We all looked around the room at each other. Shock and anxiety could be seen on the faces that were all looking at me now. The only one who wasn’t looking directly at me was the Mage, who had her head bowed. Everyone started to chatter at once, flinging solutions or ideas about what to do next.
I was getting a headache, it had been a long day. I know Jonas wanted to talk about how I did this before I did it again, but enough was enough. I once again held up my hand and everyone stopped what they were saying and looked towards me expectantly.
I sighed dejectedly, I didn't have any answers for them at the moment, so suggested something else instead.
''I think we should all leave this where it is for today. We have all heard a lot of new information, and I think we all need time to process it. So, that being said, I'm going to have something to eat and go to bed. It's been a long day''.
Everyone nodded in agreement. And I could feel myself relax a little. We all went to the kitchen to find some food. As we missed the pack meal, there wasn’t anything available. Everyone was now bickering about what takeout they should get to accommodate everyone. I smiled at them all indulgently and walked over and opened the huge fridge and started taking ingredients out. It didn't take too long for them to realise there was food cooking, as they snapped themselves out of the debate over Mexican or Italian. Smelling the food, Jonas looked up with surprise on his face, expecting to see Martha, the pack house cook behind the counter.
Martha made sure there were three meals a day served to any pack member who wanted it, and snacks whenever someone had the munchies from working late into the night. Martha also made sure all four fridges were fully stocked at all times.
Instead of Martha behind the huge range, Jonas saw that it was me preparing the food, not the cook.
''Little wolf'' he said quietly, using the nickname he seemed to like calling me. I didn’t mind at all, in fact, it made me feel cherished. The smile on my face faltered a little when I saw the look on Jonas's face. Stepping away from him, I scrutinised his face. Not finding much of an answer there, I spoke up ''I’m making food for everyone. No one could agree to what to eat and take out would be too long, so it was easier for me to knock something up'' I fiddled with my fingers nervously and chanced a glance at him ''Have I overstepped again''?
Shaking his head at me, he moved closer and pulled me forward until our bodies met. I let myself melt into him, and as we were about to kiss, Gregory popped his head up from the fridge. “Eww guys, get a room. Please don’t make out over the eggs, I don’t know if I could eat them after that”!
Pulling apart, I laughed at Gregory but heard Jonas growl low in his throat. Laying my hand on his arm, I looked into his eyes and shook my head. Not having said anything aloud, Gregory was amazed when Jonas stopped growling with just a touch from his mate's hand.
He walked over to us both and said “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen Alpha, where you were calmed so quickly just by the touch of your mate. I can't wait to meet my mate.”… Still smiling at what Gregory had just said, I told everyone to sit down and food would be served in a few minutes.
Rosemary came straight to the counter where I was working, and shooing her son away, she told him to sit by his father. Looking a little put out by being kicked out of the prep area, Jonas did as his mother wanted and went to sit next to the other guys.
Rosemary offered to help me, and I gratefully accepted. While everyone was waiting for the food, a fresh pot of coffee was put on the table, and everyone helped themselves. I soon had four large omelettes cooking. Rosemary had chopped up all the mushrooms and pepperoni, handing them to me when I was ready for them. We worked together and chatted away, deliberately not talking about anything important. When the food was ready, Rosemary and I placed all four pans on a piece of granite that sat on top of the table.
The plates and cutlery had all been placed on the table, thanks to Jonas, who had insisted he helps in some way. All the men attacked two omelettes, and within minutes had cleared them. The women present ate with a bit more decorum than the big lugs and didn't finish one omelette between them. Eyeing the spare omelette and the half-eaten one, Jonas declared none of the food I had made would go to waste. He grabbed the full omelette, set it in front of him, and started to attack it with renewed vigour.
I looked at Jonas, then at his mother and back again. I must have looked like a fish out of the water, with my mouth opening and closing. Once again, I looked at Rosemary and we both burst out laughing. Jonas looked like a little boy, stuffing his face as fast as he could so he didn’t get caught. Looking up at his mother and his mate laughing, he raised his eyebrows and said, “what’s so funny over there?”
I continued to chuckle as his mother said, sassily, that we were talking about him and not to him! Jonas looked surprised at that answer for a split second, and before he could retaliate, the whole table burst out laughing.
''You should have paid attention, Jonas. You would have heard us talking instead of filling your face''. Everyone chuckled again but quieted a lot faster this time. “Well, I must be going deaf,” chuckled Phil. “I didn’t hear a conversation either. Must have been too engrossed in the delicious food my clever daughter-in-law made us all''.
Hearing this, everyone thanked me for the lovely food, but I wouldn’t take all the credit. I brought Rosemary into the conversation and said they should thank her all, which they then did. Frowning slightly whilst looking at me, Jonas could see just how tired I had become.
''Right! I am taking my mate to bed as she looks exhausted. So I expect ALL of you to pitch in and get the kitchen cleaned, cos if Martha comes in tomorrow morning and it looks like this. Some heads will roll!”
Holding his hand out to me, he led the way out of the kitchen. A round of goodbyes and goodnights could be heard as we made our way to the bedroom. I didn't realise just how exhausted I was from the day's events, and thinking about stripping off sounded like a lot of work. Jonas must have agreed with me as he started to undress me. I went to protest, but it was his turn to hold up his hand as he whispered softly ''let me help you, my love''.
The whisper caressed my skin as if he had physically touched me and I felt the hairs on my arms stand up. I knew that the mate bond was a powerful thing. I knew that the allure of it was hard to resist at times. Fortunately, this was not one of those times.
I decided that I would help Jonas help me so I sat up and started to remove clothes. Jonas stilled my hands as he looked at me tenderly. He brought both my hands to his mouth and kissed them both softly ''Let me do this for you'? Although he had stated the words, they also felt like he asked my permission before going any further.
My heart swelled at his thoughtfulness, I leaned forward and placed my lips against his in a chaste kiss. When I pulled back, I could see Jonas's eyes darken with desire, and I knew my eyes mirrored his.
he stripped my clothes quickly, picked me up and carried me into the bathroom. He placed me gently on the long vanity unit while he turned on the water. Soon, the room was filled with the delicious scent of roses. I couldn't wait to sink into the steaming bath. As werewolves, we could take our baths and showers boiling hot and suffer no ill effects.
Jonas held my hand as he helped me down from the unit. I stepped into the wonderfully hot and scented water with a sigh. As I lowered myself, I was surprised to find a naked werewolf behind me, pulling me down with him as he settled in the water.
Jonas guided me back, so my back rested on his chiselled chest. With my head bent back slightly so I could rest it on his shoulder, I gave another sigh. This one signalled my utter contentment as I watched Jonas pick up the sponge and just lay back as my mate started to bathe me.
'I could get used to this, =)''.