“You don’t own a gun.”
“You do,” Ronni said, deadly serious.
Bodie stifled a laugh and the tension in his body eased. “From now on, I’ll deal with Jeb.” He clasped Ronni’s hands and held them against his chest. “I want us to be a family, a real family. What concerns you and Alex affects me. Put your trust in me. I won’t let you down. Deal?”
“Deal!” Ronni slipped her arms around his neck, and his essence folded around her like a warm security blanket.
“The house looks amazing,” he whispered in her ear.
“With all that male pissiness in your eyes when you came home, I’m surprised you noticed.”
“Well, I did.” He nuzzled her neck. “And I’ve noticed all the things you’ve done for Willow. You understand her and she’s blossomed because of you.”
“Well, I am a pretty good mother,” Ronni teased.
“You are so much more.” Bodie placed tiny kisses along her jaw.
The kitchen door opened and closed. “All right, lovebirds. I’m coming through. Make sure you’re decent.”
Ronni muffled a laugh behind her hand.
A crooked smile appeared on Bodie’s face. “The coast is clear, Mom.”
Mary paused entering the family room.
“The Quickening is growing stronger.” Grimly, Mary looked at Bodie. “It will consume you if you don’t find a way to quench it.”
When she disappeared down the hall, Ronni asked, “What’s the Quickening?”
“A Tlanuhwa myth. According to legend, the Quickening awoke my ancestors from periods of hibernation and drove them to search for their mates. They were dangerous, primitive creatures, probably not unlike werewolves.”
“We don’t like the term ‘werewolf.’” Ronni crossed her arms.
“I suppose not, since Wahyas have evolved well beyond their primordial origins. As did we.” Bodie tugged her elbows until she opened her arms and he slipped his hands around her waist.
“Is the Quickening like the Wahyas mate-bond?” Ronni and Bodie had discussed wolfan courtships, mate-claims and mate-bonds after Gavin had strongly encouraged them to form a mateship.
“Other than stories, I’m not sure anyone knows exactly what the Quickening is or how it manifests. Typically, our mateships are arranged by our Tribunal so modern-day Tlanuhwas don’t need the Quickening to find their mates.”
“Is Mary worried because our relationship wasn’t arranged by your Tribunal?”
“Mom is very traditional, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t like you. Or that she doesn’t approve of us. So don’t start worrying.” Bodie kissed Ronni lightly on the nose. “I think we should start our own traditions. And we’ll start by going to the Co-op’s festival next week rather than staying home.”
Ronni’s eyes lit up and Bodie could see how much the gathering meant to her.
“Are you sure?” She cupped his face and he nuzzled her hand.
“Absolutely. I want Jeb to see once and for all that you and Alex are my family and I’m not about to let you go.”
* * *
The crisp, fresh mountain air carried the scents of delicious food, and the chatter of hundreds of people spread through the Co-op’s private grounds couldn’t drown out the harsh thud of Bodie’s heart against his ribs. It was only midmorning on Thanksgiving Day and these were the early birds. More were expected by the afternoon.
Ronni had mentioned that the Walker’s Run pack was one among many throughout the world. But there would be more people at their Co-op’s festival than the population of his entire species.
How had Wahyas learned to not only survive but thrive?
If Bodie found out how they did it, maybe the information could revolutionize his people’s way of life and effectively bring the Tlanuhwa mindset into the twenty-first century.
“Are you all right?” Ronni squeezed his fingers laced with hers.
“I wasn’t expecting a crowd this size.”
“I was a little overwhelmed at first, too. But after a while, you get to know everyone.”
“When Gavin said the Co-op operated as a municipality, I didn’t realize the magnitude,” Bodie said as they walked through the large, private community park. “Are other wolfan packs this organized?”
“Hardly,” Ronni said tightly and her entire body tensed. They had talked about her former pack and her past troubles with Jeb. Afterward, Bodie had wanted to do the man bodily harm. But the past was the past, as Ronni had said. And he didn’t want to embark on a future with her by acting impulsively against his nature.
“Hi, Willow! Hi, Alex!” Lucas rushed toward them. “The band from Taylor’s is setting up for a concert. Want to watch them with me?”
Willow flashed Bodie her please-Dad-I-must-do-this-or-I-will-die look and Alex glanced at his mother for approval.
“What are the three rules?” Ronni said.
“Answer your calls by the third ring, don’t do anything stupid and don’t get into trouble,” Alex replied.
“I’m adding a fourth,” Bodie said. “Don’t let Willow out of your sight.”
“Dad!” She drew out his name into at least three syllables, but her face radiated with happiness.
Lucas took Willow’s hand. “I won’t, Mr. Gryffon.”
“Meet us at the tents before lunchtime,” Ronni called after them.
Alex turned and waved in acknowledgment.
“Is it all right for them to go off alone?” Mary asked, sitting in the motorized scooter Gavin had arranged for her to use for the day.
“They’ll be fine,” Ronni said, although there was a slight uncertainty in her voice.
Bodie draped his arm across her shoulders for encouragement. She had wanted so much to enjoy their first holiday together and, despite her nerves, was putting up a brave front.
They approached several large open tents with tables of people engaged in various conversations.
“All those questions you’ve been asking me about wolfan laws and government, Brice can answer far better than me.” Ronni waved at him sitting at a table in the center tent. “He’ll probably tell you more than you ever wanted to know about how the Woelfesenat works.”
“I doubt that,” Mary said. “‘Why’ was Bodie’s favorite word as a child.”
Ronni gave Bodie a peck on the cheek. “I’ll get us some drinks.”
As she walked away, Bodie admired the confident, sexy sway of her hips, even though he knew she was a bundle of nerves.
So far, there was no sign of Jeb. While Bodie thought the man simply hadn’t arrived yet, Ronni’s mind had probably conjured scenarios of her former brother-in-law taking off with Alex before anyone knew he was missing.
Among this family-oriented pack, Bodie simply could not see that happening. All of the sentinels were on duty, so there were plenty of eyes and ears on everyone.
Bodie and his mother entered the large tent where Ronni’s family and friends sat at a big round table. As Bodie introduced his mother, an older woman with an elegant bearing stopped at the table.
“Hello,” she addressed Bodie and Mary. “I’m Abby Walker. Gavin’s wife.” She warmly shook Bodie’s hand. “I’m glad you joined us today. I’ve heard much about you.”
“We’re happy to be here.”
“Mary.” Abby shook his mother’s hand. “Would you care to join me? I’d love to introduce you to some more wonderful people.”
“Thank you.” His mother didn’t seem to give Bodie a second thought as she followed Abby to a nearby table.
“Don’t worry,” Brice said. “My mom will take good care of her.”
Bodie sat down, enjoying the positive energy buzzing around him.
“How are you adapting to your new reality?” Brice asked.
“Pretty well, I think.” Being a member of th
e Walker’s Run Cooperative, and thereby a member of their wolfan pack, was more than he could’ve hoped for. “I have so many questions, like how the Woelfesenat works and how Wahyas have managed to thrive and survive globally without being exposed to the majority of the human public.”
“Well.” Rubbing his hands, Brice leaned toward Bodie, excitement bringing out the striking difference in the color of his eyes.
“No shop talk,” Cassie said flatly. “We’re here to have fun and celebrate all the good things that have happened in the pack over the last year. You can schedule a wolfan civics lesson for next week.”
“Sorry, man.” Brice shrugged. “We’ll get together later. I promise.”
Bodie was only slightly disappointed because he admired how the wolfans believed in the importance of quality time with family and friends. And he was honored to be among them. Tristan and Nel walked up.
“You’re playing horseshoes with us, right?” Smiling, Tristan gave Bodie a friendly pat on the shoulder.
“I’d love to, but...” He paused, searching for Ronni and found her talking to his mother at the table where Abby had taken her. Ronni handed Mary a cup of coffee and kissed her cheek.
A warm sensation ebbed through Bodie. Ronni’s genuine kindness toward his family touched him deeper than anything ever had. “I, um.”
“It’s okay, man.” Tristan chuckled, helping Nel into her seat. “We’ve all been there.”
Ronni returned, her fragile smile in place as she said hello to everyone. “I figured you would rather have this than coffee.” She handed him a chilled bottle of water.
He stood, thanking her with a sweet, tender kiss, hoping it conveyed how deeply he appreciated everything she did.
“How about those horseshoes?” Brice stood, as did Rafe.
Ronni’s golden-red eyebrows arched in a delicate curve. “Were you buttering me up so you could play with your friends?”
“Um.” Bodie wished he could sense if she wanted him to stay with her or if she was teasing.
“Go on.” Smiling, she playfully tugged on the leather vest he wore over his button-down shirt. “Jeb is with Gavin and Abby said the sentinels are watching him like a hawk, so go have a good time. I’ll be fine.”
This time when he kissed her, it was long and deep and possessive. When they broke apart, Bodie’s brain was hazy and his body burned.
“I’ll meet you for lunch,” he said, taking a few steps backward as the three other men started out of the tent.
“I’ll be here.” There was a wistfulness in Ronni’s eyes and Bodie made a mental note to ask her what it meant when they got home later.
He caught up to the others, although they hadn’t walked too far ahead due to Brice’s slight limp. Bodie figured there must be an interesting story as to how he’d injured the leg, but it could wait for another time.
“Before we get to the horseshoe pits,” Bodie said. “I need to confess something.” Although he and Ronni had talked about inviting everyone to supper, Bodie didn’t want to keep harboring his secret any longer.
The men stopped, giving him their undivided attention.
Like ripping off a Band-Aid, the best way to tell them was to get it over quickly. “I’m a raven shifter.”
The men stared mildly at him as if still waiting for him to speak.
“You did hear me, right?”
“We did,” Brice replied. “But we already knew.”
Bodie’s surprise was overcome by disappointment. “Ronni told you.” Even though he’d asked her not to do so.
“No,” Rafe said. “But wolfan custom dictates that she should have told me.”
“I asked her not to tell anyone.” And Ronni had chosen to honor his wishes rather than follow protocol. Bodie’s heart was already full, but it grew some more. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have believed that he could fall in love. But he had fallen madly, deeply in love.
“If you all know what I am, have you told the pack, or your wolf council?”
“No,” Brice said. “My dad wanted to see how first contact evolved with you.”
Bodie gave a laugh. “I’m not typical of my people.”
“Your people are the Tlanuhwa, aren’t they?” Tristan asked.
“Yes. You know the legends?”
“I do.”
“Well, we’ve evolved beyond raiding villages and eating the villagers. We’re a peaceful people now.”
“Good to know,” Brice said. “Now, can we get moving? If we’re late, we’ll have to forfeit the game and I do not want to lose to Reed and Shane again this year.”
They started walking toward the horseshoe pits.
“If Ronni didn’t tell you, how did you find out?”
“After a full moon, the sentinels found unusual black feathers inside the sanctuary and tracked them to Ronni’s house,” Tristan said. “Later, she mentioned that a rather large raven was roosting in her backyard at night.
“The night I called to tell you Ronni had been shot at, I asked you to come over. The speed at which you arrived suggested that you were close by. Then when I saw you with Ronni, my instinct made the connection. So, I had sentinels watching Ronni’s house and after you moved in, the raven stopped showing up.”
“That’s pretty thin evidence.” Bodie chuckled.
“Yeah, it was. Until you gave me the evidence yourself.”
“I didn’t give you anything.”
“After you were shot, I saw a few feathers sticking out of your hair and collar. You didn’t notice when I swiped them. Then, I matched them to the ones found the night the poachers were after Ronni. I never could catch you shifting, so all I had was a really strong hunch.”
“Wolfans always trust their instincts,” Brice said.
“Were you ever going to tell me that you knew?”
“We believed you were man enough to tell us when you were ready,” Rafe said. “Now that you have, you’ve earned our trust and loyalty.”
Brice gave Bodie a friendly slap on the back. “Welcome to the Walker’s Run wolf pack.”
“We’ll always have your back,” Tristan said.
Bodie was glad to hear it. Because if Kane’s suspicions about an uprising among the Tlanuhwa came to fruition, Bodie would likely be the Tribunal’s first target when putting down the rebellion.
Chapter 29
“Oh, no,” Grace said right before the bloodcurdling wailing began.
It started with Reina waking up from a nap and looking around for her daddy, followed by the protruding bottom lip, glossy from slobber due to teething. Next came the sniffs and the big blue blinking eyes that squeezed out rather large tears.
Grace lifted Reina out of her mobile swing, held the baby against her shoulder and patted her back. “Shh, shh,” she cooed softly to comfort the child.
Ryan watched his twin, his eyes large and green. His russet brows rose in sympathy or concern. Usually the quiet one, he scrunched his face and let loose a wail to rival his sister before Ronni could get to him.
“There, there.” She picked up Ryan and held him close, remembering when Alex was that age.
Sometimes she missed those days.
Nel dug into a diaper bag. “Here.” She gave Grace a burp cloth, likely with Rafe’s scent on it.
“Thanks.” Grace placed the cloth on her shoulder and beneath Reina’s cheek. “Such a daddy’s girl, this one.”
Reina quieted. Ryan didn’t.
“He’s not one to cry a lot,” Grace said, worry evident in her face. “Did something bite him?”
Ronni checked his arms and legs for insect bites. “I don’t see anything.”
“Take him to see Brenna,” Cassie said. “She’s with Abby. I’ve noticed he gets fussy if he loses track of her.”
Ronni rubbed Ryan’s back, his cries turning into soft h
eaves. “Oh, little one,” she cooed against his head. “You’re much too young to set your heart on a little girl.” She walked him around the tent before meeting up with Abby and Brenna.
“Goodness,” Abby said to Ryan. “What upset you, little man?”
“Reina realized Rafe had left. When she started crying, so did he.”
“Why-un.” Standing next to Abby, Brenna looked up at the baby. He twisted in Ronni’s arms to see her.
His breathing eased and he babbled and laughed as Brenna chattered to him.
“They’re a handful at this age,” Abby said. “But when they’re all grown up, you can’t help wishing for one more of those early days.”
“I know,” Ronni said quietly. “Sometimes when I’m with the twins, I see the same expressions Alex had at their age.” It made her heart feel full and hurt at the same time.
She could not have any more children, and neither could Bodie. Naturally, both agreed Alex and Willow were enough for them. Still, Ronni wondered what it would’ve been like to conceive a child with Bodie.
“Hello, my love.” Gavin kissed Abby sweetly.
“Papaw!” Brenna raised her arms for him to pick her up, which he did.
“How’s my grandson this morning?” Ryan and Ronni both turned their heads toward Doc.
“He got upset when Reina started crying but he’s better now,” Ronni said, freezing the smile on her face as Jeb walked up with Cooter.
“Come to grandpa, little fella.” Doc held out his hands and Ryan practically leaped into his arms.
“Gavin, thank you for the tour of the grounds,” Jeb said. “If you don’t mind, I’d like a few minutes with Ronni.”
Ronni bit her tongue. The one Jeb should be asking permission from was Ronni. By the same token, she, not Gavin, should be the one to grant or deny his request.
“No more than five minutes,” Gavin told Jeb. “I don’t want either of you missing the festivities.”
“Neither do I.” Jeb nodded and she hoped he understood that if he didn’t return her in the allotted time, the sentinels would.
Still, a sliver of alarm ran through Ronni as Jeb’s fingers curled around her elbow. After steering Ronni out of the tent, he unexpectedly dropped his grip on her arm and strolled beside her with his hands clasped behind his back.
Captivated by the She-Wolf Page 23
