Healing Their Mate (The Love of a Shifter)

by Evans, Bryce

  “Like what?” River was curious as she stopped what she was doing to listen to Ash. The idea of more powers intrigued her curiosity. Maybe she was able to protect herself better. Maybe she could do magic. Surely I would have felt it if I could do magic. River felt like she was just being stupid now. Yet, the feeling kept popping back in her head.

  “Well there are people out there who really know magic. There are real witches too in the world.” Ash smiled as she watched River’s eyes widen in surprise. “Some have a lot of powers with their magic. I’m part vampire and part tiger so I can jump pretty far. I have the strength of a vampire and shifter too. That means I’m stronger than most shifters. You,” Ash pointed at River, “are a seer and you can see a person if they are magical in some way. That is so special, River. We can usually smell each other but can’t tell what they are. I may smell that they are a shifter but you can say that this person is a wolf and this person is a tiger.”

  River shrugged then laughed with Ash. “I wonder if there are more than just wolves or tiger shifters out there?”

  Ash smiled, she couldn’t wait for the convention to start in two days. Ash knew that shifters from all over the world came to the lodge to have fun and meet other shifters to see if their mate was in a different pack.

  “Okay, I think we got these done. You ready for your first meeting?” Ash smiled as they got up with all the envelopes.

  “Ready as I ever will be. Until yesterday I never knew this stuff existed.” River declared as she got up and walked out of the room with Ash laughing.

  “Hey, Ash.” River stopped Ash with her hand. Ash looked confused as she looked over at her. She didn’t know if she had something on her face or they had left something.

  “If I didn’t tell you before. I really appreciate this opportunity to start over. Maybe even start a life here. I’ve never had friends, except Mary, so just sitting here stuffing envelopes may not mean anything to other people, but…well it means the world to me. It’s the normal everyday stuff that I’ve never had an opportunity to do.” Ash could see that River was sincere and it tugged at her protective gears. She knew she would help this woman with her new life. She would be her first friend.

  Ash smiled then pushed her shoulder into River playing with her. “Don’t make me cry, girl. You are welcome.”

  Ash smiled back at River as they continued to walk to the meeting. As first days went, River was happier then she had ever been. Ash had already showed River the computer system and she fell in love. It was the same computer and programs she was used to. Half the day had already passed as they fell into a rhythm together. River prayed hard hoping that this was the start of her new life. She couldn’t stop smiling as they walked down the hall.

  Larken and Larsen were waiting for Ash outside the meeting room when they exited from the elevator. River could hear the entire group of Alphas talking as they walked closer to the room. She could see that Ash’s mates worried about her. She wanted that one day with someone special. Could Freedom, Colorado, be that special place she could finally settle down. She wanted to so bad. Normal sounded great right now. The thought of a job and home wasn’t too much to ask for. Was it? River didn’t care if she had a cardboard box as a home because it would be her home, one that she could take care of and finally make it her own.

  “Ready, baby?” Larken asked Ash as he kissed her on top of the head.

  “Of course, baby. This isn’t my first rodeo?” River watched as Ash warned her mates. Her eyebrow went up letting them know she meant business. Ash was a survivor too and River had a feeling they could see that in each other. Maybe that was why she felt like she knew her from somewhere.

  “I would love to ride that horse later if you are offering,” Larsen teased Ash. The twin’s presence was overwhelming as they loved on their woman. River stood back a minute as she tried to look anywhere else but at the twins molesting their mate outside the room. She couldn’t help to watch them as they passionately kissed Ash. She could also see the love they felt for her. Apparently loving two men could work because Ash was walking proof of that. Maybe it had something to do with shifters because they were overly affectionate with each other even in public. They nuzzled her neck and face, constantly touching her. She felt like a voyeur watching.

  “Enough, guys,” Ash whispered as she gulped in air. “If you keep that up, then I won’t be able to concentrate.” Ash kissed each of her mates one last time when Jonas walked outside. Smiling at her, River watched as Jonas walked over to her.

  “Hey. How has your first day been?” River liked that about Jonas. He was sweet asking about her day.

  “It has been great. Thanks for asking.” River smiled back at Jonas.

  Ash and her mates started walking into the meeting as River started to follow when Jonas stopped her.

  “Hey, I’ve waited all day to do this.” Jonas reached down and skimmed her lips with his. His taste was divine and his mouth was perfect. He didn’t pressure her by being demanding or passionately kissing her. Her body heated up as she felt his wet lips lightly touch hers. Nuzzling her face with his, he rubbed and lightly kissed her neck then looked into her eyes. She couldn’t understand why she allowed this man to kiss her and for some reason didn’t object to it. Could this place really change who she was and allow her to stay.

  “You ready to go in now?” His voice was deep as he stared into her eyes. It was like he could see her soul. River smiled as she touched her lips still tasting Jonas on them. Jonas tried to hold her hand as they walked into the meeting room, but River grabbed the envelopes so she could use both of her hands. This whatever it was, was moving too fast. Touchy-feely was how they treated each other. They wanted to kiss her all the time and touch her hands. It scared her how much she was allowing them. With the envelopes in her hands, River walked into the room with Jonas.

  River looked over at the group and all she could see were wolves. Very powerful wolves stood and looked at River like she was their next meal. River reached down and held Jonas’s hand as the group of Alphas stared at her. Okay now she would hold the wolf’s hand. She didn’t like the attention they were paying her. Maybe it’s because she was new and they didn’t like new people coming into their meetings. If she could leave, she had no problem with that at all. River didn’t know anything about werewolves so she hoped these men were exactly what Ash told her and they were good men. Well technically not men but half men. River was anxious to find out about the Alphas. She wanted to know more about them and what they were capable of.

  River watched as the Alphas lifted their noses in the air. She wondered why they all smelled the air. Hey it’s not me then River tilted her nose toward her own shirt inhaling her scent to see if it was she that smelled bad.

  Jonas smiled as he watched the Alphas inspect River. He knew what he was doing when he kissed her, leaving his scent all over her. He wanted the others to know that she belonged to him. Nobody would try anything with River. He has known all these men for most of his life and they knew when you found your mate, you mark her with your scent and Jonas made sure his scent was all over her.

  Reece and Levi entered the room as they all sat down. Reece immediately went and sat on the other side of River. The Alphas that sat around Reece shook his hand before he sat down. Reece was the Prime of his clan and he was liked by the Alphas near his community. He would support the Alphas when they needed help in regards to vampires passing through their community causing trouble. Reece liked the Alphas and had on many occasions been to parties at the lodge with them. Even though he was a vampire, they didn’t seem prejudiced toward him.

  River was snuggled between Jonas and Reece as Larken and Larsen got up and started the meeting. She could feel her body already heating up as their unique scents caused moisture to pool between her legs as they closed in on her. Her pulse ticked faster and faster as she thought about these two men together with her. Unbelievable, River thought to herself. How in the hell can I go from running for my life from
a vampire to lusting after another one? Oh yeah, and the damn werewolf too. Just take it one moment at a time, River thought as she closed her eyes, trying to calm her awakening body.

  “Alright, let’s get this meeting started. First order of business is that Jonas Glenn has accepted the position of Commander of the unit.” The entire room of Alphas, Reece and Levi included, stood up clapping. River stood up too. She didn’t want to look like a complete idiot and the only one not standing. Plus she liked Jonas. He made her laugh. Ash had explained that Jonas was a very popular Alpha. He always was one of the first to help other Alphas when they needed assistance or personnel when the situations arose.

  River clapped along with everyone else in the room. She needed to do something before she started acting like a little minx rubbing against them. Her body was betraying her as she melted toward them as they scooted closer to her. It was like she was the magnet and the two sides sitting beside her continued to get closer and closer. Larken started talking bringing her attention back to the front of the room.

  “Now we have a commander and Ashland Wilder and Pelton Miller have agreed to be members of the unit. Next we need to come up with a name for the unit. If you have any suggestions then let me know so we can write them all down,” Larken advised as he went up to the board waiting for any names.

  “What about the Shifters unit?” Jack Paul, Alpha of the Woodland Pack, suggested.

  “I will write it on the board but remember this name needs to be said in the public too sometimes so it needs to be a name that won’t draw attention to us,” Larken explained as he wrote the name Shifter’s unit on the board.

  “WAVE Unit, which means Werewolf And Vampire Enforcement Unit,” Alpha Ronnie Johnson suggested.

  Everyone seemed to disagree with all the names suggested. “Remember, guys, that vampires, witches, wizards, and other shifters will be on this unit so we need to think about this more and come back to it later.” Larken went over the pay and the package deal that they had previously agreed to. He informed them that more members had been selected and some would be coming tomorrow and later in the week.

  “If everyone has their packets, look over them tonight and we will meet back tomorrow around nine in the morning. We have a lot to discuss so we can get the unit working. If nobody has any questions then we will adjourn this meeting and meet back here tomorrow,” Larken advised.

  River sat quietly as the men moved out of the room. Jonas got up shaking the hands of the Alphas as they left. Ash came over and sat down beside River. “Well how do you think the meeting went?”

  “I have nothing to judge it by but I think it went great. I didn’t know vampires would be on the unit too.”

  “Yep, we have picked some of the other members already and they should be coming in shortly. If you can think of any names for the unit just let us know. We need people who can brainstorm with us. This is what I’m looking for to help me with the unit. Plus we need to discuss your salary and insurance. I have already agreed to give you some money so you can get whatever supplies you need before you get your first paycheck,” Ash said as she patted River on the hand then dropped an envelope in her lap. Larken called for Ash as Jonas walked back in the room from talking to the Alphas.

  River sat there in shock. She picked up the envelope and looked inside. River just about fell out because she counted out one thousand dollars in cash money.

  “So…what did you think of our first meeting?” Jonas asked as he sat down beside her. He tried to get as close as he could without making her nervous.

  River sat there in silence looking at the envelope. She didn’t answer Jonas as he watched her.

  “You okay, River?”

  Shaking her head, River finally looked up at him. “Sorry, but Ash just gave me an advance on my first check and I…can’t believe it.”

  Reaching back to get his wallet, Jonas started pulling out cash money. “You need some money. Let me give you some. I should have figured you needed some.”

  “What? No! I don’t need your money. I didn’t need or ask for this.” Jonas stopped what he was doing and looked at River.

  “Put your money away. I earn my own money.” Jonas tried to give her the money but River put her hand over his hand. “I said put your money away.”

  Jonas could see the fire in her eyes and now was not the time to give her money. He didn’t want to piss her off before they even got started. So Jonas put the money back in his wallet.

  “Okay, but if you need anything. I…” The look she was giving him said enough so he dropped the money conversation. “So what did you think about the meeting?”

  River smiled then blew out the breath she had been holding. “I thought it went great. And congrats on getting the commander position. You seem to be well liked,” River added.

  Jonas didn’t say anything at first. “I would like to take you on a date tonight. Show you the lodge and have dinner with me?” Jonas asked as he picked up her hand and kissed it.

  River sighed. She knew Jonas was trying but she didn’t want to lead him on if she was going to have to leave soon. She turned and looked at him. “Jonas, I just started today with my new job and I don’t even have my clothes out of the car yet. Everything is happening so fast and I just…can’t.” River knew she was going to get an earful now. She braced herself, waiting for it. When nothing was said, she opened her eyes to a smiling Jonas.

  “Why are you smiling?” River muttered as she narrowed her eyes. She was confused now at Jonas’s reaction.

  “I can help you get your stuff out of your car. I can leave for an hour or two then come get you and we can go to dinner at the lodge because a girl has to eat and I don’t want to see you skipping meals. Then maybe if you are up to it I want to take you around the Lodge. You will need to know where everything is for your job,” said Jonas.

  River smiled, she knew he had thought this out and she didn’t have a good enough excuse not to go with him. “Okay you win this time.” River sighed, shaking her head at the smiling Alpha. River got up to talk to Ash when Reece came in the room with Levi.

  “Hey, darling. I want you to meet my second, Levi Turner,” said Reece.

  River thought he was good-looking but there were no sparks when she looked up at him. Jonas immediately came to River’s side frowning at Reece and Levi. River stuck her hand out for Levi to shake when Jonas grabbed her body, pulling her behind him.

  Immediately Reece started growling and got up into Jonas’s face. “You will not keep my mate from me or my clan.”

  River peeked around Jonas wondering what had just happened. They were good friends, she thought.

  “What is going on here?” Larken moved to get between the two Alphas but couldn’t budge them. Jonas and Reece were growling like they hated each other.

  River shrugged out from behind Jonas and inched her body in between them. They immediately pulled away from each other as she pushed Jonas backwards and then Reece. “Now, boys, we are going to sit down and talk this out. I don’t know what is going on but if this is because of me then I will leave. I never meant for friendships to be broken up because of me. I need to go to my room. Will you excuse me?” Levi moved so River could walk out of the room. Reece and Jonas started to run after her, but Ash quickly closed the door so they couldn’t leave.

  “Move, Ashland. I can’t let my mate leave,” Reece sputtered. All he could see was his mate leaving.

  “I will move in a few minutes. She isn’t going anywhere. I had her car put in the shop for her today so she has no wheels even if she does try to leave, also the staff will inform me,” Ash informed them as she pointed to the table.

  “Now let’s find out what is going on so you can find your mate and apologize to her. Sit, now.” Ash put a little more behind her words so they knew she meant business.

  Jonas moved around the table as Reece sat down on the other side. “Now what is going on, Jonas? Why would you move River behind you like that? You know the fates have given
you River to share. That means you get along with each other and share. So what the fuck is going on?” Surprised, Jonas and Reece looked up at Ash as she cussed them.

  Jonas pointed at Reece. “Why don’t you ask the vampire who wants to drain my mate’s blood.”

  Levi growled as he started moving forward toward Jonas. Reece held out his hand, stopping Levi from attacking Jonas. Reece was smart enough to know that Jonas was a strong Alpha and Levi was younger, but he didn’t want them going against each other.

  “There has been a misunderstanding between me and Jonas. Well actually he misunderstood what I meant,” Reece explained as he looked over at Jonas.

  “Then why don’t you explain it?” Larken asked. He didn’t like the sound of where this conversation was going.

  “I told Jonas that River’s blood called to me and that I can smell her blood. It’s very powerful to me. I didn’t mean that I wanted to drain her blood. I wouldn’t do that. My clan doesn’t do that. Were not killers, Jonas.” Jonas didn’t look convinced as he narrowed his eyes at Reece.

  “What does that mean exactly that you can smell her blood and it calls to you?” Larsen added.

  “Well, I told Jonas that I wanted Levi to get near River and see if it is a vampire thing or if it is just me. But you pulled her away so fast that I don’t know if he could get close enough.” Reece narrowed his eyes as he looked at Jonas.

  “I smelled her blood but not like what you are saying. Her blood did tingle my senses but not the way you feel. She smells good but most beautiful ladies smell good to me.” Reece narrowed his eyes at Levi as he started to say something but Levi held his finger up cutting him off.

  “Now I know she is your mate so I would never try anything and, Jonas, you should know Reece better than that and know he wouldn’t drain her blood. I became curious so I asked some of the mated couples in our clan and they are all vampires. They said their mates smell good to them, almost addicting even.” Jonas listened to what Levi told him but this was his mate and he would protect her even against her other mate.