Wicked: A Savage Alpha Shifters Romance, page 30
He comes up laughing, then hugs me, pounding my back and congratulating me.
That all done, Grey gives me his update, filling me in on what I’ve missed from his camp. He’s enjoying time with his mate who was only doing her asshole alpha brother’s bidding. Ty holds no ill feelings toward her, but wants to talk to her when Grey’s ready to bring her out in the open so he can get more info about her father, the man she says he supposedly killed, which is what fueled her alpha brother’s plans.
He needs to be stopped. He’s gonna come at us again, we’re sure of it. Joel and Grey are still doing some fact-finding and will keep me in the loop about the next steps, which I absolutely want to be part of.
He tried to steal my mate twice. He shot, stabbed, and drugged me. Shot Mase and Linc, too. Grey does know from his mate that her brother wants our territory. He wants to rule our pack since he considers it a status symbol. We’ve got the largest pack known in North America and he thinks it’s ridiculous that it’s looked after by seven alphas. Figures he could handle it all by himself. He wants the council alphas dead as a show of his dominance and superiority, and he plans to accomplish it by having a witch at his command to do his bidding.
We’ll be tackling that issue after this SCC meeting coming up. All seven of us will be there and then when that’s behind us, we’ll work to disable that shithead in Silver Hills. And maybe Rikki’s coven can help. Grey’s already talked to the older sister Vivica about all this and they’ve agreed to be on-call for us.
I fill him in on my conversation with his father and he is not pleased, tells us his father has made the topic of the Youngs a no-go in his household. We agree Greyson and I will share managing the coven relationship going forward.
“Where are we gonna put ‘em?” Joel asks. “The three from the council.”
Ty speaks. “If it were normal guests, I’d have them at my house since we have so much room. But can we keep these people outside the village somewhere? Drowsy Hollow? I don’t trust them here.”
“Good point,” I reply. “I’ll call the couple who owns the resort across the lake with those cabins for rent. See if they have a vacancy. Maybe Mase can ferry them back and forth on his boat.”
“Good idea. Not sure I want them here either. I’m happy to run ‘em back and forth,” Mase replies.
40
Erica
Being driven into the village of Arcana Falls feels strange. So much has happened since I first drove here. No way would the me of a week and a half ago believe that in such a short time I could get to where I am now.
Getting held and purred for by Riley.
Eating banana splits in bed last night with Riley. The best banana split I’ve had in my life.
Having sex dozens and dozens of times with Riley.
Mm, Riley…
And is he ever good at sex! He knows how to kiss. He’s a god with his tongue. And that swirling, buzzing, steel-hard instrument of his? I’m its slave. Honestly. I can’t get enough of it.
And he is over the moon at the fact that I saved my virginity for him. Over. The. Moon. It feels pretty awesome to have validation that saving it was the right choice. That I will never, ever regret who I gave it to.
I certainly never expected at the end of the seven days together in Tyson Savage’s cabin that I’d be ending it in Riley’s truck, Riley’s hand on my thigh as he drives me to his house, which he’s calling our house.
We pass the intersection with big barn that is their town hall and gas station where my van had been parked, though I know it’s still at Lincoln and Jase’s place. We keep going past a dozen or so homes before we’re pulling into a driveway on the left just before the next corner that I know has Roxy’s Bar. In fact, I can see the roof of the building, which means it’s easy walking distance, or… stumbling distance as Riley said.
Riley’s place has neighbors on either side but not close. It’s a double or maybe even a triple lot with a big garage out front, a big square building behind it that has three garage doors, and then there’s the house beside the smaller garage. It’s a big house. And it’s cute as a button. It’s Victorian style, not too dissimilar from Aunt Mimi’s house on the coast. This one is white with black shutters and black trim. Two stories with a tall, peaked roof. The front of the house is dominated by a white porch that goes left and wraps around one side. Two dark wood rocking chairs with a little table between them grace the porch and the table has a little wooden lighthouse with ‘welcome’ on it. There are colorful flowers in the flowerbeds, rosebushes climbing a trellis along the side going up to a second floor which has a little peak over the half-hexagon bump-out window that I really hope is the master bedroom, because that could be a little reading nook right there, which would be amazing. And there’s a waist-high white picket fence all the way around it. My dream happily-ever-after had a white picket fence in a small town where everyone is close. And my dream is coming true.
There’s also a little red hatchback car in the driveway. Before I get a chance to ask about the car, as it doesn’t seem Riley’s style, he pipes up.
“What do you think at first glance?”
“It’s amazing,” I say with a big smile. “Can we paint the house black and the front door and the shutters orange?”
He parks beside the red car and laughs as if I’m joking.
“Grew up here. Big yard in the back. Little potting shed. Garden. Mom used to grow vegetables every year. Couple fruit trees back there, too. Fire pit. Barbecue.”
“Can I have a sunroom greenhouse built?” I ask. “If there’s room? Like the one Bailey’s parents have? And maybe a second-story balcony off the master?”
“Helped Dad build that for the Blackwoods back in the day. I’ll build you a greenhouse, little witch. No problem on the balcony. Can build a greenhouse directly off the kitchen. There’s a door already there with two steps down into the back yard.” He gestures toward the side where the porch wraps around. “Can put it right there so you can walk straight out into it from the house.”
I smile wide, clapping my hands. “That’d be amazing.”
He drops a kiss on my shoulder. “Look around and anything else you want done, I’ll hook you up.”
“I have everything I want,” I say, leaning close so I can plant a big, wet kiss on him. He deepens it and I’m the one to break it, asking, “Any objection if I paint rooms black or red or cover every surface with glitter?”
“Not as long as you’re in my bed every night,” he says. “Paint the whole thing tie-dye if you want.”
His eyes bounce over my shoulder.
I hear a beep-beep and see the red car’s hatch rise.
A blonde ponytailed lady with an uncertain expression approaches the red car’s open hatch and I know she saw us making out. She’s dressed in yoga clothes and carrying a basket of cleaning supplies and a vacuum cleaner.
She also has green eyes. Riley’s mom. She’s fit and attractive and does not look remotely happy.
“Mom, hey.” Riley greets, letting go of me and getting out of the truck. He rounds it and pulls her into a hug.
I should’ve known this was a possibility.
Riley then opens the door and tugs my hand so that I get out.
I’m super-self-conscious. I can’t read her mind, but I’m imagining what she’s thinking. I hurt her son and she’s devastated that I’m here. My heart is lodged in my throat.
I’m incredibly self-conscious, too. I’d put my unruly hair up in a bun this morning, but Riley promptly pulled the hair band out so it’s everywhere. I’m not even wearing shoes. And I’m wearing my patchwork earthtones dress. Riley wanted it on me to carry me over the threshold, as it should’ve been done seven years ago. It’s a little snug now and low-cut V-neck. When I used to wear it, I wore it with a tank top underneath. I’m not right now, so my cleavage is kind of spilling out of it a little bit. We didn’t even shower this morning. Just had sex, coffee, packed up and drove here. I’m sure I look like a homeless harlot.
“Mom, this is my mate, Erica. Baby, Lucy Savage.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Savage,” I extend my hand.
She shakily takes mine and swallows hard before pulling it away quickly. “Hello,” she rasps and then turns to her son. “I cleaned up and stocked you up.” She points at the house. Her hand is trembling.
“That’s great, Mom. Appreciated.”
“Trina and Brody want to come and meet … her. Let me know when we can do that. I’ll do a dinner,” she says nervously, staring at the asphalt instead of her son.
“All right,” he says, looking at her strangely.
“I’d better go.” She hooks her thumb backwards.
Riley lifts her vacuum cleaner and puts it in her trunk. “Come here a sec.” He tugs his mother’s hand. “Baby, have a look around the back if you want. Don’t go into the house without me. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay,” I say. “Really nice to meet you, Mrs. Savage.”
She gives me a shaky smile. “I…hope I got food you like.”
“I loved your breakfast casserole,” I say. “Riley said you sent that. It was very good.”
She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Mom’s lasagna, too,” Riley adds.
“Oh, that was yours? It was delicious. I ate three quarters of it all by myself.” I rub my stomach.
She nods but says nothing.
“I’ll just go check out the yard,” I say.
“You want your shoes first, little witch?” he asks, eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Naw, I’m good,” I say. “Sorry for my appearance, Mrs. Savage. I’m kind of a barefoot bohemian flower child.” I shrug and smile.
She looks me over and says nothing.
“Not to worry though. I’ll wash my feet before I go inside. Since it looks like you just probably did the floors. Is there a hose out here, fuzzy wuzzy?”
Riley’s eyes sharpen. Not on me. On her.
“Riley,” I say.
His eyes bounce to me. I give him a shake of my head, hoping he’s not going to give her a hard time for the way she’s being. I mean… I understand. I’m the girl who hurt him. She’s just having a natural reaction.
I only hope people give me a chance to prove myself. I want so much to fit in here. This is what I’ve wanted for a long time. A small, close-knit community.
We don’t have that in Marblehead. We keep to ourselves.
We had that in Drowsy Hollow when I was a kid and I want it again. And I know I’d have even more of it here because I don’t need to hide my true nature. I’ll get it here; I know I will. I’ll work for it; I’ll win all these people over. I’ll become more like my old self now that I’ve got Riley. I can feel it rising to the surface in me.
“Don’t worry about your feet, Erica,” Riley says angrily and then looks about to blow up with his eyes on his mom, so I speak quickly.
“Mrs. Savage? About what happened with me and Riley all those years ago…I promise you, I’m not the wicked witch of the west, I try to be more like Glinda the good witch, but things got-”
“No, babe. Let me,” Riley cuts me off, pulling his mom toward the garage.
“Okay. Bye. Thanks again,” I say.
I meander to the back yard, through a gate beside the side of the house.
Bordered by the pretty, waist-high picket fence, I’m instantly in love with this yard. The grass needs cutting, and the flowerbeds need weeding but clearly, Riley’s had other things on his mind. It doesn’t matter though; I’m in love with it and can hardly wait to play in the dirt and get acquainted with everything growing here.
I can see myself out here sketching and painting. I can see me stringing fairy lights everywhere. Parties with Cicely and Bailey. With Ivy and Amelia. Maybe I’ll throw a baby shower for them here! I calculate quickly – no, they’ll be heavily pregnant in the colder months so maybe not an outdoor baby shower. Maybe by then I will have shown Riley’s mother I’m not a wicked witch.
And Riley…
I can see sitting on that porch out front with him. Taking walks to the bar to catch up with friends or grab a meal. Eventually putting a swing set out here for children. I’m looking forward to that. All of that. There’s plenty of room for a greenhouse without losing too much yard. I squat and stick my fingers in the soil of the back flowerbed and close my eyes.
Energy zings through my fingers. Not just a little either. This place is filled with magic. I can see it and smell it and I can definitely feel it. And it wants me to play.
“Not yet,” I whisper. “I need to know more about my changing skills first.”
“What ‘cha doin’ little witch?”
I turn and face him.
“Talking to the dirt.”
He laughs.
“No really. But mostly envisioning all the ways I’m gonna enjoy this yard. Not to mention the area. It’s very magical.”
He smiles and then goes serious. “Sorry about my mother. I set her straight.”
“No, please don’t be sorry. I’d be skeptical if our son got together with someone who’d been supposedly dead for seven years, too. I hope you weren’t harsh with her.”
“Not harsh at all. Just set her straight is all. She knows now what’s what. Word’s gettin’ around that you saved my life and Mase and Linc’s lives. That we’d all have bled out and died if you hadn’t stopped that shithead. That you didn’t stay away because you wanted to. That I’m a hundred per cent with you. That you and me are forever and gonna be very happy. But she’s been ignoring the phone, not answering the door and keeping to herself the past few days.”
“Worrying about you,” I whisper.
“And to say she’s feeling guilty for how she was just now is an understatement.”
I shake my head. “She saw you in pain. She was bound to be worried about who I am and what I might be capable of.”
“She knows the truth now. And I probably should’ve called her earlier and put her mind at ease. That’s on me. Anyway, it’s sorted. Prepare yourself for some grand gestures. Stopped her from coming back here and throwing her arms around you.”
“Aw, you should’ve let her. Been a long while since I got a good Mom hug.”
“You want I can call her back?” He jerks his thumb toward the driveway, teasing.
“That’s not necessary. Neither are grand gestures.”
“To Lucy Savage it is. I told her your family is heading this way for the meeting. She’s gonna take in your Aunt Mimi and give her the star treatment. She’s gonna call Ivy and Amie and ask if they can take your sisters between ‘em. They’ve got lots of room there. I mean, so do we, really, but I’m not ready for company.”
I shake my head. “They’ll stay upstairs above the drycleaners. Kathleen moved here to Lorenzo’s, so it’s vacant again. Place holds some nostalgia for us since Aunt Lyrica used to live there.”
“Five people in an apartment?”
“Yes. We’re close. We’re always piling into a big bed or throwing sleeping bags on a floor and having sleepovers. Don’t worry. They’re fine in the apartment.”
“If you say so. You call your family about bringing your stuff here?”
“They’ll be here tomorrow. They’re renting a cube van.”
“You got furniture and dishes and shit like that?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Nope. I lived with them in Marblehead. I’ll leave all my bedroom furniture there for when I visit. Then we’ll have a nice place to stay by the ocean. Got a big bedroom there with a balcony that overlooks the water that I share with Dani whose room is beside mine. You’ll love it.”
“Sounds good, baby. It’s a nice spot. I saw it when I went lookin’ for you. But if you don’t have furniture and dishes, why do they need a cube van? I somehow have a hard time believing you’ve got hundreds of pairs of shoes.” He looks at my bare feet.
I snicker. “I have a few pairs. But no… I have a lot of art supplies, crystals, and plants. A teapot and teacup collection. And like… a lot of plants. Your little witch has a very green thumb and she’s not afraid to use it.” I hold my thumb out. “Did I mention I have a lot of plants?”
He plants a kiss on my thumb and pulls me close. “Guess I better get on that greenhouse, huh?”
I drape my arms over his shoulders. “Maybe next summer I’ll set up a little fruit, vegetable, and flower stand at the end of the driveway.”
“Not a bad idea. You wanna go see the inside of your home, Mrs. Savage?”
I bite my lip and nod eagerly.
Riley lifts me up and carries me.
I see two teenage girls riding bicycles past the house. They wave with big smiles.
I wave back and so does Riley. And then he takes me up the front steps and I pull in a big breath.
“You’re acting nervous. Why?” he asks.
“I didn’t think this was ever gonna happen. I’m just here hoping I’m not about to wake up from this dream. Though if it is a dream, it’s way better than the kinds I usually have.”
“Not a dream, Rikki. This is real. And it’s very fuckin’ overdue.”
“Yay,” I whisper, throat clogging.
He pushes the door open and carries me over the threshold. Me in that same dress, the same bare feet but a little older and a whole lot wiser.
And then he kicks the door shut and is kissing me before I can take much of anything in. Kissing me while climbing the long staircase with me.
I barely get to take in his bedroom because my dress is being pulled over my head and then I’m falling onto his bed.
His clothes are shucked off quickly and I’m eyeing his fantastic, muscled chest when he abruptly flips me to my belly, lifts me up by my hips, and then he’s slamming inside me from behind.
I whimper but then manage a breathy, “Doggie style happens to be one of my favorite positions so far. Imagine that?”
He laughs and then groans as I reach under us and cup his balls.
My free hand clenches the high-quality bedding which smells like lavender as I whimper, seeing a vase of fresh white flowers on the nightstand. I turn my head and there’s a bottle of wine in a bucket on the other nightstand with two long-stemmed glasses. Riley’s mom may have been wary of me, holding a grudge, but she still spent effort on making this nice for us so that bodes well for the future as far as I’m concerned.
