“Why do I get the feeling that this sleigh isn’t simply for taking gentle, romantic rides through the forest?”
“Because you, my handsome mate, are more than just a pretty face.” Peri turned to follow Jen back into the mansion.
“Good to know that you see more than just my good looks.” Lucian purred as she felt his lips across her cheek.
“If all you were was handsome, I’d have gotten bored very quickly.” She laughed out loud when she felt an invisible hand smack her rear.
“Is your mate flirting with you?” Jen asked. “Because I know that laugh.”
“I built your damn sleigh. Mind your own business.” Peri huffed.
“You muttered a few magic words, and a sleigh appeared. Don’t act like you were out there with a tool belt, hammer, and sweat running down your face.”
“Who’s wearing a tool belt and sweating?” Zara asked as she and Wadim came strolling down the front hall.
“Sounds kinky.” Wadim grinned.
“Everything sounds kinky to you,” Jen pointed out.
“Only because I learned from you, oh wise teacher.” The historian put his palms together and bowed his head at Jen.
“Oh, yeah.” Zara pointed at Jen. “Thank you for that. My man is a beast.” A hand suddenly covered her mouth as Wadim pulled her back toward the kitchen.
Peri couldn’t help but laugh. Served him right, getting a mate who would keep him on his toes. Before they turned around, Peri noticed the shirt Wadim had on today. It read “I’ll let you unwrap my present if you let me unwrap yours.”
Peri found her mate in the kitchen. He leaned up against the counter with a mug held out to her. “Thank you.” She took the cup with an appreciative smile. He spoiled her, and she wasn’t about to complain. Lucian had been something she’d never known she needed or wanted. Without him, the past few months would have been unbearable.
“For me, as well,” Lucian told her, having picked up on her thoughts. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her tightly against him.
“I love you, Lucian.” Peri turned to look at him, the tenderness and adoration in his eyes nearly stealing her breath.
He pressed a kiss to her lips and then murmured against them, “As I love you, beloved mate.”
They turned back to watch the morning ritual of the pack preparing breakfast and feeding children while talking and teasing. It was something Peri had come to enjoy, and something she would greatly miss once all hell broke loose. And she knew it would. This reprieve was not forever. But she wouldn’t think about that now. Now, she would simply enjoy the blessings of pack, family, and friends.
Her attention was drawn to the entranceway when Gavril, Sorin, and Decebel came walking in, each carrying three large boxes. The room seemed to shrink as the additional large males filled the space. They set the boxes down on the island.
“Thank you, boys.” Jen grinned at the delivery. She looked much too pleased with herself, and judging by the wary glances the others were shooting the packages, they all agreed.
“Do you know…” Lucian began.
Peri shook her head. “I’ve got no clue.”
Jacque looked at Jen and then glanced over at Sally. “She has on her ‘happy wicked’ face.”
Sally nodded. “That’s never good.”
“Well, only if you're on the receiving end of that face,” Jacque reminded her.
“That's true, but she doesn’t care about collateral damage.” Sally bit her lip, looking as nervous as Jacque felt.
“I think I have some pack work that needs to be dealt with,” Fane muttered before taking a bite from his bowl of cereal.
Jacque fed Slate another spoonful of food after he slapped the highchair tray to get her attention. “Don’t run. It will only get her more excited.”
“After everyone is done eating, could we all gather in the main living area?” Jen glanced around the room. “Today, I’d like to get some pictures. I’ve got outfits for each of the children.” Her eyes found Titus. “No sweaters, Tristen.”
Titus saluted her. “Whatever you say, Aunt Jessica.”
Jen narrowed her eyes on him. “Clever, and you’re being compliant. That can’t be a good thing.” Jen pointed two fingers at her eyes and then those two fingers at Titus. “I’m watching you.”
He grinned at her. “Or maybe I’m watching you.”
Jacque snorted. Little dude was totally holding his own against his crazy aunt.
“Noted.” Jen nodded. “If I can’t detect you while you’re watching me, I’ll buy you every ridiculous sweater you want.”
“Deal.” Titus gave her a thumbs-up.
Jen looked back at the others. “Main living room in twenty minutes. Babe, can you take the boxes there?”
Decebel narrowed his eyes on her. “Why did you have us carry them in here?”
“To peak everyone’s curiosity. Half the fun is watching them sweat.”
Jacque knew that by “them,” she meant Costin and Fane. But after counting the boxes, she knew her BFF was about to torture more than just her and Sally’s mates.
Decebel growled but then grabbed up three of the boxes again. Gavril and Sorin followed suit, then strode out of the room.
“The kids' clothes are in my suite,” Jen told Sally and Jacque.
Jacque gave her a thumbs-up, scooping another spoonful of food into Slate’s mouth.
Twenty minutes later, they were all gathered in the main living area. Thia proved to be in full mini-Jen mode. Jacque would like to be able to say that she tried to help corral the little hellion, but really she, Sally, and Titus just laughed while Thia ran around holding the dress in the air while singing “Jingle Hells.” It was awesome.
When she finally caught her daughter, Jen wrestled the dress onto the girl and then proceeded to tell her how beautiful she was, which caused Thia to preen and spin in circles, making the dress fan out around her. This went on for so long it started to make Jacque nauseous. Thankfully, Thia finally ran out of steam and plopped down to examine one of the boxes.
“Now that the kids are ready,” Jen said, “I need the males to get dressed as well. Your clothes are in these boxes. Each of you, please take a box and go put on your outfits.”
The men all turned to stare at the boxes she indicated. Every single male’s eyebrows rose as their gazes bounced from Jen to the boxes.
“If these are speedos, I’m totally going to rock them with this bod.” Wadim grinned, rubbing his hands together and bouncing on the balls of his feet. Dude needs help.
“Sorry to disappoint, but they’re not speedos,” Jen said. The other males let out a collective sigh.
Each one grabbed a box and headed out of the room.
“If you don’t put them on, I’ll just have Peri do it for you,” Jen called out to them as the males filed out, muttering and cursing under their breath.
“This is going to be hilarious, isn’t it?” Elle asked.
Jen nodded. “It is. It really is.”
Fifteen minutes later, Jen was tapping her toe and no doubt mentally fighting with her mate.
“I’m not wearing this.” Fane’s voice filled Jacque’s mind.