Page 16

I’m consumed by Ivy. When I see her looking up at me, chest heaving from exertion and her juices shooting everywhere, I want to seize this moment. I lift her rag-doll body, and bring her into our ensuite washroom, preparing the whirlpool for us. Vanilla fills the air, and the suds rise up and over the sides. We sit across from each other on small ledges inside the tub. My legs stretch forward, coddling Ivy between them, and I rest my feet on her ledge. She’s too short to reach mine, so she hangs them over my legs. We smile and then close our eyes, listening to some jazz music I put on earlier.

Tibald mind-links me.

The man you rescued is having a hard time coping. What should we do?

What’s he doing?

He’s rocking back and forth in the corner of the room, bawling and shaking. The guys have tried to talk to him, but nothing.

Did you contact Ellen?

No. I’ll do that.

If she can’t make it, let me know and I’ll head over.

I open my eyes to find my mate sleeping. My hand takes a hold of her ankle, and I drag her to me, startling her and straddling her over my thighs. Without words, I kiss her and proceed to wash her hair and body. Her drowsy state has me smiling. For a little sprite, my mate holds up well during sex to my massive body and endurance. I dry her off and brush out her hair as she reaches up, kissing along my jawline.

“Don’t get me started, little sprite. You’re done for the night.”

She grins against my neck. Slipping her under the covers, I light the fireplace, and before it’s burning, I hear her tiny gurgles, indicating she’s fast asleep. I toss on some clothes, and head to the men’s bunkhouse.

From what I read, the young man Reed we rescued had it bad. Already homeless, he was kidnapped from the streets because of his surfer appearance. Blonde hair and blue eyes can make a sick man rich. The guy is straight, so they wanted to prime him for his owner by drugging and sodomizing him. They made him do other unthinkable things, beating him senseless if he refused.

When I arrive, he’s in the corner as stated, shaking and sobbing. Snot drips from his nose, but he doesn’t bother to wipe it away. Ellen is on a nearby bunk, attempting to get him to talk. Thankfully, she cleared the place out so it’s only the three of us.

Ellen lowers her voice.

“Reed, what can we do to help you?”

He stares at the ground, ignoring her question and pulling on the sleeves of his sweatshirt. Like I did with Ivy, I retrieve a blanket and offer it to him. He doesn’t make a move for it, so I crouch down, tossing it over his back and shoulders. Reed finally glances up, tears in his eyes, streaking down his face, and watches me.

I keep my voice low, too, but it’s deep.

“No one is going to hurt you, Reed. I guarantee you this community will do whatever we can to assist your needs. Do you at least understand that?”

His eyes are locked on mine. When I think he doesn’t, he wipes his face and nose with the sleeve of his sweatshirt and offers a slight nod.

“Ellen is our psychiatrist. She just wants to talk.”

Reed’s shaking his head before I finish and starts rocking again.

“No. I don’t want to talk.”

“Okay. You don’t have to if you’re not ready. But can you tell us what you do want?”

In a voice as fragile as glass, he responds.

“Yeah. I want the pain and humiliation to disappear.”

I sit on the ground in front of him, and he presses harder against the wall.

Holding my hands up, I say.

“It’s cool. We’re fine.”

I mind-link Ellen, asking her to get a water from the mess hall. Once she’s gone, I continue.

“What those men did to you is horrific. The disgrace is on them, not you.”

His head shifts to the sound of her leaving to divert my eyes. We sit for a good five minutes before he says anything.

“What they did can never be erased.”

I nod but keep quiet.

“They fucked me in the ass.”

He shouts.

“In the ass!”

His lip quivers, and the tears start up as he continues to shout.

“They made me give them blowjobs. I’m not gay…they made me…”

The words catch in his throat, and he wipes his nose again. His eyes lock on mine.

“They took my manhood away.”

I press my lips together, and then say.

“I can’t imagine what you’re going through. It’s unbelievably sickening to know there are people out there doing such heinous crimes.”

My body scoots closer, and he stills.

“No one, and I mean no one, can take away your manhood. But I’m going to tell you something, and I’d like you to truly listen to what I have to say. Okay?”

He whispers an okay.

“What happened to you doesn’t define you. It’s unforgiveable, but in time, the unforgiveable can become a dark patch of your past. To remain in your past, while you flourish. All of the men and women who came to live here have overcome their demons. I’m not saying they’ve forgotten them. They’ve just put them on a shelf and let go. They focus on healing and finding their passions.”

Reed shakes his head.

“I don’t know if I can do it.”

“Sure you can. When I look at you, I see a guy who had it rough but was surviving the streets.”

“Obviously, I didn’t survive too well, because they kidnapped me.”

“Reed, there’s only so much a person can control. You couldn’t possibly control what they did.”

With his hand flapping in front, and his voice loud, he says.

“How can you say all of this? You’ve never experienced it. You don’t know what it’s like to close your eyes and relive horrors that have been done to you.”

“You’re absolutely right. I didn’t experience this kind of heartache. But I’ve been working with the FBI for five years now. Every mission to demolish these human trafficking cells kills a small part of me, because I can’t even believe these missions are needed. And I’ve brought men, women, and children into my community. Do you know why?”

He glances away.

“Look at me, Reed.”

His head shifts back to me.

“Do you know why?”

His voice cracks. “No.”

“Because I don’t see them as victims. I see them as humans with an amazing life waiting for them to claim. After all the nightmares, the detoxing, and therapy, they come out on the other end better. Stronger. And that’s how I see you. So, I don’t need to experience your hell to know there’s a bright future for you.”

Reed has stopped crying, because he has been listening to every word I say.

“I’m not going to lie. It’ll be hard.”

He swallows, wiping the rest of his tears away.

“And it will be worth it, I guarantee you that, Reed.”

I offer my hand to him. His eyes bounce from mine to my hand and back up. Finally, he takes it, and I help him up.

“Will you let this community, me, and Ellen help you?”

He nods. Ellen came in during my talk and is standing next to me.

I look at my watch, and say.

“It’s almost dinner time. Are you up for eating?”

“Yes, I…I haven’t eaten much.”

“Good. Let me leave you with Ellen for a few minutes while I check on my fiancée.”

Ellen walks him over to his bed. He sits, and she hands him the water. I head home to see if Ivy wants something to eat, but she’s still asleep and I decide not to wake her. I’ll cook for her when she gets up. I meet up with Ellen and Reed and we head to the mess hall.

It’s Friday, and I haven’t seen my little mate all day. According to Sybil, she already left for the day, so I sniff the air and walk toward the women’s bunkhouse. Inside, it’s packed with Christmas decorations. The women are gathered on the floor, laughing, drinking, and exchanging presents. No one has noticed me yet, so I lean against the doorjamb, admiring the scene in front of me. It’s enough to make a grown man weep…but not all grown men. I’m not easily brought to tears.

The door opens, and Shayna comes jogging through, saying.

“Don’t start without me.”

When Shayna sees me, she slows her steps and walks to Ivy, who hugs her, offering her a drink. Then Ivy comes over to me. Her finger curls for me to bend down and she gives me a peck on the lips.

Damn, I love her.

She takes my hand and leads me to the circle of women sitting on the floor.

“We’re celebrating our Christmas early. Would you like to join us?”

I shake my head.

“Nah. You ladies enjoy. I’ll see you at home.”

Shayna stands.

“Ivy, we could do this tomorrow if you want to hang out with Larc on his birthday.”

Ivy gasps. “What?”

Her eyes meet mine.

“It’s your birthday today?”

I nod.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Not a big deal in the werewolf community.”

“Well, it is to me.”

She turns to the women.

“Do you all mind if I leave?”

“Ivy, really—”

She presses her finger to my lips, and everyone laughs.

“We can continue tomorrow, too.”

Everyone tells her to go. There will be more food, drinks, and gift giving later.

While she’s putting on her coat, I say.

“Ivy, you’re having fun with your friends.”

She stops what she’s doing, narrows her eyes at me, and says.

“And you’re my mate. It’s your birthday, and because it is, I won’t yell at you for not telling me.”

“Mate, I thought you knew. There are several boxes in the living room, so I assumed…”

“Those are to decorate a tree.”

“What tree?”

Ivy sighs.

“I’ve always wanted to decorate my own Christmas tree. Since we don’t have one, I figured I’d decorate one of the outdoor trees.”

She takes my hand.

“Now, what do you want to do for your birthday?”

The corners of my mouth turn upwards. This woman does for so many people. Even though werewolves don’t celebrate holidays, I still know what Christmas entails, and it kills me that she never had a Christmas tree. Her own fucking father couldn’t even give her one. Well, that’s changing right now. I mind-link Parker.

Yes, Alpha Larc.

Can you go into town and get several Christmas tree holders?

Yes, sir. It will take me about an hour.

That’s fine. I appreciate it.

Anything for you, Alpha Larc.

Ease up, Parker. It’s a simple request.

Okay. I’ll bring them to your home when I get back.

“Come with me, little sprite.”

We walk back to the house holding hands. Ivy periodically skips to keep with my large strides, which has me laughing. She asks what we’re doing, but I stay quiet. Ivy isn’t very good at surprises. When they happen, I’ve never witnessed anyone so appreciative of them.

At the house, I scrounge through my outdoor shed for my axe and a flashlight, and I take her hand to head for the woods.

“What’s the axe for?”

I walk in silence until we come to an area of smaller evergreens.

My arm stretches toward them, and I say.

“Take your pick.”

“My pick?”

I drop the axe, cup her face, and kiss the hell out of her. Ivy isn’t used to someone doing something nice for her that it takes her a bit to catch on to what I’m talking about.

“Pick your Christmas tree.”

Those four words have her doubled-over, crying. I rub her back. It hurts me that she’s missed out on love, gifts, and simple everyday affection. Her father is a dick for blaming her for her mother’s death. The fucking guilt she’s carried for no reason. And Ben…if I ever find him, he’ll wish he met what human’s call the devil instead of me.

Ivy stands and wipes at her eyes.

“This is your birthday.”

“And this is what I want. Now…”

I turn her toward the trees.

“Pick one and I’ll chop it down for you, little sprite.”

She’s about to object, and I add.

“If you don’t behave, you’ll be carrying it yourself.”

Her beautiful amethyst eyes shine like the stars, and she wanders through the trees. She points to one missing half its branches.

I shake my head.

“How are you going to hang anything on it?”

She bites her lip, searching again, and finds a Blue Spruce. I chop it down, drag it home, and by then Parker is back with the Christmas tree holders. We set it up between the kitchen and living room, near the big windows. While she decorates the tree, I make hot chocolate, piled high with whip cream, chocolate and caramel sprinkles, and a cinnamon stick. To me, it’s one of the best birthdays I’ve had in adulthood.