A Bleacke Christmas (Bleacke Shifters 5)

by Lesli Richardson

  The other piece of the rapidly complicating family puzzle that Ken didn’t know about yet was that Badger had sat down last night with Dewi.

  That’s when he dropped the bomb on her that he was certain Ken’s mother had been adopted. That she likely didn’t even know she’d been adopted.

  Because Ken didn’t know she’d been adopted. Ken’s mom had told him she was a multi-generational native Floridian. His grandparents were dead, and there were no close aunts or uncles who’d know.

  She’d been an only child.

  It was all information Dewi was still digesting and didn’t want to drop on him yet. Badger was still researching, and she was hoping he might be able to dig up more information.

  Because she hated that she didn’t have any answers for Ken.

  Hey, your mom was adopted, and we don’t know anything about her history. Congrats.

  Because the other part of that equation was disquieting in some ways, and a completely unknown quantity.

  That Ken might have shifter ancestors.

  But whether or not he did—or what race they were if he did—was still…unknown.

  It would certainly explain a lot if that was the case.

  No, with all the stress on them right now, waiting was the right call. That was one thing she felt certain of, even if that was pretty much the only thing she felt certain of.

  * * * *

  Badger trundled downstairs after his shower, glad he smelled the coffee already going. When he emerged in the kitchen, he found Ken there preparing mugs for himself and Dewi.

  “Mornin’,” Badger said.

  Ken tiredly smiled. “Good morning.”

  “Ready to fly, lad?”

  Ken laughed. “After everything that happened the last time, I think it’s safe to say my fear of flying has been thoroughly conquered.”

  “Ye’re a good man, Ken.” He slapped the younger man on the shoulder and reached for his usual coffee mug. “Right good man.”

  “Are we going to take bets on how upset Nami’s going to be when Joaquin tells her and Lu’ana what’s going on?”

  Badger poured himself a mug of coffee, black, and leaned back against the counter to sip it. “Not bettin’ on that. I think she’ll be fine. Lu’ana might be a little fashed, but not Nami.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Badger shrugged. “Nami’s mated.”

  “She was mated when Malyah and Joaquin met, and she wanted to neuter him. Believe me, I know. I got to listen to her rant about it through half the Idaho wilderness we ran through.”

  “Yeah, but a sister’s different, right? An’ that’s two now who’s mated. Third’s th’ charm, aye?”

  Ken rolled his eyes and reached for the mugs. “If you say so, Badger.”

  “Aye, I do.” He watched Ken head back upstairs with their coffee.

  If it was up to him, they would’ve sat Ken down last night and told him what was going on.

  But Ken was Dewi’s mate, and she wanted to wait and see if Badger could dig up more info for her about Ken’s mother.

  Not that he thought he’d be able to do that.

  Conjecture? Sure, he could do that all day long.

  In fact, he had a really bad idea he was going to try once they returned from Idaho. But the holidays would be crazy enough without dumping that into the mix.

  He’d already created the fake DNA website profile for Ken. Not using his real name, of course. And using one of the pack credit cards to do it, setting Ken’s address up as being out in Washington state and using a VPN to disguise his real location.

  He didn’t want anyone knowing Ken’s true name or whereabouts.

  He still wasn’t sure what cover story he’d use to get the spit sample from Ken, but that was yet another reason to wait to do it.

  He’d rather do it without telling Dewi, Peyton, or Trent about it.

  Because the part of the equation he hadn’t said anything to Dewi about was some old and unfounded rumors about a female shifter who’d gone missing around the same timeframe Ken’s birth grandmother would’ve been pregnant with Ken’s mother.

  A female shifter whose mate had been killed, or so it was rumored.

  A female shifter from the UK.

  He could be wrong, and it could merely be coincidence.

  Except Badger wasn’t a huge believer in coincidences. He’d seen too much shite happen in his years. Too much fuckery.

  Like the fact that Faegan Lewis had a missing younger sister everyone thought had been killed for mating outside her Corgi pack.

  Like the fact that Faegan Lewis had supposedly killed the wolf shifter she’d mated to.

  So if Ken was who Badger suspected he might be…

  Well, for now, it would be best to keep that info completely to himself. Because if Ken was Faegan’s grand-nephew, and meaning he was Tamsin’s cousin, it added a completely complicating layer of issues to an already volatile situation.

  And it could mean that they’d be in for some surprises when Dewi’s baby was born.

  Chapter Eleven

  Joaquin nervously tapped his foot as their flight drew closer to its final approach to Spokane.

  Martin laughed. “You’ve got this.”

  Joaquin shook his head. “I’m not sure I do.”

  “Just stand behind Malyah. Beck will hold Nami back.”

  “I’m not sure that will work.”

  “Did you try bribing Badger?” Martin asked.

  “Badger will not be bribed,” Badger said from his seat on the other side of Joaquin, where he’d taken the window. “Not about this, anyway.” The old Scottish wolf chuckled. “I’m enjoyin’ meself too much at his expense.”

  “Love you, too,” Joaquin muttered.

  “Eh, just rip it off like a plaster,” Badger said. “Quick, right? Get it over with.”

  “What about Lu’ana and Reggie? They’re clueless. How am I supposed to tell them about this?”

  “Well, about that, I will do ye a solid one there, lad. Because we do need to keep ’em clueless.”

  Dewi and Ken had ended up on the other side of the plane and three rows forward, with Reggie sitting with them, while Carl, Mateo, and Duncan were in the row directly ahead of Joaquin, Martin, and Badger. Beck had ended up the odd man out and was seated in the row behind Dewi, Ken, and Reggie.

  “I do suggest doin’ it quick-like, an’ doin’ it in private,” Badger added. “For Nami, I mean.”

  “How do I explain to Lu’ana and Reggie that I’m the one telling them?”

  Badger nodded. “I’ll help wi’ that, too.”

  “We do throw good weddings,” Martin said. “Nami especially so. It’s like she was born to be part of the pack.”

  They had reserved two rental SUVs for this trip. Once they collected their luggage and piled in, they swung through a fast-food restaurant and got on the road.

  Beck was driving one, with Dewi, Ken, Duncan, and Reggie. Badger was driving the other, with Joaquin, Martin, Mateo, and Carl.

  Which gave Joaquin another two hours he could stress over the impending confrontation.

  “Tell my mom and dad I love them,” Joaquin said from where he’d grabbed shotgun. “Because they might end up arriving in time for my funeral.”

  Badger practically cackled. “Now, now. Nami loves ye.”

  “She tolerates me.”

  “Aye, but she tolerates ye because she loves ye. An’ don’t ferget she mellowed a lot after what she an’ Ken survived.”

  “That’s true. That’s the only thing I think I have going for me at this point.”

  They first detoured into the compound to unload their luggage there, in their respective guest cottages or guest rooms, depending on where they would be staying. Then they headed to the resort.

  When they arrived, Joaquin had just climbed out of the van when someone slammed into him from behind.

  He didn’t need to look to see it was Malyah, because her happy internal squeals nearly deafened h
im.

  He managed to turn in her arms so he could kiss her. “Hello, love. Miss me?”

  She grinned. “Damn right, I did. Where’s your stuff? Let’s go to our room, right now.”

  “Calm down, love. It’s over in the compound. We’re going there, remember?”

  She looked like she might cry. “But…” He saw what had her bothered.

  He nibbled on the side of her neck and thought his reply to her. “I brought a couple with me in my pocket, sweetheart. But Dewi’s making me tell Nami and Lu’ana about Da’von and Brianna. I want to do that now, so I can either stop thinking about it, or get on with the dying, either one.”

  She kissed him. “Fine.”

  He smiled and brushed his thumb over her full lips. “You’re not terribly mad at me, are you?”

  “No, I suppose not.” She sighed and spoke aloud. “Let’s hurry up, though. I ain’t waitin’ until tonight.”

  Peyton appeared in the lobby. “Perfect timing. Beck, Nami’s in my suite with Gillian and the others.” He grinned at Joaquin. “So’s Lu’ana, Da’von, and Brianna.”

  “Perfect,” Joaquin muttered.

  They headed up there. After Reggie and Beck got hello hugs and kisses from their wives, and Carl and Mateo had a long, quiet group hug with Brianna, Badger, who’d tagged along, moved to stand behind Lu’ana and Reggie. Bebe was currently playing on the floor, dressed in her wolf outfit and playing with her stuffed wolf.

  Joaquin kept Malyah next to him when she tried to edge herself in front of him. If he was going to get neutered, he’d do it honestly, not by having his sister-in-law try to come through his mate.

  “So, funny story, Nami,” Joaquin started.

  Nami arched an eyebrow at him. “She pregnant?” she asked.

  “No, Sis!” Malyah said. “You think I’d be doing everything I did this week if I was?”

  Joaquin cleared his throat. “Long story short, Da’von and Brianna are going to get married.”

  Badger cackled and laid his hands on Lu’ana’s and Reggie’s shoulders. “Bloody hell, man, when I said do it quick, I didn’t mean that quick.”

  Dewi stared at him. “Wow. I honestly didn’t think you had the balls to do it.”

  “Hey. You assigned it to me to do, so I did it.”

  Nami held up her hands. “Hold up a minute. What?”

  “Surprise, Sis,” Malyah said.

  Nami stared at Da’von and Brianna, then started to say something before her mouth snapped shut and she shot a pointed glare at Dewi, looked at Lu’ana and Reggie, and then Back to Dewi.

  “I got ’em,” Badger said. “Discuss.”

  Nami sighed and turned to Brianna and Da’von. She wagged a finger at them. “School before babies.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Da’von said. “You’d better believe it.”

  She walked over, arms wide. “All right then. Bring it in. We’re gonna have to go shopping tomorrow to get everything done in time to have the wedding here.”

  Malyah straightened. “Hey. How come you wanted to kill Joaquin, but you’re okay with this?”

  Nami looked over at her. “I don’t want to kill him. Anymore.” After hugging the couple, and then Mateo and Carl, she turned to Joaquin. “Dewi made you tell me, huh?”

  He nodded. “Yes, Sis. She’s a sadist.”

  “Yeah, she is.” She held out her arms. “Come here.” He hugged her. “I do love you, you scruffy old thang.” She kissed his cheek.

  Dewi made a fake gagging noise. “Dang it. I was hoping for a castration.”

  Ken pulled her into his arms. “You’ll probably try that on me about the time your contractions start.”

  She giggled and kissed him. “You’d better hope not.”

  * * * *

  Carl and Mateo walked with Brianna and Da’von down to his room, where he’d already packed for the transfer to the pack compound later. Carl wanted a moment alone with Mateo, but wasn’t sure when they’d get it before that evening.

  Then Nami summoned the young couple for a wedding planning session, and Carl held Mateo back for a moment.

  Once they were alone, Carl pulled Mateo into his arms. “I love you, babe.”

  “I love you, too.”

  They’d been together sixteen years now, although some of those were spent apart in their early years, because of the military.

  But when Carl looked down into Mateo’s green eyes, he still saw the nineteen-year-old whose scent had first stopped him in the tracks in that foreign port.

  And he still loved him just as much, if not more.

  “I want to marry you,” they both said.

  They scowled at each other. “What?” they both said.

  Carl held up a hand. “This is devolving into a Marx Brothers skit,” he said. “I want to marry you.”

  “I want to marry you, too,” Mateo said. “I was going to ask to do it while we’re out here.”

  Carl chuckled. “I was going to do the same thing.”

  They stared at each other for a moment. “This means we’re finally getting married,” Mateo softly said.

  “Yeah, babe. I guess it does.”

  Mateo threw his arms around Carl and pulled him in for a deep, crushing kiss. “Fuck, do you know how long I’ve dreamed about this day?” Mateo asked.

  “Probably as long as I’ve dreamed about it,” Carl said. “I didn’t want to ask you before, because I knew we couldn’t do it when we worked for Abundio. And I didn’t want to torture myself, or you.”

  Mateo sadly smiled. “Ditto.”

  They stared at each other for a moment. “We really are meant to be together, aren’t we?” Carl asked.

  “Yeah,” Mateo said. “I think this proves it.”

  “Our little girl’s getting married,” Carl said.

  Mateo nodded. “Yeah,” he quietly said. “I still can’t believe everything that’s happened.”

  “Then it’s just more proof we’re all where we should be. Right?”

  “Right.”

  They stood there for another long moment. “We should go talk to Tamsin and check on her,” Carl said. “Let’s try to spend some time with her while we’re all out here. Let her get used to us, since she’ll be living with us.”

  “Good idea.” Mateo stared up at him. “Although what I really want to do right now is fuck each other’s brains out.”

  Carl kissed him. “How about we save that for tonight.” He nipped Mateo’s lower lip. “Then we won’t be the only ones howling,” he joked.

  “Good idea.”

  On the way up earlier, Peyton had pointed out to them which one was Tamsin and Brianna’s room.

  Although it appeared Brianna had hardly been using it.

  The men left Da’von’s room and knocked.

  When the door opened, Carl felt like a wall of despair slammed into him, almost strong enough to make him want to take a step back. “Yes?” the young woman said.

  She was petite, barely five-one, with long, amber hair and golden-brown eyes. Carl knew she was twenty-one, but she looked simultaneously years younger, and her grief also gave her an ancient air.

  “Hi,” Carl said, and introduced themselves. “We wanted to say hi and finally get to meet you.”

  “Oh, of course. Brianna showed me your pictures. Would you like to come in?”

  “Sure.”

  After giving them hugs, she stepped aside so they could walk in.

  “I’ve already packed my things,” she said. “For when we leave. I’m ready to go.”

  “Oh, we’ll carry your bags for you,” Mateo said. “Don’t you dare carry them yourself.”

  The hint of a smile made an appearance. “Thank you so much. I don’t wish to be any bother.”

  “You’re not a bother,” Carl insisted. “You’re pack, and you’re basically family. Once we get through the holidays and return to Florida, we’ll all go house shopping. Then we’ll help you set up your nursery.”

  She nodded. “Thank you. I do
n’t know how long I’ll be there, though. Trevor told Peyton they’re getting close to hunting down Father. I might be returning soon after New Year’s. I really don’t want to put you out any.”

  Carl knew they’d have their work cut out for them with her, trying to convince her she wasn’t a burden, but considering what she’d been through, it was worth it to try. “We won’t hear any talk of you putting us out. We’re looking forward to it. We were away from Brianna for so long, it’ll be like having two little sisters now.”

  “How did the reveal go?” she asked. “Does poor Joaquin still have his testicles?”

  Mateo laughed and told her how it went down. “I think it’s safe to say Nami’s all right with it. She seems to have adopted you, too.”

  “Yes, she’s been very kind. Everyone has.”

  Brianna hadn’t finished packing yet, but since Tamsin had, Mateo went to get the keys to the van from Badger so he could put her things in it. Meanwhile, Carl held out his arm for Tamsin and escorted her down to the restaurant, where everyone was going to assemble shortly for a late lunch. They weren’t the first there, but they were the first ones to sit down.

  “Will there be another wedding, too?” she asked, looking up at him.

  He nodded. “Yeah. Mateo and I have wanted to get married for years.”

  “Then I’m very glad I get to be here for this. You deserve happiness. Cherish it. Every moment.”

  He held her chair for her, then sat next to her and tipped the chair on his other side to hold it for Mateo. “We will. Absolutely.”

  “Will you please promise me something?” she softly asked.

  “I’ll try.”

  “If I have my baby in the States, and something happens to me, promise me to protect her and get her to Trevor and Elizabeth. Please?”

  A chill washed through him. “Nothing’s going to happen to you,” he insisted. “Because they’d have to come through me and Mateo first, and nothing’s managed that so far. Believe me, plenty have tried.”

  “But…just in case.”

  He sighed. “Yeah, I promise, but it won’t be a promise I’ll have to keep, because it won’t be necessary.” I need to talk to Peyton.

  In fact, Peyton walked in.

  Carl touched Tamsin’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back. I have to speak to Peyton.”