Welcome to the family? She’d never really had a family before. Foster home to foster home when she was a kid. The first thing she learned was that no one really wants to keep you. These people—if they could be called that—wouldn’t be any different. For now, they just wanted her to keep their secret.
Penny glanced around the cabin. It was much larger than the one she was staying in. No bedroom in the living room, for starters. It had a large woodstove to her left, with a couch and a couple of end tables and chair situated in a comfortable U-shape around it.
Col left them standing in the entry and went and sat in a chair with a lamp next to it. Kann touched her back and she jumped again, taking a step away from him. She couldn’t think when he was touching her. She could barely think when he wasn’t… but touching—it was like the only thing her brain could process was that she wanted to be naked and writhing against him.
“Sorry,” he whispered.
“I just need time, Kann.” She purposefully didn’t make eye contact, instead she kept scanning the cabin. A hallway started on both sides of the living room like the place had two wings. Directly across from the living area was a dining space. Two men sat sipping on steaming mugs of what smelled like coffee. She could really use a cup. Tor was one of the men at the table, red hair, nonchalant attitude, and the hint of amusement on his face. She didn’t recognize the other.
As her eyes traveled further to the right, the kitchen prep area covered the far wall. Naomi was facing away from her, flipping pancakes on a griddle. A large stack sat on a plate on the counter next to her, ready to be distributed.
Naomi turned around and waved a spatula in the air. “Hey,” she said with a bright smile. “So that’s Col, my mate.” The woman put a hand on her hip and smiled. “Coffee?”
Penny blinked. “Yes, please.”
“Kann would you set her a place at the table. I’ve got one more batch and then we’re ready to eat.”
“Of course, Mahadhri,” he said, inclining his head in a slight bow toward the woman. He glanced at Penny one more time before reluctantly leaving her side. He pulled out a plate and silverware and Penny watched him set it at the end of the table, away from where Tor and the man who looked an awful lot like Kann was sitting.
He returned to the kitchen counter and poured a cup of coffee. “Sugar? Creamer?” He asked, turning to face her for a moment.
“Both please,” she answered, still trying to watch everyone in the cabin simultaneously. Who was going to grab her? Maybe the coffee was roofied? Maybe she was just completely paranoid. He walked the mug to her and held it out. She stared at it for a moment, wanting to take it so badly, but she just couldn’t make herself do it.
“Kann, sip her coffee first.” Naomi’s voice was more somber this time.
Kann glanced back at Naomi and then back to Penny with a pained expression on his face. He sipped the mug and swallowed, and then held it out to her again.
She took it this time, careful not to touch his fingers in the process.
“I need all of you guys to go outside for a couple of minutes.” Naomi picked up the plate of pancakes.
“But the food is ready,” Tor said with a whine. The other man at the table stood and cuffed Tor on the back of his head. He grunted a few words Penny didn’t understand and they both shuffled past her and out the door. Col vacated his seat too but detoured to Naomi’s side for a kiss before heading toward the door. He grabbed Kann’s arm on his way outside and pulled him along. A moment later the door snicked closed and Penny was alone with Naomi.
Naomi set the pancake plate in the middle of the table and sighed as she sat down in one of the chairs. “Come on.” She waved her closer. “Ask,” Naomi urged. “I know you’re dying to.”
“Are you a prisoner? Is this some kind of cult?”
Naomi chuckled and shook her head. “No. I’m here of my own free will, and happy to be here. These guys are amazing. Col is gruff, but absolutely the sweetest to me and sexy. And yes, being with them comes with certain caveats, but it’s worth it. I promise you. And no, they aren’t a cult, they’re just not from around here.”
“Where are they from?”
“An alternate world. They came through a portal because their world was being burned up by volcanos. They are refugees on earth. Giant sexy barbarians in leather kilts.” She giggled. “Well, they used to be. Col wears his for me because he knows I like it. The others are cold, so they adopted human winter clothes.”
“Why isn’t he cold?”
“He’s a dragon,” Naomi answered with a completely straight face.
Penny swallowed the coffee in her mouth without choking and then put the mug down on the table. Maybe Naomi was crazy too.
“Fire is kind of his thing. So, the winter weather isn’t really a big deal.”
“And how did he pass that on to you? You said you weren’t cold outside either?”
“Well, so there’s the thing…” Naomi traced her finger around the rim of her own coffee mug. “I kinda changed after we bonded.”
“Bonded like s-sex?” Penny asked. She’d already had sex with Kann. What was going to happen to her?
“Nope, bonded like our souls bonding. I mean sex is usually part of the picture, but it’s not the ‘thing’ that does the bonding. Let me ask you a question.” She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in the chair. “Are you attracted to Kann? And I don’t mean like you think he’s hot—cause he is. They all are, really. A bunch of big beautiful barbarian aliens that turn into animal warriors. But what I mean by attracted is more like…when you see him your brain turns off. All you can think about is him. Touching him. Tasting him. Etc. Almost like nothing else exists in your world but him.” Naomi grinned. “That’s the kind of attraction I’m talking about.”
“I—well—”
Naomi nodded. “Well, that’s the soul call. Or Fate. Or magick or whatever. It means you’re his mate. And according to them, they see a light when that happens. Col said I glowed like a lightbulb. So, I’m assuming that you’re glowing for Kann too. We can’t see it, because we’re human. It’s Reylean magick or something.”
“You believe all of this?” Penny asked, shaking her head with disbelief. They were crazy. All of them. The human woman included.
“You saw Tor and Kann change right?”
“Well, I thought that—”
Naomi shook her head. “He did. They all can. Kann and Saul are lions. Tor is a tiger. Col and I are dragons.”
“Wait…you are too? But you said you were human?”
“Yeah, so the guys are stumped by that one too. Col didn’t know I would turn. Total surprise.”
“Am I going to change into a lion because I slept with Kann?” Penny’s stomach started crawling up her throat.
“I don’t think so, at least not yet. I think the change is tied to the bond somehow.”
“What exactly is the bond?”
“A bite. Did Kann bite you?”
Penny’s eyes widened. “No,” she answered.
“Wow, that was some restraint on Kann’s part. Col said his dragon pretty much screamed for him to bite me from the very first moment he saw me. Said it was pure instinct to bite, bond, and protect his mate. We had a bit of a whirlwind romance. I was almost killed by these other dragons that came through from their world. It’s a long story, but really, if I hadn’t changed into a dragon when I did, I’d be dead right now. Plus, it comes with nice bonus abilities. Except for the flying. I’m afraid of heights. So, flying just isn’t really in my bag.” Naomi leaned forward. “There’s no guarantee that you will change.”
“But I could…if he bites me. And if he doesn’t bite me?”
“He’s pretty much in agony forever. Like an eternal case of blue balls.” Naomi’s lips quirked into a grin. “Being a lion wouldn’t be that bad, would it?”
“I’m not sure you’re the right one to talk to, seeing as how you’re a dragon,” Penny shot back.
“I
’m going to let you in on a little secret.” Naomi got up from the table. “One minute.”
She hurried off down one of the dark hallways, leaving Penny sitting and wringing her hands at the table. Her emotions were all over the place. Her brain was struggling to wrap itself around any of the data it’d just been fed. Stuff like this wasn’t real…except she’d seen it. With her own damn eyes. Tor had been a tiger. She watched him change. At least all the growling and purring noises made sense now.
Penny didn’t want Kann to be in pain, but at the same time, she wasn’t sure she was pleased at the thought of turning into a lion. Although…if she was an animal, it would give her the ability to hide better from Jake. Or even fight him.
You can’t possibly be considering this? She argued with her inner voice until Naomi emerged carrying a shoebox.
“So, we haven’t told the other guys yet. So keep it a secret, okay,” Naomi set the box down on the table beside her and removed the lid. It was filled with pregnancy tests. Used tests that all showed positive.
“You’re pregnant?” Penny whispered. “But if you’re a—”
“I know, right. But I’m still a person too. I didn’t lose anything becoming like Col. I still have the same hormones and the same cycle and I’m having a baby. I couldn’t believe it, so I kinda cleaned out Henrietta’s store, but I am. All fifteen tests were positive. But,” Naomi said, putting a hand on Penny’s arm, “I wanted you to see that you’re not losing anything by letting Kann love you. By becoming his mate. By becoming a lion. You’ll still be you. Plus, we’ll all be family and I could really use another woman around here to get these men in line.” Naomi laughed and put the lid back on the shoebox.
“Does Col know?”
Naomi beamed. “Oh, yes. He was waiting just outside the outhouse while I took the tests and nearly had a meltdown. He’d sent all the guys hunting so no one would be around. I’m pretty sure he was losing his shit more than me. He was so excited though. You should’ve seen his face when I said we were having a baby. Pure joy. I can’t tell you how comforting that was.”
“When will you tell the others?”
“We’re still arguing about that.” Her tone took on a frustrated sigh. “He wants them all to know now so they will be extra careful and more protective. But I want to wait until closer to the end of the first trimester, you know.”
Penny nodded. “You feel good though?”
Naomi smiled again. “Absolutely. I’ve never felt better, except for a little bit of morning sickness. But I was expecting that. My mother said she had morning sickness really bad with all of us.”
“You told your mother?”
Naomi nodded. “Of course. We skype call at least once a week. I have a huge family back in New York.”
“But you haven’t told them about the…” Penny took a deep breath. “About the dragon thing.”
Naomi chuckled. “Nope, keeping that secret in the Tribe. The last thing I need is the government peering down my pants trying to figure out who and what we are. You can’t tell anyone that’s not mated or related to the Tribe. That’s the rule.”
Penny nodded and took another breath. “Seems logical.”
“I’m going to go put this up and then tell the guys to come back in to eat.” Naomi stood and cocked her head at Penny. “I know this is a lot, but you’re a smart girl. Level-headed. You’ll make the right choice, whatever that might be.”
“I don’t—” Penny’s voice broke in the middle of the word. “I don’t trust men to—” What was she trying to say? That she didn’t trust men? Or that she was still a little wigged out that Kann was a lion on the inside? Or both? “I really like Kann. I just—”
“Sweetie, Kann adores you. You’re his soulmate. I’ve seen that look before and let me tell you. It’s the most precious gift you will ever be given. And when you embrace it and let all those feelings reflect back at him, that attraction and need and hunger. You will be the happiest woman on the planet…well, second to me. I’m not sure anyone could be happier than me.” Naomi gave her a quick wink and then hurried back down the hall with her box of pregnancy tests.
13
Kann kicked his foot at the snow. Col was leaning against the trunk of a nearby tree next to Saul. Tor was a few feet away from him with a pitiful look on his face. The big tiger felt awful. Kann knew that. And he’d been angry at first, but now he just wanted to talk to Penny. Get her to see things in a new light. Maybe Naomi was helping. He hoped so.
“It’s alright, man,” Kann said. “I had to tell her sometime.”
Tor grimaced. “It could’ve been smoother though. That’s on me. If I had just shifted back when you yelled, your lion wouldn’t have felt I was threatening her.” He shrugged his shoulders and sighed.
“Your tiger is an ass.”
Tor chuckled. “He can be.”
“She’ll either give me another chance or she’ll run,” Kann said quietly.
“What will you do if she runs?” Tor’s eyebrows raised in surprise.
“Follow her,” Kann answered. “Fate gave her to me. She’s mine. I won’t let her be alone. Not ever again.”
“What about the guy you said is hunting for her.”
“I plan to kill him.” Kann’s lion rumbled in agreement. No one and nothing would touch Penny. This was her home now she just didn’t realize it yet.
“Well, let me know if you need help. I wouldn’t mind helping you shred a male that dared to hunt an innocent female.”
Kann nodded. The cabin door squeaked and Kann looked up. Naomi’s curly head popped out and he smiled up at her, hopeful. When she smiled back the gnawing pain in his heart released just a little.
“Come on in. We’re ready for breakfast,” she called out. Then closed the door and disappeared. Col and Saul somehow moved faster and got ahead of them. Kann fell in step behind Saul, and Tor brought up the rear as they all tramped up the steps and back into the warm cabin.
Penny sat at the table near one end. Her face was paler than he would’ve liked, but at least she didn’t seem to be quite as terrified. She’d taken off her coat and hung it on the chair behind her. The shirt of Naomi’s was a little small, showing off her curves more than he cared for the other men to get to see.
“She is a beautiful mate.” Tor elbowed him in the side as he pushed his way past Kann into the cabin.
“Mine,” Kann growled, his lion pushing forward to keep the other males a safe distance from their mate.
Tor held up his hands. “I wasn’t. You know I wouldn’t do that.”
Kann nodded. “My lion is having a moment.”
“A moment,” Naomi barked, laughing from the kitchen. He met her gaze from the kitchen and narrowed his eyes. “Kann, your eyes are gold and poor Tor over there looks like he’s afraid you’re going to gut him for paying your mate a compliment.”
Col chuckled and took a seat at the head of the table in his normal place. Naomi carried over the butter and syrup and a plate of fried eggs and bacon strips. She took the seat closest to Col and smiled when the big man reached up and tucked a curl behind her ear.
Kann relaxed a little more, wishing he had that rapport with Penny already. Wishing he’d been more forthright and already told her about being Reylean and a lion. But he hadn’t and now he had to move past it.
He turned to face Penny, expecting coldness and fear. She was watching him silently. There was no fear. No coldness in her expression. Instead curiosity burned brighter and something else that gave him hope—desire. She wasn’t looking at him like a monster anymore. If Col wouldn’t kill him on the spot, he would’ve kissed Naomi for whatever she’d done—or said.
Penny’s soul glowed so beautifully. Her creamy skin was luminescent with magick. It called to him, begged him to claim her. He wanted Penny more than he’d ever wanted anything in his entire life. He could only hope that she would give him the chance to earn her trust again. Earn her respect and hopefully one day her love.
He co
uld be patient. He was nothing if not determined.
“Penny it is a pleasure to have you join us for breakfast,” Col’s deep voice rumbled from the end of the table. “I do hope your mate will be able to find his way to the table soon.” A bite of humor saturated Col’s voice. “We are all waiting patiently to begin the meal.”
Kann stared at his Vraka, hardly believing the stoic dragon had just attempted to make fun of him. Tor and Saul were both fighting smiles. Kann could see the corners of their mouths twitching. An empty chair waited for him right next to Penny, but he couldn’t move.
“Thank you for the meal. I know Kann wasn’t looking forward to animal crackers for breakfast,” Penny said, her voice soft but not tentative. “Honestly, I don’t really know how to cook so this is a treat. At home I would mostly just eat some fruit or drink coffee. The office usually had food in the breakroom, too. So, I just never worried about it.”
“Kann,” Naomi hissed. “Sit.”
Kann blinked and shook his head. He was still standing. Staring. Not moved from the foyer. “I—sorry,” he mumbled and hurried to the chair they’d left next to Penny. He slipped into the seat, soothed to be so close to her again. His arm brushed against hers and he had to physically force himself not to lean closer and take a deep breath.
She sipped her coffee and darted quick glances at him from the corner of her eye. “Can I get you some food?” he asked, reaching for the platter of pancakes.
Penny nodded. “Just one please. And an egg when that plate comes around.”
Saul took the egg plate out of Tor’s hands and proceeded to help feed Penny. Kann eyed his tribemate. Saul was a few years older than him and had been serving as his trainer for the past year before the Exodus. Kann trusted Saul above everyone. They had made it through the portal because of that trust.
“Women should be fed first,” Saul said before handing the plate back to Tor. He met Kann’s gaze. “Kann is very blessed to have you in his life, Penny.”
I'm Not Lion To You: Soulmate Shifters World (Soulmate Shifters in Mystery, Alaska Book 2) Page 11
