The man sneered at her. “Are you going to use that mirresa?” Such hatred rolled off him that it made her sick to her stomach. So much for a peaceful time.
Gourd and Fand moved to her sides as Jester placed his hand over her’s, lowering the knife. “Explain, before I kill you here on the spot. Why did you call our woman that, especially since she is part of you?” Gourd demanded as others appeared behind them.
“I want to go home, Momma Hope,” Sasha said next to her, lifting her arms up to be held.
Hope put the knife away, but made sure she could still get to it, then lifted Sasha into her arms. “It’s okay, Sasha, we’ll be all right. Come, let’s allow the men to handle this and go explore our new home. We’ll find your rooms and get you guys settled,” she said, wanting to get away from the crowd behind her, feeling trapped. Hope knew the doors would open automatically for her and the children as they stepped toward them. But the man’s next words made her stop.
“She carries their DNA in her. She is the one my mother had and gave up after being raped. My father dropped her off on Earth. She was only two days old when her Earth parents took her in, adopting her, giving her their blood so she’d be like them, they hoped. But I smell the stench—”
That was all he got out before his mouth was covered with tape.
Baron and the kids giggled, but inched closer to her as an older woman pushed through the group of men, glaring at her so-called brother. “We just find this child and you insult her the moment she steps foot on the planet? I thought more of you, all of you. Would you blame Jaycee, or any of the other women if they were a child of violence? I could turn you into a frog, I would. I’m so furious with you,” the woman said as the man in question, her brother, turned into a frog.
“Not to worry, Marsha, I can do it,” Aurora said. Hope knew her name, the planet recognizing her, explaining who she was. “Take him home. I don’t want him here if he can’t be civil.” Aurora seemed to float toward Hope and her children.
Hope stepped back, pushing the children behind her as Mama Bear pushed forward, making her shift and stand on her hind legs, ready to attack.
“Aurora, no closer. The animal is protecting her cubs,” a man said, appearing beside her, while Gourd, Fand and Jester stepped in front of Hope,
“Go pick the rooms for the children. I’m sorry, Little Bear. We didn’t know this would happen. If I could take you back to our world, I would, but you know we can’t,” Gourd sent to her.
“It’s okay. I was hoping to go somewhere where I wouldn’t be hated, but this is normal I’m afraid,” she sent back, turning and shifting at the same time. “Thank you for sticking up for me. I’ve never had that happen before, so it is appreciated, but not necessary. I’m used to the hate, but not for this reason. If you will excuse me, my children and I are going to explore our new home.” Hope glanced over her shoulder at the woman, while reaching up and removing her helmet, since she wouldn’t need it. Her long hair fell down as she ran her hand through the braid and released it. “Baron, Mandy, Sasha, grab your stuff and let’s go exploring.” She knew that no one could enter her home to threaten them, as the planet-ship was already making adjustments for her children.
Baron looked up at her as they stepped into the first room. “Do you think you have their blood in you?” he asked.
Hope closed her eyes and took a deep breath before sitting on the bed in the room.
“Come here, guys. We need to talk.” Hope patted the bed and they climbed up on it. “I always promised to be truthful to you. Do I believe what that man said? Yes, it makes sense. The man I believed was my father was always distant to me. Plus, this ship-planet thing says it’s true. Do I like that fact? Not on your life. But it won’t change who I am. Maybe it’s a good thing. I mean, I do understand how to kill the monsters, so that’s good. Now, a question for you three. Does this change how you feel about me? I’m sure someone here could find others like us. You don’t have to stay with me,” Hope said even though she knew it would kill her if they chose to live with someone else.
She wasn’t expecting all three of her children to crawl on her and hug her tight, crying.
“No, you’re our Mama Bear,” Sasha cried.
“We love you, Mama Bear,” Mandy said.
“You were there when the others weren’t. You’re our mom, no one else,” Baron growled, surprising her and him.
“Can we join you?” Gourd asked as tears rolled down her cheeks and she gave each of her children big hugs. All three men moved into the room, as Baron got up and stood in front of her with his hands on his hips.
“Are they all gone?” he growled, and she couldn’t help but smile.
Fand smiled and knelt next to the boy. “They are gone, and you are going to make a fine warrior, my son.” HE reached over and squeezed Baron’s shoulder.
“I don’t like my uncle. He’s a toad and should stay that way,” Baron said.
Hope couldn’t help laughing. “I’m afraid he’s a very powerful toad too. What I don’t understand is if I’m like him, how come I don’t have his gifts or whatever they call it? Wait, how old am I?” Hope asked, frowning as more and more questions popped up in her head. “Well crap, now I’m going to have to speak with the wart-head eventually,” she mumbled, earning giggles from the children.
* * *
Gourd knew Hope was putting on a brave front for the little ones as each child picked a room, and he was surprised when Mandy and Sasha decided to share a room.
“Are you sure? There are plenty of rooms,” Gourd told them.
“Can we have bunk beds? I’d sleep on top since I’m bigger,” Mandy said.
Sasha nodded. “I move too much. Mama Bear said I’m a worm when I sleep.” Which made Hope smile.
“Yes, you squirm all over the place and kick,” Hope said as Fand laughed.
Bunk beds appeared in the room, along with pink blankets and pillows. The girls squealed and ran for their beds, climbed onto them and hugged the pillows.
“Okay, you two, put your stuff away and explore the toys. I need to go check out the rest of the house,” Hope said, moving toward the door. She didn’t say much until they walked into the master suite. Then she turned and stared right at Gourd. “I’m sorry about what happened to your brother’s child.” She looked down at the ground. “I can understand why he broke your connection with him when he heard about my true parents.” Hope looked back up at him. “The children and I can find another place to stay if that would help. At least we haven’t joined or anything yet.”
His little bear had heard and felt his brother’s reaction, about which Gourd would be having a long conversation with said brother, making sure he got a piece of his foot for hurting his woman. But for now, Gourd reached out and yanked a startled Little Bear into his arms. He wrapped a handful of her beautiful satin, white hair in his hand and tugging till she was staring up at him. “No matter what anyone says or does, you are ours and we are not letting go.” He leaned down and nipped her lip. “I couldn’t care less who you are. It’s what is inside that matters. But if it helps a little, I will tell you this. When you are ready to commit to us fully, you will carry our blood in you. Already your DNA is changing, so by the time the change is over, your ‘other blood’ will be no more.”
Hope frowned. “Would you be doing—”
Gourd kissed her hard, punishing her for even thinking that he was doing it just to change her from being who she was. He broke the kiss and growled. “I’ll give you that because you don’t know us, Little Bear, but never doubt us. It is customary for the female to carry our blood, each of ours. This way our children will be all of ours, carrying a part of each of us inside them, understand?”
“Children?” she squeaked and Jester snorted.
“We already have three, of course, but we want more, lots more. We have company,” Jester said, leaning over and placing a kiss on her cheek. “Can’t wait to see you swell with our child,” he said and moved to great thei
r guests—Valda and some of her men.
“It seems Valda, our adopted niece, is here to meet you and the children,” Gourd told her, releasing her hair, then keeping his hand on her lower back as the children rushed into their room.
“What’s wrong?” Hope asked, looking at them.
“Can we go exploring? Maybe to the commons?” Baron asked.
“Well, right now we have guests. Your cousins are here and would like to meet you,” Gourd said as Hope tilted her head to the side, as if listening to something.
“She and her men work with the controls of the ship—well the electronic part of the ship, right?” Hope asked.
“The planet is already sharing things with you?” Gourd asked as they made their way to their main living area. He hoped things went better than they did with Leaguer, because, right now their little bear needed a friend.
“Valda, how are you?” Gourd asked, knowing she had heard that her natural father’s brother had put a death warrant out on him.
She hugged him and stepped back, glancing at Hope. “I’m okay and I totally understand why your brother has issued the order.” Valda squeezed his arm. “Now, introduce me to your woman so I can personally apologize for the ass—oops,” she said, peaking at Owen.
“No, that is fine. He was an ass,” Owen growled.
Gourd threw his head back and laughed. “I couldn’t have said it better. Hope, I’d like you to meet Valda, the one who saved my niece. These are her men, Owen, Sar, Burr and Griffin. Where are Ral and Drand? Valda has six men in her family unit,” Gourd explained.
“Six?” Hope squeaked. “And here I thought three was too much.” She bowed to Valda, shocking her and Gourd. “Impressive, you’ll have to explain how all this works,” Hope said, pointing to the three of them, making Valda laugh, then lean close to her ear to speak.
“Well, for one thing, Gourd there is very…how should I say this?”
“Beat on chest, alpha, my way or the highway,” Hope said, which had Valda laughing so hard, tears poured down her cheeks.
“It wasn’t that funny and how would you know already?” he growled, frowning down at her.
Hope patted his chest. “You entered my mind first, remember. Valda, we were going to explore the commons. Would you join us? I’d love to get your thoughts on some of the things I’m being shown. Oh, I’m being rude. Valda, these are my children,” Hope introduced the children and was moving toward the door when Fand and Burr stepped in front of them.
She glanced at him and he smiled. “I’m not the only one who is an alpha, but before you go anywhere, one of us will always escort you, and you will allow us to check the surroundings before you go. Oh, for the record, the children are ours too,” Gourd said.
Little Sasha looked up at him, frowning. “You want to be our daddy?”
“Yes, little one. Jester, Fand and I would be proud to have you as our children if you all agree, including your mommy,” Gourd said, kneeling next to her.
She glanced at Baron, then at Hope. “Is it okay?”
“Wish you would have done this later on,” Hope grumbled and knelt beside him. “Sasha, the decision has to be yours. What does your bear feel, inside here?” Hope placed her hand over the little one’s heart. “Each of you must look inside your hearts and you’ll know the answer, but either way, I have a feeling they will never stop caring for you, because already they have marked you as theirs.”
Sasha’s face scrunched up and she nibbled her lip right before she nodded. “Yep, my bear likes you and calls you daddy. Do you have a bear?” she asked, earning a laugh from Hope and a groan from Jester. She lifted her head up, smiling. “Now I have three daddy bears.”
Gourd laughed as she rushed him and wrapped her arms around his neck, throwing him off balance so he fell back on his ass.
Hope stood smiling. “Oops, bear hug. Soon, you’ll have to have your daddies show you their bears,” she teased and looked over at Jester, who growled at her.
“Just you wait, Little Bear.” Jester swatted her butt.
She laughed, rubbing her butt and watching as Mandy tackled him next. “Bear hugs are the best,” she whispered, then looked at Baron.
He had his head tilted to the side and was studying all three of them. “Will we be changed like you will, Mama Bear?”
Gourd stood up holding on to both girls, approving of Baron’s protectiveness and caution. “You are wise to question. The answer is yes and no. You will have our DNA print, but it’s not necessary for you to carry our blood, even though you already have a little of mine. Now, when you are older, and you would like to come fully into our world, we’ll discuss this. Is that okay?”
Baron nodded. “I would consider it an honor to be your son. Can you teach me how to use a sword, like that one?” He pointed to the one on the wall.
Hope snorted. “Not too soon. You have to be able to hold the sword first,” she told him. “Are we ready to go explore the commons?”
All three kids nodded and joined Fand and Burr, who stood waiting out in the tunnel.
Valda hooked her arm with Hope’s. “If anyone gives you a hard time, you let me know.”
“And what pray tell do you think you will do?” Burr grumbled in front of them as they moved down the tunnel.
“You don’t know all my secrets, Wildman. How do you think I survived for so many years?” Valda patted her arm. “Just because these men have access to us, doesn’t mean they know everything. It would take too long to go through each memory.”
“You don’t need to be telling Hope these things,” Gourd said as they came to the entrance to the commons.
“Wow, it’s huge,” Baron said, then stepped back in front of Hope, growling.
Gourd looked up to see Aurora and Leaguer standing there waiting. He growled, his protective instincts kicking in. “Now what?” Gourd moved in front of Hope and the children as Fand joined him. “I will not have another attack on my woman. I’m warning you now, don’t push me, Leaguer.”
“I have come to apologize to you and my sister.” Leaguer smiled, but it was forced. “I’m afraid my father and mother have expressed their deep disappointment in me,” Leaguer said, turning to look quickly at Aurora, who waved her hand, telling him to go on. “On our world, we are always taught that every species has at least some good in them. The only excuse I can give for my behavior is the thought of one of these…”
“Monsters,” Hope said, behind Gourd. “They’re monsters of my nightmares. Do you really believe I want to be associated with something so gross and cruel?” she asked, stepping between him and Fand. “But I can understand your hate, because they murdered the only family I knew,” she said, shaking but holding her own against her brother.
Gourd and Fand took one of her hands, holding her as her brother stared at her.
Leaguer stepped forward. “I can show you your biological mother and tell you about her, if you would like, when all of this is behind us.”
Hope sighed. “I’d like that. Excuse us. I promised the children we could roam around.” She turned and a small barrier wall went up in her head, blocking her thoughts, which shocked Fand and Gourd as they looked down at their mate.
“Little Bear?” Gourd questioned, not understanding what was wrong, but she shook her head.
“Not yet, please?” she asked, looking up at him and giving him a sad smile. “I’ll explain later.”
Her expression had him worried. Had he made a mistake bringing her here?
Chapter Four
Hope smiled and laughed, playing with the children while they explored their surroundings. She knew her brother was watching, but she said nothing. She wouldn’t be there much longer, because the ship was setting up the trap. The only thing that might save them.
The war Gourd had told her about was upon them and there was only one way to end it. Once more Hope would be going into battle by herself, as bait for the trap. Each of the females, Suzanne, Lissa, Jaycee and Valda, all knew their part in thi
s plan. Valda had growled, wanting to help, but the plan that the planet-ship had come up with counted on Hope being alone as she always had been. She had no choice; too many beings here were relying on them in order to survive.
As soon as Hope had arrived, information had been pouring into her head. Her natural father wasn’t just a monster, he was in charge of the destruction on Earth. She didn’t think this Baneshadow knew of her existence, and that would be their ace in the hole. The only true weapon the planet had against so many could only be used on Earth. Hopefully this little acting job would be her last battle, because she was tired of being alone. She wanted family and friends.
Valda leaned over while the men talked to Owen. “Tonight, we meet. Owen is informing Gourd now.” Valda glanced down at her, since the woman was extremely tall compared to Hope. “You learned that none of us know?” she said, frowning at her. “What are you planning?”
Hope waved to Sasha. She was so…Hope chocked up and looked away. “Yes, but it’s my part in the mess. Our meeting will have to wait tonight, have the old and the young come here now. There is no time. It is starting now,” Hope said, watching as the other ladies entered, Suzanne from the tunnel to the east, Lissa from the west, and Jaycee from the north. They moved to her while their men joined the others, taking care of the children, as if sensing something was going to happen the men turned to look at their small group.
“It’s time?” Jaycee asked Valda, eyeing Hope without introducing herself, though Hope already knew who she was. The planet had informed her who everyone was and what species they were.
But Hope needed Lissa; that was all that mattered. Lissa glanced at her. “What do you need?” she asked.
Hope looked up at Valda, who was glaring at Jaycee and the others. “Remember what I said, Valda.” Hope reached over, squeezing her arm. “The cliff and if you could, my gear. You’ll have 30 minutes to get everyone here,” she informed them, taking a peek at Gourd, Fand and Jester.
Finding Hope: Book Ten of the Running in Fear Series Page 3
