117 Final Say (1/2)

Everyone was awake in the spacious kitchen of the large home. Arei was walking Raven through the process of a fancy coffee machine while Orion busied himself over the massive six eyed range. Russ could not stifle the bust of laughter at seeing the large man in yet another goofy apron. He tugged Jos forward wrapping his arm around her as they walked past living room and pool that separated the first-floor bedrooms from the kitchen. ”Do you think he packs one for each meal or you think senior roided up bro has a collection of his own?”

Jos rolled her eyes as stepped away from Russ and walked over to where Orion stood flipping pancakes. She leaned over the plate he had stacked high and breathed in deeply. ”Looks great, Ry.” She sent Russ a mischievous glare. ”And look not a one of them are burnt.”

Russ shrugged a wide grin spread across his face as he walked past everyone else to where she stood. He pinned her between his arms against the counter. ”The kitchen is not a room I've mastered.” He purred in insinuation. He leaned in closer to her and waited until her lips parted for his kiss before he laughed and plucked a pancake off the pile and popped it in her waiting mouth for a bite then finished the rest of it himself. He let out a satisfied growl ”Tasty…” His eyes twinkled and his smile grew wider as Jos turned a bright shade of red.

”Alright, out of my way will ya.” Orion growled as he shooed them both away.

Raven laughed as she carried her cup over to the table. ”Good to see you two are back to normal.”

Orion arched a brow as Russ lead Jos over to the long table and pulled a seat out for her beside where he planned to sit. ”This is normal?” He huffed in disbelief. ”In that case, I think I like it better when he's brooding.” He glanced over at Arei who had turned all his focus to the coffee pot. Orion shook his head as he pulled out the pan of bacon, he had set in the oven to keep it warm earlier. He turned with the bacon in one hand and the plate of pancakes in the other and walked to the table. ”Dig in guys.” He said as he set the plates down in the center of the table. He noticed Arei walking away from the room with his cup. ”You not eating, Arei?”

Arei only paused without turning around. ”No, I have some calls to make… Some other things as well. You guys enjoy.” He held his coffee cup up as a salute as he began walking again.

”Wait!” Russ called out after him. ”I… we have something we'd like to talk to you guys about.” Russ smiled down at Jos affectionately.

Arei stopped but only turned slightly, his body and expression rigid. ”Then ask quickly, I have work to do.” As much as he fought against it, his eyes continued to focus on where the young wolf's hand rested on the back of Jos's chair idly running his fingers through the loose tendrils of her hair. Her body was turned slightly in the chair toward the boy as if any space between them would be unbearable. He took a long sip of the hot coffee to wash down the irritation that was building.

”-So, we were thinking maybe you could help train her like you have been me.” Russ concluded his long explanation.

Arei shook his head, ”Not wise pup.” He hadn't heard half of what the boy had to say, but any training involving Jos had proven enough trouble in the past to be avoided now.

Orion sent them both a troubled, sad look. ”I'm sorry, Russ. We can't risk your safety like that.” Orion rubbed his brows. ”Even if it were just me and Arei working with her, it would still be too dangerous. Especially with what just happened.”

Russ furrowed his brows, ”Give her a chance. Don't you think the council would go easier if they knew she was in control and what better way to prove it than give them a demonstration. Besides, you said yourself the vampires are likely to retaliate. She needs to be able to protect herself without fear of losing control again.” He clasped his large hand over the hands Jos was fidgeting with as he continued. A warm smile lit his expression as her eyes met his. ”And if I can ever convince this stubborn woman to marry me, it would be a skill to give any kingdom an edge.”

”Yes, there's no other person I'd want by my side.” He smiled at her as he lifted her chin so their eyes could meet.

Raven rolled her eyes. ”Jeez, are you trying to make her run again?” She took an aggressive bite from her bacon and winked to Jos when her surprised eyes met hers. ”I keep telling him to ease into these things… just shows, never listens…” She bit off another chunk of bacon as she shook her head in amusement.

Arei's eyes narrowed. ”Kid do you have a death wish???” He growled.

”It's not like that at all. She has control. She can do this.” He shot to his feet and pulled his shirt up over his head then turned his back to the table and Arei.

Raven let out a sudden snicker and shot her fist into the air, ”Fuck yea!”

Arei's mouth dropped and his eyes moved back to Jos who refused to look away from her hands, the bright red of her cheeks nearly glowing.

Orion broke the tension. ”I see…”

Arei and Orion exchanged a look. Arei forced his eyes to remain on his brother as he spoke. ”I'll let you work this out. I'll go along with whatever you decide, as always.” He turned his back to the room and flung his hand up as he headed toward the stairs.

Orion let out a heavy breath. ”So, you… practiced this already?” He asked Jos. She didn't look away from her hands, instead, she nodded her head. Orion moved his attention back to Russ who had already put his shirt back on and sat back down. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples with both index fingers. ”That was extremely dangerous, you know, that right? Was she-was she in full form?”

Russ glanced over at Jos before answering. ”No, she was able to sustain a partial shift each time.”