I dig in eagerly, suddenly aware of how hungry I am after last night’s activities. Jabari steps back to stand beside Silas, and I notice both men watching us intently—like hawks observing their territory.
I look back at Jewel with a giggle. “Are they always like this?”
“Yes, they are actually,” she says with fond exasperation. “They hover over their women when they can. When Silas isn’t working, he’s all over me.”
I glance back at Jabari, who’s just grinning at me like I’m the best thing he’s ever seen. A warmth spreads within me at his obvious adoration.
Looking back at Jewel, I shrug. “I can deal with it.”
As I eat, Jewel explains more about how the clan works. She’s easy to talk to, asking about my background and sharing bits of her own journey to Wintermoon.
“I think it’s awesome that you’re a seamstress,” she says. “We could all use a little glow up here and there. Most of us aren’t too interested in fashion and makeup, but it’s good to have.”
“What’s expected of me here?” I ask, the question that’s been weighing on my mind since arriving.
Her face softens. “Me and Silas aren’t that kind of leaders. You’ll have a separate life with Jabari, and if you want to work outside of the clan, that’s fine with us. We only ask that you gather twice a month for a few hours to help build our community. We work with each other, building a village so you always have someone to fall back on if you need help.”
“I like that,” I say, feeling a genuine surge of hope. “Community. Back in the world, I didn’t have a village. I was mostly on my own.”
She smiles warmly. “Most of us did, but once we found our mates and settled here in the clan, life became a lot easier.” She takes a sip from her glass of water. “We aren’t perfect. I might get on your nerves tomorrow,” she pauses and chuckles to herself, “but even so, you’ll always have me in your corner. You are my family now.”
The sincerity in her words touches something deep inside me. Family. A concept I’ve been missing for too long.
“Well, I’ve got the fridge stocked,” Jewel says, standing up. “I’ve got to head to the market for a pantry refill.”
I stop mid-chew, quickly washing down my food with milk. “Would it be okay if I joined you? There’s some things I need.”
Jewel smiles, then glances at Jabari. “Sure, but be warned—Jabari’s tagging along. You’re freshly mated. He’s going to be all over you until his bear settles down. That’s par for the course after they’ve waited for us for so long.”
Meeting Jabari’s gaze, those gorgeous green eyes that make my heart flutter, I shrug. “Out of all the stuff I’ve been through to get to Wintermoon, I think the hovering is the least of my worries.”
Jewel laughs at that. “Good then, it would be nice to have a shopping buddy, and I’m excited to hear about your adventure to Wintermoon. We don’t get out much.”
I pause at that. Not get out much. It’s something that worries me in the back of my mind about being in Wintermoon—losing myself, becoming someone other than the version of myself I’ve worked so hard to build.
But when I look into his beautiful, adorable green eyes again, I know leaving him isn’t an option.
17
JABARI
Ican’t stop smiling like an idiot as I watch Jackie’s face. The wonder in her eyes as she takes in the market, the mix of humans and shifters, the vendors and storefronts, stirs something in me I’ve never felt before.
Silas parks the pickup truck and cuts the engine. I’m in the backseat with Jackie beside me, her scent making my bear rumble with contentment. Silas climbs out of the driver’s seat, and I follow, circling around to Jackie’s side.
When she slides toward the door, I reach in, my hands finding her hips as I lift her from the truck. The feel of her curves against my palms sends electricity through my veins.
“You just love picking me up,” she says with a smirk as I set her gently on her feet.
I don’t respond with words. Instead, I lift my hand to her face, tracing my fingers over her forehead, down the bridge of her nose, and across her lips in the sacred gesture of my clan. Jackie closes her eyes at my touch, and a fresh wave of her arousal hits me.
I can’t get last night off my mind—the way she came on my dick, my tongue, the feel of her. It was absolutely amazing, andI want more. So much more. But right now, I need to focus on making sure she gets what she needs to be comfortable with me in Wintermoon.
“When will I feel the urge to claim you?” she asks, her voice soft.
“It will come to you. We can’t force it, it doesn’t work that way,” I tell her. “Just enjoy your time with me. We have plenty before we need to worry about that.”
“Does it matter if I claim you or not?”
