by Moxie North
“I have a hard time believing in monogamy, I’ll be honest.”
“Monogamy is too simple a word for what they feel. They aren’t stuck like glue to you out of obligation; it’s more like they can’t breathe when you aren’t around. You literally keep them alive. And don’t tell them I told you, but you could be a total bitch and a horrible partner and they’d still stick around. Not that you would, or that I think you would, of course.”
“No, I could never be mean to Rain. He’s—I’m not sure—but he’s the one for me. I think he is, anyway. I’m so confused. I’ve never told anyone that I’ve loved them, except my mom and even that wasn’t that often. But I keep feeling the words bubbling up in my throat.”
“Hah, that might be vomit from all the lovey-dovey shit they pour on you. That also isn’t fake. The moment they meet their mate they are head over heels, one hundred percent, locked for life, in love with you.” Cassie was bouncing Jett on her hip now, the baby was listening intently, as though she understood the conversation.
“So what, I just say sure, sign me up for a lifetime of whatever this is?” She asked actually looking for an answer.
“The easy answer is yes. You say yes to that man and your life can start from that moment,” Cassie said softly.
“But, Cassie, I had a life planned. I have a job that I think I would be good at. One that I think I need to make a difference.”
“And what does Rain say about it?”
“He says he’ll support me in whatever I want to do. We both are still in school next year. I’m working on my masters and he’s got law school.”
“There’s your answer. Your future can be whatever you want it to be. You just get a yummy Rochon treat at the end of the day. And don’t think I don’t know what goes on with you two. Those men have killer instincts in the sack. Just don’t let them know that you’re addicted to it or they will be more insatiable than they already are,” Cassie advised.
“I guess I could be a social worker anywhere,” Quinn said, tickling the baby behind the ear.
“We may be a small county out here, but I know they need good people to work here too. There is need everywhere. Plus, you and I can be friends. By the way, when you join the clan, you’ll suddenly have dozens of new friends.
Not like family, you have to tolerate, but friends—real ones. My bestie lives east of the mountains so I don’t see her as often as I’d like. The Rochon women pulled me into the shifter circle and you are in for life. Wait until you meet Rain’s mom, she’s a hoot. His dad is ahh-dorable, and well, you’ve met Fin, the little jackass.”
“Just a few times. He seemed okay.” Quinn didn’t want to say anything bad because she barely knew the guy. “Thanks for having us over, by the way.”
“No trouble. With the little ones randomly shifting, we don’t always get out much. I own a tattoo shop, so Cash and I trade off so we both can get our work done.”
“I love your ink by the way,” Quinn offered.
“Thanks, I keep adding to it. Cash hasn’t said he doesn’t like them, so when I get a hankering I usually go for it. These are my new ones,” she said, twisting her arm around the so Quinn could see the back of her upper arm.
Jett and Axel were written in scrolling script inside a heart.
“Cash was going to get one too, but he chickened out,” Cassie said with a snigger.
“Well, tattoos are for warriors. At least in my book.”
“Ohh, I like that. I’m totally telling him that. It will make him all growly. There’s another fun game. See how many times you can get your mate to growl. It’s totally subconscious, or their animal, or whatever. They can’t resist, it’s sooo fun.”
Quinn knew that she and Cassie were going to get along just fine. Cassie was funny and brutally honest, which was what she had needed. Cash and Cassie’s big warm house full of love, life, and family was so foreign to her. It was like a sitcom she had watched on TV when she was a kid.
People didn’t really live like that; it seemed surreal, with mom and dad working, kids doing homework, and then a family dinner all together. But she had a feeling that out here in the woods, the Rochons were basically a cover of the Saturday Evening Post.
Chapter 38
“What do you think Cassie is telling her?”
Rain wanted to follow the women inside, but the alpha waves coming off his brother kept him outside. Cash wasn’t pushy, but it was easy to pick up on what he wanted. Their dad was the best, but he was sometimes a little too indulgent. Cash was the one that kept them in line and laid down the law when they were out of line.
“Probably everything you haven’t. You’ve been keeping secrets, young man.” Cash had been standing in the same position with his arms folded over his chest since the girls left. It was like he was a sentry guarding the gates.
“No more than usual. I mean, I didn’t dump everything on her, but she knows most of it,” Rain hedged.
“You know she’s inside with the cubs and they are probably shifting like crazy. They get excited meeting new people.”
“I figured that it was better for her to see a baby bear before a grown one,” Rain admitted.
“She hasn’t met your bear?”
“Oh, right, and when did you show Cassie? First date? I live in a dorm room. Where exactly was I going to shift? I think the middle of the UW quad might be a little showy and reveal our secret to the world.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“No, I’m being realistic. Besides, why do you think I brought her here? She’s had a tough life, just her and her mom. I want her to see what family is really like. I know that she loves me, she’s just afraid to say it. Maybe if she’s surrounded by love for a couple days, she won’t see it as such a bad thing.”
“Take my advice. Take her out tomorrow and show her your bear. Chicks dig the bears. And make all the promises you know you’ll keep.”
“Chicks dig the bears?”
“Totally. It’s the fur and the big paws. They think they’re cute instead of deadly. Besides, your bear probably would do a better job of explaining things than you will.”
“How? By grunting and licking?”
“You have a lot to learn about women, smart guy.”
Rain shook his head and elbowed his big brother before they walked into the house to find their women.
The evening was quiet. The cubs went to bed… a few times. Cassie and Quinn sat on the big sofa that faced the wall of windows overlooking the river. They were whispering to each other about the family. It wasn’t like Rain or Cash couldn’t hear them, and Cassie knew that. She was only doing it to make Quinn feel like she could talk.
The guys stayed in the kitchen talking shop. Cash caught Rain up on the family business. Cash had been helping out on the logging side for a while, but now he was back at the mill. There were enough hands to do the work, so those with young families could take the time they needed to be with their cubs.
Rain knew that he could step into the businesses as a lawyer and live his life right in the middle of his family. He had to show Quinn that this wasn’t a bad place to be and that she could still have the career she wanted. His family was good at making people feel welcome. He had to hope that the overload of attention and affection didn’t scare her off. It was a gamble he had to take.
“Hey, stop talking about us over there,” Rain whispered and watched the girl’s heads turn towards them.
“Mind your beeswax, butthead,” Cassie called out in a quiet voice, not wanting to wake the twins.
“What are you gonna do about it? Pummel me with those little baby fists of yours?”
“No, I’ll have my mate do it for me. He’ll gladly kick his brother’s ass if I asked.”
Rain looked to Cash and his brother shrugged. “She’s not wrong.”
“Nice, I see how it is. At least Quinn will defend me, won’t you?”
Quinn looked between him and Cassie. “I’ll defend you against Cash, he looks tic
klish, but Cassie? No way, she’s a scratcher, I can tell.”
“Hellz yeah I am. Fight dirty or go home, bitches.”
“She’s like a poet, isn’t she?” Cash commented, amused and clearly in love with his mate.
“Oh yeah, a literary word wizard. I think it’s time for Quinn and me to hit the hay. I’m dead tired from driving and I want to show her around town tomorrow.”
“Sorry it’s just a futon,” Cassie apologized. “The kids need their own rooms because, believe it or not, sometimes they can’t stand each other.”
“No problem, I’m sure it will be great. I’m not overly picky about where I sleep. My roommate has made it challenging for the last few years. At least Rain doesn’t snore.”
“I bet his bear does. Any-who, there are fresh towels in the bathroom, and more in the hall closet. There are spare toothbrushes and what-not under the sink. Just keep the hanky-panky quiet because if you wake up the cubs, you get to put them back to sleep. House rules,” she warned.
“Got it,” Quinn said. She could imagine what it would be like putting two crazy kids back to sleep in the middle of the night.
Cassie gave a sharp whistle to Cash and her mate started chuckling. “Sprite, I’m not a dog.”
“Yeah, but you come when I call, so what does that make you then?”
“A devoted mate,” he said, leaning down and gathering her up in his arms. She looked even smaller compared to him when he was carrying her.
“Night all!” Cash called out, walking down the hallway.
“Are you ready for bed or do you want to stay up?” Rain asked.
“I’m actually pretty tired. I could pass out just about anywhere.”
“Then bed it is,” he said, helping her off the couch. They walked down the hallway to the first door they came to. “This is Cash’s office, it’s where I sleep when I’m here. The futon isn’t that bad.”
“I’ve slept on some pretty horrible beds and couches in my life. I’m sure it’s great.”
The room contained a large desk and chair with a futon along one wall that had already been laid flat and was already made up with sheets, blankets, and pillows. Rain had grabbed their bags earlier and left them in the room.
“The bathroom is across the hall, you go first.” Rain said.
Quinn appreciated that. She grabbed her toiletries and went to the door across from the office. She could use a few minutes of reflection and a good tooth scrubbing wasn’t a bad idea either. She had taken Cassie’s advice to heart. She started by not reacting every time the twins shifted. Which they did often and for no apparent reason.
After the first few times, it did become a little easier to accept, yet no less amazing and beautiful to witness. Seeing the transition from human to bear and back again was like watching magic, which she had to believe it was. How else do you explain something so miraculous?
It made her want to see how Rain looked in his bear form. She couldn’t imagine how big he must be or how scary he must look. Did he shimmer and sparkle like the cubs? Was his bear nice like him? The twins’ bears were very much like their human counterparts. Mischievous and funny, with a child’s mentality.
An adult bear was another kettle of fish entirely. Adult bears could kill you and make you lunch. Or were they vegetarians? She wasn’t totally sure on that point. While she washed her face and brushed her teeth, she decided to keep up with the ‘no big deal’ plan until something made her totally freak out.
Knowing she couldn’t hide forever, she left the bathroom and found Rain sitting in the desk chair. “I’ll be right back,” he said, excusing himself from the room.
Quinn changed out of her clothes into a tank top and pair of shorts that had seen better days. Maybe she should invest in some lingerie for Rain. Not that she ever thought of spending money on underwear you couldn’t wear daily. That had always seemed frivolous and wasteful. But now she could imagine how Rain’s eyes would light up when he saw her in something sexy.
Getting into bed, she positioned herself against the wall and waited. Rain was back in just a few minutes. He slid in next to her and pulled her into his arms.
“I’d love to hear how you feel about everything, but I want to give you some time to absorb. How about after breakfast we take a walk and if you have any questions we can talk about it then. Sound good?”
Quinn so needed that. She did have questions and she was sure she’d think of more before tomorrow. Not having to discuss the realities just yet might actually let her get some sleep. “That sounds good. I’d be up for a walk in the woods tomorrow. I need a fallen log, preferably moss covered, maybe a few ferns sprinkled around and some quiet before we chat.”
“I can get you all those things,” he promised. “I love you, Quinn Sutton. If you ever need me to tell you that, or just want me to say it more often, just tell me. I’m happy to say it as often as you need to believe it.”
“Rain, I don’t think not believing you is a problem. It’s…” She wasn’t sure how to say what she was feeling.
“Tomorrow,” he said, kissing her on the forehead.
Quinn tucked herself into the crook of his arm and fell asleep. Rain woke her up in the middle of the night and they managed to make love without waking any babies.
Chapter 39
The morning started with the door to their room creaking open and two small cubs in zip-up PJs pouncing on the sleeping couple. Luckily, they both made sure to get dressed again after their late night adventures.
“They always do this. Their bears think it’s funny,” Rain said groggily while he tickled one of the cubs.
“The lighter one is Jett?” Quinn asked.
“Yup, and this one is Axel. Alright you two, we’re up. Go tell your mom you need breakfast.”
The little bears scooted off them and out the door.
“You hit the bathroom first, I’ll be right behind you,” Rain said, giving her a pre-tooth brush appropriate kiss.
Quinn got up and took care of business. She changed into a pair of leggings and a long-sleeve shirt before pulling her hair back into a ponytail.
Rain came back and got dressed in record time, looking much more dapper than she did. Heading towards the living room, they found Cassie and Cash feeding two babies that were in highchairs in the middle of the kitchen.
“Hey, where’s mine?” Rain asked, leaning over and kissing the twins on the top of their fuzzy heads
“You want oatmeal with pureed prunes? I got some here,” Cash said holding up a pan.
“Eww, what are you doing to my niece and nephew?”
“Makin’ them poop. It’s what you do as a parent. You go from asking each other about your day at work to asking whether the kids have pooped. It’s our main topic of conversation and for your information; they haven’t gone in twenty-four hours. We are on code red to get them to go. You don’t want cranky constipated toddler cubs crying,” Cassie explained.
“Good to know,” Rain said grabbing two cups from the cupboard.
“Morning,” Quinn said, giving the gooey babies a nuzzle each.
The babies squealed and slammed their spoons down on the trays that were covered in oatmeal.
“They like you,” Cassie said almost as a warning.
“That’s okay, they are too cute for words.”
Rain handed her a cup of coffee. “Cash made regular oatmeal too, do you want some? I’m sticking with cereal, but the kids seem to like it.”
“Sure,” she said taking a seat at the stool along the counter facing the living room.
“Berries and honey?” Rain asked pulling bowls down from a cupboard.
“Just brown sugar if you have it.”
Cassie snorted while feeding Jett a heaping spoonful of purple mush. “Bears. Honey and berries all the time. They are freaks for it. They say they just like it, but it’s not the humans running the show on that.”
“Hey, you liked fruit,” Cash accused.
“Yeah, while I was knocked up.
Again, it wasn’t me wanting it, these two were very demanding. I got back to my artificial flavoring and food coloring as soon as they popped out.”
Quinn was sure that Cassie had a hidden stash of goodies like she did. She and Rain sat at the counter eating their breakfast watching the coordinated efforts of the two parents feeding, cleaning, and managing the babies.
When the twins were put on the floor, both shifted in a flash of sparks and two tiny bears were tearing through the house, their sharp claws digging into the foam mats that seemed to be laid out on every walkway.
“I’m off to mom and dad’s. Mom wants help with a new recipe. Why she’s delving into baking I don’t know. She needs to stick with what she knows,” Cash sighed.
“Cash is the cook around here. Just don’t tell mom that.” Rain explained.
“What do you have planned today?” Rain asked Cassie.
“The usual. Outside play, lunch, naps, inside play, baths, snacks, dinner, bed. Wait, were you asking me or the twins?” Cassie mocked.
“I’m taking Quinn for a bit of a walk. I want to show her the river,” Rain said, picking up their empty bowls and dropping them in the sink.
“Mmm-hmm, show her the river? Does that involve taking off your pants?” Cassie asked, cleaning off one of the highchairs.
“Sprite, don’t scare the girl off,” Cash rumbled.
“Puhleeze, I’m sure she’s met the wonder weasel by now. She certainly wouldn’t be braving this crazy family if she hadn’t.”
Quinn burst out laughing. Cassie was someone you’d love to befriend, and Quinn had an epiphany that if everything went according to Rain’s plan, that she could have Cassie as a sister. A real giggle-under-the-covers-and-tell-secrets-to sister. It made her want to tear up, but she pulled herself together and just smiled at the tiny woman.
