Fur-Ever Yours: A BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (The Protectors Book 2)

by Roxy Wilson

  “I love you,” she said. “Don’t take too long. We’ll be waiting right here.”

  He rested his head on her forehead for a moment, and then stepped away. The longer he took to say his goodbye, the harder it would be to leave. “Please explain to Justin.”

  “I will. Don’t worry about him.”

  She would protect his son to the best of her ability, as would his men whom he was leaving back here to take care of the two most important people of his life.

  “Take care.” He darted to his suite and picked up his wallet from the dresser, then off he went to Justin’s room. His boy was fast asleep. Keran didn’t want to wake him up, so he tiptoed out of the room. Two of his men stood outside. For a moment, his heart thumped loudly. Was he making the right decision? He shook his head in silent protest. As Alpha, his duty was to be with his pack right now, given that they were under attack. He was doing the right thing.

  He could, of course, take Devyn and Justin with them, but the thing is, he would be leading the loves of his life into the heart of danger. They were much safer here. No. This was the right choice.

  “Don’t know when I will be back, but you have to make sure nothing happens to my son and Devyn.”

  “We’ll do our best, sir.”

  Keran nodded in response. That was good enough. They would be safe. He’d such grand plans for the evening, but it led to nothing. Now, he would have to start all over again with Devyn when he was reunited with her. She made it so easy. Another woman would have been furious that he had to leave in the middle of their date, but she understood and respected his priorities.

  Keran took the elevator to the lobby and hired a car from the front desk. He was only taking one of his security men with him. The rest would stay here. Impatiently, he waited as the car was brought around. He headed for the airport where he’d already alerted the pilot to be ready for takeoff. It would take a few hours, but he would be back home where he belonged, then he would finish Roger off once and for all.

  The wolves had their own law.

  He could take Roger’s life and none of his pack would bat an eyelid, but Keran didn’t like to make such decisions about life and death. He would probably make sure that Roger was sent to jail for the embezzlement he’d done from Keran’s company over the years. After his deception became clear, he dug deep and found out that over the past five years, Roger had taken out more than two million dollars. He must have paid that to the pack who was with him.

  Would they still be loyal to him after he was arrested and sent to jail?

  Keran didn’t think so.

  Once Roger was behind bars, the pack would disappear and everything would go back to normal. Just one day, and then this would be over. He couldn’t wait for another chance to make it up to Devyn. She’d endured this long enough. Next time, he would make sure he surprised her. He would plan something even better. Poor thing. While he was mentally planning his battle with Roger, she was alone in the suite. He hoped she would enjoy the meal he’d ordered.

  He thought about calling her. The car slid to a stop and he got out. His phone rang. Much to his surprise, it was Devyn. “Is everything alright?”

  “Yes, it is. Justin woke up. He wants to talk to you.”

  “Sure.” Keran took a few deep breaths and calmed his voice. His son would pick up his emotions and he didn’t want the boy to be worried. “Hey, son.”

  “Why did you leave, dad?”

  “The pack’s in trouble. They need me. You know the rules,” he reminded the boy.

  “But—why can’t we come with you?”

  “I want you to be there with Devyn. You’re the man of the house now. Take care of her.”

  There was silence at the other end. He could understand his son’s dilemma. Obviously, after all he’d gone through, Justin was scared to be without his father but he also felt a deep, abiding love and loyalty for Devyn and wanted to look after her. Keran once again, considered his decision. It was right.

  “Yes, I will,” Justin finally replied. “When will you come back?”

  “As soon as I can,” he promised.

  “Bye dad, I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Keran cut the connection and shoved the phone back in his pocket. The more he talked to them, the more his resolve was in danger of failing. He needed to do what was right. His pack needed him, but so did his family. He loved them all. His pack was as dear to him as his family. He owed a duty to them all. Choosing between them was the worst thing he could have been confronted with. Still, this was Roger’s doing, and the quicker he got rid of that man, the quicker he could go back to his ordinary life.

  “The pilot is ready, sir. He has filed the flight plan. We’re good to go,” his man informed him.

  Keran looked out from the window. He could see his plane. It gleamed in the moonlight. Barely half an hour ago, he’d been looking forward to a nice, romantic evening with Devyn— and now he was here, away from them. It didn’t make sense, and yet he was helpless. “Let’s go,” he told the man.

  Keran was aware that sealed his fate with his choice. Now whatever happened, it was all out of his hands. He’d made his decision looking at all the factors, but if something happened that he didn’t foresee, he would pay for that mistake later on. All he could pray was that he’d been smart enough to choose wisely. If not, the people he loved would pay the price.

  All he could hope was that everything fell into place as he envisioned. He would do his best to get the correct results—and that was all he had control over.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Devyn sat with Justin while he lay in bed. Keran gave her a huge responsibility. Leaving her here with Justin was the ultimate way of showing his faith in her; he trusted her to keep his son safe. She hoped she could justify his belief in her. “We’re going to have lots of fun together,” she assured the boy. “I’m going to arrange for a safari. Apparently, we can ride the elephants as well as go into the park. Would you like to do that?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  She could see his heart wasn’t in it. Devyn wasn’t sure what Keran said to the boy on the phone but it was obvious Justin was still deep in thought. She bet he was upset his dad left but he didn’t want to make her feel bad by expressing his feelings. “We’re going to have a great time, and before you know it, your dad will be back, and we’ll continue with the rest of our plans with him.”

  Justin turned on his side and avoided her gaze. “What if he gets hurt?”

  She leaned down to hug the boy. It didn’t matter how mature he was, he was still a child, and Keran was his only remaining parent. Just as Keran was worried about Justin, the child was also afraid something could happen to his dad. “Your dad will be okay, Justin. You know how strong and brave he is. He won’t let anyone hurt him.”

  “I was scared when he walked into that den to take me back,” Justin admitted. This was the first time he’d said anything about that. “They would have killed him. Roger hates him.”

  Keran should’ve been here. He should be the one assuring the boy that all was going to be well. But he made the decision, and Devyn could only pray it was the right one. Of course, she was also worried about Keran. If anything happened to him, Justin would become an orphan. Also, she would forever miss him. Tears threatened to spring to her eyes, but she tried her best to blink them away. She needed to push the negative thoughts away and concentrate on the task at hand. Right now, Justin needed her, and she couldn’t fail him. “Your dad loves you and would do anything for you—um, he also knows that you need him, and he’s going to make sure he stays safe.”

  “Roger is very smart.”

  “So is your dad.”

  Justin wiped a hand over his eyes. It was obvious he was trying to control his tears.

  Devyn hugged the boy. She held him close. Overwhelming love ran through her veins. She would do anything for this child. Keran felt the same way. All he wanted was to keep his son safe, and to do that, he had to make sure he
silenced Roger once and for all.

  “What if it’s a trap? What if Roger is waiting, so he can grab dad when he gets home?”

  “Your dad knows it could be a trap. He’s ready for it.” Unfortunately, she never got the chance to discuss the plan with Keran but she hoped he’d foreseen all these possibilities. If he didn’t, he could get into a lot of trouble. Yes, he had his team there, and Martin was very loyal. He wouldn’t let Keran get into trouble. But then Keran had thought Roger was also loyal. He had treated the other man like his brother and look how that ended.

  With heart racing, her first instinct was to pick up Justin and run for the airport. Perhaps they could catch up with him and go with him back home. But Keran told her to stay here, and she wanted to abide by his wishes. She trusted his judgment. He wouldn’t make a mistake regarding Roger.

  “I’m scared,” Justin said quietly.

  She didn’t want to lie to the child. He deserved the truth. “I’m scared too,” she admitted.

  His gaze met hers, and she read the same emotions in his eyes that she felt in her heart. They both loved the same man, albeit in a different way. “He’ll come back, right?”

  She gripped the child’s hand. “He has to, for both of us.”

  Justin smiled. “Dad told me to take care of you. He said that I’m the man of the house because he isn’t here.”

  Her heart melted as she heard the words. Trust Keran to say the right thing to his son. Justin would rise to the occasion for her. It was nice to know Justin loved her as much as she loved him. She couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with him and Keran. They were the two most important men in her life, and she would do whatever she could to keep the family together. “And I’m glad you’re here to take care of me.”

  “Will you marry my dad?”

  The question took her by surprise. She opened her mouth and closed it. Damn. What the hell was she supposed to say? “I—uh…”

  “I told him to ask you but he said you weren’t ready yet,” Justin admitted.

  Wait? What? She wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. Justin was already planning their wedding. Why didn’t Keran tell her what Justin had said to him? Maybe it was because he wasn’t ready yet to make that kind of a commitment to her. She gulped. Devyn didn’t want to brush off Justin’s concern, but this was really something needed to be discussed with Keran, and not his son. “I love your dad,” she said in a careful voice. “He loves me too.”

  “So why can’t you get married and become my mother?”

  She smoothed a hand over his forehead. There was no way she could love this child more. She didn’t give birth to him, but in every way possible, she felt the same emotions she would have felt for a child she gave birth to. Fate landed her here with this child and with his dad. She hoped her fate intended to keep her here, but a lot resided on the outcome of the decision that Keran undertook today. If he came back safe and sound, she intended to talk to him about their future. “Grownups need to make these decisions with a lot of care because we don’t want to hurt each other.”

  “You could never hurt anyone,” he assured her. “I never knew my mother, but when I look at you, I see you are the only one I can imagine in her place.”

  His mother couldn’t accept him because he was a werewolf. She wanted to run away, and when she tried to do so, she got into an accident and died. Justin never knew that, and she hoped he never found out either. Devyn rubbed his hair. “Thank you, dear. I love you too.”

  “So, will you marry dad when he comes back?”

  Laughter sputtered out of her. It was clear Justin had decided they were too slow about this and was trying to make sure he got all the ducks lined up in a row before his dad arrived. She leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. “You know, honey, I would love to stay with you and be your mom, but it’s really a choice your dad and I have to make. It’s a grownup decision, and we have to take our time about it.”

  He wrinkled his brow but there was a smile on his lips. “Grownups are too slow about things sometimes. Why can’t you decide quickly?”

  “When you grow up, you’ll realize some decisions can’t be taken hurriedly.”

  “It’s going to be a long time before I become as big as dad.”

  “Yes, that is true. But when you’re all grown, you wouldn’t want your dad to make decisions for you, would you? Would you like it if he decided whom you were going to marry?”

  Justin laughed. “No way.”

  “So in that case, I think you need to let your dad decide this on his own.” Devyn chuckled. “That’s only fair.”

  He sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I have to let him make the decisions.” Justin rolled his eyes. “Jeez. It’s not easy being fair.”

  She couldn’t wait for this child to grow up. He was going to be a delight in every way possible. “I suppose it isn’t, but we all have to do the best we can. You’re doing a good job, and I know that you’re going to be even better as your grow up. Now, good night. Sleep tight. And don’t worry about your dad. He’ll come back, and when he does, things will get better.”

  He nodded. “Thanks, Devyn. Good night.”

  She kissed him on the cheek once more and then stood. Man. That was the most intense discussion she’d had in a long time. Perhaps it was time to talk to Keran. But of course, he wasn’t around. She wasn’t sure if she could talk to him about what Justin said. She didn’t want to put ideas in his head. If he wanted her in his life as his wife, he had to be the one to say the words. The fact that he didn’t talk to her about this meant that he wasn’t as yet that sure…or ready.

  She didn’t blame him.

  Whatever decision he made would affect Justin too, and he wanted to do the best for his child. It was imperative they take things slowly, and if that’s what he wanted then she was game for it. Of course, it hurt her to think that he wasn’t as confident about the status of their relationship as she was. Maybe he didn’t love her with the same intensity. Perhaps he wasn’t so sure about spending the rest of their lives together.

  She was.

  Yes, she was.

  It was crazy she could think like this, especially because they barely knew each other. It hadn’t even been six months since they first met, but still it felt as if she’d known him forever. He was her soul mate. It was okay if he wanted to take his time.

  She couldn’t blame him.

  Their relationship started on very shaky ground, and it was better they took the opportunity to really get to know each other before making a lifelong commitment. Still, she wished he were as head over heels in love with her as she was with him. Maybe in time, he would get there.

  Lost in her thoughts, she sat in the living room. She’d barely eaten. Keran had made so much effort to arrange a date but then they didn’t get the time to enjoy all the things he planned. No matter. They would get this opportunity some day. Soon. She hoped he would come back safe and sound. It was all she wanted. If anything happened to him, she didn’t know what she would do. Roger must have planned something evil and dangerous. He probably was ready to kill Keran.

  Hopefully. Keran and Martin were ready to outmaneuver him.

  She leaned against the couch as she thought of all that could go wrong. Keran could be walking into a trap. What if Martin was now working for Roger? She trusted the Head of Security, as did Keran, but they had also trusted Roger. Devyn shook her head. No. She shouldn’t harbor such thoughts. It was unhealthy to do so. She fingered her phone but then she pushed it back into her pocket. She could call Keran, but it was obvious he must have thought about all the possibilities. He wasn’t naïve. After all they went through after the kidnapping, he was cautious.

  A slight breeze flitted through her hair. At first, she didn’t notice it. Suddenly, Devyn leapt to her feet and whirled around to face the door that led out to the balcony. She was sure she’d closed it when she came in. It stood halfway open now. For a moment, her eyes didn’t register the man who leaned against th
e wall.

  He smiled.

  Her blood ran cold.

  What the hell was he doing here?

  How did he gain access to their balcony?

  “You?” Her gaze darted to Justin’s door which she’d left slightly ajar when she came out. She couldn’t let the man have access to the boy. “What are you doing here?”

  “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” He grinned and stepped forward.

  She wanted to run for the main door. Keran’s men stood outside. She could call out for their help but by the time she reached the door, he could go into Justin’s room and if he locked it from inside, he would be alone with the boy. She couldn’t allow that to happen. Protecting Justin was her first priority, even if it meant she had to risk her own life.

  “But I’m feeling very proud of what I did, so I think I’m going to take the time to boast about it a little.”

  “What did you do? You—told your pack to surround the house so Martin would think you were gearing up for an attack.”

  “Clever girl. That’s exactly what I did. Too bad, you didn’t meet me first. I could have made good use of you. You’re wasting your time with Keran. Do you really think he’s going to become serious about you? He hasn’t looked at a woman like that ever since his wife died. All he cares about is his son, his pack, and his business.

  Funny enough, his words sounded true. Yes, Keran was pretty committed to his child, his pack, and his business. He’d told her he hadn’t have a lasting relationship in a long time. He didn’t want that complication. What Roger said also jibed well with the thoughts that already whirled in her head. She didn’t think Keran was ready to make a commitment to her—but it didn’t matter. She loved him, and she loved Justin—and she wasn’t going to allow this mad man to hurt the boy. “He trusted you,” she said.

  Roger narrowed his eyes. “He shouldn’t have. He made a mistake, and so did I when I didn’t kill Justin straight away. I’m here to rectify that mistake.”