Red Moon Special II: Jaric's cooking

Chapter One
The food in the diner smelled better then it tasted, that was why Jaric was covering his eggs in ketchup. Jaric loved to cook, so he would need to find a place to settle down soon. He wouldn’t be able to take much of this diner’s crappy food. He had been running for so long, that he wasn’t sure he could stand being in one place too long. Jaric’s best friend Kaylee had finally married and found a home. Kaylee wouldn’t need Jaric anymore.
Heading to the register to pay Jaric listened to two men pass him, discussing their bosses need to hire a new cook, they couldn’t take the diner’s crappy food much longer either. Jaric followed them out of the diner.
“Excuse me?” jaric yelled just managing to catch up to the two men, before they could get into their truck.
Both men turned as one. It was a little creepy, but Jaric was good with creepy. “I heard you talking about needing a cook. I was just thinking about settling down in this area. I love to cook and I’m good at it. If you’re hiring and offering room and board I would like to apply for the job,”

“Well little one do you have any references?” The man in the cowboy hat asked.
“No sir I don’t, but I could cook something for you to try.”
“Hmm, Ok little one come with us and you can cook dinner for everyone.” Cowboy hat said as he climbed into the truck’s driver side.
After climbing in between the two cowboys, Jaric stared out the front window and introduced himself. “My name is Jaric.”
“Nice to meet little one, I’m Zane and he is Mark.”
Sighing, Jaric mumbled, “How do I know he is always going to call me little one!”
Zane and Mark broke into deep belly laughter. Jaric was still trying to figure out if they were laughing at him when they pulled in front of a huge ranch house. The house had a beautiful wrap around porch. Jaric made sure to look in all the rooms. He liked to know his surroundings, encase he needed an escape
Chapter Two
“So how many people am I cooking dinner for?” Jaric was not stupid he knew this was a ranch. There had to be more than just these two cowboys here.
“Well little one there are twelve of us.” Zane sounded proud of this fact.
“Wait when do you eat dinner and where do you all sit to eat?”
“We eat at six o clock. You will find a dining room through that door.” Mark pointed at a door across the room.
After Zane and Mark left, Jaric started pulling pots, pans, and food out of several cabinets.
Zacharias wasn’t sure what that heavenly smell was, but he sure hoping it tasted as good as it smelled. His stomach started growling as everyone started sitting at the table. Zacharias thought Zane was insane when he said he found a cook at the town diner. Not that he didn’t trust Zane’s judgment. The town diner was not a place you would look for a cook.
“Zane you might not have been insane after all. This steak is good.” Zacharias almost moaned at the flavors coming from his dinner.
“Thanks boss, I would say, but I would have to disagree. This dinner is unbelievable. I think we should keep him.”
Zacharias had to agree as he swallowed a piece of steak. “All right Zane bring him to the living room with coffee after dinner is cleaned up. I expect everyone in the living room after dinner.” Zacharias left to get some papers, after giving that order.
Jaric was cleaning dishes when he heard someone come into the kitchen. “Jaric the boss wants you to come in the living room for a meeting. Oh! Bring coffee for everybody.” Zane moved over to the counter as he said this
“Do you think they would like some dessert with their coffee Zane?”
“If it’s as good as dinner was anything you serve will disappear.”
Jaric couldn’t help smiling as Zane helped him take coffee and cake to the living room. The men had eaten every bit of the food he had made. Zane had made sure Jaric gave him the biggest piece of cake. Jaric stiffened when he heard growling. Putting the cake on the coffee table and started backing out the room. You don’t want your hands full when having to defend yourself against a shape shifter. He watched as all the men in the room move back away from a big man. Lowering their eyes as they moved.
He could only stare at the huge man as he took another step back. Maybe he could make it out the door before Mr. huge and gorgeous got to him. For the first Jaric wasn’t sure if he wanted to run from a man or to him. He never had a problem before making that decision. Mr. huge and gorgeous growled every time Jaric took a step back.
Deciding he may not like being around so many shifters, but he can handle himself if he needed too. He had secrets just like anyone else.
Jaric knew shifters respected a good show of courage, so he walked right up to Mr. huge and gorgeous putting his hand out and smiled while saying “Hi I’m Jaric.”
Zacharias almost changed from growling to purring as he touched his mate for the first time. His mates smell had hit him hard. Zacharias couldn’t help the growling that sent his pack backing away into submission. His mate on the other hand had surprise the hell out of all of them by ignoring his growling. His mate was brave. That’s a good trait in an alpha mate.
“I’m Zacharias, the boss around here.”
Jaric moved to pass out coffee and cake. Serving Zacharias first, but making sure Zane got the piece he had picked. Jaric ignored Zacharias’s growl when he smiled at Zane.
“Zane said you wanted to talk to me.” Jaric said as he sat in one of the single chairs. He wasn’t sure what made the big man growl this time.
“Yes. Dinner tonight was one of the best meals I have ever had.” Zacharias sighed in contentment as he sipped his coffee. Damn the man even makes unbelievable coffee.
“Thank you sir. So was the food good enough to get me the job?” Jaric was trying hard to pay attention, he really was, but watching Zacharias swallow his coffee was distracting. Damn it the man was even sexy, while drinking coffee.
“You have the job, but you cannot leave the ranch on your own, or wonder around the ranch on your own.”
“Zacharias are you saying if I stay I will become a prisoner?”
Zacharias hesitated with his answer; because his mate was, looking him straight in the eye. The alpha power Zacharias was giving off made his pack all lower their eyes. This man was no fool. “You will not be a prisoner, but I want you to be protected. The neighbors will try to steel you once they find out you’re such a good cook.”
Jaric barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. Zacharias was spouting bullshit. Jaric really did not mind being protected by shape shifters. It did beat running from one. “All right, but I really don’t think these guy are going to appreciate having to follow me around all the time.”
“Little one you keep cooking this delicious food and I’ll volunteer to follow you around every day.” Zane rolled his eyes as he shoveled in another bite of cake.
“Zane you can’t be stingy with our little cook.” Mark growled as he drank his coffee.
“You two can’t guard him all the time you have to share.” This came from the cowboy with red hair. Now everyone was adding his two cents in the argument. Jaric couldn’t help laughing when Zacharias growled and they all settled down again.
“What do you find so funny Jaric?” Zacharias growled
“You guys are really bad at pretending to be something you’re not. I know you’re shifters.” Jaric smiled at Zacharias, whom he assumed was the alpha.
Zacharias was stunned “How do you know about shifters?”
“My introduction to shifters was not a nice one. I’ve learned many things over the years, especially about shifters and a few other paranormal beings. We all have secrets Alpha. Now since I’m hired I’m going to finish cleaning up. I would also appreciate it if someone would show me to my room.” Jaric left the room with some plates.
“I expect you all to protect my mate. Zane he likes you and Mark. I want you two to take the first shifts. Slowly work the other pack members in as guards. Hopefully if he gets to know us, he will stay.” Knowing his orders will be followed he went to bed thinking about how to get his mate into it with him soon.
Chapter Three
Jaric truly believed there was nothing like the smell of fresh made biscuits and coffee to start the day off right. It was a good thing the pack agreed with him. Not that they don’t eat everything he puts in front of them. Jaric was going to have to go shopping today. That would mean talking to the alpha and Jaric hadn’t talked to him since the meeting in the living room a week ago. The pack had no problem dropping information about the alpha. It’s as if they are match making. Zane told Jaric that the alpha likes chocolate chip cookies. Without thinking about it, Jaric found himself making them. Mark said he liked the color blue. Jaric wore a blue shirt the next day. He could not figure out why he was trying to Zacharias happy.
With a sigh, he entered the dining room to talk to Zacharias. “Zacharias I’m going to need to leave at some point today.”
Jaric made a run for the kitchen door when Zacharias stood up so fast his chair hit the floor. Jaric was pinned to Zacharias’s chest by arms of steel before he got feet away.
“You are not leaving me mate!” Zacharias snarled in his face.
“W-what?”
“You heard me mate. You are no longer allowed to leave this house. If I have to I will lock you in my bedroom with a guard.” Zacharias was snarling again.
While Zacharias was ranting Jaric went from scared to pissed off. “I wanted to get groceries, not walk off the damn planet. What the fuck do you mean mate?” Jaric had managed to get Zacharias to let him loose, while he was yelling. The pack all sat at the table watching them as if they were at a tennis match.
Staring at his mate a little stunned, Zacharias tried to back pedal. “You want to go grocery shopping?”
“I’ve been here for a week and I’m running out of food to feed everyone. Do not think I have not figured out you are all different kinds of shifters. It took me one day to figure that out you are all shifters. Took a little longer to figure out you are all-gay. I’m assuming that is why you’re in a pack together. Now you better start explaining that comment about me being your mate! ”Jaric poked Zacharias in the chest to emphasize his point.
Putting his hand up in a calming manner Zacharias stepped back. “Look Jaric I didn’t mean to tell you yet. I was trying to get you to like each of the pack members separately. That’s why each of them has had a chance to guard you.”
“Zacharias from what I know a mate to a shifter is the same thing as a wife or husband, maybe even more sacred then it is to humans.”
“Yes Jaric that is what mate means to shifters. We look for our mates all our lives. Very few shifters find them. You are my mate Jaric. The first day in the living room I smelled you and knew you were mine,” Zacharias ran his knuckles down Jiric’s face.
With tears in his eyes Jaric backed toward the kitchen, “I can’t be your mate.” he whispered as he went back into the kitchen.
Jaric was up early the next morning, even before the cowboys. After the nightmare he had that night he hadn’t been able to go back to sleep. Cooking and running always made him feel better, but he cannot run. So cooking was the only thing he had left to help calm his nerves.
Zacharias stood in the kitchen door watching his mate move around the kitchen. He had stayed up most of the night worried his mate would run from him. He should have known better, his mate was very brave. Zacharias could tell by the stiffness in Jaric’s shoulders that he knew Zacharias was there.
“Good morning Jaric. What wonderful things are you fixing for breakfast this morning?”
“I was thinking about French toast, butter biscuits and bacon. I am going to start making a grocery list after breakfast. Could someone go to the store for me?” Jaric asked as he handed Zacharias his morning coffee.
“I was thinking of doing a barbecue this weekend. Add stuff to the list for that please. Everyone can have the day off. We can all enjoy sometime outside.”
“I was going to spend some time with a friend. I haven’t had any time off since I got here.” Jaric had only talked to Kaylee, on the phone, for a few minutes the night before.
Zacharias knew he wouldn’t be able to handle Jaric going any were, but he could make allowances. “Invite your friend to the barbecue.”
“If I do that her husband will want to come too. She doesn’t go any were without him.”
Zacharias sighed in relief. “Go ahead and invite them both. The pack will behave there selves.”
Chapter Four
Jaric was enjoying the barbecue immensely. The pack was having a ball, literally. They had a game of football going. Jaric could not help feeling at peace when Zacharias sat next to him.
“Jaric are you sure your friends are coming? It’s almost time to eat lunch.”
“They will be here any minute now Zacharias.” Jaric watched Zacharias and the rest of the pack got into a defensive stance when they smelled Max. Shifters always get so edgy around vampires.
Jaric turned and ran to Kaylee sweeping her up into a bear hug. He thought he heard some whispers of the peacemaker. Others were busy growling vampire.
Kaylee walked toward the table with him. “How is my alpha? Are these shape shifters bothering you alpha?”
“Kaylee sit your butt down before you grill me. Max, how was the honey moon my friend?” Jaric asked the vampire as they all sat.
Zacharias moved closer to Jaric not liking him so close to a vampire. “Jaric you didn’t tell me your best friend was the peacemaker, or that you were inviting a vampire to my home.”
“Relax Zacharias I didn’t invite him into your house, just the yard.” Jaric growled pissed that Zacharias was being so rude,
“It’s ok Jaric most vampires and shifters don’t get along.” Max added.
Deciding he had better be civil or his mate will get madder Zacharias asked the peacemaker “Peacemaker why did you call Jaric your alpha?”
“Alpha Zacharias, Jaric is my alpha. He has been for four years.”
“Ma’am Jaric isn’t a shifter, so he cannot be an alpha.” Zane butted in.
“Jaric is a shifter! Jaric you haven’t let your animals loose since you got here. You need to let them come out to play Jaric!”
“Kaylee you know better than to tell my secrets!” Jaric growled. Getting a growl, from Max, in return.
“Jaric please let them out to play with me! Come on lets go play.” Jaric did not have much of a choice since Kaylee was dragging him into the yard.
Jaric was pissed at Kaylee, but he knew she was right. He also knew he wasn’t going win this battle. He started stripping his clothes off. Zacharias’ growl made him smile while he changed into a horse sized white wolf. His wolf wanted to see Kaylee first. He was her alpha and he needed to make sure she was ok.
Kaylee kneeled in front of his wolf, making sure her head was lower than his was. “Hello my alpha!” Jaric licked her neck, than rubbed her with his head. He liked it when she smelled like him.
“Alpha can I please play with the others?” Kaylee excitedly begged
Jaric had been through this with Kaylee so many times in the past he knew exactly what she wanted. Jaric shifted into his lion. Kaylee nicknamed him Leo. Playing pounce on Kaylee was his Leos’ favorite game.
“Jaric can we fly? Please! Please! Please! ” Jaric could not help doing a lion laugh at the pouty face Kaylee was giving him. Kaylee backed away bouncing from foot to foot, while waiting for Drakkon, his silver dragon to appear. Kaylee had picked several of his animals’ names and colors.
After letting his body slip through another shift, he stretched his dragon’s wings. Looking for Kaylee, he puffed out a little smoke at her. His dragon liked marking her just as his wolf did. Kaylee yelled and squealed as she climbed on his back. Jaric flapped his wings; just enough to rise off the ground, enjoying Kaylee’s squeals.
When Kaylee slid off his back, Jaric shifted back to his human form. Not wanting to deal with anything yet and because he was exhausted. He slipped his pants on and lay down to snuggle with Kaylee. As she had many times before Kaylee put her head on his stomach.
“So how have you been Miss Peacemaker?” Jaric asked as he played with her long hair.
“Things have really changed Jaric. It’s a little weird to be married to a vampire instead of killing one though.”
Jaric laughed. “I can imagine.”
Turning to look at him Kaylee started playing with his shoulder length hair. “How have you been my alpha? It cannot be easy being around all these shifters, let alone living with them.”
“Zacharias says I’m his mate!”
“Oh my, gosh is there anything I can do to help?”
“No they know my secret now Kaylee. Now they will probably want to know why I cannot become alpha mate. I’m not sure if I can handle them knowing my other secret.
“Start at the beginning and tell them all of it. Then let the past go and live for the future.”
“Kaylee you do know it is not nice to quote my words back to me.”
Laughing she tugged his hair. “I know. How about I get us some food, then you can go to bed and sleep till tomorrow. You should be exhausted shifting that many times in a row. If anyone has a problem with that, they can keep it to themselves. There are some benefits to being the peacemaker.”
Jaric laughed at the fierce face she had while saying this. He knew everyone heard her. “I love you too Kaylee”
“Of course you do. What’s not to love?” Laughing, she set off for their food.
Chapter Five
The sun was just rising over the ranch when Jaric sat on the porch swing. So far this morning he had gotten lucky. No one had bothered him yet, of course, he knew this wouldn’t last long. The day was just starting and his luck wouldn’t let him avoid Zacharias long.
Just as Jaric was putting away the last of the breakfast dishes, Zane came into the kitchen and put an end to Jaric hopes of avoiding Zacharias. “Jaric, Zacharias would like you to come into the living room.”
“Ok Zane.”
Every pack member was in the living room when Jaric and Zane walked in. The only seat they left was next to Zacharias. As soon as Jaric sat, Zacharias started in with questions.
“Jaric why didn’t you tell me you were a shifter. It would have made things easier.” Zacharias growled
“Being a shifter and not smelling like one has kept me alive many times over the last few years. Why would I announce the only advantage I have?” Jaric growled back.
Zane laughed. “He has a point alpha.” He laughed again when Zacharias growled at him.
“How can you shift into so many things and not smell like a shifter? I’ve never seen anything like it! How did you shift so many times in a row?” Mark asked Jaric sounding intrigued by Jaric’s abilities.
“If I said it’s none of your business would you leave me alone?” Jaric put the last of his hope into that question.
“No! Now start explaining Jaric!” Zacharias ordered in his alpha voice.
Not able to stand every ones, stares Jaric moved to look out the window. The ranch was beautiful, but all he saw was memories.
“All right Zacharias, but I need to start at the beginning. Five years ago, my parents died when a drunk driver plowed into them. I was finishing my senior year in high school. Jake, my brother, had just gotten married. We got lucky; our Parents house was paid off. My brother Michael moved back in with me. At that point, he was a junior at the local college. In the fall, after graduation, I started my first semester at the same college. Michael started partying and getting drunk, things got bad. He would stumble home at all hours of day and night. One day he brought home a new friend, Karl, he gave off a creepy vibe. Our mother always said trust your instincts, so, I had to warn Michael. He just got pissed- off. You see a few months earlier I got my courage up and told my brothers I was gay. They should have still loved me even if I was gay. To Michael I became his fagget little brother. He acted as if I would infect him with my disease. If I had kept my mouth shut, I’d still probably have a home.
Zacharias could not stand to see his mate crying, so he pick jaric up, wiping away his tears, and setting him on his lap. “Go ahead Jaric finish telling us what happened.” Zacharias wiping away more cascading tears from Jaric’s cheek.
Looking down at his twisting hands in his lap Jaric took a deep breath and continued. “I was walking to my car from a class, late at night. There were these beautiful trees surrounding the path at that time of year. Something hit me knocking me to the ground, but not before I felt its claws shred my back as if it was tissue paper. I screamed and tried to get away, but instead it rolled me over. It was, Karl, but it wasn’t Karl. He made sure that I’d see his face before he fully shifted. Next thing I know, I had become a chew toy for a werewolf. Karl wanted me to suffer. I mean, he could have killed me. Instead, he left me shredded and bleeding. For what seemed like hours, I stared at the moon and thought oh how pretty! Stupid right? Until that night I never believed in the moon goddess. Jaric gave a little laugh. She helped I think. There were these bright lights and a lot of excruciating pain. Sometime later I came too from passing out I was heeled, but covered in blood. I headed straight home, afraid for Michael’s life. When I got there, there was a message from Michael on the answering machine. Karl must have talked to him first. To Michael, I was now his fag brother who had the gall to think he was good enough to hit on his best friend. Terrified I had no reason to stay there anymore. I showered, packed, and ran, not sure where I would end up. During the next month’s full moon, I shifted, but the problem was all of the animals wanted out at the same time. It took all night, but I made sure my animals knew the human side of me was always going to be in charge.”
Zacharias handed him a glass of water. “What happened next?”
Jaric gave Zacharias a small smile “In Chicago I met Kaylee. She was sword fighting with a vampire in an alley. At first, I thought, I was seeing things. How often do you see a woman kicking a vampires’ butt in a sword fight? I couldn’t take the chance that she would lose, so I shifted and helped her kill him. After that fight, we became best friends. You see, we were both thrown into the paranormal world and we both were running for our lives. That’s when my real adventure started. We moved from place to place, but we rarely stayed together. No one was to know we each had someone covering our backs. A couple of months ago Kaylee decided to stop running. She went back to her past, but she refused my offer to help her. She wanted to stand on her own two feet.” Jaric smiled in pride as he said this. “She did it too. I still can’t believe my best friend is the peacemaker of the paranormal world!”
Zacharias wiped away the tears that still trailing down Jaric’s face. It hadn’t escaped the alphas’ notice that his whole pack was crying. “Baby you’re not alone now; you have your mate and your pack now.”
“Baby… Mate… Pack…” Jaric parroted
“Yes! You’re my mate that makes you my baby. You’re also the alpha mate that makes the pack your family.”
“I have a family?” Jaric asked stunned
“Yes baby this pack is your family.”
“But Zacharias I’m different. I can shift into almost anything that I want. To be honest, there are animals I haven’t tried.”
Zane came and kneeled in front of Jaric and his alpha. “That makes you the perfect alpha mate for this pack. You said yourself we are all different animals. I haven’t play pounce with another lion since I was kick out of my pack. None of us has had a chance to spend time with another of our own kind in forever. That is something even our alpha cannot give us. As an alpha mate you are a gift to this pack.”
“I don’t know how to be part of a pack. What if I shame all of you with my ignorance?”
Pulling Jaric closer to him, Zacharias tilted his face up. “We will teach you anything you need to know. I think you need some rest now.” With his mate, finally snuggled in his arms Zacharias headed for his bedroom.
Chapter Six
Jaric opened his eyes to a pitch-black room. He sighed feeling giddy when Zacharias pulled him closer to his chest. Jaric remembered Zacharias washing his tears away with warm cloth, then he undressed them, and snuggled Jaric to him in the big soft bed.
Jaric’s eyes slid closed, on a moan, when he felt Zacharias lick his neck, below his ear. When he opened his eyes, he was on his back with Zacharias sliding his big, solid body over him. Zacharias mumbled “Baby!” into his skin as he nibbled his way to Jarics lips.
“Zacharias” Jaric gasped as they explored each other’s mouths.
Zacharias pulled back to look at Jaric. “Will you be my mate Jaric? Will you help me take care of our pack?”
Jaric stared into Zacharias’s eyes and saw love, and a little fear. “I love you! Yes I will be your ma…” That is as far as he got before Zacharias took control. Zacharias took his time showing Jaric, that there were going to be wonderful things that will come from loving this man. All Jaric could do was hold on to Zacharias, as the big alpha made his world tilt on its axis. A tongue lick up the flavor of his skin, as fingers played. Jaric couldn’t think of anything, but riding the ride to heaven he was on. He moaned at every new sensation.. He hissed when electric shocks spread out while their bodies moved in a age old dance.
“Jaric look at me baby!”
Jaric hadn’t even noticed he had closed his eyes. It took him a minute to focus on Zacharias and not the sensations over riding his brain.
“I love you Jaric! Will you be my mate?”
Jaric kissed Zacharias and moaned, “Yes, yes, yes” Not wanting there to be any confusion about his answer. Jaric screamed when his body overloaded as Zacharias bit his neck and started moving his hips at the same time. Jaric wiggled as Zacharias licked the bite mark closed. He could barely open his eyes when Zacharias cleaned him up and snuggled up to him.
Kissing the bite mark Zacharias whispered. “I love you” through their new mate bond. Exhausted Jaric sent back “I love you too” as he dosed off.
Chapter Seven
For the first time in a long time, Jaric was happy. He was still cooking meals for the pack, because he loved taking care of them. The day after Zacharias mated him pack members started begging him to change into their animal form. They wanted to either run with him or play. Zane demanded the first turn, not given anyone else a chance to argue. By the end of the day, they were still arguing, so Zacharias demanded they draw names and make a list. Jaric loved spending hours with the pack having fun.
A month after they mated Zacharias found Jaric throwing up in the bathroom. He was carried right to bed with orders to rest. An hour later Simon, a pack member who was also a doctor, was examining him. It was not easy with Zacharias hanging over his shoulder growling.
“Zacharias please come and sit with me!” Jaric begged knowing his mate would not pass up holding him.
Simon came back with the results about an hour later. “Simon you better know what is wrong with my mate!” Zacharias growled
“Zacharias I am sure Simon knows what he is doing.” Jaric rubbed his mates arm trying to calm him.
“Alpha your mate is pregnant!” Stunned silence met this announcement.
Finding his voice Zacharias growled “What?”
“I did the test several times. Your mate is pregnant.” Simon announced again.
“Simon, Jaric is a man, he cannot get pregnant!” Zacharias growled
“Alpha, I think when the moon goddess turned Jaric into a shifter she also made it possible for Jaric to get pregnant. Jaric’s body changes and adjusts to shifting differently than us. His body has also adjusted to get pregnant.”
Jaric took a swipe at Simon, with his claws, before his eyes rolled back and he blacked out.
Quietly Jaric slipped out of bed. He had to be careful so he did not wake up his mate. Zacharias had lost his mind on the day they found out they were pregnant. For crying- out-loud he wasn’t an invalid; why did Zacharias seem to think he need constant bed rest? Jaric was tired of being coop up in their bedroom. He was sure if he didn’t sneak out now, Zacharias would keep him on bed rest for the whole pregnancy. That was not going to happen. Jaric sipped his tea while he pulled flour out of the cabinet, for biscuits.
Flour went everywhere when his mate growled, “What do you think you’re doing?” from the kitchen doorway.
“I was going to make biscuits!” Jaric growled back.
“You should be in bed. You have to think about the baby…” Zacharias yelled, bringing the whole pack to the kitchen. As they tried to figure out what their alpha was yelling about, Jaric was getting pissed-off. Zacharias was so busy yelling at him, he had yet to notice his eyes had shifted colors and his fingers had changed to claws.
Simon stepped between them, being an observant Doctor; he was and tried to defuse the situation before it got out of hand. “Alpha you have to stop!”
All he got in return was a “move now” growled at him.
“Alpha please, Jaric is about to shift. That is not good for the baby.” Simon told Zacharias in his calm doctor voice.
This just made Zacharias yell at Jaric again. “Jaric you are not to shift it will hurt the baby! Don’t you care what happens to the baby?”
This set Jaric’s temper soring past pissed-off. Grabbing the frying pan he was going to use for cooking breakfast, he chucked it at his mate. “How dare you think I don’t care about our baby? He’s my baby too. However, I guess all you care about is the baby! What about me huh? All weeklong all I got was you have to be careful of my baby. Stupid me, I was being to think you actually loved me! Don’t worry though, mate, I won’t expect anything from you! After all, I’m just the body that carries your child! And damn it you made this mess, you can clean it up!” Jaric yelled before stomping out of the kitchen.
Zacharias stood in the kitchen stunned. The pack wasn’t any better off than he was. They stood watching their alpha in varying degrees of shock.
Clearing his throat Zane asked, “What did you do to piss-off your mate so bad? I know you showed your mate you loved him when you found out he was pregnant. Being Alpha, you certainly know mates are special. Jaric is more special than most though. Considering we are all-gay and probably will not have children. Don’t worry alpha we will help you fix this. I want to be on your mate’s good side when my niece or nephew is born. I cannot wait to hold the little one.
They all turned as they heard a watery laugh. “Does that mean you’ll stop calling me little man Zane?” Jaric asked from the doorway.
“Sorry alpha mate, but you will always be the little man we found at a diner.” Zane grinned
Grabbing a broom, Jaric started sweeping up the flour mess. “If you all will get out of my kitchen, I’ll get something simple together for breakfast.”
“Jaric you shou…” Zacharias stopped when he heard his mate giving off an aggressive growl.
“Zacharias I am not letting you take cooking from me. It’s my way of providing for my pack. Cooking is fun for me and I love it.” Jaric kept sweeping as he growled this.
“Alpha, cooking is not strenuous. We can make sure Jaric doesn’t do any heavy lifting. This will be good for Jaric and the baby. A happy daddy makes a happy baby.” Jaric was happy that Simon was sticking up for him.
“Hay” Jaric said in surprise as Zane took the broom from him.
“You start our breakfast; I’ll clean up the flour. If I don’t eat soon I’ll pass out from starvation.” Zane said with a grin.
Jaric grabbed eggs and bacon from the frig while laughing. Before he could turn the stove on Zacharias picked him up. “Zacharias put…”
“Jaric I need to talk to you. Please!” Zacharias begged pulling him closer to his chest.
Staring into his mates sad eyes Jaric just could not bring himself to say no. “Ok.”
Jaric wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do when his mate laid him on their bed and pulled him close. It shocked him when he felt tears fall down the back of his neck.
“Zacharias are you ok?” Jaric asked as he turned and pulled his mate close.
“I’m so sorry I do love you! Please don’t leave me!” Zacharias cried, tightening his arms around Jaric. Afraid his mate would leave him.
Rubbing his mates back, Jaric soothed. “I love you my mate! No one can get me to leave you ever!”
Zacharias kissed Jaric so passionately Jaric thought their loving would be wild and fast. Zacharias had other plans. He slowly made love to Jaric. Showing him how much he was wanted and loved.
Snuggling up too his mate after sensational love making Jaric thought it was a good time to talk. “Zacharias I need to be able to do things to feel useful. I understand you and the pack will go overboard with your protection when it comes to our baby. Please do not try to wrap us in cotton or smother us. How about we make decisions, as we go along, about the baby and me. We can even consult with Simon on some things. What do you think?”
“I think that is what I should have been doing from the beginning. Baby, sorry I smothered you and the baby with my protection. I was scared and I wanted to control everything. Never thought, being a father was something I would do. How about we take a short nap, then a shower, and then you can cook lunch?”
“That sound wonderful my mate. Jaric yawned before falling asleep.
Chapter Eight
Now that Jaric was, three months along Simon wanted to do an ultra sound. The whole packed was excited about finding out the sex of the baby. Simon was going to bring home a portable ultra sound machine. Jaric didn’t even know that machine came in portable. Kaylee and Max were even coming for the first ultra sound. Entering the living room to find Zacharias, the nightmarish smell smack him in the face.
“Jaric what is wrong baby?”
“Him.”
“Who, Alpha Frank?”
“No!”
“Karl!”
“Karl?”
“The man with alpha Frank is the man who attacked me.”
“He is lying!” Karl growled
“Alpha Zacharias is this man accusing my beta of attacking him?” alpha Frank asked in a calm voice.
“Yes alpha Frank. Your beta attacked my mate about five years ago.” Zacharias growled pulling Jaric close.
“I challenge your mate to a fight. He has impugned my name.” Karl growled with a lot of malice oozing from this challenge.
“Jaric will n…” That is as far as Zacharias got, because Kaylee walked into the room. “Jaric accepts your challenge.”
“Who are you to accept a challenge for this human?” alpha Frank asked
Smiling Kaylee smirked “I’m The Peacemaker and Jaric accepts your beta’s challenge.”
Five minutes later Jaric and Karl where staring at each other in a fight circle. It’s usually used for practice fights. Zacharias was trying to get at Kaylee. He would have too if Max didn’t keep blocking him.
“Zacharias please leave Kaylee alone.” Jaric had enough to deal with. He didn’t need to get between his mate and best friend.
“Kick his butt Jaric.” Kaylee cheered.
Karl shifted and attacked. Jaric was smart, so as Karl got close Jaric side stepped, shifted his hand to claws, and sliced Karl open from his throat to his groin.
Kaylee yelled, “My alpha kicks butt” Just as Zacharias picked Jaric up. “Simon come with me now you better exam Jaric and make sure him and the baby are ok.”
“Did you say baby?” alpha Frank asked as they all entered the living room. Jaric was sure alpha Frank had not noticed jaric’s bulging stomach under his baggy clothes.
“Yes alpha Frank my mate is pregnant. I would appreciate it if you would keep it to yourself.” Zacharias growled.
Jaric was trying to sooth his mate by snuggling closer and getting his mate to rub his belly. “Zacharias please be nice. Let me tell alpha Frank our story while we wait for Simon to get the ultra sound machine.”
Simon left the room as Jaric began his story. By the time, Simon got back Jaric was finishing up his story. “Are you ready Jaric?” Simon went into doctor mode as he lifted Jaric’s shirt.
“Go ahead Simon.” Jaric grabbed Zacharias’ hand.
The pack sat in stunned silence listening to the baby’s heartbeat. Only Simon could see the baby on the little monitor. Simon’s “Oh wow” jerked everyone’s attention to him.
“Simon what’s wrong?” Zacharias growled
“Alpha the baby is fine. Well I should say babies. Jaric isn’t having one baby. He is having a litter of three babies.
Jaric jerked his shirt down. “You’re a quack Simon!”
Zacharias pulled him close. “Simon are you sure we are having three babies?”
“Yes alpha, you have three healthy babies.”
Kaylee squealed “I’m an aunt three times over” hugging Jaric “Baby shopping here I come.”
“I call dibs on holding the little ones first.” Zane butted in starting an argument.
“Zane you are not holding them first I am. I’m going to be their favorite uncle, so I get to hold them first.” Mark taunted.
“Guys you start fight over the babies none of you will ever hold them. There is no way Zacharias and I can do this by ourselves, so we will set up a schedule. Zane could you please get me some tea?”
Simon went into doctor mode again. “Zane make that a glass of milk.”
“Jaric I know you want to spend time with Kaylee but with the excitement today you need a nap.”
“Ok Zacharias. Kaylee do you mind coming back to visit us another day?”
“Of course not, you’re making me an aunt. Max and I will be visiting a lot.”
Remembering alpha Frank Jaric apologized for the excitement. “It’s ok Jaric if Zacharias doesn’t mind I would like to come see your babies after their born. I’m gay too and I’ll probably never have any of my own.”
“Well then alpha Frank you are now an uncle. Congrats!” Jaric announced to the shocked alpha.
Alpha Frank stumbled over his words. “But I’m not a part of this pack.”
Jaric laughed happy “That’s ok. Kids need all the love they can get. I want them to have a big family.”
Wanting some quiet time with his mate, Zacharias stood up with Jaric in his arms. “You all will have to excuse us. We are going to take a nap.”
Chapter Nine
The labor pains started coming in the middle of the night. “Zacharias go get Simon!” Jaric screeched while panting through a contraction.
Zacharias ran out of the room yelling “Its time, its time. Simon get your butt in here now.” Jaric heard the pack yelling and running around from where he sat on the bed. In intense pain, he screamed with the next contraction, which brought his mate and Simon running into the room. Simon ordered Zacharias to get him to the sterile room they made. Jaric had talked Simon into a C-section, because there was no way he was pushing these babies out his bottom.
Grabbing Zacharias before he could leave (This was a fight Zacharias had won. He would not be able to stand watching Jaric being cut open.) “You call Kaylee and Alpha Frank.” Jaric panted through another contraction.
Two hours later Jaric was staring at his two sons and daughter when Simon let Zacharias back into the room. “Zacharias this is our oldest son Zane,” Jaric pointed at his son wrapped in a blue blanket. “This little guy in red is our second son, Mark.” Jaric named them after the two men who brought him to his mate. “Our daughter is the youngest. I named her Kaylee.”
Zacharias crawled up on the bed kissing each of his children while he cried. Finally, he pulled Jaric close “I love you!” He sent through their bond.
“Love you too” Jaric mumbled as he fell asleep.
The pack was still fighting over who gets to hold and feed the babies and it has been six months. It was funny sometimes, but they have also been pampering Jaric thing too. This morning Jaric was determined to go back to cooking all the meals for the pack again. Zacharias had agreed that Jaric could do the cooking. This time Jaric talked to him about needing to be useful.
After putting the kids down for a nap, Jaric went to find his mate. Zacharias was on the phone in is study. “Zacharias are you ready for our nap?” (They started napping together when Jaric was pregnant. If they aren’t tired, they find other things to do.)
“Baby we need to talk.” Zacharias pulled Jaric into his lap.
“What do we need to talk about?” Jaric asked
“I found out some information about your brothers.”
“What? When?”
“I just talked to a friend of mine. He found out that your brothers have been looking for you. They reported you missing and posted flyers. When you didn’t come back, Michael stopped drinking and graduated from college. He has a good job and still lives in your house. Jake works the same job, but he now has a son. Your nephew is one. If you want I have them come here.”
“Will you stay with me the whole time?”
“Baby the pack and I will be with you the whole time.”
Jaric was in Zacharias’s arms when Zane brought his brothers into the living room.
Sitting Michael asked. “Jaric is it really you?”
“It’s really me Michael. How have you guys been?”
“Us, we’ve been good, but where have you been all these years?” Michael sat forward with his arms on his knees.
“I moved around from place to place until I found Zacharias and my family here on the ranch.”
Jake gave him a sad look. “Jaric we want to be your family again.”
“I’m sorry about the way I treated you Jaric. I was scared because I had just started to notice I was attracted to men. You said what I was too scared to out loud. That is the main reason I started drinking. Denial is a hard thing to get past. I go to weekly AA meeting now, but unlike you and Jake I haven’t found anyone to love.”
Jaric moved to hug his brother. “You’ll find someone Michael. There is a guy out there meant for you.”
“You think so?”
“Yes Michael. Since you are both here I think it is a good time to introduce you to your nephews and niece.” The pack had decided the best thing to do is say they used a surrogate for the babies.
“We have nephews and a niece?” Jake asked
“Zacharias and I wanted children, so we found a surrogate. The shock was when we found out there would be three of them.” Jaric slipped back into Zacharias’s lap just as the pack brought in the children.
Lying in bed, later that night, Jaric kissed his mate, and whispered, “I love you” Through their bond.
Pulling him close Zacharias kissed him back. “I love you too. Now go to sleep baby.” He ordered in his alpha voice. Jaric smiled and dozed off.
The End