Groans filled the room, but Bethany said, “That would be hilarious.”
“You don’t get a vote, remember?” Jacque growled. “Pregnant, dead brain cells. Enough said.”
“Let’s do this,” Peri commanded.
Zara could feel Wadim in her mind, almost as if he were pacing. She could also hear him growling. She ignored him and focused on her own body. Warmth filled her, starting in her chest and then radiating outward, down her arms, stomach, and thighs, all the way to the tips of her toes and to the top of her head.
It felt as if she sat there for hours with the three females touching her, working their magic. Finally, their hands moved away, and the warmth receded. Zara felt peace. Her body felt whole, strong, and, not knowing how else to describe it, healed.
Everyone gazed at her. She didn’t really know what to do.
“Are you going to look down your own shirt, or would you like me to do it for you?” Jen asked, completely serious.
First, Zara pulled up her sleeves. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. The bites and scars were gone. Her skin was now smooth and unblemished. Her heart raced. She reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it up enough to show her stomach. It, too, was completely healed. She swallowed hard and dropped her shirt. Zara’s hands shook. She pulled the collar of her shirt outward. She used her thumb and forefinger to grasp the edge of her sports bra. Her eyes closed briefly before opening again and then looking down.
She couldn’t help but weep when her eyes found what they were looking for.
“Based on that expression, I’m guessing we’ve got identical twins. Congratulations!” Jen clapped.
Zara closed her eyes, wanting to laugh but too overwhelmed with emotions.
“Girl, don’t be ashamed to be happy.” Jen patted Zara’s back. “Thia gnawed my nipples to death. They looked like raw meat. I never thought they’d be the same. I was convinced my girls were going to be forever deformed, which would have been a shame because I’ve got such a nice rack.”
“Thank you for that pep talk, Jen.” Elle rolled her eyes. “We all feel better knowing that your girls have been restored to their pre-baby glory.”
“Damn straight.” Jen nodded. “All right, I’ve seen Bethany’s, and she’s got something to be proud of. Let’s see if Peri, Sally, and Rachel have added you to the perfect teet posse.” Jen pointed a finger at her. “And, yes, I used the word teet on purpose because I’m tactful like that.”
“Didn’t work,” Crina offered. “You’ve probably made her feel like livestock.”
“I’m a work in progress. Hold your judgment until I’m dead.” Jen waived the she-wolf off.
Jacque shook her head and ran a hand down her face. “There are so many things wrong with that I can’t even find a place to start. Zara, you don’t have to show off your girls. You can be overjoyed with them on your own, without Jen getting some kicks.”
Zara wasn’t really paying attention. She’d let go of her shirt and was staring at Peri. A moment later, she threw herself at the high fae and wrapped her arms around Peri’s neck. “Thank you,” Zara whispered. “Thank you so much.”
Peri patted her on the back, her hand hesitant. “I’m glad I could help. Though I won’t lie. It’s one of the most unique things I’ve ever used my power to accomplish.”
Zara laughed as joy filled her. She released Peri and then hugged Rachel, thanking her and then Sally.
“I’m sure Wadim would have been completely happy with your boobs as they were before,” said Jen. “But I bet he will be so thrilled about your happiness at your return of nipplehood that he will want to celebrate. And by celebrating, I totally mean he’ll be wanting to give them a personal congratulation. As a payback to his earlier buttheadedness, I think she should stay here all night.”
“Occasionally even a blind squirrel finds a nut.” Crina pointed at Jen. “I think that’s completely fair.”
The others laughed, but Zara simply smiled. Her mind was still focused on the fact that the last part of the remnants that Ander had left her with were gone. Zara felt free. Truly free.
“We need to talk.” Wadim’s voice filled her mind again. This time, his emotions were so strong she couldn’t keep the bond shut as tightly as she had been. Zara could feel him pushing on the wall she’d erected around her thoughts. She pictured his wolf running full steam ahead, plowing into them with his huge head. Or maybe that was an image Wadim was sending her. She couldn’t tell because she was losing the battle to keep him out.
“Okay, so as much as I would love to stay and celebrate…” Zara turned to look at Jen. “And no, I don’t mean celebrate by bringing the healed teets out to play.”
“Spoilsport,” Jen muttered.
“My mate requests my presence,” Zara finished.
“Requests?” Jacque asked, her eyebrows raised.
“Okay, more like demands,” Zara admitted with a sheepish shrug.
“That sounds more like one of our men,” Sally agreed.
“Don’t let him make you feel as if you made the wrong choice,” Jen told her.
“He wouldn’t do that.” Zara knew she was right. Wadim might be angry, but she didn’t think it was because she’d let Peri, Sally, and Rachel heal her.
“Just be honest with him,” Rachel told her, her face warm with understanding. “Usually when they’re upset, it’s because they just want to help, and they don’t know how.”
Zara nodded. “Thank you.” She looked around the room at each of the women present. “I’m so glad to have you girls as my family. I wish—” Her throat tightened at the thought of their former alpha female. Taking a deep, calming breath, she continued. “I wish Alina could be here. She would have loved this.”
“And she would have known exactly what to say.” Crina’s eyes glistened with tears.
They were all quiet, as if they each knew they needed to give a moment of silence for the leader they loved so much.
“You better go on and face your wolf,” Jacque encouraged a couple of minutes later. “If you wait too long, he’ll come barging in here and just cart you off like a Neanderthal.”
The rest of the females nodded their agreement.
Zara stood and set the mug down on the coffee table. As she headed for the door, Jen spoke up. “Take a few days off, Z. Straightening things out with your mate is priority number one, always.”
Zara glanced over her shoulder. “Should I make him build me something if he continues to be stubborn?” Her lips turned up in a small smile.
Jen’s eyes danced with humor, and she nodded. “A doghouse. With his name on the front, because that’s where he’s going to be sleeping if he doesn’t get his furball head out of his furball butt.”
“Good job on keeping it clean.” Sally smiled.
“Furball ass would have had a better punch to it,” Jen grumbled.
Zara laughed and stepped out into the corridor. As she closed the door behind her, she tried to get her thoughts in order for what she was going to say to her mate. His emotions were bombarding her, making it hard to concentrate.