Grown (Book 2 of the Athens Wolves Series)

3

"So, how was last night Reese?" Twyla asked right away and Reese rolled her eyes and tried to tamp down the blush taking over her cheeks.

"I am more interested in what might have happened between Gene and Jack last night."

"I am more interested in this menu." I laughed and pulled the large thing up to cover my face but as soon as I thought they were going to let it go for now, Reese ripped the menu from my hands and kept it out of my range as they both waited.

"Spill."

"I was getting her ready for bed, her bath, I was a couple steps behind and she ran out of her room and right into his legs and she started crying because he asked her not to. Then tried to calm her down. Then tried to talk to me in my bedroom, and you know how hers is all packed up so she is staying in mine?" I asked and waited until they both nodded so I knew they were following my fast speech. "Well, then I brushed him off, got things ready for bed and when I was half asleep he came in, kissed her head and then my cheek before leaving... then this morning he went with her and my dad around the perimeter, and gave her all his donuts." I sighed and let my head fall into my hands and wait for something to come out of their mouths.

"He sounds like he is trying." Reese finally muttered and I looked up at her and then to Twyla who was giving her a look.

"What?" I asked seeing how Twyla was biting her tongue.

"Well, in my opinion he could have been trying a little harder at the party. I mean I know it was your wedding and the whole alpha ceremony but he could have." She shrugged and looked at me with a soft smile.

"No, I was avoiding him very well yesterday during the party." I told her and she just shook her head.

"No, if he really wanted to talk with you, he would have grabbed you, whisked you away, and had you to himself." She sighed and I looked at Reese and she looked at me with the same expression before we both looked at her. "Josh wants a baby as soon as Reese is pregnant."

"Well, that isn't going to be for another year." Reese sighed and then looked at both of us.

"You want things to settle down huh?" I asked and she nodded automatically.

"Good, that means at least another year of traveling and s*x!" Twy shouted almost getting people outside to stop and look, because everyone inside was sure as hell looking at us now.

Twyla breathed out and looked so relived. She sat back, raised her menu with a huge smile still on her face and then made a couple faces at the choices.

"Can I have my menu back?" I asked stealing Reese anyway and she smiled before pulling hers up as well.

"Hello ladies, what can I start you off with in the drink department?" I laughed at the scared look on a guy who couldn't be more than 14 as he stared at Twyla.

We all ordered what we wanted, even the food and while Twyla and I started in on Reese's night she got a call, she was always lucky.

She left the busy noisy table and ambled into the bathroom. It seemed like business so we didn't chase after her. Instead I asked Twyla about her and Josh's latest adventure in Russia.

She had a lot of fun, and I wish, even for a moment, that I could have the adventures she was having, but then I think about Heidi and all her little ways she makes me happy and a better person.

We ate, chatted, and finally Reese let us have it. "I am going to be the TA for that 12th grade teacher I told you guys about! Ms. Aaron Angel."

That name stuck hard. I remember her. She was older, like Greyson's age. Which was about 3 years before Jack and Ian.

"Her mom left her when she was just a little girl... just up and left." I muttered not realizing it until I saw their too worried glances. "Her parents aren't true mates... her mom got pregnant on foolish night in college and when Aaron was about 6 I think she took off in search of her real mate leaving Aaron and her dad behind. She never came back." I continued when they both looked like they were about to press me for more answers.

"Has anyone looked for her?" Reese asked looking a bit worried. "I mean what if she never came back because something happened to her?"

"She called once, about 2 years after she left, on Aaron's birthday... she told her that she was sorry that she didn't come back, did not offer to come and get her. She then told Aaron's dad that she was with a mate that devoted his life to the king and queen so she would be traveling a lot... that was the last time anyone heard of or from her." I told them what I knew. I had asked about this when I was pregnant because I remembered the girl when she came back and was around before buying her own house.

"I hope she finds a mate soon. I mean she has her dad and that Vampire friend we all know about but I think she- well I have seen her moping about, and I think she just needs someone to cheer her up." Twyla said and I just felt a little confused. "And this is coming from me. I have been in town for what? 5 days? And I have noticed this? Haven't you all noticed?"

"I have a daughter who would run in the middle of the street if I didn't keep my attention on her." I held my hands up, still feeling guilty.

"I have been really busy but I will be able to help her as a friend when I start working with her." Reese declared and I smiled at that. I would help too.

We ate our little desserts and got back to the house. Ian was running around in wolf form chasing Heidi and she was having the time of her life. She shouted for me and then screamed happily when Ian caught the back of her shirt and carried her around trotting. "Okay Ian... stop before you ruin another one of her shirts." I called out and he set her down gently.

Jack came running through the forest in his wolf form and looked around spotting me. But he trotted towards us and stopped and kept his butt up in the air when Heidi stopped in front of him. She giggled and tackled his face holding on as he raised himself up carefully. He walked over to me and I wrapped my arms around her and held her pulling her away.

Once she left go she rubbed her little hand over his snout and he shook his head out of reaction before coming back and licking her face over and over making her giggle and squirm in my hold. I saw him look at me before pulling away and looking towards Ian and then barking and trotting off back towards the forest.

"Where are they going momma?" Heidi asked when they both took off in one direction.

"To check out the grounds. Uncle is in charge now, he is going to be busy soon." I told her and she gave me big eyes that started to water up. "No, don't do that. He is going to be as busy as grandpa was."

"So he will still have time to play wolfy?" She asked with the tears gone but her curious eyes sparkling.

"Of course. Come on, I think nana wanted to talk with me later." I said whisking her away inside. "Mom? You in here?" I asked setting Heidi down and letting her run off to find her first.

"Kitchen!" I smelled the cookies that must have just come right out of the oven.

"Oh, my favorite, what is the favor you need?" I asked taking one off the sheet right away not caring that it was still hot.

"You know how Ian's birthday was yesterday? And Jack's is in about 5 days?" She asked and I deflated right away picking Heidi up and sitting her in her special chair.

"What about it?" I asked chewing slowly and she gave me a wide smile.

"Can you ask him if he wants a big party or a small one... please?" She asked and I gave her a flat look. "C'mon, you are both marked, you can't ignore him forever. What is going to happen during the full moon in three weeks?"

She had a point, and I knew that. I had been so relieved when the full moon was a week ago and he wouldn't be here for it. I had to take three cold baths a day to keep the heat away. He had always tried to pop in my head during that time and he was always in my dreams but I would never admit it to anyone.

"You hungry?" I asked ignoring my moms glare as Heidi nodded. "You want pbnj?" I asked moving around the counter.

"Yeah." She nodded and smiled. "Mommy that guy is okay again." She told me and I looked at her.

"What guy?"

"They one that spit on us?" She said as if it was so obvious.

"Why is he okay again?" I asked sending my mom a glance but she just seemed interested and smiled at me.

"We all played together in the forest. He let me ride on his back until we go to the creek." She told me all about their time together. And when it was time for her nap I picked her up but she pushed me away but it was too late, she puked a little on me but mostly on the counter.

"Did you drink the water in the creek Heidi?" My mom asked her as I started cleaning myself up as she cleaned Heidi's face.

"Just a little bit. I don't feel good anymore." She protested when my mom went to pick her up but hopped down herself.

She had been sick before, and it worried me just like it is now. "Mommy, I got it on your dress." She said pointing at it and I looked down.

"Go change, I am going to lay her down on the couch." My mom told me and I nodded wiping it off anyways though it was going to stain.

"I will get her blanket too." I told her already heading up and getting her things in a pile first before going towards my closet. I grabbed a simple pair of jeans, and a grey wrap top also ditching the heels and settling for grey vans.

I walked out seeing Jack coming in right away. "Hey, this for Heidi?" He asked picking up the pile and then looking through it. He grabbed the stuffed animal from the bed as well and nodded at me and just gave me a look. "What?"

"What are you doing?" I asked and he looked at the things in his hands before looking at me.

"Getting her the things she wanted." He said as if it was obvious and I rolled my eyes walking to him, taking the things and then walking past him. Maybe I should have left the heels on. I would have been able to at least look at his nose without having to tilt my entire face upwards.

He didn't intimidate me, but feeling so little and small compared to him didn't settle well with me. I hated it. But I also hated not being able to look into his eyes. Some people find it weird that his eyes are basically black, but I always thought it was hot.

I trotted down the stairs seeing Ian with a cold towel in his hand. "She has a fever already?" I asked and he nodded. "Here." I said taking it from him and then moving right to Heidi who was already set up with a bowl on a chair in front of her and then also a towel covering the couch for dribbles.

"Does she just take control all the time?" I heard Jack as I handed Heidi her stuffed dog and then draped the cool rag across her forehead before feeling her neck.

"She's the mom... that is her pup, of course she is going to take control." Ian laughed and I finally draped the pendleton that my mom got her for her baby shower over her and kissed her cheek.

"Do you want something like toast? Or apple juice?"

"Juice." She whispered and pulled her stuff closer to her chest.

I walked right past to the idiots who must have let her drink from the creek and into the kitchen, and they both followed. "Which one of you didn't stop her from drinking the creek water?" I asked pouring her apple juice and looking at both guys.

"I said she shouldn't Ian said that he drinks it all the time." Jack ratted out right away at the sight of my glare.

"She doesn't have the immune system that you have Ian. I thought I told you that last time." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair letting it fall free from it's ponytail.

"I thought now that she was older she could too." He all but whispered and then sighed. "I'm sorry Evie." He came towards me and I glared harder at the nickname.

"You can't go into the woods with her unless I am there. Not until she is 5." I demanded and he sighed but nodded.

"Fine, but you know I am sorry right?"

"Go tell that to your niece who is throwing up." I told him pointing towards her and then handing him the apple juice and pushing him along.

"Gene." Jack caught my arm and let it skim down to my hand to keep ahold of me. "Your mom said you had a couple questions for me." He said letting me keep my distance.

"Yeah, she thinks that me planning your birthday will do something I guess. Big or small party?" I asked shrugging out of his hand and then waiting.

"Is there any chance it could just be us?" I just gave him a blank stare. "You, me, and Heidi. Please?" He asked coming a bit closer and simply begging.

"No, you just became beta, my mother wouldn't like it. I'll say small but not too small." I told him turning and walked out, him hot on my trail as I saw Ian kneeling in front of Heidi who was smiling and nodding every few seconds Ian said something. "What is your uncle promising you girlie?" I asked leaning over the back of the couch.

"Ice cream." Ian said giving me a wolfish smile.

"Only when she gets better." I scolded and Ian nodded before beeping Heidi's nose. "You have to nap now baby. Sleep is good for the sick." I said and she whined before cuddling into her pillow and covers.

"Can I see you for a moment." Jack begged again when I started walking back towards my mom's library where I bet she and Reese were refiling and reorganizing.

"I am busy."

"Bullshit, c'mon Gene." He hauled me out of the hallway, through the kitchen and out the back door as fast as he could and I would allow. "I am sorry I left like I did that morning. I didn't want to leave. I really didn't. But not only did I have to go before you brought her in I had to go because Greyson showed up and pulled me away."

"You didn't even tell me that you had to go back."

"Why wouldn't I go back. There are still 2 guys out there that-" He cut himself off, taking a deep breath and then looking over my face. "If you brought Heidi in I wouldn't have wanted to leave, and I had to go. In the year I have been gone we caught 3 more guys. That made up for-"

"Made up for mating with me and then leaving with nothing to say? No goodbye, or note, or sorry. No calls or emails, hell even a letter. Nothing until now, when you have to stay here, do you say something. I didn't even ask you why you changed your mind and wanted me all of a sudden."

"What do you mean all of a sudden?" He asked looking very confused and I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"Do you remember a day or two after my 16th birthday, you pulled me outside, much like you just did, rejected me, didn't explain, and walked away? Then when I was found you trashed your bike the first whiff you got of me. I get that might have been your wolf but that day I found out I had gotten pregnant, that was you."

"I didn't mean what I said that night. It was a shock and I said what I wanted to happen over primal instinct." He tried to reason.

"Primal instinct huh? Well, that isn't your pup in there Jack, is it? What are you going to do about her? Let your wolf out and kill her, what was that earlier? In wolf form. You picked her up, set her in my arms, and licked her face as if she was your own." I shouted pushing at his chest and he seemed completely calm.

"I claimed her as my own, something I wish you will accept. Don't forget I am not the only one who spoke harsh words that night she became real to us all Genevieve. What was it you said? That you were happy it was someone else's baby?"

"That was different!" I shouted in his face and I noticed his anger was about the peak.

"How is it any different!" It had peaked. His wolf was out and already trying to make me submit.

"Because mine was obviously a lie! I would have rather had your kid than someone who raped me, are you that stupid to have really believed me." I said moving to go around him but he wrapped me up tight against him.

"No, we are getting over this before we go back inside." He said moving us back towards the back of the deck before stepping on the dead grass. He set me down and turned me to face him before pulling my hips to his. "Say that again." He ordered his hands roaming my lower back carefully.

"What? That mine was a lie?" I asked not letting myself relax in his hold.

"No, the part just after that." He pleaded his eyes turning even darker.

"Jack." I sighed out and let my head fall forward and he growled pulling me tighter against him.

"Please can it just be us three?" He asked after a few moments.

"Us three for what?" I asked tilting my head back to look him in the face.

"The stupid party your mom wants to throw." He said and I sighed and looked away. "Please Gene, just us. I am here forever, if we do the party I won't ask about moving in until you ask me to."

"Where do you think you are moving into?" I asked sharply and he smiled.

"That little house you and Heidi are going to move into. The one Ian got for Reese. I know about you moving there when they move back in here." He told me and I nodded along with that. "So, deal?"

"My mom is still going to plan that party for you." I said and shrugged and he gave a little thought before smirking at me. "What?"

"You're mom is always having night parties, let me take you and Heidi to breakfast and then something else until the party is supposed to start." He urged keeping his hands on my back tight with pressure but it didn't feel like he was holding me in place anymore, more like urging me to say yes.

"I will think about it." I sighed out and heard someone walking out. Jack just kept me where I was as he peaked over his shoulder to see Milly skip out not even bothering to glance at us. She still hadn't found her mate, but at least she wasn't causing trouble.

"Greyson told me she keeps calling him." Jack laughed lightly and moved to wrap one arm around my entire waist to curl around and hold on while he moved to stand beside me.

"She likes to cling. Just wait until Greyson finds his mate." I laughed and shook my head before starting to walk in. He kept up, and close until I heard Heidi calling out for me. I took off faster and found her sitting up, her head in the bowl and she was crying.

"Mommy, I'm sorry." She whispered when I pulled her hair back and touched vomit.

"No need to be sorry sweetie." I told her and put her hair in a short ponytail in the back.

"What do you need?" Jack asked from my side and Heidi handed the still damp rag to him. He took it and made helicopter sounds as he waved it in the air before setting it on her forehead and then patted it around her neck as I grabbed the towel and wiped her mouth and face.

"You okay? Do you want some water?" I asked and she made a face before shaking her head. "Okay, do you want to go up to bed and maybe change?" I asked and she nodded. I moved the bowl farther and turned to scoop her up but Jack already had her in his arms.

"I heard your uncle was going to get you ice cream when you get better... do you want to know how to feel better quicker?" He asked her already going up the stairs, slowly, not to mess with her belly any more.

"How?"

"Imagine that you are eating that ice cream when you are better. Imagine all the things you can do when you feel better." He told her and she smiled lightly, her eyes half open.

"Does it work?" She asked him before yawning and snuggling into his arms.

"Yeah." He told her as if it was obvious.

"How do you know?" She challenged and I smiled.

"It was what my mommy used to tell me to do, and it worked every time." He told her and I let my shoulders sink at the thought of him even bringing her up.

They had been really close. Greyson had been more of a daddy kid, while Jack was a mama's boy. It didn't bother anyone, most of the oldest were always a daddy kid. Unless you were me and Ian, we were both.

Seeing Jack say something about his mother to Heidi sort of made me want to just pull him away and hug him to make sure he was alright. His mom and dad had been gone 6 years now, but I don't think it ever be less painful. For Jack or Greyson.

Jack laid Heidi down and when she pulled on his shirt he smiled, sort of flipped over her, and then laid down with her.

I leaned in the doorway watching them as he told her a story that was definitely putting her back to sleep. I escaped downstairs for a moment to get a fresh bowl and grabbed the right size chair and started dragging it up the stairs.

I got into the room seeing Jack pushing some strands of Heidi's hair out her face and turning to see me. "I could have gotten that." He said taking it from me and setting it down as close as possible.

"You were telling her a story." I shrugged putting the bowl on top.

"Am I proving myself?" He asked looping one finger into my belt loop and pulling me closer.

"I can tell that you are trying." I nodded at him and he smiled. "I have to go and talk with my mom." I told him pulling away before our chests even touched and smiling slightly before turning and walking away. He didn't follow and I had half a mind to creep back up and see if he stayed in the room with Heidi to keep an eye on her but I knew my mom really was expecting me.