Free Howl for Me by Dana Marie Bell Page B

fingers through his hair and decided to get the last little bit out in one big rush of words. “By the way, Logan’s son is living with me and I think he wants me because he keeps calling me his mate and his name is Fenris and oh God, what am I gonna do?”
    Jeanne paled even further. “Fenris? As in the wolf?”
    Jeff nodded. “Yeah. Big furry guy with lots and lots of teeth.”
    Jamie patted his arm. “The better to eat you with, my dear.”
    “Jamie!” Jamie winced at their mother’s shriek. Jeanne took a deep breath. “Yeah. I think I need whiskey.” Jeanne blinked. “Or a Road Kill. That might be better.”
    Jamie giggled. Their mother had been a bartender once and still kept up with her skills. “Can we order in pizza?”
    Jeff groaned and covered his eyes. “C’mon! I have a real problem here.”
    “Yeah, he’s got a real problem. Hot and hairy wants to get hot and heavy with him.”
    “Jamie.” Jeff growled at his sister.
    “Fen’s way scarier.”
    Jeff gave his sister the finger.
    His mother gave him a whack upside the head on her way to the bar, where she mixed up enough Irish whiskey, Bacardi and Wild Turkey to fell an ox.
    This day was just getting better and better. By the time the pizza was devoured and the pitcher was empty, Jeff didn’t have a fucking care in the world.
     
    Fen heard the key in the lock and bolted upright. He’d been lying down on his couch, watching some show on television where men dressed like women and competed for some sort of prize. He’d been startled to find that he liked it. He’d pictured Jeff’s wild curls cascading down his back and moaned at the thought. He took a deep breath, scenting the air to see who was at the door.
    “Jeff.” Fen sat up with a low growl, angered that his mate had been gone until dark. How dare he worry Fen like this?
    Jeff stumbled through the open door, giggling in that hushed tone that told Fen all he needed to know. His mate was drunk, and Fen was furious. How could he take such little care for his safety? Grimm was still out there, and his mate was off getting drunk? Fen was ready to strip him down, tie him to their bed and leave him there where Fen knew he’d be safe.
    “Night, Jamie, Travis.”
    A female giggle was followed by the soft, deep voice of Tyr. The voices drifted away and Jeff shut the door behind them. At least Jeff hadn’t been alone out there, even if he’d relied on the uncertain powers of a newborn Lios Alfar.
    He waited until Jeff had made it halfway to the bedroom before growling low in his throat. He wanted his mate to know exactly how upset Fen was with him.
    What he didn’t expect was Jeff’s reaction. The man spun, a dark, deadly looking weapon in hand, the hollow end pointing in Fen’s direction. The move had been so smooth, so quick, Fen had barely seen it.
    He didn’t want to admit it, but he was impressed.
    “Fen?” Even his voice was lethal, cold and predatory. It was sexy as hell.
    “Who else would be waiting for you, mate?”
    Jeff sighed and pocketed the weapon. “Jesus, you startled me.”
    Fen growled again. “Where were you?”
    “At my mother’s.”
    Fen damn near exploded. Fur sprouted along his arms and legs. His teeth extended. He could see Jeff perfectly, his eyes having shifted over to a wolf’s. “You went to Thor’s home ?”
    From Jeff’s wince perhaps he shouldn’t have shouted quite so loudly. His mate looked pained.
    Then again, perhaps a little pain would teach his mate to take better care.
    “I went to my parents’ house because you pissed me off, dickhead.” Jeff turned and stormed off. He went straight to the bedroom and slammed the door shut behind him.
    Fen followed. If Jeff thought this was over he was sorely mistaken. His hand was an inch from the doorknob when it opened abruptly. A pillow hit him in the face, followed by a blanket. Then the door slammed shut again.
    Was this what humans called “being in the doghouse”?
    The click of the lock was