Page 31 of The Buck Stops Hare

“C’mon man, that’s my brother.” I glanced almost apologetically at Rayne, hoping I came off as sincere.

“Buck and Storm are my brothers… Oh yeah. Blood. Mortals… Okay, I mean… I had a threesome with these twin—” River petered off as we both gave him a withering look.

“Fiiiiine,” River sighed, flopping back. “So, is Grim taking care of his debt to us? That’s two aspects his swine have damaged.”

“I wouldn’t saydamaged. Ruffled. That’s a good word for it.” I offered River a grin. “And Grim told all the pigs to go fuck themselves.”

River stiffened as his eyes went dark. “Whatexactlydid he do?”

“Cut them off or something. He’s leaving them. Took my sister with.” I shrugged. I wasn’t well enough versed in the whole god-business to make any statements for certain.

River contemplated my words, lips pursed. “Good. I’ll spare him.”

For someone so cute and twinky, his aura held much more than Grim or Buck had shown me. Rayne eyed River warily and nodded. “Extreme, but I’m happy. Do tell Grim to come visit for a full moon. I want to see Eve and get to know him. It’s time not to be so afraid and to mend fences. I don’t like having enemies in the family.”

And, for what it was worth, I could agree with him.

The less I had to worry about my brother and other dangerous gods, the better.

“Are you done torturing my brother yet?” Rayne threw his hands on his hips and frowned.

“No.” River’s smug grin brought me a modicum of pleasure. I liked the god more and more by the minute.

Making our way away from that spot, we headed toward the gathering house of my niece’s namesake, the recently passed Vidalia, a witch I was told.

“I see the family resemblance, but you are the least omega-lookin’ omega I ever saw,” a thin-set older woman with a spirit less like an animal said.

“Ida Mae, this is Cliff, my brother and Buck’s aspect.” Rayne gestured toward me and pulled me in with a comforting gesture.

The woman, Ida Maye, crossed her arms and eyed me up and down, her dark eyes sweeping me with sharp appraisalbefore ticking her full lips up into a smile that melted into her eyes before she brushed nimble, thin fingers through her sculpted graying hair. The thick curls gave to her touch and fell back into place seamlessly. “Welcome in, boy.”

“Thank you. Rayne’s said good things about you.” I offered her a smile and stiffened when she swept an arm over my shoulders.

“Rayne got the special treatment once already, so come with me and have some time with the ladies. I got a story about two bluebirds you need to hear, and a new recipe Pearl just tried.” The sweet smile she wore went wicked, and Rayne raised a brow, allowing me to be carted off.

“Make sure Jacque is okay?” I flashed a worried glance at Rayne and received a thumbs-up.

Chapter Fifteen

Buck

When the scent of food grew stronger and we found ourselves gathering with the wolves and witches to partake of their offerings, I caught sight of Cliff sitting with the matrons next to Rayne and Ida Maye. From the stiffness of his shoulders, I gathered that he’d not find his spot among them. He belonged elsewhere, perhaps with some of the younger males.

As if on cue, Ida Maye waved her hand at Remmy, gesturing from Cliff to his group, making him get up and leave with a smile of relief. My heart swelled, and I stood back, relishing the gentle touch of Storm’s hand on my shoulder, squeezing with affection.

I lost sight of Brook for a minute and found him scooping up River to carry off to the tables. They’d never say no to an offering of home-cooked food. Flesh, labor, and toils of the land all displayed before them for their enjoyment to be shared and sustained upon. It seemed right.

I made my way toward Remmy’s table, letting me touch base with Cliff before sitting down with Grayson, the beta leader of the pack, acting alpha.

With Vida being passed about, we spoke of new things to come, and Grayson made sure to let me know the house we would stay in was ours unless we wanted to look at a few spaces where the houses were ready for complete overhaul. I nodded along before our conversation drew Remmy in and Sy from Cliff’s table, pleading with me to aid in building something new.

I already had a perfectly nice home in Oklahoma, made with my own gifts and my long-passed followers in ways natural to the land. Though, guiltily, I’d need something if I were to stay here.

“The packhouse is fine.” I smiled, but their admonishing words drew my gaze away to a hopeful smile. Cliff leaned back in his chair nearby and raised a brow. “But you’ve an idea, don’t you?”

They silenced as Cliff nodded while Sy spoke. “So, the pack has permits and we need to build something, and I want to experiment with these new wattle and daub designs. Your boy there gots himself some major smarts when it comes to building. Sustainable architecture is a growing field and his designs are top-notch.”

An ember of lust settled in my chest as I glanced over at Cliff, locking eyes with him. He was perfect for me, a connoisseur and conservator of the earth. I barely heard anything else when I gave my consent. “Do it. Yes. Whatever he wants.”

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