“That’s disgusting,” Cordelia said from beside me, watching Fake Caleb bubble away, but her face showed delight.
Witches, man. They were scary. Still, it looked like she’d tried to run for the baby, too, so she couldn’t be all bad.
“Pleased...to...meet...you. I...love you...let’s make babies…” Fake Caleb gasped through a lipless mouth. Then his face disintegrated.
“I’ve gotta say, watching something that looks like Caleb melt is damn satisfying to watch. No offense, Caleb,” Declan said, smacking me on the back. “James’ll be sad he missed it.”
“Asshat,” Moira said, in her human form and fully naked as she glared at her big brother.
“My baby!” one of the mothers yelled, rushing forward.
Jill came forward, too, her eyes and face back to normal. She picked up her baby from the ground, and the other moms did the same. Their faces showed a mixture of confusion and relief—a definite improvement on the blank, robotic expressions they’d worn a few minutes ago.
“So,” Declan said in a whisper, looking at Pearl and Cordelia, “we are absolutely positive that these kids aren’t going to grow into demons?”
“No more so than normal kids,” Pearl said with a laugh.
“What’s going on?” Brianne asked.
“Nothing at all,” Cordelia said, lighting a candle on the ground in front of them. “If you could just focus on this flame, here, everything will be explained.”
The four moms did as she asked, and after a moment, Jill said, “I understand now.”
“Exactly,” Cordelia said. “We’re so glad you brought the babies here to meet us all, and to mourn their father. They’re so cute, and they’re so lucky to have such great mothers taking care of them.”
Moira pulled on some clothes, unnoticed by the mothers, and took my hand. We stood together, watching as the mothers each said something about a made-up guy named William, who’d fathered their babies before dying in a car accident.
“He was a good man,” Jill said.
“But I’m in love with someone else,” Brianne added.
“Yes, I’m sure each of you will find true love. William wasn’t the one,” Cordelia said in a soothing voice.
Nobody noticed the pile of clothes and goo that used to be Fake Caleb.
Eventually, the moms got into their cars with the babies, and they left the B&B. I held tight to Moira’s hand. I wasn’t ever going to let her go again.
“All right everyone, let’s clean up,” Declan said.
I growled, but let go of Moira and moved forward to help. The sooner we resolved everything, the sooner she and I could truly begin our forever together.
Chapter 18
Moira
Everyone seemed to have a job to do, clearing out the scorched circle of earth, wrapping up the blobby remains of the doppelganger into the blanket on the ground, and generally getting the area to look as if nothing had happened here.
I stood apart from everyone and stared at Caleb. His blond hair was mussed—I knew it was from fighting, but it also looked like his hair had after I’d run my hands through it during sex. His golden-brown eyes were thoughtful as he listened to the witches explain more about the doppelganger.
“I don’t understand how Fake Caleb knew all that stuff about Moira,” he said.
“He knew everything you know,” Cordelia explained.
“And the clothes?” Caleb asked. “He had on exactly what I was wearing.”
Cordelia nodded. “Doppelgangers have that magic. It helps them blend in more easily.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “I am so glad this is over. But I do have to ask—why me? Out of everyone in Forbidden, why did the doppelganger choose me?”
“No offense,” Cordelia said, “but it might have something to do with your reputation.”
I hid a smile behind my hand at the indignant expression that flashed across Caleb’s face.
After everything we’d been through, my thoughts still lingered on what hadn’t happened. The heartfelt, grand confession of my feelings had been given to the wrong man, and I needed to say everything again. He’d spoken to me, but it was under duress. Besides, I needed to say my piece, as well.
Somehow, I was both more and less afraid this time than I had been before.
Caleb was nodding along to something Cordelia was saying, but his attention flicked to me.
My breath caught in my chest.
After growing up together, after sleeping with him, still he made my toes curl when he looked at me like that. I knew deep down he always would, because the truth was simple.
Caleb Stone was my mate.
He’d always owned my heart, he just hadn’t known. Hell, I hadn’t known, not really.
I thought I’d lost him before, when I’d found out about the pregnancies. But surviving his doppleganger, after what we’d just gone through, I knew I could have lost him today in a worse way. He could have died. If I’d chosen to bite the wrong guy, he would have.
Caleb tapped Cordelia’s hand and said something to her, but his entire attention was set on me.
Caleb was halfway across the yard already, coming right for me.
Anticipation had me bouncing on my toes.
All the words I’d prepared the first time were gone—none of it was right. My mind was blank except for the need to hold him in my arms.
I ran over, meeting him halfway. My heart raced, tears welled in the corners of my eyes, and I tried to memorize every inch of his face. Little lines formed at the corners of his eyes as he grinned down at me.
“Hey,” I said.
He captured my words in a claiming kiss. His hand slid down my back, and heat radiated out from his touch. I kneaded my fingers in his shirt, and never wanted to let go.
He leaned his forehead against mine. “That kiss was incredible.”
“Yeah,” I looked up at him, still holding tight. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls.”
“Don’t be.”
“Let me make it right. Want to talk over a cup of coffee?”
“No.”
“No?” I pulled back, taking a step away from him so I could see his face.
“No coffee,” he said, wearing a very serious expression. But his golden eyes sparkled. “Cupcakes.”
I laughed and nodded my agreement. “Cupcakes.”
Caleb linked his fingers in mine and started leading me toward his truck.
I pulled back. “We should—”
“Look around,” Caleb said.
I did. The witches were talking. Daphne had come out of the house, wielding a flamethrower to dispose of the body. Declan watched her, pride shining in his eyes.
“They’re capable,” Caleb said. “Let someone take care of you for a change.”
“Someone?” I asked.
He pulled gently on my arm. “Me.”
I couldn’t argue with that if I wanted to.
We climbed into Caleb’s truck, and I looked back one more time at my family. Caleb was right; they did have everything under control. And I looked forward to letting go of my burden. James, Declan, and Finn had found mates to take care of them. Brody could take care of himself until he found a mate, too.
I turned around and didn’t look back again. My future was here, looking forward with Caleb, or so I hoped.
“I had a whole conversation planned out in my head,” I said.
“Oh yeah?” Caleb brushed his thumb over my knuckles and glanced at me before turning his attention back to the road.
“Yep. I was going to tell you that you hurt me, but that I was okay.”
He squeezed my fingers. “I never want to hurt you, Moira O’Malley.”
“I know,” I said. “And the thing is, I bought doughnuts for this conversation, and I found you in Forbidden.”
“Except you didn’t.”
“No,” I said. “I didn’t. And I realized that none of what I had to say actually mattered. What I need to tell you…”
I summoned my courage, womaned up, and said my truth. “I don’t care about who else you’ve been with, or what you’ve done in the past. We’re mates, and I want the future to be us—you and me, and maybe a baby or two.”
“Five.”
“What?”
“Ten kids. Fifty. Moira, I’ll have as many or as few as you want, because what I want is you.”
My heart was so full, I thought it might explode.
I laugh-cried. It was ugly, and Caleb just squeezed my hand harder.
“I love you, Moira O’Malley.”
“I love you, too.”
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out, only half paying attention as I glanced at the screen. Caleb loved me. We were mates, whatever else happened, we’d face it together.
There was a text on the screen, from Brianne.
Caleb passed. You got the house!
I looked to my mate beside me, still squeezing his hand.
He glanced over. “Everything okay?”
“You passed on the townhouse?”
“You deserve it. You deserve everything. I could live anywhere, and I’ll be fine. State of the art everything,” he said with a smirk. “It should be yours.”
“How about ours?” I asked.
My words hung in the air, and my gut clenched in anticipation. It was silly that I was nervous about this after Caleb had proclaimed his love for me. But still, I waited with bated breath for his response.
A smile spread across his face. “Ours.”
Epilogue
Caleb
Moira fiddled with the bouquet of daisies I’d brought her, adjusting stems so they’d stand just right.
“Woman!” I shouted. “They’re perfect, stop fussing.”
“You sound like such an asshole when you call me ‘woman,’” she groused.
I grinned and yanked her toward me for a smacking kiss on the lips. “Just want to remind you I’m me, and not some doppelganger twerp. If I start being too nice, you might doubt me.”
“Never,” she said, yanking my face down to hers for a better kiss.
Our kiss was interrupted by a knock on the door. I went to answer it and found James. The quintessential cock-blocker. Next to him was his mate, Anna. She held a framed painting of a slice of apple pie.
“Housewarming gift,” Anna said, thrusting it at me.
“Thank you,” I said.
“He painted you first,” Anna said. “I wouldn’t let him bring that one.”
A spark of amusement flickered through James’s eyes.
Moira came up and hugged James and Anna. “Welcome! Would you two like a tour of the place?”
“Why don’t you take Anna,” James said. “I want to have a word with Caleb.”
Well, here it came. As the women disappeared, I braced myself for some harsh words from James.
Instead, he held out his hand. “I want to apologize. I’m sorry for hounding you. I never thought you deserved my sister, but it seems she loves you.”
“I get it,” I said, shaking his hand. “I didn’t think I deserved her, either.”
He sighed and looked around. “The place is nice. I heard you were going to let her buy it, even if it meant you didn’t get a place to live.”
“Yeah.” I didn’t know what else to say about it, and James seemed uncomfortable with all the feelings talk, too. “Want a beer?”
“Yeah,” he said in obvious relief.
Everyone else began to arrive, and the sounds of chatter and laughter filled the townhouse. When the pizza delivery guy showed up with a stack of pies, everyone cheered and we got to eating.
“So,” Declan said to Pearl and Cordelia, who were sitting close to each other and talking about witchy things, “the moms are happy? Babies are healthy?”
“Yep,” Cordelia said. “Dr. Frylie helped our story along, and everyone believes the dad is a fictional dead guy named William. Every human in town has been influenced to buy the story. Whatever magic made them believe that pregnancy was only supposed to last for a week died with Fake Caleb.”
“That must be some powerful fucking magic,” Brody said, looking at Pearl.
Pearl shrugged, the rows of silver hoops decorating her ears glinting in the evening sunlight streaming through the sliding glass door. “We do what’s necessary to keep Forbidden safe, that’s all.”
It was probably the light of the red-orange sunset, but her cheeks looked a little pink. Was the super-together, unflappable Pearl Crannith blushing?
After we devoured the pizzas, I held Moira against me, feeling sleepy and content. My stomach was full of beer and pizza, and my mate was at my side. What else could I want? Absolutely nothing.
“So I’m the only one left at that old rental of James’s,” Brody said, breaking the quiet.
“True,” Declan said.
He twirled his empty beer bottle in his hands. “I wanted to ask you guys something, since all the O’Malleys are here...what do you think of me moving into our old place?”
“Mom and Dad’s house?” Moira said sharply.
“Yeah…” Brody looked like he was waiting for an attack.
Moira smiled, instead. “I think it’s brilliant.”
He exhaled. “You’re sure? How about everyone else?”
One by one—James, Declan, Finn, and Moira—each gave their approval.
Anna poked James. “What about painting in the garage?”
“We have enough space in our garage to turn it into a studio,” he said, “if you’re okay with that.”
“Of course.” She kissed his cheek.
“There’s some bad vibes there, though,” Brody said, looking at Pearl and Cordelia. “Do you think one of you witches could help me with that? I’ll pay, of course. It’s part of the cost of fixing the place up.”
“Sure, I can help,” Pearl said. “When do you want me? Um, I mean, when do you want me to do the cleansing spell?”
The sunset made her cheeks look pink again.
“Whenever’s good for you,” Brody said.
“It’ll be good to see the place back to its former glory,” Moira said, squeezing my hand as she smiled at her brothers. “I’m glad you’re doing this, Brody.”
He nodded. “It’s probably about time to put all the bad shit in the past, you know?”
“Yeah, I know,” Moira said.
I looked at James and nodded. He and I had just decided to put our bad shit in the past. Seemed like a good thing for everyone to do.
A couple more hours passed with conversation, allowing enough time for everyone to sober up so Matt wouldn’t have to arrest anyone on their way home.
When the house was finally empty, I hugged Moira, then lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around my waist.
“The best thing about a party is when everyone else leaves,” I whispered against her hair.
“I agree,” she said.
“I can’t believe I get to live here with you, for always.” I slanted my mouth over hers and dipped my tongue into her mouth. She kissed me back, moaning, and gripped the sides of my head while she squeezed my waist with her legs.
“You know, we’re still going to fight sometimes,” I said.
She grinned. “Probably. But I don’t mind, because I’m always right.”
Laughing, I threw her onto the couch. Then I stripped off her leggings, baring her beautiful legs. I unbuttoned her blouse, slowly, savoring every new inch of revealed skin.
“You’re so beautiful, even when you’re so, so wrong about things.”
“What? You’re wrong, you douche-nnnn—”
I kissed her knee and started working my way up her thigh. When I reached the edge of her panties, I slid the fabric aside and licked up her center.
“I’m wrong?” I asked, pulling back.
“Nope, nope, whatever you’re doing, that’s perfect,” she said, gasping.
I slid a finger inside of her. “You sure?”
“Yes, damn you, Caleb.”
Chuck
ling, I leaned forward and kissed her while fingering her pussy. Her walls were so tight, so wet, I worried that I’d come in my jeans just from feeling her like this. Nothing turned me on more than pleasing my mate.
“I want your cock,” Moira gasped.
“Then I’ll give it to you gladly.” I unfastened my jeans and didn’t even get to shove them all the way down before she grabbed my dick and guided it into her.
Jeans forgotten, I focused on stroking within her, just the way she liked, slowly at first so she could feel my length. As her body tensed up and her breathing got faster, I increased the pace. Her skin was soft beneath my hands and lips as I showered her with touches and kisses. I couldn’t get enough of her—of her scent, her soft moans, her sexy little movements as she lifted her hips to match my thrusting.
When she came, shouting her pleasure, I allowed myself to go over the edge with her. Touching my forehead to hers, we held each other through the rolling aftershocks that spilled through our bodies.
I kissed her cheek and whispered, “I love you, Moira O’Malley. This house, my heart, my whole life are yours.”
Brody
My parents’ old house looked more like the setting of a slasher film than the bucolic scene of my childhood. This was the place I’d grown up, but somehow, it had become more haunted than the Forbidden B&B. I didn’t know what it was about this place, but it gave me the motherfucking creeps.
Checking my phone for the time, I swore. Pearl was late. Had she forgotten?
Just as I went to text her to ask, I heard the rumbling of a big truck.
And then Pearl and her donut truck came into view.
My heart flipped in my chest like I was a teenage boy hyped up on Mountain Dew. My dick also responded like I was a teenage boy—immediately getting hard just at the thought of being around Pearl. Fuck’s sake, down boy.
She pulled up the drive and parked next to my truck. “Deliciously Magical” was emblazoned on the side. She was delicious. Or she smelled that way, anyway. How many times had I jerked off to the thought of what she would taste like?
She climbed out of the truck and I looked away to gain control of myself.
Mated in Forbidden Page 10
