Strength in Numbers 🌶️

Jaxon

Quinn and I strolled home, the air between us filled with silence.

She was fidgety, her eyes darting around, lost in her thoughts.

~Is she upset? Scared?~

Understanding and expressing emotions was still a new concept for me. I was still learning to navigate my own feelings, let alone someone else's. I was at a loss for words.

Finally, I decided to ask a simple question.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Fine. Just thinking.”

~Obviously.~

“What do ~you~ think we should do with all this new information, ~Alpha~?” she asked, emphasizing my title.

“You have just as much say in this, ~Luna~,” I responded, tossing the ball back in her court. “We both have a lot at stake here.”

“Why can’t you just wave a magic wand and make it all go away?”

“Magic doesn’t work like that. Let it go.”

We had a community to protect, our kingdom and the other packs. I was sure Quinn and I were on the same page about the next step, but neither of us wanted to voice it.

Because it would be hard. Almost impossible.

“I think we need to find my Aunt Jodie,” Quinn finally said.

There it was.

“I think you’re right,” I agreed.

“But where do we start?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

I also didn’t know what we’d tell my Beta, Gamma, and the rest of the pack when we got back. If they found out my Luna was the rogues’ target… That she was the reason for all the violence and chaos…

“Quinn? Don’t tell the pack about this.”

She paused, considering my request. I knew she cared about Sky and Harper and would want to tell them. But Quinn was also loyal to me and trusted my judgment.

“Okay. I won’t,” she promised, her eyes determined.

I sighed, relieved. I could always count on her. Quinn was the best mate I could ask for.

Because the situation with the rogues—or Vulpes—had just gotten a lot more complicated.

***

Quinn

When we got back to the palace, a meeting was already underway in the parlor. Shadow Moon was joined by Alpha Anthony of Oak Marsh, and the leaders from Coastal Cliff Pack and Green Mountain Pack.

~What on earth happened while we were gone?~ I wondered.

But as we walked in, Anthony greeted us with a polite smile. “Welcome back, Luna and Alpha.”

“Tea?” Raphael offered.

Once we had our tea and were seated, the discussion continued.

“As you know, Oak Marsh, Coastal Cliff, and Green Mountain were planning to leave Shadow Moon tomorrow,” Sky started, bringing us up to speed.

“Right…” I said slowly, not liking where this was going.

Jax and I exchanged a worried glance.

“But Alpha Anthony suggested they stay here a bit longer, so—”

“Just until we sort out the rogue situation,” Anthony cut in. “Since you invited us here, it wouldn’t be fair to kick us out when it’s so dangerous outside.”

~Kick them out?~

They were the ones overstaying their welcome. Especially Anthony, after all the trouble he’d caused…

Jax and I were about to object, but Anthony beat us to it.

“With more people here, we can be extra vigilant. More eyes to keep watch.”

“But isn’t that what Vul—” I stopped myself, remembering my conversation with Jax, and corrected, “isn’t that what the rogues want? For us to live in fear, to hide?”

“We won’t be hiding. We’ll be protecting,” Sky said.

~Is there a difference?~

Meanwhile, Anthony got up, refilled my tea cup, and returned to his seat.

Forcing a smile, I muttered, “Thanks.”

I took a sip of my tea. It was Jax’s turn to speak.

With a sigh, Jax addressed everyone at the table. “I want you all to know that I prioritize safety, of my pack and yours. That’s the most important thing.”

He then turned to Alex: “But do we have enough resources? Enough food for everyone? Enough space and supplies?”

“Yes,” Alex nodded. “We’ve already checked the food supplies.”

~Damn~, I thought.

A lot had happened while we were gone.

Desperate, I locked eyes with Sky, trying to convey my thoughts.

~Are you really okay with this?~ I tried to ask.

She dismissed my doubt with a grin, a nod, and her sparkling eyes. Though her eyes always sparkled.

I could almost hear her squealing with excitement.

~A giant sleepover! ~ I imagined her saying.

“Your palace is huge,” Anthony added. “There’s plenty of room. I also suggest moving the children from the nursery school here, for their safety. Who’s in charge of the nursery?”

He had clearly done his homework.

“Zara,” Sky answered. “I’ll text her.”

“Great,” Anthony replied.

A few minutes later, Zara arrived. She looked taken aback by the intense scene before her.

“Uh, hi everyone,” she said timidly.

Alex’s eyes darted between Zara and Anthony.

Zara stood with her arms crossed, trying to take up as little space as possible.

Anthony, on the other hand, stood with his hands on his hips, taking up as much space as he could. It was a power stance, meant to exude confidence.

~But did he feel as confident as he looked?~

“Moving the nursery is a good idea, Anthony,” Alex said.

Zara looked completely lost, understandably so.

Anthony’s smile was warm. “Thanks, Beta Alex. I think this plan works for everyone. But if you two see it differently, I’m all ears.”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Jaxon and me.

We exchanged a look.

His face mirrored my own uncertainty.

I couldn’t quite put my finger on why I was so unsure about the decision. I mean, did I want to put more lives in danger? Absolutely not. But taking care of and providing for so many people—way more than we were used to—was a huge task.

And I knew what it felt like to be stuck inside for too long. In my mom’s house, in my childhood room, I was always locked in. Told that the outside world was dangerous but wanting to break free anyway.

Feeling restless. Feeling trapped.

My room felt more like a prison than a safe haven.

Sky’s voice pulled me back to the present. “Should we vote?”

“Good idea,” Jax agreed, even though I knew he already had a hunch about the outcome. But he was a leader, and the best leaders knew when to be decisive and when to be democratic. “All in favor of camping out at Shadow Moon?”

Every hand in the room went up, except for mine and Jaxon’s.

Well, that settled it.

“It’ll be tight,” Anthony admitted. “But there’s strength in numbers, right?”

Fair point. Surrounded by the majority and honestly unable to argue against safety, I reluctantly raised my hand too.

“Okay, I guess that’s decided,” Jax said.

And just like that, it was.

I turned the phrase over in my mind:

~Strength in numbers.~

***

After the meeting wrapped up, Jax and I retreated to our bedroom, tired and drained.

But as soon as he closed the door behind us, Jax looked at me with that special, thrilling energy that only comes when you’re finally alone.

He pulled me into a warm hug.

“Long day,” he murmured, peppering kisses on my forehead.

“Long day,” I echoed.

His lips moved down my cheek, my neck, my chest.

I cupped his face in my hands, pulling him back up to meet my lips. Our mouths opened, inviting our tongues to dance.

He pushed me up against the closed door, and I let out a giggle.

It almost felt like we were a normal couple, unwinding after a long day at work.

Jax’s fingers found the button on my jeans and undid it. Then he pulled down the zipper and slipped his hand inside.

He moved lower, beneath my underwear. His knuckle grazed my bare skin.

Just that slight touch had me gasping in anticipation.

He expertly parted my folds and slipped a finger inside of me, and I threw my head back and let out a low moan of pure pleasure.

Jax licked up my neck as my eyes fluttered closed.

“Jax…” I breathed.

In response, he added another finger. He moved them in and out of me, my body going limp with rising pleasure.

He played me like a maestro, like a musician with his instrument.

My knees gave out, and my thighs spread even wider. I could barely stand.

Noticing this, Jax wrapped his other arm tightly around my waist, holding me up as he continued to work my core.

My body moved with his thrusts, riding his hand.

I moved faster and faster, matching his rhythm.

I kissed him between gasps until my breathing became too ragged, and I buried my face in his chest.

“Jax… Jax...” I repeated, breathlessly, on the edge of climax.

“Cum for me, my Luna,” he whispered.

I did as he commanded.

“Ahhh…” I cried out, exploding with passion.

But Jax didn’t stop. He teased my sensitive core as the wave carried me, not stopping until I was completely spent.

I was lost in ecstasy, feeling the electricity rush all the way to my toes.

Jaxon

Afterward, I carried Quinn to our bed and started undressing her for bed. I finally managed to peel off her jeans. A moment ago, I had been too consumed with desire to even bother with them. As I took off her shirt, she said, “So I’ve been thinking...”

~As usual.~

She propped herself up on the bed. “What I mean is, I have an idea. About how we can find out more about Aunt Jodie. Maybe even find her.”

“I’m listening,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.

I had already agreed to one potentially crazy idea earlier that day. Hearing out another wasn’t going to be easy.

But Quinn seemed especially determined.

She cleared her throat and met my eyes. Then she said with conviction:

“I’m going to go home. To talk to my mom.”