Kalkin

by Tl Reeve

  This was who she was.

  She placed the drink back in the cup holder and made the quick right, then left only to slam on her brakes when she saw Caden Raferty walking out her back door. “What the hell?” she whispered as she threw the truck into park. Keeley grabbed the bag off the seat and hopped out. Because she could, and because it felt good to release some of the pent-up anger building inside of her, she flicked her fingers at the car door, slamming it hard with her mind. It seemed rules didn't need to be followed anyway.

  Fighting with Danielle got her nowhere, but neither did logic, it seemed. She walked into the house, throwing the bag onto the table in the kitchen nook. “Danielle!” Anger vibrated through her body as she stood in the living room. It didn't lessen when she saw her sister come running around the corner from the den with her finger to her mouth.

  “Shhh, you will wake him,” Dani whispered.

  “Wake who?” Keeley held up her hand to stop her sister from answering. “Never mind, I don't want to know. Nor do I care. Why the hell did I just see Caden Raferty walking out of our house?” Keeley placed her hands on her hips while she glared at her sister.

  “Settle down and I will tell you.” Dani looked over her shoulder into the den.

  “Dani!” She wanted to yell at her sister and had gotten herself worked up to do so, when she heard it, a tiny little whimper coming from the other room. “What was that?” Being around Dani long enough, she should know not to ask stupid questions. Animals tended to seek her out, not the other way around. Her sister also couldn't help herself. Obviously, whatever it was decided to recover in their home.

  “It is a puppy.” Danielle rushed past her sister and into the den. “It's a baby, Keeley. His back legs were broken and he’s been bitten. Caden brought it over for me to help.”

  Again, her sister wouldn't look her in the eye. Tells. They both had them when they kept secrets from each other. The biggest two were blocking the link between them and not looking each other in the eye. Danielle was currently guilty of both.

  “Tell me he didn't stay while you healed the puppy.” Keeley wasn't stupid. There were several reasons why her sister had a superb record with her business. She never let an animal suffer, and she used her healing abilities to fix them. “Danielle?”

  “He stayed,” she whispered. “But he promised he wouldn't say anything.”

  “Yeah, like Simon promised both of us?” She sneered, then watched as her sister flinched. It had been a low blow even for her. What had come over her for cripe's sake?

  As if sensing Dani's distress, the puppy whimpered even more, and began to nudge at her hand, licking her palm. “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have been cruel to you.” She went to her knees by Danielle's side.

  “Extremely cruel.”

  “I don't know what has gotten into you. You are fighting me every step of the way. I am trying to protect us. I can't if you keep breaking the rules we agree on.” She gave a deep sigh. “Now, the deputy sheriff, our neighbor, knows our secret.”

  “Just mine.” Danielle glanced at her. “I never said a word about you, Keeley. He only knows I could heal the puppy to a point. He didn't even ask me any questions.”

  “Yeah, call me crazy, sis, they don't really seem like the type to let something like this go. It comes part and parcel with the profession they’re in.” She shook her head. “He is a deputy, did you forget? And his brother is the sheriff!” She shivered thinking about Kalkin. The reaction she had to him every time she thought about him or said his name really needed to stop. She didn’t have time for shenanigans.

  Keeley was quiet. She watched her sister and the puppy as he cuddled against her leg. “What's the little guy's name?” She reached out to pet the puppy where he wasn't bandaged and stroked the soft fur.

  “Aiden.”

  “Aiden?” Keeley quirked a brow. “Who named him a person’s name?” She laughed when the pup licked her palm.

  “Caden named him,” Danielle stated.

  “Figures.” She rolled her eyes. “Is he going to be okay?”

  “Yeah, he will,” her sister answered, leaning forward to nuzzle him with her nose.

  Keeley got up and brushed her hands against her jeans. “I need to finish up the security on the outside of the house. Stay with Aiden. He needs you.” She turned and started toward the door but stopped when Danielle called her name.

  “I am sorry, Keeley.”

  “I know,” she replied as she went back to work.

  Outside in the fresh air, she took in a deep breath, trying to clear her mind and think, but nothing helped. Keeley was scared. Terrified. She wanted to run and hide, but they couldn't anymore. They needed to stay and protect their new home. The beginnings of a colossal headache built behind her eyes. Too much happening, way too quickly. They only moved into the house a couple of days ago, and already she felt threatened.

  She started on the back of the house, setting up the motion sensor lights. They were a quick and cheap deterrent, mostly because people just didn't want to be seen. An added bonus? They looked like regular spotlights. Keeley set them on the sensitive setting, so any little movement would be picked up. It’d be a pain in the ass for sure since the lights would come on more frequently than not, but they would do their job.

  After a good hour, she climbed down from the ladder and moved to the side of the house. Danielle joined her moments later with Aiden cuddled in her arms. She treated the pup like a baby, and it made her curious.

  “How’s he doing?” She manipulated the ladder to where she needed it, then settled it against the wall with a thud. She could have used Danielle's help but Aiden needed her more.

  “He’s hungry.” She pulled the small bottle out of her pocket; it was filled with milk Caden brought her. “He eats more often than any puppy I have ever seen.”

  Speaking of which…

  “What are you feeding him?” She prepared to swap out the light by the front door.

  “Breast milk,” Danielle answered as she placed the nipple to his mouth.

  She stopped climbing then blinked down at Dani. “Excuse me, did you say breast milk?” Shock laced her voice. “Where the hell did Caden get breast milk from?”

  “I’m thinking there is a pack near us, and this little guy is one.” Danielle's voice was soft as she scratched his chin.

  “Are you sure? Did Caden tell you anything?” She struggled for a moment to pull the light off, then finally got it free. “Or Caden brought you his son and said someone else did it.”

  “Now you’re stretching.” She placed a kiss on the puppy's head as he finished up the bottle. “He said the mother rejected him.”

  She glanced up when she heard screeching tires, a loud voice yelling, then the slamming of a door. She tried to see what happened, but it was over in a matter of seconds. “Don’t tell him you know the truth about the puppy. We don’t need any more shit on our hands.” She slipped on the last rung and fell on her ass on the ground. “Damn it.”

  Danielle giggled.

  “Well, it was only a matter of time. Thankfully, it happened closer to the ground than at the top.”

  “I wonder what happened.” Danielle peeked around the house.

  “Don't. Honestly, it is none of our business.” Dani paid her no mind and continued to move around the side of the house as the yelling resumed.

  She ignored it.

  Okay, so curiosity got the better of her. Keeley gasped as the twin brothers faced off against each other. Kalkin was the taller of the two, but only by an inch or so. Where Caden was broad, Kalkin was a massive wall of muscle and without an ounce of fat on him. She couldn't help her reaction to Kalkin, and she felt her arousal dampen her panties as she watched him cross his arms over his broad chest while glaring at Caden. They could only hear wisps of the conversation, not enough to understand, but enough to realize Kalkin Raferty wasn’t a man you would ever want to piss off.

  “Let's go inside,” Keeley whispered, somewhat afraid K
alkin might spot the girls spying and perhaps turn his anger on them. On some visceral level, the thought excited her. A lot. What the hell is wrong with me?

  “No,” Danielle replied.

  “Yes.” She gritted her teeth, then gestured to the arguing brothers. “That isn't our concern, and I don't want to get involved. We have enough issues. Now, go!” She pointed to the back door. “Quiet as a mouse, too, got it?”

  Danielle shook her head slowly but retreated.

  When they stepped back inside, Keeley locked the door and closed the curtain before blowing out a sigh of relief. Her reaction to their argument made her feel stupid and a bit fearful all at the same time. Sure, she realized rather quickly, she could be suffering from PTSD.

  “Wait.” Keeley intercepted Danielle as she headed to the den. “Nothing is stopping us from watching them from the back window.” She smiled at Danielle as she walked over to the window to watch the showdown between the siblings.

  * * * *

  What the hell had Caden been thinking? Kalkin had been at the station when an animal cruelty call came in. He hadn’t thought a thing about it until he heard the address and the perpetrator’s name come over the line. Before he could react, his brother was already on the radio telling dispatch he’d take it.

  It had been a stupid idea on Caden’s part, but Kalkin was stuck at the station. Jeremy’s father had gotten his community service commuted and he'd spent the last hour trying to find a paint crew to clean up Mrs. Martin's shop. He couldn't believe the little shit's father. He told himself he would be keeping a closer eye on the family, but in the meantime, Jeremy had free rein over his town. Too bad the little shit isn’t part of the pack. He’d put him through the paces then. Which didn’t make sense to him. Why would humans be concerned about pack politics, unless… No, he didn’t have time to think about those possibilities. The last time they fought, Raymond ran away like a scalded dog.

  Finally, after calling in a couple of pack favors, he had a crew of the pack orphans—pups and teens, who'd help clean up the shop for Mrs. Martin, and she'd feed them ‘til they burst. A win-win in his book. He made his way over to the counter where Loraine sat and waited for her to get off the phone.

  “What can I do for you, Sheriff?” She glanced up at him while hanging up the phone.

  “What's the status of the animal cruelty case?”

  “Caden's on it. Said he had the pup.” She grabbed the memo pad she used to write out longer notes, then pressed a polished, cherry-red fingernail to the message. “Said he had someone he could go to and would be back on duty in an hour.”

  He read the rest. The “owner” of the puppy signed over rights to animal control and as far as they were concerned, because no one physically saw the dog attacked, they couldn't charge the person. Bullshit. His brother wouldn't have taken off like he did if the puppy hadn't been hurt. However, he couldn't force the parent’s hand either. Though some of the residents of Window Rock knew of their existence, they didn't broadcast it. Apache County was large, and his pack lands might take up a decent-sized chunk of it, yet he couldn't force his rules on everyone. Only the pack. Later, after everything settled down, he'd go to the house where the abuse occurred and dole out a little Alpha justice.

  Nevertheless, it didn’t excuse his brother from bringing the poor baby home and dropping him off at the neighbors’. Jace called as he walked out of the station. Caden was across the creek talking to Danielle. When he came back empty handed and returned to town, Kalkin knew what his brother was up to, which was completely dangerous and totally out of character. He never liked to involve others in their issues. So, why start now? Why did his brother feel as though he could trust someone they hardly knew?

  Kalkin pulled up to the house and stomped on the brake. The Jeep came to a shuddering halt and the smell of burnt rubber filled his nostrils. He didn't even worry about taking the keys out of the ignition when he pushed the door open and got out. Logically he knew he shouldn't say shit to his brother until he could calm down, but Caden put them all at risk, and he couldn’t allow it to continue. Kalkin stomped up the stairs and was surprised to see his brother sitting on the front porch staring across the way at the girls’ house. His elbows were propped up on his knees, and a grim expression marred his features. For a second he thought twice about chewing his brother’s ass out, especially since Caden had his own unresolved shit to deal with. Kalkin often wondered if he’d made the correct decision all those years ago, or if perhaps seeing his brother scared shitless, he’d fucked up Caden’s life and... Shit, don’t think about it. Now’s not the time.

  “What the fuck?” Kalkin demanded as he crossed his arms over his massive chest.

  Caden looked up at him, narrowing his eyes. “You tell me. What the fuck is your malfunction?”

  Kalkin shook his head. There was no way he would allow his brother to play stupid with him. He risked bringing hell down on the Raferty pack and the two girls who deserved a little peace and quiet in their lives, if those bruises were any indication. “How about we don't play stupid, okay?” Kalkin pointed at his brother. “I know you took the baby.”

  “Is that what has your panties in a twist?” Caden stood before stepping into Kalkin’s personal space.

  “Where the fuck is the baby?” He kept his voice controlled, knowing the pup was safe and sound with Danielle—for now. Kalkin tried in vain to keep his voice down so their neighbors couldn’t overhear their conversation. As it stood, he still wasn’t sure how he felt about Keeley. Well, he did, but acknowledging the mating and participating in it were two totally different things. Right now, they didn’t need any extra headaches. However, he had a sneaky suspicion he was in over his head and he was too stupid, or ignorant, to admit it.

  “He’s with Danielle.” Caden shrugged, moving around his brother. “The boy was in his pup form when I got him. I couldn’t take him to a hospital and you know if I took him to a vet—which there isn’t one in a twenty-mile radius—they would have freaked out if he spontaneously shifted. So, I brought him back here.”

  “You don’t think the girl will freak the fuck out when he spontaneously shifts, Caden?” Kalkin couldn’t believe what his brother said.

  “No,” he answered plainly.

  “No?” Kalkin snorted. “I have got to hear this explanation. Come on, lay it on me. Tell me, ‘oh smart one,’ why she won’t freak the fuck out when the baby shifts.”

  “She’s not normal either.” A slow small crossed his brother’s lips. “She got this…thing. I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone about it, but bro. She’s special.”

  “Great. Fan-fucking-tastic. So, she could have a serious case of gas, but she’s special.” Wow, he knew his brother could be stupid sometimes, but this was a colossal fuck up. It ranked right up there with the time they were sixteen and Caden decided he was going to pull the tail of a cat shifter. The asshole ended up in bed for a week with tiger claw slashes to his side.

  “I’m being serious, asshole,” Caden snapped, going nose to nose with his brother. “She helped the pup more in five minutes than a hospital could in two fucking weeks. I promised her I wouldn't say what it was, but I felt her. She did something to him, and he was a different pup when he woke up.”

  Kalkin blinked, taking in everything his brother said. A part of him wanted to believe his brother and another part of him wanted to continue to chew his ass. He also realized he should be more concerned with the pup. Kalkin blew out a breath and scrubbed his hand across his brow. “How bad?”

  “Two broken legs and some bites. Danielle thinks he’ll be fine. She wrapped the wounds and set his back legs.” He chuckled a bit. “Aiden ate up the attention when I checked on them after Mrs. Martin hooked me up with some breast milk for the boy.” Caden turned serious for a moment. “I don’t know why Tiffany had fucking pups. She couldn’t even take care of herself when we were younger. Then she goes off and gets fucking pregnant. The bitch tried to kill him!” Kalkin watched his brother pace.
“Aiden is now parentless. Why? Because she doesn’t have enough fucking sense to bring all the pups to her Alpha.”

  Wait. “There are more?” He couldn’t believe Caden would take one and leave the others. “Why did you leave them?”

  “Aiden is the only one who survived.”

  “Fuck.” He’d have to deal with this sooner rather than later. “Do we know the father?”

  Caden snorted. “If I had to guess? Someone in the Quincy pack. The kid smelled of piss and shit, though, so I couldn’t be sure.”

  “Shit. Not what we need right now, but because you went off half-cocked, you brought shit down on our new neighbors.” Kalkin couldn’t even be angry anymore. He understood Caden’s need to protect the baby. However, it couldn’t be at the expense of two women who’d been through their own shit. “What are you going to do when Aiden shifts and is a baby?”

  “Well, I had been thinking about it when you pulled up to house like Billy Bad Ass. I’m going to tell her what we are.”

  What? “Are you fucking kidding me?” He couldn’t believe what his brother was saying. “Why?”

  “Tell me you aren't planning to do the same.” Caden's blue eyes swirled with intent. “Tell me you weren't going to have Keeley run with you during the full moon.” His brother had him. He had been contemplating revealing himself during the first day of the summer festival.

  “Shit,” he said, blowing out a frustrated breath. “This is all FUBAR.” Fucked up beyond all recognition.

  “Tell me about it.”

  “You’re part of the reason, asshole.” He turned away from his brother and caught his neighbor staring at him. “Great.”

  “What?” His brother stepped over to where he was standing. “Ah, shit.” There, peeking out of their window, stood Keeley, Danielle, and a very happy little boy. Shit, maybe his brother had been right.