Inevitably Yours

MICHAEL

I was still enjoying the buzz from unexpectedly getting elected to be Junior Warden of the lodge the night before as I mindlessly stroked my fingers through Quinn’s blue curls. In two years, I would be the Worshipful Master of the lodge. The lodge had superfluous titles, but it ultimately meant I would lead the group for a year, similar to the President of an organization, and then stay around as a Past Master to assist the lodge and new members as they come in.

Until I joined the lodge, I didn’t feel like I had many true male friends. When I was younger, everyone wanted to test the Alpha’s kid or be in his inner circle. When I moved, they just wanted to push around the new guy. Even when I was younger, I got along with she-wolves better. We had more common interests like musicals and reading. One she-wolf even told me I had all the best parts of a gay best friend: I listened to them, shared their interests, and they felt safe with me. She claimed it was even better because I wasn’t gay. Everything that played out since my last summer in Stary really drove the nail into the coffin of male friends. Ricky betrayed me and got Quinn hurt. Tommy flipped on me the minute I was gone.

As an adult, I started to feel the absence of a male role model, especially as I tried to become one. My dad was more of an adult friend than a father. So, the lodge filled that gap for me. In many ways, I looked up to Marshall even though we were the same age. Then there was Ted, a man a bit older than my dad, who everyone said I was the younger version of. He loved the law, was incredible at the Masonic memory work we had to memorize, and was just overall someone I enjoyed being around. Masonry had given me brothers in a way I never thought possible, and I was glad I joined. Marshall had been such a huge help with Quinn and Nic already, and I hoped someday I could return the favor.

“Excuse me, sir,” Quinn said, poking me in the nose. I realized I’d been lost in thought for quite a while.

“Yes, my love?” I asked, kissing the tip of her nose in return. On a rare day of sluggish children, Quinn and I retired to our room for some alone time.

“We are supposed to be canoodling, but you’re off somewhere else,” she declared, faking an adorable pout with her l*p out. I reached down and lightly bit it, making her squeal and giggle before I kissed her fully.

“I was just thinking about last night and how glad I was I joined the lodge,” I admitted. “But I’m back to you. No more distractions.”

“I can think of some,” she growled playfully.

“I’m sure you can,” I laughed, rolling over to my back and letting her lay on top of me. My fingers found one of her n*****s under her shirt, and I ran my thumb over the hard nub eliciting a low m**n.

“Is our canoodling turning into something else?” she asked in her own ‘I want you to f**k me, and I somehow made the word canoodling sound sexy’ kind of way.

“I’m happy to if that’s what you’re asking,” I agreed, letting my hand wander to find her other n****e. I didn’t want it to feel left out. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything?” she responded, her expression perplexed.

“So, you know how you wanted to add Nic to our s*x life?” I posited. She nodded, looking unsure of where I was going. “Have you ever wanted… more?” I asked.

“What do you mean, more?”

“We added a woman, but have you ever wanted to add a male?” I questioned, trying not to laugh as her eyes widened, and she sat up next to me.

“Where is that coming from? You’d be okay with that?” she asked in confusion.

“Well, I told you I wouldn’t be cool with the level of intimacy we have with Nic, but if you wanted to try it as a just s*x thing, I wouldn’t say no. I feel like it’s only fair?” I’d been thinking about it for a while, and I was curious how she’d take the question.

“I don’t understand the fair part because the Nic thing is more than mutual. I enjoy that just as much as you do,” she said, her brow knitting together. “And I’ve never said I wanted to add a guy. I’m honestly surprised you’re asking me. That would turn you on?”

“I mean, I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I thought about it more when I was younger, but it crosses my mind from time to time. I love watching you suck my c**k; I imagine it would be similar as long as it was just s*x. Probably someone we didn’t know.”

She shook her head, “I appreciate that you asked, but unless you have another Michael hidden somewhere, I’m good.”

I laughed at the thought, “You couldn’t handle two of me.”

“Probably not,” she admitted. “Sounds like a good book, though. Your rough side and your nicer side, with me in between?” Her head fell side to side like she was twisting something around in her head.

“You’re welcome to either side whenever you want,” I told her as my hand gently closed around her throat. I didn’t squeeze, but the way she was looking at me, I wondered how long it would be until she did something to make me.

“I think I want the rougher side,” she purred.

I closed my hand only enough to cut her b***d off by a little bit and used it as a handle to bring her to me for a deep k**s. I enjoyed the taste as her soft lips met mine. “I don’t think you’re leaving our room without me f*****g you into a nap.”

“Alpha, Luna, I’m sorry to interrupt, but wolves are attacking us in broad daylight! I think we need help!” Andrea’s voice came through our link.

“f**k,” I growled, looking at Quinn with longing. I didn’t want to leave her, but this was serious.

“I’m grabbing Nic, and I’m on my way. Do what you can until I’m there.”

I jumped out of bed, pulling shorts on over my briefs and a shirt over my head as I threw clothes to Quinn, “I’ll send Taylor up with Diane; keep the kids on this floor with you.”

“You better get back here to finish this soon,” she sounded pouty, but I also could see the worry in her eyes.

“The Goddess couldn’t keep me from you,” I growled, kissing her fiercely before linking Nic and sprinting out of the packhouse.

–

“This is weird,” Nic said, looking over at me as she wiped her blade clean on the fur of yet another rogue. I had a bad feeling about the attack, and I started to think back to when Quinn was attacked. We had been running from one random spot to another where a few more rogues appeared. There didn’t appear to be any pattern to where we were finding them.

“I need help, like right now! Some tall creepy guy is here, and he says he’s going to take Luna and the kids,” Taylor’s voice cut into my mind. As soon as her voice registerred in my head, I turned and bolted back to the packhouse. I hoped my gut was wrong and Taylor was not talking about the Fae that stopped time.

“Stall him,” I begged, pushing myself to the limit of my speed. “Do not let them leave that room. I’m coming.”

I was across the lawn and smashing through the packhouse door too quick for anyone to keep up with me. Nic would follow and bring others that I was sure of. My body moved on its own, taking the stairs three at a time. I halted at the top to see what was happening.

“Please,” Quinn’s voice trembled. “Just me. Leave the children. Just take me. I’ll go willingly.”

“You will come either way,” he replied, sounding bored.

“The f**k she will,” I warned as I stepped into view.

Quinn looked at me wide-eyed. The Fae was standing only a few steps in front of her like he was going to just reach out and take her. It looked like my arrival stopped him from grabbing her.

“Leave my pack, now,” I warned, my voice shared with Eros. My skin rippled as I kept my wolf from escaping my control.

“I will do so when I have your mate,” he said softly, but his tone was threatening.

“Michael, please,” Quinn pleaded. “Just let me go. Take the kids. We’ll find each other again….”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“If you think you’re leaving this room without me, you don’t know who you married,” I told her. It wasn’t happening. I wasn’t letting this thing take her away from me, no matter how powerful he was. He damned sure wasn’t taking my pups anywhere. Taylor stood behind Quinn, trying to keep herself between the Fae and our kids. Junior and Diane had a brave faces on, while Belle had tears streaming down her own. Daniel and Rowan held on to each other as Belle tried to keep them calm. Not my family.

Quinn’s face softened, probably realizing it was useless to fight with me about her going.

“Then take us,” Quinn asked, changing her tactic. “They don’t know their heritage, and this isn’t their fault. An Alpha and his hybrid Luna should suffice as collateral for now. We’ll talk to your king.”

My ears perked up. King?

“If you leave my kids alone, I will accept her offer. You can have us both,” I said, trying to formulate a plan of attack. If I could at least get the children out of the way and somewhere else to safety, I could worry about the magical zookeeper, as he’d called himself before, next. I was almost positive my Fae-blessed blades could kill him, but with them buried in my tattoo for now, I didn’t want to alert him to my having access to my weapons.

“Fine,” he agreed, annoyance clear in his tone. “If you come with me, I will let the little ones go.”

“I need you to get them out of here,” I told Nic through our link. “Get them away from Stary, and don’t look back.”

“Michael…

“Take them. Go. Disappear,” I demanded.

She nodded and moved from me to stand with Taylor, defiantly staring at the Fae man who didn’t even acknowledge her existence. I followed her to stand with Quinn, pulling one of her hands into mine and squeezing it softly to reassure her.

We were going to figure this out together.