Chapter 38 – Wilder
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Wilder
The following night, Lacey snuggles on my lap with Mistletoe on her chest. The tree lights twinkle in the background, and the sweet kitten purrs softly. Lacey seems to enjoy it more than when we purr for her.
We should have gotten a dog.
She runs her fingers down Missy’s back, and my mom’s ring glints in the crackling light of the fireplace. It’s Lacey’s ring now, but it still makes me emotional.
This Christmas has been healing on a foundational level. I’m no longer that sullen teenager who hated the world and thought everything was unfair. It was a tragedy that my mom died so young, but life keeps moving no matter how heartbroken you are.
Having Lacey at my side soothes those raw edges that haven’t truly enjoyed a holiday since we buried my mom.
Callum sits on the floor with one of the kitten’s toy wands.
It has a blue and purple bird, and Menace violently attacks the thing.
I can’t bring myself to call her by her nickname of Minnie.
That name is far too innocuous for that creature, and she’s only been unleashed from Collins’s room for twenty-four hours.
They found their way back to sleep with him last night, and I found that especially sweet.
I’m not sure how long it’ll last, but they seem to treat him like children treat their mother when they’re very young.
They wanted to come out and play, and when they got tired, they immediately sought him out.
Collins needs the company more than we do, since there are four of us fighting for bed space. I would also love it if we could keep them out of the pack bedroom so I could avoid cat hair on my suits. That’s probably wishful thinking.
“Whatever you’re thinking about is confusing.” Lacey turns her face up to mine, smiling softly. “You got your hopes up, then they were dashed all in one.”
I chuckle, brushing my hand over her stomach. “Just thinking about all the lint rollers I’m going to need to buy.”
“But just look at this sweet baby face.” Lacey gestures to the snoozing kitten.
“Jesus Christ, you little hellion,” Callum hisses, plucking the vicious one off his pant leg. “Attack the toy. Not the people who feed you.” He puts the kitten on the floor, grabbing the toy and giving it a shake.
“Serves you right for picking the unhinged one. Now you get to live with the consequences of your actions.” Grim laughs as he strides into the room with his hands loaded down with shopping bags. “It was tricky as hell finding somewhere that was open, but I have all your post-heat supplies.”
“Can you just drop them on the counter or the table, and I’ll grab them when I head upstairs?” the little omega asks.
He nods and does an about-face back toward the kitchen.
My phone vibrates on the arm of the couch, and I grimace as I spot the contact. It might show as one of my fathers, but I’m sure Dawn is truly behind the call.
“Your mom was frantic when she couldn’t reach you for several days.” I clear my throat awkwardly. “My dads called to ask me to go over and check on you, but I may have let it slip that you were here.”
“Wilder,” she whispers, her jaw hanging open.
“Yeah, so they know you’re here and safe. They also know you were in heat.” My damn face gets hot. “I promised you’d call your mom once you were more coherent, but it slipped my mind…”
Lacey grabs the phone, sliding her finger across it to answer the call. Dawn pops up onto the screen with my dads in a semi-circle just behind her. It’s bright and sunny wherever they are, and I smile, waving as Lacey aims the camera to pick us both up.
“Dawn, it’s good to see you,” I say, preparing to be bitched out. I really should have had Lacey call several hours ago, but it’s been a busy day.
“I didn’t call to speak to you, Wilder,” Dawn huffs. “Oh, sweetheart, are you okay?”
“I’m good, Mom. I miss you. Merry Christmas,” Lacey blurts out like she doesn’t know which option will lead her mom away from talking about her heat. She raises her free hand and waves. “Where are you guys?”
My dads laugh, but Dawn ignores the question, interrogating Lacey about her first heat. Pack dynamics are so weird when families are involved. She could have waited until she was on a call with just Lacey to ask, but I suppose she wants to be sure her daughter is okay.
“Look, you little demon,” Callum growls.
“I’m going to get one of those super smart birds that talk, and I’m going to teach it to fly around the house, talking shit to you nonstop.
” He stretches an arm back to grab the kitten off his shoulder.
“It’s first words will be bad, kitty. No treats for you. ”
I snort.
“Ahh, tell Callum we said Merry Christmas,” one of my dads says.
“He can hear you,” I reply.
“Yeah, Mom, give me just a second.” Lacey laughs. “You have to meet Callum and Grim. The guys got me kittens for Christmas, but one of them is a little hyper. I’m sure she’ll settle down…” She moves to climb off my lap, and the kitten she was holding curls up at my side.
Well, that was about as good of an introduction to our pack as Dawn was going to get.
She hasn’t freaked out yet, so that’s a good sign.
Maybe.
It sure wasn’t what my dads were expecting to hear when they called to ask me to look in on Lacey, but they’re good at rolling with the punches.
I’m sure it’ll only take Dawn a bit of time to get used to the idea that I’m now fucking her daughter. But truthfully? My connection to Lacey is so much more than mind-blowing sex.
I wanted her.
I waited three fucking years.
And she’s finally all mine.
Fine…
She’s all ours.
The world hasn’t exploded around us…yet. Although, to be fair, it’s only been a week.
Tonight should be an adventure, though.
It was supposed to be Vanessa Chapman’s engagement announcement to the O’Connor brothers. If all goes well, someone will be getting engaged tonight… It just won’t be who the guests believe they’re coming to celebrate.
I’ve personally negotiated on behalf of both families, but even I don’t have confidence everything will go off without a hitch. At least everyone involved is aware of the basics beforehand.
If it all works out, the O’Connors will be free to pursue Charlotte, and Vanessa will become the problem of the family she was after from the beginning.
I don’t feel especially sorry for Emory Moretti. He considered selling Grim out to make an alliance with that MC out of Jacksonville. He deserves a little suffering in life in the form of one Vanessa Chapman.
I chuckle, shaking my head.
God, I’ll be grateful to no longer have her and her brothers calling me twenty times a day, but I shouldn’t be spiteful. If I had a sister in her situation, I would also advocate for her to choose her own path in life. Hopefully this bullshit of arranged marriages dies off with our generation.
I could choose to feel sorry for Emory, since he doesn’t realize he’s the prey in all of this, but I figure that will be his surprise. I’m sure Vanessa will make for quite the doting and loyal wife.
My anxiety is high, but I have to trust that everyone will do their parts.
And ultimately?
This is not my goddamn problem.
They can hash it out among themselves, as far as I’m concerned.
I want to drink champagne, show off my fiancée, and spend the night checking out Lacey’s ass in her barely there dress.
Lacey sits at the built-in vanity in the pack bedroom, applying her makeup in nothing more than a sexy little thong and strapless bra. Grim and Callum are just waiting for the chance to fight over who will help her into the dress that we’re all so fond of.
I’m still every bit as enamored by my mother’s ring on her finger. I love the physical proof that we’re engaged and she’s permanently off the market.
I slide onto the bench next to her, wrapping my hand around her lower back as I place the gift box on her lap with the other.
“You look stunning,” I say, kissing her cheek.
“Thank you.” She grabs the box. “What’s this?”
“Just a little something to adorn your neck tonight.” I grin shamelessly. “Well, outside of Callum’s and Grim’s bites.”
“You know, I wouldn’t mind if you and Cal wanted to take Grim’s approach and get my name tattooed on your necks.” She tilts her face toward mine, and I can’t help myself. I shove my lips to hers, cleaning and teasing my bondmark.
I pull back, chuckling. “That might be a lot to ask of Callum, since he’s still healing from getting your name across his heart.” Not to mention, my entire back piece is dedicated to her.
“What can I say? I’m greedy.” She laughs.
Hmm. Then again, no one can see my back—not unless I’m undressed. I do love the idea of any woman who looks at me knowing I’m taken, but I’m not sure I’m edgy enough to pull off a neck tattoo. Perhaps something a bit lower than Grim’s that could be hidden by my suit collar.
I pat her bare stomach. “Open your gift so I can put it on you.”
She gasps as she pops the lid, exposing the necklace. It has a light blue aquamarine stone in a heart-shaped pendant, and it will match her dress for the ill-fated event tonight to perfection. If nothing else, I’ll enjoy having her at my side.
“Wilder, it’s beautiful,” she murmurs.
“You’re beautiful,” I tell her, capturing her mouth in another tender kiss.
She’s my peace before we descend back into the chaos of my world.
How soon is too soon to retire?
I’m ready to spend my days lounging around the house with my beautiful bride-to-be.
The party we’re forced to attend reminds me a lot of my dads’ engagement party to Dawn. It’s a fitting circle, considering Lacey is finally mine after three years of watching and waiting.
She dances with Callum across the room, smiling as he practically fucks her on the dance floor. No matter how hard I attempt to focus, my eyes continually circle back to her sexy ass.
Feeling her happiness filter through the bond is like a drug, and the hints of her arousal as Callum teases her mercilessly make my dick hard. It’s incredibly inconvenient as I make small talk with several of my fathers’ old associates.
I want that look on her face directed at me. That way, I’ll have a solid excuse to blurt out, “I love you.” It’s fast, but it’s been on the tip of my tongue for days.
Hell, I wouldn’t mind finding a room for the four of us to sneak away to. That dress is doing all sorts of things to my head.
I finish off my glass of Scotch, putting it down on the nearby table. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen. My fiancée is looking entirely too enticing.” And with that, I nod at Grim. He follows me across the room until we surround Lacey.
Oh, yes.
I think finding a place to sneak off to is the perfect way to turn this evening around. I’m never going to get tired of knowing she’s mine.