NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team

by Chelsea Handcock

  “Rye, your baby is beautiful, and the love you and Jacks share is an incredible sight to see. But, honey, witnessing the things your lady parts just did was right out of a sci-fi movie, and if I never see said parts again, I’ll be one happy woman. Nice mating mark though,” she remarked.

  “I mean, really, I have this weird urge to look one more time to see if it was even able to go back to normal. Is it a Shifter thing? I can’t imagine an average woman going through that more than once in a lifetime. If others saw it like I just did, there would be a heck of a lot fewer kids being born, just saying. But don’t worry, I heard they have this thing called vaginal rejuvenation now. So, if it doesn’t go back, I’m sure a doctor or someone can fix it for you. I mean, damn girl, you opened up bigger than a cantaloupe and the stuff coming out before and after the baby, Ew!” Sky got a full body shiver from some of the things she was remembering.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Ryleigh laughed, “having this little guy seems to make it all worth it in the end. But I get what you’re saying. The first time I witness a birth, it freaked me out too. Would you like to meet him?” Ryleigh asked, holding up the baby.

  Sky walked over and knelt beside Ryleigh and the baby. She’d never held a baby in her arms, and for about a second, she didn’t know what to do. But when Ryleigh placed him in her arms, it felt natural and amazing.

  The little dragon baby just stared at her with intelligent eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. Sky ran her finger over his chubby little cheek, enjoying the moment. When he grabbed her finger and placed it in his mouth, Sky laughed and so did Ryleigh. Not even a second later, she got a jolt that ran through her body. She could feel the little boy. He was happy, but far from content because he was both hungry and cold. He also felt his mother’s discomfort and wanted that to change, immediately. This little one would be an Alpha one day.

  “Ah, Rye, I think we should maybe think about getting out of here, so you can get taken care of and warm. Little man here also seems to be a bit hungry.” Before she could say anything else, the baby started to cry and not a little whimper either; no, Quinn was full-on screeching.

  Jacks jumped up from Ryleigh’s other side, storming to Sky and the baby. Snatching Quinn out of Sky’s arms.

  “What have you done? He was fine before you touched him. Did you hurt him, why is crying?” Jacks was moving Quinn this way and that, trying to see what could possibly be bothering him, but the jostling was only making his cries louder.

  “Jacks,” Ryleigh sought to calm him, “you can’t hold him like that. Put him to your chest. He needs to feel secure.” Jacks finally listened, but the baby didn’t quiet.

  “Oh hell no, little man, I’m your Daddy, and you will not be making that sound. We are Thorp men, mighty Shifters, we take the stuff that comes like men and prevail all the way to the end.”

  The words coming out of his mouth were a contradiction to his actions. Jacks was cradling the little boy, moving side to side and cooing. He might sound like an ass, but he was trying, it just wasn’t working. Sky could feel what Quinn wanted, and that was Ryleigh, but didn’t she say anything. It wasn’t her place. When Jacks continued to hold the baby, and Quinn continued to cry, he looked to Ryleigh, but didn’t give her the baby.

  Quinn’s cries were like nails on a chalkboard, the sound going right through your body, making a person cringe. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling. Sky covered her ears; she couldn’t hear anything over the baby’s cries, and it was getting to her. Jacks was saying something, and then out of nowhere a puff of fire erupted from the baby’s mouth, singeing Jacks’ eyebrows. Everyone just stood there looking from Jacks to the baby. The baby stopped crying, but looked like he was about to start again.

  “Okay, looks like you want your mommy,” Jacks said. “She gave you that dragon, she can deal with it.” Jacks handed the baby to Ryleigh, and she cuddled the baby close. Once in his mother’s arms, he didn't make another sound.

  Jacks started barking orders, like what just happened was no big deal, and the guys jumped into action. Ethan and the cute geeky guy who she learned was Wyatt, ran off to get the vehicles. Bas and the other guy, Dalton, started packing up the gear. Jacks picked up Ryleigh and the baby and started walking away.

  Sky sat there, literally not knowing what to do. Bas answered for her by taking her hand and pulling her up.

  “Babe, you have two choices here. Either I carry you or you turn furry. It’s too cold out to be running around in just a t-shirt. Our Shifter genes help, but only so much. You could lose a toe or something.”

  Damn, Sky hadn’t even noticed the cold with everything going on, but now that Bas had said something, she was freezing. Her feet hurt so bad when she started moving them, only putting pressure on one of them at a time. Then it dawned on her exactly what Bas had said. She could either let him carry her or she could go furry. Damn, her brain still hadn’t processed that she was a Shifter.

  It turns out she didn’t need to make a choice after all. Bas picked her up and started walking in the same directions of the others.

  “I gotta tell you, babe, I know we have a lot of stuff to talk about and work through, but never once did I believe you would Shift. Your bear, she’s beautiful and fierce, just like you.”

  Sky looked up at him feeling safe in his arms and asked, “But Bas, you said there weren’t any female Shifters, that you couldn’t change me into one. How did this happen?”

  “I can’t answer that, babe, but I’m sure we can find someone who will be able to. Right now, I’m going to get you on the chopper with Ryleigh and the baby, so you can head back to Alpha where you’ll be safe. We’re going to stick around and look for Cash, but when this is over, we will be talking.”

  Sky saw the chopper up ahead and asked the only question left on her mind, “Bas, are you going to push me away and try to run again now that you know I’m different?”

  “Babe, no way in hell, but that’s one of the things we need to talk about. I treated you badly, and I’ll never be able to forgive myself for the things I said to you. Even when I was saying them, I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t let myself hope this thing between us was real. When those men shot me with that dart and my world went black, I had so many regrets, but the main one was trying to push you away. The love you sent me, the same love that saved me, I just want you to know I feel the same way. I’ll never fight my instincts again if you’ll have me. I promise never to run, to always be there for you, and to love you better than anyone else ever could.”

  Bas didn’t give Sky a chance to respond. Running under the moving helicopter blades, he placed her onto the seat and kissed her softly saying, “See you soon,” then shut the door, hit it a couple of times, and ran to stand with the rest of the men.

  Sky was stunned and speechless. She brought her fingers up to her lips just to see if the tingles would disappear. Sebastian Frost had finally accepted her, but she still held fears and doubts. The bond pulsed bright and pure, and she knew his feelings were the same. How would she deal with this now?

  After a couple of minutes, Ryleigh nudged her and pointed to the headphones by her side. Sky plucked them from their hook and placed them on her head. The helicopter was noisy, but once the headphones were on, it was quiet.

  “So that was all pretty intense. Do you think you two will be able to work things out?” Ryleigh’s soft voice questioned.

  “I don’t know, Rye, I feel like my answer should be yes, but so much has happened in just a few days. Maybe I need to give it some time before I make lifelong decisions. When I was on the road with him, I was ready to jump in with both feet, but he fought me at every turn. I’m not this person, and I don’t know how to reconcile everything that’s happened. I transformed into a bear, Ryleigh, a freaking bear. “

  “Yep, you sure did, and I have to tell you, it was a sight to see. You put yourself in front of those two men trying to harm Quinn and me. She was beautiful, and over time, I’m sure you will adjust to the c
hanges. We all do.”

  “But you said there weren’t any female Shifters, not for over a century,” Sky said.

  “Yeah, I did, and there aren’t to our knowledge. But that wasn’t really what I was talking about. You will adjust to Bas and all these feelings you’re having. You’ll adapt to the bond and the connection and the annoying, stubborn man. It’s what we do. We are the mates of The Alpha Team. It’s never easy, but I can assure you, it’s worth every second.”

  Chapter 29

  It had been a week since that day in the forest, the day Sky’s life had changed so much. She met the remaining ladies of Alpha Team, Emma and Peyton. She also got to meet McKenna, the cherub-faced little girl who would someday change the world. Sky didn’t know how she knew that, but she believed it. Kenna was also the person the pink branch had been searching out. What surprised her was she could feel what both children were feeling. At first, it freaked her out. Over the past week, it became a comforting knowing in her mind.

  When Emma and Ryleigh struggled with the infants, Sky would help calm the babies, and it gave her a purpose. With Bas gone and her life in such limbo, she needed something. There were still too many loose ends and questions. She and Bas talked several times daily when he was taking a break from trying to find Cash or some clue as to where his body had gone. He was saying all the right words, and Sky wanted to hope for the best.

  She didn’t feel the same way as she had a week ago. She still had doubts, but they weren’t as intense. The bond continued to grow between them, and it worked like a lie detector. If Bas was feeling something, then Sky felt it too. She knew he had deep feelings of love and caring for her. She also knew he had regrets and fears just like she did. They were building something, and that made her happy.

  Mia, Ryleigh’s friend, appeared at the Alpha Team’s base within hours of their arrival. She checked out Ryleigh and the baby and declared them fit and healthy. Ryleigh’s feet had a little damage due to their little adventure, but she was getting around better now. Mia took some of Sky’s blood for DNA testing and promised to let her know the results when they came in, even though everyone was pretty confident they already knew. Sky was the unicorn, the one, and possibly, the only natural born Shifter female alive.

  She was still processing that and the fact she could turn into a bear. With the guys gone, she didn’t have anyone to talk to about it. She asked Bas some questions during their talks, but what she needed to do was try to Shift again. Everyone told her to wait for Jacks, and she couldn’t figure that out. Jacks was okay, but she didn’t feel a strong connection toward him. Anyway, she had Shifted and then Shifted back on her own once already. But she was new to all this, so she was waiting.

  Bas had said his bear was constantly on edge while away from her, but calm when she was around. Sky could feel her bear, and she seemed to be perfectly content hanging out in the background. There were a few times Kenna would make a sound, and the Sky’s bear would respond in kind, which was weird, but overall, the Shifter thing wasn’t that bad. She hoped it stayed that way. She was surprised she hadn’t picked up a piece of paper or a pencil in a long time. The last time was at the RBMC clubhouse, and she left that drawing behind. Maybe it was just her mind needing a break, but it concerned her. Designing and building motorcycles was important to her. She didn’t want to let go of everything she had built because her circumstances had changed.

  Sky was standing in front of a mirror in the bathroom looking at herself. At least this bathroom was nice. She was wearing one of those silk slip nightgowns. It wasn’t her usual style and not even close to what she felt comfortable in, but Bas was coming home tonight, and she wanted to look pretty for him. It was an entirely girly thing to do, and Sky had never been all that girly, but Ryleigh talked her into it. So, here she was second guessing herself, waiting for Bas to come home.

  She heard the car doors slamming and knew the time had come to either fish or cut bait. The plan she and Ryleigh had come up with was for her to wait in Bas’ bedroom with the light turned low, a fire burning in the fireplace, soft music playing in the background, and the sheets pulled down. And, of course, her waiting for him in her new silky nightwear.

  Sky stood there for about a second and then changed her mind. Rushing to the closet, she grabbed one of Bas’ coats and headed out the door and down the stairs. She didn’t want to wait to see him. She didn’t need to build up the anticipation because she already had that in spades. The bond was burning brightly in her body and urging her to go to her man.

  Sky never made it past the last step on the stairs. Bas charged in and swept her up into his arms, and to the cheers of his Team and family, they left the lodge. Sky had no idea where they were going, but after a short walk, she was surprised to see the cutest little cabin nestled in the woods. Bas never said a word to her, but Sky felt him. He was just as eager and desperate as she was to be alone together.

  Bas didn’t falter in his steps. Opening the door, he walked with her across the threshold. Bas entranced her so much, she hardly paid attention to anything else. Staring into his beautiful eyes was sure to become her favorite pastime. When he placed her on her feet and asked what she thought, all she said was, “Beautiful.”

  “No babe,” he smiled, “what do you think of our new home?”

  Looking around for the first-time, Sky was floored. The cabin was beautiful, homey, and warm. Made much like the lodge, it had a vaulted ceiling with sturdy beams and the walls were made of pine planks. There was a stone fireplace someone had already lit and hundreds of candles sprinkled around the room, providing the only light.

  It was a dream. The cabin was beautiful, but the man standing before her was heaven.

  “I’ll give you a tour later, but right now I need to kiss you. It’s been too long. I want to kiss my mate.” Placing his hand on the sides of her face, Bas pulled Sky in for the most amazing kiss. Leaning back, Bas said, “Babe, I love you more than life itself. You’re the reason I breathe and the reason I’ll continue to breathe until my last one. Please forgive me for being a total douchebag and agree to be my mate.”

  Sky couldn’t help the tears and the small laugh that escaped her because of his beautiful and not so beautiful words. That was her man, brash and bold. Lifting his hand, she pressed her lips to his mating mark.

  “Bas, I love you more than words can say. You’re my present and my future, but you’re also a douche some of the time.”

  They both laughed at that.

  Bas was looking at Sky with new eyes. She had always been beautiful to him, and he had wanted her from the start, but he fought himself and regretted every second of it. The look in her eyes was so heated and loving. When her little pink tongue peeked out to moisten her luscious lips, Bas watched, avidly. He wanted that tongue on his lips. He brought his thumb to the affected area to wipe away the sheen.

  Sky couldn’t resist the temptation and brought her tongue out to meet his digit. The flare in his eyes made her bolder, and she soon enveloped his thumb into her mouth, sucking and licking it, mimicking what she carved to do with another part of his body.

  “Babe, you’re playing with fire. I wanted to go slow, worship your body, and show you just how much I love you. But if you keep this up, this is going to be done a lot faster than either of us want.”

  Sky pulled her mouth away from Bas’ thumb, “Babe, we have the rest of our lives to take it slow and enjoy each and every moment. But, right now, I need you so badly. Please, Bas,” Sky pleaded. Her panties were wet, and she was crawling out of her skin because of how much she needed him. He had been gone for so long, well only a week, but she needed this connection with him. Sky needed him and she needed him now. She’d never been so horny in her life.

  “Damn, I can’t deny you anything. Strip for me and let me see that furry biscuit I’ve been dying to get a taste of.” Bas was trying to contain his laughter under his smirk, but it wasn’t working.

  Sky was shocked into silences for all of two second
s.

  “Well, I assure you, it will be the best furry biscuit you’ve ever had, Mr. Frost.” She couldn’t help but laugh. She’d forgotten she had used those words, but apparently, Bas remembered.

  “Is that so, Skylar Thomas? I think you’re going to have to prove that to me. I must tell you, though, I believe I’ll become quite the connoisseur of furry biscuits, so it must only be the best of the best. Why don’t you get rid of my coat and show me what you have hiding under there, so we can get on with the sampling?”

  Sky turned around and looked over her shoulder.

  “I don’t know, Mr. Frost,” Sky said, unbuttoning the coat and bringing it down her shoulder, “are you sure you’re worthy of such a treat?”

  “Oh, I assure you, Ms. Thomas, I am more than worthy. My skills in the proper way to eat furry biscuit are second to none.”

  Sky dropped the coat entirely as Bas walked up and pressed himself against her back, kissing and sucking her neck. He ran his hands down her sides, then over her belly up to her breasts.

  “Damn babe, this is nice. Did you wear it for me?”

  Sky whispered, “Yes,” then turned in his arms, wanting to see and touch him. The jokes and lightness were gone, leaving thick want and desire behind.

  Bas’ eyes were hooded and bright, and his breathing had escalated. Sky imagined she looked very much the same way. He took her hand, leading her toward the fire, stepping back to look at her again. Sky surprised him by drawing the spaghetti straps down her arms and dropping the gown to the floor.

  “Damn, Sky,” Bas said, moving closer and kissing her roughly. No part of Sky’s mouth was left untouched by the exquisite intrusion. Bas’ hands moved from her face to her shoulders, creating tingles along the way. Sky could feel the moisture on her bare thighs. She was so wet, so needy for this man. Deciding to be bold once again, she brought her hands to his belt, but before she could undo anything, Bas stopped her.