Darcingtowne Wolves: The Misfits (Book 1)

Chapter Thirteen: Home

“She tried to kick your brother in the face.” Tobias said flatly, his empty hands folded in his lap. He’d decided with the truth, or a piece of it anyway. “That’s why he’s so pissed.”

Francesca stared open mouthed at him for the space of a heart beat, then she started to giggle. Those giggles turned into full blown laughter, the kind where Chessa rolled back and forth on the bed a bit clutching at her tummy, until they finally died down.

“Ah-ha, haha...Oh Goddess, Tobias. What are you going to do? Is she in the dungeon?” Francesca said, wiping little tears away from the corner of her eyes. “No, that’s not right. If she was, you’d probably be trying to get her out. So, what, she got away and that’s why Brent is throwing a tantrum?”

“I didn’t see what happened, but it seems like he let her and her friends go. I’m not sure why, but we’ll probably find out tomorrow after he’s cooled off.” Toby sighed. “But, Chessa, you can’t tell anyone she’s my mate. I mean it, if anyone finds out it could cause serious problems. She’s not a member of our pack, and there’s already bad blood. I want to sort things out with her in private.”

This wasn’t an outright lie; he did want to sort things out with his mate by privately rejecting her - if he ever saw her again, anyway. Hopefully he could just avoid her for the rest of his life and let the pull fade. Ugh, that was such a feeble, stupid plan. He would have to think of something better to tell Chessa when she noticed that he wasn’t making any effort to find his mate.

Chessa’s head bobbed a nod of agreement, and she twirled a strand of her long blonde hair around one of her fingers. She seemed to be considering what to say next.

“All right, I won’t breathe a word of it...but you have to tell me more. I meant it when I said I want to know ev-er-y-thing.” the Princess enunciated that last word with the little bit of sass she held in reserve just for him. He was the only person she felt comfortable being herself around. “Was the mate bond as amazing as everyone says?”

Toby swallowed a little, guilt flooding through him as he looked into Francesca’s expectant eyes. He’d loved her since they were children, at least, he thought he did. Was it just puppy love that he’d felt for Chessa? Puppy love that turned to obsession because of how much trauma they’d suffered through with only each other to lean on? 

That’s what Francesca had told him before, but even though he’d spoken words of agreement at the time, he didn’t really believe it. Now he wasn’t so sure; the mate bond was shifting his emotions in ways he couldn’t fight, even though he wanted to. He hated it, but for some reason it also gave him a sense of relief; if he didn’t feel romantic love for Chessa anymore then maybe the pain of not being able to have her would finally leave him.

Chessa had never felt that way for him; they’d talked about it in excruciating detail after he’d confessed one unfortunate evening while he was under the influence of the haze. She’d been locked in her room to keep unwanted suitors away; he’d locked her in there himself and slid the key under the door before the haze knocked him on his ass. 

She was a saint, patiently talking to him through the door the whole night through, despite how completely nutbars he must have sounded - professing his undying love and deepest desire for her. Of course, it was the haze so he probably would have said anything to get her to come out. Afterwards, even he wasn’t entirely sure that his confession was a hundred percent genuine, despite telling himself that it was.

How could he tell Chessa about how another she-wolf made him feel? He wasn’t sure those feelings were real either; it was almost unnatural, a surge of hormones forced on him by a cruel Goddess who thought it was funny to give him a mate that looked like his little Princess’s reflection.

As he looked down at her, Francesca put a hand on his shoulder, and he felt that familiar sadness again at the realization that there were no sparks between them, and there never would be. He’d already known of course, since they were both of age and constantly in close proximity, and was surprised to find that the knowledge stung far less now. 

He was torn; he didn’t know how much to tell her, but he also couldn’t lie to Chessa. She was his best friend, his charge, and he owed her everything - including the truth. The mate bond was one of the few things that gave the little Princess hope, and he couldn’t take that hope away from her.

“It was intense. The sparks made my skin feel like it was on fire, but...in a good way.” Tobias said, his throat feeling dry. “She...she looks a lot like you, but not exactly. Taller. More toned, like she trains regularly. Her eyes are a little darker, maybe...though that could have just been from lust. I’ve never felt such a strong urge to rut before, outside of the haze, and I would have shredded her clothes and taken her right there in the grand hall in front of everyone if I’d gotten the chance.”

Chessa snorted, rolling her eyes a little at this admission.

“What? I am a man.” Tobias muttered, looking irritated. She really didn’t see him that way at all, did she? He kept talking, just to keep her from replying with a sassy quip, “The pull was so strong that I’m amazed she had the strength to walk away from me. I’m not sure I could have done the same. But, she needed to get her friend away from your brother. You know how he gets about cute, flirty new she-wolves…that’s why she tried to kick him. He was trying to haul her friend off.”

“So she’s strong, and fearless...but obviously a bit reckless if she’s trying to pick fights with Brenton. Hah, she’s perfect for you!” Chessa said, her excitable giggling keeping her from seeing the pained expression that momentarily crossed his face.

Then, after her giggles died down again, she looked at him appraisingly. That was the look she always got before she asked something that she knew she shouldn’t.

“What does she smell like?” Chessa asked, her voice soft, almost sensual. The smell of one’s mate was a very private thing; asking about a mate’s scent was like asking a human what his wife’s cunt tasted like. He was astonished that the little Princess had dared to ask the question at all.

But, he answered her anyway. He couldn’t deny her even this.

“She smells like fresh dew on new spring grass, honeysuckle and…” he paused and thought for a moment, trying to place what that last underlying scent was. Then, he blinked a few times as he realized what those smells added up to,“...the smell of old books. Like home. She smells like home.”

He hid his face in his hands, then ran them back through his dark hair, his cheeks turning bright red. He shifted a little away from Chessa, realizing that he was getting hard at the mere thought of his mate’s smell. He knew from the way that Chessa’s cheeks were coloring up that she could smell his arousal.

“Wow. There’s a woman out there who can make gritty badass Tobias Oriano blush.” Francesca said, the awe evident in her voice. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

Chessa left soon after extracting those torturous answers from him, much to Tobias’s relief. He couldn’t very well take care of his now raging boner with the little Princess sitting there watching him.

The Misfits had just settled onto the huge sofa in front of the big screen television set above the now flickering gas fireplace in the Alpha suite. Although most of the decorative details had yet to be filled in, making the suite feel more like a hotel than a home, Penny had to admit that her father’s choices were pretty much in line with her style. The man might be a bit of a robot, but he knew his daughter well.

Penny and Sebastian had taken a seat on either side of Carrie, while Ryan was sitting on the floor in front of them, letting Carrie run her fingers through his long dark hair. She’d pulled it free from the elastic almost as soon as he sat down. Sebastian had his arm around the back of the sofa, and seemed happy to let Carrie lean on him a bit. They’d effectively cocooned their Delta, wrapping her in their scents and lending them the comfort of their bodies.

Growing up the way that they had, with very little in-person social interaction, The Misfits decided early on that they were not going to be shy around each other. When they needed something, they would ask - and physical interaction was something that they routinely lacked. While many wolves would groom those close to them while in wolf form, it was uncommon in human form - except among rogues, and apparently amongst The Misfits, who made up for their lack of time together in person by being more touchy feely than usual when they were together.

Now that they were going to be together all the time, Penny wondered if that would change. She hoped that it wouldn’t; she hoped they could always be as close as they were right now, but knew that if and when they found their mates, things would have to change. Penny felt her chest tighten at the thought of her mate; she still hadn’t told her packmates that she found him. She knew how Carrie would react if she found out that Penelope literally ran away from her mate, even if it was to save the redhead’s rump. There would probably be lots of screaming involved, and Penny had already had a rough enough day.

Carrie shifted a little, offering the large bowl of popcorn in her lap to Sebastian, who took a handful and shoved it in his mouth, then to Penelope, who waved it away. The red haired Delta looked happy as she munched on the popcorn and watched the dreadful romcom playing on the big screen in front of them. Penelope smiled a little, and leaned in to nuzzle Carrie’s shoulder before resting her head there.

No, she didn’t need to tell them about her mate tonight. The pull would still be there tomorrow, and she could find him and maybe introduce them then. For the rest of tonight, at least, Penelope just wanted to enjoy the company of her pack in peace.