Book1 Chapter36
It would be a great loss to any pack to lose their midwife but a disaster to lose a doctor. How long have they been searching, recruiting, to find him? Dr. Peters must have been in his early eighties when Dallas came. So I’m not sure if their rumbling is about me going with Dallas or about him stating that he might leave.
“Ready to go.” Dallas puts money on the table, paying my share of the bill.
With one more long pull on the milkshake, I take Dallas’s hand. We walk out, Dallas leading the way until we get to the door. He opens it for me, me to brush by him. He follows behind, taking all their stares against his back while protecting mine.
Getting into the car, he kisses my lips. He tastes like my milkshake, vanilla with chai…yum.
The ride to my home is perfect. His hand is on my thigh. Can he smell me again? I’m dying for a repeat of last night.
“Please come tonight. I really want my family to meet you.” He’s kissing my wrist as we sit in my driveway.
“I’ll come over. What time again?” I’m breathless, his tongue licking at my pulse.
allowing
“Five, come over at five.” His lips are on the side of my neck, sucking in the skin. Teeth are grazing the spot that holds marks of mates. I’m not sure I can get out of the car, my skin is so warm. He’s kissing me like in the movies …
His phone starts to ring. With a
he pulls away.
Son on the line understand this.
“Hello.” He’s annoyed. His voice lets the other
“Luna Catherine, so good to hear from you.” He gives me a wink.
“I can’t meet with you today. My mother should be at my house very soon. Unless…why don’t you come over tonight after dinner?” He’s rolling his eyes while listening to her talk.
“That sounds good. See you around six–thirty.” He hangs up his phone, laughing.
“Seems that the Luna is very interested in my personal life all of a sudden.”
I try to talk, but he’s kissing me again.
“I don’t want you to worry about anything, Rya. My mom will absolutely love to talk to this Luna about my personal life. You should go before I just follow you inside and do lots of new things to you.” Ishiver in my own skin with the thought.
***
Walking up the path to his home, I balance a pumpkin pie in hand. Islow roasted the pumpkin all afternoon in cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar. Golden flakes of butter crust hold the contents in place. I brought a little bowl with cold whipped cream to put on top if they like. I couldn’t come empty handed.
That would be rude.
Breathe.
My stomach is doing some flip–flopping lurches as I knock on the door. Please let them like me. Smelling the pie, I let it coat my brain, softening my nerves. I see the family at the table. That’s different from when I was here last. They are laughing, smiling. It looks like a picture should betaken.
Dallas opens the door. He looks nervous as well.
“Come in, Rya.” Entering, everyone’s eyes turn to mine. Four big males stare into my eyes, not looking away, open mouthed. His mother gets up from her spot. She sniffs the air. Thank the moon I scrubbed myself clean. It would be mortifying meeting her for the first time with his scent all over me.
Surrounded by soft strands of medium caramel hair, her eyes look like miniature small earths from far away. She’s of medium build but carries herself with dignity. Shoulders back, spine straight, she approaches. It takes all my resolve to stand up straight and greet her at her level. I don’t slouch; I don’t look away.
“Rya, this is my mother.” He gives a slight pause before saying her name. “Grace. Mom, this is Rya.” She gives him a look but says nothing to her son.
“Rya, it’s nice to meet you.” She presses her cheek against mine, inhaling my neck. I can almost feel her lips press against my skin.
“It’s nice to meet you as well, Grace.” A soft, comforting smile touches her eyes.
“Rya, these are my brothers.” With his hand, he points to Caleb, Cash, Carson, Crane …
They all bow slightly to me, but not touching me. Males don’t touch other males‘ interests, even brothers.
His mother takes the pie out of my hand, putting it on the table…but not before smelling it.
“Did you make this yourself?” she questions.
“Yes, I had some pumpkin in the garden, so I thought I should use it up instead of it going to waste.” I’m so nervous I can hardly think. They’re all looking at me. Please like me.
Book Chapter36
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“Come sit down with us.” I’m not sure where my place is. I know where my place at my parents‘
have never been invited to sit at anyone else’s table beside my teacher, and that was just the touse is, I know where I belong at my own house, but I
of us.
His mother makes it easy for me as she pulls out a seat to Dallas’s right. He’s at the head; I take the right, and Caleb–Ithink that’s his name takes the left. His mothersits at the other end of the table. Food, lots of food, is piled high on serving plates. Lots of slow–roasted buttery vegetables of every kind. There’s a roast that looks like you could cut it with the edge of your fork. Biscuits and rich, thick gravy. Sweet tea in pitchers filled with ice.
“That’s so smart of you. I hate when things go to waste.” She’s giving
me a once–over.
Book1 Chapter36
