Holding Honor (Ashland Pride Nine)

by R. E. Butler

  Hope reached out with her paw and caught the cuff of his sleeve with her claw, giving a tug. Tears stung his eyes as he leaned into the van and hugged her, careful to avoid her injury. Jax and Honor joined in the embrace.

  “You’re both okay and we’re all together,” Jax said thickly. “That’s what matters.”

  “Definitely,” Holden said.

  Police vehicles led an ambulance into the area. Two EMTs who were pride males hopped out, one carrying a bag and one pulling a gurney. Holden lifted Hope from the van and settled her on the gurney. Inside the ambulance, Holden watched as they inspected the injury and used a portable imaging device to get a better look.

  “We can take her to the hospital,” one of the EMTs said, “but the nearest one is twenty minutes from here. She’s in her shift, so pulling the screwdriver out and letting her heal naturally is probably better than a ride to the hospital and a huge bill. They would just do the same thing we’d do.”

  “Whatever’s best for Hope,” Jax said.

  After giving her a shot to numb the area, the EMTs swiftly pulled the screwdriver from her. Holden watched the wound immediately begin to heal, and was very thankful for shifters’ advanced healing abilities. After the wound was cleaned, the EMTs recommended her staying in her shift as long as possible.

  “It’s her first time shifting,” Holden said, rubbing Hope’s paw.

  “Oh?” Joey asked.

  “Yeah. She’s only fifteen.”

  Daniel came to the open doors and said, “My little brother shifted before he was sixteen. Our grandpa was driving and had a heart attack. They were out in the middle of nowhere and he was scared. He panicked and shifted, and then went for help. He was in his shift for maybe six or seven hours before he really calmed down enough to let his human form come back. He didn’t shift again until he was sixteen, though.”

  “Thanks,” Holden said.

  The EMTs got another emergency call, so Holden lifted Hope from the ambulance and carried her to their truck. When she was settled – Honor watching over her, whiskers twitching in concern – he and Jax filled Daniel and the rest of the officers in on what they knew about the three females in the van.

  “We already spoke to the other witnesses,” Daniel said. “Bring Honor and Hope by the station tomorrow and I’ll get their statements.”

  Holden looked at the truck where two lionesses waited. “They’ll be okay?”

  “From Ryan’s statement and what we witnessed, they acted in self-defense, so don’t worry,” Daniel said. “We have a counselor if they want to talk to someone about it. It’s not easy to deal with the aftermath of something like this.”

  “Thanks,” Jax said. “What about Ryan?”

  Daniel nodded. “Frank said he’d ensure he comes by with an apology when he’s out of the hospital, but that’s not going to change the fact he was complicit in an abduction. We’re going to bring charges against him, so we’ll keep you informed.”

  Holden backed the truck up and swung through the coffee shop parking lot, where he dropped Jax off to drive Honor’s car home. When they reached the house, Eli was standing on the front porch.

  “Hey,” Holden said as he got out of the truck and opened the back door. “I was going to call you when we got the girls settled.”

  “Daniel called and kept me updated on what was happening. They’re okay?”

  Jax parked behind Holden and got out, joining him at the truck. Holden lifted a now sleeping Hope into his arms, smiling as Honor hopped down and followed him to the house with a concerned yowl.

  “Yeah,” Jax said. “Sorry we didn’t call you when things were going down, it all happened so fast.”

  “It’s okay, I understand how easy it is to be focused on the matter at hand and not think about anything else. Daniel thought I might have heard something and didn’t want me to worry. I drove right over.”

  Jax held the door open, and Holden carried Hope into the house and laid her on the couch. She made a snorting, snoring sort of sound and snuggled into the cushions. Honor hopped up next to her and curled up, her gaze on her daughter.

  Jax and Holden recapped everything they knew from Daniel and Frank. Holden was certain that Honor and Hope would have more information to add once they were able to speak.

  Eli sat down and looked at the two females. “I can’t believe that Hope shifted. I didn’t think it was possible.”

  “Us either,” Jax said.

  “She must have been really scared,” Holden said. “Whatever the reason for her shift, though, I’m thankful for it. She saved Honor, and herself.”

  Honor yowled softly in agreement, stretching her paw out to rest on Hope’s.

  “If you boys don’t mind, I’m going to stick around until they’re out of their shifts,” Eli said.

  “Of course,” Holden said. “We understand completely.”

  “We’re not going anywhere, either,” Jax said.

  Chapter 14

  Honor hadn’t intended to doze off, but the stress of the morning had taken its toll, and once her adrenaline ebbed, she’d crashed hard. When she woke, she felt ready to shift back to human. Someone had thrown blankets over her and Hope, so Honor was covered up as she shifted.

  “Hey beautiful,” Holden said as he knelt on the floor next to the couch.

  “You’re back!” Jax said with a broad grin.

  Honor sat up, drawing the blanket around herself so all her bits were covered. “What time is it?”

  “A little after noon,” her dad told her as when he walked into the room.

  She hummed. She didn’t think she’d sleep for so long, but clearly she’d needed it. Looking at Hope still in her shift, she said, “She’s beautiful.”

  “She looks just like her mom,” Jax said.

  Honor stood and said, “I really want a shower, some clothes, and a steak.”

  Holden’s brows rose. “Steak?”

  “I’m starving!”

  “No problem,” he said. He kissed her gently and smiled. “I’m so glad you’re okay. We were so fucking worried.”

  “Me, too.”

  Jax followed her to the bedroom, shutting the door and pulling her close. “Are you okay?”

  She lifted one arm and looked at the underside. There were faded marks from where Victoria had slashed her. “Yeah, I’m okay. Victoria was trying to turn me back to the way I was.”

  “What?”

  “That was their plan. She said I was broken, and she was going to fix me. She stuck her claws into me, and was going to have the others do it, too. When the police stopped the van, she decided to change me right there so I could say I didn’t want to be with you two anyway, then they wouldn’t get in trouble for abducting us.”

  “Where the hell did they get an idea like that?”

  “I don’t know. Did I hear correctly that Ryan was spying on the pride for Victoria?”

  “That’s what Frank said. Ryan’s at the hospital being treated for broken ribs. Once Daniel gets his statement, we’ll know the rest of the story. The whole damn situation is crazy. Did you know his daughter Carolee?”

  “Yes. She’s one of Victoria’s people; she was instrumental in helping to take me out as pride leader. Ryan’s her father?”

  Jax nodded. “Who were the other two females with Victoria?”

  “Raquel and Rose. They were her cronies, too.” She thought over what happened in the van. “We killed those females. Are we going to get in trouble for it? I’ll take the full blame. I don’t want Hope to have to suffer because the females came after me.”

  He gave her a hug, and she melted against him. “Daniel said that you were both clearly acting in self-defense, and not to worry about it.”

  “Good. I don’t want to go to jail for killing females who were planning to harm us, but I absolutely would to keep Hope safe.”

  “I’m so sorry that you had to go through this, sweetheart. I’m sorry that Holden and I weren’t there to protect you.”

&nb
sp; “I don’t think it would have mattered, though. If it wasn’t today that they grabbed us, it would have been another time. Ryan was watching us and we didn’t even suspect it. I’m glad they didn’t just get Hope. If they’d taken her and left me, it would have killed me.”

  “What do you think will happen to the Canada pride?”

  “I don’t know. Gretchen and Julia wanted to just live in peace up there, and not interfere with the males or get revenge on anyone. I don’t know who will take over, but Victoria was the last fanatic and she’s dead, along with her two biggest supporters. I’m not sure that those who supported Victoria are strong enough to lead, but it doesn’t matter. We sent a message today that no one messes with our family.”

  “Damn straight.”

  Her stomach rumbled, and her cat made a hungry yowling sound in her mind. Jax chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Go clean up, I’ll meet you in the family room.”

  When she was alone, she dropped the blanket and walked into the bathroom, turning on the light. Lifting both arms, she inspected her reflection. The faint scars that remained from her ordeal would probably fade more in time, but she didn’t care whether they did or not. Those marks proved that once a female was free from the curse, she was free. And that was worth a few scars.

  After a long, hot shower, she braided her hair and got dressed, then joined her family.

  “Good timing,” Holden said as he walked into the family room with a tray. On it was a glass of iced tea, and a plate holding two steaks.

  She bent and kissed her dad on the cheek, then sat on the couch next to a still-sleeping Hope.

  “Oh yum, thank you,” she said. Her stomach growled a second time, and she grinned.

  She cut into one steak and took a bite, groaning at how good it tasted. “I think I could use a third one of these.”

  “You got it,” Holden said.

  “Hey, wait,” she said.

  He turned and faced her. She put the fork down and looked at the three most important males in her life: her father, who had welcomed her warmly back into his life and looked after her daughter, and the two males who held her heart firmly in their hands.

  “I just wanted to thank you all for being there for me. I know that we thought the females might come for me, but I never imagined their intention might be to actually try to change me like that. I told Victoria it wouldn’t work, but she didn’t believe me.”

  “Do you think the females believe in the curse?” her father asked.

  “I didn’t think so, but Victoria said I was broken and she was going to fix me. She must have believed there was something to it. I had no idea she was talking to a male in King who was spying on her behalf. Now Hope has to live with killing someone, even in self-defense. I wish it hadn’t happened. I wish I hadn’t walked us right into a trap.”

  “You shouldn’t feel guilty,” Holden said, sitting next to her. His arm slipped around her shoulders, and the warmth of his touch radiated through her. “This is on Victoria. She wouldn’t let you go, and she tried to hurt you and Hope.”

  “You were cautious,” Jax pointed out. “You didn’t go anywhere alone. You stuck to crowded places. You’ll drive yourself crazy playing the what-if game. You and Hope are safe, and that’s all that matters now. We’re not alone anymore, any of us.”

  Her eyes stung with tears, and she didn’t fight them. Everything he said was true, and she’d focus on those things. Her mates. Her family. The future. All the good things she’d wanted since the curse was broken were hers; she just had to claim them.

  A furry paw pushed at her thigh and she looked over to see Hope stretching, her jaws wide in a yawn, her claws curling as she spread her toes.

  “Hey honey,” Honor said.

  Eli smiled as Hope rolled to her paws, climbed down, and stretched. She yowled tentatively, and he scratched her ears. “You might be ready to shift. If you are, just relax and let your cat lead you. If you’re not ready, that’s okay, too.”

  “Right,” Honor said. “You don’t want to try to force coming back from your shift, because you’ll just make yourself tired and it’ll take longer to come out of it.”

  Honor turned her attention back to her steaks, which had cooled considerably but still tasted amazing. As she ate, she watched Hope wander around the room, bumping into furniture and knocking things over with her tail. She stopped in front of the coffee table, her gaze bouncing from Honor’s face to the remaining steak.

  “Go ahead, honey,” she said, pushing the plate toward her.

  Hope lifted a paw and snagged the steak with her claws, dropping to the floor with a happy purr.

  “I think I have good timing,” Holden said as he set another plate with two more steaming steaks in front of Honor.

  Hope’s head shot up, her eyes wide and nearly crossing as she stared longingly at the meat.

  “Throw a couple more on,” Honor said with a laugh as she pushed the plate toward her daughter.

  Jax chuckled. “Nothing tastes better than a steak when you’re in your shift.”

  “Damn skippy,” Honor said.

  * * *

  Once Hope had eaten all of the steaks in the house, she wandered to the back door and pawed at the handle until it clicked, so she could head outside. Honor grabbed a blanket from the couch and followed her out, watching as her daughter explored the backyard. She remembered her first shift. Because of the curse, she hadn’t enjoyed the exploration that Hope was doing. The curse caused the females to be hyper-aggressive so they didn’t feel an urge to shift. It was as if it dampened the core of what they were, taking anything and everything that could bring joy and destroying it.

  “Shifting in the van was the first time I’ve shifted in years. I can’t even remember the last time; I just never felt the need. Being a female meant I had claws and fangs at my disposal, but I rarely used them for anything but intimidation. My growl was enough to make people do what I wanted. But my dad, Holden and Jax, and all the other males, they shift regularly because they enjoy it and their beasts want to be free. I like that idea.”

  Hope flopped to the ground with a groan, and her fur began to recede. Honor joined her, spreading the blanket over her.

  “Just relax, honey,” she murmured.

  “Ow, dang it,” Hope said as she shifted entirely. “Relaxing is impossible when your bones are cracking.”

  Honor chuckled. “Yeah. It’ll get easier every time you shift.”

  “But I might not shift again until I’m sixteen, right?”

  “Probably. I’ll be there for you when you do, though.”

  “You’ll shift with me?”

  “You bet.”

  “And teach me to hunt?”

  “Well, I don’t really know how to hunt. I never learned the skill. But I’m positive that my dad and my mates will be happy to help us both learn. How’s that sound?”

  “Really good.” Hope sat up and wrapped the blanket around herself. She was quiet for a long moment, and then she started to cry. Honor sat next to her and wrapped her arms around her.

  “You can talk to me.”

  “I hate that they came for you and hurt you. I hate them so much. But they’re dead. I…I killed that female, and all I wanted to do was keep her from driving us away. I thought she was going to smash through the police cars and take us to Canada. I didn’t know she would die from my claws. I didn’t. I didn’t.”

  “Oh, honey, those were dangerous females who were going to hurt us. You protected me and yourself. It was your first shift, and your lioness helped you to free us. I know you’re sad and upset, and that’s okay. Whatever you’re feeling is okay. But I don’t think you did anything wrong, and no one in this house does either. You can be sad, but you don’t have to feel guilty. You saved my life. I saw Victoria’s eyes: she was determined to change me back, and I believe she would have killed me if it didn’t work. And you, too. Honey, you saved us both, and I’m so thankful for your ability to shift. Without your lioness I proba
bly would have bled to death in that van.”

  Hope shuddered and sobbed in Honor’s arms, and she just kept holding her tightly until the crying eventually ceased and her tears dried. She understood why Hope felt guilty, because she wrestled with guilty feelings herself.

  Smoothing Hope’s hair back from her face, she said, “I don’t regret that you and I are safe. I would have done anything to protect you.”

  “I wanted you to be safe, too.” She gave Honor a watery smile. “I kept thinking that I just got you back and they were trying to take you from me.”

  “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from you. Or nasty females, either. You’re well and truly stuck with me, Hope.”

  “Good.”

  “Everything okay out here?” Eli asked as he stepped onto the patio.

  “Yep,” Honor said. “Just talking.”

  “I’m very proud of my girls,” he said, squatting next to them. “I always hoped you’d find your way back to us, Honor, and I’m so thankful that you did.”

  “Me, too.”

  * * *

  Although Jax and Holden didn’t want Honor and Hope to see Ryan, she felt like she needed to hear him out. But she didn’t want it to be private – she wanted him to lay out what he’d done to the whole pride, so there wouldn’t be any rumors about what had actually happened. He’d been charged with facilitating a kidnapping, and was forgoing a trial and taking a plea deal for some jail time and community service.

  The pride had gathered that night in the hall once more. She and her father sat in the front row with Hope, Jax, and Holden, while Daniel brought Ryan to face them. He’d been released from the hospital earlier that day, but he still looked terrible. Not only had his injuries not healed fully, he looked like a defeated shell of a male.

  She hadn’t expected to feel anything toward the male who had nearly gotten her and Hope killed in an attempt to see his daughter again, but she actually pitied him. In some ways she was surprised that more males in the past hadn’t acted as Ryan did.