AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ll be quick, and then you can hug me before we go.”
He grinned then, though it didn’t reach his eyes. There was something bothering him, and Brie knew it could be one of the countless things coming at them from all sides. “I’ll rub up on you, darling. Don’t worry.”
Her pussy clenched, and she turned tail, running to the bedroom even as Gideon laughed. Damn man and his damn voice. He could turn her on with just a word, and now she had to shower quickly so she could be presentable.
She cleaned up fast then put her wet hair in a ponytail. It would take forever to dry since it was so thick, and she wasn’t in the mood to deal with drying it. She also didn’t want to look too done up when she met with the other wolves. If she looked like she spent too much time with her looks, they’d think she was a pampered princess. She already had to fight the stigma of being a submissive. She didn’t want to add another layer to that. Instead she dressed carefully, making sure she looked respectable, but not fancy. Every nuance, every movement meant so much. It was exhausting.
When she came out of the bedroom, Gideon was just finishing putting the rest of the cookies in a container for her.
“Thank you,” she said softly, and he smiled at her, this time the light reaching his eyes.
“You’re welcome. I saved some for us, if that’s okay. Oatmeal chocolate chip is my favorite.”
She marked that down on her internal list then blushed, remembering how she’d gotten the rest of her list.
Gideon stalked toward her, his smile turning into a smirk. “I’d love to know where those thoughts of yours are right now, little wolf.”
“I think you know,” she whispered then sank into his hold as he brought her to his chest. She’d like to think that he was doing this because he wanted to, not because hehadto, but it didn’t matter. Her wolf craved his touch, and she’d take what she could. He kissed her softly, deepening the kiss when she moaned into him.
He rocked into her, his erection digging into her belly. When he pulled back, they were both breathless. “We should go,” he said, his voice low. “Don’t want to be late.”
She licked her swollen lips and nodded. “Yes, we should. And now I for sure smell like you.”
Something passed over his face, and she wished she could take the words back. Maybe she’d been wrong and he’d held her for reasons other than scent marking. Damn it. She felt as though she’d never get a footing on this whole mating thing.
“You’ll call for me if you need me.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. She nodded anyway.
“I have my phone, or if I truly need you, I can call you through the bond.”
“Good.” He looked as though he was struggling for the right words then cupped her face once more. “You will be fine. These are your people too, little wolf. I want them to see the woman I see. See the Alpha that you’re becoming.”
Her heart warmed, and she stood there, frozen. She hadn’t expected the words and, because of that, had to hold back tears.
“I won’t disappoint you, Gideon.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think you could.” His finger brushed her cheek, and then he pulled back. “You are braver than most wolves I know, Brie Brentwood. Remember that.”
Stunned, she could only blink at him then grab a container of cookies. He picked up the other, and they made their way to the maternals’ part of the den.
The Talon den was very similar to the Redwoods in that the den center was where most of the action took place. They had schools, shops, and places to eat. Some people lived close to the center while others lived on the far outskirts of the den. The elders had their own area on the other side of the den from the Pack circle while Gideon’s home was closer to the center. It was shielded by trees and had a sense of privacy, but it was still close enough that people could come and speak with him if they needed him. All of the Brentwoods were like that. People gave them their privacy, but their duty was to their people first, then themselves.
The maternals had their own area by the schools. It was a meeting place where they could watch over the pups, like a daycare. Every parent raised their own children, but with the wolves, it truly took a village. The maternals were their teachers and confidants. They were the true heart of the Pack.
Brie sucked in a shaky breath when they made their way to the doorstep. She wasn’t sure she’d ever been so nervous—even when she’d mated Gideon. And that was saying something.
Gideon ran a hand down her back then pulled away. “Good luck, little wolf.” With that, he jogged toward Walker’s place. Leaving her alone.
No, not alone. He was still part of her, part of their bond. He’d done what she asked, and she’d never felt so cared for.
The door opened before Brie could knock, and she smiled at the woman in front of her. “Gwen, thank you for having me today.”
Gwen was the head maternal, and Brie hoped that one day they would be friends. Their roles would be forever entwined, so this first step was a major one.
The other woman gave a regal nod then stepped back. “Come in, Brie. I see you’ve brought cookies. The pups will enjoy them.”
There was something off in Gwen’s tone, as if she was holding back her true feelings. Brie couldn’t scent anything off in the words and knew them to be truth, but they weren’t all that welcoming either.
“I have two kinds, but I can always bake others if they prefer them for next time.” Brie smiled, her tone light. “My mother is a baker—it’s how she met my father—so I seemed to have carried the gene.”
