Cole's Redemption (Alpha Pack #5)(71)

Several barbecue grills were rocking, vampires and shifters were engaged in a fierce game of football under the floodlights, and the beer was flowing.

And Selene was glowing under the attentions of her mate, who’d declined to join the game. The evening cookout was a success so far, planned after sunset so the Pack’s new friends and allies, Prince Tarron and his coven, could join them. They’d traveled a ways to come from the Smoky Mountains to the Shoshone for a visit—but when your whole group could teleport, it wasn’t like travel was a problem.

Besides, as she watched Tarron flirt relentlessly with Melina—and the doc doing her best to avoid his attentions—she had a feeling they’d be seeing a lot more of the vamps around the place in the near future.

“Penny for your thoughts?” a low, sexy voice murmured in her ear.

“You can have them for a kiss.”

Turning to her more fully from his seat on their picnic blanket, he cupped her face and planted a sensual kiss on her mouth. Took it like he owned it, and he did. His tongue slipped inside to taste, and she wanted to drown in him.

After the kiss, she drew back and smiled. “Keep that up and we’ll ditch the rest of the party.”

“Fine by me.” A finger traced her lips. “But then you’d miss the arrival of your special guest.”

“I’d managed to forget.” A sudden round of butterflies assailed her stomach lining.

“No, you hadn’t.”

“You’re right, I hadn’t. It’s got me so nervous I’m about to be sick.”

He kneaded her shoulders. “Try to relax, okay? Everything will be fine. And if he steps out of line, he’s gone, and I’ll make sure he knows he’s not welcome here again.”

“Thank you.” She sighed. “But I want this to work, so badly.”

“I know you do, sweetheart.”

Just then, Blue walked up holding baby Kai, Mac and Kalen following behind him. “Ooh, let’s say hello to our friends Selene and Zan,” the Fae prince cooed, bouncing the boy and making funny faces at him. Then Blue used the feathered tip of his right wing to tickle Kai under the chin. The baby seemed delighted by his antics and gurgled a slobbery laugh. “Yes, you love Uncle Sariel the best, don’t you?”

Zan laughed and addressed the couple. “I don’t think you guys are ever going to get the kid away from him. Might as well join the party and let him entertain the baby.”

“True. He’s already got Kai so spoiled he cries if anybody puts him down.” Mac rolled her eyes, but her fondness for her mate’s half brother was obvious. She grinned at Zan. “Would you like to hold him?”

“Can I?” His eyes lit.

“Of course.”

Blue made a face but gave the baby up reluctantly. Bending, he transferred Kai to Zan’s arms as though handing over a box of blown glass, instructing his friend on how to support the baby’s head. Watching Zan as he marveled over the small bundle, a strange pang of longing pierced Selene in the chest. There wasn’t much that was cuter than seeing a strong, handsome man cuddle a baby.

Her mate looked darned good doing it, and she couldn’t help but picture how he’d look holding their baby.

Just then, the phone at Selene’s hip buzzed, and she withdrew it to peer at the readout. Instantly, her gut churned anew. “They’re here.”

“Visitors?” Kalen asked curiously.

“In a manner of speaking,” she said. Fingers trembling, she returned the text, sending the visitors’ code for the security gate. “My uncle and one of his enforcers are here.”

Kalen’s eyes widened. “What the f**k for? And does Nick know?”

Mac smacked her mate on the arm. “Kalen!” To Selene, she said, “What he means is, is there anything we can do? Will you and your father be all right?”

She gave the couple a shaky smile, thankful for her own mate’s comforting presence beside her. “Thanks, but we’ll be fine. I hope. And no, Dad doesn’t know I’ve invited them. I had to do something, though, to get him out of this funk he’s been in.”

Kalen rubbed his chin. “Well, I agree Nick needs some intervention, though I’m not sure a heartfelt family reunion with the man who stole his daughter is the way to do it.” He ignored Mac’s murderous glare. “But if things get ugly and you need me, holler. I’ll turn him into a pine tree, and we can all piss on him every time we shift and go for a run.”

The image broke through Selene’s nervousness, and she laughed along with Zan. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.”

“What are friends for?” The wicked gleam in his eye suggested he’d enjoy doing it. With that, he reached his arms out to Zan for the baby.

The trio said their good-byes and wandered off to the party. Selene stood, and Zan joined her, pulling her into his arms and holding on tight.

“It’ll be fine. I’m here for you.”

“I know. I love you.”

“Love you, too, baby.”

Taking his hand, she headed across the lawn and around the building toward the end of the driveway, where the guest parking was located. Headlights were approaching, signaling that it was too late to back out now. Whatever happened, there would, hopefully, be closure between her father and Damien.