Dev shook the man’s hand. “It does indeed smell lovely. Unfortunately, my goddess and I are abstaining from animal flesh until after the ceremony. Purity of the body is important to the ritual.”
The woman’s eyes went wide with fear. “We didn’t know. They didn’t say anything about changing our diet.”
“Not at all, dear lady,” Dev said, charm oozing from his pores. “There’s absolutely nothing you need to do but show up with your husband and desire in your heart. My goddess and I will handle the rest. Though be kind to her. She’s been forced to give up burgers and cheese. It’s made her cranky.”
I punched him in the arm. “Has not. The lack of alcohol made me cranky. I need a beer.”
The wolf couple laughed at our banter, and I was glad we would be able to help them. It was like that everywhere we went. We were offered food, drink, small gifts. A little boy welcomed me with a handful of wildflowers and I tried really hard not to cry because he was so sweet. He thanked me and said he wanted a baby brother.
By the time we made it to our tent, I was filled with a sweet sense of belonging. I stood beside the massive structure it must have taken several men days to erect and realized Dev’s version of a tent was different than everyone else’s.
“Seriously?” I asked because the damn thing had windows.
Smiling slyly, Dev pulled the flap open. “You didn’t think I would have us in tents and sleeping bags, my lover? I thought you realized I don’t camp.”
I walked into our little movable palace and quickly found it had several rooms.
“Good evening, mistress.” Albert greeted me as he was lighting a gas lamp. It gave the room a romantic air. “Dinner will be served in thirty minutes. It’s a lovely spinach and strawberry salad with a saffron risotto.”
“That sounds delicious, Albert,” Sarah, the vegan, said. She’d been thrilled at my forced vegetarianism. She firmly believed that once I got used to it, I wouldn’t go back.
“You know what would make it better? A side of beef,” I groused lightly.
Albert smiled. “I’ve been informed to greet you with a pound of bacon three mornings hence.”
“Now you’re talking, Al.” I was already looking forward to that little breakfast treat. Dev kissed my cheek and walked away to find our bedroom. I was left with our butler. “So did you pick out where you want to set up your 401k?”
He shook his horns and looked down at me, confusion in his blue eyes. “The master said you wished to free me. Have I done something improper? Has my work not been to your liking?”
Quickly I shook my head in the negative. “Not at all, Albert. You’re the best butler anyone could ask for.”
He pulled himself up to his impressive height, pride in every inch of his body. “Then why does my mistress wish to force me from my home?”
“Whoa, now, I never said anything about that. I just thought Dev should pay you,” I quickly explained. Felix and Sarah laughed at my discomfort.
“It’s insulting, mistress,” Albert replied. “I could never show my face again if I accepted anything so vile as money for serving my master. I was hurt by the insinuation I would even want that.”
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly, hoping the slave would accept my apology.
Albert nodded in a superior, not at all slave-like fashion. “I will ignore the insult, mistress. I’m sure in your world it was a sweet gesture. I look forward to one day training your children in the ways of our world.”
“Children?”
Albert smiled at the thought. “Yes, mistress. I’m also a well-trained nanny. The master made sure of it.” With that little tidbit dropped, Albert went to the kitchens to make sure all was ready for dinner.
“I’m sure he’ll be an interesting fixture at the playground, Z,” Daniel said from the door. I turned to see a wry smile on his face. “Good evening, Sarah, Felix. I’m going to steal my wife for a moment. She’ll join you for dinner shortly.”
He took my hand and started to lead me away. Daniel took me down a corridor and I knew he, at least, hadn’t been surprised by the opulence of the structure. He knew exactly where he was going.
“I will?” I asked, surprised I would be joining anyone shortly. Daniel usually took his time when he fed. He might not be willing to spend a ton of time with me talking lately, but he damn sure enjoyed himself in bed.
“I have to meet McKenzie in an hour,” he explained. “You’ll be dining with Felix and Sarah. Dev and I will be at the big house for most of the evening. It’s just a preliminary meeting but it’s important. If I can convince McKenzie, then he’ll call in the other alphas.”
He pulled me into a small room. There was no window here, and I drew in a startled breath at the sight of a coffin.
“I’ve got to sleep somewhere,” Daniel said and pulled me to the couch which was the only other piece of furniture in the room. There was a single suitcase on the rug and a briefcase I was sure held his laptop.
“Why aren’t you sleeping with us?” Dev would never have brought a small bed. There would be more than enough room.
“It’s too dangerous,” he said shortly, and I knew he was lying.
“Are you mad about the stuff Albert said?”
“The stuff about kids?”
I nodded. The worst fight Danny and Dev ever had revolved around the possibility of Dev knocking me up.
“You sleep with a fertility god, Z.” Daniel’s voice went low, his hand scrubbing through his hair. “He can be as careful as possible but someday… You don’t want kids anymore? You always did before.”
“I knew I wasn’t going to have kids when you turned, Danny,” I admitted. He couldn’t have kids and I had accepted that a long time ago.
“And Dev? You just expect him to not have kids because I can’t? That doesn’t seem fair.” Daniel took a long breath, his eyes turning weary. “You’ve already given up a hell of a lot for me, Zoey. I never meant for you to sacrifice so much.”
He slumped down on the sofa, and I sat on his lap before he could stop me. I let my hands find his hair, smoothing it back. “I haven’t given up much, Danny. I didn’t finish college, but let’s face facts. Was I ever going to get a nine-to-five job? We were fooling ourselves. The kids thing…we’ll sort it out later. I just want to be happy for a while. I don’t want you to pull away from me.”
Danny sighed, his head falling back. “I watched you and Dev walk through the valley, Z. Man, everyone loved you. That had to feel good. They respected you.”
“They respected the fact that Dev can help them have babies, Danny.”
“They were happy to see you too, Z. You’re his goddess. He doesn’t do the whole ‘get a bunch of wolves pregnant’ thing if you aren’t around.”
I snorted at the thought. “I assure you if I weren’t around, Dev would have another ‘goddess.’ He’s a good boyfriend, but I doubt he would be celibate if he hadn’t found me.”
Daniel started to play with the collar of my shirt, his hand rubbing my throat. There was a little mischievous smile on his face. “Baby, what exactly do you think is happening two nights from now?”
I rolled my eyes. “We’re performing a ritual, and I get to have sex with Dev in front of a bunch of horny wolves. Why are you laughing?”
Daniel leaned forward and kissed my neck. His hands tightened, and I felt his body begin to react. “I’m really looking forward to seeing you after that particular ceremony is over.”
I frowned but let him continue because it was the happiest he’d been in days. If the thought of me embarrassing myself gave him some small measure of joy, then I would let him have it.
Daniel’s magic flowed all around me. He pulled and pushed me until I straddled him, my knees cradling his hips. His big hands palmed my thighs, pushing up my skirt. I wanted to force him to talk to me. I wanted him to tell me what was wrong and let me help him solve it. I knew he wouldn’t let me do any of that, so I took the only connection we had lately.