“You’re not the only one with issues. We all have them. I had quit dating because none of the women interested me or my bear. Being around Ivy and Ben was driving us crazy with the need and desire for our mate. I was beginning to believe I didn’t have a mate and then when I was least expecting it, fate put her in front of me.” Forrest thought about Audrey and how much he had grown to love her in such a short time.
“Are you worried about her safety?” asked Hank.
“Constantly. And it’s not just hers but Seth’s too. The sooner I can get them in my den the better my bear and I will feel. That’s why I’m paying Skylar extra to get the renovations done faster.”
“I didn’t mean to be so harsh earlier. Some days are just harder to deal with than others.”
Forrest grinned at his brother. “I know you didn’t mean it. Your mate is out there and you will find her.”
Hank stood and hugged his brother. “I’m glad you found your mate and that you finally have the family you’ve longed for. If you ever need help protecting Audrey or Seth, I will be there.”
“Hank, you and Wes are still my family. The family has just grown a little bigger.”
Hank nodded. “When you look at it that way, it’s a really good thing.” A brief smile flashed across his lips but was gone as quick as it had appeared.
Forrest watched his brother leave.
He sighed.
He hoped Hank and Wes found their mate soon. He knew they were having an even harder time than he had before he found Audrey. A smile flickered over his lips. Friday, Audrey and Seth would finally be in his home…in his den.
*****
In the early morning hours, Forrest rolled over to his side and then a few minutes later, he rolled to his other side. Emotions flickered across his face as the nightmare resurfaced.
“Mom? Dad?” Forrest stared at the smoldering remains of their home. He shook as his bear roared with grief. They were all dead. Why would anyone want his family dead? The wind shifted and the scent of charred flesh overwhelmed him. He dropped to his knees and threw up the contents of his stomach.
“We have to go. We can’t stay here.”
A hand touched his shoulder.
“Forrest. Forrest wake up. It’s just a dream.” Audrey gently touched his shoulder. It wasn’t just a dream. She knew that from her own experience. Forrest was caught in a nightmare. The deep growls frightened her because she had no clue who or what he was battling.
Forrest jerked awake and sat up. His bear was close to the surface wanting to rip apart the humans who had murdered his parents and the others.
He took a deep breath to clear his head. The sweet scent of peppermint filled his nose.
Forrest’s eyes widened. “Audrey!”
“I’m right here.” A soft hand slowly touched his arm.
He turned.
Concern and a touch of fear were etched across her face. Slowly Audrey scooted closer to him. “Are you okay?” she asked.
He nodded. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” The last thing he or his bear wanted to do was hurt their mate. She was the most precious thing in his life.
“You didn’t hurt me.”
Relief rolled over him. He rolled to his side to face her as he lay back down and pulled her tight against him. Her sweet musky female scent mixed with the sweet peppermint and calmed him and his bear.
“Are you okay?” she asked again.
Forrest buried his face in her warm neck. He tightened his hug, pulling her soft body closer to him. “It was my parents. I was…I was dreaming about the day we found their bodies.”
Audrey hugged her mate. She knew his parents were dead, but he hadn’t told her about what had happened to them.
“Several days earlier, Hank had taken me and Wes on a camping trip. We fished, hunted, and prowled the forest in our bear forms. Life was good and simple. Then we had to go back because school would be starting in a week. We were home schooled with our cousins, but mom and Aunt Margo followed the local school calendar.”
“So you were on a boys’ trip to celebrate the end of summer,” said Audrey.
“It was the first time our parents let us go by ourselves. It was cool being away from our parents, even though Hank was technically an adult and he was in charge of Wes and me. It was neat having such a huge adventure.” He grew quiet.
Audrey didn’t say anything. She held her mate close to her and waited for him to continue.
Forrest took a deep breath and continued. “As soon as we turned onto the road leading to our den, we saw the smoke. As we got closer to the houses, the smells hit us…charred wood, burnt flesh, blood and the lingering stench of fear. They were all dead…our parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.”
Tears rolled down Audrey’s cheeks. She felt Forrest shake in her arms.
“It wasn’t until years later that I found out by accident that Hank had shielded Wes and me from the worse of the horrors. The hunters had tortured and raped three of our older female cousins before they gutted them like animals. Hank is still haunted by what he saw. He used to be more outgoing but everything he saw changed him. Ever so often I get a glimpse of the old Hank, but it never lasts very long.”
Audrey cried for Forrest and his brothers and for their families.
Forrest looked at his beautiful mate. “I will protect you with my dying breath. I will do everything in my power to protect you and Seth.”
Audrey kissed Forrest. “I know you will, just as I will do everything I can to protect you. I love you.”
Forrest was still shaken from the nightmare. Over the years he had been plagued with them but for some reason he couldn’t shake off the bad feeling growing in the pit of his stomach.
“Forrest?”
He looked at Audrey. “I need you in my house...in my den where I can take care of you and protect you.”
“Other than some odds and ends that can wait, my computer is the only thing left to pack.”
“After work, my brothers and I will come with trucks to move everything you want to take. Tonight you’ll be in my bed, not that I don’t like yours. I just need you where I can protect you.” Forrest didn’t give her a chance to say anything. He kissed her as he caressed her curves.
His hand slid down to her mound. His fingers teased and caressed the lips. He growled when Audrey spread her legs in an invitation as old as time. He slipped his fingers into her damp folds causing her to moan with pleasure.
“Please, I need you.”
Forrest didn’t need another invitation. With a quick move, Audrey was underneath him. Knowing she was wet for him, he plunged his cock deep into her warm, wet pussy. With each stroke he drove deeper and harder into her depths.
It didn’t take long before Audrey was moaning his name as her release crashed over her.
Forrest growled with satisfaction at hearing his name on her lips. He continued to drive deep into her until his release washed over him and he marked her as his in the most primitive and intimate way possible. With his arms wrapped tightly around his mate, they fell asleep for a few more hours before Forrest had to get up and go to work.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Forrest stared at the computer screen. He wasn’t sure if it was the lingering effects of the nightmare or the fact Audrey and Seth weren’t safe in his den, but for some reason his bear was agitated. It paced back and forth in Forrest’s head, making it difficult for the man to focus on the numbers he was trying to enter into the spreadsheet.
“Forrest?” Ivy knocked on the open door. She frowned as she looked at him but didn’t say anything.
He looked up from the computer screen. “What is it?” He was careful to keep his voice friendly sounding even though he didn’t feel that way.
“Did you or one of the guys order any parts from Jefferson’s Classic Parts?” asked Ivy.
Forrest shook his head. “Not that I know of. In fact, I’ve never heard of the place.”
She frowned. “I’ve got a man on line two
from Jefferson’s Classic Parts out of Little Rock, Arkansas, who says he has your parts ready for you to pick up as agreed upon.”
“Put the call through. I’ll talk to him and find out what’s going on.” Forrest frowned. He knew they had all the parts for the projects they were currently restoring, and once a couple of the projects were finished, then he would start the order process for the new projects that would be rotated into the shop.
“Okay,” said Ivy. She left as quickly as she appeared.
A few seconds later, Forrest’s telephone rang.
“I really don’t like being put on hold. I have a business to run,” said a man as soon as Forrest picked up the telephone. “I need Forrest Durant to pick up his parts order today. He’s already late. I’ve wasted two hours this morning when I could have been working on something more important.”
“I’m sorry, but we didn’t order anything from…”
“Forrest Durant ordered these parts and said he would be here at eight this morning to pick them up,” argued the man on the telephone.
“I know for a fact that we did not order anything from Jefferson’s Classic Parts because first, I’m Forrest Durant, and second, I’ve never heard of your company before today.”
Suddenly there was a loud click and the telephone line went dead.
Forrest stared at the telephone for a couple of seconds before he replaced it onto the receiver.
Ivy appeared at the door. “Any luck?”
Forrest shook his head. “It was strange. As soon as he found out he was talking to me, he hung up the phone.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.” She frowned.
Forrest leaned back and put his hands behind his head. “No, it doesn’t especially when he claimed I had ordered them and then didn’t want to talk to me.”
Ivy shook her head. “Weird. By the way, Sheriff Anderson is here. He wants to talk to you.”
“The day just keeps getting better.” He looked up at the ceiling. “Send him in.”
“Okay.” Ivy again disappeared.
Forrest looked at the computer screen and sighed. He saved what little he had done and closed the file.
“Good morning,” said Sheriff Anderson as he walked into the office.
“Morning.” Forrest stood up and held out his hand. “What can I do for you?”
“Congratulations on your mating.”
Forrest raised an eyebrow. “How did you know?”
“Ben told me, and then you have Skylar doing some renovations to your home. Plus, Courtney and Ivy want to have a small get-together to celebrate your mating.”
Forrest looked surprised.
Todd Anderson chuckled. “I don’t know why your so surprised. You may not realize it, but you and your brothers are part of this community and a part of our family whether you want to be or not.” His eyes took on a somber look. “I know what happened to your family,” he said in a lower voice.
Forrest was stunned by both pieces of information. “I don’t know what to say.”
Todd shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing to say. It is what it is, but there’s another reason I’m here.” Suddenly his tone changed. “There’s a stranger in town who has been asking a lot of questions about Audrey and Seth. Several of the business owners have called and reported the man, but he disappears as quickly as he shows up. I’m not sure what’s going on but I thought you should know so you can protect your family. I’ve heard an increasing number of rumors about hunters from some of the other shifter communities over the years. I’m hoping its nothing, but I would rather err on the side of caution.”
Forest’s bear pushed closer to the surface. It wanted to hunt down and destroy the threat to its family.
“Are you okay?”
Forrest fought for control and managed to shove his bear back. “My bear is determined to hunt down and kill the threat to its family and to be honest, I’m in agreement with him.” His bear stopped growling and listened to what Forrest told the sheriff.
“I’ve got my deputies on alert. Warn your brothers.” Todd turned to leave. “I thought the demons we’ve fought were bad enough, but I think this new threat may be worse.”
Forrest nodded. “I don’t think they’re going to stop with just bears. I have a feeling it’s going to be all shifters that are endangered before this is over.” He thought about Audrey’s suspicions about the car wreck that killed her sister and brother-in-law. “Can you do me a favor?”
The sheriff nodded his head. “What do you need?”
Audrey’s sister and brother-in-law were killed in a car wreck just outside of Austin. Audrey has always believed it wasn’t an accident as stated on the police report,” said Forrest.
“She thinks they were murdered? Any reasons why?”
“Audrey’s brother-in-law was a coyote shifter.”
“What about Seth?” asked the sheriff.
“He shifted for the first time last week. That’s how Audrey and I met.”
The sheriff nodded. “I’ll look into it. You keep them safe.” He pointed a finger at Forrest. “I don’t want to see any black bears roaming my streets, and terrorizing the citizens.”
Forrest nodded but didn’t say anything.
“I’ll keep you informed, and I’ll see what I can find out about the car wreck. Text me what you know so I have something to start with.”
Forrest watched the man leave. He thought about what the sheriff had told him. There was no way this was all just coincidence. “Ivy!” He yelled as he all but ran out of his office.
“What?” Her eyes widened when she saw the worried look on Forrest’s face.
“Do I have any appointments this afternoon that can be changed?”
Ivy picked up the schedule she printed out every day. “We had to move two deliveries until this afternoon because neither of the owners could come by this morning. We have three new client consultations also scheduled. Honestly, from eleven until about two is packed so you and the others can get out of here a little early today so y’all can move Audrey’s stuff.” She looked up from the paper.
Forest ran his hand through his hair. “Exactly when is the next appointment?”
Ivy glanced at the paper in her hand. “In about twenty minutes, and we’re doing working lunches today. Sandwiches are in the refrigerator.”
He nodded. “I’m getting the guys. We’re having an emergency meeting.” He didn’t wait for her to answer. Forrest headed into the garage looking for his brothers and Ben.
Ivy watched him leave. “I guess the meeting with the sheriff wasn’t a good one,” she said to herself as the telephone rang.
*****
Forrest rolled his shoulders. Every client showed up early and a couple of appointments ran longer due to lots of questions from the clients. He didn’t even get a chance to grab a sandwich. Now his bear wasn’t only grumpy about not being able to check on their mate; it was irritable because it was hungry.
As he shook hands with the last client, Forrest’s cell phone rang. He pulled it off his belt clip. Relief flooded through him when he saw that it was Audrey, but then worry set in. “Audrey, is everything okay?” He tried making his voice sound light and cheerful. All of the things he wasn’t feeling.
“I miss you,” was the first words Audrey said.
“I miss you too. Is everything okay?” He was relieved and anxious at the same time.
“The good news is that everything is almost packed. I did box up my computer. I’m doing a couple of loads of laundry. Once it’s dry, I’ll fold and box it too.
“And the bad news?”
“Is there any way you can pick up Seth from school today? I really hate asking because I know you’re busy, but my car won’t start.”
“What’s wrong with it?” asked Forrest.
“I’m not sure. I think it might be the battery. The car won’t make any noise when I try to start it,” said Audrey.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pick up Seth from school. When we get to y
our house, I’ll take a look at the car.” Forrest glanced at the clock. If he left now, he would make it to Seth’s school just in time for the last bell. His brothers would have to meet him at Audrey’s which shouldn’t be a problem.
“Thank you. I’m sorry I had to bother you at work,” said Audrey.
“It’s not a bother. Do me one big favor. Stay inside the house until I get there. Make sure the doors and windows are locked.”
“Is something wrong?” Worry filled Audrey’s voice.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. Just stay inside and lock the door.”
“I’m already inside and the door is locked.”
“Good.” Forrest felt some relief but he knew it wouldn’t completely go away until he had Audrey in his arms.
“I will see you when you get here. I love you,” said Audrey.
“Love you too.” Forrest ended the phone call and put the phone back in the clip on his belt. The sooner he left the sooner he could get to Audrey. Forrest went to find his brothers to let them know there was a slight change in the plans.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Seth shook his head as he buckled the seatbelt. “That’s really odd?”
“What’s odd?” asked Forrest as he navigated through the school traffic.
“It’s odd that Audrey’s car broke down.” He glanced at Forrest.
“Cars will break down. If they didn’t, there wouldn’t be a need for mechanics,” said Forrest as he finally turned onto the main road where the school traffic thinned out making it easier to navigate.
“But Audrey’s car never breaks down.”
Forrest glanced at Seth. “That’s not possible.”
Seth snorted. “You don’t know Audrey.”
“Why would you say that?” Forrest wasn’t sure he liked where this conversation was leading.
Mated Hearts (Durant Brothers Book 1) Page 8
