Mick moved around the kitchen, probably cleaning up, and Jonas picked up the remote from the side table. He flipped through channels, looking for anything interesting. He was wired. Mick probably was too. Their mate, on the other hand, was exhausted. Hell, she'd had a busy day. Looking down, he brushed strands of hair off her face, and his heart stuttered. She was so beautiful in sleep. Calm and peaceful with none of the fear and worry that seemed to haunt her eyes while she was awake. He wanted to see her like this in the morning. For the rest of his mornings.
It was a stunning realization.
How had he gone so quickly from wanting an entirely different kind of woman to suspecting it would rip out his heart if he couldn't live with this soft, delicate creature? Mick sat down next to them, close enough to widen his legs and brush his knee against Jonas's. Mick laid his head against the back and looked over to meet his gaze, deep and soulful and as always knowing exactly what Jonas was thinking.
“She soothes the wolf.”
“Yeah.” He stared at her, ran his fingers through her hair. “I didn't expect that,” he admitted.
“Because you're so much a protector. A defender. You expect everything in life to be a battle.”
“And the two of you don't,” he murmured confirmation, knowing it was the truth.
Mick shrugged. “I'll fight to protect the ones I love. But I
His wolf was just as predatory as Jonas's, but his human soul made him pay for causing pain or death. It was something Mick was born to do, the same kind of calling to help and cure human physicians felt. Jonas had always admired him for the way he walked the line between his two natures with honor. He loved him for so much more. His dedication. His loyalty. Mick was the kind of man who'd always have your back.
Now they'd brought this woman into the mix, and Jonas wasn't quite sure what to make of her. He'd thought he knew her. Thought he knew what he wanted.
He was beginning to accept he was wrong.
His hand rested above her knee, and he itched to slide it up. He wanted to know every pale inch of her. Wanted to find all the hidden spots that turned her on, that tickled. Wanted to discover all the old hurts and make them better. The lighting in the room was dim, but he didn't need more to make out the scars crisscrossing her thighs. He hadn't missed them when she'd turned her back and walked into the bathroom with Mick earlier.
He kept a tight stranglehold on his rage. It wouldn't help her to see it, but he couldn't fight the desire to find the monster who'd left them on her and rip him apart piece by piece. If he'd claimed her before her father had shown up at their gates demanding her return, he would have known, and the man wouldn't still be breathing.
The need for vengeance grew to a pulsing fury. His hold on her tightened until she voiced a sleepy complaint, and he released her so fast she almost fell off his lap.
This was his worst nightmare, inadvertently hurting his mate because she was human. Because sometimes he forgot his own strength. It was only her hand twisted in his shirt and Mick's quick leap that saved her from a nasty bump on the head. He didn't release her to Mick's hold, though. He pulled her close, careful this time not to do it too tightly, and met Mick's gaze over her head.
“The moon is still up,” Mick said softly. “Let's go run.” His first instinct was to refuse. How could they leave their mate unprotected?
“She's safe here,” Mick reminded him. “She's on our land, and no wolf would dare touch her. She carries our scents now.”
Still, Jonas hesitated until Mick rolled his eyes and huffed. “You can't stand guard all the time, and neither can I. She has a long way to go to heal, and overprotectiveness will stunt that healing,” he said bluntly. “Is that what you want?”
“Of course not.”
“Then take charge of the wolf. You're letting the animal have control.” Jonas responded to the insult with a low growl, but he didn't try to defend himself. After standing, he passed her over to Mick, who carried her down the hall and put her in bed. Jonas had to force himself to step outside and strip.
He didn't want to leave her alone, but he could see the wild joy in Mick as he joined him and shifted. It was the only night a month they could run together.
Jonas owed it to him. He had no control over the twist of fate that left Mick only able to change on a full moon. It had taken a couple of years to get over feeling a bit guilty about it.
Even during the times when Mick was angry and disgusted with him, the times he either kicked Jonas out of his house or moved out of Jonas's house, Jonas made sure they were together this night. It was the only night they really let themselves go. The only night when their relationship was nothing but raw emotion. It seemed fitting somehow they'd joined Harper to them on a full moon. No logic or forethought or illusions of being civilized had gone into the decision.
Out in the yard, Mick danced and yipped at him. He was anxious to run. Jonas smiled. Probably to fuck too. He shifted into his wolf form and let the euphoria of the moment take him as he chased after Mick under the glow of the moon.
Chapter Seven
“Okay. Concentrate on the wick and try it again,” Harper told Liza.
Her cousin scowled at the candle, and a tiny flame sputtered for a second before going out. They'd claimed a back corner of Liza's veranda and dragged a tall table and candles out to practice. It was a nice morning, and well, safer to play with fire
“Why haven't you learned this before?” she asked curiously. It was simple magic Liza should have learned as a kid.
“I couldn't access my magic until a few months ago.” She shrugged as if it was no big deal, and Harper didn't push for more information. It was rare, but she'd heard of cases where a witch had powers but couldn't use them. If the barrier in the mind ever broke, it was usually because of something deeply personal or traumatic. She would bet in Liza's case it had been joining with her mates.
She ignored her curiosity and watched as Liza tried it again with much more success. Harper laughed as Liza yelped and jumped back from the flame she'd brought up. “I don't think you really need lessons from me.” She pointed to the flickering candle, and her cousin grinned at her.
