Pack, page 25
part #3 of Five Fangs Series
"Yeah, piccolo cucciolo (little puppy). I am your papa. Em is your mama, but you can still call him Bubba if you want, okay?"
"Okay, Gelo. Wait! I mean, Papa!"
Throwing his arms around Angelo's waist, Thoreau squeezed him hard, burying his face in Angelo's chest for a second, then looked up and smiled the most adorable smile.
"I love you, Papa."
And the fearsome and feared Angelo of Death had to wipe tears from his eyes before he responded in a voice that cracked.
"I love you, too, Reau."
"Hey!" Landry called out. "Can someone tell me what's going on? What happened to me? Why is Oak exhausted? Why am I exhausted? Why am I laying on the floor? And who left an elephant dance on my chest?!"
"Lelofant!" Thoreau screeched and raced over to Landry. "I want to see an lelofant! Where's the lelofant? They are so cute with their trunks! Baby lelofants use their trunks to hold their mommy's tails. Isn't that so sweet?"
He stopped and made a sound of disappointment, then scowled and kicked the bottom of Landry's sneaker, causing Landry to stare up at him in a confused sort of fascination - a state I could totally relate to when it came to Thoreau.
"Bad Gamma! Papa Gelo! Gamma Landry is lying! There are no lelofants here."
Thoreau plopped on the mat next to Landry and rambled on and on about getting Mama Bubba and Papa Gelo to take him to the zoo to meet some 'lelofants.' Landry nodded from time to time, obviously too drained to contribute much, not that Thoreau needed any help carrying the conversation.
My eyes met Angelo's, and we both burst into laughter, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to get the last of the anger and stress out of my system.
"Alpha Jayden never would have left if it wasn't for Quartz," he said after we quieted down.
"I know." I sucked my lips between my teeth. "How long do you think they'll be gone?"
"My dear girl, they were ready to come back, tails tucked between their legs, five minutes ago," he chuckled, "but don't worry. They know they need a plan to get back into your good graces. I'd expect some fancy gifts, if I were you. Make them crawl on their bellies before you forgive them."
"They don't need a plan, and I can't be bribed with gifts, and I won't shame them. I just want them to apologize and tell me they know that I'm the luna, not just their mate."
"They do know that, but I understand why you need to hear it from them." He grinned and tapped my nose with his index finger. "Listen, sweetheart, let them make fools of themselves for you once in a while. It does them good to have their egos knocked down a peg or two every once in a while, yeah?"
"Well, you are a man, so I guess you know better than me about that part," I smiled. "All right. I'll let them eat a bit of humble pie."
"It's what's best for them, after all."
"Then I guess I can tolerate a little groveling."
"Only a little," he agreed and held out his fist.
"For their own good."
And I gently knocked my knuckles against his.
29: We’re in Trouble
Mason
As per their luna's orders, our wolves stayed in control until we'd all calmed down, which had only taken a few minutes and a couple of miles. We continued to run in wolf form, though, long after the others had wheeled off to return home. We were hoping to wear off some of the anger we had for ourselves.
Besides, Quartz was far from calm. We could all hear his enraged bellows, and I winced in sympathy for Jay.
Dude did the right thing and is still being punished. He was the only one of us who reacted like we all should have.
We were about forty miles into Dark Woods, where no one ever really went except for border patrols, when Ash pointed out the obvious.
We're going to need help, he muttered in the alpha link. I don't know about you all, but I have no clue how to get her to forgive us. An apology ain't enough this time.
Nor should it be, Cole grumbled. We screwed up beyond saying sorry.
And who's going to help us? Wyatt snorted. Mama would give us a lecture on how disappointed she is, and Mom would slap us upside the head and yell.
Papa would probably tell us to figure it out ourselves and close the door in our faces, Ash picked up. I can just hear him saying, "You got yourselves into this mess; you can get yourselves out of it."
I smirked; that was actually a pretty good imitation of him, and one of his more common phrases.
Dad would laugh, then say he never screwed up this badly to know how to advise us, Cole said. And the betas are no good. They already want to tear our lungs out for hurting their luna.
The gammas wouldn't be of any use, either, Ash added. They're all single except for Rio, and his human mate is still learning about our world. I mean, Emmeline might have some ideas for us, but she wouldn't understand the nuances of the situation.
What do you think, Mase? Wyatt asked.
I think you all know there's only one person who will help us, I admitted against my will. For her own entertainment, if nothing else.
You can't be serious, Cole groaned.
Got a better idea? I challenged him.
He hung his head and shook it, so I ignored Jay's snicker and my other brothers' whining and led them to the place none of us wanted to go.
#
Peri
Tyler wasn't happy about it, but I let the five long faces into our house.
While my mate was comforting Posy, it looked like I was stuck helping my stupid big brothers figure out how to un-wreck their lives.
Mase bravely opened his mouth first, and I held up one hand.
"I already know everything. Come into the dining room."
It was the only room with enough furniture to seat us all, but I didn't want them to know that. They'd order half a furniture store and have it delivered before dark if they did.
Once they were seated like naughty children around the rectangular table, I stood in front of them with my hands on my hips and glared.
"All right, here's what you're going to do. You're each going to make her an apology card. Over the next couple of days, each of you will take her on a special date and give it to her, then all of you will take her on a group date to somewhere she really wants to go."
"Apology card?" Ash and Wyatt said together.
That's all they got out of it? marveled Dove, my wolf.
"I like the special date idea, but I don't know how to make a card. Can't we just buy one?" Cole scowled at me.
"Oh, that's the easy part." I waved one hand. "I have all kinds of craft supplies you can use. You take a blank card, decorate the front, and write a letter inside."
"What do you mean, decorate the front?" Ash said.
"Well, you can draw or paint something, use stickers or stencils, or glue flowers or something on it. I'll show you some examples."
"And the letter?" Wyatt raised his eyebrows. "We need to write a letter? I don't know what goes in a letter."
"Think of it like a long text or link. Just start with Dear Posy, add in some forgive mes and I'm sorrys, and end with Love, Wyatt."
"So I have to think of something to write." Ash crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not good with words, Peri, and I can't draw for shit."
Taking a deep breath, I stood up and went into the kitchen. It took me a few minutes to find what I was looking for, but I finally did and carried it out to the dining room. Plunking it on the table, I gave Ash a hard glare.
"Two dollars, please." I gestured toward the plastic container shaped like a bear that once held animal crackers.
"Oh my Goddess. How did you get the swear jar away from Mom?" Ash groaned as he reached into his wallet, pulled out two ones, and dropped them in.
"It's mine," I smiled smugly. "The babies polished off the animal crackers last week, so Mom said I could have it for my own swear jar."
"Ty doesn't have a potty mouth," Jay said, but his eyes held the question.
"Not for him," I muttered. When they laughed, I added, "Well, after growing up with you guys, what did you expect from me? But I'm trying to break the habit because Mom will kill me if her grandpup's first word is dammit. Oh, dammit! Argh! See?!"
Slapping my hand against my forehead, I went over to my purse, grabbed four singles, and put them in the swear jar.
"And don't forget the f-bomb is a ten dollar fine," I reminded them as I dropped back on my chair.
"I'm going to run out of cash," Wyatt complained. "I can tell already."
"What are you going to do with the money? You going to donate it like Mom does?" Cole asked.
"Probably to the O," I nodded.
"All right, we can do the card-making and letter writing here and now if you don't mind us using your supplies," Mase said. "We'll pay you back, of course."
"Don't worry about it, Mase. It's some paper and glue. The important part is what you'll write inside your card." I gave him a gentle smile. "Your words to her are priceless and far more meaningful than any card you could buy at a store."
"Let's talk about the date part before making the cards, though, because we're going to need something ASAP. No way is she sleeping angry, upset, and alone for even one night."
"I would advise against that as well," I agreed with him. "She may be pissed at you, but not going home to her tonight is the worst mistake you could ever make."
"I could take her to the county fair tonight," he suggested with bright eyes, but they quickly dulled. "Oh. It's Friday and opening night. It would be crowded, and that would make her uncomfortable."
"Yeah, let's think of something else for tonight."
"Well, it won't work for tonight," Cole said slowly, "but I want to take her to the zoo."
"Aw! I want to do that with her, too," Wyatt whined.
"Me, too," Ash pouted.
"I wanted to go to the fair with her, but you didn't hear me complaining when Mase called dibs on it, did you?" Cole grumbled.
"Let's agree to save things like the fair and the zoo and amusement parks for group dates," I said. "For now, come up with activities you like that Posy would enjoy, too, and we'll see if one works for tonight. Wyatt, let's start with you. What's something that you like to do and want to share with Posy?"
"Mess around with cars, although she wouldn't be interested in that." He tilted his head as he thought. "Drag races, but again, not something our girl would enjoy since she doesn't like loud noises and crowds. Sports, but would she like going to the batting cages? That's not much of a date. Argh! I don't know!"
"Art," Mase suggested. "Take her on a date involving art. You said she loved looking at your sketchbooks, right?"
"How do you make that into a date?" He ran his fingers through his fluffy hair with a frustrated scowl.
"You could do a couple of different things," Jay said before I could. "You could take a painting class in the city, or go through some of the galleries and the art museum, then hit up a nice place for dinner."
"Or you could pack some supplies and a picnic lunch and take her to the lake." Ash smiled, obviously proud of himself. "You'd have privacy there, too, in case things get heated afterward."
"I see no problem with mating in a public place," Wyatt told him with one raised eyebrow. "The museum has one of those family bathrooms that we could lock ourselves in and—"
"TMI! TMI!" I slammed my hands over my ears.
"What?" He gave me a mocking look. "You're a mated woman now. You and Ty have mated plenty of times, remember?"
"Yes, we have, but I don't need to hear about my brother's scandalous sex life. Now, unless you like the lake idea, Google some art-related activities nearby while I help these other knuckleheads."
"Thanks, Per." Cole rolled his eyes at me.
"Let's take her to the fair together after we have our individual dates with her," Ash said. "If we each spend a day with her, that would be Wednesday night. I know she wants to go to the beach, but we can't pull that together before Wednesday. Or can we?"
"The fair is only in town until next weekend," Cole reminded him, "so let's save the beach for later. It can be a big surprise. Maybe we can go after the queen's coronation at the end of the month and before her family reunion at the beginning of August."
"Make those two events bookends on a beach trip?" Mase nodded. "I like it."
"Perfect!" I smiled. "Okay, so who's going first tonight into tomorrow?"
"Me," Mase said quickly. "I'll take her out to dinner at Roger's because she asked if we could go there a couple of days ago. Then I'll get a room for tonight. I don't think she's ever stayed in a hotel."
"And you'd have nothing but privacy if things get—"
"Ash, let's just assume that things will get heated for all of your dates," I rolled my eyes, "and plan accordingly, hmm?"
"Which hotel? You better get to booking somewhere if it's for tonight," Wyatt spoke up.
With a nod, Mase took out his phone, apparently to look for vacancies.
"What will you do tomorrow?" I asked him.
"Go to the Saturday flea market. That's why I wanted to go first. I'll encourage her to pick some stuff for her special room. Then lunch somewhere nice before I hand her off for her next date."
"Sweet!" Ash stood up and high-fived him. "Not only is it a great date, it gives the rest of us time to put something together."
"Take her to that little tea shop next to Stella's for lunch," Jay told him. "She'll definitely love that."
"Perfect! Thanks, man."
"And I'll meet you there to pick her up for my date," Wyatt said. "We're going to the art museum first, then dinner, then doing a painting class for the rest of the evening. Who am I handing her off to on Sunday after lunch?"
"Wait, where are you sleeping?" I asked.
"I rented a place," he said simply, which concerned me.
"Does it have a bathroom? A shower? What about a change of clothes for her?"
"Yes, it has a bathroom! Stop worrying. I know what I'm doing." He flapped a hand at me. "And we can each bring her a bag of clothes and stuff when we meet up. Which reminds me. Someone remember to put Mr. Nibbles in her overnight bag tonight. Just in case."
"I'll go next," Jay said before any of us could interrogate Wyatt further about the 'place' he rented.
I hoped that didn't come back to bite us in the butt. Still, it was Wyatt. There was only so much damage control we could do.
"What are you going to do, Jay?" Cole asked. "I can tell you already have something planned."
"I'm not telling you."
"What?!" Ash and Wyatt screeched and Cole said, "You can't keep it a secret from us!"
"Yes, I can." Jay crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at his brothers. "You'll only make fun of me, so no, you don't need to know. It's nothing any of you would ever do, anyway, so what does it matter?"
"It matters because we want to know!" Wyatt yammered.
"It matters because you're our brother," Cole corrected, "and we support you. And we're nosy as hell."
"Two dollars, brother," I murmured and pointed to the swear jar.
"One of us needs to make a run to the ATM," he griped, but paid his fine.
"Come on, Jay!" Ash whined. "Just tell us!"
"No. You'll hassle me and make fun of it."
"You're taking her to the alpha library?" Of course, Mase got there before the rest of us.
Jay's lips pressed together in a white line as he waited for the explosion of laughter and teasing from our brothers.
Goddess help me, I will end you if you laugh at him, I warned Ash, Wyatt, and Cole. It's a great idea. She's been asking to go for a while now, and it's his special place. Do. Not. Ruin. It. For. Him!
"Yeah, man," Cole nodded and patted Jay's shoulder. "She'll love that. I know she's been wanting to go since Ty mentioned it."
"And you can set up a cute nook under a canopy and fill it full of pillows and blankets and string up fairy lights." Ash grew more excited with each idea he threw out. "And you have to put flowers everywhere. You know she loves flowers. Oh, my goodness! Rose petals! Rose petals on the floor! Dude, I am so helping you set it up! It's going to look like a scene from a movie!"
He stood up and shimmied in a happy dance, and I rolled my eyes.
"Dude!" He froze mid-wiggle and whisper yelled, "Take your guitar, dude! Oh my word, she would just die if you sang to her in your little love nest!"
Jay's cheeks flushed bright pink, making us giggle at him, but the happiness in his eyes at the idea was clear as day.
When Ash wasn't being obnoxious, he was a very sweet guy.
"And for dinner," Wyatt chimed in, "you can order in a bunch of different food she hasn't tried yet. Like explore your world or something. That goes with a library theme, doesn't it?"
"Good idea," I praised him.
Wow. That's more thoughtful than I ever expected from Wyatt, I linked Mase. He's really changed since you guys met Posy.
He has, but not that much. Just wait for it, he warned me with a resigned sigh. He's never not going to throw shade at his brothers.
"I know it is, Periwinkle. Jay needs to show her there's more to him than being a nerd." Wyatt said it with a straight face, too.
Reaching over, Mase slapped Wyatt upside the head.
"Don't tease him," he rumbled.
"I wasn't teasing him!" Wyatt protested. "I was describing him! We all know he's a nerd."
"Thanks for calling me smart." Jay flipped him off.
"Go to hell, asshole."
"With you here, it feels like I'm already there."
"Boys, boys!" I threw my hands up and raised my eyes to the ceiling, begging the Moon Goddess for patience. "How do you guys get any work done at the office? And the finger still counts as an f-bomb, Jay, so pay up. You, too, Wyatt. Now, can we please move on?"
As they put their money in the swear jar, I took a deep breath to compose myself. I'd forgotten what it was like to deal with all five of them at once.
Goddess bless you, Posy Everleigh.
"Where are you getting lunch, Wyatt?" I asked. "Jay can pick her up there afterwards."
"The hibachi on North Broad Street. I want her to experience the cook making the food at the table and see her face when he does the onion volcano. I bet she totally catches the shrimp he flicks at her!"
