to stop my smile.
“It’s true.” He shrugged before pulling me closer.
“Atlas wanted me to let you know that these assholes out front are probably going to be here for a bit. You are going to use the back access road to get off the property, but it is going to be a bit cold tonight, so you should change into something a bit warmer.”
I looked down at my skirt and frowned. “But I like this skirt. Do I have to change it?”
Croy looked over it, his wolf flashing in his gaze. “For more reasons than one, you look entirely too tempting in it. Knowing that I could just push that up?—”
I put a hand over his mouth and nodded towards Bella, who had somehow escaped Marco and was now in an armchair licking her paw and eyeing us with suspicion. “Not around Bella.”
He barked out a laugh and squeezed my waist before urging me up.
I grumbled under my breath but snuck back upstairs, trying to keep myself to the side as I went as quickly as possible.
Once back inside of my room, I changed into a pair of jeans and boots with warm fuzzy socks.
I pulled my hair back into a loose braid and grabbed a bright pink mini backpack that I stored my wallet and phone in.
Unfortunately, Bella wouldn’t be able to come with us, so the only thing I was missing was a coat.
“Ledger?” I called out as I neared his room. The man was pulling a shirt on, and I swallowed, absolutely loving seeing his tattoo-covered abs on display.
“What’s up?” He smirked, his eyes heating on my outfit.
“Can I borrow a coat?”
He frowned. “Of course. We need to get you one for sure though. The idea of you being cold is not one I like at all.”
I may have had a jacket already…it just wasn’t the same as wearing Ledger’s, but we could talk about that later…after I covered this one in my scent.
I let him shimmy an oversized jacket onto my shoulders, and I kissed him before putting the backpack on. After another few kisses, he let me escape back down the steps, where I found Marco in the kitchen.
“Why aren’t we flying?” I asked curiously.
Marco flashed a smile. “Well, unless you want us to go into the store naked…”
“No, there could be other women there.” I scowled as he offered me a knowing look.
“We did consider something like that, but we have a path that leads off the property that is easier,” he explained as I kissed Bella goodbye.
I couldn’t say goodbye to Sai and Atlas because they were out front with the younger flight, but I did manage to sneak in a kiss to Croy, Anani, and Henry, who were all watching the news.
Eventually, after some teasing about not letting me leave, Marco, Ledger, and I made our way from the house and into the back yard. There was a cool edge to the air that made me wonder if it was going to storm… I had a feeling if it did, it would be snow instead of rain. I would love that.
With the concept of Halloween shopping on my mind, it was easy to forget everything else going on.
Well, almost forget. Almost.