Bonus I

"Kroshka."

I directed my gaze from the cake I was icing to the glorious Alpha male marching down the stairs in a pair of black slacks and a white collared shirt, his tie hanging loose around his neck, and let out an exaggerated whistle, "Why, hello handsome. Do I know you?"

Alrik lifted his head from buttoning his cuffs and gave me a wicked smirk as he strode over and grabbed my hand, tugging me into his arms.

"Mmm, I don't know you, but I'm open to getting reacquainted with your beautiful ass between the sheets," he muttered gruffly, palming my ass and pulling my leg around his hips while he nuzzled my neck.

Alrik has recently put his piercings back in because he thought they would make him appear younger, and if I thought we couldn't keep our hands off each other before, it was impossible now.

All he had to do was bite his pierced lip, and I was a puddle.

I hummed and slapped his chest lightly, "I spent an hour doing my make-up so let's not ruin it with what you have in mind."

He huffed against my neck, "Then, I guess I will have to settle with a kiss."

I smiled and leaned in for a peck, only to have him spin me around and pin my hips against the counter with his body.

"What the–"

He hiked my dress up my hips and kneeled, pressing his lips against my ass cheek and soothing the somewhat raw skin with his soft kisses. I inhaled sharply, and goosebumps scattered across my skin as he tugged the thin lining of my thong with the teeth and released it so it snapped against my skin, causing me to thrum with pleasure from the delicious sting.

From the glint in his eye, I expected him to continue his teasing, instead he tugged my dress back down, patted my ass, and straightened with a satisfied smile plastered on his face, "I love kissing your ass."

I 'hmph'ed and turned my attention back to icing the cake, trying to ignore his arms that were caging me in.

"I still don't know why I need a birthday cake. I'm getting old," he said under his breath.

I rolled my eyes, "You act as if you started sprouting white hairs the moment the clock struck midnight. You're only turning twenty-eight, birthday boy."

His palm slapped my ass before I could blink, "What did I tell you this morning, kroshka?"

"That for everytime I said the word birthday, you would smack my ass for reminding you that you're a grandpa," I said, barely concealing my amusement.

He narrowed his eyes and almost pouted at the grin on my face, "This isn't funny."

"I didn't say anything."

"Right," he mumbled sarcastically before leaning over to peck my cheek, "I'm going to take care of some pack work. I will be back in an hour or so, right on time for my stupid birthday dinner."

The moment he turned around, I took my chance and swatted his ass with the spatula, causing him to flinch in surprise and me to burst out giggling as he rubbed the sore spot.

"You–" he pointed at me accusingly.

"Call me 'Mistress'."

I barely had a chance to chuckle at his facial expressions before he stalked toward me and began running his fingers across my stomach, forcing laughter out of me as he hit the right spots.

"Alrik stop!" I wheezed, trying to grab his wandering hands.

"Mistress, huh?"

He finally gave me a moment to inhale before he crashed his lips into mine, making me release a soft moan as he dominated my mouth. When he pulled away, he bit his lip and ran his thumb along my bottom lip, "You might want to fix your lipstick, mistress."

He winked and walked out, leaving me to catch my breath with a dazed smile.

***

As the clock ticked close to six, I took a deep breath to calm the butterflies in my stomach.

But no matter how many times I double-checked that everything was in position, I couldn't settle my racing heart rate. Everything needed to be perfect for tonight – there was no in between with this.

The doorbell rang, and I hurried downstairs, momentarily forgetting my urge to dry heave. I flung the door open, and I was immediately attacked my a mass of frizzy red curls.

"Jaslynn! Bitch, I've missed you!" Meredith cried into my shoulder, squeezing me so I couldn't even respond. I patted her back and shoved at her shoulder so she would free me, and when she did, I couldn't help but grin at the radiant look on her face, "Married life is a good look on you, Mer. You're aboslutely glowing."

"I know," she beamed and leaned forward, whispering, "We got everything you need, but Dario doesn't know what's happening."

Before I could reply, said man bent forward, placing the cage on the ground, "I'm right here, and I would love an explanation."

He kissed my cheek and gave me a much less aggressive hug compared to his wife, "Hello, little angel. How are you?"

"I'm doing well, Dario, and sorry for keeping you in the dark. You'll find out what's going on after dinner," I said, giving him an apprehensive smile.

He nodded and wiggled his eyebrows, "I have an inkling, but I'm going to let you have this one. Now, do you want to meet him?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed, dropping to my knees besides the cage as he unlocked it.

Holy. Mother. Of. Cuteness.

My heart nearly burst at the little furry face staring back at me.