by K. F. Breene
“We’re thinking the same thing,” Tim said in something close to a growl. “This happens every so often, and has throughout history, but technology is so advanced now that all it takes is a little bit of bloodwork and a curious lab technician.”
“A lab?” Charles’ words came out a whisper. He looked at Ann, standing stiffly in the corner. This wasn’t a situation where she might be killed in action. If she was caught, and it was a lab with its sights on shifters, she’d be taken and experimented on. That was a fate worse than death. She didn’t need to be anywhere near that.
“I don’t need her. I can go on my own,” he said.
Everyone in the room stared at him for a moment. Ann stepped forward with a scowl. “If there are traps, they’ll be triggered by a shifter, not a big goon with a huge ego. You might never find out how they’re capturing our people.”
“If you get caught, I’ll have to concentrate on rescuing you instead of gaining information,” Charles fired back.
“Charles, this is Tim’s operation,” the Boss interjected. “You’ll be accompanying Ann, as well as taking your cues from her. She is lead on this.”
“Why her?” Charles blurted despite himself. “What if she’s caught?”
“She volunteered,” Tim said in an even voice.
“And you’re just going to let her go?”
“Are you saying I can’t do my job?” Ann asked savagely, taking another step forward.
Charles glared at her, unexplainable anger welling up and taking over. “I’m saying that he is accountable for you as both your alpha and your boyfriend. When you’re acting like an idiot, he needs to help you tone it down.”
“Charles, Ann is going to kick your ass if you don’t shut up,” Sasha warned.
“You’re excused, Charles,” the Boss said in a flat tone. “You will accompany whoever Tim decides to send. Now get out.”
The command had Charles standing against his will, the Boss’ dominating tone overriding his complaints, but he gave Ann a long look before shaking his head. “You’re going to make me play the hero, and then I’m going to hold it over you for the rest of your life. Think that through.”
Ann scoffed. “Just because you wear a cape around the Mansion to wow the ladies doesn’t mean you’re a hero. And nice glitter, dumbass.”
“And don’t forget about tomorrow,” Sasha called as he was leaving the room. “Party at our house.”
Charles tossed a wave behind him saying he heard Sasha as he left the library. This mission was a bad idea. Everything in him said danger, and not for himself. Ann was capable, he wasn’t denying that, but she was also headstrong and fearless. She’d rush into danger to keep others out of harm’s way, possibly getting herself caught in the process.
With his night suddenly down the crap-chute he made his way back out to the training. It was time to fight Jonas or Paulie. He needed to burn off some aggression.
Chapter Two
The next evening, Ann blinked her eyes open and spread out a hand to the other side of her bed.
Empty.
She heaved a sigh and rolled onto her back, hearing the vibration of her phone on her desk across the room. Groaning, she swung her feet to the edge of the bed and let gravity help her feet find the floor. She walked stiffly to the desk, muscles sore from the intense workouts she’d been doing to keep her mind occupied.
Sasha’s name scrolled across the face of the phone, her smiling mug mocking the time.
“Did you notice the time before you called?” Ann asked by way of greeting, staggering back to her bed. She fell into the warmth of her blankets.
“Your alarm is going to go off in a few minutes. I’m helping you wake up. You’re welcome.”
Ann eyed the alarm clock on the nightstand. Five o’clock in the evening. Shifters didn’t keep the hours the Boss’ people did, shifters not having the same predisposition for the night, but Ann had volunteered for night duty to keep similar hours to Sasha. After getting used to it, now it had become second nature.
Unless she didn’t get a lot of sleep during the day. Which had been the case lately.
“How are things?” Sasha asked quietly.
Ann let her gaze fall to the side, not having to ask what Sasha meant. “Lonely. I can’t get used to waking up alone.”
“Do you miss him?”
Ann curled onto her side, away from the empty place so recently filled with a warm body and loving embrace. “I miss the idea of him. I miss someone constant in my life.”
“I talked to him.”
Ann’s breath caught. It had been a week since Tim had ended their relationship. He was a good man, loving and thoughtful. She hadn’t seen the breakup coming.
“I don’t think I want to know what he said,” Ann said quietly.
“He loves you. You know that. But he also knows you don’t love him. You have your sights set on someone else. Guys can tell. You can’t blame him for setting you free.”
Ann wiped away a tear. “He broke it off, but he’s still making it my fault...”
“Guys are tricky.”
Ann laughed as her alarm started blaring. She tapped the ‘off’ button and went back to her fetal position. “He was right—I didn’t love him. I tried, though. I did try, Sasha. He’s a great catch.”
“I know.”
“I enjoyed being with him.”
“Or… do you just hate being alone…?”
Ann sat up, a deep ache in the middle of her body for things she knew she could never have. She sighed and glanced toward the window, covered in heavy drapes. Heaving herself off the bed she walked across the room and pulled back the curtains. Outside the dwindling sunlight stretched the shadows of the trees across the ground.
She had to admit that Tim had been right—she did love someone else. She couldn’t help it. The more she was around this other guy, the stronger her feelings became wrapped around him. She thought about him constantly—his funny jokes, his dense responses, his deep and soulful personality when he allowed himself the freedom to express himself honestly.
She tried desperately to block out those feelings. It wasn’t meant to be. The one she wanted was from a different world, living by a different set of rules. The things she wanted would clip his wings, and she knew it. She couldn’t force that on him.
Ann leaned against the wall. “This sucks. How did you find Mr. Monogamy?”
“The only time in my life I got lucky, I think. You shouldn’t dwell on it, though. Tim’s great, but he wasn’t the one. There is someone else out there for you.”
“Yeah.”
“In the meantime, get laid. It helps. Seriously.”
Ann huffed out a laugh and crossed to her closet. “Is my time to feel sorry for myself over already?”
“Well, since you’re the reason for the breakup… yeah.” Sasha’s tone was light and playful, with a deep well of support infusing her words.
“I’m ready, though, Sasha,” Ann admitted, taking out the sweats she’d wear to the perimeter. After that, she’d stash them and change into her animal form. “When you first got pregnant with the twins, I didn’t think I ever wanted a husband or kids. I was happy on my own. But now… I’m ready. I want a version of what you have. Only, you know, one kid at a time.”
“At least I’m only having one this time. So much easier.” Sasha sighed. “But I hear ya. And he’s out there. Just look for Mr. Right Now for a while, and eventually the Now part will just drop away.”
“Got any leads on guys that are great in bed?”
“There you go! Now you’re talking. And yeah, there’ll be a few hotties at the party tonight. Go for someone from the Mansion, they have more experience—babe, I’m not talking about people I find attractive,” Sasha’s voice drifted away from the phone. She must’ve been talking to Stefan. “I am solely thinking of Ann here…”
Ann laughed as a deep rumble sounded in the background, Stefan’s protective instincts in overdrive since Sasha had fallen pregn
ant. Once Ann would’ve thought that highly restrictive, but knowing why he did it, and how Sasha reveled in it when pregnant, Ann couldn’t help the tiny fingers of envy.
“I hate you.” It had to be said.
Sasha scoffed. “He’s not going to let me out of his sight at the party. I’m going to have a big, dominating presence behind me at all times.”
“You do, anyway.”
“Yes, but this time he’ll be scaring all male guests. Yes, Stefan—you know you’re going to kill the party…”
Ann laughed and sat next to her clothes on the bed. The deep rumble sounded in the background again. Sasha threw out another scoff, but a kiss sounded away from the phone.
“Are you done?” Ann asked in faux-impatience.
“Yeah, sorry. Anyway, come looking fabulous. Make-up, dress—the works. It’ll make you feel more desirable. And Tim can’t make it tonight, so it’s not like you’d be rubbing salt in his wounds or anything. We have plenty of beds for you to get your freak on.”
“You are advocating slutty behavior.”
“Um, yes. Yes I am. You’re old enough to enjoy sex without someone calling you names. So enjoy it. With someone good at it.”
“Got it. Gotta go, though. I’m on perimeter duty tonight.”
“Kay. Bye.”
Before Sasha hung up, Ann heard, “Stefan, come back in here. I’m horn—”
Shaking her head, she pulled on her clothes for the evening. Hopefully someone would try to get into the shifter compound. She could really do with some violence.
* * *
In the small hours of the morning, after her duty was finished, Ann showed up at Sasha’s huge house on the edge of the city. She wore a tight red dress with a slit in the side running up, all the way to her upper thigh. The neckline plunged down in a low vee, showing off her braless breasts. She’d dyed her hair jet black, a color that worked well with the tone of her skin, and done her make-up.
She looked hot.
Well… at least as hot as she was capable of looking, which was good enough.
She let herself into the brightly lit house, immediately assaulted with the thrum of bass. Laughter and chatter drifted to the entryway, the party already going strong.
With a case of butterflies from entering a party on her own for the first time in nearly a year, she made her way through the foyer and into the living room. A large room opened up with a few kids tussling in the middle of the open space, hanging off of a large, broad back. The man on the ground roared as he straightened up, the kids squealing with glee as he lifted into the air while they hung on for dear life.
Charles’ striking face came into view, red with exertion and smiling. He held his arms to the sides, his huge muscles popping out all over his frame. “You cannot take down the mountain!”
Sabrina, one of Sasha’s twins, giggled in delight as she ran in front of him. Her brother still hung onto one of Charles’ arms while Paulie’s son held onto the other.
“I save you!” Sabrina declared with an evil grin. She brought her foot back and let fly, giving Charles a sound kick to the groin.
“Oh my—” Charles cut off and curled up with a wheeze, dropping the boys to the carpet and rolling into the fetal position. “Foul play! Foul play!”
“Sabrina!” Sasha hollered from the side of the room, sitting on the couch with Stefan right beside her. Stefan had a huge smile on his face. “What did I say about kicking Charles there?”
Sabrina looked down at the ground. She clasped her three-year-old hands in front of her. “Not to.”
“Say you’re sorry,” Sasha commanded as she elbowed Stefan. “It’s not funny.”
“It’s very funny. She’s tough.” Stefan’s smile dwindled in the face of Sasha’s anger, but his dark eyes twinkled in mirth as he watched Charles writhing on the floor.
“Sowy Chawles,” Sabrina said with sad eyes and a pout. She was a little shit-disturber, but she hated getting in trouble. Telling her she was a bad girl was as bad to her as a spanking.
“Aw, it’s okay,” Charles said as he reached for her and reeled her into a hug.
Savion, her twin brother, didn’t have the same reservations. With a war-cry, he threw himself onto Charles and started pounding on his back.
“No! No!” Charles groaned.
“Savion!” Sasha shouted. “Stefan, will you do something?”
Laughing, Stefan got up from the couch and scooped up the boys. “C’mon you guys, it’s time to go play in your playroom.”
“Wait for me, daddy!” Sabrina wiggled out from Charles’ grasp and tore off after Stefan.
“Ow.” Charles rolled to his back. His large arms flopped out to the sides as his chest heaved. “They get more violent every time I see them. They’re teaching Todd bad things, Paulie.”
Paulie stood off to the side with a beer and his achingly beautiful wife, Selene. He grinned down at Charles. “Survival. He’s in a violent group of people—I wouldn’t want him turning out like you.”
Charles sat up with a wince. “Bro, you’d be so lucky.”
Ann walked farther into the room, heading for Sasha, when people started noticing her presence. The frustration of dealing with her kids melted off Sasha’s face as she smiled up at Ann. She grunted as she pushed herself off the couch.
“Look at you, Ann!” Sasha exclaimed, wrapping Ann in a hug.
“Hot mama!” Selene came over with warm smile, trailed by Paulie. Ann hugged them both before glancing at Charles.
Charles’ eyes were wide and his mouth had fallen open, his gaze slowly drifting down her body. He got to his feet slowly, his hand cupping his crotch. “I’ve had practice with guys, Ann. Think Tim would be into a three-way? Because you are sex on a stick and I need to eat you.”
“Jaysus!” Sasha slapped him. “Way overboard. Way!”
“What? Eat, as in, lick her—”
“We get it!” Sasha cut him off with wide eyes. “Good God, Charles. This is a family establishment.”
Selene started laughing. “He gets away with anything in the Mansion. All the girls line up for his time. The more crude, the more they love him.”
“We aren’t in the Mansion, man,” Paulie cut in, clapping Charles on the back. His eyes crinkled at the corners, obviously finding Charles’ comments funny. “You gotta pull that back. Subtly.”
A grin tweaked Charles full lips. His eyes softened. “You look beautiful, Ann. I hope Tim appreciates what he has.”
Selene and Sasha’s mouths both rounded. Paulie started laughing.
“When did the Casanova show up?” Selene asked as she looked at Charles with raised eyebrows.
“What?” Charles looked between the two flabbergasted women. “Girls like that sort of thing. They want you to notice when they look pretty. I’ve seen all the romance movies—seriously, women love that shit! Just because you two are jaded doesn’t mean everyone is.”
Paulie laughed harder.
“One hundred and one ways to get into her pants, huh, Charles?” Sasha said with a grin.
“Do you want a drink, Ann?” Selene asked as she shook her head.
“Wine, please,” Ann said, hoping her red face didn’t show through her make-up as warmth rose through her core. She obviously wouldn’t admit it now, but she knew Charles was being genuine. He really did think she looked pretty—otherwise he’d ask why she looked like a garbage bin, or some other horrendous thing. He had a large streak of honesty she loved, especially because when he paid a compliment he meant it.
Charles turned serious. “Where’s Tim, anyway? I wanted to talk to him about the mission tomorrow.”
“She broke up with him, Charles. Drop it, would ya?” Sasha said out of the corner of her mouth as she stepped toward Ann.
“Wait… what?” Charles asked as Sasha took Ann’s upper arm and steered her toward the back of the house. “Is that a green light for me?”
“No,” Sasha shot back at him. “Go away.”
“But Sasha,
she might need a rebound. I am excellent at rebound situations. I take great pride in making women scream. And I almost got all the glitter off, so I’m manly again.”
“You have a long way to go to be manly. Go away!” Sasha shooed him as she directed Ann through an archway and into the den. Men and women chatted in groups, all from the Mansion, and all beautiful.
“Why so quiet?” Sasha asked as they stepped up next to the small bar in the corner. Selene had gotten there first. She passed Ann a glass of wine.
“Just taking it all in. I haven’t been this dressed up in… forever.” Ann took a sip and let her gaze travel the hot men, noticing more than a few glance her way.
“Well, drink up. You’re just traveling tomorrow, right? You can have a hangover and post-coital buzz.” Sasha looked up as Stefan came into the room, pulling eyes to him like the sun pulled planets. He honed in on Sasha, sparing no one else a glance.
“Out of curiosity, why did you volunteer for that job?” Selene asked as Stefan slid his hand around Sasha’s back and pulled her in close to his body. His gaze hit Ann.
“Hey Stefan,” Ann said before answering Selene, “Why not?”
“Because you could get captured and experimented on, for a start.” Jonas walked up with an empty beer bottle. He nodded to the bartender, then Stefan, before putting his bottle on the bar for the bartender to whisk away.
“Or I could save the day.” Ann took another sip of her drink, trying to ignore the raging butterflies in her belly.
“Does it have anything to do with breaking up with that mongrel?” Jonas asked, his hard eyes analyzing Ann.
