“You like being a dad, don’t you?”
Everyone had noticed the change in Jericho over the years since Melody was born. He was still a musician who loved his art, but he seemed to love every little thing about having kids, even when they had tantrums and once broke his favorite guitar.
“They’re the best thing I’ve ever created.”
I lowered my eyes. “Does it ever scare you?”
“Raising kids?”
“No,” I said with hesitation. “The possibility of losing them. We’re about to go to war, and I can’t even fathom…” I trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Jericho stepped in front of me, his jade eyes heavy with understanding. He placed his hands firmly on my stomach. “Don’t let death make you afraid to love. I know what you’re saying; it’s different because they’re from your own flesh. But there’s no sweeter sound in the world than the first time they call you daddy. So all the fear you’re feeling—fuck that shit. Your entire life will flip upside down the second you hear that baby wail his first cry in this world. That sound will break and mend your heart all at once. You dig?”
I placed my hands on his. “You know, when we first met, I thought you were a guy who didn’t care about anything except himself. You have a big heart, and I just thought I should tell you that since I’m not the kind of girl who goes around spraying her feelings all over the place.”
A smile hooked the corner of his mouth, and I could see why Izzy had fallen in love with him so many years ago.
“You’ll do just fine, mama bear,” he said with a nod.
“You mean mama wolf.”
He stepped back and pointed at the ceiling. “Maybe you can practice your mom yell on Denver. Some of us would like to cook dinner and maybe have a shower. At least Sexybelle and I head out to the old house when we want to shoot fireworks,” he said, strolling his tall self out of the room and looking back at me one last time in a plea to end the madness.
Jericho was still on punishment from an incident two months ago. Denver and Maizy had amazing chemistry and adored each other, but after three hours of holding the house hostage, Jericho had gotten fed up and hauled his large amplifiers into the hall outside their door. He plugged in his guitar, turned up the volume, and cranked out Black Sabbath until Denver stumbled into the hall with a sheet wrapped around his waist. When Jericho refused to stop playing, Denver broke one of the knobs on his amp. Jericho ripped Denver’s sheet away just as Naya strolled by, and after she made a silly comment, Denver got embarrassed and took a swing at Jericho.
Fights like those were common in packs and quickly resolved at the dinner table. Denver paid for the repairs on Jericho’s amp, and Jericho went on probation after Austin admonished him for going too far with his practical jokes. Sometimes Jericho needed a reminder that his sons were alphas, and he needed to set a good example.
I climbed the stairs and headed toward Denver and Maizy’s bedroom. Interrupting their lovemaking was an embarrassing task I should have left to Austin. But given he was busy entertaining guests…
“Time to wrap it up!” I shouted over the loud music.
I shuddered when I heard their urgent cries. Nobody wants to imagine family members going at it, so I plugged my fingers in my ears and kicked the door with the tip of my shoe. “Everyone’s hungry like a wolf and wants to eat dinner! Hurry up. We have company!”
When I heard a muffled sound, I unplugged an ear.
“Who?” Denver shouted back.
“Only about twenty bikers in the front yard. The war is also over. We won,” I said sarcastically, turning around.
A draft blew against my back, and I heard heavy panting.
“What the train wreck is going on out there?”
“Are you dressed?” I yelled.
“Toss me those,” he muttered to Maizy.
The thick smell of sex wafted in my general direction, and I shivered.
Denver entered the hall and stood in front of me. “What’s up?” His cheeks were red, his lips swollen, his blond hair mussed, and his shirt was sticking to his sweaty chest. “If dickhead sent you up here to—”
“Jericho didn’t send me up here. I can’t give any details until I know what Austin wants to tell the pack, but these men came a long way to help us out. They’re not staying with us, but until they leave, we need to be hospitable to our guests and feed them, so fire up the grill.”
He paced in a small circle, and the music suddenly cut off.
“What’s going on?” Maizy came out with her hair in a ponytail. She’d put on a pair of knee-length jean shorts and one of Denver’s shirts.
I shook my head. “I think we’re getting close.”
“Why do you look so worried?” she asked. “We’re prepared.”