New goose bumps break out on my skin when Victor’s voice rings in my head. I knew that was a talented mouth you had. My, my, you’re a dirty girl. My hand is a poor excuse for your ruby-red lips around my cock. I can’t wait to fuck your throat. He sighs. Oh yes, you’ll suck me and drink every last drop. Victor lets out a groan that makes me think he’s coming, and it horrifies me that I like the sound. I grimace.
Keith asks, “Sierra? Are you all right?”
I force a smile as I shove the vision of Victor out of my head. “Yes, just a cramp. Now where was I?”
“You were about to ride me until I make you scream.” Keith slips his fingers into my folds, and I gaze at his face, letting it fill my thoughts.
That may be his face you’re seeing, but those are my fingers you feel.
What the fuck? You are one sick asshole, Victor. I shake my head and say, “Fuck me hard, Keith. I need to feel you deep inside of me.”
As we rearrange our bodies, he says, “Your wish is my command.” And he thrusts inside of me with force. I lift my thighs, and he pushes them up as he pumps hard.
I pant. “Faster, harder.” I revel in Keith’s intensity as the edge of pain drowns out Victor’s words. But when I finally scream, Victor’s face is what I see, and his laugh is what I hear.
37
Chapter 7
Carly
I arrive at the Cat’s Meow fifteen minutes early because I’d like to watch Marion walk in. At a table in the back of the café, I scan a menu and figure out what I’ll have for lunch. Not wanting to spend any of our time together distracted by trivial things, I plan to study her and learn everything I can about the woman I suspect is my mother.
Dishes clash as conversation hums. An occasional laugh cuts through the buzz, and I watch the people. I haven’t spent much time in the real world lately and am cushioned by werebear at the tree farm. With my newly heightened senses, I am aware of more than I used to be, and it’s exhausting. Regular people speak too loudly and wear too much scent. I crinkle my nose as I wonder if any of them sense something not quite human in their midst.
My mind wanders to the reality shows that hunt for mysterious creatures. I imagine infrared cameras and shaky footage of animals running by as tiny eyes glint when flashlights reflect quickly. On my own hunt, I’m aware the moment Marion walks into the room. Her auburn hair is pinned up in a sophisticated way that matches her dark-pink skirt suit. Heads turn as she moves by. A twinge of jealousy pulses when I long to be that graceful and have such presence.
Marion’s face brightens with a smile when she sees me. Good, because I’m nervous and don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.
“Carly, I’m so glad you invited me to lunch. I didn’t get a chance to talk to you much at your wedding.” Her smile gets bigger. “It was rather dramatic.”
I grin back. “Yes, it was. I don’t suppose brides—” I stop because I realize werebear traits aren’t something I should be talking about in public. Instead I finish telepathically. “I don’t suppose brides shifting is going to be the new wedding tradition for clans now, is it?”
She grins, but I sober, thinking about Sierra and the prima lunch we’ll be having tomorrow. Aloud I say, “I suppose you wonder why I wanted to get together.”
Marion licks her glossed lips as she speaks mentally. “You want to know if I’m your mother.” Then she says. “Yes.”
Not exactly how I expected this to go. I don’t know what to say but find words quickly. “Will you explain why you left me?”
A flash of something I hope is pain goes through her eyes, and she answers as the waitress approaches. “I will.”
We turn our attention to the girl and order lunch. When she leaves, Marion leans her elbows on the table, and her hands steeple. “I loved your father very much. So much that when I got pregnant, I did the unthinkable for a child of the alpha: I left to be with him.”
I ask in my head, “Did he know what you were?”
She answers, “No. And I didn’t know what you would be capable of.” She leans back as ice clinks in the glass of water the waitress sets in front of her. When the server leaves, she says, “I’m glad I didn’t, because it would have made it much harder to leave Al. I would have wanted to take you with me.”
I furrow my brow before she can continue in our heads. “I’m an alpha. You may not understand it yet, but being the future prima doesn’t let you choose certain things no matter how much you want to. When my father died, I had to return to lead my clan.”
Metal is cold in my hand as I straighten my silverware on the table. I’m not one of those children that used to dream about the perfect mother coming to take me away. I loved my life with my father, and he made it clear I would never see her again. Marion being gone was a nonissue. But anger flickers when I think she’s the kind of person that could leave her daughter so easily.
She says, “Leaving you behind was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but knowing you and Al had each other helped me live with my decision.”
The words come out before I can think about how weak they make me sound. “Why didn’t you bring us with you?”
“Oh, Carly, I wanted to. But you both would have been in danger as my family.” She stops speaking out loud and says internally, “You two would have been used against me and our clan. I couldn’t let that happen to the people I loved more than anything in this world. Letting everyone believe you didn’t exist was the right thing to do.”
My father’s face flashes in my mind, and I remember how sad he always was when I asked questions about my mother. Tears flood my eyes, and I blink to keep them from falling. “You broke Al’s heart. He used to say that once you’ve found the real thing, nobody else will do.”
Marion’s eyes are glassy, and she speaks in my head. “He was my real thing, too.”
I try to imagine leaving Brady for the good of the clan, and I think in theory, knowing many lives could be at stake, I would do the same. I hope I never have to find out.
I clear my throat and ask, “You called me Charlotte. Is that my real name?”
“It was supposed to be. Your dad wanted to call you Carly, and I let him win. But—” She blinks quickly and looks away for a moment.
When she turns back, she says, “We called you Charlotte as a nickname. I suppose once I left, it was too painful to continue.”
Our lunch arrives, and I salivate as the fishy smell of my tuna panini makes it hard to focus. Marion says, “Go ahead. I remember how hungry I was when I was pregnant with you.”
Startled, I look at her, but then I remember she’s old enough to recognize the scent of pregnancy, too. We eat quietly. At the doctor’s appointment this morning, I learned I’m having two boys and a girl. Seeing blobs on the grainy screen made it real. It won’t be long now before it will be obvious I’m pregnant, and I’ll begin to experience some of the discomfort.
When I’m sure I won’t die of starvation, I ask, “Do you plan to be part of my life and a grandmother to my children?”
“If you’ll let me, there’s nothing I’d like more.”
I wonder if Marion and Donna get along well, and I suppose I’ll find out tomorrow. While it should be strange I’m willing to let my mother into my life this easily, the connection I feel to Marion is similar to the one I have with Brady. It’s as if I can’t resist.
I take another bite of my sandwich and, while chewing, wonder if I had a twin or was a triplet like most werebear children. After I swallow, I ask, “Am I the only child you had with Al?”
“Yes.” She adds in her our heads, “It must have been because of your human father’s genes.”
Her answer makes me wonder who the alpha heir is for the Robichaux clan, because I’m her oldest child. I reply, “Who is your next alpha?”
Marion’s fork clinks against her plate as she sets it down and looks at me. “You.”
My mind reels as food sticks in my throat. “I’m supposed to take over for you? But I’m married
to the Le Roux alpha and am the prima.”
Marion takes a deep breath. “Carly, I realize you probably think forty-five is ancient, but I plan to be around for a few more decades. A lot can change in that time, and I think it should.”
I nod and speak in my head. “So that’s why we can talk. Can I communicate this way with other Robichaux clan members?”
“Yes. You probably can.”
Good God, I have my own personal phone line to hundreds of people. I can also give Le Roux clan members a direct order they must follow. Can I do the same with the Robichaux clan? I wonder what Brady and Donna will think when they find out.
38
Chapter 8
Sierra
“Shit!” Hot coffee sears the skin on the back of my hand, and I throw the ceramic mug into the sink. When it shatters, the sound satisfies me, but when Keith scowls, guilt makes me flush.
His face softens when he realizes what’s upsetting me. “Hey, is he in your head right now?” Keith’s eyes are kind as he reaches for my hand.
Not only is Victor in my head, but I’m so wet right now I might have to go to the bathroom to get myself off. “Yes.” I flinch at Keith’s contact and pull away. How can I let him touch me when right now it’s Victor’s hands my body craves?
This is crazy. Keith is the one I love. I step forward and place my hands on his chest. “I’m sorry.” The worn cotton of his denim shirt is soft under my fingers as I move them down toward his waist. “Can you be a little late for work?”
I don’t wait for his answer and fall to my knees as I tear open his jeans. Keith grabs my head and pushes me gently away as he says, “Don’t. You have nothing to prove to me.”
“What the hell? Now you don’t want me? Because Victor sure does.” I get up and turn away, but not before I see the pain I caused flicker over Keith’s face. Since the morning my orgasm became about Victor, I can’t be with Keith. I’ve been avoiding sex, and Keith has been incredibly patient when I’ve brushed him off with lame excuses.
Keith’s voice is almost a whisper, but my bear hearing picks up every word. “Sierra, you know that’s not it.” I keep walking, and he says, “Wait.”
But I can’t tell him that Victor is winning, and my body is betraying me by wanting a man I loathe while my heart aches for the man I love. Hot tears fall on my cheeks as I move toward the huge glass wall of Keith’s living room.
I lean against the cold window and gaze through blurry eyes at the magical, fairy-kingdom-like back yard Keith created. If only my dreams had come true instead of turning into a nightmare. I break into sobs when I see the clearing we were going to use for our wedding vows, and I imagine how happy we were supposed to be.
The heat from Keith tries to warm me as his hands land on my shoulders, and he gently turns me so he can hold me against his chest. “Shhhh, we’re going to find a way to help you, sweetie. I won’t ever stop trying.”
Oh, Keith. I wish I could believe. I really do.
39
Chapter 9
Carly
After my early-morning doctor’s appointment, a quick workout with Ian, and lunch with Marion, I’m exhausted and want to head home for a nap before dinner. But I can’t. I have to tell Brady and Donna that Marion is my mother.
I’ve talked to Brady and am on my way to his office to share my news. I send Donna a message while I drive. “Can you come over for dinner? I have something I need to share with you.”
Windshield wipers beat steadily as they clear rain. The green shades of trees are magnified in the gray day, and I find the scenery beautiful even without the sun. Besides, I’m driving a new GMC Yukon that has me high up on the road, and it lends a sensation of power. With three rows of seats, there’s room for the triplets in the second row and room for four more passengers—or more children if I have my way.
Brady speaks in my head. “Let’s go get ice cream. Let me know when you’re here, and I’ll run out.”
I grin, thinking about our night. No wonder I’m exhausted; my husband is insatiable. Water splashes up from a puddle when I pull into the lot in front of Brady’s office, and I tell him I’m here.
The rain becomes heavy, and I scoot over to the passenger side as I watch him jog to the car. He has a thing about being the driver, and I let him have his alpha way. Brady gets in quickly, and the door slams. A drop of water runs down his face, and his blue button-down shirt is dark with moisture on his shoulders. I may be tired, but my body sings with desire as it recognizes his scent, and I long to lick the water off his face and continue my way down.
He pulls me against his damp chest, and his lips scorch as he kisses me. I guess he wouldn’t mind a little skin on skin, either. I break away. “Wow, I should come take you away from work more often.”
The seat motor whines as he moves the seat back to fit him for driving. “You probably should.” He winks at me. “I don’t think I’ve taken you to the Milk Shed yet, have I?”
“No, you haven’t.” I notice that we bounce less along the rutted dirt road than I used to in my old Subaru.
“You’re in for a treat. Their small is like everyone else’s large.” He throws me a sideways glance, and I can’t help but grin. I’m married to a man that enjoys food as much as I do and thinks my extra weight is sexy. I’m a lucky girl.
When we get there, I insist he take my umbrella to get ice cream from the take-out window. He runs to a small, natural wood–shingled building. The trim is bright pink, and the signs that list the ice cream flavors are hand painted in a variety of colors. Even though the rain is heavy, we aren’t the only ones getting a frozen treat. New Englanders take their ice cream seriously.
Brady returns with peppermint stick for me and mint chocolate chip for himself. I lick my towering pink ice cream cone, and the homemade goodness coats my tongue. Brady asks, “So what was it you needed to tell me?”
He’s meticulously licking around the section where the ice cream meets the cone to prevent it from dripping. I say, “I know why I have alpha abilities. Marion Robichaux is my mother.”
Brady’s tongue stops, and his eyes widen. “What?”
“She spoke in my head at the wedding, but with everything that happened, I forgot to deal with it. I contacted her to find out why, and we had lunch today.”
“You should have told me before you met with her.” He growls as he shakes his head.
I growl back. “Let’s not go there, teddy.”
He glares at the nickname but remains calm. I’m amazed at how well he’s doing with my alpha status and quickly move on. “Apparently my mother and father fell in love in high school. She got pregnant and left to marry my dad and have me. When her father died, she had to return to her clan. She’s an alpha.”
He asks, “Why weren’t you raised a Robichaux?” Green liquid is dripping down the edge of Brady’s cone, and when it hits his hand, he looks at it for a moment before he grabs a napkin to wipe it away.
“She thought we would be in danger if anyone knew about us.”
He nods. “You would have been. Halves and humans aren’t welcome in clans.” He growls and adds, “Especially the Robichaux.”
I wonder what Brady has against them, and he asks, “So you’re the alpha of the Robichaux clan and will take over when Marion dies?”
I nod. “She assures me she isn’t dying soon, so I don’t have any conflict with also being the Le Roux prima…yet.”
Brady’s face scrunches in concentration. “You know, we’ve been trying to become allies with the Robichaux for a while now. But they think of us as the working class. That clan is old money, and we’re not good enough for them.”
I swallow peppermint flavor. “Marion seemed pretty open to having a relationship with me and being a grandmother. Do you think I might be the link that can bring the clans together?”
“I don’t know, but it’s something to think about.” He returns to licking his ice cream around the edge of the cone.
“I wonder who Sierra
, Lily, and Taylor are related to. I don’t know anything about Lily and Taylor’s parents, but I do know that Sierra didn’t grow up without a dad.”
Brady shrugs. “Someone in any of the three black bear clans.” He says, “We’ll have to tell Donna. She’s going to like this news.”
“I’ve already planned it. She’s coming to dinner tonight so I can prepare her before our lunch with Marion and Patricia the day after tomorrow.” I’m down to my cone, and it crunches when I bite the edge.
Brady’s mouth gets tight, and a growl rumbles. I watch his chest puff out as he takes a deep breath and, in a controlled voice, says, “Why is it I’m the last to know about a meeting of the prima?”
“Because I don’t answer to you. Donna and I are trying to figure out what to do about Victor’s attempt to mate rape Sierra.”
His voice is loud and dangerously close to an alpha order. “And you don’t think I should be aware of that?”
I hear mine come out in the same tone. “Of course you should, and I will definitely tell you what decisions we make.”
Now hair sprouts on his cheeks, and his fangs poke out when he says, “Decisions? You and my mother are going to make decisions without my input?”
“Oh, for crying out loud, we’re in public. Control yourself. We’re not going to start a war, just figure out a plan. If I have to report to you before doing anything, then you married the wrong woman.” The urge to shift is making my skin prickle with hair that wants to poke through, and I inhale deeply. “What’s the point in being the prima if I have to ask permission?”
Brady’s crushed his ice cream cone, and a soupy mess oozes all over his hand as he tries to clean it with a wad of napkins. He huffs and opens the car door to go throw it away. Like a little boy, he stomps through the puddles. Rain beats down on the roof of his car as if it’s angry, too.
Summer Shifter Nights Page 74
