Jason watched finally content as more pack members introduced themselves. Phoebe gave each of them attention as they asked about her old pack and answered her questions about Blue Moon. Despite the growing number of admirers eager to converse with her she didn’t seem overwhelmed or uncomfortable.
“See,” Luke slapped his shoulder, “I told you.”
Jason nodded. There was no denying Phoebe’s natural charm. It drew others to her. How her previous pack was able to ignore her was beyond his comprehension. She was not a wolf meant to live anonymously or as she put it: a nameless cog
His gaze settled on his mate. Though she wore multiple layers it did nothing to hide her form, the soft swell of her breasts, the gentle shape of her curves. His gaze traveled down her shapely legs as her musical laughter reached his ears.
“Do you mind not mentally undressing your mate in public?
“Luke nudged him startling him from his thoughts. “I can practically smell your arousal.”
Jason felt his face warm. He tried to marshal his wayward thoughts while his Beta chuckled at his discomfort.
“What’s so funny?” Ben asked joining them. As gamma he was generally more approachable than alpha or beta though with a luna now in attendance he would probably lose his edge.
“Our Alpha mentally stripping his Luna in public,” Luke answered.
“Is that all?” Ben chuckled.
“Stop it.” Jason warned earning more snickers. He growled but there wasn’t much threat to it.
“Relax Jace,” Luke tried to suppress his laughter. “It’s completely natural.”
Ben nodded agreement. The mating bond was not something one could fight especially between fated mates.
If the initial attraction was not overwhelming enough the longer they were together the stronger the connection and urge to mark them became.
In fact Jason was playing a dangerous game by holding himself back. Yet they knew why he did. Phoebe was not a typical mate. She had been rejected once. Because of that she did not trust the bond. He wanted to earn her trust rather than forcing the bond.
It was a stance Ben respected but it also meant Jason was putting added pressure on himself to control his wolf and their natural urges. But Jason would not force Phoebe to do anything she wasn’t ready for.
Ben’s gaze slid toward their Luna watching her sip from the drink she had been given as she conversed with other pack members. Unmated males were keeping their distance less their actions be construed as a challenge to their Alpha’s claim but several she-wolves did introduce their mates.
“Ah Jace, is Phoebe much of a drinker?” Ben asked.
“Phoebe? No, I don’t think so. At least she didn’t have anything in her cottage.”
“Uh-oh.”
“What?”
“Do you think anyone told her that is Aconite Beer?”
Jason jerked to attention and looked again to Phoebe focusing on the container in her hand. A growl burst from him, “Who the hell gave her that?”
“Easy, easy,” Luke patted his shoulder not wanting to restrain him. “Take it easy.”
“The aconite is less than a half percent,” Ben reminded.
Jason only allowed the weakest of the three brews on his territory. Though the aconite in the beer wouldn’t do any lasting damage it still hurt their wolf spirits and weakened their connection at least temporarily.
There was also the danger of becoming addicted just like with humans. Alcoholism was rare for werewolves because their wolf spirits constrained any desire for self destruction which made aconite beer so dangerous as it weakened the connection to their spirit.
Jason’s fur bristled as he fought Lobo for control.
Someone had given their mate poison and he was ready to tear the pack apart to find out who. Luke and Ben’s words slowly reached him and Jason was able to maintain control. They breathed sighs of relief as he calmed. This night was important for the pack to bond to their Luna and it wouldn’t do them any good if their Alpha went on a rampage.
* * *
Phoebe moaned. For some reason her head felt fuzzy. She felt weighed down but at the same time it was as if she was floating. Strong arms supported her, lifted her and carried her. A pleasant smell invaded her nose making her entire body relax. Groggily she opened her eyes to see a firm chin soften by dark stubble. Raising her head she saw the face near hers.
“Jason?”
“Feeling all right, angel?” he asked looking at her with concern.
“Hmm. What time is it? What happened?”
“Late. You had a bit too much to drink.”
“Did I?”
He clenched his jaw. Jason had counted at least five cans in her hand throughout the night. He hadn’t interfered not wanting to discourage the pack from interacting with their Luna. What was more she looked so happy. The entire night Phoebe conversed and laughed with the pack something she never did with her old pack.
He let it go too far when it became clear she was a little too drunk. When she turned seeking a chair she stumbled.
Jason was at her side immediately picking her up. Though she had maintained well up to the point she immediately fell asleep in his arms. The pack members still lingering outside were concerned but he assured them she simply had too much. Now he carried up the stairs to their floor.
Her head fell back to his shoulder. Her arms curled around him, her face close to his neck sighing. Softly she muttered,
“You smell good…like dogwood and campfire.”
Jason shuddered with pleasure at her touch and blushed at her admission. Lobo pranced in his mind, exceptionally pleased. She nuzzled his neck and her embrace tightened Jason groaned as his skin almost felt electrified at her touch.
Reaching the alpha floor he quickly ensconced her into their private suite wanting to avoid his mother who he knew was still up after sending the pups to bed. Laying Phoebe down in their bed Jason carefully took off her shoes then hesitated. She should really change into pajamas so she could sleep comfortably.
“Phoebe,” he smoothed her hair away from her face taking out the clip taming it. “Phoebe angel, I need you to get up and change. Angel?”
She stirred, “I really like it when you call me that.”
“You like it when I call you angel?”
“It makes me feel special.”
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