Bookstore princess

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

James

Over the next two weeks, Micheline, or Ducky as she has now allowed me to call her, has been giving me more time to come in and sit down with my mate Nadia. I feel so grateful for her if I'm going to be honest with myself. She seems to like me, which I appreciate very much. Nadia started out slowly with the walks, but quickly built up her strength. Right now she's reading a book I brought in for her, the one we never finished that night almost three weeks ago. I've also taken the opportunity to download audio books on a tablet I bought for her. Well, technically Steve bought the tablet, screen protector, and case with my credit card. I paid for almost a hundred audio books out of pocket as well. To be honest, I had Ducky sign in to her apps for me so I could surprise Nadia, and then made the purchases using my credit card. I also left my credit card as the only one on file, so going forward I am paying for her books and anything else she wants. There's a few stores she shops online with, so I also put my credit card there too. I just want to take care of my little mate. It's not like I can't afford it.
Nadia had been so surprised by the dozen roses and the tablet, it was priceless. She had a set of bluetooth headphones already with her phone so she paired it with the tablet and has barely turned it off except to charge at night, her phone nearly forgotten except when text messages come in. She has yet to meet Sam, or any of my other pack mates. They want to come and give their well wishes, but I've asked them to stay and keep an eye on town and an extra eye out for the rogues.
Sheriff Morgan came by a few times. Once to get the full official statement from Nadia, and then just to check in on her progress as she was still healing. There's several eyewitness reports that corroborate our story as well, which helps. Mainly pack mates etc.
Jacob, Rieta, and Jenny try to come daily but it's a long day for them. The store is almost up and ready for business, but they are waiting for Nadia to be able to have a hand in the hiring process because they've finally caved in that it's a bit much for them to handle all on their own without either of us there to help. I suggested a few pack mates, or "Family members", and they are on board with it, they just need to meet them first.
I have managed to mark Nadia again, not the full mate mark, but just enough so that all other were's know that she's mine and mine alone. We had to do it quickly, and this time she felt a bit of pain. That was a week ago, when we had more than five minutes alone, and I can tell the scent is already starting to wear off. I'm not impressed, but I'm waiting for another opportunity to mark her again.
Right now we are having some Starbucks that Steve brought in for us, assuring me that the pack is doing fine and completely understanding the need for me to be elsewhere right now. I still manage what I can via my phone or text messaging. Maria brought my laptop for the more in-depth things I have to handle. Steve left shortly after, but Ducky, Nadia, and I have been enjoying our little treats. It's not Jenny's iced coffee, but it will do.
"Well I have some good news for you" Luke came into the room with a large smile on his face.
"I can go home?" Nadia asks without missing a beat.
"Tomorrow, yes. But we want you to do some physio for that shoulder of yours" he looked at the gauze covered wound on her shoulder. The only one that hasn't fully healed yet.
"I can do that, there's one in town" she gives a large smile.
"I thought you were coming home with me" Ducky frowns.
"No mom, I can't. I really need to get back to the shop, and I really miss my Melody" Nadia pouts.
"It's not up for discussion. James can come with you, and so can Melody. You need to recover, and I know you wont if you are anywhere near the bookstore" she sasses.
"I mean, that's fair" I admit, although I'm cringing. I think that's on Nick's pack lands. I take out my phone and shoot him a text message asking if it's okay that I go with her there. The message back is almost instant, that he approved it.
"I need clothes" she points out, having been wearing only two hospital gowns for weeks now.
"We are going shopping," I grin.
"That might be a bit much for her right now Al... James" Luke reminds me.
"I'll ask Jenny to go pack you enough for a week with all your favorite toiletries and stuff. I'm sure she will know what to do" I offer, looking at Nadia lovingly.
"Fine, but just a week mom" Nadia gives in. "I am worried about losing the store," she says softly.
"You won't, the insurance paid for the lost revenue as well as the product. They also helped pay for the repairs, which Jacob made me take the money for" I give a wolfish grin.
"Good" she nods, seeming pleased.
"Your medical bill has already been paid, so all you have to worry about is recovery" Luke says with a smile.
"By who?" Nadia asks in surprise and even Ducky seems shocked.
"Anonymous donor" Luke says, but his eyes stray to me.
"James," Nadia sighs. "That has to be thousands of dollars!" she exclaims.
"Let me take care of you" I shrug. "I have the extra money" I add.
"That's very generous of you," Ducky says. "Thank you" she says meaningfully and then looks at Nadia as though scolding her silently.
"Thank you" Nadia finally says.
"You're welcome" I say, holding Nadia's gaze. She gives a soft smile, and I feel like the luckiest man alive.

Nadia

I can't believe that James paid for so much, and now he's willing to go to what is likely another pack's territory in order to spend time with myself and my mom. He's got his plate full with his businesses and his pack, but he seems to be balancing well. He's constantly on his phone or laptop, but when I ask for his attention, he gives me his full attention. I was shocked at how many audio books were on the tablet that he bought me, and my online book subscription site has already been added. The only thing I added to the tablet were some streaming services that I like to watch in my downtime. We've watched a few movies on it, but I'm more interested in the audio books. They are racy enough I can't listen to them without my headphones on, since mom is around. She's not as keen about the sex scenes, but she generally likes the plots. It didn't escape me that he chose a lot of werewolf novels, but he also downloaded some of my favorite dark romance and contemporary romance authors, so I was quite pleased.
After we were done with our overpriced iced coffee, mom went for a walk down to the cafeteria to get supper for her and James since mine is going to be delivered soon.
"Okay, phone down" I instructed. James automatically put his phone away and I couldn't resist it. "Good boy" I grin and he laughs.
"I'll let that one slide," he says, coming up closer to me, and holding my hand.
"Are you sure you're ready to come visit my mom's place for a week?" I ask him.
"I don't know if you've figured this out, but I can't be without you. It's painful to be apart. Humor me and let me join you" he says almost imploringly.
"Is that part of the bond?" I whisper.
"Yes, that too" he shakes his head. "Until the rogues are caught, I'm not leaving your side" he says firmly.
"Any luck so far?" I ask him, a little timidly.
"No, the bar has been shut down, they're in the wind" he sighs.
"I have a feeling that's not the last we've heard of them" I frown. "There's something else I wanted to talk to you about" I say, broaching a subject that he's let me stew on for the last few weeks.
"What is it baby doll?" he asks.
"I want you to do it. Mark me fully" I look into his blue eyes and his face breaks out into a large smile.
"With pleasure. Once we are at your mom's, we will take a day trip and I'll mark you fully. Your first few shifts might hurt, but beyond that it's usually painless. We won't do any shifting until the next full moon though" he says.
"Sounds like you've got this figured out" I chuckle
"I was planning on begging," he admits with a grin. "I'm not above it when it comes to you," he says.
"Well, you won't have to today" I giggle. "Kiss me before she comes back" I whisper. He doesn't need further prompting. He stands so he has better access and his lips brush against mine. It doesn't feel like enough. I start to pull away, but he grabs me by the back of the head and his lips are hot on mine. My mind goes blank as his tongue sweeps in and he kisses me senseless. I can feel every part of my body coming alive, and those familiar tingles I've learned to anticipate when he touches me.
"Fuck" he moans as my hand touches his cheek, trying to pull him in more. "It's getting harder to..." he trails off as I pull on him more. He seems to understand the assignment and continues to kiss me like his life depends on it. These stolen kisses I've learned to live for. There's just not enough alone time if I'm going to be honest with myself. I want more, I need more. I want all of him, everywhere. I want to be like him, so I can be stronger to help protect him as well. We both hear a throat clearing and part from each other to see the attendant with my food.
"Oh sorry" I say, a little embarrassed and my face flushed.
"It's not the first time" they remind me with a chuckle. James pulls away and sits back down on his chair, taking a moment to adjust himself in his pants before sitting. I giggle and think that tomorrow just can't come fast enough.