Page 28 of Timber Hollow

28

Open at the Close

three days to full moon

T oday, the Packhouse is alive with people. More so than normally, as this is my official welcome back into the fold. The Pack. I can finally say I'm home again.

When I left this place, I thought I would never return. Magnus is currently chatting with my mom, what about I can not even begin to fathom. He towers over her, though that's not hard for anyone over five-six. The party has been going on for quite a while already, but I haven't indulged myself like I would have otherwise. I still have to go to work, which is unfortunate but the full Moon run is a few days off yet. So there will be another Pack party, and in my opinion, even better— a Pack run. Even so, I will admit that they decorated the place very nicely.

Strings of light are hung between branches and illuminate the lawn in a soft, warm glow. A few fires are going on the outer edges of the large plot, groups forming around them. People have some drinking games going, and the area around the speakers holds dancing teens and couples.

Jay, who disappeared for a short while after retrieving our drinks, is now striding towards me. He has this small smile on his face, a grey long-sleeve shirt pushed up to his elbows stretched across his frame.

He's up to something. My wolf mumbles from the confines of my soul.

Definitely.

"Hey, Handsome." I greet him with a smile, running my tongue along my teeth, and pressing against the points. My mouth runs dry when he smiles at me, free and open.

"Hey yourself, Gorgeous," Jay replies, hooking an arm over my shoulders and pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Where have you been?" I ask, taking a big gulp of my soda.

"Checking on some things. Are you ready to skedaddle? I need to show you something."

"Sure, we can skedaddle ." I tease. "Are Dante and Saint coming?"

"You'll see them at Coyote Bills," Jay replies, steering me out of the lawn of the packhouse and towards where our cars are parked.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" I ask, fishing keys out of the pocket of my trusty black jeans.

"Are you riding with me?" He fires back, giving me a knowing smirk.

" No, " I grate, narrowing my eyes at him. I don't like being at work without a vehicle of my own. Don’t like having to rely on him—or anyone else for that matter— to leave. I know I can always shift, but… I prefer having my own car available.

"Then nope." Jay quips, pressing another kiss to my forehead, another one of those wide, open, and free smiles on his face. It doesn't falter even as he opens the door to my Corvette, ushering me into the seat. "Follow me, Gorgeous?" he asks, blue-green eyes bright.

"Always," is my hushed reply.

Jay's smile burns brighter, searing into my retinas. His steps seem lighter as he closes my door, and gets into his vehicle. He leads me out of the parking lot at an unhurried pace, cruising through the streets of my home. It's only a few minutes later that he pulls into a long paved driveway. It leads up to an almost-finished house, and I can't help but take in its appearance. The middle roof is the tallest, with large windows covering the front-facing wall. There's a wrap-around porch, one that is just asking for a hammock strung between posts. And, on the far side, I see one wall has a tower. A large curved window is currently being installed on the second level.

My heart starts pounding, and my knees are more than a little weak as I exit my car. Jay is already out, leaning against his fender— staring at me.

"What do you think?"

"What do I think? What do you mean?"

"This is our house," Jay says simply, that open smile is no longer present, but his expression isn't guarded. It's pleased .

"Our?"

"Yeah. I told you that the boys and I were building a house right?"

"Yes…"

"Well, we talked about it. We want you to come live with us when it's done." Jay says, looking down at his feet. For a moment, I can't think, don't have a response.

But it doesn't take long for me to know that I would miss them, all of them if they were to move out. But Jay's not looking at me, which I know must mean he's asking me if I want to live with him. Decision made, I stride over to him and lean into his frame, his arms immediately wrapping around me.

"Do I get my own room, or is this a sleep in your room until you're sick of me situation?"

Jay gulps before responding. "You can have your own room if that is what you want."

"Is that what you want?" I ask, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck that's starting to curl.

"No, I want you next to me, under me every night. I want our bed to smell like you, I want to hold you all night. I'm never letting you go, Artemis."

"Never?"

"Nope. Never ever."

"Never is an awfully long time, there Big Guy."

"So let's start with forever." Jay quips and I know he's so proud of that response by the smile that stretches across his face.

"Yeah, I might be able to pencil you in for forever ," I answer, failing miserably at containing my grin.

Jay groans, dragging my mouth to his while he mutters "You're a brat." His hands drift to my ass, pressing me into his groin.

"You like it," I answer, meeting him kiss for kiss, stroke for stroke. I'd climb on top of him and the thick bulge rising in his pants right here and now if I didn't have to go to work—construction crew be damned.

"Yeah, I do. Fucking love it." He says when we separate, my ass still gripped in his palm.

"Race you to the bar?" I ask, backing away from the only man who's ever understood me, more than I've ever understood myself. And, I suppose… the only one who's loved me throughout my entire life. "I'll give you a head start," I add, winking at him as I open my door.

Jay chuckles but gets into his car, and starts driving away. When we're both on the road once more, his phone number comes through the caller ID on my phone.

"If you're a simp say what." I greet as I answer the phone.

"What?" Jay asks, his confusion clear even through the speakers.

"Nothing," I chortle, then ask "What's up?"

"You know these roads are all monitored right? Magnus is going to see us racing again."

"Good for Magnus." I quip, shifting gears and easily passing him on the smooth, straight road.

"I thought you said you were going to give me a head start?" He groans, and I hear his car rev behind me, the shine of his headlights overtaking my rearview.

"I guess I lied." I giggle, speeding away and mashing the button to end the call. His car disappears in my rearview as I take turn after turn, gliding over the road.

I sure do appreciate Magnus’ attention to detail with the roads though. Hot damn, this is fun.

When I pull into the bar’s parking lot, I see Saint's Jeep parked next to Ivy's, and grin. Dante’s bike is missing, which must mean he came with Saint. Right then and there I decide I am going to make Ivy do the slap shot bar with me, if only for these three knuckleheads.

Before coming home, I truly had no idea exactly how far the depth of my loneliness ran. How much I had missed my pack. Now I have a little Pack of my own. Within Timber Hollow, these people are my pack. Jay, Saint Dante, Sam, and Ivy. They are my family.

And Sam… I hope she is okay with whatever she has going on in Cali. She always lands on her feet though, so I try not to worry too much. She’ll call me if she needs me.

Jay’s blue Nissan pulls into the parking lot just as I reach the door to the building, so on impulse, I flash my ass at him before entering. His car stalls out as he pulls into the parking space, and I laugh all the way to the register to clock in.

Angel and Ivy are behind the bar slinging drinks, so while I tie an apron around my waist I ask where they want me. Ivy directs me to the sinks, where they need glassware. And so, my shift starts. Working here doesn’t really even feel like work.

The girls and I all dance to the jukebox as we perform our duties. I join them slinging drinks at the bar, alternating between that and bussing tables now and again.

Finally, though, it’s slapshot hour. I pull Ivy to the side of the bar where my station is set up, and the boys are waiting for me.

"Hello, Boys." I grin, propping my elbow on the bar, chin on my knuckles. "What can we get you this fine evening?"

Jay’s eyes are on me as he says "Two Anjeo." He looks hungry. Hungry like a wolf. My blood heats, pulse jumping.

Saint says "I’ll have what he’s having." While jabbing Jay’s rib with his elbow. I chuckle.

"And you, mister silent and broody?" Ivy asks in a husky voice. Inwardly, I hoot. This is going exactly like I wanted it to.

"Johnnie Walker. Three." Dante says simply, staring straight into Ivy’s eyes.

"Pay up, bitches." I sing while pouring Jay’s and Saint’s tequila.

All at once, hundred dollar bills are pulled from wallets and slammed onto the bar. "You boys are such show-offs." I chortle, depositing their change directly into the tip jar.

"Alright boys, when I say?" Jay, Saint, and Dante all have a shot glass within fingertip reach, ready to down their shot after getting slapped. A glance at Ivy tells me she’s ready as well, rubbing her palm.

"Three, two, one!" I count down, using one hand for Jay, and the other for Saint. The crack of my and Ivy’s hands against the boy’s cheeks reverberates in my ears, and they all groan, downing their shot.

"Again!" Saint cheers, slamming his shot glass down on the bar.

Another countdown, another chorus of slaps. Jay and Saint’s cheeks are bright red, but their eyes glow, and they are grinning.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Big Guy." I wink at Jay, giving Saint a "Who’s a good boy?" for good measure, ruffling his shaggy blond hair.

Dante still has one round though, so the other two wait while he gets his last one. Ivy doesn’t hesitate, using her other palm to smack the opposite side of his face. The muscle in Dante’s jaw feathers and then he’s downing his last shot of whiskey, gray eyes flashing.

Someone randomly howls along with the music in the crowd, making the four of us laugh– and then we all throw our heads back, and howl.