Authors: Lynnette Bernard
“Darlin’.” Jackson spoke softly as he stepped toward her and enveloped her in his embrace.
Jace stepped behind them, closing his eyes in pleasure and relief as her back leaned against his chest and her naked rear end nestled against his growing erection. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her against him tightly, glorying in the feel of the way she leaned in to the hug that they both gave her.
“Laurie, we would never pressure you to have children with us,” Jace whispered against her face as he nuzzled her neck lightly. “But you need to know that if we were lucky enough to find that the Fates have gifted us with a baby, we would be thrilled. And we would love every minute of your pregnancy. We would love the changes your body would go through. We would touch you every chance we could to feel our baby growing inside you.”
“We would be with you when you give birth,” Jackson added, kissing her forehead lightly. “We would help you take care of every child, helping our babies grow and learn. Just thinking about our baby nursing at your breast makes my heart ache to see that really happen. Please give us a chance to show you how much we want that with you. Only you, honey.”
“And even if we don’t have the blessing of children with you, we will love your children as our own, and we will cherish every moment you share with us,” Jace told her honestly. “I don’t want to live my life without you. Neither of us do, honey.”
Laurie looked from one man to the other and closed her eyes. How could she refuse the kindness and honesty of these men? Could she take the chance to believe them?
“I need to think,” she told them finally, unable to make such a decision while the three of them were standing together naked.
Jace reluctantly took a step backward, releasing Laurie.
We need to give her space, Jackson.
Jackson nodded, knowing what Jace said was true. Turning as one, both men walked toward the bed and retrieved their clothes.
“We’ll be downstairs,” Jace told her as they walked toward the bedroom door, carrying their clothes. “We have a meeting before dinner.” He opened the door, and both men stepped out into the hallway. “You can let us know your decision at the end of the night.”
Laurie watched both men silently. She nodded her agreement as they turned to face her.
“The room at the end of the hall is for the three of us to spend our future together,” Jackson told her quietly, his voice hopeful as he looked at her. “We can have you moved in there within five minutes of your decision.”
He smiled at her with the jaunty smile she had come to know was so much a part of his personality. But his teasing smile held a sadness to it that she wanted nothing more than to wipe away.
Jace looked at her silently, his eyes betraying the worry and pain that filled him. They closed the door quietly behind them, and Laurie was left alone in her room. She had a lot to think about.
Chapter 11
Jace and Jackson sat facing their lieutenants at the kitchen table. Martha stood nervously at the kitchen sink. Janine sat smugly beside her brother Alexander and his triad partner Butler, who remained silent as they faced their alpha. Lucian and Cole, guarding members of the pack’s security team, stood behind their lieutenants, alert and ready. Their towering heights and impressive physiques displayed their readiness to defend or fight, depending on Jace’s decision.
“I have no defense, Alpha,” Alexander told Jace, his apology sincere. “I don’t know how the intruder made it into the private compound, but I accept full responsibility.”
“It’s your fault, Alexander,” Janine interrupted. “If you had been guarding the compound as you should have, instead of sniffing out females in heat, no one would have been able to get by you.”
Jace’s hand that rested on top of the table clenched in an effort to control his anger. “I believe you, Alexander,” he told him angrily, his voice hard. “But that doesn’t excuse the fact that an intruder was found on pack land. If you hadn’t come upon him before he made it to the main house, we would have had several females at risk. We cannot have this happen again. They must be protected at all costs.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Alexander nodded, lowering his head and exposing his neck in deference to his leader.
Laurie walked quietly into the kitchen, realizing immediately that everyone was under a great deal of stress. She could tell by the way Jace and Jackson raised their heads and took in a deep breath as she stood just outside entrance to the kitchen that they were aware that she was there.
“You can’t be serious, Jace!” Janine sputtered, aware that Laurie watched from the far end of the kitchen. “What would have happened if one of us had been attacked or killed? Would you forgive Alexander then? Or does it only matter if your bitch was attacked?”
Jace’s growl of anger shut her up. “Never question the way I protect
everyone
in this pack, Janine. And never,
ever
, disrespect my chosen mate again.”
The anger rolling off Jace was palpable. Janine had the good sense to lower her head, but her smug expression never faltered. There was no true sense of apology in her response. Sensing the impending meltdown of his alpha, Jackson stood and placed his hand reassuringly on Jace’s shoulder. He could feel the tension radiating from his friend, and he didn’t think he would be enough to help center his emotions this time. Jace’s wolf was too close to the surface.
Laurie could hear the anger in Jace’s voice as she made her way into the room. When she stepped into the kitchen and felt the tension that Jace and Jackson were in the middle of, she didn’t hesitate. She slowly walked forward, drawn toward the two men who had come to mean so much to her. She had to do something. She could feel the emotions that were twisting inside of Jace, and the desperation to help calm his friend running through Jackson. She needed to help. Without thought, she walked toward Jace to stand behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder, then reached out and took Jackson’s hand in hers, entwining their fingers together.
Jackson turned to face her and smiled, his brown eyes twinkling at her. He squeezed Jace’s shoulder and felt the anger drain away from his friend. Their bond was growing, and he knew in his heart that this woman made their triad complete. He knew that with Laurie they would never have to worry that either he or Jace would ever lose control of their wolves and go feral. Laurie would ground them and love them. They had truly found the one woman who would be the perfect mate for them. If only she would choose to stay with them.
“Alexander, retain the intruder. I will speak with him later,” Jace told Alexander calmly.
Alexander stood and bowed slightly. “Yes, Alpha.” He turned and walked away from the table, knowing his partner Butler would follow. Both men would make sure no member of their pack would be at risk because of the intruder. Lucian and Cole followed silently, prepared to support them in their defense of the pack.
Jace took a cleansing breath as he felt Laurie’s hand tenderly rubbing his shoulder. He could feel the beginnings of their bond radiating through the three of them, the soft tendrils of the bond a silky white ribbon gently reaching out and surrounding them. He knew Laurie had to be touching Jackson as well or he wouldn’t be feeling the sense of calm and centering that he was feeling. He closed his eyes in an attempt to keep hidden the total joy he felt at finally being a part of a fated triad. He had to deal with Janine, and his happiness could not prevent her from receiving the discipline that she deserved.
Opening his eyes, he looked at Martha’s youngest child and felt a sense of fear he had never felt before as he saw the open hatred she was directing at Laurie. He saw Janine take in a deep breath and looked from Laurie to Jackson and then back to him. Jace knew immediately that she could smell their scent on Laurie and Laurie’s on them. That seemed to make her even angrier.
Jackson, look at how Janine is looking at Laurie.
The worry in his voice was unmistakable as he called out to his friend.
I see.
Jackson took a step toward Laurie, removing his hand from hers in order to place his arm around her waist and pull her toward him. He held her in his embrace, and they both leaned against Jace’s back. No one would hurt their mate. She was theirs to protect and love.
“Janine, you will be restricted to the compound for the remainder of the week,” Jace told her, his voice steeled. “You will not work in the lodge until you can show us that you have put your pack-mates’ welfare above your own. If I hear of you showing one bit of disrespect toward anyone in our pack, especially your brothers or my chosen mate, you will be banished from this pack. Are we clear?”
“But, Alpha, I didn’t do anything,” Janine protested.
“Janine, you have placed every one of us in danger by allowing the intruder to make his way past the entrance to the lodge so that he was able to slip into the private compound. You should have been able to identify his scent to know that he was not pack. And that should have made you notify pack security of the possible risk to our people.”
“Alexander and Butler are responsible for that,” Janine started to protest.
“Yes, they are,” Jace told her, raising his hand to stop her. “But they depend on the rest of us to notify them of any concerns, and you did not do that. Go to your cabin, and do not come out until I give you permission.”
Janine stood and glared at Jace and Jackson, then turned to look at Laurie. The pure hatred she showed her made Jace stand and growl at her. “Go now, Janine, or I will not be so forgiving.”
Janine turned and left the kitchen, ignoring her mother as she passed her. Martha twisted the kitchen towel that she held in her hands. Looking at Jace and Jackson, she wasn’t sure what to do or say.
“Don’t worry, Martha,” Jace assured her. “You are not responsible for your daughter’s actions.”
Martha nodded, wiping at her tears as she smiled sadly. “I’m so sorry for what she has put everyone through.”
Jace nodded at the woman he loved like a mother and smiled sadly. His heart went out to her. He could never fault her for Janine’s actions. She had always been a troubled child. Martha’s love and guidance never seemed to have an effect on her. He watched silently as Martha turned and faced the kitchen sink, sadness evident in the way she held her body.
Jace turned to face Laurie. “Thank you for helping me,” he told her quietly, leaning forward to kiss her forehead lightly.
Laurie nodded, accepting his appreciation, but pulled away to walk over to Martha. She put her arms around the woman as she stood with her back to them and held her gently. Martha turned in her embrace and looked at her with such pain in her eyes. Laurie couldn’t stop her own eyes from filling with tears.
“It’s going to be okay, Martha,” she whispered against the older woman’s soft age-lined cheek. “Give Janine time. She’ll realize as she gets older how lucky she is to have you, and she’ll settle down.”
“I don’t know, Laurie,” Martha whispered, agony evident in her voice. “She’s always been such an angry child. I don’t know what else to do.”
Laurie nodded and pulled Martha closer to her, giving her a heartfelt hug as she kissed her cheek lightly. “Sometimes we have to let them make their mistakes and just be there to help them when they need us. Hopefully, they’ll see the right path that we’ve shown them. We can only hope they choose it.” Laurie stepped back and looked at Martha quietly. “And if that doesn’t work, we can beat them.”
Martha laughed and wiped at her tear-stained cheeks. “Thank you, Laurie,” she told her, snickering at the suggestion. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Laurie smiled and squeezed Martha’s hand gently. “Go and get some rest. Things will be better tomorrow.”
Martha smiled and turned to walk from the kitchen. Jace and Jackson watched silently as she left, grateful for their mate’s caring. Jace knew he wouldn’t have been able to have shown the same kindness. He was too angry with Janine to be able to show any compassion just then. And Jackson was too concerned with the look of hatred Janine had shown Laurie to care about much else.
Laurie’s innate ability to comfort the members of their pack showed them again that she was the one destined to unite their pack with caring and love. She was meant to be their queen. She was meant to be their future.