Page 94 of Broken Bonds

But I know it’s not.

I also know it’s possible it could get a lot worse.

I grab a set of wing nuts and turn back to the shutter panel I was in the process of hanging when Chaz arrived.

Because all I can think about today is getting home to Mal.

Chapter Forty-One

Jax

Uncomfortable Options

Shawn brings lunch for everyone when he swaps Todd’s truck for mine before immediately returning to Brooksville to have it detailed.

I’m pleasantly shocked when Chaz arrives to help and it gives me hope tonight’s meeting might not go as poorly as I prepared myself for. I already plan to do the thing I’ve never done before, and never wanted to do, and that’s invoke Father’s blessings on this operation as a humanitarian mission. Because when he and Dad started the Ocala Pack one hundred years ago, they did so welcoming people who needed a family and who agreed to follow the rules, no matter who they were.

We’re not asking the nest members or fae or witches to pledge to us, only to obey our rules and respect our hospitality while being courteous to our people. I have no reason to believe they won’t do just that.

Now I have to convince everyone else in the pack of that.

We knock off in time to have dinner and clean up before the meeting. Todd comes back to my house because we both need showers anyway, and there’s no reason for him to drive all the way home just to come back for the meeting.

Shawn isn’t far behind us and brings pizzas home. I don’t blame him for not wanting to cook because he’s spent all day babysitting vehicles.

Have to admit, the two trucks haven’t looked so good in a while. I can’t smell a hint of Mal in either one, and neither can Shawn or Todd, so I think we’re good.

One risk factor reduced, yay.

I opt to eat before my shower so the pizzas don’t get cold.

“How many do you think will show up tonight?” Shawn asks. “I’ve been fielding calls wanting to know what the hell’s going on. I told them to either call you or show up tonight. Or both.” He smirks after his next bite of pizza. “Don’t envy you tonight.”

“I don’t envy me either,” I grumble. “Several of the Alphas aren’t happy about the vampires but I’m hoping they at least back my decision to keep everyone quiet about it.”

“I had a thought while I was sitting and waiting,” Shawn says. “About handling Mal’s initiation.”

Todd sits up a little straighter but doesn’t ask it.

I do. “What’s the idea?”

Shawn tips his head toward Todd. “The milker,” he says. “I mean, okay, guys don’t want to fuck the pup. I get it. But maybe if we get enough milker volunteers from the various non-canine races, we can use that on him before we even start the initiation process.”

I slowly nod. “I mean, we have done that before, but usually for the second phase.”

“There’s nothing saying we can’t modify how we do it,” Shawn adds. “We could also strap Mal down to the frame, horn him up, let guys jerk off on him, the ones who want to let him blow them do that, shove one of those butt plugs in him that has a hole in the base and use lube syringes to fill him with cum that way from the milker. See what his scent is like after a round of that and go from there. He might smell enough unlike Sterling’s pack that some of the Alphas change their mind about fucking him. And then repeat the second part after he goes through round one.”

I realize Todd’s awfully quiet and then recognize what’s going on. “Sorry we’re getting you horned up,” I joke.

Todd slowly shakes his head. “That’s okay.” He shifts in his chair, reaching down to adjust himself.

I drop Shawn a wink. “Feel like helping our guest out?” I realize that’s the wrong thing to say when I spot his tense smile. “Then again, we really don’t have time before the meeting,” I quickly add.

“Nice save,” Todd mutters.

Shawn still hasn’t responded and I’m wondering if I’ve just fucked up again.

After an uncomfortably long moment, Shawn shakes his head. “Look, like you said, things right now are…unbalanced from our norm. We’ve got a stressful evening ahead, and I just spent the day getting the trucks detailed to hide Mal’s scent. I don’t think it’s a good idea to have me suddenly smelling like Todd’s fucked me when we don’t know what’ll happen.”