Page 9 of Snatching Jackie (Wintermoon Shorts #5)

JACKIE

I smile as I watch Jabari work his way through the large commercial kitchen, his massive hands surprisingly delicate as he measures ingredients and prepares our dinner.

Despite his size, he moves with a natural ease, completely in his element among the stainless steel counters and industrial equipment.

Kade looks thoroughly unamused, playing with her phone a few feet away. She’s texting and occasionally calling someone named Leah, who I’m assuming is her fated mate. The way Kade’s face softens when Leah’s name appears on her screen, the blush that spreads across her cheeks—it’s sweet to witness.

“I miss you too, baby cakes,” Kade murmurs into her phone as she records a voice message, her normally authoritative voice going honey-sweet.

Jabari glances my way with an irritated expression. I can tell he doesn’t appreciate being watched over like a child while he’s trying to impress me.

I walk over to the massive pot where he’s melting and mixing different cheeses for baked macaroni and cheese. The rich aroma makes my mouth water. Gently, I run a hand over his broad back, and he looks down at me with a smile so tender it makes my heart skip.

“I’ve never dated a man who can cook,” I say, then giggle when he grunts and frowns, clearly displeased by the mention of my past relationships.

It’s oddly endearing, and I’m surprised to feel a similar jealousy rising within me at the thought of anyone else being close to him. Jabari has this sweet innocence about him, despite being centuries old. It’s as if he hasn’t been affected by the cynicism that comes with modern dating.

“I think it’s great that you learned how to cook for me,” I say, genuinely touched by the effort he’s put in.

His face brightens at that. He takes the wooden spoon, dips it into the melted cheese, and lifts it to my lips for a taste.

I blow on the spoon gently, trying to cool the steaming mixture, then wrap my lips around it. The flavor explodes on my tongue—rich, creamy, with a perfect hint of sharpness.

“It’s good,” I say, giving him a thumbs up.

Before I can lick the leftover cheese sauce from my lips, he quickly takes his thumb and traces it over them, cleaning away the sauce.

My breath catches as he brings his thumb to his mouth and sucks the cheese off, his eyes never leaving mine.

The way his thumb lingers in his mouth, it’s clear he’s savoring more than just the taste of the cheese—he’s savoring the taste of me.

I smile, unable to look away from the sultry heat in his beautiful green eyes. After a moment that seems to stretch into eternity, he turns back to his cooking.

“What else are you making?” I ask, trying to calm the fluttering in my stomach.

“Rosemary chicken and roasted vegetables,” he explains, his deep voice warming me from the inside.

I watch as he takes a large casserole dish and pours in the cooked pasta shells. He seasons them liberally, adding pats of butter and cubes of cheese before pouring the velvety cheese sauce over top. Then, to my delight, he adds yet another layer of shredded cheese, covering the entire surface.

“Damn, you really know what you’re doing,” I say, impressed by his technique.

He covers the pan with foil and slides it into the oven, setting the timer for twenty minutes. Then he grabs a small chicken from the rotisserie and begins expertly breaking it down, separating juicy pieces while a pot of vegetables boils nearby.

“So I’m just supposed to move into Wintermoon right away?” I ask, reality suddenly crashing back. “What about my apartment? My stuff?”

Kade approaches the cooking area, sliding her phone into her back pocket. “You’re a daughter of Wintermoon now,” she states matter-of-factly. “You belong to the richest land in the world. Therefore, you are now rich.”

She says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“You’ll have everything packed up, and I’ll inform the landlord that you belong on Wintermoon now,” she continues. “Whatever you want to keep, I’ll have shipped over.”

“Just like that? It’s that simple?” I ask, disbelief coloring my voice.

“If you choose not to stay on Wintermoon—which is also your choice, by the way—you’re subjected to the radical humans who just so happen to be headquartered in Detroit,” she explains, her blue eyes serious.

“And Jabari will follow you wherever you go. I don’t need to tell you how dangerous that is. ”

My face falls. “Oh.”

Her expression softens. She walks over to the wine shelves and pulls out a bottle of red, then grabs some glasses. She sets one in front of me and pours generously.

I pick it up and take a sip, grateful for the warmth it sends through my system. “Thanks, you read my mind. I needed something to take the edge off.”

“I’ve been doing this a long time,” she says with a shrug. “Explaining the life change to all the humans who make it into Wintermoon.”

“I will do everything in my power to make sure you have a good life with me,” Jabari interjects, turning from his cooking to look at me with those earnest eyes. “I swear to you that it will never feel like a prison.”

I smile at him. His sincerity is almost disarming.

“Is he always like this?” I ask her, gesturing toward Jabari.

She shrugs. “What? Socially awkward? Oh, that’s just because he hasn’t been around humans in about six centuries. Frost Clan really isolated themselves for a bit. The alpha was even a bit anal when I visited over a decade ago to tell him about Wintermoon. They didn’t come until?—“

“The alpha found his mate,” I finish. “Yeah, Jabari told me.”

“It’s a good clan,” she continues, leaning against the counter. “Very hardworking and very organized. Most bear shifters keep to themselves; they aren’t much for socializing.”

I glance at Jabari, who’s busy assembling our plates, his focus absolute. I take another sip of my wine, the questions mounting in my mind.

“Are there any female bear shifters?” I ask.

“Yes, but it’s rare,” Kade replies. “Frost Clan doesn’t have any female bear shifters, but Wintermoon has several. One is even alpha of her own clan.”

I smile at that, pleased to hear there are women in leadership positions.

“So what do the women do on... Frost Clan?” I ask, curious about what my life might look like.

She shrugs again, watching my expression as she pours herself more wine. “Whatever they want. I mean, the women who’ve settled on the clan with their mates have started getting pregnant, and they’re enjoying the isolation with their mates. But they don’t have to make that their identity.”

She takes a sip before continuing, “Your clan will become your community. You’ll have a woman in the clan that becomes the clan mother—she mostly takes over the child rearing.

You’ll have a Luna. You’ll have to answer to her as well as the Alpha.

And some women from other packs, prides, and clans work traditional jobs. ”

“Traditional jobs?” I echo.

Kade laughs. “Yes. We have teachers, nurses, spa staff, retail clerks, and more.”

“Oh...” I say, feeling a bit relieved.

She rolls her eyes. “I swear you humans make so many assumptions about Wintermoon. It’s not a perfect place, but we work hard to make it our home.”

My face softens. “Sorry.”

She waves her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. But don’t freak out about the giant spiders that sort of pop up on the land. They’re like sweet giant puppies.”

My mouth falls open. “What?”

Jabari approaches, holding three plates loaded with food. “Dinner is ready,” he announces, shooting Kade a warning glare.

“Yay, this smells good,” she says innocently, taking her plate. “Let’s go into the bar and eat.”

He glares at her but follows as I grab the bottle of wine, knowing I’m going to need more of it.

Kade leads us into the bar, which is starting to fill with passengers. She slides into a booth, and I hesitate, wanting to sit at the edge so I could make a quick escape if needed. But with a resigned sigh, I slide in after her.

Jabari sets my plate down and joins us, effectively caging me between them. He watches expectantly as I take my fork and stab it into the golden-brown macaroni and cheese.

The first bite is delicious—creamy, perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of crunch from the baked top. The pasta is tender, the cheese sauce rich and complex.

“This is delicious,” I tell him, genuinely impressed. “The texture is perfect—creamy inside, crispy on top. And the seasoning... did you use nutmeg in this?”

He nods, beaming with pride as he starts eating as well.

The bartender walks over with a pitcher of water, placing it in front of him who nods in thanks.

“How do you get around on Wintermoon?” I ask between bites. “Is there a market? Do you drive?”

She laughs at that, nearly choking on her food.

“Yes, there’s a market,” she says, “and no, Jabari doesn’t drive.”

I frown. “Then what do you use for transportation?”

“The old-fashioned way. Wagons and carriages,” she replies with obvious amusement.

“Oh hell no,” I blurt out.

Jabari growls and grunts at Kade, who laughs at him teasingly.

“I told you these modern women aren’t playing with you shifters about that shit,” she says.

“You have two pickup trucks in the clan. The women mostly use them, but some of the bear shifters in the clan are coming around. Silas, the alpha, has learned how to drive. Jewel, his mate and your future Luna, is pregnant. He’ll have to take her to Wintermoon Medical routinely for her prenatal appointments since she’s a high-risk pregnancy. ”

“High risk? And you have a medical center?” I ask, surprised.

Kade rolls her eyes again. “I’m sure Jabari hasn’t filled you in on all of that, but almost all bear shifter pregnancies are high risk.

Bear shifters are huge, including the cubs, and it takes a toll on a human woman’s body.

That’s why you’ll be lucky if you have two cubs.

Three or more is a miracle. I’ve only seen four once, and that’s Axel Clan, Jabari’s cousins. ”

I take another deep sip of my wine, trying to process all this information. “Oh...”

Suddenly, I spot India and Kendrick approaching our table. India looks stunning in a sexy purple dress that perfectly complements Kendrick’s tailored suit. Her makeup is flawless, her braids pinned up in an elegant style, and she’s walking confidently in heels that make her legs look a mile long.

I force a smile. “I see you, girl!” I call out, complimenting her look.

Kendrick helps India do a proud twirl, showing off her outfit. She clutches a small purse at her side, beaming with confidence.

“Wow, you’re hanging out with supernaturals,” India remarks, her eyes shifting between Jabari and Kade. “Look at you.”

“I’m just being me,” I say, playing it off. “Can’t go a day without helping someone get their style in tip-top shape.” I reach over and straighten Jabari’s wrinkled shirt.

Kade sighs dramatically. “Thank god, because if I see him in another oversized shirt, I was gonna scream.”

I giggle while Jabari glares at her, clearly not appreciating being the subject of our fashion critique.

Kendrick frowns slightly as he takes in Jabari’s massive frame. Something passes between them—a silent male sizing-up that makes the air feel charged. Jabari narrows his eyes at Kendrick, and I quickly reach under the table to grab his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

India, completely oblivious to the tension, starts swaying to the music playing in the background. Meanwhile, Jabari and Kendrick continue their silent stare-down, and Kade looks between them with an expression that suggests she’s about to have another meltdown.

“You should hit up the bar and try the Long Island iced teas,” I suggest, trying to diffuse the situation. “I hear they’re a hit here.”

India turns to me, still shaking her hips to the beat. “I wanna dance first,” she says, grabbing Kendrick’s hand. She waves at me. “See you later!”

She pulls Kendrick away, but not before he looks back at me with a narrowed, suggestive gaze that makes my skin crawl. Ew.

“You have a suitor,” he states flatly, his voice rumbling with displeasure.

Kade groans, putting a hand over her forehead. “Do vampires get headaches? I think I have one.”

“I will fight for you,” he declares, his jaw set in determination.

“What? No!” I protest, alarmed.

He pulls his hand from mine and slides out of the booth.

Before I can process what’s happening, something impossible occurs—Kade vanishes from beside me and reappears in front of him, blocking his path.

A black mystical cloud lingers briefly before fading away, the wisps brushing past me as I fan them away, stunned.

That must be the witch part of her powers.

“Don’t make me teleport you,” Kade warns, jabbing a finger at his chest. She turns to me with an exasperated glare. “Looks like we have to take one of the emergency boats and get the fuck out of here right now. Because Jabari is sure going to kill that Kendrick guy.”

She crosses her arms over her chest, looking toward the door that Kendrick and India disappeared through.

“Sleazeball cheating asshole,” she mutters, and I agree.

What have I gotten myself into?