Free Redemption by Jambrea Jo Jones Page B

fault.” Zareb was quick to agree with his mate.
    “But it was. I blurted out that we were mates. Then Djimon showed up and Kir bolted.”
    Joy guided Naomi farther into the house and pushed her onto the couch before leaving the room. She came back shortly with what Ive assumed was water, and handed it to Naomi.
    “Ive, do you want anything?”
    “No, sister-mate.” Ive sat down next to Naomi and took her hand.
    “Okay then, what’s the plan of action?” Joy rubbed her hands together.
    “I do not know. I spoke with both Dji and Kir today and told them that they belonged here, for them to think about that. I wanted my family whole again and I—maybe I pushed too hard.” Zareb looked down at his hands.
    Great, now she’d made Zareb feel guilty. She was batting a thousand today.
    “Stop. This guilt thing you guys have going is making me sick. We’re going to start living from today. No more of your past is going to interfere if I have to beat it into all of your heads. Ive, have you and Djimon mated yet?”
    Ive’s face heated. “We’ve had—done—but—haven’t—that is, no we have not technically mated.” Ive was beyond embarrassed. She didn’t like to talk about her private life. Even if it was in the company of family. Especially in the presence of family.
    “So you’ve done the mattress mambo, but no biting. Shit. I was hoping we could use that to locate him. Do you have something of his that we could use? I could try a spell maybe?” Joy glanced over at Zareb.
    “Sometimes I can speak to Djimon in my mind. I have done it before, when Dmitri had possession,” Zareb informed the group.
    “Then what’re you waiting for?” Joy seemed excited, like that would be the easy fix.
    “It will take a moment. I need to centre myself. I will go outside.” Zareb didn’t wait for a response—he left the house.
    “Can I get either of you anything?” Joy seemed a bit uneasy. As if she wasn’t used to guests.
    “No, I’m really sorry we barged in here. I really shouldn’t even be here.” Naomi bit her lip.
    “Nonsense, we’re family and it’s about time that Djimon and Baakir realised they aren’t alone anymore. It’s hard when your family leaves you, but if there are others willing to fill the void you let them. I learned that the hard way.” Joy shrugged. “Ive. Um—sister-mate?”
    “Yes, Joy.”
    “I want us to be friends.” Joy rushed the words out.
    “I would like that, too.” Ive reached out for her and the three women connected.
    “I think the three of us are going to need each other. Our men are a little different than the others in the pack. They have more baggage and we’re going to have to see them through it, all of us.” Joy sent a pointed look at Naomi.
    “I found them.” Zareb had returned.
    “Good, where are they?” Joy asked.
    “They did not go far. They went to the clearing I took Kir to this afternoon. They will return in the morning. It seems the two of them have had a talk. Kir was set to go back to Africa until he told Djimon that Naomi was his mate. Dji refused to leave after that, told Kir that the guilt would not ruin them. I hope that is the case.”
    Ive couldn’t hold it in anymore. Today had been a rollercoaster of unknowns. She sobbed into her hands. Naomi hugged her and stroked her back, calming her down.
    “It’ll be okay, Ive. Leaving like they did was a good thing. Being here is an even better thing. Knowing we can reach out to each other is a godsend. You shouldn’t bottle things up so much. This weekend we’re having a girls’ night. We’ll kick the guys out and let them do whatever in the main house and I’ll invite all the women down here for a barbeque.” Joy broke into Ive’s cry fest. She almost didn’t hear her.
    “I—I would like that.” Ive threw herself at Joy.
    They stumbled, but Zareb was there to catch them. The support would be wonderful. So much better than her den. There had been so much hatred between the foxes.