Chapter Nine
“This place looks amazing,” Adele said.
Lisa chuckled. They were only a few weeks away from Christmas. Halloween and Thanksgiving had already come and gone. Shadow had told her that the pack loved Thanksgiving, so she had gone all out, creating a massive feast consisting of two turkeys, as well as two hams and even some chicken. The meal had included two types of stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, she’d also done mac-and-cheese, in fact, every dish she could think of to mark Thanksgiving. The table had been heaving with food. There had also been food on the counters.
She’d made apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate cake, and several other desserts. She had figured all leftovers would be great, and she’d even offered baggies at the end of the night.
Nope to everything. The whole pack demolished the food, and once they were done and she stood beside Shadow as they were leaving, she had been given a kiss on the cheek by the wolves. She believed there were at least twenty, if not thirty, including family members, who had kissed her cheek.
The way their Thanksgiving had worked, the pack joined in stages. While she and Shadow were around the table, Pam had stayed, as had Adele. It had been wonderful.
Adele had also joined them Halloween night, and they stayed up all night watching horror movies. Shadow, as per their request, had to keep checking that the dead hadn’t risen. He would leave the house, circle it, and come back in. He never looked cold to her, but he certainly made her mouth water as he stripped out of his jacket. Every little thing he did made her ache for him.
“Shadow had a whole bunch of decorations in the basement. He’s not decorated in a couple of years. Not since his parents’ passing. His mom used to love Christmas, and every year she’d create something, and you know, it always sounded pretty good.”
Lisa had told him that if it was too painful to get the old decorations out, then she was quite happy to wait and not decorate. She did have a few of her own decorations, but in his much larger house, they would look silly.
He’d not minded, and they had a lot of fun putting up the tree. Several of the pack had come to help when they saw the two of them lighting the outside of his home. She couldn’t climb any ladders or do much in the way of heavy lifting, but she went inside, made lots of hot chocolate, and served it with her mint-chocolate brownies. They were a hit, and the moment the pack heard they were on offer, it didn’t take long for it to become a party.
“Man, you have hit the jackpot,” Adele said.
“What is your story?” Lisa asked.
Adele turned toward her.
“You know, to be in No Wolves Road. Why you don’t spend a lot of time around anyone?”
“There’s not much of a story to tell,” Adele said.
“But there is one?”
Adele sighed. “It’s … not that important.”
“When you’re comfortable, you can tell me.” Lisa offered the other woman a smile. She put a hand on her stomach as the baby began to move. She didn’t know when her baby was supposed to start moving, but according to a lot of the previous pregnant mothers, a wolf pregnancy was different than a human one.
Shadow had also gone to see Beau and Eloise Alpha to ask for their advice. She also believed he was worried the baby might kill her. They hadn’t talked about it. She knew Eloise was very much alive, and her pregnancy hadn’t been too problematic.
It was going to be an interesting pregnancy. She had spoken with Eloise on the phone. The hormones were going to be all over the place, which she already knew. The baby was going to move like crazy, then there were the cravings. Lisa already had all of them. She couldn’t go an hour without having some kind of food. This was another little bonus. She could eat what she liked because the energy she needed to have a wolf baby wasn’t going to stay too long on her body. This was all good news.
The birthing was difficult. Eloise had told her the worst part was Beau couldn’t stand to see her in any pain, and those that helped tended to be threatened, as he did quite literally get his claws out and threaten.
Lisa wasn’t ready for the gory details of childbirth. That would come soon enough.
“It’s not that big of a deal. Well, it is, but it isn’t. My mom dated a couple of wolves. It was a long time ago. She liked having them flirt with her and chase after her. She loved Alphas.”
“I’ve never met your mother,” Lisa said.
“She’s not around anymore. Anyway, a couple of the Alphas took an interest in my mom, and when she denied one of them, it got ugly. He began to stalk her, and seeing as she couldn’t exactly go to the police, it ended badly. Her body was found about ten minutes from home, clawed to death.”
“Wow, I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, I think the crazy part is they had a guy turn himself in. A complete human. I remember the cop telling me he was a nutjob because he kept saying she was a dirty human for sleeping with animals.”
“No kidding,” Lisa said.
“Anyway, before she died, she had kind of hated the world, and she intended to come to this place—to No Wolves Road—and told me it would be where we would start afresh. She said this place was different, and it is.” Adele smiled. “I don’t get involved with anyone because it’s a lot easier.”
Lisa rounded the counter and went to her friend. “You know, not all men are like that.”
“I know. I’m just not ready to find someone to settle down with. I’m happy, you know, just by enjoying life and not freaking out every single time there is a bang.”
Lisa kissed the top of her friend’s head.
“You know, you’re going to be one hell of a mother,” Adele said.
She laughed. “You don’t know that.”
“You’re loving and caring, and you listen. Not just with me, but I’ve seen you with others. I’m sure they’ve seen the way you are as well.”
“I care,” Lisa said.
“And I’d say perhaps a good chunk of being a mother is caring for and loving your child.” Adele smiled and then pressed a hand to her stomach, but immediately pulled it away. “Crap, I was reading an article the other day that said women hated when strangers just randomly put their hands on her stomach?”
“It’s fine,” Lisa said. “You’re not a stranger. You’re a friend.” She took Adele’s hand and placed it on her stomach. “I don’t know if this is boring to you.”
“No, not at all. It’s kind of incredible, don’t you think? Pregnancy?”
Lisa smiled. “Yeah, eating, the hormones, and the fact there is going to come a point when I can’t see my feet and I’m going to waddle like a penguin. This is all going to be a lot of fun.”
Adele laughed. “Giving life, sharing your life with another. I’ve always wanted to have kids.”
“You’ll make a great mother.”
Adele pulled her hand away but there was a sadness in her eyes. “What about you and Shadow, how are things with the two of you?”
“They’re good.”
“But?”
“They’re good.”
“Come on, Lisa, you must have more to say than that.”
“They’re really good?” Lisa asked.
Adele laughed. “Okay, so that tells me they’re anything but good.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“What are you feeling?” Adele asked. “I don’t want you to tell me anything you don’t mean.”
Lisa opened her mouth and closed it. “We’re doing good.”
“Good?”
She nodded her head and nibbled her lip.
“You can’t forgive him?” Adele asked.
“It’s not that—”
“Then what is it?” Adele asked.
Lisa put her hand on her stomach, and let out a sigh. “It’s … I don’t know what it is.”
“Sure you do.”
“I may be having a son or daughter,” Lisa said.
“It’s a fifty-fifty chance.”
She chuckled. “If I forgive him and forget, does that make me a doormat? I don’t want my daughter growing up believing that I am, and that she is to be the same. What if a guy was to hurt her? I mean, I love Shadow, I do, I still do, but what I heard that day tore out my heart. I had never felt so … lost. If it’s a boy, then I don’t want him to ever treat a woman that way. I want him to always treat her with love and respect.”
“Have you ever thought that Shadow does regret what he did?” Adele said.
“I guess.”
“Maybe it is time for you two to talk about it. I get your concerns, and I know they are completely justified, and I’m right there with you.”
“But?” Lisa asked.
“But, do you think it is good for either boy or girl to grow up with parents that have a little disdain, distrust, and sadness surrounding them?”
****
Shadow stepped away from the door without making a sound. He’d snuck up on Lisa and Adele, and he was surprised to find the other woman defending him. Well, technically, not defending him, but she was giving him a chance.
Doormat . He didn’t see Lisa as a doormat. He loved her, damn it.
All of this was fucked up.
He stepped outside, into the cold night air, and shoved his hands in his jacket. What did he have to do? What did he have to say? He intended to go back inside, when Adele stepped out.
She glanced over at him. “Evening, Shadow,” she said.
“Hi, Adele.”
“I’ll see you later.”
Adele started to walk down the front garden.
“Would you like me to walk you home?” Shadow asked.
“It’s fine. I know the way.”
“Lisa wouldn’t want anything to happen to her best friend,” he said, already deciding to walk her home. He stepped in beside Adele, and they started to walk toward No Wolves Road.
“It’s a cold evening,” Adele said.
Shadow didn’t know what to say to that, as with his wolf DNA, he didn’t feel the cold much.
“So, Christmas is around the corner,” Adele said. “Are you excited?”
“Lisa is looking forward to it.”
“Right, small talk is not your strong suit?” she asked.
“I love Lisa,” he said, coming to a stop.
“Have you told her that?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think she would believe me.”
Adele chuckled. “You and Lisa.” She sighed. “Neither of you are going to be able to make this work unless you start talking to each other. What you did was cruel and mean, but I have a feeling there is more to it than you saying a bunch of stuff you don’t even mean.”
“What do I do?” he asked, hoping Adele would be a more forthcoming than Pam.
“Talk to her,” Adele said. “It’s all you can do. Talk and be honest, don’t lie to her. She doesn’t deserve that.”
They entered No Wolves Road, and Shadow took her right up to the door.
“Lisa loves you, and I think you two can make it work,” Adele said. “I know it seems impossible, but trust me, nothing is impossible when you have two people who want to make it happen.” Adele offered him a smile. “I’ll see you for Christmas.”
He waited until her door was closed before he made his way back to his own home. There were still a few lights on when he returned. He stepped inside, removing his jacket, and found Lisa curled up on the sofa. There was a magazine on the floor, her dressing robe covering her.
Shadow stepped into the room and perched down on the coffee table, staring at her. Reaching out, he tucked some of her hair out of her face. She looked so peaceful.
How could he finally reach her? How could he make this right?
Lisa moaned and then opened her eyes, and for a brief moment, there was a smile on her lips. It was one that didn’t have the memory of what he did. She looked so happy to see him.
“Evening,” he said.
“Evening. Did you have a good day?”
“It’s better now.”
She smiled. “You walked Adele home?”
“I did.”
“Thank you.”
“How did you know?”
“She texted me. Told me you were going to be a little late. She could have spent the night. She wanted to go home. She said we’ll be sick of her over Christmas.”
“It sounds like we’re going to have a full house?”
“Only from Christmas lunch. The morning is our own.”
Shadow went to his knees and moved in, pressing a kiss to her lips.
She let out a little moan. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
He cupped her cheek and stared into her eyes, and he didn’t know what he was going to do, or how he was going to make it up to her.
“Lisa, I want to take you to my bed tonight, and I’m going to make love to you, but when I’m done, I don’t want you to leave,” he said.
“Shadow?”
“Hear me out. I’d like to hold you. I’d like to be with you.”
He watched as she took a deep breath. “I know it is a lot to ask.”
Shadow had a feeling she was about to say no. When he was about to say something else, she pressed her fingers to his lips. “Okay.”
“You’ll stay?” he asked.
“I’ll stay.”
He was not going to give her the chance to say no, or to remember why she hated him. This was his chance, and he lifted her in his arms and began to carry her through to the main stairs. He knew how much she hated when he carried her upstairs, so he took his time, not rushing, not jarring her body. Just walking upstairs, one foot after another, until they were at the top, and then he took her to his bedroom.
The moment he put her down on the floor, she grabbed his shirt, tearing it off his body. Shadow didn’t interfere. He watched as she got him naked, at least from the neck to his waist. When it came to his pants, he assisted, easing the belt open, then the pants. Lisa went to drop down, but he caught her hips, holding her in place. She tilted her head back, and he took full advantage by slamming his lips down on hers. She let out a moan.
“You taste so good,” he said, breaking the kiss to trail his lips down her neck.
Lisa let out a subtle moan, the sound echoing around the walls. Heightening his need for her. He felt the hardness in his dick, but he ignored it. He shoved his pants down, hearing them hit the floor as he stepped out of them. Kicking them aside, he reached for her again and pulled her close.
“You’ve got too many clothes on.”
“Then you’re going to have to take them off me,” she said.
She wore pajamas and they were no match for him. Within seconds, he had her completely naked and spread on the bed, exactly where she was meant to be. He took hold of her hands and pressed them above the bed, making her hold onto the bars of the headboard.
“Do not let go,” he said.
He waited until she held onto the headboard, and only then did he take possession of her lips. This time he didn’t linger. He had no intention of allowing Lisa to grow bored, so he moved down her body, kissing her, going toward her tits. The temptation to push them together was strong, but instead he kept his touches light, stroking her body, igniting a flame he wanted to burn so brightly.
She cried out as he took one nipple into his mouth. While he sucked on one, he teased the other with his fingers, working the bud until it was tight, and only then did he move and take that nipple between his teeth. He alternated between the two, knowing it was driving her crazy as she pressed her thighs together. The scent of her arousal was strong in the air, and it drove him wild. His mouth watered for a single taste of her.
Shadow denied himself. He would lick her pretty pussy soon, but not a moment before. Lavishing each tit with as much attention as he could muster, he heard her whimper and gasp, and then he began to kiss down her body. Taking his time as he moved past her navel, then down toward her pussy.
She spread her thighs open, and he teased the lips of her sex and stared down at her pretty cunt. And she was so pretty. Her clit, slightly engorged, glistening with her arousal.
He traced the outline of her pussy, and then he did the same with his tongue. Lisa’s moans began to echo around the room. The sounds she made went straight to his cock. Glancing up her body, he loved her swollen stomach, her full ripe tits, her entire body. His cock already leaked pre-cum, and he wanted to be buried balls-deep inside her, but he held himself back.
This was about Lisa. Kissing and licking her body. He wanted her to know with actions how he felt about her. One day soon, he would find the right words, but for now, all he had was what he could do to her.