The Stripper Slave
Chapter 22

Drew brought us in and had us relaxing in the packed living room and of course, the men were annoyed with us because we were catching up on old times but jealousy seeped through their skin. “It’s really great to see you, you saved my ass back then,” Drew said. “How did she save your life?” Vincent has never shown his jealousy like this before. “Well, when my mom took off and I went out looking for her. I hit a dry spot and was dying. But this cute 16-year-old farm girl saw me and she took me in the barn and nursed me to living again. I know I can’t die but I can suffer easily. So I owe her my life.” He gave my arm a rub and then took a drink out of his cup. “Well, there is a reason I am here actually. You owe me and I am ready to collect.” He took back his drink, set it down, and now he was at full focus. And once again I was telling the real him what happened and what’s coming. He looked at me and his face dropped. He was probably as shocked as most are when they hear everything. “And here we are. I am asking if I could talk to your mom about helping us with Clary the Moon Goddess.” If you could see the look on his face you’d realize how stunned he was. I mean it was a strange story but we’re people who turn into wolves. So stranger things have happened. “I can talk to my mom and then see if she will have a sit down with you, but no promises. We found her in a cabin and she became so zen it’s scary. But you’re more than welcome to stay with us with your two men since one isn’t good enough.” I hit him on the arm while he laughed at me. “But really you were a stripper?” I heard shuffling around me and looked back to both men nodding like they were embarrassed. “I hate men. I am switching sides after this. Such pigs.” I stood up and made my way outside to enjoy the fresh air.

An arm was around me by then. “It’s okay, we know are just like busting your ass. Athena, I know we’re in a complicated situation and asking you to stay with me is a lot to ask for. But I love you. And if that means keeping our family together then so be it. I just don’t want to lose you and if you choose to come home with me I will continue to make you the happiest woman alive.” My heart swelled with love and sadness all at the same time. How can I want to destroy what we have? My nose had caught a whiff of something but then I saw his eyes. I knew that look. I looked forward and there was this blonde. And she was looking back. Son of a bitch, Jack has just found his mate. I was hurting knowing I was going to lose him but he did something I never expected. She started walking forward but stopped. “No.” He called out. I stood there shocked. She was just as shocked. “Jack, she is your mate. It’s okay.” I saw the tears welling up in her eyes still in place. “I have a girlfriend and a daughter. I am not entertaining this.” My eyes went to him again. “Jack, you know things are complicated. Don’t ruin your chance at a mate because you want us to be a family.” He looked down at me and placed a kiss on my forehead. “My feelings for you are stronger than a mate bond. I want you, even if that means sharing you.” He walked back into the house and I was here looking back at her as she was crumbling down in place. “I’m so sorry. It’s complicated but I will talk to him. I’m Athena.” She had walked over to me and laid a good one on the side of my cheek. Which I probably deserved honestly. “I want you to leave now!” Okay, now I am frustrated. “No can do. I have business here and we will leave when we’re done.” She was a few inches shorter than me but now she was in my face. “This is my kingdom. My mom runs this place and she will kick you out if I ask her to.” I let my eyes roll to her comment. Great, she must be Ariel. Drew’s little sister. “If I leave then so does he. You can blame this on me but the way my side of the country works is we get a choice to keep our mate or not and you should not be laying your hand on the person who conceived a daughter with him. I am going to let this side but don’t try me.” The tension hung in the air and a part of me was getting territorial with him now. Great.