2. Grace

- Bad Guy—BillyEilish-

Holding my daughter to my chest is about the only thing that will probably keep me from losing my temper. We cross the expanse of the yard and Derrick rushes over to escort us the rest of the way. He whispers in my ears minor facts about the alphas that have gathered to meet me. It’s interesting how much the betas can find out in a short period of time.

Derrick goes first and opens the door to the reception hall, and the chatter stops. You can hear a pin drop as I step into the room. The thuds of my doc’s hitting the floor and the coos of my daughter are the only thing you can hear. The one named Nicolai stops dead, then motions to his beta, and he leaves immediately. “Everything didn’t have to stop because I arrived.”

I smile as Ambrose approaches touches Ashina’s cheek. “She’s grown so much.” There’s a fondness in his voice as he reaches out and plucks her from my arms. “Don’t worry pup, Uncle Ambrose knows where all the rare steak is.” Ashina’s eyes light up the minute he mentions food and giggles.

Barrett scoots up and wraps an arm around me. Leaning in, I sniff his neck and I can smell he’s uncomfortable. “I’ve got you cutie, no worries.” He leans in and kisses my cheek.

“I know you do. There are too many alphas in one place, and fights break out when they gather.” Barrett exposes what the root of his fear is, and I smile.

“I’ve got this.” Closing my eyes, I dig deep into the Luna lessons that Ruby had given me and blanket the hall in a sense of calm and peace. I know the others felt what I did because the men fell silent again. Barrett whispers a thank you and kisses my cheek before seeking Conrad out.

For show I snuggle up against Griffin and look at the two alphas he’s talking to. “Grace, the alpha on the right is Dustin. He has the largest pack in the area. And you’ve already had the pleasure of meeting James.”

Griffin introduces both alphas to me, and I smile back at them. “The pleasure is all mine, gentlemen.” I keep my hands on Griffin so that the men can’t try to touch me without my permission.

“Sorry for the misunderstanding, Luna.” James apologizes, and it rings with honesty. He actually means what he’s saying. These extra wolf senses are coming in handy.

“Please don’t allow it to happen again. I may not be able to stop myself next time.” My eyes flash with the power of my wolf and it causes Griffin to growl at me.

“Grace…” His voice holds a warning to it and my wolf wants to smirk at him if she could. She knows we are stronger than he is, and we suspect he knows it, too.

Tilting my head to the side, I look up at Griffin and arch a brow at him. I know better than to go against him in public, but his attempt at dominance is grating on my nerves. “Yes, love?” I force my tone to be sweet and loving even through every fiber of my being wants to rail against him.

Griffin nuzzles the side of my neck, then nips it as if to put me in my place. Gritting my teeth hard, I try not to react to his bite. It angered me. He’s flexing his alpha muscles in front of the others. “Be a good girl and go check on Conrad and see who he’s talking to.” Griffin gives me an out and I excuse myself immediately.

It doesn’t take long to find Conrad holding Barrett as he talks to another Alpha and Ambrose. I’m a mated female in the middle of a sausage fest. What a torturous turn of events. Andrea, on the other hand, appears to be having the time of her life flittering around the room. “Hey sweetness, come to hang out with us for a bit?” Conrad’s smile is infectious as he takes Ashina back from Ambrose and starts rocking her to sleep.

“Yes, Griff asked me to see how everyone is doing.” Turning to the alpha, I don’t know. I smile briefly. “Thank you for being here today.” I immediately snuggle myself against Conrad, not giving the male the chance to touch me.

“Pleasures all mine Luna. My name is Tristan Poe. We have one of the smaller packs in the area.” He bows his head slightly, then bares his throat to me.

Reaching out, I touch his neck and smile before withdrawing my hand. “I’m sorry the festivities were scaled back. We had a bit of an unexpected situation pop up.” Honesty seems to work the best with the alphas, and Tristan is no exception.

My statement earns a hearty chuckle from Tristan, and he smiles, shaking his head. “I’ve never seen a she wolf run from a mate before. That was one for the history books.”

Barrett whines at his statement, and I pull him away from Conrad and snuggle him to me. “I’m happy with the way my family is as it sits now. I was not expecting another male to join the fray.” I nuzzle my daughter and breathe in her scent, trying to calm myself as I take her back from Conrad. “If you’ll please excuse me.” I dip my head to Ambrose and Tristan before walking off with my daughter, and Barrett plastered to my side.

A wayward, rust-colored puppy comes running through the crowd and Ashina wiggles free and shifts. She and the newcomer start playing and roughhousing on the floor with each other. The pup has a floral scent to it and I know it’s not from my pack. It’s not long after the tiny terrors invasion does Ruby and another older woman come running in. “Anyone see a puppy coming running through here?” Ruby says, looking exasperated.

“It’s over here Mom.” I yell across the room at her.

Shaking their heads, they watch Ashina and the other puppy play. “Sorry, my granddaughter got away from me. I was supposed to be watching her so my son could attend today.”

Ruby smiles and bends down at the same time her friend does and picks up Ashina. “You and I both know that pups do what they want. This is my granddaughter, Ashina. Grace, this is Agnes and Nina. They are part of the Volkov pack.”

The minute Ruby mentions the name of the pack, I feel my blood run cold and I start looking for an exit. “Ah, very nice … Pleasure to meet you both.” As I back away, I run into a very firm, warm chest. The scent of toasted marshmallows envelopes me, and I know I’m trapped. Ethan has stopped my escape and probably sensed how uncomfortable I am.

“It’s always a pleasure seeing you, Agnes.” Ethan’s deep voice vibrates my back and I want to melt into him and hide. His arms wrap around me, holding onto me tightly. Unconsciously, I breathe in time with him and the urge to run slowly vanishes.

“So, this is your beautiful bride?” Agnes beams as she reaches out and gently touches my arm.

“She is, and she is mated to my brothers and I as well as Barrett.” Ethan nuzzles my temple and the deep murmur of his wolf in his chest settles my beast. The discomfort of having all the strange alphas in the house slowly melts away.

Tilting my head back, I look up at Ethan’s smiling face as his hand gently grips my neck. The tips of his fingers press on the muscles of my throat, not hurting me. It’s a dark promise for fun later. “Thankfully, the humans aren’t here, otherwise we would be the talk of the town.” He turns me and kisses me passionately, getting everyone around us to cheer him on. Do I like being watched with my mates? I’ll have to examine that little tidbit later.

We break apart and I can’t help giggling at him. Ethan makes me blush as I shake my head. “You’re incorrigible.” Playfully I slap his chest then dart away into the crowd heading towards Griffin. The heavy thudding of Ethan’s shoes behind me makes me giggle even harder. It seems now I’ve been given the idea of being chased is even more fun. “Griff.” I scream as I leap into his arms. He spins us in a circle and the next thing I know, I’m sandwiched between both twins.

“Your scent is changing, baby girl…” The deep rumble of Griffin’s voice shoots straight to my core.

Ethan nuzzles the back of my neck and smiles against my skin. “Someone is getting ready to go into her first heat.” He drags his teeth along my shoulder, making my skin feel like it’s on fire. My canines elongate and I feel my claws break free of my fingertips. Dragging my hands down Griffin’s chest, I shred the shirt from his body before I come to my senses.

“What’s wrong with me?” It takes everything within me to pull myself free of the twin sandwich I found myself in the middle of. My skin is on fire, and my core aches thinking about my mates.

Ruby comes up alongside of me and pulls me away from the boys. “Control yourselves. It’s not the first time you two bone heads have been around females in heat. It’s different because you’re mates. The drive to reproduce will get stronger.” Ruby stares into my eyes as she tells us about my first heat.

My heart sinks slowly as I think about my heat and a mysterious mate number five floating around at the wrong time. Part of me wants to run, the other part hide. The more dominant side wants to lock myself away with my four bonded mates and take care of business.

Ruby smiles and pats me on the arm and drags me away from the guys. “Come along child, I’ll help you get through this. It will get easier once you know what to expect.” Ruby and Agnes take me to the alpha house and into the master bathroom. Agnes sets her grand daughter down and goes about starting the water in the tub. “We’re going to put you in the bath with some herbs so you don’t lose your mind during the heat.”

“Herbs will help?” Furrowing my brow, I’m puzzled by how simple herbs are going to deaden the drive within me.

“The herbs will cover your scent. It’s more so that whatever happens is on your terms, not the guys losing their minds.” Agnes supplies as she drops herbs into the steaming tub. “Don’t worry, we will leave extra satchels of pre-mixed herbs for you to use daily.” Agnes smiles as I watch her.

“Tell me about your son.” My curiosity is getting the better of me. He’s older and handsome, but that’s all I really know about him.

“As you already know, he was present for the christening of your alpha mates. I believe, depending on the time of year, he’s about eight years older than they are.” Agnes goes on about other details and it all sounds like it’s underwater to me. If he’s eight years older than they are and they are six years older than me. That makes him thirteen years, almost fourteen years older than I am. My mini panic attack occurs just as I step into the tub and submerge myself completely. As I open my eyes underwater, looking up towards the surface, I see Ethan staring down at me.

He pulls me up, forcing me to surface. “Is there a reason you were panicking underwater?” Arching a brow, he stares at me, then smiles. I can assume by the change in demeanor he knows exactly what has me in a panic.

“You obviously know that Nicolai is at least thirteen years older than me.” I stare up at Ethan for a moment and sigh as I look down and away.

“I told the guys the age thing may be an issue for you. Our difference isn’t bad. Almost six years isn’t huge in the entire scheme of things.” Ethan says sympathetically as he reaches over and grabs the loofa and nudges me forward. Leaning forward, I hear him squeeze the soap bottle, then feel him starting slow circles as he washes my back.

“You don’t have to bathe me, Ethan. I can do it myself.” My voice is far softer than I expected, and I relax under his care.

“I know I don’t. I want to. There are several things I can’t protect you from, and it kills me I can’t.” He chuckles softly. “I can’t stop your cycle. It’s the natural order of things. Nicolai, being another mate, I can’t stop, again it’s as nature intended.” He stops washing my shoulders and moves into my field of vision. “When ever it is you grant us a chance to have babies with you. I can’t take away the pain and experience it for you.” He bites his bottom lip and I can feel through the bond he means every single word.

There are several things I know I must accomplish. I need to fix the bond with Griffin so my wolf doesn’t cause issues in the future. There’s a fifth mate I need to get to know for myself. The age difference bothers me, but I can deal with it as long as he’s a good man. Grams always said never look a gift horse in the mouth.

Who knows, Nicolai may be the gift I never knew I needed.