Page 20 of Snatching Jackie (Wintermoon Shorts #5)

JABARI

I can’t stop smiling like an idiot as I watch Jackie’s face. The wonder in her eyes as she takes in the market, the mix of humans and shifters, the vendors and storefronts, stirs something in me I’ve never felt before.

Silas parks the pickup truck and cuts the engine. I’m in the backseat with Jackie beside me, her scent making my bear rumble with contentment. Silas climbs out of the driver’s seat, and I follow, circling around to Jackie’s side.

When she slides toward the door, I reach in, my hands finding her hips as I lift her from the truck. The feel of her curves against my palms sends electricity through my veins.

“You just love picking me up,” she says with a smirk as I set her gently on her feet.

I don’t respond with words. Instead, I lift my hand to her face, tracing my fingers over her forehead, down the bridge of her nose, and across her lips in the sacred gesture of my clan. Jackie closes her eyes at my touch, and a fresh wave of her arousal hits me.

I can’t get last night off my mind—the way she came on my dick, my tongue, the feel of her. It was absolutely amazing, and I want more. So much more. But right now, I need to focus on making sure she gets what she needs to be comfortable with me in Wintermoon.

“When will I feel the urge to claim you?” she asks, her voice soft.

“It will come to you. We can’t force it, it doesn’t work that way,” I tell her. “Just enjoy your time with me. We have plenty before we need to worry about that.”

“Does it matter if I claim you or not?”

“Well, yes, sort of.” I struggle to explain something that’s instinctual to my kind. “My bear needs to know that you love him, and the claiming process would confirm that. Words don’t work with him, only primal action.”

I pull her into my arms. “I know how you feel about me.”

She rests her head against my chest, and for a moment, the world feels perfect.

“Okay, lovebirds,” Jewel calls with a light chuckle. “Jabari, get off her for a little bit. I want Jackie to enjoy her shopping experience.”

I frown at being separated from my mate but obey my Luna’s command.

To my surprise and pleasure, Jackie takes my hand, pulling me along as Silas and Jewel lead the way toward the market.

Jewel points out the clothing store, and Jackie pauses at the window display where a white wedding gown stands on a mannequin.

“You have wedding ceremonies in Wintermoon?” she asks, looking up at me.

I shrug, reaching out to brush my fingers over her claim mark.

“The women call them vow renewal ceremonies. We don’t have traditional weddings.

The claiming process is considered how we marry in my culture.

” I explain how the Queen of Wintermoon holds ceremonies monthly, allowing human mates to maintain their traditions.

Moving closer, I stroke her cheek. “I will gladly give you a vow renewal if you wish it.”

Heat risings in her cheeks. “Hold on, killer. We just met.”

I laugh lightly, knowing she’s teasing. A thousand years of waiting doesn’t feel like “just met” to my bear, but I understand her human perspective.

Jackie continues looking around, marveling at the atmosphere. “So many shifters, just walking around the market like it’s a typical day for them.”

“It is a typical day for them,” I explain.

“This isn’t normal elsewhere. Most prides, packs, and clans don’t usually congregate like this.

We typically stick to our own.” I gesture to the land around us.

“But Wintermoon—“ I pause, sweeping my arm to encompass everything “—is the safe haven we’ve been praying to Mother Fate for.”

Jackie looks at me curiously. “The lion shifters are different?” She notices some males and females with visible feline features—traces of their animal forms in their faces, hands, feet, and the tails swaying behind them.

“Lion shifters cannot fully shift into human form,” I explain. “Something about their lion being stubborn. I don’t know much about their lore.”

“Oh, that’s interesting but also really cool,” she says, smiling and giggling as she waves to a female lion shifter who greets her.

I take her hand, tipping my head respectfully to the other patrons as I guide Jackie up the stairs and into the retail space. Once inside, I pause, catching a familiar scent—that distinctive magical vampire-like scent. I exchange a look with Silas, who confirms my suspicions.

Kade and Leah are here.

While Jackie starts filling her cart with clothes, she notices my distraction. “Is something wrong?”

I kiss her cheek. “No. Kade is here. She probably wants to chastise me more about sinking the ship.”

“Oh, I’ll come with you,” Jackie offers immediately.

“No, baby,” I tell her, touched by her loyalty. “Go fill the cart up with whatever you need. Let me and Silas deal with this.”

“Are you sure? This wasn’t all your fault.”

I lean in and kiss her on the lips. “Baby, I’ve got it.”

I move closer and steal a touch, smoothing my hand over her ass. The feel of it, the softness, the curves—I can’t wait for tonight when she sits on my face. I have to pull myself from my lustful thoughts, reluctantly withdrawing my hand.

“Yes, I’ve got it, baby,” I reassure her. “Whatever you can’t find in the market, I’ll order it for you.”

Jackie pauses. “Well, yes, there are a few things I want to get online. You have a credit card or something?”

I smile and reach into my pocket, pulling out my wallet and offering her a card.

“This human currency I never use. The market works on a barter system. They also take human money, but it’s to help the humans here feel comfortable until they adjust. Whatever you pick out will go on the Clan’s tab, which we settle with the market once a week. ”

“Oh. That’s a lot.”

“Go,” I encourage her. “The internet is set up in the cabin now, so grab a laptop while you’re in here.”

Jackie nods, then pushes her cart toward Jewel, who’s waiting patiently for her.

I approach Silas with a sigh. “Sinking the ship isn’t going to go without punishment.”

“I know,” I admit. And who am I to argue? I sank the ship and I’m not sorry about it. I’ll take my sentence as a badge of honor.

I allow Silas to lead the way, stepping out behind him to where Kade and Leah stand by the entrance. Kade looks cleaned up but irritated, while Leah beams at me. Leah gives me a hug while Kade rolls her eyes. I embrace Leah lightly.

“Well, how did your first night go?” Leah asks, pulling back.

“It went well,” I say simply.

Silas chimes in, “Jackie’s already claimed. We are waiting for Jabari to receive his claim mark. It’s just going to take some time.”

“Jackie is a strong woman,” Kade remarks. “I picked up on that quickly while on the ship with them. She will want to keep a semblance of her independence.”

Leah looks at Kade, then slaps her arm. “Stop sulking, sweetheart. We’re working on getting you a new ship to Wintermoon, and we’ve already accommodated all the rescues.”

“What about the human Jabari defended against his mate?” Silas asks.

Kade glares at me for a moment but then relaxes her shoulders.

“That’s taken care of. There was footage of Kendrick shooting Jabari and Jackie.

His reaction has been justified with human authorities.

” She pauses. “However, Jabari just gave the radicals more ammunition. This doesn’t stop them from twisting the footage to feed their false narratives. ”

“I am not apologetic for Kendrick,” I state, “but I am apologetic for the shame I’ve brought Wintermoon.”

Silas puts a hand on my shoulder. “You didn’t bring Wintermoon shame, brother. You were defending your mate, and the clan would have done the same for you.” He looks at Kade and lets out a low growl, almost as if to let her know she needs to get on board and defend me.

“Silas is right,” Kade concedes. “You did not bring shame upon Wintermoon. Radicals are simply radicals. It doesn’t matter if Kendrick would have survived; they still would have looked for someone to blame.”

“What of the human that was in his company?” I ask.

Kade furrows her brow. “That clueless human India? Oh, she’s fine.

Relieved, even. Apparently, he’s had a history of this type of behavior.

She was forgiving about it because he helped her socials.

” She flashes a wicked grin. “Now, his death is helping her socials. She doesn’t miss him, but she’s good at faking it. ”

Silas and I share a knowing look. Humans are weird.

“I’m not even going to get into humans and social media,” Kade continues.

“Some of them will sell their own children for a high follower count. Weird shit.” She shifts topics.

“Need to make sure Jackie is happy here. She had a business—while a failing business, she still had it. I’m sending Koda and his pack into the city to pack up her things.

I’ve got her keys. I managed to salvage a few of her things on the ship before it sank.

” She glares at me momentarily, then holds up her hand.

“Don’t worry, I know how you shifters are. You want her to have everything new.”

“I saw the new retail space on the tourist island. I was thinking—“ I begin, but Kade interrupts.

“That space is reserved for House of Zorah. Kane’s gained some popularity with his hand-carved toys. And Nia will be working the space, also selling her handmade quilts.”

I look toward House of Zorah’s retail space in the market. “They can’t have both spaces. We’ll take the space here in the market then.”

Kade sighs. “No, Jabari, I don’t think a retail space in the market would work for a woman like Jackie.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “I made a promise to her—my mate. I have to do something. She doesn’t want to spend her life in the clan, and I told her she wouldn’t.” My bear grows anxious, ready to fight for space for our mate.

Leah gently brushes her hand over my arm, and it instantly calms me down. “We are working on a solution,” she says. “We think the best option is to transfer Jackie’s business to the tourist island. But we need to build an additional space.”

“And how long will that take?” I ask.

“Levi is already working on the floor plans,” Kade explains. “With your help being lumberjacks, maybe six months, tops.”

I sigh at that timeline.

“Could we speed it up by having the clan assist?” Silas asks.

“I’m sure Levi would love the additional help,” Kade responds. “His brothers help when they can, but they have their own passions.”

“We will go meet with House of Zorah to make the offer,” Silas says, looking at me.

“This is so exciting!” Leah exclaims. “We are going to have a fashion boutique on the tourist island, and more bear cubs. You know how much Kade and I love the babies.”

I smile at that.

“I’m leaving to go chat with the ladies now that everything is settled,” Leah says, pushing past us and heading into the retail space.

I want to follow her, already missing Jackie, but Silas stops me.

“Let’s not tell Jackie about this just yet,” he suggests. “Focus on building your mate bond, and we can surprise her with the space once it’s finished.”

I wince. “I don’t think my mate likes surprises.”

Kade laughs. “I think you’re right.”

“She might not like the timeline, and I don’t want Jabari’s mate to be anxious,” Silas explains.

I nod to my alpha, though I don’t agree with him. “I will follow my alpha,” I tell Kade.

She laughs at that. “Let me tell you a cautionary tale that you all know about. Don’t put the clan before your women. Levi did that with Nia, and look at where it got him.”

I don’t respond to that. I’ll honor my alpha’s request, but my bear disapproves. He wants to tell Jackie everything.

Kade glares at me. “You know nothing about women.” She holds up her hands. “Whatever. I’m so looking forward to finding out how this works out for you.” She turns to leave. “I’m going to get the kids at the academy some bagels. Catch you later.”

As she walks off, I head back into the retail space, searching for Jackie by her scent. My bear goes alert when I find her shuffling through the male section with Leah, chatting animatedly. Why is she there?

I approach, and Jackie looks up at me.

“Can you do that thing you did last night with the measurements?” Jackie asks Leah.

Leah beams a smile at her. A measuring tape appears in her palm. She moves with vampire speed, blurring around me to take my measurements before reappearing beside Jackie, notepad and pen already out. She jots down the notes, tears off the page, and hands it to Jackie.

Leah walks toward me, giving me a pat on the arm. “Looks like you’re getting a makeover, and about time. You always look a mess, honey. Got yourself a nice woman to help you clean up.”

I look at Jackie with a sheepish grin, watching as she scans the measurements, the wheels already turning in her mind. She tosses me a nice shirt and a pair of pants.

“Go try this on. I want to see how it fits on you.”

I give her a grin, playfully pouting as if denying her. I’m not, but seeing her eyes narrow as she points at the dressing room turns me on more than I can handle.

“Go try that on RIGHT NOW.”

The command in her voice makes my dick throb. I’m inclined to take her into the dressing room and ease the ache, but that will have to wait. For now, I do as asked, walking off to try on the clothes.

Since we’re here, I’ll collect some ingredients to make a nice dinner. I’m charming my mate tonight.

And my bear approves.