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

All of the other ladies joined her, some sitting on chairs, the couch, and others on the floor. Rachel came in a few minutes later with Thia walking beside her and Slate in her arms. Thia ran to Jen as soon as she saw her. “Hell, Momma!” she squealed.

“Could you say, ‘Hi, Momma?” Jen pulled her daughter up into her lap.

Thia frowned. “No.”

“Well, at least she knows her mind,” Crina pointed out, not at all helpful.

Slate babbled happily as Rachel handed him off to Jacque. He clapped and then reached for Jacque’s face. Jen’s eyes roamed around the room, watching the females. Smiles brightened their tired looks, and their eyes lit up with joy as they watched the two little ones.

Peri sat next to Jen on the couch, and Thia turned, looked at the high fae, and then climbed across the couch and into Peri’s lap.

“Pwerry.” Thia giggled and patted Peri’s cheek. The fae did not look amused.

“Can I help you?” Peri asked.

Jen couldn’t wait to see what her mini-me said in response.

Thia grabbed Peri’s hand and held it up, palm facing the ceiling. “Spwarkles.”

Peri cocked an eyebrow at Jen.

“You brought it on yourself by showing her your little magic trick.”

“I didn’t know she was going to expect me to do it anytime she was bored,” Peri grumbled.

“Obviously you haven’t been around kids much.” Jen rolled her eyes. “Once they see a trick they think is cool, it’s the only thing they focus on until something cooler comes along.”

With a sigh, Peri snapped her fingers and little sparkles filled her hands. It looked like a mini-firework display in her palm. Thia clapped, and Slate turned to see what was happening. Jen watched the boy’s eyes widen, and he hollered in delight.

Elle was sitting next to Jacque. She held her palm up and did the same thing, fireworks filling her hand. Slate reached out, his hand coming in contact with the magic. Jen and Jacque knew the sparks wouldn’t hurt the children. Both kids played with the magic while the rest of them watched quietly.

After a few minutes, Zara broke the silence. “If werewolves can’t get drunk—” she began.

“Oh, they can,” Crina interrupted. “It just takes a lot. Like, seriously a lot of alcohol.”

“Okay.” Zara nodded. “With that in mind, why on earth does Costin have a bar, and why are the males going there to have a drink?”

“They’re mated to us,” Bethany pointed out. “Wouldn’t you need to go to a bar, too?”

“That.” Sally pointed at Bethany. “I know what a pain I am, and we all know what Jacque and Jen are like.”

“But nobody asked you,” Jen sang.

Sally ignored her and continued. “They’ve been cooped up here, hanging lights, getting trees, taking orders, and building a sleigh with all the skill and craftsmanship of a gang of toddlers. I don’t think it’s the alcohol they’re interested in so much as the retreat.”

“What are we going to do while they’re gone?” Rachel asked.

“Where’s Gavril and Titus?” Sally perked up, as if she’d just realized that her own child wasn’t in the room. The poor healer looked exhausted. Maybe Jen was working them a little too hard.

“Training.” Rachel smiled mischievously.

“He needs to get over this obsession he has with spying on me,” Jen muttered.

“He’s not spying. He’s hunting,” Sally said, sounding way too pleased.

“Whatever it is, he sucks at it.”

“And your kid has the vocabulary of a juvenile delinquent. You probably shouldn’t be pointing fingers.”

Jen shrugged. “Probably. Doesn’t mean I won’t.”

Sally started to respond, but suddenly the coffee table in front of them was covered with pies and cookies.

“I need less bitching and more eating.” Peri closed her hand and then snapped her fingers again, making a cookie appear. Thia’s smile, which had dropped, was back in full force as she took the cookie from the fae’s hand. Peri picked the girl up and set her on the floor.

For the next hour, there was some chatting, bantering, and not much else because they were all scarfing the feast Peri had provided as if they hadn’t eaten in days. It wasn’t until Jacque started laughing uncontrollably that everyone froze, some in mid-bite, and stared at her. Then, seconds later, Crina and Elle burst out laughing, too.

“What am I missing?” Jen asked. As soon as the question was out of her mouth, Adam appeared with all of the males, including a shirtless Decebel and Costin. Jen’s eyes widened. “Oookay,” she said slowly. “Usually, I’m the one coming home with less clothing than when I left. Are you trying to one up me, B?”

“I may or may not have given the males some fairy drinks to help them relax,” Adam admitted, not showing the least bit of remorse.

“That doesn’t explain why our mates are half dressed.” Sally motioned to Costin and Decebel.

“Oh, that,” Adam said as the other males chuckled. “That was a dare. Wadim, Lucian, and Fane dared anyone willing to try and imitate their mates.”

Jen glanced at Sally, who’s eyes had widened. “I’m pretty sure Sally has never done a striptease in her life.”