Snowflake Unbound, page 7
“Anyway. After Erik was old enough for a sitter, I started collecting power. I was never going to be in that situation again. Even then, I ran it close to the edge a few times. It was like they tell you not to do with your batteries. I had never had a full charge, so I didn’t know how to hold one. So, energy trickled out, and I poured more in, and it trickled out like I had a slow leak.”
Alita looked at her. “I am very glad you didn’t tell me that before I had the baby.”
Luna gave her a thumbs-up.
Jack touched her jaw and gave her fire again, but this time, it was slow and glittering, and it clung to her with sparkles in her veins. Her body hummed happily, and the kiss went on and on.
Erik remarked about his parents making out, and Nikolai pointed out that his own parents were far worse. Nora chuckled when Olyna was mentioned.
When Jack lifted his head, he looked at Nikolai. “You were right. It is a completely different thing.”
She settled in Jack’s arms, and Myka looked at her with wide eyes when she came back in. “You look all glowy, Aunty.”
She swallowed and looked at her hand. “I am glowy. There was something badly broken inside me, and it is being fixed with the glowy stuff, Myka.”
Sarah smiled. “Fenris would like to visit with Myka, but I don’t think we are going to start anything. It just feels very laboured.”
Luna whispered, “You are still protected?”
“Yeah. Wren has us in her care. She’s working for Myka’s new school, by the way.”
Luna smiled. “Where Tobin is?”
“Yup. So they can be cousins and look out for each other if Hailey will ever let Tobin out of her sight.”
Lexa’s daughter had fixated on Tobin because he was magnetic, charming, personable, and definitely the child of an elite outside the stronghold. Wren was taking care of them, too. No one in her care needed to worry about being taken by the elite. There was no way to pull them through a gateway without her permission.
Luna felt drunk and warm, and she hadn’t been either for a very long time. She tried to get up, but Jack soothed her into place and kissed her forehead. “Just a bit longer, Snowflake.”
“You have the band to fuss over.” She squirmed.
“I do, but I can call an agent to take over monitoring them. I am much more interested in keeping you in my arms.”
She swallowed. “I need to head back to my home now that the baby is here. I don’t want to intrude.”
Nikolai grinned. “Not intruding. I would be happy to host you for as long as you like.”
Nora smiled. “Or me. It is such fun to have other moms around. I have been working on the idea of a party for the new arrivals, so the book club can meet them, and they can meet the book club.”
Myka smiled. “New? Like me?”
Nora smiled. “Like you.”
Luna sighed. “Call Doe. Decide if you want the mates there, and things are going to happen.”
“They can come. I think Dell is working with Doe right now, so they can set up the party. She’s good at organizing.” Luna smiled.
Nora smiled. “It will be good for her to get out.”
Luna nodded and found herself drifting off. Alita asked Nora and Sarah questions, and they answered with a direct honesty that went around Myka’s cognitive abilities.
Myka was excited about a party for the pretty babies.
Luna tried to get up again, but a kiss, a cuddle, more fire, and she was back into her stupor. This was new, and it was terrifying. No one took care of her if sex wasn’t immediately on the agenda. Jack didn’t seem interested in anything but the kissing and fire.
This dragon fire was... different. She had taken fire from seven or so dragons in her lifetime, which was different. This was like drinking hot chocolate or having it poured all over her.
Alita looked over at her, and she smiled. “Mate fire. It’s different. First, it fixes you, then it primes you, then it keeps the baby healthy.”
Luna chuckled. “Unlikely.”
“Uh. Well, I had a badly healed crushed pelvis and damaged ovaries and uterus, previously fractured thighs and spine. And today, you delivered my son.”
Luna blinked and slowly looked up at Jack, who had an innocent expression on his face. “You are angling for more kids?”
He smiled. “We are still young enough for more.”
She turned and looked at Erik. “Thoughts?”
“A little strange because it has been us for so long, but I think Mom deserves that chance to have a happy pregnancy if she wants it, and I would love brothers and sisters.”
Jack smiled. “Just boys from dragons, I’m afraid. All Y-chromosomes. Just brothers.”
Luna sighed. “Too bad. Well, I guess I am not a great role model for young girls, so it is probably best that way.”
Nora reached out and took her hand. “You are the best kind of role model. You survived, and you didn’t take what you had to do out on anyone. Do you know how rare that is? You set things up so that we didn’t have to do the things you did to survive. You set up the foundations, got us therapy, helped us stand with our heads high. That means everything to us.”
Sarah smiled. “You got me through the therapy, the silence, and even helped me take the action that I decided on, and that got me Myka. You might not be a mom to girls, but you are an amazing big sister.”
Alita smiled. “I would have to agree. Knowing that you had been through it and survived meant a lot. Nora is great, but dragon alphas are different, which is intense. I know what you meant when you said that you were running out. Every time I got near, you had Niko give me more and that you knew that probably saved my life or, at least, my sanity.”
Luna didn’t say that Alita would have been fine without her. She wouldn’t have. Niko might have picked up on what was happening when Alita passed out, but that would have been too late. Dragons appeared randomly for a reason. Breeding one was a bitch. If they could start a little pocket of them, it would rock the balance of the dragon population. They might go from being nearly extinct to merely rare. There were less than two dozen in the entire world, and Luna had gone out with a third of them.
She blinked when she noticed that she was thinking about having more kids. She sat up suddenly. “What agreement did you get to with the elite?”
“Uh, is this the time?”
“Yeah. It really is.”
“They can court you in their own way until I mark you. I also said I would restrain myself for a week or two.”
She grimaced. “It feels like a messed-up bachelorette party in that case.”
Nora looked at her in confusion. “What?”
Sarah chuckled. “She’s just waiting for the strippers to show up.”
Luna looked at Jack. “I really hope you didn’t repair anything that will make my system start up because those are literally very determined fuckers.”
Sarah chuckled. “Once they get into the spirit of it. Yeah. Sorry, dragon or not, you won’t even get close enough to mark her.”
Luna shrugged. “The elite are tricky, and you got played.”
He sighed. “Their phrasing was specific.”
“Yeah, but fortunately, I can occupy myself with business for a while. I will just ask Ford if he needs any tracks, and I can basically live at his studio.”
Jack grinned. “The girls do need a proper drummer and occasionally support vocals.”
Luna looked at Nora and nodded. “Zara.”
Alita smiled. “I would have said Lexa. Is Zara good?”
“Oh, she’s got an amazing voice, and I love playing if she’s singing.” Luna smiled.
Sarah smiled. “Is she still staying with Mrs. Nickelson?”
Nikolai’s head came up. “Nickelson?”
Luna chuckled. “Yes. Nickelson. Rayd’s grandmother acts as a step-down house for us, helping those who have been left with permanent alpha damage get the skills to survive in the world again. Emma is amazing.”
Sarah smiled. “She really is. She helped me get out of the closet where I was hiding and start to walk around, talk, shop with her. She had my back the whole time. She told me to wear the scarring and bruising as a mark of survival. She totally took the shame out of it.”
Myka looked at her mom. “Shame?”
“Yes, it is like when you fall, and people laugh instead of asking to help. You are embarrassed, and it hurts.”
“Oh.” Myka hugged her. “No shame.”
Niko blinked. “Wow.”
Luna smiled. “She’s also an amazing lawyer. She is a master of financial suits that are settled very quietly. Sarah was able to go back to school, her medical bills were covered, and she’s been able to save for Myka’s future, though now Fenris is going to be kicking in a substantial amount, whether he knows it or not.”
Sarah giggled, and Myka frowned. “Happy?”
“Yeah, you are going to go to some nice schools, baby.”
Myka beamed and hugged her mom again.
Niko just sat there and said, “Rayd’s grandma? Holy shirt.”
All the moms in the room laughed.
Chapter Seven
Luna was amused at how fast the ladies worked. Doe was called to make a meet the babies party that would include the men, the families, and anyone who wanted to come as it would spread across the entire block.
The party organizer showed up with the florist and caterer, all from the book club.
Luna watched as they got together, and the decorator pitched in via phone.
Jack asked, “Who is it on the phone?”
“Wren.”
“Why isn’t she here? Does she need a ride?” He frowned.
“No. It has to do with the alpha that set her off. She doesn’t go out after dark.”
He frowned. “Do you support her, too?”
“No, she gets paid quite well and helps subsidize her sister’s family.”
“How does she do her job?”
“Her actual job is as an account manager for Rickart and some light admin for a private school. He knows about her issues, and her work is an easy compensation for the awkwardness of her restrictions. She’s amazing at telecommuting.”
The phone was up on a stand, and Wren was active in the discussion. As they rattled off what was needed and accounted for children, the voice rattled off the availability of bounce houses and face painting.
Jack chuckled. “Look at Niko’s eyes. He looks like he just realized he fell into wonderland.”
“And look at Sabin talking his uncle down.” Luna laughed.
“Where’s Erik?”
“He’s with the horses. Time for evening chores.” She smiled. “Then, more studying.”
Jack smiled slowly. “I am still getting used to the idea that that adult is related to me. He acts a lot more grown-up than I do.”
“Stop hanging out with teenagers. You’ll grow up quick.” She smiled. “I am ancient compared to the band.”
“You look no more than two years older than them.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“Uh-huh. Are you sure that Sylvie is out of the picture?”
“Based on the team that is repairing her apartment right now... yeah. She told me to fuck off, and she hopes my dick drops off.”
Luna chuckled, and Jack turned to look at her with heat in his gaze.
“That is an amazing noise. I want to hear it again.”
“Um, that sound is random. I just thought it would be a pity if it dropped off now that it and I have become acquainted.”
He blinked. “Oh, right.”
“Yeah. Weird, right?” She wrinkled her nose. “Yours is certainly less sharp.”
He stared.
She started laughing, huge waves of laughter that doubled her over. The conversation at the table stopped, and when she wheezed to a halt, she had to lean on the nearby chair back. “Oh, god. Your face.”
He growled and narrowed his eyes. “That isn’t funny.”
“I beg to differ. I laughed really hard.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “Oh, almost better than an orgasm.” She wheezed out a sigh. “That was good.”
He moved up against her, and she was reminded that he was far more physically intimidating than she gave him credit for, but he was smaller than his indoor dragon, so that is where she got her original frame of reference.
He leaned down so that his lips were over hers, and he blew a narrow trickle of fire between her lips. She inhaled, and the fire warmed her from the inside out. He slid a hand under her hair and held her gently as he continued to exhale fire into her.
She let her eyes droop and relaxed as she let her body absorb the flame. She heard soft sighs from the table and ignored them. She had seen Doe and Danny doing all kinds of stuff. A simple transfer of power wouldn’t raise eyebrows with this crowd.
She heard Alita ask, “Is that what it looks like when we...”
“No, we have a different flame. I also don’t think my eyes catch fire.”
Luna opened her eyes and looked at Jack. His eyes blazed blue-white flame, and he smiled as he continued to feed her fire.
She closed the distance between them, and she could feel the effort that he was putting into keeping his touch soft. The rest of him was rigid with tension.
The ladies had most of the party planned, but the best night was the full moon in three weeks. The kids could have fun at a day party, and then, they could go to sleep in a quiet room in Nora’s house with a book club member watching them, and the rest of the night could be a more adult party with dancing and cocktails. More time for visiting with designated drivers.
Luna kissed Jack and drew on the fire, but whatever she took, there was more waiting. She finally pulled her lips from his and found that she had curled up against him like a rather large kitten.
She blinked. “When did that happen?”
He smiled and said, “When Wren called Zara, and she said yes, she would perform in the evening as long as you would drum and Karo would play guitar or bass. At that point, you moaned, so they took it as a yes, and a call to Karo, and she agreed.”
“Wow, you were really paying attention.”
“I had to distract myself from your efforts to suck out my tonsils.” He smirked, and the ladies at the table giggled.
Doe smiled. “Wren will be right back. She had to turn her lights on.”
Luna saw Jack’s face, and she gave him a sombre look. “If you ever ask the elite what alphas they are scared of, you will hear the reference.”
Jack scowled. “They hurt her?”
Doe answered, “No, but she stole from them, and they are pissed. Whatever it was isn’t happy that she has one of their possessions in her possession.”
Luna didn’t correct Doe. Wren had been the intended target of one of her captors, and she had done more than just snatch and run. She had been gone fourteen days, and she had come out a different woman. A cautious woman. Before, according to Doe, nothing had fazed her, now Wren lived in a house full of light and did not allow a shadow larger than six inches in her vicinity. She had had to move out of the city to accommodate her new routine, but her skills were legendary. The skills she had gained since her disappearance were very handy and were keeping folk like Estelle, Tobin, Sarah, and Myka safe.
Jack murmured, “You know more than you are saying about your friend.”
Luna smiled. “If she comes to the party, you will see. She’s power and control, but now, she watches for shadows.”
Her friends grew quiet, and Wren’s voice said wryly, “Is this my eulogy? Because they haven’t caught me yet.”
Jack asked, “Who is after you?”
“Who is speaking?”
“I am Jack Realm, Luna’s mate, Erik’s father.”
“Holy shit. Well, Jack. I will explain it if we ever meet in person. This is not a conversation when Myka has woken up from her nap and is hiding under the table.”
Sarah looked, exhaled in exasperation, and reached under the table to get her daughter. Nora had fed Aurora at the table, and Alita had told them to stay and plan while she went to pass out with her little boy next to the bed and her mate wrapped around her and Alexi wrapped around him.
Erik was in charge while the ladies schemed and decimated the hot chocolate and cider supplies.
Erik came up to her and said, “The cousins with the window repair company are coming tomorrow, so you can stay in my room again tonight.”
Luna nodded, and Jack exhaled. “If I promise that he won’t try and have sex with you, will you spend the night with me?”
Erik cocked his head, and he paused, waiting for her answer.
Luna smiled. “If you promise that there won’t be any sex, I agree. If he breaks that promise, that’s it.”
“He understands, but he might be the one holding you while you sleep.”
“That’s fine, but he keeps his tail to himself.”
“Understood.” He hugged her in relief. It was as if he couldn’t stand to be away from her.
She looked to Erik, and he gave her a calm nod. He was extending a chance as well.
Luna looked at the women around the table. “If I leave now, am I a horrible person?”
“You are a terrible gofer. You are a lovely person.” Nora smiled. “Go and try and get some actual sleep.”
Doe smiled. “Sleep is overrated, but you do look a little ragged. Have something to eat first.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Luna went to get her bag and was surprised to see her dress on top of the futon, no bloodstains to be found. Erik was in his room, grinning. “It worked.”
“You did it on your own? That’s my boy.” She hugged him.
“I was worried about destroying it. I know it is one of your favourites, but Niko said it was a valued skill and that it meant I could go a month without changing my sheets if I got good at it.”
Luna laughed. “Ew. But good.”
She put her dress in her bag and slung it over her shoulder.
“Mom, be careful. We don’t need him in our lives to be happy. You have been an amazing parent on your own.”
