by Celia Kyle
Terrence must have taken their continued silence as permission to speak. “I can’t approve their request and leave the town unprotected until I have a replacement. I know Grayslake holds a lot of pain for you two…”
Trista was shaking her head and Keen squeezed her hand. He wanted to give the man an immediate “no” as well, but he was the Southeast Itan.
The male kept talking. “And I also know your abilities are underutilized. Ideally”—Terrence focused on Trista—“I would have you as a Keeper in my circle. You have survived by intuition, pure inner strength, and an in-depth knowledge of the laws alone. And Keen…” Now it was his turn to suffer beneath the powerful man’s gaze. “You’re one of the strongest bears in the country.” Keen shook his head and Terrence nodded. “You might not know it, but you are. You endured retraining camp, which was destroyed long ago. You persevered and made something of yourself despite your bear’s reluctance to keep itself under control. If you Challenged me right now, if you Challenged the National Itan, you’d probably win. Not because you’re younger and stronger, but because you’ve never been limited by others’ perception and ideals. You’re a pure bear when you shift and you’ve lived through that hell. You know what it’s like to be a regular member of a clan while also being privy to the inner workings of the power structure. While I would want Trista as my Keeper, I would like her mate as my Second.”
Keen’s gut clenched, tightened, and his heart froze.
I would like her mate as my Second.
The handful of words echoed in his mind. The gravity, the meaning and trust and faith, filled him. “I’m…”
He didn’t know what he was. Over twenty years of being overlooked, ignored, and forgotten, of pretending to be something he wasn’t, and now the Southeast Itan wanted him, them, with him.
Keen tried to speak again. “You can’t…”
“I can do whatever I want. I want a Keeper who knows the laws and has both prospered and suffered beneath them. I want a Second who is unencumbered by everyone else’s ideologies while also able to adhere to them when necessary.” Terrence’s gaze bore into him. “Retraining you was wrong.”
Keen nodded. He thought so at fourteen and even at twenty-four.
“And you could have destroyed the camp, everyone inside it, without much damage to yourself.”
He looked away from the Itan, but there was no escaping the truth. Yes, he’d been that powerful, then and now. “Yes.”
“But you stayed because those above you, those who created the rules, told you that was your punishment. You hated it, could have ended it, but you endured because it was the right thing to do.”
“Yes.” He bit off the word. The bear grumbled and growled inside his mind, not liking that this male, this slightly weaker male, made them think of that time.
“And then you worked within your limitations, not caring about what others thought if it meant keeping them safe.”
“Yes.” Another snap.
Trista slid her hand over his chest and up his neck, stroking his jaw with her thumb. That touch soothed him and calmed the beast, reminding them he wasn’t in the past, he wasn’t fourteen. No, he was grown and mated and… being asked to help the Southeast Itan rule. Rule and someday take over for him.
It was a heady feeling, exciting, and made his bear puff up with pride.
Cocky asshole animal.
“How would that work?” Trista filled the silence. “I’m half-hyena. Would your bears actually listen to someone like me? And if we went to Cutler, how would he be the Guardian and Second in one?”
“You’re still part of my family and you’re your mother’s daughter. You wouldn’t allow them to not listen. Neither would your mate.” Keen agreed with the Itan’s words. If anyone even let a hint of disgust for Trista emerge, he’d be there to put an end to it. Permanently if necessary. “And Cutler is only an hour from my home and most of the work we’d do is long-distance. This…” He waved at the house. “This is the exception to the rule. As was the incident with Mia’s family. Normally, I sit in my office and have conference calls with the Itans and inner-circles. As part of my inner-circle, that’d be your only job. Ty and Van manage Grayslake and their work with the Sheriff’s office. Your primary responsibility, your devotion, would be to the Southeast first and your town second. Those would be your only jobs.”
Trista looked to him, indecision in her eyes. A hint of hope and excitement lurked there as did a small dose of sadness. She was unsure and Keen refused to make a snap decision within the whirlwind of activity.
“We’ll discuss it and get back to you.” He spoke to Terrence, but didn’t tear his gaze from Trista. The relief was easily seen and the scent of her emotions wrapped around him.
“Okay, it’s the best I can hope for.” He pushed to his feet and stared down at them. “I sent your cousins and aunt to the hotel for now. Ty invited us to come back tomorrow once his cub is born.” Trista lifted her gaze from Keen’s and he did the same, focusing on the male. “But I won’t come if it’ll make you uncomfortable, Trista.”
It was the closest thing to a question Keen had ever heard from the man.
“I…” She hesitated and he stroked her arm, reminding her of his presence and support. He didn’t care about her decision, just that she was aware he’d be there for her. “I would like that.”
The man’s smile transformed him from a deadly, threatening bear to a—dare he say—sweet, joyful male. No one would ever believe him, but one of the most dangerous bears in the nation looked like a young cub when he smiled and radiated happiness.
“Good, good. I’ll tell Marjorie and wait for Ty’s call.” He reached forward, hands easing toward Trista, and then he pulled them back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
Before he knew it, Trista was out of his arms and wrapping hers around Terrence. His bear grumbled at the loss of her touch, but accepted that she needed to connect with her uncle. The Itan froze for a moment, shock coating his features, before he finally hugged her back.
His gaze locked with Keen’s over her head and he pretended the man’s eyes weren’t shining with moisture.
“Thank you.” The Itan drew in a harsh, audible breath. “Thank you for loving her and taking care of her.”
Trista eased from the larger male’s arms and stepped back until she folded herself onto his lap once again. His mate turned her attention to him and the words wouldn’t be suppressed. “Loving her is the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
It was the truth. Hard, cold—no, warm—truth. His heart warmed when he looked at her and his body burned with her every touch. She was his everything.
And didn’t that sound corny.
A low throat clearing drew their attention and had the guards stiffening. Apparently the guards had been listening intently to the conversation between Terrence, Trista, and him and weren’t focused on protecting the Itan.
Keen would have to talk to them about that when he became…
He shoved the thought from his mind. The position as Second was tempting, but he needed to discuss things with Trista before he let his thoughts drift that way.
Keen focused on the woman in the doorway. Jessa hadn’t changed much through the years. Her body had filled out to that of a lush female, but her bow-shaped mouth, sweet face, and long blond hair remained the same. She was simply a grown-up version of her sixteen-year-old self.
With the exception of the pale scar that peeked from the edge of her top. He knew how far it traveled, that it went from the curve of her breast to her lower stomach. He also knew how wide they were and the distance between each.
He’d been a big bear at fourteen.
“The, um, baby is here. A girl. Mother and baby are fine.”
Keen raised his eyebrows, disbelief filling him. “Isn’t that a little fast? Her water broke not”—he glanced at his watch—“an hour ago.”
Jessa shrugged. “It happens that way sometimes. Women in my cla— the other cla
n have been in labor for eight hours before they have a C-section and then there are those like the Itana who take less than an hour. Ty is helping her clean up and Isaac is checking them over. She’ll be ready for visitors in thirty minutes.”
With that, the woman disappeared from sight. She was poised, strong and sure as opposed to the snotty, simpering girl she’d been.
It made him realize that people changed. Hell, he’d changed over the years and he’d transformed a thousand times over since Trista came into his life.
“I’ll leave you all then. Let you visit with the baby. Enjoy time with your family.” Terrence turned from them and Trista gave him a look, wide eyes and hope shining in the orbs.
“Terrence,” he called back the Southeast Itan. “Why don’t you have Marjorie and the boys come back tonight? It is a time for family and you’re…” Trista gave him a tiny nod. “You’re family.”
He got another one of those smiles, ones Keen never imagined to grace the Southeast Itan’s features. “All right, then.”
Shouts rose from deeper within the house, celebrations kicking off as news of the baby spread.
The Itan glanced toward the entryway. “And maybe I’ll have them swing by and grab a cow or two. Your cousins can eat and I think we’ll be celebrating for a while.”
Yeah, they would. Not just because the future had been brought into the world, but also because the past had been laid to rest.
* * *
The baby—Sophia Cate Abrams—was adorable, though red and pointy-headed, and the party lasted well into the night. Trista managed to survive the joy, to push through the pain still plaguing her heart. Smiles graced everyone’s faces and she forced one to her lips as well. It was easy to pretend to be happy. She’d been doing it for so long, it was second nature.
It was nearing six a.m. and they’d finally torn themselves away from the celebration. Clan members were still milling around the house and yard, drinking and munching while waiting for Gigi to create an early morning feast.
She’d managed to snare Keen’s hand and led him toward the front of the house. He was just as exhausted as her, but he would have stayed, not wanting to leave before the Southeast Itan. Trista had no such compunction. She didn’t care if it was bad taste or not, she was going home. To her home. The one she’d share with Keen for… as long as he wanted to stay. It was something they hadn’t been able to discuss in the middle of the clan.
Now they were in their new home amidst boxes and randomly placed furniture. It was obvious Anna and George had stuck around after Keen dragged her away. The boxes were definitely less plentiful and several rooms had already been organized and decorated with what they’d purchased.
The master bedroom was put together, the bed made with their new linens and their clothing tucked away. It was like a fairy housemother had come in and created a perfect home. She’d have to thank the woman later. It was obvious they’d gone to a lot of trouble to make the home perfect for them.
When they came upstairs, they bypassed the bed and moved to the balcony. The outdoor chaise they’d snagged was positioned on the patio to face the back yard and Keen lay down before pulling Trista before him.
They relaxed, breathing in the morning air, and she listened as the birds woke for the day. The sun slowly eased above the trees, painting their new yard in shades of pink and orange. It was beautiful and breathtaking and theirs.
She’d never seen anything so gorgeous.
“I love it,” she whispered, unwilling to break the beauty of the moment.
“Me, too.”
Trista voiced the one question she’d focused on since hearing Terrence’s—her uncle’s—offer. “Can you let it go?”
Keen nuzzled her, sending a sliver of trembling desire through her. His warm, moist breath tickled her skin and the soft nip of his teeth drew a contented sigh from her lips. “Can you?” He buried his face in her hair. “Can you let it go and create a new home in Cutler? Work for Terrence?”
Could she? Of course. There was no doubt she could do the job. Hell, she’d been doing it—sort of—for years. The better question, she realized, was whether she wanted to.
So, that was what she asked. “Do you want to let it go?”
“I…” He hesitated and she let him take a moment to gather his thoughts. This discussion, while probably the first of many talks about their future, was too important to rush. “What do you want to do?”
She chuckled. “Pushing it off on me?”
She sighed and focused on their surroundings, on the birds fluttering to the ground in search of food and the way the trees rustled with the wind. She looked at the distant roof peaks and the rich green color of the grass. She imagined a joyful, fulfilling life here, one that was dominated by tumbling cubs and interfering relatives.
“I want to stay.”
Keen took a deep breath. “There’s a lot of pain here for you. The hyena pack, the way the wolves and bears treated you…”
“And for you.” Not that he needed the reminder, but she wasn’t the only one who’d suffered.
“And me.” He nodded.
“But happiness, too.” Just because they’d been forced to alternate towns didn’t mean she had no good memories of going to the diner and eating at the counter with Nellie. Or playing with the kids at school, or Friday night movies with her mother.
When he remained silent she wondered if he couldn’t say the same thing. “What about you? I don’t want you surrounded by bad memories, Keen. I’d rather leave than—”
“Hush.” He nipped her. “Give a guy a chance to answer.” She felt his smile rise and then fall. “I don’t have a lot here, but I think I could. I think we could make our own happiness here. We could start a family to be proud of and maybe work on becoming part of Ty’s and Van’s.”
“They’re your family already, Keen.”
He shook his head. “No, not right now, not really. But someday, maybe. I think we should stay and find out. Going to Cutler,” he sighed. “It’s an amazing opportunity, but even with Terrence nearby, it wouldn’t be home.”
No, no it wouldn’t and maybe that was another thing holding her back from tossing her hat in the air and racing across the state. “It wouldn’t.”
“Are we being selfish?”
“I…” Were they? Her heart squeezed. Mia’s father and Isaac wanted to return to Grayslake. Probably just as much as they wanted to stay. “I don’t know. I would like to think they’d understand. But even if they don’t, I’m going to allow myself to be a little bit selfish. I’ve lived my life based on the desires and rules of others and right now, with you, I’m not doing it.”
The scent of his relief was hot and sweet and he released the air in his lungs with a great heave. “Good. Good.”
“I want to raise our children here. I want them to play in that treehouse—after you make sure they won’t fall through the floor—and I want to see this sunrise every day, just like this. If that makes me selfish, then I am. Right now, I am and I won’t apologize for it.”
Keen tightened his hold, arms squeezing her gently. “Me neither.”
“Now…” Her stomach tightened. “We just have to tell Terrence.”
More quiet, more birds singing and filling the morning air. “Maybe you calling him ‘uncle’ will help our cause.”
Trista snorted. “Maybe.”
But unlikely.
“When do you want to tell him?”
Never.
“Tonight. I think they’re coming to dinner and then heading out right after. He’ll have a plane waiting for them at the airport.”
“We could travel like that all the time,” Keen added.
“I know.” That was very appealing. “But we couldn’t do this every morning.” Trista turned in his arms until she was able to look him in the eye. She hoped he saw the truth and devotion in her features. “I couldn’t wake up every day and be reminded that there’s no harm in trusting—leaning on—a man when he loves you just
as much as you love him. The proof is right here, and I don’t want to ever be anywhere else.”
Smiling wide, Keen’s love for her shone in his gaze. “So, we tell Terrence he’s roaring up the wrong tree and needs to find someone else. What do you think?”
Trista tackled him then, sealing her lips to his and sinking into the feel of his body against hers, his taste invading her mouth. That was her answer. It didn’t just sound good, it didn’t even sound like a great idea. No, the decision was wondrous and glorious and… perfect.
* * *
Keen kept an eye on Trista, watching her coo and smile at his new niece. He couldn’t wait for them to have a little cub of their own, see her grow large with their baby and then later cuddle the child close as she fed the little one. It would be beautiful and perfect because it was her, and the cub was theirs.
Just the idea made his heart ache with emotion and his bear chuff in excitement. Both of them were in agreement. They wanted a family sooner rather than later. As many times as they’d made love, he didn’t think it’d take too long. Mia got pregnant within days of mating Ty and it’d only taken Van a couple of months to get the job done.
He figured he could the same and God knew he’d been trying.
At the same time he accepted his craving for a family, he also resolved to train his cub, focus on loving the child. Hell, if they were blessed with more than one, he’d love each as much as he could and as hard as he could. Not one of them would grow up wondering if he or she was loved and cared for. Knowing Trista’s past, he had no doubt she’d be the same way.
He let his attention drift over the gathered crowd. Three quarters of last night’s partiers had gone home leaving family behind along with Terrence’s protection. It was a hell of a lot less crowded, but still noisy as all get out. He couldn’t wait to return to their place, finish setting up the house, and snuggle in for the night. They’d napped, falling into bed exhausted and ready to crash, only to have to get up and come back to the clan home.
He was dog—bear—tired and wasn’t afraid of admitting it.
