Shifting Intentions: Shifting Hearts Book Two

by Ivy Hayes

  I helped Gwen lace up her dress and when we were both ready, we went downstairs, or started to until Gwen stopped with her hand on the door handle.

  “I almost forgot,” she said more to herself, then she turned back to me, “Parker, was Theo the one who stabbed Powder through the eye?”

  The pain was sudden, remembering the death of Powder, my constant companion for many years. I paused, trying to cope before I responded.

  “He did. How did you know?”

  “I saw him coming back to the stables right before I found you. It didn’t take much of a leap to guess it was him, especially after I visited Powder’s body this morning. Do you know why he did it?”

  “It was either to scare me, or to kill me. I don’t know which.”

  She gulped, and I realized how cold I sounded saying that, like the threat of my death didn’t scare me at all.

  “But, why?”

  “That is a long story, one that more than just you need to hear.”

  I was already determined to tell Lord Cliffden my father’s plan, for many reasons, but I still was not sure where to start. I need to buy myself a little bit of time, to formulate my story and to determine what I want to happen with my cousin.

  “What do you say we get your family together tomorrow and I will tell all of you at the same time?”

  “Yeah, sure. I will tell them all about it. Are you sure we can wait that long? What if he tries anything tonight?”

  I shake my head, “He won’t.” Theo already made his point, he wouldn’t try anything else, now, he will wait for the battle to make another move against me.

  “I am scared of him,” Gwen said, her voice shaking with a slight tremor.

  “I won’t let him, or anyone hurt you. Now, let’s go downstairs or I am going to start eating things in here.”

  She lets out a small laugh but continues out the door.

  At the stairs, she slows down, and I can see the blush rise on Gwen’s cheek. I take her hand in mine and squeeze.

  “Don’t worry. No one will be able to tell we just did anything.”

  That seemed to relax her, but I held her hand the whole way down, anyway.

  TWENTY-FOUR - GWEN

  I spent the rest of the afternoon with Parker, but as night fell and dinner ended, I made my excuses to go to our separate rooms, claiming that we needed to keep up appearances and now that he was out of danger, I had no reason to spend the entire night in his room. He reluctantly agreed but tried to persuade me anyway. I finally tore myself away from him, breathless and aroused after his attempts to get me today stay.

  If I hadn’t already made plans with my mother, I am sure I would have. Instead, I entered my room, shut the door then waiting a few minutes and exited again.

  My mother and Gregory were already waiting for me downstairs. We made our way outside, excitement bubbling around us, but we didn’t talk until we were under the cover of the trees. We waited for about thirty minutes, making sure no one was nearby before we shifted. Gregory went first, since he is an owl, he could scout the area, doing one final check to ensure our isolation.

  He hoots as he passes over our heads, letting us know he is starting his scouting. If it is safe and no one is nearby, he will come back and hoot once more, if it is a danger, he will hoot three times then head back to his hiding spot and transform back.

  Five minutes felt like an eternity while I waited for my brother’s reappearance. Finally, he swooped low and let out a solo excited hoot. My mother and I shared a grin then quickly shed out of our clothes. We stashed them under some leaves and twigs, so no one would accidently stumble on them, then let the shift take over.

  It was my third time as my new animal and by far the best. Everything was different. My sense of smell was heightened, my vision was different, my spatial awareness was altered. I grew up in these woods, but it was like this was my first time experiencing them.

  My mother took off running, I let her go for a second, enjoying a moment to myself, but quickly itched to stretch my legs. I raced after her, easily picking up the trail she left. We ran for hours with Gregory occasionally flying down to encourage us and assure us we were still on our own. I would have run for longer, but my mother led us back towards our clothes then shifted back. I followed suit but didn’t hide my disappointment.

  “Why did we stop?”

  “Gwen,” she laughs, “it’s nearly midnight. We need to get some sleep.”

  “It can’t be that late.” That would mean we were out for nearly four hours.

  “It is, look at the moon.”

  I peer up at the sky and see she is right, the moon is nearing its zenith in the sky, telling me it is, in fact, as late as my mother was claiming. Despite my action-packed day, I could still go for longer, but I know that is not the case with the others. Gregory is likely itching to get back to his pregnant wife and my mother to my father.

  “Now, let’s get dressed. Gregory should be landing any moment.”

  The walk back to the house is fast and before I know it, I am alone in my room. Suddenly, exhaustion washes over me in a wave and it takes nearly all my energy to make it to my bed. I don’t bother to take my dress off and sink into the bed, loving the familiarity of its softness.

  My last thoughts were about Parker and how I wish I were in his arms right now.

  TWENTY-FIVE – GWEN

  “Gwen, I want you.” Theo said as he stalked towards me. I tried to get away from him, but he seemed to be growing larger as he got closer, completely blocking my escape and making it impossible for me to slip past him.

  I look as defiant as my lacking confidence can muster, “Stay away from me.”

  My words have no effect on him. I cower further in the corner and he halts, hands outstretched and mere inches from touching me.

  “Why are you so hesitant? I took care of Parker, we can be together now.”

  I shake my head, hot tears running down my cheek, “I will never be with you, not after what you did.”

  “I did that for us,” he reaches forward and grabs my arm.

  I wake up screaming, feeling Theo’s hand gripping my arm. I rip my arm away from the force holding it and flail out, trying to hit him and get his away from me. Fear slamming through me and I try and figure out how did Theo got in here.

  I scream, “Get away from me,” hoping it is loud enough to get the attentions of my family and bring them to my aide.

  “Gwen, stop. It’s me, Parker.”

  I freeze, except for my heaving chest and look up at him.

  “Why did you sneak up on me and grab me?”

  “I was trying to wake you up gently.”

  I shake my head, trying to calm my breath, “I was having a bad dream, you scared me.”

  “Come here,” he says and opens his arms for me. I crawl over to him and he tucks me in close, encircling me in his arms and resting his chin on the top of my head.

  “Do you want to tell me about it.”

  “No.” I shudder at the thought of replaying that dream. Of remember the feeling of Theo coming after me and telling me he killed Parker, the man I am starting to realize I never want to be apart from.

  Parker holds me until my breathing returns to its normal soft rhythm and only then does he speak.

  “The reason I came,” he started to speak, and I looked up at him, “was for more than just my burning desire to hold you. I saw Theo leave, he is heading towards town, so it is the perfect time to talk to everyone.”

  “What about?”

  “I have another truth I have been hiding from everyone. It’s time I came clean.”

  “Oh god,” I say, instantly irritated.

  “What?” He looks alarmed.

  “I just don’t have the patience to deal with more drama today. At least not before I have had any coffee.”

  Parker laughs and says, “We can meet in the dining room and you can have your fill. Shall we get going?”

  “Let me change and I will meet everyo
ne down there. Parker, are you feeling okay today? I am still worried about your healing.”

  He smiles, “I am fine. Believe me, I have had much worse than this.”

  That statement doesn’t make me feel any better.

  “You still need to take it easy.”

  He twists, pushing me down on the bed and hovering over me, “That’s impossible with you around.”

  I squeal, “Parker! We don’t have time for this right now.”

  He kisses me softly then reluctantly says, “You are right, but only because this is very important.”

  “Which means I should hurry, now get out so I can change.”

  I try and push him off me, but he doesn’t budge, only grins, and his eyes light up with mischief, “Do you need any help?”

  I laugh, “We both know you have no intention of getting me into clothes. Now get off.”

  He rises, holding out a hand to help me to my feet, “Fine, fine. I will be going. Just remember, when you are having trouble with your laces, you threw out someone who was willing and ready to be of assistance.”

  “You’re a scoundrel.”

  He winks, “Yes.”

  I throw a pillow at him, and this finally encourages him to leave the room. I sigh, wondering what the news is going to be. It doesn’t take me long to ready myself and a few minutes after Parker left my room, I am walking into the dining room. There are a few others already present, including Parker, who is pouring coffee for the group when I walk in.

  He graciously hands me the first cup and I thank him with a light kiss on the cheek. I do it so casually, it takes me a second to realize I just showed that much affection in front of the others. I glance around the table, Grant and Ash are beaming, Gregory is scowling.

  I sit down next to Parker and say, “Are my parents coming down as well?”

  “Yes. They were the last ones I alerted so they should be a few more minutes.”

  Good. I nod then take a sip of my coffee and boy it is delicious. I let out a small sigh of content and I see Parker’s eyes perk at the noise. I give him a coy smile and I am sure we are both sharing the same memory, of the last time I let out a noise like that.

  I feel a blush start to rise on my cheeks and I know he can see it. Thankfully, I am saved from my own thoughts when my parents walk in, leading our brand new blonde-haired puppy.

  I laugh, “A puppy? How long will it take to be full grown?”

  “It’s the best I could do,” my mother says defensibly.

  “I won’t be able to shift for months with this.”

  “It’s better than nothing,” Ash adds, and I let out a chuckle, knowing she would love to be able to shift right now, but the baby growing inside her is preventing it.

  “What did you name her?”

  “Him. And we haven’t come up with one yet,” said my mother.

  I wrinkle my nose, “It’ll be funny, having to pretend to be a boy dog if I’m seen.” I turn and catch Parker staring at me.

  “You told them?” He asks, a hint of shock in his voice.

  “I did, they are my family and I wouldn’t have hidden this from them.” And most of them are shifters themselves, so I had nothing to hide, but he doesn’t need to know that, at least not yet.

  “You’re amazingly brave,” he looks at me will wonder and I am floored by his automatic adoration of my decision to tell the others.

  I give his hand a squeeze and let the conversation die. We did not come here, after all to talk about my shifting, we came here because Parker had something to say. Sensing it is time for him to start, he stands up. I try and remove my hand from his, but he only holds on tighter.

  “I don’t know the best way to start, so I am just going to throw it out there,” he looks around the room nervously, “uh, my father is planning an attack on Cliffden.”

  Great. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any more complicated. Keeping my family from tearing him apart was already going to be a challenge, this just made it worse. I hold tight to his hand, letting him know he at least has my support and attention as he tells his tale.

  TWENTY-SIX – PARKER

  A mix of shocked and angry eyes met mine. Gwen blessedly gripped my hand harder, letting me know she was right there with me. I looked down at our joined hands and felt my courage rising. If she wasn’t immediately angry, all hope was not lost.

  “I am telling you all now because I don’t agree with it. He is claiming that the attack is necessary because you are planning on staging an attack first, everyone is riled up believing they are defending their homes. The trouble is, I know he is lying. There is another reason he hasn’t shared with me, I just can’t figure out what would be a big enough reason to go to battle.” I say that last part more to myself, still racking my brain to determine his motivation.

  “I was sent here to gather information about your defenses and armies, but when I failed to report anything, he sent Theo, who I am afraid has already passed on information that would spur the attack to happen sooner. He thinks Cliffden is practically undefended and my father won’t hesitate when he gets that report.”

  The room is silent as I finish. I meet the eyes of Lord Cliffden, and he says, “That’s quite the story.”

  I shake my head, “It’s not a story. I already tried to dissuade my father and since that didn’t work, I am telling you, so you can prepare.”

  “But this doesn’t make sense.” Gregory said, “I was there when we discussed peace, your father was pushing for it. He was the one who suggested the marriage, why would he do that if he was going to wage battle against us.”

  “I don’t think he was lying about wanting peace, at least not then. When we talked shortly after that, he seemed elated with the plans. Something changed about three weeks later though and he started gearing up for the attack.”

  At that, Ash’s eyes perked up with fear and she turned to her husband, “Do you think it has to do with me?”

  “The timeline makes me think it is more than a coincidence, unfortunately,” Gregory responded to her.

  I am confused, I wonder what Ash has to do with all of this. I am about to ask when Lord Cliffden speaks.

  “Any idea what timeline we are looking at?”

  “No. I can’t be sure. Originally it was going to be in about a month’s time from now, but based on Theo trying to kill me, I can’t trust any of my prior knowledge.”

  “So,” Gregory replied, “it could be as soon as tomorrow.”

  “I guess, technically, though I don’t think the message would have travelled that fast or allowed my father to get his troops over here.”

  Lord Cliffden spoke, “The real question is, what should we do.” He looked at his sons, “Any ideas?”

  Gregory, “The first thing we should do is call for reinforcements from the other villages in the area and call our reserves back to town.”

  Cliffden nodded at that, “And?”

  Gwen surprised me by speaking up, “We need to take care of Theo. I don’t know, either lock him up or something.”

  “Or,” I hesitate, “feed him false information?”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Grant said, “but I don’t like the idea of him running around on his own, especially after what he did to you.”

  “That is a good point, he is dangerous. I don’t care about putting myself in danger, but I don’t want to risk the rest of you.” I looked down at Gwen as I said that.

  “So, it’s settled,” Lord Cliffden spoke, “let’s lock him up and start gathering our defenses. Gregory, I need you help penning letters to our neighbors, Grant run into town and alert the different groups of men then head out the garrison and get our men here as fast as possible. Ash can you get the weapons ready? Use Gwen if you need more help. Cat, start gathering supplies, medical and food.”

  He barked out the orders and the family started to disperse. I was unsure what to do, so I asked, “And what of me?”

  “Stay out of the way. Also, if anyone sees T
heo, take him down.”

  A round of agreement spread through the room and I stood there, awkwardly as people started to file out. Gwen took mercy on me, “You can help us.”

  I smiled and nodded then followed Gwen and Ash out the front door, heading towards the left side of the manor. I was confused at first, but Gwen opened a hidden cellar door then we all descended the steps leading us below the home.

  Of course, their weapons cache would be hidden. Seeing the discreet entrance, it is no surprise I was unable to find anything during my searches around the property.

  What I see downstairs assures me that Cliffden is not nearly as vulnerable as I first thought, they might just have what it takes to put an end to this conflict.

  TWENTY-SEVEN – GWEN

  We spent hours going over our weapons and armor, cataloging everything and making sure they were all in working order. When we finally finished, Ash headed towards her room, exhausted and ready for a nap. Her second trimester looks like it is really beating her down. Parker and I head inside, but neither of us make any moves towards our respective rooms.

  It is awkward for a moment, both of us standing at the base of the stairs just looking at each other. I would say something, but I don’t know what I want yet. I know I want to spend more time with him today, the impending danger only makes that more appealing and, I don’t want to be anywhere alone. No one has seen Theo yet and I am terrified of being the one he finds. His behavior towards me is even more alarming now that I know he is planning on my whole family being dead. There is no telling what liberties he would take with me if he got the chance.

  “Gwen,” Parker’s deep tenor of a voice breaks me out of my morbid thoughts, “would you like to join me for a walk into town?”

  “Into town? With all that is going on?”

  “Yes. I thought we could use this time to do something normal before everything gets locked down in preparation. We can get some chocolates?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me, like he thinks the appeal of my favorite treat would be enough to convince me.