by R. E. Butler
“You’re making a mistake,” her father said.
“No, I’m not,” Ehrin said, squaring her shoulders. “You did. Now I’m free and happy, and you’re the ones who have to live with the knowledge that you kicked your only daughter out of the family. Leave now and don’t come back. I don’t want to see you again.”
She let go of Henry’s hand and grasped the edge of the door. With a firm push, the door slammed loudly, and then she stared at it in silence. Henry listened intently, and after a few moments, her parents whispered to each other and then walked down the porch onto the grass. The sound of a car engine turning over filled the air and then faded as they left the pride’s land.
Ehrin turned to face Dom and Henry. The corner of her mouth quirked up, and then she started to cry. Henry and Dom pulled her between them.
“Thank you,” Henry said to the others.
“I’m going to give your dad a call,” Holden told him. “Even though they didn’t outright threaten her or the pride, they’re clearly not happy with the outcome of the conversation, and it would be best to be prepared.”
Henry nodded in agreement.
“It’s their loss, Ehrin,” Melody said. “Don’t cry for them. They don’t deserve your tears.”
Ehrin choked on a sob but didn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure she could talk if she wanted to.
The group left, and the trio was alone in the foyer. Several minutes passed before Ehrin stopped sobbing. Henry wanted to take her pain away, to go back to earlier and never open the door to her parents.
She leaned away from him and Dom, sniffling and wiping at the tears on her cheeks. “That was awful.”
“Yeah,” Dom said, “but you stood up to them and they left.”
“I hope they don’t come back.”
“Why would they?” Henry asked. “You told them you’re mated and you don’t want to be in the nest anymore.”
“I know.” She rubbed her arms and looked over her shoulder at the door. “I just have a weird feeling that we haven’t heard the last of them.”
His cat snarled. “If they come back, then we’ll deal with them together. It won’t take them long to realize that you’ve built a life here, and it doesn’t include them.”
She sighed. “If they’d just come here to apologize and hadn’t acted as if the only right choice for me was to return to the nest with them, I might’ve been willing to mend the relationship. I wouldn’t have automatically welcomed them into my life again, but I could’ve forgiven them. All they wanted was for me to be back in the nest and I really don’t get the point.”
“Maybe it was their way of asking for forgiveness,” Dom suggested.
“I guess. They’re lousy at it, though.”
Henry agreed. “Let’s put this behind us. We shouldn’t let their behavior ruin the whole day.”
“You’re right. I’m stronger than this.”
“Of course you are, fierce little bird,” Dom said. “And we’ve got your back.”
* * *
Dom turned off the Dremel tool and set it on the stand, running his hands over the wooden jewelry box he’d been commissioned to make. He’d made the box, and was now using the Dremel to create the relief work on the top. What had been a simple box was now quite beautiful, with delicate scrollwork at each corner and a center carving of a howling wolf and a full moon.
Although he was working, his mind strayed constantly to Ehrin. She was in her office on the first floor working on a sewing project. After her parents had shown up, she’d wanted to do something to keep her mind off the situation and had opted to work. Although it rankled his beast to be away from her, Dom had work to do. He’d be at the school for art class the following day, and then his beast would really be aggravated.
There was a knock on the open door. “How’s it going?” his mom asked.
“Not bad. You?”
She came into the room and stopped next to his chair, peering at the jewelry box. “That’s beautiful. And my day is going well. I was just getting ready to head out to the bar for my shift and wanted to check in with you. How’s Ehrin?”
“Throwing herself into work. I wish she had some orders from customers, but all she really has is the free apron she offered to make for Cherie, and a suggestion from Melody that she’d like something made. I think she’s floundering a little.”
“Of course. She had to start from scratch. Not to mention her parents coming here and suddenly wanting her back after their terrible behavior. That would throw anyone for a loop.”
“That’s what I figure.”
“I’ll leave you alone to work,” she said, kissing the top of his head.
“Have a good night.”
“I always do,” she said, giving him a finger wave before leaving.
He leaned back in the chair and stared at the empty doorway. His mom’s and Ehrin’s stories were quite similar. Like Ehrin, his mom had been banished for something she couldn’t control. Her family’s black panther clan had been just as deadly and devoid of emotion as the hawk nest appeared to be. She’d spent half her life living with the burden of being unwanted, with a death sentence hanging over her head to boot. But she’d gotten her life back on track after mating James and John. The road to her redemption hadn’t been easy, but it had come about eventually, and it was the love of her mates and pride that had changed things for her.
That and the former clan leader’s death.
He wouldn’t wish anyone dead, but he did wish that her parents hadn’t come to Ashland. That they’d just stayed in the past so Ehrin could move forward with her life.
Turning his attention to the jewelry box, he turned on the Dremel and began to work, clearing away the excess wood until the image he’d drawn appeared. By the time he’d finished carving and had cleaned and varnished the top, he was ready for dinner and to spend some time with Ehrin. He put away the tools and turned off the desk lamp, and then closed the door as he left so he didn’t bother anyone with the fumes.
“Hey,” Brian said as he met Dom at the top of the stairs.
“What’s up?” Dom asked.
“Are you guys still interested in trading rooms with me and Kev?”
“If you don’t mind.”
They walked down the stairs together, stopping on the second-floor landing.
“Nope. Dad said all mated groups need a private bathroom.”
Dom smiled. “Ladies aren’t too interested in running across the hall every time they need to use the bathroom.”
“We can move out this weekend. We’ll just need help with the beds, unless you guys want to use the twin beds?”
“Um, no, thanks.”
“I didn’t think so,” he said with a chuckle. “Kev and I have been packing up our things, so whenever you’re ready, we’re good to go.”
“This weekend sounds perfect.”
“Cool. Could you maybe make something for us?”
Dom looked at the young male in surprise. “Sure. What did you have in mind?”
“Well, I don’t know if you know how to do this or not, but Kev and I want to give Treasure a ring, and we don’t want to buy it. She likes homemade stuff.”
“A wooden ring?” Dom asked.
Brian nodded.
Dom’s mind spun as he considered the possibilities. He’d never made jewelry before, mostly sticking with sculptures and carvings.
“That’s very intriguing. I could do a base ring of cherry or walnut, with an inlay of a lighter wood for contrast. I could even carve an inscription on the interior with your names on it.” He looked at the male. “It’s like an engagement ring, right?”
Brian’s cheeks darkened. “A promise ring. Treasure said she doesn’t want anyone to think she’s unmated since we haven’t marked her. We’re too young for that, at least according to Dad and Uncle Rhett, so the ring is kind of a placeholder.”
“That’s very cool. I just need to measure whichever finger you want to put the ring on, and then I can m
ake up some sketches. I’m not free right now, but I will be in a couple days and can start it.”
“Here,” he said, pulling a thin strip of paper from his pocket. It was a ring sizer that he’d printed online. There was a mark that showed what her ring size was.
“Planning ahead, I like that,” Dom said.
“Kev and I have money saved up, so just let us know how much.”
“Will do. I’ll keep you posted.”
They parted ways, Brian heading to his bedroom and Dom continuing down to the first floor. He walked all the way to Ehrin’s office and heard the whir of the sewing machine. He waited until there was a pause, and then he knocked.
“Sweetheart?”
“Come in,” she said.
He opened the door and smiled to see her sitting at the desk with a pile of burgundy fabric.
“Look,” she said, holding up what turned out to be an apron.
“That looks great,” he said, joining her at the desk.
“Thanks. I just finished attaching the ties on each side. Now comes the hard part.”
“What part is that?”
“Embroidery. She said she likes dragonflies, so I’m going to hand-stitch some onto the top of the apron here, and then do her name in a scroll pattern.”
“Too bad you can’t use the sewing machine for that.”
“Yeah.” She put the apron down on the desk and rolled her neck. “They make really expensive sewing machines that you can embroider with, but I just have these two hands.”
“I’m sure it’ll be great.”
“I found this pattern online,” she said, pointing to a square of paper that had an odd sheen to it. In the center were two dragonflies and flowers, and underneath that was Cherie’s name in script.
“What kind of paper is this?”
“Transfer paper. I printed it on the office printer and just have to iron it where I want it. Then I’ll use either long and short stitches or satin stiches to fill them in after I’ve outlined them.”
“Do you like doing this kind of thing?”
“I used to make little embroidery things all the time in the nest,” she said, swiveling in the chair and smiling at him. “It’s fun but time-consuming. I could buy a premade embroidered piece, but it won’t look as nice as me doing it myself. At least I hope so.”
“You’re very talented, and I’m sure it will be wonderful.”
“Thanks.” She stood and wrapped her arms around his neck, rising to her toes to kiss him.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, resting his hands on her waist. “It’s dinnertime.”
“Starving.”
“Race you to the kitchen,” he said, darting away.
“Hey!” she yelled with a laugh.
“Last one there has to do the dishes!”
“Domino, you better let me win,” she said, her laughter echoing behind him.
He stopped abruptly and caught her around the waist, spinning in a circle. “Have to make my sweetheart happy.”
“Damn skippy.” She smiled up at him. “It’s strange, but I actually feel better after working.”
“I don’t think it’s strange at all. You just needed some distance from what happened earlier, and putting your mind on something else is always helpful.”
“Just so you know, I’ve decided to keep you and Henry.”
He laughed. “Oh?”
“Well, sure. You’re my mates. I got my bird because of you, and besides, you make me happy. I wasn’t happy in the nest, but I am here, and that’s thanks to my two sexy mates.”
“I’m happier with you, too.”
“Then we’re all keeping each other.”
“That’s the only logical course.”
“Oh, talk logical to me,” she said with a smile.
“Plus, I’m crazy about you. It can’t all be logical. You’re it for me. No one makes my cat purr like you.”
“Sweet talker. If my bird could purr, it would never stop.”
His cat agreed. Ehrin was everything they’d ever wanted in a mate. Even though her parents showing up could’ve devastated her, it hadn’t shut her down entirely. She’d bounced back and embraced their life together once more. She was theirs and they were hers, and all was right in the world.
He let out a purr and she smiled, biting her lower lip as her eyes darkened.
“Later, sexy,” she murmured.
“You got it.”
Chapter 11
Henry held the door for Ehrin and she stepped into the diner, the shirt box with Cherie’s apron tucked under her arm.
“Well hello,” Cherie said as she came out of the kitchen holding a tray laden with plates. “You here for dinner? Grab a table anywhere.”
“No. When you’re free, I have something for you,” Ehrin said.
“Oh! Well today’s my lucky day, then. I’ll be right back.”
“She’s going to love it,” Dom murmured.
Ehrin smiled. “I hope so.”
It was her first time making an apron, and she’d spent a lot of time getting the embroidered dragonflies and flowers just right. She hadn’t worked on the apron simply because she’d promised Cherie to make one for her; it had been cathartic.
Her parents showing up at the boarding house and explaining that they’d been well aware of her whereabouts, and that the nest regularly scoured social media for hawk shifter news, had knocked a hole into the wall of safety she’d felt since being accepted by her mates. She found it strange that they wanted her back in the nest, as she clearly wasn’t a normal hawk shifter. It had taken meeting both her mates, who were a different shifter species, for her to be able to shift. She’d never heard of a hawk shifter having problems shifting or needing the help of other shifter types. She was, as far as she knew, the only hawk shifter in nest history who hadn’t been able to shift.
It didn’t really make sense that her parents wanted her back in the nest, regardless of her newfound shifting abilities.
Pushing the thoughts away, she smiled at Cherie as she returned to them.
“I made this for you,” Ehrin said, handing the box to Cherie.
“I wasn’t expecting something so soon,” Cherie said, tugging on the gingham ribbon that closed the box and lifting the lid. “Oh my gracious!” Cherie lifted the apron from the box and held it high. “It’s gorgeous! I’ve never had an apron with my name on it before.”
“Really?” Ehrin asked.
She shrugged. “Everyone knows who I am. But this is…it’s beautiful. I love it. You’re a dear for making it for me.”
“I had fun making it.”
Cherie untied her old, ratty apron and tossed it over a stool, then put on the new one. She smoothed her hands down the front and gave Ehrin a brilliant smile a heartbeat before she crushed Ehrin in a hug.
“Thank you!”
Ehrin chuckled and hugged her back. “You’re very welcome.”
Cherie released her hold on Ehrin and took a step back. “How do I look?”
Dom said, “Like a million bucks.”
“Great,” Henry said. “It’s perfect for you.”
She touched the embroidered dragonflies. “I want to keep saying thank you. It’s wonderful, and so are you.”
Ehrin’s eyes stung with tears. She couldn’t remember anyone except her grandmother reacting so sweetly to something she made.
“Hey,” a male said as he came to the register with his receipt. “That’s pretty slick. Where’d you get it?”
“Ehrin made it for me,” Cherie said as she moved behind the register and took his receipt and cash.
“You make stuff like that all the time?” he asked.
“I make clothes, yes.”
“Could I tell my wife to call you so you could make one for her and her sister? They run a bakery.”
Before Ehrin could reply, Cherie said, “They supply me with desserts since my granddaughter Lily moved away with her mate. They’re sweet ladies.”
“I’d be hap
py to have her give me a call,” Ehrin told the man. “I don’t have a business card, though.”
Cherie handed Ehrin a blank receipt and pen, and she wrote down her name and cell number, plus her website address. “She can give me a call or contact me through the website. I’m just getting set up online, but I have pictures of Cherie’s apron on there now so she can see it.”
“Great, thanks,” he said, sticking his hand out to shake Ehrin’s. “I’m Greg, and my wife is Betsy. I’ll have her give you a call.”
“You can’t stay for a meal?” Cherie asked.
“Not today,” Ehrin said.
“You should get some business cards,” Cherie said. “You can leave them with me, and I’ll hand them out to anyone who asks about my awesome apron.”
“I’ll do that,” Ehrin said. “See you later.”
“Take care, hon.”
Ehrin couldn’t stop the wide grin from making her cheeks hurt as they left the diner and Henry held open the passenger door for her. She sat down and he shut the door.
“That was cool, sweetheart,” Dom said as he turned on the car.
“I know!” she said. “I might get someone to order something and pay me for it.”
Henry sat in the back seat and leaned forward to squeeze her shoulder. “You deserve it. I think Cherie will be talking you and your sewing skills up for a long time. I’d be surprised if you don’t start hearing from people soon.”
“I need business cards.”
Dom backed out of the parking space and headed toward the boarding house. “We can order some nice ones online, and while we wait for them, we can print up some in the office for you to hand out.”
“Thank you both for everything,” she said.
“What did we do?” Henry asked.
“Well, supported me, for one.” She twisted in the seat so she could see both of them. “You helped me set up the workshop, created my website, and gave me hugs when I was distraught from my parents. Without you both, I would’ve been working for Cherie and not making her an apron.”
“I think mating groups are all supposed to be supportive,” Dom said.
“Agreed,” Henry said.
“I’m sure there are people who don’t have supportive mates,” she said. “I’m glad I’m not one of them.”
