Forever Fated Mates: A Shifter Romance Collection

by Meg Ripley

  He looked at me with his jaw and eyes tight. “Looks like someone did this. On purpose.”

  “Are you sure?” The fear had already filled my stomach. What if my brake lines were next? Had Levi really gone so far?

  “Yeah, I’m sure. I bet it was a screwdriver, judging by these little notches at the side of the hole.”

  I saw what he pointed out. “I can’t imagine anyone doing this but Levi...” My breathing picked up, and I felt myself get close to hyperventilating.

  But as I stood there, trying to calm down, another car approached. A bright red Mustang. I swallowed hard and my knees weakened. Not now. Not here, like this.

  Max opened his door and paused, then continued toward me. “I heard the call go out,” he explained. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “She’s fine,” Carson said. “It’s all taken care of. You can go now.”

  I was anxious, waiting for them to say something about me being there with both of them, but they didn’t seem surprised by each other’s presence. They didn’t seem thrilled about it, either.

  “What was the problem?” Max asked me, ignoring Carson.

  “Someone drove a hole in my radiator, and my car overheated. I think it was Levi.”

  “He did what?” Max narrowed his eyes. “We have to do something about this guy.”

  “Don’t you trouble yourself,” Carson said. “I’ve got it handled.”

  “Oh, do you now?” Max scoffed. “And how is that?”

  I took a step back as they moved closer to each other. Something about the situation was off. Max had said nothing when he saw me with Carson. He’d looked upset about it, sure. But it was almost as if…

  “Wait a minute.” I held up both hands, interrupting their argument. Just get it over with already. “Look, I don’t want to make this worse, but I want to make sure we all know the obvious. I’ve been hanging out with both of you.”

  “We know,” Carson said. “We figured it out last night.”

  That explained why I hadn’t heard from either of them. What had happened when they found out? Neither showed any bruises. Was it possible they were civil to each other? Probably not; they looked like they were ready to throw fists.

  Max was in Carson’s face, jabbing his finger into his shoulder, telling him that I was his only concern. The arguing continued, going from who was going to kill Levi to who wanted to protect me more to who had a stronger connection with me.

  The back and forth made my head spin, and just as I was about to come between them, a third car pulled up. At first, I thought it was just a passerby, seeing if we needed help. But then I spotted Levi through the window. My stomach lurched, and I tasted bile in my throat. Levi with both Max and Carson here? Things are about to get bad.

  Before Levi got out, I rushed over and slid into my car through the passenger side. I picked up the radio and called, “Back up requested at mile marker 89.4. Possible assault pending.”

  I dropped the radio and slipped back out as Levi’s door flew open.

  “Where is she?” he demanded.

  Carson and Max had been facing each other, but when the car pulled up and Levi got out, they had turned to stand side-by-side, facing Levi as a united front, blocking me from his view. At least I was safe with the two of them there. No way would Levi get past them both.

  “I’m here,” I confessed. “But you need to go. Now.”

  Carson and Max parted a few feet so that Levi and I could see each other. I liked it better when I didn’t have to look at the asshole’s face.

  “Come check out my new car, Riv; let’s take a ride,” Levi insisted.

  I shook my head. “Are you serious? I’m not going anywhere with you. I filed a restraining order against you. Did you forget that?”

  “We both know you were just having a bad day. You’ll put an end to it and come around; I just know it.”

  “Alright, I’ve heard enough,” Carson interjected. “The situation is under control. The tow truck is on its way, and River has plenty of options to get home. Thank you for stopping, but we have things handled here.”

  Levi’s lips pulled into a snarl. “Oh, I haven’t met this one, yet. He’s pretty serious. Is this like good-cop, bad-cop? You must be the bad one,” he said to Carson.

  “I’m not a cop, I’m a Ranger,” he explained.

  “Then I guess you have no real authority here. I thank you for stopping, but it’s time you both go and leave me with my girl.”

  Max guffawed at that. “You are one sick son-of-a-bitch, you know that? She’s not yours; she has a restraining order against your dumb ass. That means she doesn’t want to be anywhere near you. Get it through your thick skull already.”

  “And if no one else is going to reinforce that order, I will.” Carson straightened up and moved his feet to a defensive stance while his hands balled into fists at his sides. Max did the same a moment later. They were preparing to make this physical, and I didn’t think I could watch.

  “Levi, just go!” I screamed. “I don’t want to see you ever again. Please, hear that. Move on with your life!”

  Levi shook his head and pulled his mouth into a half smile. “You need me and you know it. We’ve been through too much together. You can’t throw away what we have. Do these guys know that I was your first?”

  “That’s hardly anyone’s business,” I snapped. “Leave. Now!”

  “I was yours and you were mine, and that makes us mates for life. That’s how it works with us eagles; you know that. Try to deny it all you want, but in the end, you will come back to me. Just like you did before. You can’t resist fate.”

  “Right now,” Carson warned, “the only fate you should be worrying about is the fate you’ll face if you don’t do what River told you.”

  “I’m not going anywhere without her.” Levi, too, squared his shoulders and stood taller.

  “Then you leave us no choice,” Max growled, throwing a fast punch that connected with Levi’s jaw.

  Levi stumbled back, grabbing the side of his face. “You’ll pay for that,” he hissed.

  But before he could do anything else, Carson punched him in the stomach, hard enough to make him double over.

  Levi bent forward, coughing and trying to catch his breath while still running his mouth. “River, you belong—” Cough, cough. “—with me. Stop fighting it.”

  He opened the door of his car and fell in, then revved the engine and drove off.

  Relief settled over me, but I was still shaking from the encounter. Carson and Max turned to face me.

  “Are you okay?” Max asked.

  I didn’t answer, but walked forward until he folded me into his arms. The hug felt wonderful, but something was missing. My eagle wanted them both. Freeing one arm, I wrapped it around Carson and tentatively pulled him over, leaning my head on his shoulder.

  In that moment, being so close to them both, so safe and protected, I felt at peace for the first time. All the pieces clicked into place. My eagle was right; this is what I’ve needed after all. Both of them, together. But if they argued constantly, how could that ever happen? They only stopped when another force came to threaten them. Just like brothers would.

  I thought of my own brothers and how true that had been. They wrestled and fought constantly, but when the younger one was facing a bully, my older brother stepped in to defend him. He’d said something to the effect that no one else was allowed to beat up our brother but him. It was a twisted sort of love, but they’d since grown out of it. Mostly. They still wrestled from time to time over things like the last roll at dinner.

  When Max and Carson came together to fight Levi like that, it had been a shining moment. When they’d joined forces instead of facing off, it was kismet; it was absolutely right. Which didn’t even make sense to me. How could we, an eagle and two bears, be together? As shifters, fate draws us to one another. But as a trio? The thought of it seemed too strange to work.

  Sure, I’d enjoyed spending time
with Max and Carson individually, but when they’d teamed up, I realized their synergy was everything I’d been lacking. It was the very missing piece of the puzzle I’d gotten myself into. And who knew what would’ve happened if they hadn’t gotten there so fast. The tow truck was still nowhere in sight.

  As I broke our embrace, they exchanged glares, holding their expressions as if they could speak through their minds, even while in human form. It was probably a good thing they hadn’t shifted; their animal instincts might have taken over and had them really tearing each other apart.

  “You’d better wipe that smug look off your face,” Max spat at Carson.

  “Just shut up,” Carson barked. “There’s no reason for you to continually run your mouth. It doesn’t impress anyone, especially River.”

  “What does your dorky ass know about impressing River? Have you taught her the names of all the plants in the area yet?” He chuckled.

  It was one thing when they teamed up to fight for me, but now that they were back to fighting each other, it was too much. The drama and all the anxiety it caused—was it even worth it? If they were going to keep this up, I’d have to end it with both of them, no matter what my eagle demanded.

  “Guys,” I sighed. “I’m sorry if I’ve given you mixed signals. I know I’ve told each of you that I’m not ready to get into anything serious right now, so I hope you’ve taken that to heart. After getting out of that suffocating relationship with Levi, I’m just not ready to commit to anything.” I looked at Carson with soft eyes, then moved my gaze to meet Max’s. “Hanging out with you has been awesome. You’re both amazing, and if you’re cool with it, I’d like to continue getting to know you both a little more. If not, I totally understand. You can be on your way, and I’ll just wait and ride back with the tow truck driver.”

  Time seemed to grind to a halt as I waited for a response. “So, what do you think?”

  They gave each other one final glare, then looked to me. They both nodded.

  “Where were you heading, anyway?” Carson asked.

  “Gustavus. I’m getting low on food, so I was on my way to go grocery shopping.”

  They responded at the same time, with Carson proposing to take me out to eat while Max offered to drive me to the store.

  I paused, then answered, “Yes; to both. Max, let’s head out for groceries, and Carson, I’ll see you tonight. Okay?” I gave Carson a long hug and whispered to him, “Thanks for coming to save me. See you in a bit.”

  As Max and I pulled away, and the tension of the situation began to dissipate. I was glad I was with him at the moment; he’d no doubt make me laugh and forget all about this mess.

  “Hey,” I’d said after he’d canceled the call for back up. “Thanks for everything.”

  Max’s face lit up like he’d been waiting to relieve some stress, too. “Anytime, sweet thing.”

  “Sweet thing?” I laughed. “I think I like that.”

  “Well, good.” He reached over to squeeze my hand. “Because I like you.”

  I breathed out the remaining tension and settled into my time with Max, sure that even grocery shopping would be entertaining with him.

  16

  Max

  By the time I’d dropped River off, it was late afternoon. River and Carson weren’t going to meet up for another three hours. Plenty of time. I made my decision and turned around, heading toward Carson’s place instead of home.

  The afternoon had been so perfect. We’d stopped to get ice cream, then went grocery shopping. We’d even picked up the ingredients for a meal we would cook together some time that week. I’d smiled as I imagined doing that with her every week, spending all our nights together forever.

  All throughout the day, as enjoyable as it was, I couldn’t stop wondering if Carson was winning River over. One of us had to be closer to her. One of us had to be brighter in her heart. One of us had to be the one for her.

  After the day we’d had, I knew we couldn’t have gone on like that. Carson and I had always been competitive and at each other’s throats, but we’d never gotten into a serious fight before. I’d never been so tempted to actually clobber him. Eventually, I knew we’d come to blows, and it wouldn’t be a pretty sight. Carson was a good fighter; he was our clan’s second in command for a reason. But I was stronger than him. Nevertheless, in a physical fight, there was a good chance I’d lose to him—and that could mean losing my life. I didn’t think he’d take it that far, but passion, animalistic rage and a woman mixed in could make a volatile combination.

  I pulled into Carson’s driveway and got out, then pounded hard on the door.

  He’d answered with an unamused expression. “Don’t come to my house knocking like that. I do have a doorbell, you know. What do you want?”

  “Can I talk to you for a second?”

  He crossed his arms, but didn’t open the door further. “Go ahead.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I know River said she’s not ready to settle down with anyone, but I think we should confront her and make her chose who she’d rather be ‘hanging out’ with.”

  “I agree.”

  “Wait. You do?” I had been prepared for much more of an argument.

  “I’d guess that’s the only thing we can agree on right now.”

  “Probably,” I admitted. “Let’s go. I figure if we leave now and she ends up choosing you, you can still go out with her tonight. If she picks me, I’ll take her out.”

  “Are you ready for this?” he asked. “Because once she chooses, that’s it. No trying to win her over. No trying to get her back. Agreed?”

  “As long as you uphold the deal if you lose, too. I don’t trust you to stay away from her.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t be rude to her, no. But if she were to choose you, I would respect her decision.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?” I snapped.

  He grabbed his keys from a dish on a nearby table and locked the door. “I’m not riding with you. One of us will have to turn around and head back home, and I doubt it will be me.”

  I huffed. “Whatever. Don’t need you stinking up my seats anyway.”

  I hopped in my Mustang and took off, driving fast to lose him. But he knew where she lived, of course, so he pulled in just a few moments after I did.

  We approached River’s door together and I knocked. When she opened the door, she was at first confused, then wary. “Hi…?”

  “Can we talk?” I asked.

  “Sure.” She stepped back to let us in.

  I almost turned to Carson and made a snide comment about that being the way you were supposed to respond when someone asked you to talk, but I thought better of it. I didn’t want to stir up even more shit than we already had between us.

  She walked into the living room and sat in the one armchair, leaving us to share the couch.

  “So, what’s this about?” she asked when no one had said anything.

  “Go ahead.” Carson gestured to me. “It was your idea.”

  “I suggested it and Carson agreed,” I corrected.

  She looked at me, waiting.

  “Okay,” I started. “To be honest, this arrangement isn’t working for us, but neither of us is willing to walk away from you. So that leaves you, River. We want you to choose one of us.”

  She didn’t think long about my request, responding with a simple, “No.”

  “How long were you planning to string us both along?” Carson asked. “In the end, you’ll only settle down with one of us—when you’re ready to do that, that is. So, why not decide who you’d rather spend your time with now and save everyone some heartache?”

  “It’s not that I don’t want to,” she explained. “I don’t think you understand how hard this has been for me.”

  “Well, you certainly have the best position of us three,” Carson pointed out.

  She pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “I didn’t even want a relationship; I told you both that from the start. You’ve se
en how horrible Levi is. After finally ending things with him, I’m not interested in getting involved with anyone so soon. For the time being, it’s easier to just avoid relationships completely than to hope I find a guy who will respect my desires. I thought you both understood that, but now I’m not so sure.”

  “It’s not out of lack of respect,” Max cut in. “It’s a matter of fairness. It’s not fair to either of us to have to share.”

  “And,” Carson added. “If you want to bring respect into it, it’s rather disrespectful to hang out with us both, not tell either of us about the other, then refuse to choose one. You can’t expect us to live in limbo forever, wondering when you’ll decide.”

  “No, you’re not getting it.” She tipped her head back against the chair and stared at the ceiling for a moment before continuing. “My human mind doesn’t want me to be tied down at all. The thought of that, of belonging to one single person, terrifies me right now, soul-deep. I won’t do it; I can’t take the risk. After all the shit I went through with Levi, I need to stay free and keep my wings unclipped. But if I listen to my eagle, I can’t deny that my heart has fallen for you both equally. The timing sucks, for sure; my human mind is warring with my eagle’s, and somehow, I need to figure this all out. I think, for the time being, I’d like to just hang out with you both without having the pressure of choosing.”

  “Choosing one of us doesn’t have to equate to an instant commitment,” I suggested. “You could still casually date whichever of us you choose. And just not date the other.”

  “But you’re missing the point. It means establishing a loyalty to only one of you, and thereby rejecting the other. Don’t you understand that I want you both in my life?”

  Carson raised his brow. “Are you honestly saying you want to continue in the manner we’ve been going in forever?”

  “If I could,” she said. “I love being with you both. I know it’s not the norm, but why can’t we just keep things as they are?”

  “Well, I’m not up for sharing you, and I know Carson isn’t either. I’m sure you can understand why we each want to know that we’re the only one.”