29. Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Micah

“ W ho would have thought we’d be in the panthers’ club with a coyote and not want to kill them,” River says, and I bare my teeth. “It’s cool.” He licks his ice cream cone. “Just making an observation.”

“Don’t,” I snarl. As much as I hate to admit it, the hungry wolf has grown on me.

“Fuck, River,” Kerian scolds.

“You have no sense of self-preservation,” Heath drawls.

“I may not be the biggest shifter in the room, but I’m scrappy.” He grins.

“Why is she only teaching the girls to pickpocket?” James pouts.

“They're smaller, easier to slip away,” Blue says. “Harmony is laughing too much to be effective.”

“Penny was thrilled to be included,” Laken says.

“Saphira couldn’t wait,” Bishop says dryly.

“She really could be my new best friend,” Heath says.

“No,” Laken and Bishop snap.

“Breanne is having the time of her life,” Lucas says.

“All of our things are going to go missing,” Logan says dryly.

“It will be worth it. I already told her she would get spanked when they did,” Las says, smirking.

“That won’t deter her,” Logan laughs.

“I will kill any fucker who touches my pregnant mate,” Elijah growls. Saylor didn’t want to be left out.

“Serenity is a natural,” Ryker beams with pride.

“Marie isn’t doing so well,” Bash mumbles.

“I can see my club being empty tomorrow night. No one wants to come back to the place they lost their wallet,” Jax says.

“Steph is going to clean up,” Quinn says.

“Bet?” River asks, holding out his hand. “Ava is scrappy, too.”

“Daisy beats everyone.” I watch her take Sally aside, probably giving her pointers. “I wouldn’t count Sally out, though,” I warn. We shouldn’t bet on the success of our mates cleaning out everyone’s pockets, but I see several of the men beside me exchanging money.

It’s been two weeks since we completed the bond. We’ve barely left the apartment. My mate has adjusted to her vampire life beautifully. We’ve hardly left the bed, surviving on sex and blood. We’ve ignored the many text messages and phone calls from everyone here. The only people Daisy has spoken with are her mom and brother.

They are learning how to live again, and Daisy gave them the coin. For the amount it is worth, they could go anywhere, do anything, but they have chosen to stay at my apartment on the first floor for now. They want to be close to Daisy, but also to heal. They had a proper reunion a few days after the bond. Daisy’s Mom is putting on a brave face, but it’s going to take time to get to a place where her nightmares subside. Liam is slightly better off, having fewer years in hell, but he also had Daisy’s support and love for years. He has his own demons to conquer but he will get there.

Lace dances by with Gabby, waving at Kade and Cash. Gabby is Sephanie’s sister and has become good friends with Lace. I don’t know the men well. They came with Quinn tonight to try to control the chaos if it happens, which I have no doubt it will. Lace’s store has been re-built. With this crew, it didn’t take much time. She is back at work and loving her new friends.

Carter and Turner are no longer in the basement of the castle. They are dead and buried, it didn’t take long for them to succumb to their wounds without being able to shift, and substance to heal.

I look over at Rowen, and see Ryker watching him, too. He is stable and gaining weight quickly with a diet of bagged blood. Ryker and Bash have taken him on, but are being careful. His story is his to tell, but he hasn’t yet. Someday.

I turn back to the dance floor in time to see Sally, under Daisy’s watchful eye, slip her hand in a man's pocket. She doesn’t pull it back out before he catches on. I’m expecting to have to interfere, but Sally leans close and plays it off. Daisy smirks at me when Sally and the man start dancing. Saphira grabs Daisy’s arm and wiggles her eyebrows. She holds out two wallets, proud as shit. Daisy hugs her.

Fuck, this is my life now.

I’m not complaining.

I assured Jax we will give everything back at the end of the night. But not before we count the loot. We have to know who won the bet, because all my money is on Daisy.

Let our mates have their fun.

I won.

Saphira came in second to Daisy, but Sally would say she won because she got a date for the night.

I open my drawer and take off my watch, throwing it in with the others. I have a steady supply to keep my mate happy. The jewelry places are ready to give me a plaque for all the business I give them replacing watches and bracelets my talented mate steals. The women are happy and that’s what's important.

Shutting the door, I strip and wait for my mate to come out of the bathroom. We discovered she is able to keep her clothes intact when she shifts. Her legs have been pain-free, and her ability to speak through thoughts continues, whether she is in coyote form or human. Not only can she influence humans, she can speak into their mind. If she wanted, she could just tell them to give her their possessions and they would hand it over. She proclaimed there wasn’t any fun in that and will continue to use her fast hands. She has to drink my blood numerous times a day, but not as much as at first. We will continue to learn her new skills as time goes on.

Blurring has been a challenge. She can’t get the flow of the speed right. She says it’s because she wants me to carry her when we walk in the shadows. I believe her.

The bathroom door opens and my love walks out naked. I grab the back of the chair and drag it to the end of the bed. I motion to the bed and the toy lying on it.

“Get on the bed,” I say.

“Yes, Daddy,” she says, smiling slyly. I harden when she crawls across the mattress. I sit, and lean back.

“Give Daddy a show,” I rasp.

As with every time, she gives the best shows and loves to test my control.