“How is she?” the Alpha asked.
“She’s been out since the fight. Her pulse has been strong the whole time,” Brody said, his gaze fixated on his cousin. “I’m going to lift her head, then you—”
Esme disappeared.
“Dammit.”
“Waste of time and energy,” Rena said. “She’s in her room. Do you have a healer in your pack?”
“Esme is usually the healer, but she trained Archie.”
“Let’s go. I need to grab some things, and I know that the M and M’s have started to get things prepared in her room now.”
Rena turned and then wobbled a little. Fletcher caught her. “Careful, love. You expended a lot of energy.”
She nodded and let him help her up the stairs to the front door. Anice stepped out of the SUV and found herself a little unsteady. Brody took her arm, then lifted her into his arms. Normally, she would have insisted that she walk, but she had no energy. The journey, the entire fight, had been a little too much. They arrived in the kitchen and Belvidore had a cup of tea ready for her and Brody.
“I put a little whisky in it for you both,” he said, giving Brody the seal of approval.
They sipped on their tea and ate some biscuits as they told the story, then listened to what happened here at the house.
“He just disappeared?” she asked.
Callum nodded. “Actually, it was more like he dissolved into the black junk he was made up of.”
She sighed. “It’s over. I doona feel any different though.”
“Maybe tomorrow,” Brody said, slipping his arm around her and pulling her closer. They sat together on the bench. She should probably object, but it felt too good having his arms wrapped around her in such a manner. His body warmth comforted her, and she could swear she heard his heart beating.
Maggie appeared at the door, a smile on her face. “Esme is doing fine, and she would like to see her stupid boy cousins—her name for them, not mine. She’s a little tired, but she’ll just need a little rest. With two resident witches and Archie around, along with Rena, we’ll have her back up on her feet in no time.”
Cayden stood and headed toward the door, but she sensed Brody’s hesitation. He didn’t want to leave her.
“Go. I’ll still be here when you return.”
“Okay,” he said, leaning down to brush his mouth over hers. “We need to talk.”
She nodded, knowing he was right. Since Fletcher, Logan, and Angus, along with Jack, had gone upstairs, she was now alone with Callum and Phoebe. Phoebe scooted closer, then motioned with her head to Callum.
“I’ll be back in a bit,” he said, kissing his wife, then kissing the top of Anice’s head. “Glad you made it back to us, love.” Then he left them alone.
“So, everything is over.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Phoebe said. “Tomorrow, all of you could wake up and look like you were almost three hundred years old.”
“Phoebe!”
“I’m sorry, but that has always been a worry of mine. Thankfully, I translated a passage in the last hour that told me differently.”
“The last hour? Good lord.”
“Yes. I just needed to read the diary. I wasn’t sure why, but it was right there when I needed to read it. “
“What did it say?”
She pulled out a piece of paper. “You’re the first person I’m telling about this.”
“Thank you.”
“Seeing that you are the entire reason this all happened, I thought you should get this first. Once the stones are returned, the five will be free of the curse that has entrapped them. With their past behind them, they can take comfort in the knowledge that they will lead peaceful lives as mortals. They have earned that, and more.”
For a long moment she blinked. “That’s it? No…we will slap you again if you should do something we doona like?”
Phoebe chuckled. “No. Nothing that exciting. Although, there is a ton of the book I still need to work on.”
“Those bloody barmy witches. Now that we put you through the damned wringer, see you later,” Anice said laughing, but it soon ended on a sob.
“Oh, love,” Phoebe said, pulling her into her arms.
She was embarrassed, but she couldn’t stop herself from crying. All the years of not knowing, of thinking they would never have normal lives. Now that it was over, she really didn’t know why she felt so overwhelmed.
“Anice, sweetheart, it’s going to be okay.”
She pulled back and took the tissue Phoebe offered her.
“I know, I just…” another sob caught her unawares.
“What the bloody hell is going on in here?” Brody demanded. She turned to face him, and another sob hit her. “What did you do to her?”
“Nothing at all,” Phoebe said, humor lacing her voice.
“Well, she’s crying, so you had to do something.”
“She didn’t do anything,” Anice said, wiping her tears away.
Callum came in, a frown marring his face. Well, that was normal, but apparently, it wasn’t as normal as it had been at one time because Anice noticed it.
“There you are, love. I’m ready to go up to bed.”
Callum blinked. “Of course,” he said, helping her up and then out of the kitchen. He tossed a dirty look over his shoulder to Brody. Anice guessed it was some kind of warning.
Brody slipped into the empty space next to her. “So, love, want to tell me what this is all about?”
She shrugged. “Not really sure. Phoebe and I were talking and just…it’s a lot.”
He nodded.
“How’s Esme?”
“Awake, better. She’s still really weak.”
Then silence. Neither of them seemed to know what to say next.
“Brody.”
“Yes?”
Anice’s thoughts were a jumbled mess. How could she tell him how she felt about him? What they had been through was so overwhelming that it seemed so silly to worry about things like this. So she decided to just keep it simple.
“I…I never answered you when you said you loved me.”
“It didn’t need an answer. I wanted you to know that I loved you just in case something happened to me. It didn’t require a response.”
She studied him for a long moment. The truth was right there in his eyes. The same eyes she had seen when he had shifted. Both Brody the man and Brody the shifter loved her. He would fight by her side against any foe, and she had no doubt he would lay down his life for her.
“What happens to mates who are not wolves?”
He cocked his head to the side studying her. “Why?”
“Humor me.”
He shrugged. “Nothing really. Some do choose to be bloodied.”
“That means turned into a wolf?”
He nodded. “But not everyone can.”
“What about the offspring?”
“Esme is a prime example of that. Her mother was full witch and her father was half witch and half wolf like my family. Sometimes, though, they will be able to shift.”
She cupped his face. “I love you, Brody Stewart. You’re an ass for lying to me, but I understand how important family is.”
“When?” he asked.
“When what?”
“When did you realize you loved me?”
“A while ago, but the one thing I realized when we were fighting Gavin was that, other than my family, you were the person I wanted by my side. I wanted you to be with me every step of the way.”
For a long moment he said nothing, then, his mouth curved into a delicious smile. “I doona want it any other way, love. Marry me. Be my mate.”
She smiled dropping her hands and leaning closer. “I will, Brody. Now and forever, I’m yours.”
Anice kissed him, her heart full of joy knowing that they were finally all free.
Epilogue
Six months later…
Callum looked over the ballroom from the doorway, as the new br
ide and groom danced. It was the first big family celebration at their new home on McLennan land. Things had definitely changed since the curse had been broken, all of them for the better.
None of the cousins really had issues. Anice had made jokes that all of them would probably develop arthritis over night, but nothing that dire had happened. Of course, Fletcher getting his first real gray hair had been fun for all of them.
He shook his head. Everything was going well for all of them, including Anice. She smiled up at Brody, tears in her eyes as they danced around the ballroom. Callum had had the honor of walking her down the aisle just a few hours earlier. She had been more nervous than Callum, not once faltering in her vows, and she’d had a smile the entire ceremony.
The rest of the Stewarts had returned to Scotland, their family having inherited the old family land. Cayden had taken control of it, making sure to get the rest of the pack back to Scotland, all except for their sister. She had returned for the wedding, but Callum knew the leggy brunette would be on her way back to Texas next week. Esme was recovered from her injuries, but she seemed somehow different than before. They each were to some extent, but the witch still had the sharp wit they all loved. She had become a regular fixture in their house, hanging out with the M and M’s, conjuring all sorts of mischief.
“You’re skulking about,” Phoebe said, stepping up beside him. He looked down at her and their son. Ian was only five months old, but he had become the most important person in both their lives.
“I’m not. I’m observing happiness.”
She smiled. “We have that in spades these days.”
“Definitely.”
“Did you talk to Logan?” she asked.
“Yes. I have a feeling you knew that Meghan was expecting already?”
“It’s the kind of thing women like to tell each other.” She sighed. He motioned with his hands and she gave him Ian. He held his son in one hand and wrapped his arm around Phoebe, pulling her against his side.
Not for the first time since they had broken the curse, Callum let happiness fill his soul. His family… his love…all the things that were important were there, and he would always know the importance of both. He looked down at Phoebe, who brushed a tear away.
“Doona be sad, love.”
She smiled up at him. “I’m not. I’m just happy and I love you.”
“I love you too,” he said, leaning down to kiss her. The room apparently noticed and broke out in applause and laughter. He raised up and looked over the crowd again, then back to his wife. “Shall we?”
He didn’t have to explain. She smiled and nodded. With his arm still wrapped around her, they walked into the room, their lives at peace and their family complete.
A Note from Mel
Thank you so much for reading Anice and Brody’s story. I truly appreciate that you took the time and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, please think of leaving a review and telling your friends about the book.
I know that many of you might want to know about the Stewarts and if they will get their own series. If you would truly like to see the series published, be sure to let me know on Facebook, Twitter, or email me. Tell me if you would like to read all about the family of shifters.
I do have a few more paranormal books, but one series I love, love, love, is my BY BLOOD. Step into Victorian England where an entire class of vampires operate within the glittering ton. Make sure to check out the WORLD GUIDE on my website!
About the Author
From an early age, USA Today Bestselling author Melissa loved to read. First, it was the books her mother read to her including her two favorites, Winnie the Pooh and the Beatrix Potter books. She cut her preteen teeth on Trixie Belden and read and reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school. It wasn’t until she was in college that she tried to write her first stories, which were full of angst and pain, and really not that fun to read or write. After trying several different genres, she found romance in a Linda Howard book.
Since her first published book, Grace Under Pressure, Mel has had over 60 short stories, novellas, and novels published. She has written in genres ranging from historical to contemporary to futuristic and has worked with 8 publishers although she handles most of her publishing herself. She is best known for her Harmless and Santini series.
After years of following her military husband around the country and world, Mel happily lives with her family in horse and wine country in Northern Virginia.
Keep up with Mel, her releases, and her appearances by subscribing to her NEWSLETTER or join in the fun with her Harmless Addicts!
Mel’s Facebook Series Pages
The Cursed Clan
Task Force Hawaii
The Harmless Series
The Santinis
Semper Fi Marines
Check out Mel’s Storyboards on Pinterest
For more info:
www.melissaschroeder
[email protected]
Also by Melissa Schroeder
HARMLESS:
A Little Harmless Sex
A Little Harmless Pleasure
A Little Harmless Obsession
A Little Harmless Lie
A Little Harmless Addiction
A Little Harmless Submission
A Little Harmless Fascination
A Little Harmless Fantasy
A Little Harmless Ride
A Little Harmless Secret
A Little Harmless Revenge
A Little Harmless Scandal
A Little Harmless Faith
THE HARMLESS SHORTS:
Max and Anna
Chris And Cynthia
Evan and May
Micah and Dee
A LITTLE HARMLESS MILITARY ROMANCE
Infatuation
Possession
Surrender
THE SANTINIS
Leonardo
Marco
Gianni
Vicente
A Santini Christmas
A Santini in Love
Falling for a Santini
One Night with a Santini
A Santini Takes the Fall
A Santini’s Heart
Loving a Santini
SANTINI BUNDLES
VOLUME ONE
VOLUME TWO
SEMPER FI MARINES
Tease Me
Tempt Me
Touch Me
The Semper Fi Marines Collection
THE FITZPATRICKS
The Lost Night-free prequel
At Last
TASK FORCE HAWAII
Seductive Reasoning
Hostile Desires
Constant Craving
Tangled Passions
Task Force Hawaii Vol 1
TEXAS TEMPTATIONS
Conquering India
THE ELDRIDGES OF TEXAS
Scorched
SPIES, LIES, and ALIBIS
The Boss
ONCE UPON AN ACCIDENT
An Accidental Countess
Lessons in Seduction
The Spy Who Loved Her
Once Upon an Accident Bundle
THE CURSED CLAN
Callum
Angus
Logan
Fletcher
Anice
BY BLOOD
Desire by Blood
Seduction by Blood
BOUNTY HUNTER’S, INC
For Love or Honor
Sinner’s Delight
TELEPATHIC CRAVINGS
Voices Carry
Lost in Emotion
Hard Habit to Break
Bundle
CONNECTED BOOKS
The Hired Hand
Hands on Training
A Calculated Seduction
Going for Eight
SINGLE TITLES
Grace Under Pressure
Her Mother’s Killer
The Last Detail
Operation Love
Chasing Luck
The Seduction o
f Widow McEwan
Snowbound Seduction
Hawaiian Holidays
The Sweet Shoppe
Sweet Patience
COMING SOON
Delilah’s Downfall
Wicked Temptations
Anice: The Cursed Clan Page 15
