all due respect, mate, I think Wadim has a right to know what this class entails.”
“Nope.” Jen shook her head. “Girls’ night code. Sisters before misters. Hoes before bros.”
“Oh dear.” Sally sighed. “Here we go.”
“Chicks before—”
“Jennifer!” Decebel practically barked.
She glanced at her mate and batted her eyelashes. “What? I was going to say licks.”
Decebel pinched the bridge of his nose as coughs filled the room. “Like that’s any better?”
“At least mini-me won’t say the other word,” Jen pointed out.
“She’s got a point,” Fane said.
“What exactly does this girls’ night class entail?” Elle asked. “And why haven’t I ever been invited?”
Jen glanced at her. “Because you’re already educated. Although there’s always something new to learn.”
“There’s a book.” Bethany nodded as if she thought she was being helpful. Pregnant brain was alive and well with this one.
“I’m in.” Peri raised her wineglass.
“Me, too.” Crina grinned. Jacque nearly laughed when she saw Adam hold up his hand and give his mate a high five. Of course he would be in favor of her gaining more education on his favorite topic. It was good to see Crina looking so happy as Adam pulled her tightly against him. Thank the Great Luna that issue was fixed.
Sally cleared her throat, and Jacque felt a pull inside of her to look at her brunette friend. The healer’s eyebrows went up as if to ask: What the hell are you going to do?” Jacque shrugged. What was she supposed to do? Veto sex education?
“Yes, Luna. That’s exactly what you should do,” Fane said in her mind. His voice filled with humor, but she could tell he was completely serious.
Jacque took a deep breath and then looked at Wadim and then his mate. “Zara, we’re going to have a girls’ night tonight.”
Jen shot a fist in the air.
“But…” Jacque shot a glare at her bestie and then looked back at Zara, who had given Jacque her full attention. “The decision is between you and your mates on whether you’d like to join us. No pressure, regardless of what our resident nympho says.”
Zara turned and looked at Wadim. Jacque couldn’t see the look on Zara’s face, but she could see Wadim’s. His jaw was clenched, but he didn’t look angry.
“I assume everyone knows their assigned tasks today?” Jen suddenly said, drawing the attention away from the couple. Jacque was surprised, considering she’d only just a moment ago been so adamant about the topic. But she saw the list in front of Jen and knew that her friend had simply glanced at it and realized how much there was to be done between now and her so-called class.
“Yeah, about that. Can I just ask why we don’t let the awesome, cool, amazing fae pack members do the decorations?” Jacque said. “I mean, they just could snap and, boom, done.”
“Because that would be like buying a pre-lit Christmas tree.” Jen’s voice sounded sad. “Some of my favorite memories of Christmas are my parents trying to untangle the lights from the year before and then wrap them around the tree that they’d already put too close to the wall. It’s like a tradition. You don’t mess with traditions.”
“We could start a new tradition,” Sally offered.
Jen was staring down at her list. Her hands were trembling. Jacque glanced at Fane. “Babe, could you maybe clear the room?”
Fane spoke out loud. “Let’s get to work, everyone. Traditions are good. They make excellent memories.”
The room began to clear. Rachel came over and took Slate. “Thank you, Rachel.” Jacque touched the healer’s shoulder.
“We are happy to take care of them,” Rachel said. Jacque could feel her joy. Gavril was already holding Thia, and Titus was at his side talking a mile a minute. Jacque watched as the couple walked out with the kids and then it hit her. They’d been mated for centuries and had no children of their own. Jacque couldn’t imagine her life without Slate. Not to mention, the last Canis lupus child born before Thia had been Fane, two decades ago. Though Rachel had lived a human life, once upon a time, it had been ages ago. She’d likely forgotten what it was like in the human world, where hundreds of children were literally born every minute. It was no wonder the couple loved being around the children.
“Jacque.” Sally’s voice pulled her attention from the couple, and she turned to see that she, Sally, and Jen were alone. She stared at her usually unshakable best friend and felt a deep pain in her heart.