Absolution

by Jambrea Jo Jones

  “I know this is too soon, but I have to say it. I love you, Kitty. You were born to be mine.” Ev hugged her close to his side.

  “It is too soon, but I feel it too, Ev. My soul is at peace and I didn’t think that would ever happen in this lifetime. You make me feel loved and safe. Something I’ve needed for a while now.”

  “I’ve needed it too. When Peter met Grey and I watched them struggle, I swore I’d never let my mate go. I’d give you all the time you need, but you were mine.”

  “No, that doesn’t sound creepy at all.” Kitty laughed.

  “Well…now that I think about it.” Ev leered at her.

  “Who are you kidding? That was some of the best sex of my life, there is no way I could go another round.”

  “Are you challenging me again?”

  Kitty laughed. “I know better than to challenge you.”

  She moved her head so she could stare into his eyes. Contentment washed over her.

  Who knew what the humans would bring, but she would take Ev’s earlier advice and live her life for the moment, not worry about what might happen.

  “Man, are you guys at it again?”

  That could only be Poppy, pitching her voice loud enough so they could hear it through the closed door.

  There was whispering that Kitty didn’t catch.

  “Maybe we need a bigger place.” Ev shook his head.

  “What, and miss the comedy hour of the Kelley sisters?” Kitty tickled Ev.

  He tried to wiggle away, but she was relentless. They were both breathless and laughing when they heard Bunny this time.

  “We’re going back to the big house. Call us when you’re ready for us to come home.”

  The door closed, leaving them alone again. Kitty wondered what Bunny had bribed Poppy with to get her out of the house. She’d worry about that—maybe later. Way later. She had a mate to enjoy. Let whatever happened come, she’d be ready to deal with it, but not alone. Never alone again.

  Epilogue

  Sometime in the near future

  The widespread panic over the reveal of the shifters had died down. The Ancients were happy with the outcome. They knew their wolves would do the right thing if steered in the direction they needed to go. The Ancients looked over to where it all started—well, at least in this century. The couple who had got the ball rolling on the greatest prophecy they’d ever had or would have—David and Bella Sanders. Their triplets were babies no more. One stood out. She was tall like her mother with the same red hair and green eyes. She would be the one they talked to in the future. Not that they’d need to guide the pack again for some time to come.

  Rogue, Parker and Josey—the Sanders triplets—played with their friends Rose, Erin and Scott’s little girl. There was much laughter in the park where they frolicked. Rogue tilted her head and the Ancients sent out a feeling of love and peace before leaving them to play and be children.

  In Valerie and Max Rockwell’s home there was a fight going on. Two little boys, Henry and Richard, tugged a doll between them. Valerie came into the room looking very pregnant. She took the doll and slapped both boys on the head, sending them to their room muttering something about hoping the next one was a girl and it was all Max’s fault. The Ancients knew for a fact that it was another boy, but they would let Valerie figure it out for herself. There was no need for whispers in her direction. Valerie would handle the boys like everything else in her life, with dignity and a lot of questions.

  The next stop took them to the little grotto the wolves seemed to like to spend time in. Russ and Vivian watched their little girl, Roberta, shift for the first time. She would be their only child and doted upon by her parents and the rest of the pack—a little princess who would go on to lead the foxes. There was great promise in the girl and they would watch with interest as she grew into a powerful woman. The magical power that Russ lacked was made up for in his daughter. Not only that, but Roberta could shift into both a fox and a wolf—something that hadn’t been heard of until now. There would be more mixed species who would do the same, but Roberta was special and the first of her kind.

  Zareb and Joy relaxed in bed. They didn’t stay long with the couple. The Ancients didn’t like to peek in when their children shared carnal knowledge. At least most of them didn’t. Joy and Zareb would be blessed with children, but not for a while. Zareb was needed to help guide Roberta. Plus, Zareb deserved all the time he needed to be with his love. They’d put him through enough in his lifetime. He needed the peace his mate brought him. Joy started to stroke Zareb and it was time to leave.

  Djimon. He was the one they worried about the most. Even they couldn’t predict everything. There was too much choice involved for a finite future. It could have gone so wrong so many different ways. But Ive had come along just in time. She was what he needed. Someone with such passion. They too were childless—but not for long. Ive didn’t know it yet, but she was with child. She would make a wonderful and protective mother. The couple were on their way to meet Ive’s brother Greycen and his partner Peter. There was the matter of some adoption papers to sign. The two were about to become daddies. Peter wasn’t sure at first, but Grey and Ive talked him into it. They would make fine fathers for the poor orphaned shifter. That was the way of life. Others died so more could live.

  Things were better between Peter and his brother Don. Lincoln was a big help in getting the brothers to talk. He and Grey had become fast friends. Don was growing into his leadership role and nothing like his father as he’d feared. Don and Lincoln didn’t want children, but would be doting uncles. There would be more than one child in Peter and Grey’s future.

  Kir and his mate Naomi were currently running in wolf form around the property. Another one of their children they’d worried about. Kir was settling in nicely to his new home. He was also a surprise to them—someone who became more important because of his choices. He, Zareb and Djimon would be the backbone of the tribe teaching the pack the old ways—letting more than just the Masters pack become more spiritual. Too much had been lost and not enough knew about the Ancients guiding their lives. Kir and Naomi would never have children of their own, but the couple would be happy with it that way. There were so many pups running around the Masters pack now that they would always have children around.

  Soon, Kir and Naomi would travel to the other packs and teach them the ways of the Ancients. They were proud, as proud as they could be of their creations.

  Pups—in a property on the outskirts of the pack there two pups chased two children. Everett and Kitty’s children, the four of them. Two sets of twins. They were all excited about their uncle Peter bringing home a new friend they could play with. Their aunts were on babysitting duty. Everett and Kitty were running behind, but they were going to be there when Peter and Grey officially became parents. Everett wouldn’t miss it.

  There were still some rumbling about shifters being among humans. There was nothing the Ancients could do about it. For now there was a well-deserved peace over the Masters tribe.

  There had been many trials, but the Masters knew how to navigate them to their best ability. The Ancients were happy with the way the events had played out.

  “Sister, what are you doing?”

  “I’m watching over our children.”

  “They are fine, sister. Leave them be.”

  The world view through the clouds closed as she left their children to their own devices.

  After all, there was a time when a parent had to let go. They would need them again and the Ancients would always have an ear open to their children for any trials they may have, but now—now was time to rejoice in the beauty of life, knowing they’d played a little part in making so many people happy.

  A voice broke through the clouds.

  “Thank you, Ancients, for my family and finally some peace.”

  She peeked to see Everett looking towards the heaven with a smile on his face. She pushed through her happiness and finally went about her day to see
what other trouble might need attending—somewhere far, far away from the Masters.

  Also available from Total-E-Bound Publishing:

  Seeds of Dawn: Dreams

  Jambrea Jo Jones

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  David Sanders sat in the diner in the podunk town of Robinsville, ready to give up. His alpha had sent him to this rat hole of a town to find Anabella Pouge and bring her back to the pack. When Russell Masters gave an order, you followed it or risked the consequences.

  Finding Anabella was like searching for a needle in a haystack. No one in town knew anything about her, and when he showed her picture, he caught a vague sense of recognition but nothing firm. He didn’t know if his being a stranger factored into their response and if the town was circling the wagons to protect their own, or if they really didn’t know anything about the woman.

  David had been in town three days, and he knew he would have to call Russ this morning to inform him of his failure. He’d never let his alpha down before, and being the bearer of bad news left a bad taste in his mouth. Hopefully, Russ would tell him to come home, but David feared that would not be the case.

  He couldn’t stay in the town much longer. The urge to change to his wolf form rolled over him constantly, but David didn’t want to risk transforming in this unfamiliar place. Frustration at his failure made the urge stronger, and each day he struggled more with the wolf within.

  Where the hell could she be?

  David waved the waitress over for a cup a coffee. He pulled his phone from his pocket to call Russ, then he caught a scent in the air—a new fragrance, fresh and musky all at once. It smelled like home and set off a hunger he’d never felt before. He turned, trying to locate the source of the essence.

  Then he spotted her, and his body went on high alert.

  The woman made his heart stop. Beautiful didn’t even begin to describe her. The goddess—all curvy and lush—caused his libido to go haywire, making his cock swell and throb. Usually lust didn’t hit him this hard or fast. It had to be the heavenly aroma coming from the woman. She looked to be close to six feet with long, flowing red hair. He wanted to tangle his hands in it and pull her to him for a kiss. He tried to shake it off, but the urge became stronger, almost like a spell compelling him to go to her.

  When she turned around, their eyes locked. He could easily drown in their liquid, green depths. She blinked, and the spell shattered until her tongue darted out to lick her luscious, red lips. He felt his cock swell even more.

  Her face turned a beautiful shade of rose. David wondered if she could see the tent his dick created in his pants from looking at her. He got up from his table and took a step forward then hesitated when he noticed her backing away. She slipped out of the diner, but David’s eyes never left her.

  It appeared he’d found Anabella Pouge.

  Bella felt someone staring at her. She clutched her wolf pendant and turned to look for the source. She spotted the man in the diner, and a wave of lust washed over her body. She couldn’t believe he existed. Her dream man, the man who haunted and teased her, making her want what she knew she could never have. Her knees weakened, and she had to clutch the doorframe. Her face flushed, her body going up in flames from the heat of his stare.

  The man had to be over six feet tall with black hair and black eyes. He looked like he’d been painted straight from her fantasy. He even had the scar by his right eye. She wanted to reach out and trace it like she had so many times in her dreams. He’d done things to her she’d never dared allow a living, breathing man to do. Her panties dampened as she thought about him and their night time romps. She had to leave now, because if she didn’t, she would touch him.

  She missed a step on her way out of the diner and fell on her ass.

  The heat of embarrassment surged up her face, and she glanced around. Of course, her dream man saw her and walked straight towards her, stalking her with a look of lust in his eyes. She tried to scramble up, but the long skirt she wore tangled around her feet. At least she could say this was the first time she’d fallen head over heels for a guy. Bella covered her mouth with her hand to stop the hysterical laughter from bursting forth. She needed to get away.

  She couldn’t let him touch her, or she would have a headache for a week. Bella had learned the hard way that a touch from someone caused a weird echo in her head, as if she merged with the other person’s mind. It created a psychic pulse that stayed with her, sometimes causing her to black out. She’d never learned to block it, and that was why she stayed away from people. How stupid to think coming into town would be a good idea.

  She managed to get to her feet as her dream man reached out to her, closing the distance. She inched away from him before he could touch her.

  “Wait! Stop. I need to talk to you.”

  He sounded as wonderful in real life as he did in her dreams, but she couldn’t stop now, no matter how much she wanted that honey-coated voice to wash over her. She needed to get away—fast. She turned and moved towards her car.

  “Anabella…wait.”

  Those words stopped her in her tracks. How did he know her name? Who was this man?

  She turned back around as dread pooled in the depths of her stomach. He rushed forward again, and Bella put out her hand.

  “Stop! Don’t move.” Her voice held a slight tremor.

  His presence loomed over her, larger than life.

  “Who are you, and how do you know my name?” She lowered her arm to her side, relieved when he didn’t make any further move towards her.

  “I need you to come with me, Anabella. I’m not going to hurt you.”

  Bella backed away, shaking her head. This might be her dream man, but she didn’t know him, and she had no plans of going anywhere with him. She watched movies, and being the dumb bimbo who merrily went along with the killer did not play into her plans.

  What is that noise?

  She cocked her head as the sound of tires screeching on the pavement caught up to her. She twisted towards it, and her skin began to crawl. A sense of evil washed over her, permeating her very being. She didn’t have time to think about the sensation, because one minute she stood frozen with a car barrelling towards her and the next, dream man hoisted her over his shoulder and ran.

  She heard the car’s brakes squeal, and the sedan doubled back, headed their way. She tried to see if the Chevy still aimed for them, but the speed at which he ran forced her head to flop around. He dodged between buildings, carrying her as if her height and weight meant nothing. She had to control herself because she had this weird urge to bite him to see how he tasted.

  What the hell was wrong with her? Sure, he’d rescued her, but she still didn’t know him from Adam. Bella hoped she woke up from this dream soon, because these things just didn’t happen to her.

  Neither of them had said a word since the tackle, not that she could talk in her position. And it’d all happened so fast, Bella hadn’t notice immediately that she couldn’t hear inside her dream man’s head. No thoughts, no emotions, nothing. Zip, zilch, nada. The foreign feeling had her reeling.

  He shoved her into a car. Her head spun, but at least the throb from her visit to town had slowed to a dull roar.

  “Get down and don’t move.” Dream man threw the car into gear and raced off.

  Bella didn’t react fast enough to his command because her thoughts couldn’t settle. Still flabbergasted, she could only look at him. At her hesitation, he shoved her down onto the floorboard, startling Bella out of her stupor.

  “Who are you? How do you know who I am? What is going on?” With each word, Bella became more hysterical.

  “My name is David. Keep still and quiet so I can concentrate on not killing us both.”

  Short and to the point. David. She thought for sure she’d wake up any minute. Bella curled into a ball on the floor, rocking back and forth to calm herself. She didn’t think to fight or defy him. She wanted answers, and he could provide them. She had t
o give him some credit, he’d saved her life. But that would take him only so far. Everything happened for a reason, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t question his motives. Her parents had always told her to believe yet question, and that was just what Bella intended to do.

  David half expected a fight from Anabella. She surprised him when she didn’t try jumping out of the car or attacking him. Well, she couldn’t be too calm. She hadn’t stopped rocking since he’d told her his name.

  He glanced into his rear view mirror. Fuck! The car still trailed them.

  What did this woman mean to his pack, and who wanted her dead? Hell, what does she mean to me?

  His hard-on still raged. The situation should have caused his erection to wilt, but her scent kept him stirred up.

  Goddamn it. He had to shake himself from his thoughts.

  He rounded another corner and felt the car slipping a little. “Fuck!”

  He didn’t want to scare Anabella any further, but he didn’t have a choice. He reached into his pocket for his mobile and threw it down to her.

  “I need you to dial a number and give that back to me.” David rattled off the digits and waited for her to hand him the phone.

  It rang two times before someone answered.

  “Zareb, I need a favour. I’ve got a tail I need to get rid of. Can you help, or am I too far away?”

  A crash sounded behind them. David looked into the rear view mirror to see the car that had been following them turned over and smoking.

  “Thanks, Zar. I owe you one.” David closed the mobile with a snap.

  “You can get up into the seat, Anabella. We’re safe for now.”

  An hour later, Bella and David pulled into the car park of a hotel.