With Abandon: With or Without, Book 4

thought of Martha clobbering him with a rolling pin or other kitchen utensils kept Matt from sampling the fish. It hadn’t taken Matt long to figure out that Joanna may be the hostess of Reynolds Hall, but Martha ran the place. He wanted to stay on her good side.
    Dipping his paw into the small pool, he batted at a particularly curious fish. Most of the other koi split as soon as he’d hopped up on the ledge. The wind blew just right to catch the spray on his face. He held his nose up and closed his eyes. Ah, nice .
    Not only were there crickets and the occasional wolf howl, but frogs, little pops from the fish coming
    to the surface, the tinkling of water cascading over the fountain and the soft roar of the creek. Leaves rustled as the trees blew in the breeze. It was easy to see why the Reynolds were enamored of this place.
    A horse neighed, and toenails clicked across concrete, bringing Matt out of his musings.
    Jarred paced past him like a prison guard on sentry. It wasn’t that he was unfriendly, not in the least, but he sure worried a lot and he was a stickler for rules. Matt couldn’t have that. Playing and interacting with Rhys, had taught him most wolves were pups at heart.
    Jarred wasn’t going to know what hit him. Waiting for just the right time when Jarred walked past,
    Matt slapped the pool surface hard. Water soaked his face and chest, but it rained down on Jarred too.
    He stopped mid-stride and stared at Matt. His jaw actually dropped and his eyes widened. Matt had no
    idea a wolf could manage that shocked expression but Jarred did. Added to the very human reaction, his
    head cocked to the side, betraying his lupine instincts as well. If Matt could’ve laughed, he would’ve.
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    Not giving the older wolf time to recover, Matt pounced on him. He landed right on Jarred’s back,
    knocking him down. At first Jarred just lay there, stunned, but when Matt bit his ear in play, Jarred
    growled. It wasn’t a mean growl but a good-natured one. He rolled and nipped at Matt anywhere he could
    reach. They tussled for a few minutes, and Matt took off around the fountain pool. He ran toward the
    gazebo, but he never made it off the cobblestone area.
    Jarred tackled him.
    They tumbled toward the grass, tangled together. When they finally stopped, Matt lay on his back
    with his paws in the air.
    Panting with his tongue lolling, Jarred stood over him. He made to leap but didn’t. His tail wagged as
    he pretended like he was going to spring again.
    This time, Matt got to his paws, waiting for the attack.
    Out of nowhere came Howard’s amused drawl. “I’m impressed, Matt. I didn’t think Jarred had it in
    him.” There was a husky laugh and he continued, “You’re going to be good for this pack and even better for Aubrey. He’s one of the wolves who needs to loosen up.”
    Startled, Matt gazed toward the voice. Howard stood on the back porch already a wolf and had spoken
    in his head. Keaton had mentioned his father could do that too. Matt glanced around to see if anyone else had heard him. Matt didn’t think so because Jarred was still ready to pounce. And Aubrey…
    Oh wow. Aubrey stood next to his dad in all his lupine glory. The same nearly white fur his younger brother had covered him from head to paw, but that was where the similarities ended. Aubrey wasn’t slim and dainty like Keaton. Even though he was still on the small side for a wolf, he was more powerfully built.
    His musculature was beautiful to behold. Whether Aubrey wanted to be Alpha or not, he was. The authority rolled off him. He may not be as strong as his brother or father, but he sure looked the part. Actually, he kind of felt the part too.
    Matt shook his head to clear it and to get the water off himself.
    Howard must have said something to Jarred, because he abandoned his ambush stance and turned
    toward the Alpha.
    Together, Howard and Aubrey came down the back steps into the garden. Howard strolled past, and
    Jarred fell in beside him. “Commence to shaking Aubrey up, Matthew. Be good and I’ll see you both when Joanna and I get back from our cruise.”
    Cruise? Matt would ask Aubrey about it tomorrow when he had a voice again. Something tickled his
    face, and the scent of his mate filled his head, making him dizzy.
    Rubbing up against Matt’s side, Aubrey kept walking, nuzzling his face on Matt’s for a brief moment.
    It was casual and tender at once.
    Matt’s stupid cock