A Grey Wolves Howliday (The Grey Wolves #14) by Quinn Loftis

“No thanks is needed, Adam,” Fane assured him.

“I don’t know about you guys, but this whole waiting til Thursday thing just got tossed out the window. No offense to your mate, Decebel,” Costin said, “but I think Adam needs to go get his mate and make things right between them. I need to make things right between me and Sally, too.”

Fane frowned. “There’s something wrong with you and Sally?”

“Yes.” Costin snarled. “I haven’t bedded my mate in over a day, and I’ve been told I cannot for another four days. Our child is being looked after, so I’m about to have some Daddy-Momma time, and if she complains, I’ll just kiss her until she sees things my way.” He frowned and then glanced at the rest of them. “Sally hasn’t spoken to me in a while. Anyone else’s mate, with the exception of Adam, no offense, been radio silent?”

“That usually means they’re up to something.” Fane frowned, wondering why Jacquelyn hadn’t spoken to him through their bond in quite a long time. He’d been so focused on Adam that he’d not considered how long it had been since he’d heard from his Luna.

“A few hours ago,” Lucian said. “Peri told me she was with Jen and Elle shopping for, and I quote, ‘too damn many cakes’.”

“Jen checked in a couple of times.” Decebel pulled out his phone and looked at the time, then retrieved a bundle of folded papers. The dreaded schedule, Fane noted.

“We missed lunch time, and some bathroom breaks, but dinner is about to start,” Fane’s beta said.

“Dinner isn’t supposed to be until…” Costin glanced at his phone, “...midnight?”

Decebel shrugged. “You know how she gets when she’s on a mission. But the point is that everyone will be in the kitchen, and by everyone I mean our mates. I think we’ve worked hard enough for today. Alpha?”

Fane grinned, and he knew his wolf was making his eyes glow. “We’ve been busting our haunches on the holiday celebration stuff. But I think we’ve got some other kind of work to do. Let’s call it relationship enhancement time. It’s crucial for us to be able to perform our Christmas duties effectively and efficiently.”

Lucian nodded. “I’m sure Jen would like us to be as effective and efficient as possible. Nothing motivates a male like the promise of his female warming his bed.”

“Amen.” Costin stood up.

Fane followed suit and pulled Adam to his feet. “You need to throw Crina over your shoulder and take her to your suite and sort this out.”

“And by sorting it out, he means seducing her, biting her, and letting her claw you to death. Once she’s good and tired, then you can talk,” Costin said without the hint of a joke in his voice.

“You meant all of that literally, didn’t you?” Adam asked.

Costin nodded. “In that order.”

“She needs your touch, Adam,” Fane said. “Crina is being stubborn. She’s hurt. Make it right.”

Adam nodded.

“Let’s go get our females.” Costin turned to Adam. “Do you mind making the trip a little faster?”

Adam held out his arms, and the four males placed their hands on him. He flashed them to the kitchen. It buzzed with activity.

“Can I have your attention?” Fane said, ensuring his voice was loud and deep. Immediately everyone stopped and turned to look at him. He noted that Gavril and Rachel weren’t present, nor were any of the children, which meant they must have been keeping watch over the sleeping pups. Perfect.

“We’re taking a break,” Fane said as he looked at everyone. Jen started to speak, but he met her eyes and growled. She immediately dropped her eyes, her mouth snapping shut. He could feel that he was radiating power. Fane hadn’t realized how worked up he’d been getting while talking to Adam. He wanted Crina and Adam to have some time to fix things. They needed it. And Fane missed his mate. She’d come to bed late the night before, exhausted, and had kissed him, then rolled over and fell asleep a minute later. His eyes met hers, and the minute she picked up on his thoughts, her face flushed. He forced himself not to smile. “During this break, we will all be engaging in some relationship enhancement time.”

“RET,” Lucian rumbled. “For those who might need a translation.” He glanced at Jen.

Decebel was already making a beeline for his mate. He scooped her up in his arms and headed out of the room without another word.

Fane turned to Adam, who was staring at Crina as if she held the secrets of the world. Crina was looking at the floor. Fane nudged Adam. “Go. Take her.”

Adam flashed to his mate’s side. He picked her up over his shoulder, which made her growl. Fane grinned as he saw her claws sink into Adam’s back. Adam flashed them away.

“Being with our mates, spending time together, is important. I respect that Jen wants this Christmas to be special, and it will be. But the point is not the decorations, the gifts, or anything else. It is being together. Get some rest—”

“Or not,” Costin said, his eyes glowing brightly as he walked over to Sally. Her eyes were wide with surprise. Apparently he’d made sure she wasn’t aware of what he was planning. He grabbed her hand, tugging her to the nearest exit. “Don’t wait up for us,” he called back, causing some of the others to laugh.