Nefretiri
"I promise they don't bite," Ivan chuckled as the curtains of the window closed. "They are nosy, though."
"I see that..." Another curtain moves, revealing one of the larger werewolves. "Not subtle, are they?"
"No." We both laugh but don't move. It's been amazing to watch them take turns peeking out the windows.
The house was beautiful.
Two stories plus an attic. I've driven past this place several times, and I have to disagree with Ivan. Liam gave him a deal because anyone else would've charged much more. Like all of Liam's properties, it was like something out of a lifestyle magazine, with a beautiful lush lawn, blooming flowers, and more curb appeal than a TV show. It was selling the perfect dream for someone, though it wasn't really my style.
"Are you ready to go in?"
"No..." I was nervous, but the exhaustion held me. "But, I guess I can't sleep in here."
"I think the bed's more comfortable, but I'll make them clear out if you want." he offered, and I knew he'd do it.
"No, that's not right..." I opened the door before Ivan could and jumped out.
That was a mistake.
Ivan had eased so much of my pain, but rejecting Ricky brought some of it back. Nothing felt broken, but I was tender and sore. A good night's sleep was exactly what I needed, and it was enough to push me forward. However, I leaned against the door, butterflies dancing in my stomach. I wasn't prepared for their judgment.
"Here," Ivan tried to pick me up, but I pushed him away.
"I think they've seen you carry me enough," my cheeks felt hot, and I felt small. These people saw me at my worst, and now Ivan was going to introduce me to them. "I'd... like to make a better second impression."
"They're going to love you," he kept his voice low, making me think their hearing was as good as his. That was distressing. How much had they heard at the store? "They're watching TV!"
He said that last part aloud, and I could imagine them scrambling to look like they were doing just that.
"That was even less subtle," I teased, taking Ivan's hand as he led me up the path.
"I figured I'd throw them a bone."
The joke was cheezy, but it helped me relax. This would be more pressure on me, and I'd had more than enough of that tonight. These guys helped Ivan kidnap me—yes, I was sticking to kidnapping—and now I was supposed to act like everything was alright. How would they judge me after what they'd seen? What would I think of them?
When we went inside, the front foyer was suspiciously empty. The TV was loudly playing some movie while a hurried conversation about football went on in the kitchen. It was funny but unimpressive. I've done better acting casual, but I wouldn't judge them for it. However, it did make me curious about them.
"We can just go upstairs..." Ivan whispered, giving me an out.
It was a good idea, but my curiosity got the best of me.
So, I moved toward the living room, pausing at the entrance. Five men from earlier were sprawled across the couches and recliners, pretending to watch the movie. I debated leaving them there, but the youngest turned and saw me. He jumped up so fast the chair nearly fell backward, his excitement getting the better of him. I didn't have time to react as he approached, his smile so broad it hurt my lips to look at him.
"Hi, Luna!" he was bursting at the seams but kept his distance. His blonde hair was roughly combed back but still messy and wild. "I'm Greg...!"
"Hello..." His smile was so infectious I couldn't help but return it. Greg wasn't as imposing as the others. His build was closer to a regular human, and his youth was evident. "You can call me Nefretiri..."
I was not ready to be called Luna.
"No, he can't," Ivan warned, coming up behind me. "That's not how it works, baby girl."
"Yeah, it's okay, Luna." Greg nodded enthusiastically, taking my hand. I felt a strange spark go between us, and I knew he felt it too, but he said nothing. It wasn't like Ivan's touch, but it was still comforting. I felt like I could trust Greg. "I do IT... Well, I want to. That's why I'm going with Alpha to California... To learn."
I was actually interested. Since Ricky sucked at anything related to technology, I did most of the setups. I wasn't good enough for IT, but I appreciated his enthusiasm. Sadly, our time was cut short when another of the guys grabbed Greg and unceremoniously pushed him aside. It wasn't hard, but the point was clear.
"Pup, don't bore her with your computer talk," the werewolf joked, ruffling his hair. It was obvious everyone saw him as a child.
"I like computers..." I don't know why I felt the need to defend him. It wasn't fair. He'd been the brave one to come and talk to me, and they were trying to push him away. "I also like video games."
You would've thought I announced I was a billionaire.
Now, I had four large werewolves trying to talk to me. They asked what games I liked, and if I wanted to play with them since they'd brought their consoles with them, and within a minute, they were debating which they should plug up. I hadn't meant to start all that. Yet, it'd worked to leave Greg alone. However, I was now in the spotlight, learning their names amid people hurrying to grab things from their rooms. I might've run back to the car if Ivan wasn't behind me.
"She's not going to game with you!" Ivan called, getting everyone's attention. "It's late. Don't you think she's tired?"
"Oh... yeah," Nate stopped at the bottom of the stairs, looking sheepish. It's still hilarious to see such giants act like little kids. "Sorry, Luna. You should get some sleep."
"Yeah, sorry..." AJ, who I remembered bumping into in one of the aisles, was practically a tomato.
This was turning into quite the experience.
"It's alright..." I didn't want anyone to feel awkward, so I moved away from Ivan, trying my best to smile. "So, let me see if I've got this. Greg... AJ, Nate... and Terry?"
I pointed out each man, noticing how the other three were built like warriors.
"And you are…?"
After acknowledging the others, I turned to the fifth man, who'd been watching TV.
"Scott," he showed me his throat, something I realized had much more significance. He looked the same age as I did but carried himself with more structure. Was he older?
"Scott... You're the pack lawyer..." I remembered what Ivan had said.
"Yes, Luna," he looked so proud. "And... don't worry. I've already started all the necessary paperwork. You have nothing to worry about for your pup... or you."
How much had Ivan told him?
"Thank... you?"
"Nefra, this is Danny..." Ivan wrapped his arm around my waist, turning me toward the dining room that led to the kitchen. "He's our medic."
"Luna..." the guy I'd nearly run from earlier stood at the archway, giving me plenty of space. "It's an honor..."
I felt so out of place.
They were all so pleased to meet me, and I didn't think I deserved all the hype. I still didn't know what I was going to do, so them calling me Luna felt awkward. What if I decided to say no? Wouldn't that crush all of them? It was like they assumed I'd already agreed.
"Hi," Fuck, I was making a mess of all this, wasn't I?
"I hope you don't mind. I did a checkup on your pup." Danny gave me some grace, not making a big deal of my sophisticated entrance. "She's in perfect health, though she's on the smaller side."
'Do not tell them she was premature...' I didn't want to deal with that conversation right now.
"Thank you." Why was my vocabulary so small? "I appreciate it. "The doctors said she'll grow pretty fast."
"Hey, how about we get some food?" Ivan cut into the awkward conversation, urging me to go to the kitchen. "Hopefully, they didn't eat all the Chinese."
"We didn't!" Terry looked indignant.
I didn't miss how Ivan glared at the others not to follow. I should have said something, but I was so embarrassed. Meeting so many people at once was hard, especially under these circumstances. Now that I was away from them, I could think of a million better openers and ways to make things less uncomfortable, but they were useless now. I plan to do better in the next round.
"Hello..." apparently not.
Two werewolves were sitting at the table and doing a much better job of pretending to be busy. One was Taylor's mate, Steven, and the other had to be Vince, Ivan's cousin. I don't know why, but they look more imposing now than they did earlier. It could be because I'm not under the same stress.
"Hey, Nefretiri," Vince greets, not getting up. "Ivan finally brought you back. We were taking bets on whether he was going to keep you out all night."
"Vince," Ivan growled, pulling out a seat for me. "It's Luna."
"She's family, Ivan," he shot back, getting up and grabbing several bags from my favorite Chinese restaurant. "We don't use titles in family."
"I prefer Nefretiri..." wasn't going to have them argue over me. "Or Nefra, I like that too."
"See, and do you really want me going against my Luna?" Vince smirked, setting the bags on the table. "Alpha?"
"Asshole," Ivan took a seat beside me, pulling out different containers. "Where's Tay?"
"Upstairs with the baby..." Steven winked at me as he ate his pepper steak, seeming the calmest of everyone. I'm sorry she's been so enthusiastic. Tay loves children, and... well, she got overwhelmed with having a new niece."
"It's okay, I don't think Penelope minds." how could I get upset over that?
It still broke my heart to know how they'd lost their baby, and I didn't know them.
Strangely, I feel more at ease in here. Vince and Steven know how to relax and give me space. It helps that Ivan's beside me, even though I feel the others' presence. Their excitement is palpable, but I don't know how to approach it. The last thing I want is to be rude and tell them they're overwhelming me.
"Want to share the dumplings?" Ivan holds out the box, but I frown, taking it from him.
"No, I don't want to share it. " I never shared that, not even with Ricky.
"Not even one?" Ivan tried the puppy dog eyes again, but I scooted my chair.
"No."
"And you guys said I ordered too many," Taylor came in, smiling triumphantly. "I was scared you were going to be out all night. Hey, Nefretiri. Don't worry. Steven put the bassinet together. I didn't give Penelope a bath, but I sponged her down. She was okay with the formula I gave her, but you were right. She does not like it cold. The sleeper I got her is so cute, and she's tuckered out..."
She said all that in one breath.
"Breathe, woman, breathe," Vincent demanded, a lo mein noodle sticking out of his mouth.
"You know what?" Taylor rummaged through the bags, pulling out several marked containers before relocating them into a single bag. "We're heading upstairs..."
"Why?" Ivan narrowed his eyes, his hand going for my chair.
"Come on, Nefretiri. " She grabbed my arm, and I was hurried away before anyone could say or do anything.
Less than three minutes later, we were upstairs in a stunning, modern-looking room with a queen-sized bed and a bassinet for my sleeping daughter.
"She looks so happy," the frown I was used to seeing wasn't there. She looked so content, and I almost started crying.
"She knows she's with family." Taylor shut the door, setting the food on the bed. "I figured you didn't want to deal with the overstimulated wolves tonight."
"I really didn't." Laughing, I sat down at the edge of the bed, realizing Taylor wasn't a flake at all. "Thank you. It's been a very long day."
"It's been a long day for all of us... but especially you and Penelope..." She sat on the other side, handing me the box of dumplings. "I got us two each. I like them too."
A woman after my own heart.
"They seem so happy to know me," I stared at the dumplings, thinking of the men downstairs. "I... I'm not used to that kind of attention."
"They're excitable..." Digging into her food, she nodded, agreeing with me. "We haven't had a Luna in a long time. I think they forgot that you're a person, and this is all new to you."
Talking to Taylor was much easier, almost easier, than talking to Ivan.
"Is this Ivan's room?" Part of me hoped it was. The other worried it was too soon to deal with that after our conversation.
"No, his is the master bedroom next door. I didn't think you wanted to share a bed with him the first night."
"I... no, I wouldn't." How did she know what to do? Could she read my thoughts? Or had Ivan told her everything? "How... much do you know?"
"Nothing... other than what I saw..." she gave me a softer look but didn't stop eating. "Ivan doesn't share information easily and won't tell anyone anything about you unless you say it's okay. I just guessed. This was a lot for you, and asking you to get into his bed is just rude."
'Except you want to get in his bed.'
We ate quietly after that, but it was comfortable. Taylor got me everything with no onions, confirming they'd heard everything earlier. She didn't rush me to talk, and her presence was calming. Did everyone downstairs realize this was who she was? She might act like a brat, but she was perceptive and empathetic. If I was going to make a friend here, she was the first one I'd make.
"So, how are you feeling?" she asked when we'd finished everything.
"Tired, mentally drained, overwhelmed..." I slid off my shoes, sitting cross-legged on the bed. "Is that crazy?"
"No, you should feel all that, at least. " She pointed at herself and then at the door. All of us feel that way. I think you'd be crazy if you didn't feel at least one of those."
"Oh, I'm crazy..." I couldn't help but laugh. "I don't think I could be sane and do all this..."
"It's crazy... but I'm glad you did," her smile was genuine and grateful. I remembered what she'd said when the cops left and realized she really meant it. "You look better. Happier."
"It's an act..."
"No, I don't think it is," laying on her stomach, Taylor gave me a mischievous smirk. "You looked ready to drop when we saw you at the store. Now, you're exhausted but alert, and... there's a glow to you."
"I..." I was glad there wasn't a mirror in here. My face felt hot, and my heart was hammering.
"Don't worry, I won't pry..." Taylor laughed at my expression, which should've bothered me, but I laughed too. "I'm glad that you and my brother came to some kind of understanding. I meant it when I said he's a good guy..."
"Yeah, I know," I sobered a little, torn between laying down and letting sleep take over and continuing to talk. "I did not think my day would turn out like this."
"Neither did I..."
"Was it easier for you... This whole... mates thing?" It had to be.
"Oh goddess, no!" Taylor laughed again like I'd told the best joke. "I don't know what Ivan told you, but it's rarely simple. Knowing the bond is a thing doesn't make it easy. Some people were in relationships when they found their fated. Sometimes it's not the person you hoped for, and goddess forbid it's someone you have issues with, and that's more common than you'd think."
"What about you?"
"Steven and I grew up together, but we were friends. I thought he was cute, but I didn't have those feelings for him... At least, that's what I told everyone. The bond is complicated, and most of us try to live a life around it. Don't get me wrong, it's incredible when it hits because you found your other half, but it's jarring. If you're strangers, there's the complication of getting to know each other, but if you do know each other, you're dealing with all the questions about the past."
"So, no running into each other's arms and sailing into the sunset?"
"No... more like..." It was Taylor's turn to be embarrassed. "I dropped an entire casserole dish of banana pudding on the floor in front of the entire pack and ran out."
"You're kidding!" I tried not to laugh but fell into a fit of giggles.
"I wish I was!" Now we were laughing again, her remembering and me thinking of how awkward it must've been and yet beautiful.
"At least it's a great story..." I consoled.
"Oh, it is. It's funny now, but at that moment, it wasn't..." Wiping her eyes, Taylor turned on her side. "But it's nothing like yours is."
"Um, mine was a catastrophe that's still going..." There was nothing romantic about this. Ivan found me battered and destroyed, kidnapped me, and somehow convinced me to come here of my own will because my soon-to-be ex was a walking natural disaster.
"That's not true. It's going to be an incredible story everyone's going to love," she insisted, but then made a face. "Eventually... You're right. It's a mess right now, but that's just because it's new and everything's crazy. Once it settles down, it'll be the most romantic, beautiful mate story ever."
"How?"
"Think about it. You were both at your lowest, you'd lost hope, things looked grim, and then you literally ran into his truck, and things changed."
It sounded nice, but things didn't really start that way, and I didn't want to give anyone false hope, especially myself.
"It's more like a 'things not to do' sort of story."
"No, it's perfect, especially for Ivan, the contemptible..."
"The what?" What did she mean by that?
"Oh fuck!" Taylor's face went white; she sat up, glancing at the door. "Did that idiot not tell you? Fuck, he'll kill me!"
"Tell me what?" Was there more he hadn't shared?
"About his past... It's... I'm sorry. He's probably not ready to share that with anyone... Though he should really share it with you..."
"He did tell me." I cut her off before she could panic. "We talked about it earlier."
"Oh, thank the goddess," I think I prevented Taylor from having a heart attack. Could werewolves have heart attacks? "The last thing I needed to do was spill the beans about my brother's past with my new sister-in-law!"
"Sister-in-law?!" Maybe I was the one about to have the heart attack.
"What? Too soon?"