by Jules Tyler
“I’m an open book. What do you want to know?” Caylan asked.
“Let’s start with why didn’t you come to us when you came through the Pravus all those years ago. Don’t you think it’s a little suspicious that you’ve been hiding out in the woods?” Wade asked, standing then walking around to the front of his desk to lean against it.
“Do you think you would’ve believed that I’m actually here of my own free will if I had come to you then?” Caylan retorted.
“Honestly? Probably not. In our experience, the foxen tend to be a little… Sneaky. However, you seem different. You aren’t as twitchy around us. You walked right into the station without completely setting off the entire KSRT. Plus, you do have that bearen thing going for you, so maybe that’s why you’re more comfortable with honesty. What did you hope to accomplish by bringing Tansy here to us today?” Wade folded his arms and looked Caylan in the eyes as he waited for a response.
“I wanted to get answers. I wanted to see if she was a One True Mate. I don’t want Khain getting his hands on her, so I knew the safest place for her was to bring her here to all of you. I’m kind of surprised though because Crew couldn’t get a reading on her. Is that why Khain hasn’t been able to get his hands on her yet? She’s been alone all of this time; you’d think he would’ve taken advantage of that,” Caylan said, thinking out loud.
Crew interjected, “I actually have a theory about that. I don’t think Khain knows she exists. If I couldn’t read her, then maybe there’s something special about her that keeps her under his radar. I don’t think she’s necessarily invisible, or she would know what her gift is by now, much like Ella, Heather, Dahlia and the others did. I think that her gift is like a protective device… Like a…”
“Like a shield?” Trevor asked, leaning forward on his elbows in his chair, looking more and more intrigued.
“Yeah! Like a shield. Which brings me to my next thought. If Khain can’t sense her, and I can’t use my gift to read her, I wonder if the other girls can use their gifts on her. Cerise and her gift of suggestion, Heather and her fire…”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa there, buck-o. I don’t want anyone throwing fire at Tansy. She’s already a flight risk as it is. We need to keep her safe, not barbecue her,” Caylan waved his arms around in protest.
“I’m not saying we should use her as target practice, Caylan. I’m saying that we should let Heather try and touch her with heat radiating from her hand. If it’s hot, Tansy will be able to stop Heather before she ever touches her. Now, if she is a shield, I want to know if she’s able to spread that shield to others she’s around. I think if that’s the case, with practice, she could become one of our greatest assets,” Crew corrected.
“I see. Now, what do we do if she doesn’t want to stay here?” Caylan asked.
“We need to give her a reason to stay,” Crew said, eyeing Caylan.
“What kind of… Oh,” Caylan said as he realized what Crew was saying. “You think she’s meant to be with me?”
“You found her, right? You did right by her bringing her here even though you knew if she was meant to be with another shiften, you would have to give her up. You did everything that was the opposite of selfish. Did you tell her about how the foxen came to be?” Crew asked, even though Caylan knew they both knew the answer.
“Yes. I showed her my fox then told her the story about how the shiften came into existence and told her about how Khain created the foxen. I also told her about how our females were killed by Khain,” Caylan told the group, meeting each of their eyes with his own to show his honesty.
All three nodded in unison at the words Caylan had spoken before Wade stood and crossed to where Caylan was sitting. “Well then, it looks like we have a new ally.”
Chapter Twelve
Tansy shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other as Ella picked out clothes from a boutique for Tansy to try on.
“Oh, and this blue would bring out your eyes,” Ella said as she added another shirt to the pile.
“Ella, thank you, really. But I honestly don’t need any of this,” Tansy said for probably the fiftieth time in the last two hours.
“Oh nonsense, you need clothes. The shirt you’re wearing is fraying at the bottom and your jeans have holes that don’t look like they were put there by design. At least let me treat you,” Ella replied with the same response she had given Tansy each time Tansy had protested Ella’s generosity.
Tansy blew out a breath, blowing the stray strands of hair out of her face. There simply was no reasoning with the woman. She was more stubborn than a tired ass that had walked too far.
“We need to have you and Caylan over for dinner sometime. The girls would love to meet you, I’m sure…,” Ella prattled on.
“Ella, Caylan and I aren’t together,” Tansy tried to correct the woman.
“Well sure, but we can still have both of you over for dinner, can’t we?”
Man this woman is persistent.
Tansy couldn’t help but admire the woman’s tenacity and positivity. She was kind of growing on her if Tansy was being completely honest with herself. It had been so long since she had had companionship in her life.
“Dinner would be wonderful, Ella, but I’m not planning on staying all that much longer.”
“Why not? Do you have a family somewhere?” Ella asked, sincerity filling her voice.
Tansy’s mind flashed back to her mother for a moment, and she gave Ella a sad smile, “No. The only family I’ve ever had was my mother. She passed away from breast cancer a little ways back. So it’s just me. I’ve been wandering from town to town ever since.”
Ella stopped and turned to Tansy, canting her head in confusion, “Why?”
“She told me to keep moving like the devil was on my heels. Granted, she had said this my entire life, but it wasn’t until she passed that I felt like I should. It felt like since it was her last words that they meant something more. So I stopped trusting people, I packed up what was most important, and put my survival skills to the test. The past couple of days have been the most interaction I’ve had with anyone in a long time. This has also been the longest I’ve spent in one place. Usually I walk until I can’t walk anymore and set up camp where it feels most secure. I rest for a few days and start again. I looped up through Canada and just crossed back over a few months ago.”
“Don’t you get lonely?” Ella asked, pulling a sweater dress from the rack and inspecting it before setting it on Tansy’s growing pile.
“I don’t know. I guess sometimes, yeah. I haven’t given it any thought in a long time,” Tansy shrugged, shaking her head in protest when Ella held up a baby pink blouse.
Ella set the blouse back on the rack, “I get the need to make yourself feel safe, but if you don’t know what you’re running from, why keep running?”
Tansy stood there and stared at Ella as the realization washed over her that Ella was right. If there is no true danger, what was the point in running? Why live a life of solitude when you could be happy?
“If I was your mother, I think I would want to see you happy. Maybe, just maybe, she wanted you to run towards something, instead of away from something. I think she wanted you to be brave enough to withstand anything. Above all though, I think she would want you to be happy. Now why don’t you think about that while you go try on all the clothes we just picked out? That way we can pick out four or five outfits for you out of the thirty I’ve handed you,” Ella winked and pointed her towards the changing room.
An hour later, Tansy had tried on all of the clothes Ella had picked out. They had laughed together so much that Tansy’s abs were on fire and her cheeks hurt from all of the smiling. Tansy had never had a gal pal to go shopping with, so this was a first for her, but it had been fun. Sitting in Trevor’s truck in a snug new pair of jeans and a simple dark blue sweater, Tansy felt like a new woman. She had helped Ella strap the twins into their carseats, and they were headed back to Ella and Trevor’s cabin to meet
the rest of Ella’s sisters. In a matter of minutes Tansy was going to be face to face with her half-sisters. She was still trying to process everything and was trying not to get overwhelmed again. So much was happening in such a short amount of time.
Tansy fidgeted in her seat. She had never been one to get nervous about anything, but for some reason, meeting these women had Tansy terrified. What if they didn’t like her? What if she didn’t like them? What if she wasn’t really what everyone thought she was? The panic was building in her chest making it difficult to breathe. Just when she thought she was going to burst she felt Ella’s hand squeeze her knee as they bumped down the dirt road toward the cabin that was all it up inside.
“Don’t you worry about them; they’re going to love you. All of us have walked different paths in life. Hell, Rogue is a recovering klepto. No one in that room is going to judge you for anything. Take a deep breath, because this is about to get excited. I promise you’re going to be just fine. Caylan and Trevor and the other boys should be along for dinner soon enough. We’ll do some steaks and such,” Ella beamed encouragingly at Tansy before shifting the truck into park.
Ella slid out of the truck before Tansy could say anything in response and opened the back door. “Would you mind getting Track out of his seat?”
“Oh, uh… Sure,” Tansy said, hopping out of the pickup and walking over to open the passenger side door.
Peering into the car seat, a glimmer of loneliness crept into her heart. She had always wanted kids when her mother was alive. She had felt like her mother would make the best MeeMaw. The kind that would make cookies or pie when you were feeling sad, or that would get ridiculously excited about any of the firsts a child ever had. Tansy had brushed any desires under the rug when she had died, resolving that any hope for the future had died with her. Deep down, Tansy knew that Ella was right. Her mother had wanted more for her when she passed away, and Tansy was squandering her life away living it on the run.
“Earth to Tansy!” Ella’s voice called through her daze, “Are you coming?”
“Sorry, yeah; I’m right behind you!” Tansy called after her before making quick work of the buckles on the car seat and lifting Track out.
Cuddling the little one close to her, she smiled and made a promise to herself as she walked, “When I find a man that’s worthy of my heart, I will settle down and stay in one place. No more running. I want to find someone that I can give a family to.”
Little Track gave a toothless smile up at her and started babbling as she walked through the door into Ella’s front room. Blinking twice to let her eyes adjust, she handed him off to Ella.
“Everyone, this is Tansy. Tansy, this is everyone,” Ella said, gesturing with her hips to the five other women that filled the room, “Make yourself comfortable, I’m going to go feed these two before they get too cranky.”
Tansy gave a shy wave, “Hi.”
One of the women with long brown hair the color of honey rushed forward and hugged Tansy, “It’s so nice to meet you. Ella texted all of us to let us know she was bringing you with her tonight. Everything she had to say got us all so excited to meet you. My name is Willow.”
“Willow, put the girl down, not everyone is the hugging, touchy feely type,” the tall woman behind Willow said. “Hi, I’m Rogue. Sorry about her, she means well.”
Tansy took in the woman’s build. She was definitely more Tansy’s speed -- tall, athletic. Tansy also pretended not to notice the scar on the back of her wrist. So far, she was Tansy’s favorite.
“I’m Tansy. It’s nice to meet you,” she forced a smile, trying not to look uncomfortable.
A blonde woman who looked a little like a chubbier version of Tansy stepped forward to shake Tansy’s hand with the hand that wasn’t holding her baby, “Hi, I’m Heather. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Watch out, the dragon lady is getting emotional. Anyone have a tissue?” Rogue teased.
“Rogue, be nice to Heather. She can’t help it if the baby hormones still make her a little emotional,” the short dark haired woman with haunted eyes admonished, “My name is Dahlia. Crew is my husband. He mentioned you might be with Ella and to make you feel welcome.”
“That was thoughtful of him,” Tansy smiled politely.
The last woman had strawberry blonde hair and looked to be about sixteen stepped forward, “My name is Cerise; nice to meet you.”
Tansy nodded at the woman. She could see she was about as uncomfortable as Tansy felt in this room full of strangers.
Willow bustled forward again, “Are you hungry? What am I talking about, of course you’re hungry. You just spent all day with Ella shopping. Let’s get you something to tide you over until the guys get here.”
As Tansy followed Willow out of the room, Dahlia fell into stride next to her, “So how are you feeling? This all can be a little overwhelming.”
Tansy let out a laugh, “A little overwhelming is an understatement.”
Dahlia giggled, “Yeah, you’re right. It’s super overwhelming, but it has its perks too. I, for one, enjoy having sisters. It’s like having a bunch of girlfriends that you can tell everything to, and even if it’s horrible, they still love and support you. Then there’s Crew; he makes me feel like a freaking queen all the time. All of the guys are like that. When you find your mate, I’m sure it will be the same.”
Mate. That sounds… Surprisingly nice.
An image of Caylan flickered through Tansy’s mind before she shook her head to clear her thoughts. She couldn’t have Caylan, she had already been so rotten to him. There was no way he would take her after the nasty bitch she had been to him the past couple of days.
“Alright, while the babies are asleep, let’s enjoy ourselves, shall we?” Ella chirped as she strode into the room with two bottles of wine.
Looking around at the band of what Tansy would call misfits, she smiled. It had been far too long since she had felt this at home anywhere. Here, in a room full of strangers, Tansy felt the last of the barriers around her heart melt away. It was time for a change, and it was going to start here.
Chapter Thirteen
Caylan shut the door to his truck and followed the rest of the men up the walk towards Trevor’s cabin. It had been a long fucking day. They had spent the day going back and forth with what he knew and what they knew. He had agreed that there would be a need to have Trevor or one of the other members of the KSRT present for the next meeting with the other rebels. He didn’t feel right keeping his involvement with the KSRT secret from them. If he was meant to keep leading them, he wanted to do things right by them. That meant being transparent and open with them.
Walking into the house, he smiled when he spotted Tansy amidst the other Mates. She stood up on shaky legs and crossed over to him with the biggest smile on her face.
“Someone has been enjoying herself today,” he chuckled at her.
Tansy set her hand on his chest and hiccuped, “I suuure diiiiid. Ella is greeeat. She brought wiiine.”
Caylan steadied her and walked her back to her chair, “Maybe you’re better off just sitting for now, Sunshine.”
Shaking his head at Drunk Tansy, he listened as Trevor and Crew introduced the other Mates to him. The last of the men stomped through the door to their mates and greeted them before Trevor introduced them as well. Caylan looked around in awe at all of the happy faces. This was amazing.
“So Caylan,” Mac started to say from across the table as they all sat down to eat, “Trevor here says you’ve been hiding out in the woods all this time. What’s the matter, little foxy woxy afwaid of the Big Bad Wolf.”
“Mac,” Trevor growled from the end seat.
“No Trevor, it’s fine,” Caylan smiled at his host before turning back to Mac. “Not scared of the Big Bad Wolf. More along the lines of being concerned with staying out of trouble.”
“Uh huh, suuure foxy woxy,” Mac jibed.
“Mac, I’d be careful if I were you. He’s half bearen. I’m sure h
e could hold his own against you and then some,” Crew warned as he cut into his steak.
“Whatever! No, he’s not!” Mac exclaimed.
“Hey Bru, why don’t you go stand next to Caylan so we can compare size? That might shut Mac up!” Beckett howled with laughter.
Bruin stood up and sidled around the table to where Caylan was now standing. Sure as shit, they were both the same size. Both were built with broad shoulders and more muscle than they needed. From what Caylan could tell, he and Bruin were the biggest men in the room.
“Well fuck me sideways. He is pretty damn big, isn’t he?” Mac said, jaw dropping as he took in the size comparison.
Bruin smiled at Caylan, “Half bearen huh? Mother or father?”
“Father. Mother died with the other foxen women. Never knew my father, I found out shortly after coming here that he died a while back,” Caylan explained.
“Well if you ever need a job, come see me. I’ll set you up with my department,” Bruin said, clapping Caylan on the shoulder before going to sit down.
“He’s as big as a house! Together you guys look like you could make a mansion!” Tansy exclaimed.
Caylan shook his head at her drunkenness before turning to Ella, “Did she eat before she started drinking?”
Ella shook her head, “I didn’t even think about making her eat first. She only had two glasses.”
“It’s probably been awhile, hasn’t it, Tans?” Caylan asked as he dished another helping of potatoes onto her plate.
Tansy sucked in her bottom lip like a naughty child and nodded.
“Well then, eat up. You’ve gotta soak up some of that alcohol or you’re gonna be hurting tomorrow,” Caylan lectured.
Leaning over to whisper in his ear, Tansy said, “When dinner is over, I want to go back to your house.”
Caylan sat back and looked at Tansy as though she had grown a second head, “Are you sure?”
