by Gina Kincade
A growl, like usual, is the only acknowledgement he gets for his statement.
Grabbing the water and cloth from his office, not wanting to see those in the bar quite yet, he rushes back to the room. Opening the door, no one is inside.
Dez
Driving away is hard. Harder than anything she has done in a long time. Dez is used to being on her own. She can take care of herself. But being in Kane's arms, she feels so secure. So safe. Even her animals are throwing a fit, trying to make her go back. Instead, she ignores them, ignores what they may possibly tell her, and continues driving the same road they entered on, heading out to a new town ... again.
At the last possible moment, her animals show her to turn. Taking a fast turn, gravel flying everywhere, dust floating in the air, Dez drives along an old driveway. Not quite a driveway any longer. There are two lines from a vehicle's tracks from long ago, but grass and weeds have started to encroach, making the 'drive' almost unrecognizable.
Slowing her speed, not wanting to hit any large rocks or holes that might damage her bike, she keeps a steady eye on the path in front of her. After driving at a snail's pace, she finally reaches the end. Stopping in a patch of long grass, she looks up to where her headlight is shining. Stepping off her bike, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging out, she takes a couple cautious steps. The purring in her mind kicks up a notch louder, drowning out the sound of her bike in her ears. Walking up the couple steps of the cabin, standing on the front porch, she gazes around, a feeling of deja vu enveloping her. Turning back around, she checks the door. Locked.
Well, what did I expect?
Walking back down the steps, the creak of the old wood and the thump of her boots ricochet across the open space. Sitting back on her bike, she pauses. Her animals are telling her to not leave. That she will be safe here. The feeling of home floats through her mind, causing her to remember a long ago forgotten memory. Her mom and dad brought her here when she was only three or four. This cabin was built by her grandfather for his family, before deciding to move to the city. The week at the cabin was one of her fondest memories with her parents and brother. They kept laughing and playing. Her brother as his cat, her mom as hers, and her dad as a wolf. They owned Acres upon acres of land here, and were free to just live. To just explore.
"Why did I forget this place?" she whispers, her heart hammering in her chest.
Both of her animals whine, upset, not wanting her to continue. Ignoring their warnings, it comes to her. That was the last family time they had together before she lost her parents. The pain rushes through her, crushing and devastating. It has been years since they died, eighteen years now, but every day the pack lives that killed them, reminds her of how they forever changed her life.
Foster care was hard for a brother and sister to stay together. Especially ones that were only half siblings. Then, for a girl like Desiree, it was almost impossible to blend in. With eyes as amber as a cat, they didn't exactly blend in, causing some to fear what they had never experienced. After a couple years of bouncing around, she was left alone, her brother taken away to another home as he could blend in with the humans. She always hoped he would come back for her, but at sixteen, she ran away when he never showed up. It never stopped her from checking in on him, though, to make sure he was safe and uninjured.
The rumble of the bike under her brings her back to the present. Her animals are now quiet, offering comfort. Driving her bike to the back, to keep it hidden, she turns it off. The long grass is hiding the fire pit she remembers, along with a shed full of wood hidden beneath the shadows in the back corner. Gazing at the cabin again, once so full of love and laughter, now so cold, her heart feels frozen. Back on the front porch, she sees a long-dead potted plant. Lifting it up, the key she saw her mom hide is still sitting there, surrounded by some bugs. Brushing it off, she slides the key in to the lock and pushes the door open with a little force.
The door creaks as it slowly glides to thump against the wall behind it. Stepping in, she wanders around. The fireplace is still as beautiful as she remembers, even if she will need to clean it. The wooden floors, though creaky, appear safe, and she doesn't come across any animal sets that may have tried to live in the cabin. Damp wood and musty earth fills her nostrils as she walks to the doorway to the kitchen. There in the frame, she traces with her finger where her family all marked with their claws. A small smile graces her face.
She continues her search. The four bedroom cabin seems to be in great condition, if a little unused. All linens were in bags in the hall closest and sheets were placed over all the furniture when they last left. Running back outside, she runs over to her bike and grabs her stuff. Choosing the room with the en-suite, she gets to setting it up. After taking out some of her things, she sees her phone. She has nothing on it. It can't be traced. But, she listens to the message her ex, Justin, left for her when she ran away, even though she knows it word for word.
"Dez, baby, come home. Just think how much you could help people. You better come back, Desiree, or I will make sure you regret it."
She has no tears or sorrow anymore for her past with Justin. It happened, and she is living with the consequences of dating him and telling him her secret. Hell. She got to fuck a sexy wolf shifter. Something she didn't even realize she missed from her life. After flopping on to the made bed, she smiles a genuine smile, thinking of Kane and the roaring experience they had together. Her lids grow heavy, both animals sound asleep, before finally succumbing to the darkness.
Kane
Kane and his wolf are both angry and confused. They rush from door to door, seeing if maybe she is playing some sort of game, but she is no longer there.
Putting his clothes back on, he rushes to the bar front. Seeing Aria still sitting at her table he storms up to her. She tries to keep his eyes, yet she looks away, her inner nature not allowing her to challenge him.
Hmm ... the girl kept eye contact with me, and never once did my wolf feel threatened.
"Aria, did you just see a girl in all black leave?" he asks, his voice rumbling.
"Uh, yeah? So? She just left on a motorcycle."
Aria rolls her eyes. Being the last Alpha's daughter, she is a diva who thinks she is above a lot of people. Kane normally doesn't bother with Aria too much, as she is rather fond of the idea of being his mate.
The thought causes his wolf to growl. Enough so that Aria looks up at him, eyes large, and looks away, showing her neck.
"Sorry, Aria. My wolf is a little angry," Kane says, rubbing the back of his neck, eyes darting around.
"Mhmm. I see that. I can always help you with that." While others would find her voice seductive, Kane finds it to be the equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.
Seeing her hand reach to touch him, he jerks away. "No thanks, Aria." He sees her pout, but he doesn't care. She will find a guy if she really needs a fuck.
All Kane's wolf keeps showing him is the girl.
Walking out of the bar, Kane whispers, "We will find her."
Dez
Sitting in the backyard of her cabin, Desiree lets the sun kiss her skin. The warmth something she will never get tired of. Glancing around her now beautiful backyard, with its sparkling dew drenched grass under the shade of the largest trees bordering her property, she smiles, happy, content. Leaning back in her chair, her animals both at ease, the earthy, moist soil scent fills her nostrils, bringing a sense of peace to her for a moment.
She can hear the grasshoppers flying around in the grass that is just a touch too long, their wings whispers against the long blades. Letting her senses wonder, she hears the married couple down the road argue. Wait. How did I know a married couple lives there? The sound of children playing grows as it gets closer.
Sitting up, a smile graces her face as she watches a little boy and girl tumble out from the forest floor, both naked and covered in mud. "Where are your clothes? Where is your father?"
What?
Stepping through the trees, Kane, all
six-foot-three-inches of him, fills the space as he saunters toward her as their kids shift and wrestle. "Hey, Momma. Want to come play and get dirty, too?"
His words alight something inside her. She wants to join him. She wants to do anything with this man. She loves him. Why wouldn't she?
HEART POUNDING, DEZ jerks awake. Eyes wide, she glances around frantically. "No no no no no," she mumbles.
Flinging her wrinkled sheets off, she listens to her animals, both choosing to pretend they don't hear her. "I am serious. What was that dream about?" Her heart pounds, worrying and knowing the answer. Flashes in her mind, growing stomach, Kane, his pack. Her animals are purring, happy. No wonder I have been sleeping so great.
"Damn it."
Taking a deep breath, she lets her magic fill her. Looking inside herself, she sees the intricate workings of the human body. Making her way down, like with x-ray vision, she sees it. The tiny life growing inside of her. As she pulls out of herself, she hears her animals growl. Rapid images fly through her mind again. Pup, cub, pup, cub. Little boy, little girl.
Plopping on the bed, she groans in to her hands. "Twins. How am I suppose to raise a set of twins when I don't stay in a place longer than two weeks? Hell. We were supposed to leave today."
Struggling up, she makes her way to the bathroom. Looking at herself in the mirror, her red hair is vibrant, her yellow-amber eyes are striking, even her skin has a glow. How had I not noticed this before now?
Shaking her head, she gets ready for her day. "I guess we aren't leaving, girls. This is where we will be staying." Chirps and yips answer her statement. "Let’s hope I am not making a huge mistake," she says on a grimace.
Kane
Two Weeks Later
Making his pack some breakfast, Kane struggles, his thoughts jumping from one thing to another.
"Hey, boss," Anthony says, eyebrows raised. "Everything alright?"
Running a ruff hand across his stubble, he says, "Yeah. Why wouldn't it be alright?"
"Um, dude ... you have to actually crack an egg in to the frying pan and turn it on for it to cook."
Following Anthony's eyes, Kane notices why he is being looked at like an alien.
"Sorry, man. Head on crooked today."
Rubbing his neck, Kane sighs.
"Boss, go sit down. I'll do this."
"Thanks, Anthony."
Kane goes and plops on the sofa in the pack house. A well-used, leather sofa that had been designed by hand as most shifters are large.
"Hey, Kane. Why the long face?" Tia asks as she enters the living room.
Zoey enters from outside, laughing and shoving Trevor. "Woah. What’s with the vibe in here?"
Kane can't help but think of the dream he has been having. No matter what, he dreams of him running with a tiger cub and wolf pup. Trying to figure out if it is the world letting him know his mate is close or not is causing him to stress.
"All right! Pack meeting!"
His voices carries across the house. Scurrying feet can be heard as the youngest pack mates, fifteen and thirteen, make their way down the stairs. Luca arrives first, a beaming smile on his face, while Chloe, right behind him, pouts. Sauntering in, wearing almost no clothing, is Aria, nose in the air, who sits on the arm of the couch. Wearing clothes is an optional thing in a wolf pack, as shifting destroys them, but purposefully not wearing clothes, hoping to entice a certain alpha, causes them all to roll their eyes.
"Boss, should I stay here?" Anthony asks from across the open concept kitchen, living, and dining area.
"Yeah. That's fine." Glancing around, he realizes he is still one short. "Anyone seen Shawn?"
Everyone shakes their head.
A scuffle at the back door causes everyone to look over as Shawn comes in, throwing clothes on.
"All right. Since everyone is here, might as well say, the Smith pack is pushing harder. I am not sure why, all of a sudden, they have been more insistent, but spies have been found repeatedly throughout our land." The pack’s rumbles and growl start to rise. He raises a hand and they all fall silent. "You all know they are saying they will be attacking as I haven't found my mate. Just want you to all be aware. You see someone that isn't from around here, let me or Shawn know."
Looking in to everyone's eyes, showing them his strength, they nod and show their submission. Before anyone can turn to leave or say anything, Aria speaks up, "I can be your mate."
"Aria, don't." His words are rough.
Aria either doesn't notice or doesn't care. "Kane, c'mon. Get the other pack off our back, protect everyone, and have a little fun."
Her disregard for his command, her repeat offers, and his total lack of control over his wolf the last couple of weeks causes him to snap. Stepping in front of her, his eyes completely overtaken by his wolf, he holds her eyes. Growling, he says, "Aria, if you ever directly disobey me again, my wolf will not be happy. I said don't. For fuck sakes, I have told you I will not mate with you. Just because you are an alpha bitch does not mean you are for me."
Turning her eyes away, her chest heaving, she runs from the room.
Everyone is quiet. "Damn it. My wolf is acting fucking insane," he says to no one in particular while plopping back down on the couch.
"Umm ... ya, man. We have noticed," Shawn says, not afraid of his alpha.
Dropping his head in to his hands, he tells them about his wolf always being antsy, dreams that are filled with pups, and always feeling restless.
No one says a thing for a long minute.
"Eeekkk!" Zoey squeals, jumping up and down.
Looking up, his mouth down turned and his eyes shadowed, he just raises a brow in question.
"Wait. Do you guys not know?"
Glancing around at the head shakes around her, the excitement starts bubbling off her, affecting those around her.
"Your mate is here! You get those dreams usually after you conceive with your mate, but I have heard about the dreams starting by just being in the same area." Zoey's smile is contagious.
Kane's smile stretches across his face. "Zoey, I think you just made my day." Standing up, Kane stretches, letting his tight muscles relax for the first time in days.
Thinking of the girl in the bar, he shares her face with his pack mates. "Keep your eye out for her. She came by town a couple weeks ago."
After their smiles and nods, Kane turns. Time to hunt.
Dez
As her animal, Dez is freer, happier. Like life is perfect. Lounging in a tree a couple feet from the clearing, the rough bark sharp against her fur, she hears the wildlife go silent. Not even the birds are singing their song. Only the sound of the wildlife scurrying away can be heard. I wonder if it is large prey. Listening closer, she hears a snap of a twig, the heavy breath of a large dog, and the smell of the wolves causes her nose to twitch.
In the opposite direction, the laugh of a young teen girl can be heard, buzzing through the trees.
Please turn around. Please turn around.
More voices join the first. Another young voice. This one male. Then ... his voice. Kane ... father to her unborn babies. The man she hasn't seen in weeks.
Please turn around.
Growls, pants, and snarls are getting closer. Her tail swishes, her ears tracking every sound, her eyes following as many things as she can.
A snarl rumbles in her chest, but she pushes it down. Five wolves, from their pack, enter the clearing, shifting into their human selves.
Dez doesn't have to see Kane to feel he has entered the clearing. The young ones have dropped silent, the padding of their feet falling close behind the steady thump of Kane's feet in the grass.
Dez doesn't know any of the males currently in the clearing from the other pack, but she listens intently as they move closer to Kane and his pack. "The girl. Y’all see her, she is mine. I'm taking her."
If Dez were human she would throw up, but her tiger and wolf are keeping her grounded. Glancing down, her clothes and contacts are still propped agains
t the tree. I don’t have my sweater. As soon as they see me, they will know who I am.
Her wolf and tiger are in agreement. Blood.
Swallowing thickly, Dez watches on, her tiger poised to attack.
"Well, lookie here, boys," the leader of the intruding pack says.
"Looks like you guys are trespassing," Kane says, his voice rumbling through Dez's body, causing her tiger to want to purr, but they know now is not the time.
"Well, it looks like you guys are in the wrong place at the wrong time," the other wolf snarls, eyes riveted on the young girl.
Kane pushes the young ones to be blocked by his body, just as the first wolf lunges at him. Kane stays in human form, but his claws are out while fighting against five wolves.
One of the wolves ventures off and grabs for the girl. Either he has never used his teeth before or he is an idiot. His teeth rip in to her flesh. The scream tears through Dez like a great shard of glass, causing her momma instincts to kick in.
As quiet as a mouse, she jumps down, stalking her prey. The fucking coward is trying to fight the young boy who is protecting the girl. Kane has blood dripping from his arms, but her eyes find the girl. Her skin is pale, eyes wide in horror.
Roaring, she leaps from the bushes, completely overtaking the coward, ripping his throat open. Growling at the kid, he backs up to give her space. Walking to the girl, she touches her mind.
Please keep this secret.
Not giving her any time, she dives in to the girl’s body, directly at the area she knows is too badly damaged to heal fast enough. Focusing, she knits the skin, tissue, and nerves together, stopping all the bleeding. Stepping back, the girl looks at her, eyes still wide, but awe is shining now. Not horror.
