by Piper Fox
Molly nods. “The more dangerous part is the gods themselves. The pantheons decided long ago that they needn’t meddle in mortal affairs any longer, that the world needed to exist without constant celestial interference. Not that any of them are good at completely keeping their fingers out of the mortals’ proverbial pie, but things have gotten less tumultuous with the gods on their own planes.”
“Planes? Like they’re out there flying around on Wonder Woman’s invisible jet?”
“Planes of existence.” Brandis’s voice is low, almost somber, like he knows exactly what Molly’s talking about. “They created separate planes for each pantheon, space where they could watch over the world they created, without being a constant force on the lives of mortals.”
“Okay, so how does that explain me?”
“Time works differently on these planes. The affair between mortal and god could’ve been thousands of years ago. Or it could’ve happened twenty-six years ago. There’s no way of knowing, unless we determine who your godly parent is, and ask them.”
Measuring Contest
TYLER
Something feels off about all of this.
My gut’s telling me to grab Ryanne and get her out of here, get her away from all of this. I don’t like that she’s getting thrown into the middle of the supernatural world, with more and more questions piling up and no answers in sight.
This is worse than when I shifted for the first time.
At least then, it was just me.
I wasn’t exposed, being speculated about as if I weren’t even there.
More than all that though, something seems off about Molly. We’ve been going to her bar as long as we’ve been in St. Cloud, and for the first time, she seems odd. Like something’s speaking through her.
“I’m going to go outside, get some fresh air.” Ryanne pushes her chair back and stands, abruptly interrupting the conversation. She tosses the towel that had been wrapped around her hair onto the back of the couch.
“I’ll go with you.” Gage is all too eager to jump up with her.
Gods, I hate that guy.
“I’ll just be on the porch. I think I can manage that on my own.” Ryanne pops her hands on her hips, her chin held high and her chest puffed out, as if daring any of us to mess with her.
Gage’s expression sours. “At least take Tyler with you.”
I roll my eyes but wait for Ryanne to make her decision. If she wants me to go with her, I’ll happily accompany her.
She looks at Gage, as if trying to decide whether it’s worth it to argue. Personally, I’d like to see the panther get taken down a few pegs, and even before she learned she was a demigoddess, she was a badass who could hold her own in a fight. Now, I can only imagine how easily she could kick Gage’s furry behind.
“Fine. Come on, Tyler.”
I can’t help but flash him a smug smirk and stand up to meet her at the door. She links arms with me, leaning her head on my shoulder.
I can’t tell if she’s trying to piss him off, or if she really just wants to be close to me. Either way, I’m not about to complain.
“Are they listening?” She glances at the door once we’re firmly on the other side of it.
“Probably.” I pull out my phone and open the music app, turning it up as loud as it can go, setting it right near the house before I lead her a few steps away, down the drive. “What’s up?”
“I just needed to clear my head. Talk to someone who really knows me, not guys I’ve just met.” She sighs and runs her fingers through her still damp hair. “What do you think about all of this?”
“I don’t know. It makes sense. You’re the best bounty hunter in the area, and you can track down anyone. And you’ve never had a clue who your parents were. There isn’t even a trail to follow. If it’s not the gods, then I’d have to assume you’ve got spy parents.”
She rolls her eyes and laughs. “Not what I meant. I…I don’t have a lot to go on, but something about this story just feels right in my gut. Like I’ve been waiting to hear these words my entire life.” When she looks down and starts fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, I don’t hesitate to step forward and wrap my arms around her. “I guess I want to know whether you think I’m safe to go home. If I’m even safe here, with them. Molly said that demigoddesses are dangerous. That I could be dangerous. How do I know that Brandis and Gage won’t turn on me?”
“You’re not worried about me?”
“Are you kidding? You’re the only person I don’t worry about.” She hugs me tighter, snuggling against my chest. “I don’t want to be a danger. I don’t want to be hunted.”
“So, let’s go home. You can stay with me tonight, and tomorrow, we’ll research.”
“Oh, goody. More research.” She rolls her eyes up at me and sticks out her tongue. “Why can’t you ever just support my need to go full-on improv?”
“If you ever join a theatrical improv group, I’ll be there cheering you on.” I grin. “But when it comes to you against people who want to kill you, I’d rather you have some facts.”
“Fine.” She smirks as she snuggles in again. “What do you say we stay out here a few minutes longer? Give them something to worry about?”
“Deal.” I’d hold her like this for hours if she’d let me. I’d do more than that too, if I thought for one second that she wouldn’t punch me in the gut for suggesting it.
I wait for her to pull back before I let her go.
“Okay, I think we stay here tonight, and tomorrow, we go back to life as we know it. Or at least as close to normal as we can get. You start researching demigods, figure out who I descend from, and I’ll break some heads. Maybe go to the prisons where these guys were being held, find out who let them out.”
“You could take a day. No one would begrudge you that. You could’ve died today, Ry.” I keep my arm draped over her shoulder as we walk back to the porch. “Someone out there clearly wants you dead.”
“They’re going to have to work a lot harder than a few criminals then. Apparently, I’m a god.”
“Demigod. Don’t go getting an even more inflated ego on me, or we’ll need to rent out bigger office space.” I reach over and tickle her, getting my fingers into just the right spots to make her squirm almost immediately.
When she finally catches my hands, her cheeks are flushed, her hair’s a mess, and she’s breathing heavy.
It’s not quite as good as if I’d kissed her into this state, but my wolf is still pleased that she smells like me.
If it takes Gage down a peg, knowing she chose me, all the better.
As we walk into the house, Ryanne announces, “I’m putting a moratorium on all this talk for the night. I need a drink and I need a good night’s sleep.”
Molly gets up and smiles softly. “I guess that’s my cue to get out of your fur.” She waves her hands, and the teapot and cups go flying to the sink. “Don’t keep her up all night, boys. She’s been through enough without the three of you fighting over her.”
Instantly, I tense. I heard Brandis going on about me and Gage too. I know as shifters, they can scent things. But the fucking witch too?
Ryanne waits until the bartender’s gone before she asks, “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I changed the sheets on my bed, so you can have my room.” Brandis is quick to answer, and my wolf bristles at the idea of competing not just with the panther, but with a bear too.
At least Brandis seems like he’d be easy going about it. Gage, on the other hand, looks ready for blood at the idea.
“She shouldn’t be alone. What if someone comes in through one of the windows?”
“God, Gage. If you want to sleep with me, just fucking say so. Don’t pussyfoot around it just because there are other men in the room.” Ryanne throws her hands up. “But don’t you dare think you’re getting any from me tonight.”
I laugh, earning me a glare from the older shifter.
“If anyone’s sleepin
g with you in my bed, it’s going to be me.” Brandis smirks. “I promise to keep my hands to myself.”
“You can sleep on the floor.” She crosses her arms over her chest, daring either of them to argue with her.
I’m not sticking my nose into this argument, even though I’m pretty certain that if I asked, Ryanne would let me hold her while she sleeps.
“If he’s sleeping on the floor, so am I.” Gage snarls.
“I’ll take the couch, keep an eye on the front door.” If they’re going to whip out their cocks and start measuring, that’s not a question I need answered. I’m perfectly confident in my own assets and abilities.
They both look like they’re ready to argue, but wisely, neither of them opens their mouths again.
Ryanne shakes her head. “Can I get that t-shirt to sleep in? Since I’m not in my own place and I don’t have access to my full wardrobe, I don’t want to risk sweating in the outfit I’m probably going to wear again tomorrow.”
“I’ll lay one out for you.” Brandis heads into the bedroom and comes out a few minutes later with a stack of blankets and a pillow. “You sure you’re okay on the couch? I have a guest room. Since the stern S.E.A. enforcer’s going to pretend to sleep on the floor of the bedroom, I’m sure we’ll be safe.”
“I’m fine here.” I take the blankets and set them on the arm of the sofa. “Ryanne, if you get sick of the overbearing guys sleeping on the floor, you know where to find me.”
She smiles at me, and for a second, I feel like I could be her first choice.
Then, she disappears behind the bedroom door, leaving the three of us alone.
“Kid, you don’t stand a chance. Might as well give up now.” Gage smirks at me. “Besides, I’ve already got an in.”
I roll my eyes. “Just because she’d rather spend the night in my arms rather than yours, doesn’t mean you have to get your panties in a twist, old man.” I toss one of the blankets out over the couch, making a bed for myself. “She’s a strong-willed woman, Gage. She’s not going to roll over and be a submissive mate.”
“Besides, panther, you’re not the only one who lights her fire.” Brandis grins.
Gage snarls. “I’m going to check the perimeter.”
“If the door’s stuck, I definitely didn’t lock you out.” Brandis chuckles as Gage heads out.
I sit on the couch, watching the bedroom door.
“You hung up on her?” Brandis sits next to me, staring at the door right along with me. “No judgments if you are. Just trying to figure out who the players are on the field.”
I shrug. “Even if I am, she doesn’t look at me like that. She’s my friend. The closest thing I have to family. I don’t want to ruin it by trying something that’ll just end with her running for the next adventure.”
“What if that’s what she’s waiting for? She’s clearly got the hots for Gage, but the way she looks at you…I don’t know, man, she might want to howl at the moon.”
I chuckle, even though I don’t believe that she’d choose me. “I think she’d go bear before she goes for me, but thanks for the vote of confidence.”
He shrugs like he knows something I don’t, and then he gets up. “If you need anything else tonight, just let me know.”
I nod, leaning back against the couch cushions.
Gage comes back in, a scowl on his face.
“Something wrong, kitty cat?” Brandis smirks as he claps Gage on the shoulder.
“Gods, don’t call me that.” Gage rolls his eyes and steps away from the bear. “There’s strange smells around the house.”
“Are you sure they’re fresh?” Brandis sniffs at Gage. “Did you roll in them?”
Gage grunts as he moves into the kitchen and grabs a bottle of water. “I am an enforcer for the S.E.A. Whether you like it or not, that means something. I’m not going to tolerate you treating me like shit just because you don’t want to follow in your father’s footsteps.”
“I’m still son of the most notable politician in the shifter world.” Brandis puffs up his chest, and I can see his eyes starting to glow yellow. “Not to mention, this is my house. I can still kick you out. I’m sure the wolf and I can keep Ryanne well cared for. Satisfied, even.”
I bite back a chuckle as Gage looks ready to pounce on Brandis. As entertaining as it would be to watch the panther and the bear go at it, I get up and put myself between them. “I don’t know what your history is, but this isn’t good for Ryanne. She’s had enough crap in her life, especially in the past couple days, that she doesn’t need you two fighting over her. You want to go a few rounds and come back beaten and bloody, take it outside.” I shake my head. “And don’t come back in until you’ve healed. She doesn’t need a couple of animals ripping into each other to try and win her affections. Trust me, she’s not impressed with petty douche-baggery.”
“Douche-baggery? Is that even a word?” Brandis smirks, even as he takes a step back, away from Gage. “I can behave myself if the kitty cat will.”
I roll my eyes as Gage backs down too, even though he still looks like he’s ready to claw Brandis’s eyes out at the nickname.
With as condescending as he can be, I’m tempted to start calling Gage “kitty cat” too.
Gage brushes past me and heads for the bedroom door, knocking softly. “Ryanne? Can we come in?”
“You know what, I’ve changed my mind. I’m a demigoddess, and all of you can sleep out there. If, on the off chance someone tries to come in through the window, they can face my wrath.” She sounds irritated, and I wonder just how much she heard of the argument between Gage and Brandis.
I’m pretty sure if I tried, I could still earn a spot by her side for the night, or at least on the floor, but I don’t want to press my luck, and I really don’t feel like adding another thorn in Gage’s side tonight.
Instead, I flop down on the couch and pull a blanket over me before either of them get any ideas about claiming the only soft surface in the room.
Gage jiggles the door handle, but it’s obviously locked, as it doesn’t even turn in his hand.
Brandis gestures at the hall as he says, “Take the guest room, Gage. It shares a wall with the master, and you’d probably be able to smell anyone getting close to the house before they can do anything.” He sighs. “And wolf, you’re going to have to toss me one of those pillows.”
As we settle in for the night, I can’t help but think about Ryanne, all alone in the other room. I’m not worried about her holding her own, at least until one of us can break in and come to her aid, but I don’t like that she’s been through all this, that she’s still going through it all, and still her gut instinct is to shut us all out.
Falling asleep takes far too long, and by the time I’m drifting off, the sun’s already peeking over the horizon.
I can only imagine what the new day will bring.
Cooler Heads
BRANDIS
I don’t blame Ryanne for kicking us all out on our asses last night. It doesn’t make sleeping on my own floor any easier, though. Tyler had the right idea playing it cool.
After tossing and turning for a while, I eventually gave up and shifted into my bear form, just to get some sleep. Not that my bear’s in any mood to sleep. He’s as curious about Ryanne as I am, even though I can be more discreet about it.
Pretty sure if I let my bear lead, my nose is ending up in her crotch much faster than she’s prepared for. Not that I’d mind, but she already seems like she’s confused, torn between at least the two men currently also trying to sleep in my house. I don’t want to add to it.
Instead, I curl up in front of the bedroom door, a barrier between Ryanne and either the wolf or the panther.
Because of this, I’m the only one who hears the door lock click open.
The only one who’s still awake when she tentatively pops her head out.
I tilt my head at her, looking up at her curiously.
“Brandis?” She whispers it softly, looking down
at me.
I nod.
“Do you want to come share the bed with me?” She pulls the door open more, giving me room to enter.
I don’t have to be asked twice.
I’m not going to complain about getting solo time with Ryanne, in whatever form it takes.
I wait until she’s in bed before I shift, careful to keep my back to her until I can maneuver to the dresser and grab a pair of boxer briefs.
When I turn back to face her, I smirk to find her watching me curiously.
“A guy could feel objectified, being ogled like that.” I move closer to the bed. “You sure you want to share?”
Ryanne nods. “I can’t sleep. I guess I was hoping maybe you’d be up to talk for a while. I’d like to know a little bit about whose bed I’m sleeping in. Whose shirt I’m wearing.”
I chuckle and crawl in next to her, rolling onto my side so that we’re face to face. “Ask me anything. I’ll tell you no lies.”
“Huh.” She smirks.
“What?”
“Gage said the same thing to me. Is honesty a shifter trait? Or is it something to do with me? Am I descended from Veritas or someone?”
I shrug. “I’m not incapable of lying. I just don’t see the point in keeping things from you. You’ve literally seen me naked. I’ve extracted poison from your wounds. I think we’re beyond that first date trying to put your best foot forward stuff.”
“Is that what this is? Are we dating now?” She chuckles. “Because usually, I like to make a guy work for it.”
“I’m sure you do.” I reach out and brush her hair back from her cheek. “If you want to be courted, I’ll plan elaborate dates, show you that I’m a catch. If you want to just be friends, or use me to drive your other men crazy, I’m game.”
“They’re not my men.” She sighs. “I don’t know. Gage might think he is. Clearly, I’ve been running in the wrong circles, though, if two tall, ripped shifters both want in my pants.”
I consider correcting her count, but I don’t want to spark a debate. If she and the wolf want to live in denial of the heat, of the need between them, I’m more than happy to sit back and wait for it to explode.
