Chapter Fifty

“Wife?” 

“Well, mate. Same difference.” Candy said, pressing her lips to Annie’s before she pulled away to open the door and climb into the back seat.

“Wife?” She repeated, her tones rising as she looked towards.

“This is a bit more permanent than, but yes.” He said, leaning against the jeep’s door as she climbed in.

Annie’s brow furrowed as she buckled her seatbelt. Unsure about how she felt being their wife. Her parents hadn’t had a happy marriage, sure they had loved her and Abby. She just never got the feeling that they loved each other, though.

“We could do burgers.” Stolas said before he closed the door and walked around to the other side of the jeep.

“Burgers? Yes, please.” Candy looked over at Annie before adding, “I mean, only if you want them too.”

Annie twisted in her seat to look back at Candy, “Wife?”

“Yes, wife. Burgers or Mexican?”

“Either is fine, I’m still reeling from the wife thing.”

“Why?” Candy asked as she looked out the window. She didn’t want Annie to see that her words hurt. “I know it’s a human thing, the word wife. If it bothers you-”

“No. It’s just, I never thought I would be anyone’s wife or mate.” Annie said as she leaned over the seat, grabbing Candy’s hand. “I like being your mate, I just think if you want to marry me you should ask.”

“So if I asked?”

“It’s a sure thing, but maybe not right now.” Annie said as she leaned back. Stolas had started the car and was waiting for her to sit back in her seat.

“So when I do ask?” Annie asked, looking back at her, a grin spreading across her face.

“When you do, yes.”

Stolas bit his lower lip, trying to fight down his smile as he shifted the jeep into reverse and pulled out of the parking spot. He thought about where he was going to take Candy for their date. He’d have to make a phone call, he didn’t know if he was ready yet to let the other devil meet them. If they were going to his shop like he wanted to, then he knew that he’d have to make the decision quick and hope for the best.

“So my ladies, burgers?”

“I think that sounds like a plan.” Annie said, turning to look at him with a smile. 

*** 

Stolas carried their bags as they walked into the pack house. Candy held the drink carrier, pouting because Stolas hadn’t let her steal some fries on the ride home.

“Annie.” Abby called out as she slung her bag over her shoulder. Sam let out a huff as realized he wouldn’t be getting Abby away to himself for a bit longer as she pulled her hand from his.

He stopped, feeling the difference in Stolas as his power washed over his skin.

“They’ve claimed you?”

“They have.” Stolas said, shaking his hair behind his shoulders as he bared his neck for the other demon to see. Tilting his head from side to side. He motioned towards the kitchen and Sam nodded, backing up a half step. Leaning over, Stolas pecked Annie’s cheek with a quick kiss before he looked at Candy.  “I’ll be right back.”

Candy nodded her head, watching the men as they walked down the hallway. She looked back towards Annie.

“We have a sister.” Abby said before puffing her cheeks out and holding her breath. Waiting for her twin, no triplet to say anything.

“Huh?” 

“I just met her, and she’s not human.” Abby said as she breathed out, carefully watching Annie to make sure she didn’t panic.

“She’s a succubus?” Annie asked, feeling anxiety well up in the pit of her stomach. Candy’s fingers brushed against hers and she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Some of her nervousness disappearing at her mate’s touch. She gave her a small smile before looking back over at Abby.

“Was I the only one who didn’t know?” Abby crossed her arms under her breast as she raised an eyebrow at Annie.

“I just found out last night and we’ve both been, um,” she paused as heat spread across her cheeks. “A bit busy.”

“Fair enough, her name is Amelia. She looks like us and I got to see a dragon.”  

“So we’re triplets?” Annie asked, bringing her hand up to her stomach as she thought about the babies. “And I’m so jealous about the dragon thing.”

“I’m standing right here.” Candy grumbled.  Abby laughed and then covered it up, pretending to cough. It was nice to see that her sister’s mate was just a bit jealous of the wonderment in Annie’s voice.

“Yeah, she’s identical to us. Lots of mates too. I got her number.” She said.

***

Sam followed Stolas into the kitchen. He hoped up onto the counter as Stolas sat the bags out and moved to the cabinet to grab some plates.  

“What’s up?” Sam asked as he pulled out his phone, swiping the screen open.

“Just checking on you, man. Did something happen with you and Abby this morning?” 

“No, she spent the night with the wolves and that half breed.” Sam’s words weren’t as venom filled as when he’d first introduced Stolas to the others. Stolas couldn’t help but smile as Sam looked up at him while his game loaded. “Why?”

“Something was pulling from Annie’s energy. It woke her succubus up enough to claim me.”

“The other one maybe?”

“So there is a third?”  Stolas smiled as he dumped out the fried onto a plate.  “I was worried about that.”

“Yeah, funny thing. She’s bound to Sin.” 

“You think that’s what he was calling about?” Stolas asked as he tossed the trash towards the trashcan. 

“Probably, I’m glad he’s free of Nash.  Didn’t think he was ever going to get to break that bond.” Sam looked down at his phone. Trying to not let his worry show for his fellow demon. “You think Nash well come after him?” 

Stolas placed his hands on the counter as Sam sat his phone down, worrying his lower lip as he studied his friend. “Chances of that are high.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah.” Stolas said as he picked up the plates, balancing one on his arm before picking up the other two.

“Looks like they made you into a,” Sam’s lips twitched as he jumped down from the counter. “Good boy.”

“Oh please, like you don’t jump through hoops for Abby.”

“Touche. Still funny to see you like this, do you plan to let them collar you?” Sam’s smile deepened as they headed towards the hallway.

“You planning for Abby to claim you?” Stolas asked with a smirk as he looked over his shoulder at the demon.

“I Think we both know the answer.” Sam said as his walk changed to a rolling prowl as he got closer to Abby.

“Yeah, we do.” 

Sam stepped behind his lover, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing the side of her neck. Abby shivered, closing her eyes before looking over her shoulder at him.

“Ready, babe?” 

“Yeah,” she whispered as she bit her lower lip before turning to look back at her sister. “We’ll talk later.”

“Have fun you two.” Stolas called out as he moved closer to Annie and Candy. “So want to eat on the porch and watch the sunset?” 

“Ooo, romantic.” Candy chuckled as she opened the door, guiding Annie outside. “You okay, baby?”

“Yes, just a lot to take in.” Annie said as she moved to the porch swing. 

Stolas handed her plate before handing Candy hers.  He sat down on the swing with Annie as Candy moved to sit on one of the wicker chairs that filled the porch.

“I can imagine,” Stolas said, watching Annie as she looked at her burger and fries. “If you want to talk about it, we’re here for you.”

“He’s right, or if you just need for us to sit with you and be here. We can do that too.” Candy said before taking a bit of her burger. 

“I think I might just take a walk.” Annie said, sitting her plate on the small table beside Candy, “If that’s okay with you?”

“Baby, you don’t have to ask for my permission to do things. I mean, I like being dominant in the bedroom. Outside of it, a little. Unless that’s what you need?”  Candy’s worried her lower lip as she wondered what it must have been like for Annie before. “Is that what you need?”

“Okay, so maybe we talk about boundaries when I get back?” 

“Good plan.” Candy said, watching Annie as her mate smiled a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.