8
Don’t ask me how they knew. Scent? The pleased grin on Barrett’s face? My own baffled, happy expression? Whatever it was, it took the pack exactly two seconds to figure it out and then we were inundated on all sides. I didn’t even fully clear the foyer before I had questions lobbed at me.
“When did this happen?”
“Wait, can it happen?”
“Barrett, does this mean he’s now leadership too?”
“It’s about time you two got your acts together!”
“What do you want us to do about explaining this to the kids?”
Barrett looked both put upon but also edgy, his eyes constantly darting to me. I think he feared I’d reconsider, now that the heat of the moment had cooled, and I realized just how much responsibility came with dating him. As if I hadn’t realized it already. I rolled my eyes and said loudly, “Everyone to the living room. Sit!”
They obeyed, although I heard Luis complain, “He’s treating us like dogs.”
“I’m treating you like the nosy person you are,” I retorted to his back, “and if you want answers, then sit.”
Flashing me a grin, he made a show of picking a patch of floor and obediently sitting on a cushion.
I went to the fireplace, the only clear space, and looked out over the sea of faces. It probably wasn’t more than a hundred people, not even the full pack, but it certainly felt like more. I’d never been one for public speeches, but apparently I needed to learn and learn fast. Barrett stood at my side, regarding me curiously, and I let him because I needed to make a few things clear to both him and the rest of the pack. “All right. In order. Yes, we’re dating. It’s been a whole hour since we started, so obviously we don’t have everything figured out. I am not your alpha”—not yet?—“and I’ll take what authority Barrett decides is appropriate to give me at this stage.”
People blinked at this, then immediately turned to Barrett.
My newly minted boyfriend smiled back at them. “He’s got good common sense, so if there’s a situation, feel free to come to him, just like you’d come to any of us. And if any of you try to scare him away, I’ll bite your tails off, so bear that in mind.”
This got more than a few laughs and some wolf whistles. No pun intended. I put up with it patiently, as I felt sure their intense interest would die down eventually. I found it interesting he trusted me to this degree, though. He’d barely seen anything of me, comparatively speaking, but he knew he could trust my judgment? I’d definitely ask him questions later in private. “You can tell the kids the truth, that we’re dating. For that matter, if any vampire comes within range demanding answers, you can tell them we’re dating. I don’t care if they know or not. Now, questions?”
“Who made the first move?” Of course Luis asked this.
“He did,” Barrett answered promptly.
I eyed him sideways. Did it count as a move if I didn’t know I was making one? Sure, okay, let’s go with that.
Marissa carefully asked, “Barrett, you still okay with the rest of us feeding him?”
Ah? Why would it be an issue?
One look at Barrett’s face and it clearly was an issue. He hesitated strongly, eyes searching my face for the answer. I wasn’t quite sure what was going on here. I assumed it had something to do with territory, but that was a guess. I did not think it a good idea for Barrett to solely be the one feeding me, despite a werewolf’s healing powers, as that would drain him dangerously.
Maybe he came to the same conclusion. Maybe he realized he was being ridiculous. Either way, he blew out a breath and assured her, “It’s fine.”
I wrapped my hand around his, rewarding him a little for being sensible despite what his instincts told him. He laced our fingers together, smiling at me softly.
“Damn, they’re cute together.” Ria sighed happily.
Biting back a chuckle, I winked at her. “All right, any other questions?”
“Changing subjects,” Luis said, lifting a hand in the crowd. “But what’s the situation with the mall?”
“We’re still waiting on the local witches to deal with it and call me back,” Barrett answered with a one shoulder shrug. “I don’t expect that to be fast on their end, they’ll need to hop through some legal hoops to get it all sorted. Avoid the mall for now. I’ll notify everyone once its clear. Okay, that’s it, dismissed!”
People didn’t really disperse, but Barrett led me out of the living room. He took me up the stairs and into his bedroom, which, granted, was probably the only private space in this house right now. He closed the door behind us but didn’t sit, just turned to study me intensely.
“You really surprise me sometimes.”
“How so?”
“You’ve got such a quiet, unassuming air about you, and then you do something like announce to an entire pack of werewolves you’re dating their alpha and they better not give you trouble about it. Most people would have been quaking in their shoes.”
Oh. Was I supposed to have been nervous? “Well, but, the pack’s family, right? Why would I be nervous about telling my family I’m dating someone?”
A slow grin took over his face and he leaned in to kiss me softly. “No reason. No reason at all.”
“Barrett, be honest with me, as part of what happened downstairs alarms me. Is the feeding thing an issue?”
His smile morphed into a grimace. “It’s territory. In case you haven’t picked it up yet, we wolves are highly territorial. Especially with our significant others, we don’t have any chill. I recognize, though, they’re acting for your good. I can’t be upset about that. I also can’t be the only one to feed you. It would dangerously weaken me, and for what? Pride? It’s a stupid reason. I won’t fall into the trap.”
Barrett’s common sense was correct on all points. Still, I could tell this rubbed him wrong instinctually. I twined my arms around his neck and thought fast. “How about this? Every time I feed from someone, I’ll come to you and kiss it better.”
“Kiss my pride better?” Barrett’s eyes crinkled up in a silent laugh. “My ego’s not that fragile.”
“So no kisses?”
“Now hold on, I didn’t say that.”
Silly man. I raised up on tiptoes to kiss him softly, glad I could tease him, even about this. He kissed me back with affectionate, light kisses I thoroughly enjoyed.
He pulled back and murmured, “Stay with me tonight? We can just sleep, if you’d like.”
I appreciated that he asked. Consent was sexy. Was I willing to lie next to this man and just sleep? No way in hell. “Barrett, don’t ask the impossible of me. If we’re in the same bed, I’m jumping you.”
This got him laughing. “You really make me feel like I’m sexy and irresistible.”
“Uh…you are sexy and irresistible.”
“Dangerous territory you’re running into there, honey. My willpower is not that strong.” The mother hen look edged back into his expression. “Um. All things considered, maybe Hector should check you out before we get physical?”
This freakin’…ugh.
I didn’t know what came over me—I swear I was not the impatient type—but some kind of instinct made me grab him by the waist and lightly toss him onto his bed. Barrett was so surprised he didn’t even try to dodge me, just went with it, landing with a bounce.
Then he busted out laughing.
“If I can throw you,” I informed him archly, “then I can certainly do other things. No checkup required.”
Barrett continued to laugh as he came up on elbows. “Sold. Get over here.”
Didn’t have to tell me twice.