Egan lead her through the crowd, keeping his face down, backpack wrapped in his free arm just in case someone tried to steal it. He finally pulled her off the path and down another wooded trail.
They stopped at a small cabin-like structure that housed the security officer for the public park. Egan greeted the man and showed him a tiny mark on his wrist. Olivia recognized it as the same mark that Sable bore, though she hadn’t seen it on another shifter. The man regarded Olivia for a moment before nodding. He handed Egan a set of car keys and gave him a parking space number, and Egan thanked the man before dragging Olivia out of the guard shack and toward an underground parking garage.
They walked between the cars, following the numbered spaces until they reached 361A. A non-descript, mid-year car sat in the spot. It looked like it hadn’t moved in years. Egan climbed into the driver’s seat, throwing the backpack down on the floor between Olivia’s feet when she got in. He pulled out of the spot calmly, following the exit signs until they drove out of the darkness and onto the road. Egan headed north, out of town and toward who knew where.
They’d been driving for almost an hour when Egan pulled off the highway and onto a dirt road. He drove slowly down the bumpy easement, careful not to jostle Olivia too much. When he parked in front of a small trailer, the owner met them on the porch with a shotgun. When she saw Egan, she slowly lowered the gun and walked into the house. She returned in moments, tossing him a set of keys and taking the set he offered her, along with some money he’d pulled out of the backpack. He motioned to Olivia, who got out of the car and handed him the backpack. The woman looked at her belly and nodded, gracing Olivia with a tender, knowing smile. Olivia smiled back, not entirely sure what was going on as Egan led her to a second car.
He headed back for the highway, heading north once more as the sun started its descent on the horizon. Olivia turned in the seat to look at Egan, his gaze riveted to the road and scanning every car and his mirrors for any signs of danger. He glanced at her momentarily, turning his attention back to the road.
“Egan. I think you have some explaining to do.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Sable led the councilmen to the library, offering them each drinks and a seat as he took a seat behind the massive desk.
Laskin stood behind Aldrich and the others, tablet in hand, poised to take notes.
Sable cleared his throat, leveling his gaze directly on Laskin as he began to speak.
“I guess I should start by saying that I’m aware that Laskin has been following me for at least a month.” He looked pointedly at Laskin, who colored visibly. Sable continued, glancing at the clock as he heard Egan walk towards the family room to deliver Olivia’s meal. He hadn’t had time to talk to his brother before the doorbell had announced the early arrival of the elders, and he cursed their bad timing. Hopefully, he could convince them not to make any rash decisions while he worked on convincing Olivia that being married to him wasn’t the worst thing in the world.
“At any rate, Laskin’s inability to follow at a reasonable distance isn’t why I’ve asked you all to come today. As I’m sure Laskin has informed you, Olivia is carrying my child.” He paused to let the words settle. Aldrich shot Laskin a look that said this was the first he was hearing about the pregnancy, while the other two councilmen muttered amongst themselves.
Aldrich, furious, addressed Sable. Spittle flew from his mouth as his voice climbed higher in register until he sounded like an angry old woman. “I told you this would happen. I told you to be careful, but you never listen. You’re just like your father.”
Sable slammed his fist on the desk. “Do not speak ill of my father in my home. I don’t care who you are, this is my house and I will not tolerate it.”
Aldrich moved towards Sable, his expression daring Sable to deny his power.
“I told you to stop seeing that human woman and you didn’t listen. And now, look at the mess you’ve created. You must bring her to us at once so we can evaluate her worth as a breeder. The future of our species is at stake.”
Sable scoffed. “You’re being ridiculous. The species will not fall into ruin because of a handful of shifter-human babies.”
“It will not, but these laws are in place for a reason.”
Sable interrupted him. “These laws are in place because men like you think they have all the answers. But I’m telling you, what you think you know has nothing to do with reality. There’s no need to evaluate Olivia, she’s my fated mate.”
Aldrich laughed. “A human cannot be a fated mate. Never has a human been—”
“I had an announcement dream. All the signs were present. The message was as clear as day. Olivia is my fated mate, and there’s nothing you can say that will change that. You and I both know that fate supersedes all laws of man.”
Aldrich’s anger faded somewhat, but he was still insistent. “Then you must marry her, immediately.”
Laskin stepped forward, his face flushed as he addressed Aldrich. “You can’t believe him! No one has ever been fated to be with a human. How is that even possible?”
Aldrich held up his hand to silence Laskin, who closed his mouth but flushed with anger. It was clear he was struggling to keep his cool as Aldrich continued.
“Fated or not, she’s pregnant. The law states that you must marry her within the month or be executed for treason.”
“The law is wrong. She’s not ready to marry and I will not force her hand.”
Anger flashed in his eyes, but Aldrich managed to keep his voice steady, “It isn’t a request. You must marry her or face the consequences.” Aldrich’s expression softened.
“Olivia is a sweet woman, with a good heart. Perhaps I can convince her to do the logical thing. I’m sure when she realizes that her life is at stake, she will do the right thing.”
Sable knew that Aldrich was wasting his breath, but the elder wouldn’t let it go. Sable silently hoped that Egan remembered what he’d taught him years ago. With any luck, he and Olivia were long gone.
Aldrich stood and began walking towards the hallway in search of Olivia.
“Wait!” Sable bellowed the command, hoping to keep them here a few moments longer. “I will not have you threaten her in my home. You may speak to her, but so help me, do not threaten her. I have been sworn by fate to protect her, and I will not shirk that responsibility. The child she carries is mine—”
“Are you sure of that?” Aldrich raised his eyebrow. Sable wanted nothing more than to slap that smirk clean off Aldrich’s face, but he had to keep himself composed in case Egan and Olivia were still in the family room.
“As sure as I am that your laws are antiquated and have no place in today’s world. You will not threaten her. If she refuses to marry me immediately, I will speak with her in private. If you make her feel like she has no choice, she will fight you even harder.” Aldrich nodded, having noticed that very thing about Olivia during their sporadic encounters over the years. “I will deal with Olivia, you worry about your own affairs.
Sable looked pointedly at Laskin, whose stomach dropped. “I would be concerned with why your surveillance detail felt it appropriate to leave his duty for almost an entire day. Had he been where he was supposed to be, Olivia’s pregnancy might not have been a surprise.”
Aldrich shot Laskin a glance that made his blood run cold. Laskin’s expression told Aldrich all he needed to know.
“I will deal with him later. For now, I’d like to speak with Olivia and see if we can settle this like reasonable adults.”
Sable nodded, leading the way to the family room. He held his breath as he rounded the corner, a slight smile tugging the corner of his lips as his eyes fell on the hastily thrown blanket lying on the floor. The room was empty.
Aldrich rounded the corner and exclaimed angrily, “Where is she?” His voice echoed throughout the house, reverberating off the walls as the group stood in disbelief at the empty room. He turned on Sable, face contorted with rage.
“Yo
u will find her and you will bring her to us before the month is over or you shall both be executed. Do I make myself clear?”
“As mud.” Sable bowed deeply, hiding his face as he fought the urge to laugh. Good job, little brother. Sable had never been more proud.
**
Egan pulled into the ranger’s station, the pouring rain making it hard for Olivia to see the man Egan spoke to. Egan provided a fake driver’s license and signed the rental agreement for the cabin overnight. He’d stopped at a retail store hours ago that was conveniently placed between several major highways, buying food and a change of clothes for both of them, as well as some other things Olivia wasn’t sure they needed. From there, they had gone west. If anyone was following them, they would have six highways within a five mile radius to choose from. Once on the road again, he had called and reserved a cabin in a nearby nature preserve.
“Why a cabin?” Olivia had asked.
“They’ll be expecting us to stick with hotels and motels on the highway. This way, they won’t be able to find us. And if they do, we have somewhere to run.”
Olivia nodded her understanding. She was tired and ready for bed. They had stopped a few times for food, with Egan running in to get their orders from the counter, rather than risk being caught on the drive-thru camera. Now that she was fed, she wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep for days.
The ranger handed Egan back his license and the key to a cabin without looking into their car. Even if he had, the rain was so heavy that Olivia doubted he could see into the car at all.
Egan slid the vehicle into gear and headed down the gravel drive toward the cabin closest to the woods. He unlocked the door and waved to Olivia. She got out of the car and ran into the cabin, hood pulled up to protect her from the driving rain.
“I’ll unload what we need from the car, and you rest or shower; whatever you want to do to relax. We have at least a day before they realize we’re not just hiding out in town and start looking for us, so I’m sure we’re safe tonight.”
Olivia nodded, shivering a little as the rain trickled down her neck and under her shirt. Egan ran back out to the car, first retrieving the backpack and a bag of toiletries that he handed to Olivia before heading out into the rain again. He wouldn’t unload the entire car, but he’d explained to Olivia that the backpack had to go with them everywhere. It had all the cash and supplies they needed if they were found and had to abandon the car in order to get away. If they lost the backpack, they would be in trouble.
Olivia took the bag of toiletries and headed for the shower. The cabin was rustic, but charmingly so, with modern shower fixtures and plush towels stocked in the linen closet. Two thick robes hung on the back of the door. Olivia pulled one off the hook and set it on the chair beside the spacious shower.
She stepped into the spray, delighting in the heat as it eased her sore muscles. Sitting in the car all day had been rough on her, and her back and neck spasmed as they stretched out in the warm water. Olivia startled when she felt gentle fluttering in her stomach. She put her hand on her slightly swollen belly and the baby pushed against her hand. She moved her hand over a few inches and was delighted when the baby pushed against her again. She hummed lightly in the shower, giggling as the baby followed her soapy hands across her belly before she moved on to soap the rest of her weary body.
Egan stepped into the bathroom, his eyes on the floor as he brought another bag into the room.
“I forgot to give you the hair dye. Your hair stands out.”
Olivia groaned but he was right. Her hair was still dry, so she stuck her hand out the curtain. He put the premixed bottle in her hand and left the room, pausing at the door before he left.
“There are color contacts as well. Brown to hide those emerald eyes of yours.”
Olivia groaned. Brown hair, brown eyes and freckles. She wasn’t sure how dying her red hair and covering up her green eyes was going to hide who she was, but she would do whatever it took to keep herself and her baby safe.
“Thank you, Egan, for everything.”
Egan closed the door quietly behind him and Olivia began pouring the wash-in color into her hair, piling it on top of her head to sit for a few minutes while she reveled in the feel of the hot water running down her body.
Egan would take them wherever they were going and Sable would find them. And this would all be over soon. Or you could just stop being a fool and marry him. Olivia scoffed at herself. The day she was forced into a marriage she didn’t agree to was the day that she would die.
Egan moved around the room, arranging the beds so that he slept between Olivia and the door. He wasn’t completely honest with her, though he was sure they really were safe tonight. But he wouldn’t sleep soundly until they met up with Sable and the brothers could take shifts keeping watch until they figured out what to do. Until then, Egan wouldn’t sleep soundly.
He made her bed for her, pulling the sheets and the single quilt neatly across the bed and folding it back so that she could slip into bed as soon as she finished her shower. Most cabins didn’t have bedding and this was no exception, so he’d bought an inexpensive set for her, and a throw that rolled into a tight bundle for himself. He would sleep in his clothes and use the smaller blanket, but he wanted Olivia to be as comfortable as possible. Sable had shared his dreams with Egan, retelling both in great detail as his brother listened in rapt attention.
Egan agreed with Sable that the dreams were important, but there was something Sable didn’t know: Egan had been having similar dreams since the night after he’d fled the house into the woods. His dreams were almost exactly the same as Sable’s except that, in Egan’s dream, he witnessed the birth of his brother’s baby, and he had seen the face of the enemy.
Olivia padded into the room in her bare feet, her now brown hair damp and hanging down her back. She was wearing the contacts and the effect was startling. She still looked a little like Olivia, but her vibrant hair and eyes were no longer visible. She looked like a hundred other women that Egan had seen.
“How do I look?”
“Boring and average.”
Olivia giggled. “I guess that’s exactly what we were going for, right?”
Egan nodded, gesturing towards the bed.
“You said I had some explaining to do. I can’t tell you the entire story, but I can tell you what I know.”
Olivia crawled beneath the covers and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders.
“I’ll try to stay awake for the entire thing, but don’t be offended if I fall asleep. Growing a shifter baby takes a lot out of you.”
Egan smiled. “I’m sure it does.” He shifted on the bed, unsure of how to begin the story.
“I guess I’ll start by telling you that my parents didn’t die in a car accident. They were murdered.”
Olivia listened with rapt attention, her fatigue all but forgotten, as Egan recounted what his brother had told him. Their parents had been part of a small group of shifters that were fighting the old regime, namely the treatment of humans who were involved with shifters.
“More than a few were murdered in the name of preserving the species, and my parents were appalled. They were fighting for fair laws, and the right of humans to make their own choices. Because of my parents’ work, the humans and shifters got together to relax the laws so that humans who were impregnated by shifters weren’t automatically killed. The elders couldn’t accept that humans could be trusted to raise their half-shifter offspring correctly, so they created the laws we have now, forcing the marriage of a human to a shifter if their relationship results in a child being born.”
Egan paused to clear his throat, the pain of his loss etched on his young face as he continued. “My parents and the rest of the small group they led protested this law as well, because it really was no better than the old law. My parents believed that everyone had a right to choose, and that marriage didn’t guarantee anything. Not long after they came out publicly against the councilm
en and the humans that were involved in making the new laws, they were killed in an accident. The report claimed that they were speeding, but my dad was a patient and calm man who never drove anywhere near the speed limit, let alone above it. And the other thing that Sable knew from the beginning proved that it was no accident was the fact that my mother was found dead in the driver’s seat. She never learned to drive a car.”
Olivia listened in horror as he spoke, realizing that their current plight was more than just their personal struggle; it was the culmination of all the efforts of the council and a few shifters that were against human interaction entirely and wished to see all humans eradicated.
“Sable knew that he couldn’t risk letting anyone know about the murder, so he played it off like he believed the accident story. He had no idea who was involved, but until he figured it out, it was best if everyone believed that we bought the story we were given. So Sable raised me and did normal things until the councilmen were content that we had no idea what had happened to our parents.”
Olivia yawned, trying to force herself to stay awake.
“I’m almost done with this part, and then we rest.”
She nodded, grateful that he understood her need to sleep.
“The entire time, Sable would tell me stories about a secret passage, and a safe behind an old troll bridge. One day, I was walking into my father’s old office when I realized that there was a troll under a bridge in the painting in the office. I moved the painting and found the safe. Typing in the numbers from a nursery rhyme that Sable had taught me, I was surprised that it opened. It was then I knew that Sable was preparing me for something, but I don’t think either of us knew what. It didn’t think about it again until I started having dreams that mirrored Sable’s. And then I saw his face.”
“Whose face?”
“Laskin. Olivia, he’s going to change everything to the way it once was and destroy anyone who gets in his way.”
The Tiger's Pregnant Bride Page 6
