Filed to story: A Claim of Fortune Book PDF Free by Jaymin Eve
Pretty Mate: You are both amazing, and I’m so proud of you. Kick their asses today.
Kellan sent back a bunch of kissing emojis, and Finley sent one single pink heart. I might have stared at that heart for far too long before I threw the phone on the side table and headed into the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day.
When I was dressed in jeans, a shirt from Kellan that hung past my ass, and a hoodie from Finley, because he wasn’t here to see me needing a hit of his scent, I ambled down the stairs and headed for the kitchen.
I heard voices before I entered the room, and wasn’t surprised to find Hunter, Warrick, Cora, Slade, and Kassidy eating breakfast and chatting away. I eyeballed the pile of breakfast sandwiches before I greeted anyone, counting to make sure they had left me enough.
At Cora’s snort of laughter, I glanced her way, and she wiggled her brows. “You owe me a hundred bucks,” she said to her mate, and Warrick grinned even as he grumbled and slapped the note into her hand. “Should have known better than to bet on Emme not counting the sandwiches.”
“I’ve made no secret of my priorities at breakfast,” I said with a shrug.
Kassidy jumped to her feet, and I was struck by how gorgeous Hunter’s sister looked in her skinny jeans and tight teal sweater. That family’s genetics were exceptional, if you discounted the psychopathic tendencies of their father. “We’ve been waiting for you, Emme. It’s girl’s day. We don’t want you wallowing without half your pack, so we thought we’d go out shopping.”
I paused with a sandwich halfway toward my mouth, my gaze automatically finding Hunter, and then Slade, both of whom wore neutral expressions. “You two are letting me have a girls’ day? What? With no security or anything?”
Hunter’s lips twitched, and I had to remind myself that we had company, and it was not in my best interest to climb that damn alpha like a tree. “We arranged for one of the smaller stores to open just for you three. We’ll wait outside, but you’ll have a free run to shop and hang out with your friends.”
Now it was my turn to smirk. “Like I’m a child and you’re dropping me off at my friend’s house to play?”
Slade placed his hands on the bench, and I swear he made the massive expanse of marble look small under his hold. “Exactly like that, Snow. Only this is an adult playdate and will include wine.”
“That’s how they got me here,” Kassidy joked, reaching for another sandwich, undeterred by the stink eye I shot her way. She was a badass alpha and could hoover down as much food as the males. Lucky, I liked her.
“Sounds amazing,” I said, excited by this prospect of a real girl’s day. “I’ve never had an adult playdate with girlfriends. I can add it to the new experiences board.”
“Yes!” Cora fist-pumped the air, and I noted that she was also in jeans and a pale blue, knitted sweater, the color lovely against her complexion. “I’ve been desperate for some good old-fashioned girl talk. I need to live vicariously through?-“
Kassidy snorted, and Cora swallowed her laughter. “Okay, through one of you at least. The one with multiple mates. I know all about a single bond already.”
Neither Hunter nor Slade appeared upset that I might share any of our lives with my friends. Which was good, since I had a lot to catch them up on-even if there were only three of us currently participating in the quintet bonding.
“Well, I’m ready to go,” I said, snatching up two more sandwiches and wrapping them in a napkin. “Lead the way.”
By the time Hunter dropped us off at the boutique chain of stores that we apparently had free run of, I’d finished my breakfast and was pumped as hell for this date. Despite the Christmas season coming to an end, there was still a tree and twinkling lights in the center of the store window, and I found myself grinning stupidly at their pretty decorations.
“You wear the most adorable expression whenever you see decorations,” Hunter said, standing close enough that our bodies touched, and I was warmed from his energy.
I shrugged. “It’s like winter. The snow covers everything until it’s just a pretty expanse of white. It hides all the sins. Christmas feels like that too, like the lights and trees and presents are all so pretty and harmless that they shadow the bullshit out there. I wish it went for longer.”
He leaned over and brushed his lips against the side of my head, until butterflies took off in my stomach. “We’ll leave the decorations up at home for a little longer,” he murmured, kissing me once more, before he led me where my friends waited near the entrance.
“Okay, I’ve set up an account instore,” he said, addressing everyone. “Go crazy and buy whatever you want.”
Kassidy fist-pumped. “I’m a strong independent shifter, you know that, but I will never turn down free clothes.”
Hunter shook his head. “I’ve been trying to get you to accept my money for years, sister. Apparently, all it took was one girl’s day and wine to seal the deal. I’ll keep that in mind.”
She patted his chest and batted her eyelashes. “See that you do. Now scurry away and leave us to our female shenanigans, big bro.”
Hunter looked like he was barely restraining himself from an eyeroll. “I’ll be in the car, and Slade is patrolling with his enforcer squad.”
I touched my pocket, relieved I’d remembered my phone. “I’ll text when we’re finished.”
Hunter’s chest rumbled. He leaned down and this time his kiss landed on my lips, and I forgot my name for a few minutes. “See that you do, baby girl.”
I almost wished he would come in with us, but I needed this time with my friends. Maybe I’d even get some advice about what was happening with my pack.
“Love you,” I whispered, and the stare he gave me in return burned through my soul.
“I love you, little mate. Now go and have fun.”
He slapped his big hand on my ass, the mine flashing as he pulled away, and I tried my best to ignore the tightening of my lower half.
That bastard knew what he was doing, and fuck if I didn’t like it.
EMME
“Okay,” Cora said, as we made our way into a department store filled to the brim with not only clothing but bags, shoes, makeup, and accessories. “We need to know everything that’s happening in your life. What’s going on with you and the delectable Reeves pack?”
She pulled a dress off the rack, holding it up against herself.
“There’s a lot going on,” I admitted, “and I have no idea where to start to make it all make sense.”