Page 42 of Veil of Shadows

“The Thunderfall Pack is a great big home,” Voss’s booming voice sounded as he walked through the front door of his home.

Ronyn came right in behind him, ducking his head before he held his arms out and let his proud voice break free. “And the way we play and the way we fight is a great big bonus to the way we gripe!”

Bexley threw her head back with laughter as I stood to my feet and held my arms out for Ronyn as the three of us sang the last line with the kids.

“And the Thunderfall Pack is a family where the kids roam ‘round like they’re wild and free. So come on, let’s go, where the waters flow. So come on, let’s goooo where the waaaa-teeeeers floooooooow!”

“Ha-hah!” Miss Shirley exclaimed as she leapt up and clapped her hands.

Bexley quickly followed suit, standing to her feet and clapping her hands together. She let out whistles from between her lips as Voss wrapped his arms around Ronyn and me. The three of us took a bow with the kids when Miss Shirley signaledfor it to happen, and I slapped my hands against Voss’s chest before going to sit back down with Bexley.

“Wanna do the honors, Alpha?” I asked as I held out my hand to the kids.

Voss turned to face Miss Shirley. “See you at the opening of the autumn solstice.”

“Yeah!” the kids shouted.

They all hugged and congratulated one another while Miss Shirley just tossed me a playful wink. We’d never say no to the kids. Ever. They could’ve sounded like a freight train careening out of control and we’d still have them open the solstice celebration. It helped the pups of our pack, to have something to work toward. To have something that makes them step up to the plate. They all piled out of Voss’s place, waving goodbye and running to give their Alpha hugs. Little Billy and Annabelle ran straight up to Bexley and clamored into her lap. A few of the other kids made their rounds on her, too, hugging her neck and climbing into her lap for a back-stroking hug.

I had to admit, she looked good with a pile of kids in her lap.

After Bexley finally coaxed the last little pup out the door…

“Please tell me every act is going to be just as lovely as them,” she said as she glanced around the living room at the three of us.

Voss came back from his kitchen with fresh drinks to pass out to everyone. He pulled up a chair behind Bexley’s head while Ronyn and I sat on either side of her on the three-cushioned couch.

“I’ll forgive you for rearranging my furniture this time,” Voss said gruffly as he opened his drink. “But, you’re putting my shit back, Dom.”

I chuckled as I crossed my leg over my knee. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, Alpha.”

“Who’s next?” Ronyn asked.

Bexley nudged him with her shoulder as she leaned toward him. “Why don’t you use that voice of yours and ask?”

Without hesitation, Ronyn’s voice erupted. “Neeeeext!”

I watched as Mark and Cindy came in with their bass guitar and keyboard. They quickly set themselves up before the two of them took their places at the mic, and I couldn’t help but look over at Ronyn. He always loved their duos. Probably because he didn’t have half a bad singing voice himself. Bexley’s head turned with mine and she smiled at the profile of his face, and I focused back on the duo to try to give them some time to themselves.

Voss wasn’t having it, though.

Quit thinking with your dick and pay attention, Ronyn,Voss said in groupthink.

Ronyn slowly peered over his shoulder at the man.The hell crawled up your ass and died?

Enough,I said in groupthink as I shot them both a fucking look.

“Ready when you are,” Bexley said, seemingly oblivious at the tension rushing all around her.

Voss was weirdly protective lately, but I shook it from my head and focused on the two shifters in front of me. They put on their best smiles as Ronyn leaned back against the couch, and I swear the entire foundation of the fucking house shifted when he moved.

Mark struck up his first chord on the keyboard and started to play the nostalgic, can’t help but sing along song of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”.

Bexley immediately piped up with her off-key notes and Ronyn shot out of his chair and pointed at Bexley as he joined in on the chorus.

The second Cindy struck her guitar chord, I leapt up from my seat and swiveled my hips while they entertained us withwhat I felt was one of the greatest songs imaginable. Ronyn gyrated his hips as Bexley scooted toward him, swaying her hips from side to side. Mark and Cindy fucking jammed out in Voss’s living room, filling the space with a thumping beat and their beautiful duetted voices. My hands fell to Bexley’s hips as she wiggled them around to the beat. Ronyn tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her steadily closer to him. I ground against her, Ronyn and I in tandem with one another as Bexley gyrated and sang those horrid notes of hers at the top of her lungs.

The happiness in her voice alone became a goal of mine. And as my hands traveled up and down the profile of her body, I vowed to always make sure she had a reason to be this happy.

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