“Cole, do you mind?”
“We’ll be sitting out here waiting for you.” He took a seat and picked Mia up.
“Do you like Cole?”
“I do.” They walked into a smaller room with a desk and a view out the window to a nice grassy area.
“He’s a good male.”
Why is she talking about him like that?
Like what? She just making small talk.
I think she wants him.
No, she doesn’t.
“He has been helping Mia and me, something he didn’t have to do. I wouldn’t want his girlfriend to get the wrong impression.”
You slept in the bed with him last night!
What impression do you think she will get?
All of you are funny. The alien voice in her head laughed.
“Girlfriend?”
“The person he is dating. He takes her out buys her food takes care of her.”
“His mate. Cole does not have a mate. Who knows what the future will bring.”
“What about you?”
So much for being subtle.
“My mate is home doing whatever he does during the day. He calls it important work.”
“Oh, I better fill out this paperwork.”
She has a mate.
I told you so.
You didn’t say she had a mate.
I told you she didn’t want Cole.
That’s good. It saved her life.
She shivered because for the second time in her life she wanted to kill.
Chapter Eight
Mia was lying on the table talking while Jessie hovered close to her.
Mia was talking, Jessie felt like she fell down the rabbit hole. She was all smiles with both Tristan and Cait. They were all smiles with her. Cait placed her hand on the side of Mia’s head and closed her eyes for a minute before they opened in shock.
I don’t like this.
Why are they acting like that?
They’re just getting to know her. All doctors do things like this when they first meet a patient.
If you say so.
She didn’t like it either, but she wasn’t going to say anything yet. They checked Mia’s teeth at least three times. Sure, her teeth were a little sharp, maybe because she wasn’t eating enough, but she ate more at breakfast. Teeth could be filed down when she was older if they weren’t straight the way they should be. It should be a simple fix.
Mia was the only other child here so they would take more time with her.
That’s not it, and you know it.
Somethings wrong.
What if we have to take her to the hospital?
There’s nothing wrong with her. She’s perfect. She wrapped her arms around herself and wished Cole was in the room with her. Having him to lean on would make her less tense.
They turned down the lights and began to shine a light in Mia’s eyes. They glowed, she couldn’t ignore it anymore.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“There’s nothing wrong with her.”
“Don’t lie to me.” She raised her voice addressing Tristan and startling Mia. She started to cry.
“We're leaving.” She picked Mia up and ran into Cole’s broad chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“Something’s wrong with Mia, and they won’t tell me what it is. Her eyes were glowing, and it’s not the first time. I’m taking her to a hospital.”
“You can’t do that Jessie.” Cait walked up to her only to find Cole standing in front of her. “Let’s try this again. I can’t tell you what’s happening unless I get blood work from all of you, including you Cole. Tristan and I will run it stat and then come over later to give you our results. Jessie, can you wait until then?”
“You’ll tell me everything?” Her eyes punched a hole in Cait looking for the truth.
“Yes.”
“Then I can wait.” Her shoulders slumped with relief before she straightened again. She would wait to hear what they had to say before she decided if she believed them.
Both Tristan and Cait pulled out three kits and began collecting samples.
“This is just bloodwork?”
“Bloodwork and DNA samples. I know it’s not what you’re used to, but it’s very accurate.”
They gave the samples and left as soon as possible.
“Jessie.”
“Not yet Cole. There’s too much for me to swallow all at once.”
He nodded and stayed silent. Xander was still with them walking back towards Cole’s house.
“Cole is there someone special in your life?” She should have waited until they were alone, but it was too important.
Things were coming to a head, and she was going to be called on to make some big decisions. Her time of big decisions should be over. Run away from the mother who wants to sell your daughter. Leave the state to find a place to hide and live a normal life. That’s how she thought it would work when she came here. This was temporary for a day or two for the heat to die down.
It wasn’t working that way. The desire she felt for Cole was growing stronger now that she was in his home. Mia was acting like he was her father. What’s worse was that she didn’t mind how Mia was acting, all she wanted was to get closer. Then there was the fact that he wasn’t human.
Finally, I thought you would never acknowledge it.
So what, I hear your mom is human, but I happen to know she’s a monster.
All of them aren’t human. How can we stay here?
Would you rather we go with the men in the gun metal gray Mercedes?
No.
We can trust him.
That was the one thing she was sure of Cole was trustworthy. Everything else was driving her crazy. Deja was human, maybe. So what was next? It was the banging coming from between Cole and Xander’s house that caught her attention.
They changed course and walked between the two houses to find a large unfenced area that ran behind both houses. Caden was building a playground. Xander went to join him. There was already a large siding board up with a jungle gym next to it.
Mia dropped her mother’s hand and ran to it.
“Dada, slide.”
Maybe she should be concerned that she was being left out the picture. Mia seemed to like Cole a lot.
She ran back to Jessie. “It okay?” Her beautiful blue eyes looked up at her mom with a smile on her face.
She dropped to her knees. “Not even two and already I’m wrapped around your finger. Yes. You and Cole can slide.” She hugged her and watched her run off to Cole.
Cole was standing there looking at the sliding board that was much higher than a regular one. His face was a paler gray than usual.
“Sweetheart why don’t you and I slide.”
Cole shook himself. “I’m good Jessie, Casca and I will slide.”
Nodding she stepped back as she watched him make sure Mia climbed the steps safely.
“You can’t play out here alone, Casca. One of us has to be with you all the time.”
“Dada Please?”
“Mia, one of us has to be with you. Understand?” His voice deepened becoming authoritative.
“Yes.”
“Perfect.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head before sitting her on the top of the slid and getting on behind her. He placed a big hand on her stomach and then pushed off. Mia’s laughter could be heard all over the yard, and Cole’s laughter followed hers.
Her heart broke everything she ever wanted was playing on a sliding board.
“Will you catch her?”
She nodded as Cole and Mia ran back to the steps. He placed her on the sliding board and pushed her down while Jessie waited to catch her at the bottom. Tears sparkled in her eyes when she caught her and stood back to watch Cole come sliding down. He stood up laughing before he bent over her placing a kiss on her lips.
“You’re making that look like more fun than it should be.”
“Aunty Deja.” Sh
e cried tripping over the words and wiggling out her mother’s arms to run to her.
“Sweet Pea.” She tickled her.
“I came to let you know that Enzo and Declyn are not opening The Wolves Den tonight. They said we need a night off. Also, I would be willing to watch this one for a while.” She picked Mia up and started tossing her in the air while she laughed and said more.
“If Jessie is okay with it.”
“I am.” She walked over and kissed her. “I’ll see you soon, sweetheart.”
Deja walked off carry Mia.
We’re really going to do this thing?
So, tell me, Cole, you’re an alien, and I’m still alive. How does this work?
Did you come to the earth for world domination?
Really, do they look like they are trying to dominate the earth?
Who asked you to chime in Ms. Practical?
Someone needs to chime in before you make us all scared and we’re shaking in our boots. I’m sure whatever he has to say will make sense.
Cole is sweet and kind I can’t see him hurting anyone.
Every head turned to look at love. They thought she died a long time ago. If any of the other voices in her head, (all of them happen to be part of who she was), said what love said they would be laughing her out the door. You didn’t laugh at love you rejoiced that she was still a part of you.
She said her goodbyes and followed Cole into the house. She knew that love was both right and wrong. Cole wouldn’t hurt anyone unless they targeted the ones he loved.
Kicking her shoes off by the door she sank down onto the couch and stretched her legs flexing her toes.
“That was nice of Deja offering to watch Mia for a while.”
“It was. I think she likes her a lot.”
She smiled Deja loved Mia and had from the first moment she met her.
“It’s nice to have friends who care about both you and your family.”
Cole nodded, he was standing by one of the chairs. His shoulders were tense, and he looked sick.
“I guess this is honesty time. Start out by telling me what you are.”
“I’m Kur’ik. We come from a different galaxy.”
“Why did you come?”
“We were fighting with the Thalians. You’ve met Avel, he’s a Thalian the enemy we used to fight against. On this planet, we are now allies. I don’t know how it happened but our ships were pulled out of our galaxy and we ended up here in your earth’s gravity.”
“Why didn’t you leave?”
“Our ships were damaged, but we didn’t want to leave. We had escaped the life that was waiting for us. Living to die.”
“I wouldn’t want to go back to that. Why are so many of you single?” Not a word out of any of you, she told the voices in her head.
“There were only two hundred females on the ship and two thousand males. When we came here, we thought we would be compatible with your females, but something went wrong. We stayed away it was something we were used to. Then Deja crossed the barrier and mated with Enzo. Then you crossed the barrier, and suddenly we had hope that there might be mates for us on Earth.”
“You realize I’m not your mate.”
“Only because you don’t want to be.”
Mayday, Jessie, mayday.
Keep all hands and feet in the cart at all times.
Back away slowly danger is imminent.
Guard your heart; we don’t want a replay of the last time.
“I don’t really know what a mate is, but I’m sure it’s something I’m not up to. Relationships don’t seem to like me.”
“I won’t force you or hurt you. Whatever happens, I just want to make sure you're taken care of.”
No one had ever wanted to take care of her. That’s what mothers were for, but her mother didn’t care, she never did. All she cared about right now was making a profit on Mia.
“I know you won’t. What if I want something else?”
“Something else?”
“I don’t have it in me to be a mate, Mia’s dad taught me that. He said I didn’t have the capacity to love.”
“You love Mia.”
“She’s different, she’s my daughter all mothers are hardwired to love their children.”
“What do you want Jessie?”
“I want to touch you. Does that make me selfish?”
“If you touch me, I’ll touch you back.”
“I’m good with that.” She got off the couch and walked over to him placing her hand on his jaw.
“Kiss me, Cole.”
He pulled her into his arms before he sank into the armchair pulling her onto his lap.
She loved his kisses they made her weak and needy. This was where she wanted to be for the rest of her life.
There was a knock on the door before she could prove just how weak she was.
Chapter Nine
She jumped up trying not to look guilty. Cole went to the door and let Tristan and Cait in.
“Hi, can I get you anything to drink?”
“Water please.”
“Sure.” They followed her into the kitchen and sat at the table as she took bottles of water out the fridge.
She sat down once they were passed out.
“What did you find?” Her tongue licked her bottom lip betraying her nervousness.
“Did Cole tell you about us?”
“Yes, you are Kur’iks from a different galaxy.”
“You need to tell her the rest,” Cait told him softly.
“The rest?”
“We are, I am genetically engineered to fight a war that was never mine. We are also shape shifters. Most of the galaxy is.”
“Shapeshifters as in you can change your actual shape?” How was that possible outside of movies or television?
He nodded.
“Can I see?” That was doubt rearing its ugly head. She didn’t want to say she didn’t trust him, but some things weren’t possible.
“That might not be a good idea.”
“I’m living here with you; my daughter is living here. I need to see.”
He stood up and backed away. His form began to grow, expand until he was at least twelve feet tall. No wonder the ceilings were so high. His face changed elongated his teeth became sharp, and the top canine teeth hung over his lips. There was fur on him as he sported deadly claws.
The chair fell to the floor as she stumbled to get up. No wonder Deja made sure they ate before she worked. They could probably smell her hunger and would kill her. Deja had Mia she would be fine. Her mind was frantic all she wanted to do was escape. He, that thing took a step towards her, and she screamed and ran.
“Jessie.”
“Get away from me, you’re just like him.” How could nice looking Cait turn into that creature? They were everywhere she had to get Mia and leave. She ran into the bedroom and locked the door behind her feeling silly for not escaping the house.
She sat on the edge of the bed and rocked back and forth tears running down her face as her idea of a happy life died in front of her eyes. She pulled a chair to the window and climbed out.
Carefully she crept around until she got her bearings and headed for Deja’s house. Just be calm don’t show fear. They’ll never know, then you walk out of here like you always have in the past.
She bit her lip making herself straighten up before she knocked on the door.
“Jessie, I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”
“I came to get Mia. Where is she?”
“Come in she’s playing.”
She followed her in the house praying that Enzo and Ven weren’t home. Mia was on the floor making a structure with her blocks. Her eyes narrowed she was making a structure much too complicated for someone her age. Now wasn’t the time she would deal with it later.
“Thanks for watching her but we have to go.”
“Why don’t you stay for dinner. Cole can come also.”
“He’s eating someone else, I mean something
else. I really need to go. Thanks again.”
She picked up Mia who was frowning and walked fast to the front door. One look down the street showed Declyn, Enzo, and Ven walking up.
She took off in the opposite direction. They could hide, and when everyone was asleep, she would sneak out. Keeping her head down, she made sure Mia was locked in her arms and refused to look left or right.
The deeper she went into the different neighborhoods, the more she was on edge. They passed the medical facility while one of the voices in the back of her head tried to get her to stop. She ignored it. She needed a place to hide. There up ahead was a park-like structure. It looked calm with lots of trees to hide in.
She slipped inside the park letting herself breath for a moment. They would be safe. It was the roar that shook the earth that let her know she was in trouble. Looking up she saw a monster in the distance; it was larger than Cole in his monster shape. Its eyes were glued on her. It stood on two feet, but it wasn’t humanoid. It had several different appendages hanging from its body, and they moved in different ways as it ran towards them.
Run
We're dead.
She turned to run breaking contact with those eyes that were holding her in place. It was almost funny. The men with the guns wouldn’t kill her. Cole or his family wouldn’t kill her, the alien animal chasing her down wouldn’t kill her. In the end, fear the one emotion that ruled her life would be the death of her.
Maybe she would be able to make it to the street and call for help. Why would they help her after the way she treated Cole? There was no good answer to that, but she ran anyway. She glanced back. How could something so big and awkward looking move with the grace and speed of a cheetah? It looked like they would make it.
One of its appendages reached out and tore a strip out of her back. She slowed down as a lethargy took over her body. It paralyzed her. She fell managing to curl her body around Mia even as she knew it wouldn’t save her life.
Paralysis took over her body, and all she could do was wait for the killing blow. Would it tear her apart or would it start to eat her causing her pain until she finally passed out and died from blood loss?
Most wild animals went for the intestines.
That’s where the nutrition is.
Cole (The Wolves Den Book 2) Page 6
