The First Mate

Chapter Four: Connection

Even with the clothing and shoes Xavier had bought, I only filled one of the three sections and half the basin cabinet. I rolled my eyes when he'd said that just meant Dane and Theo could take me out shopping again themselves.

I showered while Xavier watched me from the bed, doing something on his laptop.

He'd finished putting away all the random things and sorting draws in the bathroom cupboard for me.

He hummed softly as he typed, something that soothed me every time I heard it.

"What are you doing?" I asked, turning as I lathered my hair.

He rose his head, his humming and hands stopping. "Sending emails." He shrugged, turning back to it, his foot starting to tap with the beat he'd been humming.

"To who?" I sang at him as I dipped under the water.

He laughed. "Are you curious or jealous?"

I lowered my head, meeting his smirk.

I gave him a steady, almost bored look. "Things can be two things, Xavier," I said in a flat tone, a smile cracking as he met my look.

He laughed again, seeming to finish his email and put his computer to the side. "I was putting in the orders and stuff for the restaurants."

"Ah," I gave him a false knowing nod as I grabbed the conditioner. "Like, food and stuff?"

He leaned against the wall behind the bed, crossing his arms. "Food order, payroll, sorting the fumigator, all that fun business stuff." He grinned sarcastically.

"So informative." I bit back

He chuckled. "If you must know, Miss Nosey Rosie," I glared at him as he continued with a smile. "I run four restaurants, two in town and another two out of."

I blinked. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm an ass."

He laughed. "No, baby, you're still learning about us."

I smiled at him, my heart melting. "Tell me about the restaurants, what kind of joy does my Xavier bring to others?"

He grinned at me, seeming excited by the topic and started to explain.

Out of town, he had a small bakery one town over that, besides being well known for its pecan pie, also supplied the school and Packhouse with food and baked goods every weekend.

The other was a pizza restaurant he'd only opened a few months ago but was going well so far.

In town, he ran a popular steak house in the city and a non-profit soup kitchen/halfway house on the border of the town for unclanned Shifters.

Once seen as Rouges, unless they caused issues within Pack lines, they usually stayed in the human towns, travelling to places like Sparrow Falls when they needed somewhere to stay or wanted to be around their own kind again.

It touched my heart, knowing Xavier was a giant softy under all the muscles and enormous frame.

I finished shaving my legs when I heard the door downstairs open.

Annie yipped excitedly as Dane and Theo stepped into the room, tossing their duffle bags aside when they saw me.

I smiled, watching them stride across the room for me.

Dane got to me first, grabbing the towel from the rack beside the bath, he wrapped me in and pulled me out, kissing me deeply.

"Did you get some new things?" He rose a brow at me, warning and caring.

"Yes, I did." I smiled, kissing his cheek. "I even got some things for you guys." I slipped out of his hold, the towel dropping as I kissed Theo before heading for the closet.

They looked at Xavier in curiosity.

He shrugged. "I left her alone maybe all of five minutes."

"Liar, it was at least six." I giggled from the doorway. "Alison took up a good minute." I leaned back, smiling teasingly as I sang her name.

They all glared at me before Theo and Dane turned it on Xavier.

I slipped into the little pink outfit quickly while they were distracted, hearing Xavier defend himself.

"I swear, I told her to f**k off."

I giggled, drawing their attention as I stepped out. "He also said she should remember what kind of man he was. I was a little insulted."

Their eyes fell on me.

Green, blue and hazel.

I smiled. "I reserve the right to that knowledge of my mates. I've yet to see it." I gave a small pout.

Their eyes changed, taking my breath and courage as they darkened at the silk and tulle babydoll pastel pink dress with a little black bowtie between the breasts and ribboned straps.

It barely covered me, but when I saw it, Annie and I knew they'd like it as a surprise.

Their expressions told me we'd been right.

"Oh, Tiny." He purred at me, rising from the bed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder between Theo and Dane. "We'll show you."

Dane's jaw twitched as he took a deep inhale, calming himself.

Theo crossed his arms, his eyes trailing over my bare legs and arms, my unbound damp curls.

Annie whined in desire.

I played with the end of the dress, taking a step towards them.

"I wanted to get something...just for all of you," I said quietly to them, suddenly nervous and their growls made me flinch. Panic they were worried or didn't like it. "I-I can change."

I stepped back, and all three of them stepped forward.

"Don't, Rosie." Theo reached a hand for me. "W-we were just surprised."

"We love it, truly." Dane smiled at me, reaching for me as well.

I met Xavier's eyes, seeing the flash of guilt and sadness clenched me.

I ducked my eyes. "Xavier told you."

I heard the soft exhale of guilt.

A tear broke and I went to turn away.

To hide.

Dane and Theo grabbed my wrists, pulling me back.

"Don't hide," Theo pleaded quietly.

"Not from us," Dane added, just as softly.

Their touch was gentle but commanding as I was pressed against Xavier's chest.

They fell around me as I cried quietly in shame.

"We care about you, Rose." Xavier pressed his lips to my head.

Theo nuzzled into my ear. "Xavier didn't mean to, we're connected in a way."

I looked up at them.

Dane and Theo wiped away my tears while Xavier kissed my forehead, his hands running through my hair.

"How?" I asked quietly, my eyes closing at the feeling of their gentle touches and caresses.

"We are blood bound, Rose. When we chose you as our mate, we took a blood oath under the Goddess, so we share a mental bond. Xavier broke the barriers we usually have in place to give us all privacy."

I blinked. "W-when I told him." I guessed, remembering the look in his eyes, the flashes of Dane's green and Theo's blue.

Dane nodded, pressing his nose to my cheek. "Yes, honey. We heard what you said because he was angry and hurt about what they did to you. He didn't mean to break your trust."

I shook my head, looking up at Xavier. "You didn't." I reached up and stroked his cheek, he pressed into it, his eyes closing. "You all make me feel so safe and loved." I lowered my hand, leaning back into Xavier's chest and ran my hand through Dane's hair, my other hand finding Theo's and interlacing with it.

"I'm sorry for worrying you and not telling you sooner." I met Dane's eyes then, stroking his strong jaw. "But, I'm home now."

He kissed me, a dominating but soft hold.

Xavier claimed my lips after him, squeezing my waist gently before Theo stole them next, nuzzling me when he pulled away.

They held me, their arms wrapped around me and pressed against me until I was enveloped in their warmth and love.

They kissed my cheeks, neck and shoulders, the bruises they'd left as preclaims.

Their hands travelled, feeling the soft fabric against my body.

Theo's hands faltered on my bare ass and he looked up at Xavier.

"Didn't you get her underwear?"

Xavier released me, crossing his arms and staring down at me. I gave him a sheepish grin.

He raised a scolding brow. "I did put out a set for you." He looked pointedly at the folded black panties on the bathroom sink.

My smile stayed, my eyes flicking to Theo and Dane. "I got distracted."

My stomach rumbling saved me, and I blushed, covering it.

Xavier laughed. "Didn't you snack enough in the car?" He grabbed the underwear and made me step into the lacy black gstring.

I gave him a shocked look. "You give a girl sour straps and call her fed? What kind of chef are you?" I pulled away from him, waving my hands in fake insults.

He laughed, scooping me up over his shoulder. "Come on then, let's get the tiny monster fed."

"I am not a monster. Fiend is more appropriate!" They laughed at me and I slapped Xavier's lower back, giggling. "I was also promised Stargate!"

Dane chuckled, Theo smiling.

"Then, you'll show us Annie." Dane smiled at me.

I nodded. "Maybe you won't think she's weird."

Xavier laughed, slapping my ass playfully. "Honey, you're weird. Means, Annie is too."

Annie and I growled at him, and all three laughed at us.

We slumped against Xavier, whining and pouting until they felt bad and gave me kisses and nuzzles, apologising.

He he, suckers. Annie purred as Dane nuzzled me.

I giggled.