Zara suddenly growled at the mustard bottle as she tried to squeeze it out and nothing but little splattered droplets came out. Wadim stepped forward and gently took it from her hand. He pressed close to her and leaned down. His lips moved next to her ear, and he spoke, but there was too much surrounding chatter for Jacque to hear. Not that she had any right to hear what he was saying to his mate. But the new alpha female was finding it hard not to worry about the other females in her pack, especially the ones she was close to.
“They’re fine, Luna.” Fane’s voice filled her mind.
“She doesn’t seem fine.” Jacque put another spoonful of sweet potatoes in Slate’s open mouth.
“You have to remember that their situation is quite a bit different than the rest of ours. Their bonding process has been slower, and rightfully so.”
He was right. Zara had been through hell at the hands of the vampires. The Great Luna had known what she was doing when she made Wadim her mate. He was incredibly gentle with her, but not in a patronizing way. He was patient, playful, and loving. They balanced each other.
Jacque frowned as these thoughts ran through her mind. So what is the problem? She glanced back over at them. Zara’s head lifted at the same time, and her gaze met Jacque’s. Zara gave her a small smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes. She didn’t seem terribly upset, simply resigned.
“Luna.” Fane’s voice held a deep warning.
“I’m not going to pry,” she replied at the same time Jen said out loud, “History boy, what’s wrong with my new bestie? I realize that y’all probably only got to watch Netflix last night and not chill, but dude, a foot massage or hair brushing can go a long way.”
“Jen’s prying for me.” Jacque knew her voice through the bond would sound much too happy that her friend had just called Wadim out.
Zara’s cheeks flushed pink. She put down her sandwich and headed toward the fridge before opening it and practically disappearing behind the enormous door.
Wadim didn’t miss a beat. He followed his mate, pulled out whatever it was she’d been looking for, and handed it to her. “Read the shirt, Jen.”
Jacque hadn’t noticed his shirt because one of Wadim’s arms had been folded across his chest. Now she could see it just fine, and the picture made her grin. There was a large square divided into six smaller squares, with two stick figures in each one. The first square showed one of the stick figures saying, I heard you started a new business. In the next square, the other stick figure responded, Yep. In the third square, the first stick figure asked, What’s it called? And in the fourth square, the other stick figure answered Noneya. In the fifth square, the first stick figure stood with a question mark above his head. Then, in the sixth square, he was frowning at the other stick figure who was grinning.
Chuckles filled the room as everyone else had obviously read the shirt as well.
“How am I this old and never heard that one?” Peri took a sip of her—Jacque frowned. Was that a glass of wine? At noon? Peri must have felt her stare because the fae’s head turned to her, and she winked. That was when Jacque also noticed that Lucian wasn’t prancing around like a proud peacock. He stood behind Peri with his arms wrapped around his mate. His head rested on her shoulder, and to Jacque’s shock, he nipped Peri’s neck, right on her mark … in a room full of people. Damn, they must have had quite a night if Peri still needs wine at noon the next day, and her mate can’t keep his teeth off her.
Movement at the island grabbed Jacque’s attention, and she noticed Jen had jumped up to sit on the counter. Jen wasn’t looking at Wadim’s shirt or Peri. Instead, she stared a hole into the side of Zara’s head. Jacque could tell Jen’s wheels were turning. That was never a good thing. Jacque opened her mouth to say something to change the subject when Bethany and Drake walked into the room. Bethany’s eyes widened a bit as she obviously picked up quickly on the tension in the room. Drake was immediately on alert, glancing around as if someone was about to pounce on his mate. The poor wolf, he looked exhausted. Bethany’s eyes quickly zoned in on Jen, who hadn’t glanced in the couple’s direction, like everyone else had. She then looked to Zara, who was the other person in the room who hadn’t paid them any attention.
Bethany looked over Zara’s shoulder to Wadim, who was once again standing behind his mate, still eating his sandwich. “Umm, why does it feel like someone’s about to get schooled?” Bethany asked carefully.
Jen didn’t take her eyes off of Zara as she spoke. “Because I think it’s time for someone to be educated like you were, Bethy. Now you can share all the wisdom Jacque, Sally, and I imparted to you.”
“Do not drag me into this,” Sally said. “I’ve got like a thousand more lights to hang.”
“What she said.” Jacque pointed the spoon she was holding at Sally.
“Zara?” Bethany asked, her voice rising a notch.
Jen’s lips turned up in a much-too-satisfied smirk. “Yep. Girl’s night. Class is in session.”
“Wadim,” Drake said, but Bethany raised her hand and slapped it over Drake’s mouth.
“Maybe we let Zara decide if she wants a girls’ night,” Bethany said as she narrowed her eyes on her mate.
Drake wasn’t backing down. He gently removed her hand and placed a kiss in her palm. “With all due respect, mate, I think Wadim has a right to know what this class entails.”
“Nope.” Jen shook her head. “Girls’ night code. Sisters before misters. Hoes before bros.”
“Oh dear.” Sally sighed. “Here we go.”
“Chicks before—”
“Jennifer!” Decebel practically barked.
She glanced at her mate and batted her eyelashes. “What? I was going to say licks.”
Decebel pinched the bridge of his nose as coughs filled the room. “Like that’s any better?”
“At least mini-me won’t say the other word,” Jen pointed out.
“She’s got a point,” Fane said.
“What exactly does this girls’ night class entail?” Elle asked. “And why haven’t I ever been invited?”
Jen glanced at her. “Because you’re already educated. Although there’s always something new to learn.”
“There’s a book.” Bethany nodded as if she thought she was being helpful. Pregnant brain was alive and well with this one.
“I’m in.” Peri raised her wineglass.
“Me, too.” Crina grinned. Jacque nearly laughed when she saw Adam hold up his hand and give his mate a high five. Of course he would be in favor of her gaining more education on his favorite topic. It was good to see Crina looking so happy as Adam pulled her tightly against him. Thank the Great Luna that issue was fixed.
Sally cleared her throat, and Jacque felt a pull inside of her to look at her brunette friend. The healer’s eyebrows went up as if to ask: What the hell are you going to do?” Jacque shrugged. What was she supposed to do? Veto sex education?
“Yes, Luna. That’s exactly what you should do,” Fane said in her mind. His voice filled with humor, but she could tell he was completely serious.
Jacque took a deep breath and then looked at Wadim and then his mate. “Zara, we’re going to have a girls’ night tonight.”