Jacy smirked. “I ate it while we were waiting on you.”
Rafe threw a filthy look toward his Beta. “That better be a joke.”
“Nope.” Jacy held out his hands. “Sorry, but I was hungry and it was just sitting there. I couldn’t resist.”
Rafe scowled, his eyes slitting to glare at Jacy. His mom smacked his back as she returned from the stove. “He’s pulling your leg, Son. Here’s your steak. It might be a little dried out because you were away for so long and I had to keep it warm in the oven.”
His eyes scooted to Tasha’s noting the blush and shy smile as she gazed back. “Sorry, I was filthy. It took me a while to get clean.”
Tasha’s eyes dropped and he was certain she was trying not to giggle. The sight making him want her all the more. Then he realized where she sat, too far away.
“Tasha,”—he reached over, pulling out the chair right next to him—“Come and sit here.”
She cocked an eyebrow but did as he said, sitting down and looking at him questioningly. He shrugged. “You were too far away.”
Her eyes sparkled, her smile wide as she nodded. “I think that’s one of the nicest things a man’s ever said to me.”
“Really?” Jacy butt in. “Then you’ve been seeing the wrong men, gorgeous.”
Rafe slammed his hands down on the table, silverware clattering around as he snarled across the table. Anger rising quickly inside him as he raged at his Beta. “If you don’t shut your mouth I’ll do it for you.”
Tasha reached over, her hand grasping one of his hands and squeezing. “He’s only joking, Rafe.”
“I don’t care,” Rafe ground out. “This is my mate. Do you understand? She is therefore your Alpha too. Show some respect.”
Jacy lowered his head for a brief moment before peeking up. “I apologize. I meant no disrespect.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Ellie patted Jacy on the shoulder as she passed by, her withering stare making Rafe feel like an errant toddler. “Rafe, you and Tasha have to mate. The sooner the better, before you rip someone’s head off for daring to even glance in her direction. Jacy, as you damn well know, jokes . . . a lot. He didn’t mean anything by it.”
Glancing at Tasha he noticed her blush, the scarlet tinge glowing on her beautiful face as she inclined her head and waggled her eyebrows. He got the message, loud and clear.
“Mom,” Rafe started in a gruff voice. “Do you think you could . . .”
“Don’t even say it.” She shook her finger at him. “I’m waaaaay ahead of you, Son. I’m going to stay with Myrtle tonight so you two have the place to yourselves. In fact, I plan on sleeping there for some time.”
Rafe grinned then felt a hard pinch at his side, turning to see Tasha frowning and giving a quick nod toward Jacy. He frowned but she pinched him again so he relented, coughing to clear his throat first. “Jacy, sorry about that.”
“That’s okay,” Jacy said solemnly. “I didn’t mean to upset either of you and I know how strung out you’ve been, Rafe. I should know when to hold my tongue.”
“Nah.” Rafe shook his head. “It’s my fault. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Have you called the dreaded Council yet?” Jacy asked in a mock-horror-film voice.
“I’ll do it after I’ve eaten,” Rafe replied slowly. “I’ve been putting it off. You know what Atherton blinking Denholm is like, he’s a pain in the ass, but we need them on this. So I’ll put up with his moaning and talking to me as if I were a five year old.”
Ellie laughed. “You act like one often enough.”
Tasha stifled a giggle as Jacy chuckled, in full agreement with his mom but being smart enough not to voice his thoughts.
“Can we eat?” Rafe said instead.
Jacy nodded enthusiastically. “At last! I’m starving.”
“You boys, there’s no keeping up with you.” Ellie shook her head, smiling indulgently.
The next hour passed quickly, Tasha at ease with his family. Jacy might not be blood but he was definitely Rafe’s brother so it meant a lot that they got on. They would be working together running the Pack once the threat had been dealt with and they could get back to some semblance of normality. His mom and Tasha seemed to hit it off well and that was another relief for him. She was all he had left since they’d lost his father, he would hate it if they didn’t get along. Didn’t look like that would be a problem though as he rose to leave them chattering at the table.
“I’ll be back as soon as I’ve spoken to the Council. Jacy, stay put in case I need to discuss anything with you.”
“Sure,” Jacy answered as he shoveled another piece of his mom’s lemon pie into his mouth.
Rafe wasn’t looking forward to the call but he’d get it over and done with and then at least he’d have a better idea of what their next steps would be.
Closing the office door he took a moment to look around, not quite feeling at home here yet. He still missed his dad and every time he came in here the loss hit him like a shovel to the face. After all, this had been his father’s domain and those were a huge pair of shoes to fill. He’d done his best since they’d lost him, even opening up a couple more businesses in the nearby town. One of which was a huge success.
Who woulda thought that a Shifter bar would go down so well in middle-America? Especially when most humans were shit-scared of anything supernatural, Wolves included. More than a few obviously liked to live “on the wild side” so to speak.
It had though and brought in much needed funds for the Pack, as well as employing almost two dozen. He thought his father would’ve been aghast at the idea but that didn’t stop Rafe. He’d
