He chuckles and nuzzles my cheek. "We will take a few days,Qitsuk. Rest. Then we can go to Adsun Lake and do whatever it is you need to do."
---
Inuit
I pull my jeans on and roll my neck. I barely slept after making love to my mate. Too much on my mind. Then, I heard the tears, the voices too close to the bedroom to be from outside.
I got up to keep my tossing and turning from waking Willa, but now I can hear her stir, probably shedding the blankets that I tucked all around her.
"You can keep sleeping, Bliss," I walk out of the bathroom to see her sitting up, sleepy and tousled and sexy from head to toe. My heart flips over when those golden cat's eyes fix on me hungrily.
I snap the button of my jeans closed over a straining erection.
"You want me to tuck you back in, kitten?" I murmur against my better judgment. If I touch her now, we may not leave the bedroom for a while. Her pout disappears as she smiles suggestively.
"I don't like the bed without you in it," she tells me, her voice husky from sleep.
I make a low sound from the back of my throat. Stalking toward her, I grab her waist and tug her close to me with a low growl. Our lips are nearly touching when we both freeze.
"Is someone crying?" she asks me.
I pull back, disappointed. "It's what woke me up," I tell her. "Lots of tears outside, yeah? But this is inside the house."
She gets up and slides a dress covered in tiny red berries over her head. Goddess-damnit, Bea. Her clothes for my mate are growing more and more inappropriate. This dress ends just above mid-thigh, revealing miles of smooth, golden skin. My jeans are fucking uncomfortable. Not the best choice.
"I have to talk to Bea about your clothing," I mutter, unable to resist fingering the bottom of the dress flirting over her skin. "This doesn't help get anything done, that's for sure."
"She told me she wants our pups sooner rather than later," Willa announces to me with perfect nonchalance.
I choke. "That's a fucking change of heart. Explains the dresses getting shorter, though. You're too young, kitten." I huff. This pack is going to kill me. Back and forth with this shit. My mate is too young to become a mother, and Bea knows it. Maybe they just figure they should throw in the towel and root for pups. But, shit, I don't need encouragement to be with my mate. As it is, my dick is chafed raw, and she's practically limping.
"Thought we were too young, yeah?" I grumble out loud. But, shit, it is a pretty dress. I grin at my Bliss. "We'll just to keep trying, yeah?"
She shrugs with a smile as I slide my hand over hers, and we walk from the room. "You put your white stuff in me a lot. Although, the Moon told me that I would go into Heat before having pups. Whatever that means."
I almost stumble over my feet. It takes every ounce of control and self-preservation to keep from howling with laughter. My sweet, innocent mate. I won't tell her that my 'white stuff' may bring her first heat early. Hopefully, it won't because I know Willa needs a few years before becoming a mother despite Bea's games.
Lyri is crying. I frown at my adopted sister. The frown deepens when I see Sarj surrounded by my family and Conner Grim. Bags and duffles are stacked neatly around the edge of the room.
"What the fuck is happening?" I look over my wolves, my eyes pinning them in place. Guilt and grief are heavy in the air. My monster stirs, not liking the tension.
Sarj steps forward, his dark eyes finding me for a moment. Grief and hurt hang heavy in his body. I take a step toward him, but I still have Willa's hand tucked in mine, and I don't want her too close to him. His Mark on her neck is nearly gone, but it still infuriates me like nails on a chalkboard.
"I'm going with Conner. Back to his pack in the States," Sarj blurts out.
I stiffen as a wave of disbelief rolls over me.Qitsuk'sfingers tighten on mine as her breath catches. "You're leaving?" I ask, shocked.
Lyri turns her face into Thjis' chest as Ezra rubs her back and kisses the back of her neck. Rhet looks wrecked, talking to Devel in a low voice. Making plans, most likely. Just the way my oldest brother deals with heartache.
"Devel is going, too," Sarj protests. "I just want to get away for a while." He rubs the top of his head, eyes shining with tears.
"No," I say abruptly. "You're not leaving. You belong here. Shit's fucked-up right now, but you stay." Every word is punctuated with low growls and snarls. My monster flashes fang. He's in charge, damnit. And, his little Treasure is upset. That won't do.
"In..." Lyri starts to speak, then gives up and just shakes her head.
Sarj straightens his shoulders and meets my eyes bravely. "I'm going, In. Tomorrow we leave. I... this is something I have to do. For myself."
"You are my brother," I rasp out. I squeeze Willa's hand to try and hide the trembling.