Healing Their Mate (The Love of a Shifter) (16 page)

“
Feisty this one is.  She makes my blood burn hot.”  Reaching over, Mick kissed Millie on the lips.

“
You old coot.  Don’t frighten the young ones.  Drink your beer then we will eat.”  River already loved the couple.  Reece and Jonas came over as Mick pulled two more glasses up and poured them a darker beer. 

“
Thanks, Mick,” Reece muttered as he sat down on the stool beside River. 

“
Do you have any Beamish Stout?” Jonas asked as Mick eyed him.

“
What do you think, wolf?”  Before Reece could chastise the old man, River slammed her beer down on the bar as she stared at Mick.  Everyone at the bar became quiet as they watched River eye the older man until he looked away.  River had dealt with old men like Mick over the years working at bars.  Mick Parker was no different from the human men she worked with.  Arrogant and moody until you put them in they’re place.  She had to let him know he wasn’t going to be rude to Jonas just because he was a wolf.  He looked up at Jonas and whispered, “Sorry.” 

Jonas and Reece were still staring at River who went back to drinking her beer.  She ignored their reaction and reached over, grabbed some napkins, and wiped up the liquid she spilt from her beer.  Then she saw the bowl of pretzels.  Reaching quickly for the bowl,
“Oh, I love these,” River said with enthusiasm. 

Jonas reached over and kissed his mate on the mouth.  She didn
’t know how much that affected Jonas.  In her own little way she gave Mick an Alpha stare until Mick looked away and then apologized to Jonas.  This was huge and River didn’t have a clue.  She had taken up for one of her mates.  Jonas knew he didn’t need the protection but it’s what an Alpha’s mate would do.  Challenge anyone who dare harm her men. 

Mick grabbed another glass and pulled another tap handle down, allowing a dark brown liquid pour into the glass.  He handed the glass to Jonas who smiled then put the glass to his lips and drank until the glass was drained of all its liquid. 
“This is the best beer.  I love the Chocolate flavor.” 

“
If you like this one then you need to try a pint of Guinness Drought.  It is richer with just a hint of chocolate flavor in it.”  Mick watched as Jonas drank all the Beamish Stout then placed the empty glass down on the table.  Reece and River watched as Jonas drank the beer, impressed he was able to down it without taking a breath.

“
Okay, I think I would like to try the Guinness next.”  Mick smiled and shook his head then poured him the Guinness Drought next.  Mick watched as Jonas took a drink of the beer.  “You’re right that does have a great flavor.  Just a hint of chocolate like you said," Jonas no sooner finished his sentence when he let out a huge burp.

River and Reece laughed as they watched Jonas burp from drinking the beer too fast. 
“Let’s go eat, angel, before Jonas passes out drunk.”  Reece pulled River off the stool as they walked over to the buffet table.  River turned around and waved bye to Mick who waved back. 

“
Aye…come back and see me for more beer, doll.”  River nodded then allowed Reece and Jonas to guide her over to the table. 

Throughout the night, River was introduced to a hundred people or more.  She knew she wouldn
’t remember all their names right now, but she hoped that some of them would want to get to know her more and become friends.  Everybody was friendly but some were more distant than others from River and Jonas.  They were different and not a vampire.  She knew there would be some that would resist the mating, but never had she met such a racist family than the Wheatons.  They were beyond racist and rude.  Sticking their nose in the air when she turned around.  The rudest was their daughter, Martha Wheaton, but most people called her Marty.

River overheard the Wheatons talking to another couple.  They said they needed to get together because the Prime was mated to a dog and a human and how the clan was going downhill because of it.  Their bloodlines would now be mixed with dogs and humans.  River knew this would happen.  Now they were trying to go against Reece because of who he was mated to. 

“Hello, Reece,” Martha Wheaton purred off her lips.  The seduction she was expressing was blatantly obvious.  River could tell how nervous Reece was when he introduced her to the Wheaton family.  River saw how they turned their noses up in the air when Jonas and River were introduced.  They acted like they could smell something foul. 

“
Ross, Pearl, I would like for you to meet my mates.  This is—”

“
Prime, we would like a word with you in private,” Ross cut in before Reece could introduce Jonas and River.  River could see the tick in Reece’s jaw.  She could tell that he was counting to himself before he did something rash. 

“
Ross!”  Everyone near heard the agitated sound in Reece’s voice as he spoke.  Conversations stopped as they watched their Prime address Ross Wheaton.  “You will not disrespect my mates by interrupting me.  You may not like my choices, but you will not disrespect my mates.  Are we clear?”  Reece’s power buzzed around him making everyone standing near the Prime back up.  Reece was pissed by how the Wheatons were acting.  Interrupting Reece also pissed him off enough to call the man on it.   

Bowing to Reece infuriated Ross and Pearl Wheaton.  But they were no match for Reece Ramsey.  Levi walked up, staring at the Wheatons.  Marty Wheaton looked around at how everyone was staring at them.  River could tell this was not the type of attention she wanted.  Marty backed away from her parents as Reece addressed them.

Ross and Pearl Wheaton bowed their head.  When Ross straightened up, Reece continued to stare at the man.  He was waiting for the apology for his mates.  River could see how straight Reece’s back was.  She could see the anger vibrating off him as he waited.  River could tell that Ross Wheaton wasn’t used to apologizing to anyone much less a werewolf and a human.  He felt they were beneath him and his family. 

As Reece continued to stare at Ross, River could see the look she was getting from Marty and her friends.  Three other girls glared daggers at River.  She allowed it not wanting to cause trouble, but River knew girls like Marty who got what they wanted or hurt people to get it.  River was smart enough to know that she wouldn
’t turn her back on Marty and her friends. 

Finally Ross gave in and looked over at Jonas and River. 
“Forgive me for interrupting.”  Reece knew it was a halfhearted apology but at least he apologized.  River wanted peace between her and the clan.  She knew there would be some who would not like her or Jonas, but she had hoped most would understand.  Obviously Ross, Pearl, and Marty Wheaton were not part of the clan who would welcome them with open arms.  River wondered if eventually she would have problems with Marty.  The way Marty looked at Reece, she figured it was only a matter of time before the hair pulling and the bitch slapping begin.  Marty wanted Reece that was obvious, but Marty didn’t want Reece because he was her mate or she loved him.  She wanted Reece because he was the Prime and that would give her status. 

Millie Parker walked over and asked Jonas and River what type of foods they liked because she cooked different types. 
Thank you, Millie
.  River appreciated the woman for coming over and breaking the tension.  River could feel how much Jonas wanted to say something to the Wheatons but he held his tongue knowing this was Reece’s clan and he, as Prime, needed to address the issue. 

Millie guided Jonas and River over to the buffet table where it was packed with different types of food.  Most of the clan members walked away or resumed their conversations.  The tension in the air faded as Reece walked off and Levi walked over to the Wheatons.  She could see that Levi was giving them the riot act.  Reece walked over and picked up River
’s hand and kissed it.  “I’m sorry for that.  The Wheatons are—”

“
You don’t have to apologize for them, Reece.  I’m used to that, but Jonas didn’t deserve that.”  River picked up a plate and started putting items on it to eat.

“
What do you mean?  Jonas didn’t deserve it, but you did?” Reece asked surprised.

“
Yeah…well no, not like you’re saying it, but let’s be honest, Reece.  I appreciate that you feel that way but I’m not in the same class as you.  I don’t come from a family with any vampire or werewolf ties.  I was homeless and I don’t have any money.  I can’t compete with them or anyone here.  Most people want to mate within their own clan or pack.  I’m just a human and Jonas is an Alpha for God’s sake.  He has a whole pack that he was in charge of and now he runs the unit.  I’m not degrading myself, it’s just the truth.  I don’t like my circumstances but it is what it is.” 

Reece and Jonas looked at River, shocked that she felt that way. 

“I can’t believe you feel that way,” Reece addressed her.

River narrowed her eyes at Reece.  Confused that he didn
’t understand what she was talking about.  “I don’t want it to be that way, Reece, but I’m a realist and the writing is on the wall.  Look at them.”  Reece and Jonas looked over at Ross and Pearl Wheaton.  Ross was in a heated conversation with Levi but Pearl was looking at River like she was a disgusting pig that came into her house.  Pearl immediately looked away when she saw that Reece was watching her.

“
You see how they look at me.  They can’t help it.  It is engrained in them.  It is who they are.  They believe their wealth and privilege allows them to treat people that way.  I wish it were different, Reece.  I’ve just been treated like this all my life and you don’t think I want to be treated like this?”

Reece looked over at Jonas.  They had no idea what River had truly been through or treated like in her life.  He was ashamed at how the Wheatons treated them. 

“No, baby, I don’t think you do.  I’m just sorry for how they acted.  Most of the people in the clan are good people.  The Wheatons are good people, River, they just had dreams that Marty and me would be…”

“
Mated.  Yeah well that is obvious too, but hey, I’m tickled that you just like me.” 

Reece wanted to spank her ass until it turned a pretty pink color for talking about herself like that, but he knew that would embarrass her and she would never forgive them for doing that here.  She wasn
’t used to people doing things for her.  She had no family or friends.  She lived hand to mouth and that was going to change for her.  But Reece knew that change would have to come slowly for River.  It scared her.  Thinking she wasn’t worthy was not something she would believe overnight.  That too would be something Jonas and him would need to work on her with.  She was their mate and they needed to get her self-esteem up.  Change needed to happen in his clan.  If people couldn’t accept River and Jonas as his mates then they needed to move on and find another clan.  This was his territory and these people only moved here twenty years ago from a different clan.  If they couldn’t get on the bus then Reece would plow them over in the bus.

“
Let’s eat,” Jonas said.  “Talking about ignorant people makes me hungry.  I want to tell you this, River.  Maybe it will help you understand.  I do understand that we will come in contact with people like the Wheatons in my pack but remember this.  Money does not make the person.  You see, baby, I’m a multi-millionaire.  I have more money than I know what to do with.  I’m making money every day and I still wear blue jeans and t-shirts to work.  I’m happy just as I am.  I love you because one, you are my mate but you have something these people will never have and that is a caring soul.  You are a beautiful woman inside and out.  You see, baby, money can’t buy that.  So just remember that when you think you’re not good enough.”

Tears pooled in River
’s eyes as she listened to Jonas.  She placed her hand on Jonas’s face.  “You are the best person, Jonas Glenn…bear with me.  This is a lot to take in and how I feel will take some time.  It is hard to change the way you feel about yourself overnight.  I’m trying.” 

Jonas kissed River on the forehead. 
“Let’s go eat then, woman, before I really get them talking by eating your pussy here.”  

River laughed out loud making others look over at them.  They sat at the table together eating some of the best food she had ever eaten.  Jonas and Reece went back for seconds then thirds as she sat and stared at the twinkling lights on the trees.  Daydreaming, River was smiling when Marty Wheaton sat down across from her. 
“Oh, sorry.  Hello,” River said as she smiled at Marty.

“
You think you won him?  You are nothing more than a sorry fuck.  He feels sorry for you.  The dog, well, you can have him, but Reece is the Prime of his clan.  He could be over the Vampire Council but with you tied to him, he will be lucky to be Prime of this clan.  He has status in our community.  Look at him then look at yourself.  Look at me and my family.”  River looked back at Reece and Jonas who were talking to people at the buffet line.  “From what I hear you have no family.  You have no money.  You’re not even in his class.  Do him a favor and cut this off before you ruin him, and mark my word, you will ruin his reputation.” 

Marty got up and walked off leaving her vile remarks for River to think about.  She knew what she was doing.  Marty Wheaton understood that River had issues and she pushed every button making River second guess everything.