“I’m going to watch a movie with Uncle Gage now,” Ethan announced. “It’s the one about the bunny and the fox.”
“Sounds really good.” Ash walked Ethan back to the door. “I’ll see you a bit later, buddy?”
Ethan nodded like mad. “Bye, Daddy.”
“Bye, my boy.”
“Bye, Mommy.” He giggled and ran out of the room.
“I’m sorry.” Alice widened her eyes. “I should have checked with you first, but it just felt so natural, it felt so right. I—”
“No need to explain or to ask permission.” Ash leaned down and kissed her. “You’re already his mother. You tuck him in at night and read him stories. You take him bike riding and put Band-Aids on his already healed cuts and scrapes. That’s what moms do. Quite frankly, I’m surprised it took this long.”
“What do you mean, this long? It’s only been a few months.” Alice raised her brows.
“We shifters know. We don’t need a whole lot of time. Months …” He shook his head and made a snorting noise. “My bear knew you were mine the moment I caught a snoutful of you. That’s why I couldn’t let you just walk away. I had to have you. I even resorted to stalking you.” Ash narrowed his eyes on hers. “I still can’t believe you let a stalker into your house.”
“More than just my house.” She grinned. “You’re lucky you’re so darned hot.”
“Maybe, despite being a mere human, you knew too. Somewhere deep down.”
Alice shook her head, she couldn’t hold back a massive grin. “You were hot and I was horny. It had nothing to do with fate.”
Ash frowned so deeply that it made her laugh. When his jaw fell open, she laughed even harder.
“Take that back,” Ash said.
“You’ll have to make me.” She stuck her tongue out at him.
“Kind of tough when we both have a baby in our arms.”
“The good news is, I’m here for a long time to come.”
Ash brushed his lips against hers. “I love the sound of that.”
“Me too.”
Ash deepened the kiss just as Holt gave a mighty yell. “I think someone’s hungry,” Alice chuckled; she couldn’t stop smiling. Didn’t want to.
24
Six weeks later …
“This place is unreal.” Meredith’s eyes were wide, her face animated.
“I know! I couldn’t believe it when I saw it myself. Ash kept referring to our new house as the cabin.”
Meredith snorted. “This is like no cabin I’ve ever seen. It’s huge.”
"We are a family of five, so four bedrooms is a must."
“This kitchen is something else though. The best thing of all is that view of the valley.” Meredith walked over to the big bay window.
“It’s quite something.” Alice smiled. She picked up a cheese platter. “You grab that.” She pointed to the chips and dip. “Thanks for coming all the way to celebrate the new house. I also wanted you to meet my boys. All three of them.”
“Stop thanking me already. I can’t believe you invited me.” Her friend smiled broadly.
“Of course I invited you. You’re Aunty Meredith, remember?”
“And I can’t get enough of those munchkins … and Ethan’s going to show me his bike later.” She scrunched up her nose. “I can’t believe I left their gifts back at the village.”
“You left your whole bag behind.”
“It was the smaller of the two. What?” She lifted her hands like it was no big deal. “Don’t look at me like that. I was excited about seeing you again. Give a girl a break.”
Alice laughed. “You’d forget your own name if people didn’t keep reminding you what it was.”
“I would not,” Meredith snickered. She began to walk in the direction of the terrace.
Alice put the platter down, and Meredith did the same with her food items. Winston had little Logan over his shoulder. He, Gage and Ash were chatting about something or other. Ethan was playing with his Lego on the floor. Ana helped herself to some of the chips. “Are the boys sleeping better yet?”
Alice widened her eyes as she helped herself to some of the chips as well. “I eventually left them to cry three nights ago. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.” She shook her head and sighed just thinking about how awful it had been. “I put a mattress on the floor and lay between their cribs. I wanted them to know I was there, but I didn’t so much as touch them like you advised.”
Ana nodded. “And it worked didn’t it?”
“They woke up again at three-thirty again yesterday morning but only cried for a minute or two before going back to sleep. They woke up just after five this morning, a much more manageable time.”
“Yeah, Logan also switched around day and night like that,” Ana spoke to Meredith.
“Having your day start at three-thirty is not fun.” Alice said.
“You looked a bit like a zombie the other day,” Ana chuckled. “I remember those early days.” She widened her eyes. “I still have zombie moments but they’re slowly getting less and less. You took the prize though.” Ana touched the side of Meredith’s arm and grinned. “I came over one morning,” she lifted her eyes in thought, “a week or two ago. Oh, my word! Alice’s eyes were bloodshot. She had these back smudges under her eyes. She was a total mess.”
“Ash went on his first scouting mission since the twins were born, so I was on my own. It made me realize that things needed to change. It wasn’t just the day and night thing,” Alice said, taking another handful of chips. “They also woke up at different times. I would just get Luke down and Holt would wake up. It was … difficult.”
Meredith frowned. “I thought you read a book all about raising twins from birth.”
“A book!” Ana snorted.
Alice smiled at her very sweet, very clueless friend. “I did, I even highlighted important parts. I studied it from cover to cover. It was dog-eared by the time the boys came, but theory and practice are two very different animals. Having said that, I am implementing quite a few of the recommendations, like waking up a twin, even if he’s still asleep, if his brother wakes up. I tried it and it took less than two days to get them on the same cycle. They are more awake during the day and sleep more at night. I stick to definite routines. We’re getting there.” She rubbed a hand across her face. She’d never been more tired or happier in her whole life.
“And Ethan?” Meredith spoke under her breath. “How is that going?”
Alice had to smile. “He loves his little brothers. He fetches diapers and is always asking to hold them.”
“He keeps asking when he’ll be able to play with them,” Ana added and they all laughed.
Ash slid his arm around her. “You’re doing great. You’re the best mom in the whole world.”
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to disagree.” Winston winked at Ana.
Ash planted a kiss on the side of her mouth. “I have no doubts,” he whispered.
Gage cleared his throat. Oops! That left Meredith and Gage standing around like two spare wheels. “I’ll take you to go and fetch your bag?” Gage suggested, eyes on Meredith.
“Why don’t you just go on your own?” Ash asked, an edge to his voice.
Gage shrugged. “It would take longer because I wouldn’t be able to shift. I would have to carry the bag. This way, we can be there and back in no time. Would you mind coming along?” He looked at Meredith.
“Not at all,” she gushed. “It would be fun.” A red stain appeared on her cheeks.
Gage nodded once. “Let’s head out then. We’ll be back in half an hour.”
“Dinner won’t be ready for at least another hour, so that’s perfect.” Alice took a sip of her drink.
“Can I come?” Ethan asked, eyes wide.
“Not this time buddy,” Gage responded. “We’ll do something fun tomorrow.”
Ethan nodded and got back to his building. Meredith grabbed her coat and she and Gage headed out.
“Gage had better not get any ideas.” Ash shook his head, frowning.
Alice had to laugh. “I think it’s more the other way around. Meredith is the one with all the ideas.”
Ash took a drink from his beer bottle. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”
There was a loud roar which ended abruptly. It was followed by a piercing scream that disappeared so quickly it was like someone had shut a door on the sound. Alice couldn’t make heads or tails of what she had just heard, other than it was wrong. All wrong. Ash dropped his beer, it smashed on the floor. Then he was running for the front of the house. Winston handed the baby to Ana and ran as well.
Ana stood there, eyes filled with shock, cheeks pale. “What the hell was that?”
Meredith.
The scream.
Oh no!
A feeling of dread filled her. Without thinking, she raced after Ash and Winston, bursting through the front door, which was already wide open.
Gage lay on his back on the floor. Both Ash and Winston were on their knees next to him. His chest. She covered her mouth and made a mewling noise. It was slashed open. A bleeding mess that reminded her of ground beef. She could even see flashes of white. Bone.
Alice felt her stomach roll and turned away. She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Meredith!” she shouted. “Meredith!” she tried again, louder this time, looking around them. There was no sign of her friend.
That wasn’t true. There was a shoe on the ground. A sneaker. Meredith’s sneaker.
“He’s coming around,” Ash growled.
When Alice looked down, Gage was just opening his eyes. He blinked a few times and then groaned. Deep and hard. The groan turned into a wince. “Oh shit!” he choked. “Fuck!” He ground his teeth. “It. Has. Her.”
The words sent chills racing up and down her spine.
“Didn’t see much,” he groaned through clenched teeth. “Too quick. Too damned strong.” Gage panted, blood flowed with each breath. He looked Gage in the eyes. “You were right. Has wings.” He grimaced, holding his breathe. “Big wings … feathers.” Then he passed out.
Book 3
Unchained
1
There was a loud crash and Gage jumped to his feet. From dreaming about … he couldn’t remember … to wide awake in an instant. His vision remained blurred with sleep for a half a second before he was able to focus.
“Ash,” his voice was still croaky from disuse. There was an edge of confusion evident. His brother was breathing heavily. The male’s eyes were wide, they held a wild edge. Gage could scent anger; that and the acrid smell of fear.
Sweat dripped from Ash’s brow. “Get moving,” he screamed, the muscles standing up on either side of his neck. “They have them!” His brother’s face twisted with both anguish and disbelief as he shouted, “Those fuckers took my family!” Then he threw his head back and roared. A sound so deafening that Gage was forced to cover his ears with his hands.
Gage frowned. Half a dozen questions raced through his mind all at once. “Who has them? By them, I’m assuming you mean Alice and the children?” He tried to keep his voice even and to remain calm despite the adrenaline that coursed through him.
Ash thread his fingers through his hair, fisting his hands. "Fuck!" he growled as he doubled over, still clutching his hair. "Oh my fuck!" The words were laced with anger and disbelief. There was more there though. He could hear the pain and utter devastation. "There is no time, we must leave now." The scent of fear grew stronger, almost choking him. He'd never seen his brother like this. Never. That was saying something since Ash had lost a mate and a child before.
Gage felt his heart-rate pickup. He reached for the jeans that lay discarded next to his still rumpled bed and tugged them on, one leg at a time. "Tell me what happened." There was still a rasp in his voice.
Ash was pacing the room, his eyes moving from left to right. His jaw was tightly clenched. “They’re gone. When I came back outside, they were fucking gone. All four of them. Like they’d vanished into thin air.” He sounded broken. Completely destroyed. His red-rimmed eyes glistened.
“Are you sure they didn’t go for a walk or something? Maybe—”
“No!” Ash snarled. “Those fuckers took them. There was no scent trail. It was as if they disappeared into the ether. I know it was them. What the fuck do they want with my mate? With innocent children? The twins are still cubs. Ethan is a boy … just a little boy.” His voice broke with emotion. Ash wiped at his eyes with frantic, angry swipes.
“Take me to where it happened.”
“No!” Another loud snarl. “We have to go after them now.” Again, his eyes darted around the room. His muscles bulged. His teeth were sharp. If he became any more agitated, Ash would shift. The male’s fur would be just beneath the surface of his skin, prickling, his nail beds would be tingling. His gums would feel much the same. Then he snarled, turning on his heel. “I’m done talking. Done waiting.” Ash roared again. This time, louder than before as he rushed for the door.
Gage grabbed his arm. He needed to talk some sense into the male. He could understand why his brother was so frantic, so out of his mind, but running off half-cocked was not going to solve anything.
Ash yanked himself free and headed out the door. This time when Gage gripped his arm, Ash turned and popped him one on the side of his jaw with a meaty thud. Dull pain exploded and he staggered back a few steps.
Four males stood a little ahead of Ash. Probably attracted by the noise. “Stop him!” Gage yelled but none of them moved.
Just then, Ward rounded the bend. The male lived next door so he no doubt heard the commotion. “What’s going on?” He was frowning heavily.
“My family was taken.” Ash’s voice was deep and hoarse. So close to shifting that his muscles were thicker and roped. Even those of his throat.
Gage needed to talk some sense into him. “Go after them how? Where would we even start?” He couldn’t begin to understand what was going through the male’s head. Couldn’t begin to understand what he was feeling.
“We have to do something! Please.” He turned and gripped Gage by the forearms and squeezed ‒ hard. Any more pressure and his bones were going to snap. “We have to.” His brother turned to Ward as he let go.
“Fuck!” Ward growled.
“Take us to where this happened. We need to try to figure this out. To figure them out. Maybe they left some sort of clue,” Gage said.
“That’s a good idea.” Ward nodded.
“It happened right outside the house. Ethan wanted to play outside. The boys were napping in their stroller.” Ash clenched and unclenched his fists. He spoke quickly. “I went back in to get us another cup of coffee and when I returned, they were gone. Gone!” he repeated the word, his eyes becoming wild, his face contorting in anguish once again. “The stroller too. Fucking gone! Like before, there was no scent. No prints. Nothing at all.” Ash swallowed thickly, his Adam’s apple bobbed. “It was just like when Meredith was taken.” He ground his teeth. “Alice has been beside herself with worry and now she’s gone too. What the fuck …” His brother wiped his eyes before the gathering wetness could fall. He sniffed hard.
Gage could remember that moment all too clearly since he had been with the human healer at the time of her abduction. The incident had taken place only five short days ago. The beast that had taken her was big, strong and faster than anything he’d seen before. He was lucky to be alive. “Sounds like it’s them.” There was no other explanation.
“Yes, it does.” Ward’s jaw was tight. His eyes bright. The male was probably thinking how it could have just as easily been his own family. “With all the extra scouting parties, this still happened.” He shook his head. “They’re confident fucks.”
Suddenly someone screamed and a loud snarl followed. The noise came from some distance. They all turned towards where the sound had come from. There was another blood-curdling scream and they took off, adrenaline pumping. Hackles raised.
2
Edith looked down at the tiny infant in her lap. His skin was so incredibly soft. The little one was perfect in every way. From his gummy mouth to his itty bitty toes. “I can’t believe he’s already two months old,” she gushed, glancing up at Ana. “Firstly, because he looks far too small to be anything other than a newborn,” she paused to take in a breath, “and then secondly, because it took me this long to get out to see you.”
Ana giggled. “Yeah, well, shifter babies are really small. You must remember that I was only pregnant for three months.” She hooked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.
“Nuts!” Edith shook her head. “I still can’t believe it.” She lifted her eyes in thought. “I suppose that it’s a good thing. Rather get it over and done with as quickly as possible, right?”
“Right.” Ana smiled. “Although,” her expression turned wistful, “I quite liked the whole experience. Maybe not the two weeks of nausea but other than that I really enjoyed being pregnant. Feeling my baby grow inside me. Feeling his little kicks. It was almost over before it began.”
“I suppose you are right. I’m so sorry it took me so long to get my ass in gear and to get myself over here. It’s just that Jeff has really been trying to move into my area. That’s why I can’t stay as long as I’d like. I have a show day next Sunday.” The Jones property was one of those pieces of real-estate that you just knew would sell without too much hassle. Well-appointed, well maintained, lock up and go. It ticked all the boxes, including being north-facing and having river-frontage. There was nothing not to like, except, maybe the price tag, but the place was worth it, so it would sell regardless. Edith called that a serious win in her book, since she lived off commission. The only downside was that it was a dated house and – big sigh - she wished she could afford to buy it for herself. Oh well!
Shifter Night Box Set: Complete Set (Book 1 - 3) Page 36
