by J. M. Witt
“Absolutely not!”
“Mina, her son didn’t kill your mother.”
I took a step back from him knowing I hadn’t revealed that suspicion to him. “How do you know that?” I was growing suspicious.
“Mina, it’s not what you think. Scott told me more than I let on. I should’ve told you. I’m sorry.”
“But you said…”
“Fuck what I said. I didn’t want you to think I was some stalker. I promise, I just want to help.”
Crossing my arms over my chest I asked, “What makes you so certain Jude Thomas didn’t kill my mother?”
Exhaling sharply, his admission shocked me. “Because I believe Jude Thomas is your father.”
I shook my head, sure confusion resided in my expression. “No. There’s no way. That makes no sense.” Hail began pelting the windows again as blinding light penetrated my vision. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I exhaled sharply. “Rollo, there’s something you don’t know.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve been having blackouts, but they usually only happen after I shift. I need to go home.” My vision was spotty and my head was pounding. I tried standing, but couldn’t manage it. “Please, take me home before I blackout again.”
He scooped me in his arms and said, “The hell I’m taking you home. We’re going to see Jillian.”
“No! Please. It’ll pass in a few hours. Then I’ll go with you to see Jillian.” His eyes came into focus and he begrudgingly conceded.
“Fine. But I’m not happy about it.”
I vaguely remember giving him the security code for my alarm system and then him carrying me up to my bedroom. He put me in bed and then everything went black. When I rolled over several hours later, it was to see it was the middle of the night.
“Rollo?” Just when I thought that maybe he’d left me alone, I heard him walk into the room. He was shirtless as his large frame filled the doorway while he rubbed at his eyes. “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”
“It’s fine. Everything ok?”
“Yeah, for now anyway.”
“I took the room next door. I hope that’s ok.”
I nodded, “Yeah, its fine. You can head home if you want.”
He just shook his head. “Nope, we’re going to see Jillian. You’re not getting out of it. But I am going to sleep for a few more hours, maybe go for a run.”
Yawning, I laid back down. “Knock yourself out.”
He stood over me and brushed some hair from my temple. “Get some rest, Mina.”
“You, too.” Being friends fucking sucked.
Later that morning we were headed to the Thomas estate. I couldn’t stop playing with my hair. It was a nervous habit that Rollo was picking up on.
“You’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
We walked into a house that was cluttered and filled with cats. Each one we passed hissed at us as we snickered. Fucking cat people. Rollo sat down next to me on an antique couch and grabbed my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze before releasing it.
“So you’re Mina.” I bolted to my feet, not sure what to expect. She stared at me and I was growing increasingly more nervous. “You’re the spitting image of your mother, though her eyes weren’t blue if I recall correctly.”
“No, yes. You’re correct. Her eyes were brown.” I noted that Jillian’s eyes were blue, as well as the girl who stood beside her.
“Jude’s eyes were blue, like yours.”
I shook my head and looked away. “I’m sorry. This is just a lot to take in. I don’t know that I believe he’s my father.”
“Well, that’s what we’re going to find out.” She patted my cheek and then told me to sit down. She grabbed something off a tray and poked my finger with it before I could react.
“Ow!” I yanked my hand away and stuck the pricked tip in my mouth. “What the hell was that?”
“My own special DNA test. With magic of course.” She headed toward the door and announced, “Blood works faster. I’ll be back shortly.”
Once she was gone, I glared at Rollo. “What the hell, dude?”
Grinning, “Dude? Really?”
“This isn’t funny, Rollo.”
Trying to give me a straight face, he apologized. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not funny, but it was just a finger poke.”
“You could’ve warned me.”
Jillian walked back into the room. “Stand up dear.” I did as she asked. Clutching my cheeks, she examined my face. “I never would’ve suspected, but those eyes. They’re my Jude’s eyes.”
My stomach dropped as her words sank in. “So, you mean…”
“You’re my grand-daughter.” She clasped me to her and I didn’t know if I should hug her back or push her off of me. She pushed me to arm’s length and said, “Shifter, huh? That might be a first in our family tree.”
I stumbled back to the couch and sat down heavily. Rollo’s hand gently ran across my back, trying to comfort me. I was aware of Jillian speaking to the young woman, but couldn’t make out anything they were saying. My brain was in overdrive and the boom of thunder that followed got everyone’s attention.
Jillian grew silent and stepped closer to me. She gently raised my face with her soft, wrinkled hands. “Do you even know what you’re capable of?” Thunder rumbled again as I got the confirmation I’d so desperately been seeking. “You’re doing this. The weather has been acting up for a few months now and now we know the reason why. Have you figured out how to control it?”
I shook my head, “No and if I shift when it happens, I black out.”
“Yes. Both magic forces are competing for control. You need to figure out how to control it. It’s a little different for everyone.”
Stress filled my voice when I asked, “Why is this happening just now? I don’t understand.”
“That, my dear, we’re trying to figure out. Only a blood parent can withhold your powers, Jude, but…”
“He’s been dead for years.”
“Or so we thought.” She pulled up a chair and sat in front of me. “Jude was especially good at disguising himself, taking on the appearance of others. That was his magic specialty.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
She sighed, “I have a sneaking suspicion that who you all believed to be Scott Frost, was truly my Jude. He would’ve gone to any length to protect his own. Even if that meant living in secrecy.”
Rollo interjected, “If Jude was disguised as my Uncle Scott, then where’s my uncle?”
Jillian shrugged her shoulders, “That’s what we need to figure out. There’s no telling if he’s alive or in hiding.”
I started crying, “So, you think that Scott was really Jude? All those years I was with my father and I had no idea.” Pulling my knees up, I curled into myself. Every memory of Scott, or Jude, whomever it was, ran through my brain. Storms brewed internally and outside.
I heard Rollo talking and then Jillian telling him to stay back. “I want to see something. Mina, look at me.” I did as she asked. “I want you to let the emotions take over, just for a moment.”
“Is that safe?”
“Hush, boy.”
“Were you there the night your mother was killed?” It was as if she was trying to anger me.
Before I knew it, the room became dim as the sun was suddenly drowned out with black clouds. The lights flickered as I became more and more upset. So many secrets. Why had my father kept them from me, if he was truly my father? He had so many opportunities to reveal himself to me and I would’ve kept the secret. I would’ve let him adopt me. My vision shifted as I stood, taking deep breaths. Glass smashed and a violent breeze filled the room.
“The eyes! Mina, you have to learn to control it.”
I didn’t want to control it. I wanted to succumb to the power, let it consume me and take me over. I could feel the power surging through me, like an adrenaline high, and I wanted more. Closing my eyes, my arms stretched out as I smi
led at the toxicity of the feelings running through my body.
“Rollo, she has to be stopped!”
I stood back in amazement, knowing I should probably be fearful of what I was watching. Mina’s eyes were aglow, like lanterns in the night, as a storm outside began to catapult the house.
Jillian looked to me assuming I was the key and bellowed, “Rollo, she has to be stopped!” I don’t know what she thought I could possibly do and the expression I flashed at her told her so. “Are you in love with her? Only a lover has the power to reach her now. You must try.”
“How?” How did she know how I felt about Mina? I wasn’t even sure I believed it myself. It was too soon and Mina didn’t even know, not that I knew of. And we weren’t exactly lovers.
“That’s what you need to figure out. If you don’t try, we’ll have to use our own measures to get her to stop.”
I took another step toward Mina and reached out to touch her, but ceased as doubt filled me. I wasn’t even sure if she could hear me or see me. Where did I even start? Did I try to touch her, talk to her? I had no idea. My powers of persuasion never seemed to work on her, so what use would they do me now?
Stepping in front of her, I tried making eye contact with her. “Mina, you have to control it.” Something crashed against the outside of the house and I moved closer to her. Taking her hand, I let my eyes shift and willed her to hear my thoughts. “Mina, please stop. Focus on me. You’re safe, I’ll keep you safe.”
Her hand squeezed mine back and her eyes blinked. Slowly the glow of her eyes subsided. When I was convinced she was fully out of it I let my eyes return to their human likeness and then she collapsed in my arms.
Jillian directed us to the couch, “That much power, when you’re not used to it, is exhausting. Let her rest.” I placed her on the small couch and knelt by her. “Does she know?”
I knew what Jillian had to be referring to. “If she does, she refuses to acknowledge it.”
“It’s the magic. Deep down she knows or you wouldn’t have been able to get through to her just now. Keep trying. You two have a bond, believe that.”
We agreed that Mina should go home, but that I needed to stay close to her. She was barely coherent when I laid her in her bed.
The next few days she kept very quiet, but went to see Jillian every day to learn more about her powers. Mentally, Mina seemed to push me away, yet her demeanor was calmer and she didn’t object to me being around. I wasn’t sure if she was shutting down or discovering the possibilities.
When I got to her place that night, she was nowhere to be found, but her truck was parked in the drive. My senses told me that she’d gone for a run. She was gaining a little more control over her powers, but Jillian had warned her to tread lightly. Walking into the woods behind her house, I disrobed and inhaled deeply, picking up her scent almost immediately. Shifting, I then took off in pursuit of her.
I found her on our hill, my true identity still a secret to her, or she was playing me for a fool. She let me know that she was aware of my presence and whimpered softly as I stalked toward her. My need for her was most overpowering in our shifter forms. Nose to nose, we circled one another. I nipped at her neck and she showed her fangs and nipped back. We played this game for several moments before she took off running.
Following behind, when I caught up to her I jumped on her as we wrestled with each other. Managing to get out from under me, she stood and faced me. Then slowly, she turned and surrendered. Nuzzling her, she returned the gesture. Mounting her was the only thing left to do and that’s just what I did.
She willingly granted me the access I so desperately craved. I couldn’t hide myself from her any longer. Once we were done, I would reveal myself to her and pray she didn’t run from me or try to kill me. No matter what mission my stepmother had sent me on, I would never follow through with it. Mina was now my top priority to protect instead of extinguish. She was mine.
As the tremors began to fill me, I bit at the scruff of her neck as she whimpered. We fell to the ground once I’d spent myself. With her back nestled to my chest, she shifted back to her human form. She didn’t turn to look at me and in the darkness we could barely make each other out. I, too, shifted back.
Wrapping my arms around her, she panted, “Finally. Red…” She stopped before finishing her train of thought.
Taking a deep breath, because I knew the fight that was about to commence, I whispered her name. “Mina.” She cooed and relaxed and just as quick bolted out of my arms and turned to look at me, recognizing my voice. “Mina, please let me explain.”
“It’s you? You’re Red?” Shaking her head, she questioned me, “Why didn’t you tell me?” I stood up and made a move toward her which she rejected. “No, don’t come any closer.”
“Mina, please relax. Listen to your instincts. We’re bonded and the magic from your father is tarnishing your shifter side.”
She gaped at me. “I’m not tarnished.”
“That’s not what I meant. Even you have confided in me and in Red that your shifter senses are all out of whack. Well, mine aren’t.”
“I, you, you were supposed to be my friend.”
“Mina, I am. But I can’t deny what’s here between us.”
Turning away, she said, “I need time to process this. Please don’t follow me.”
Before I could object, she ran off. If she thought I wasn’t going to follow her, she was out of her mind. I stayed far enough back that she couldn’t see me, but I never let her out of my sight. Surprisingly, no storm brewed overhead and I wondered what that meant. Was she finally gaining control of her powers?
She walked up the steps of her deck and shifted. Looking into the woods, she made eye contact with me before heading back inside. I lay down on the property line, like a watchdog and waited.
Some time passed, maybe an hour, and I was getting dressed when I heard her patio door slide open again. As I zipped my pants, my eyes darted to her back deck.
“Rollo!” Her tone didn’t suggest that this would be a friendly conversation.
I grabbed the remainder of my clothes and walked toward her. She wore leggings and a baggy t-shirt with no bra, her nipples poking through the shirt a tell-tale sign. I stood a few feet back as she took a deep breath. I could hear music blaring inside, but wasn’t focused on it. All of my attention was on her.
“So, you’ve known about me for how long?”
Narrowing my eyes, I asked, “Known what? Who you are, that you’re a shifter, the connection to my uncle? I’m not sure what you’re asking, Mina.”
Huffing, she raised her voice. “All of it! How could you lead me on all these weeks? Running around here, letting me spill all my secrets to you.” I took a step closer, seeing she was getting overly agitated. “How could you do that to me? You’re a coward.”
“You’re right. I was scared. You were the last thing I expected to find when I came to town.”
“Somehow I don’t believe that.”
She was partially right. “I know the magic has muddled your senses, but mine are as keen as ever.” I stepped in front of her and she stopped pacing. Her chin was downcast and she was twiddling her thumbs, trying to keep her hands busy. “Look at me, Mina.”
“Please don’t make me look at you.” It was a plea and I wasn’t sure what she was getting at.
“Mina, why don’t you want to look at me? I’ve kept your secrets, protected you, and been your friend and confidant. All I want is you.” She took in a shaky breath as I asked again, “Please look at me, Mina.”
She raised her gorgeous blue eyes to mine and floored me with her actions. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she pulled my mouth down to hers. Lifting her without hesitation, she wrapped her legs around me as I held her easily against me.
Her teeth pulled on my upper lip causing me to growl in response. I walked into the kitchen with her body clinging to mine and slid the door shut. Setting her ass on the kitchen table, she pulled me down on top of her
. Bracing my arm on the table, I broke the kiss as we both stared at the other.
“Mina. There’s no going back…”
“I want to be owned by you in ways I didn’t know possible…until now. Rollo, please. I’m sorry I fought it.” I was shocked silent at her words. “I need you in my life.”
“I plan on doing more than owning you. I’m going to fucking brand you.”
Carrying her up the stairs, I threw her on the bed and began unbuttoning my pants. The remainder of my clothes that I’d been holding had been discarded once she’d kissed me on the deck. The music that was filling the house was coming from her room. The unique sounds of Infinity by The xx filled the room. Stopping before I pulled my pants down, I sat down on the bed and motioned for her to come closer.
Pulling her over my lap, she didn’t fight me. “Have you ever been spanked, Mina? Truly spanked?”
“What, I… No.”
“Relax.”
I gently rubbed circles over the curve of her ass after pushing her shirt up. Kneading her, I waited until I felt her relax and then unleashed the first whack of my hand.
“Oh!”
I just smiled and struck one cheek after the other as she melted into my lap. “How’s that feel, Mina?”
“Wh, what?”
Chuckling, I repeated the question. “How does it feel?”
“Good. Really good.”
Pulling her leggings down, I found her wearing no panties. My handprints were the only thing her ass wore. Running my hands all over them before I trailed my finger down the seam of her ass and into her pussy. She was wet, but I wanted her wetter. A small moan of protest left her lips when my fingers removed themselves. Resuming my previous task, I began smacking her ass once again.
“Rollo!” It was a plea for more.
Ceasing, I pulled her up. “Come here.” Now on her knees, straddling my thigh, I cupped her face as her heavy eyes closed fully. Kissing her, I reached an arm between her legs. She sat on my upper forearm while my hand squeezed her ass.
The gasps that left her lips were intoxicating and sounds that I’d not soon forget. Laying her down, I pushed her shirt up and exposed her smooth nipples to the cool air, watching them bud up. Her hands gripped the comforter as I kissed down her torso. The closer my mouth got between her legs the higher her back arched off the bed.
