by B. L. Dawn
Enoch chuckled. “Well, let’s go inside. We can help prepare the meal.”
“Oh, good. Mother will be over the moon. She would have been devastated—oh, come on!”
Across the yard, a chicken was pushing its way through an unlatched gate.
“You guys can go inside. I need to get this guy back into the fence.” Natalie walked toward the chicken with her arms stretched out.
Another chicken snuck around the gate.
“I’ll help,” James volunteered all too happily. He followed Natalie’s lead, trying to corral the chicken back in the coop. Seeing one more chicken escape, Tatum ran and latched the gate. She turned back around to catch the third bird as it took off.
“Oh no you don’t, chicken.” Tatum ran after it.
Enoch smiled from ear to ear as the three shifters chased chickens all over the front yard. He decided to go inside and help out in the kitchen while the three shifters stayed busy. The smell of bacon, eggs, and syrup drifted through the screen door. He knocked on the freshly white painted doorframe and heard a female’s muffled voice.
“Come in. Everything’s almost ready.”
He went inside and headed for the wonderful smell. Enoch looked over the pancakes, muffins, and fresh fruit. His mouth watered. “How can I help?”
Natalie’s mother turned around, eyes wide, juice pitcher wobbling in her hands. “Enoch?”
“Jenny?”
Enoch walked over in two strides. He pulled the pitcher from her hands, placing it on the counter. “Jenny?” Enoch held her hands in his, staring into her eyes. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
“Enoch, what’s going on? What are you doing here?”
“I—I’m...here to learn how to garden.”
“Garden?” Jenny stared at him for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. “How do you know Natalie?”
Enoch stepped back. His brows pinched together. “I don’t know her. Tatum does.” Of course, she had a daughter. What did he expect? Did he believe she was going to wait all these years for his return? And just because he had never been with another female, did he expect her to remain untouched by another male? No, of course not. She was human, not a shifter. She probably didn’t have ties to him as strongly as he did to her. And hadn’t he given her up? Yes, he had. He deserved this pain that was building inside his chest.
Jenny crossed her arms. “Who’s Tatum?”
Enoch sniffed the air, smelling cut grass. “You’re jealous. Why are you jealous?”
“I’m not jealous. I’m pissed.”
“Now you are!” He smelled the air change.
“Who is Tatum, and why are you here?”
Enoch tried to explain the situation. “Tatum is like my beta.”
“And what does that job entail?”
“Nothing is going on between Tatum and me.”
“Oh, really? So you can’t be with me because I’m a lowly human, but you can spend your free time galivanting and mingling with humans whenever it suits you?”
“I haven’t been around humans for a long time.”
“Yet here you are!”
“Jenny, please. I need to learn how to grow food. My pack hasn’t had a meal in human form in years.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Jenny crossed her arms and looked away.
Enoch rubbed the back of his head. “Listen.” Enoch sighed. “I know you’re angry. You should be. I made you love me, and I left you.”
Jenny rolled her eyes as her skin turned red. “You didn’t like falling in love with me, did you?”
“I have always loved you…always. I still love you.” Enoch reached out for her, but she pulled back. Anger clearly marked her face. She’s acting like an injured animal who doesn’t know who to trust. Enoch grabbed her anyway, wrapping her in his arms.
Struggling against him, Jenny sobbed and pushed at his chest.
“I’m so sorry.” His insides were raw. “I love you still,” he said against her pounding fists.
After a few minutes, Jenny crumbled into his chest, letting his arms hold her weight.
“I’m so, so very sorry.” Enoch’s voice cracked. “I came back for you.” Enoch lifted her chin. “Do you hear me? I came back for you.”
Jenny shook her head. Her face scrunched up, and her cheeks were wet.
Enoch nodded, trying to make her understand. He gripped her chin and placed one kiss on her lips. “A few weeks after I went back to my father, I came for you. I left the pack. I couldn’t be without you.”
His thumb ran across her cheek to wipe away the hurt, but his tears ran freely. He shook his head, remembering the day he couldn’t find her. “The humans at the hospital told me you quit. I couldn’t find you. I searched for months. One night, while I was hunting, my mother found me, and she told me my father was sick. I went back to him, and he named me alpha. He died that night. I still looked for you, but I couldn’t find you. I lost hope over time. One bad thing after another happened to my pack. And I began to think that maybe…maybe it was for the best that I didn’t find you.”
Enoch hated the idea of her with another male. But more than that, he hated the idea of her not being happy. He ran his fingertips over Jenny’s face. “Did you move on and find happiness?”
Jenny’s eyes were red-rimmed with tears. “I never moved on from you. But raising our daughter has been the joy of my life.”
Enoch pushed her away from his chest to look into her eyes. “Our daughter?”
Jenny nodded. Her eyes were shimmering. “Yes. Natalie is our daughter. I found out I was pregnant after you left. I wasn’t sure if my baby would end up a wolf. Giving birth in a hospital was out of the question, so I quit work and moved back here. My grandfather gave me the farm right before he died, and I stayed here to keep her safe from the world.”
Enoch backed away. His hands went to his knees as his body shook. How could he have left Jenny for any amount of time? The love he had for her was beyond anything he had ever felt. Yet, he had let his father convince him to stay with his kind. He knew it was wrong, too late. And look at what he had missed—a lifetime with his love, Jenny, and their daughter.
Jenny moved closer, putting one hand over her mouth and the other hand on his shoulder. Enoch wrapped his arms around her waist, picking her up and holding her close to his heart.
“Forgive me. I’ll never leave you again.” His gruff baritone vibrated through his chest.
Jenny wrapped her arms around his neck, laying her head on his shoulder. “I’ve dreamed about this day for far too long.”
“Mom, what’s going on?” Natalie’s voice was a whisper tearing its way through the room.
Enoch turned to face his daughter and looked at her with new eyes. She was as beautiful as her mother.
Natalie took a step backward. “Who are you?”
“Sweetie.” Jenny looked at Enoch and back to Natalie. “He’s your father.” Jenny held out her hand to Natalie, begging her to come forward and join them.
Chapter 12
As Tatum, her brother, and Natalie entered the delicious smelling house, the sounds of a woman crying sounded from the kitchen. When they came to the doorway, Tatum was struck stupid at the scene playing out in front of her. Enoch was Natalie’s father. What were the freaking odds of that? Tatum looked over at Natalie, not sure what she would do after hearing that bomb drop.
Natalie stared at her parents in horror. Her mother wiggled her fingers, urging Natalie to move toward her.
Natalie’s eyebrows drew together. Her lips quivered. One huge tear fell down her cheek and hit the floor like a meteor hitting the Earth. It exploded and had rippling effects on all of them.
Tatum wanted to hug her and felt her pain as assuredly as if it were her own. The confusion, hurt, and betrayal was all over the poor female’s features. Tatum felt her chest starting to pump faster, her eyes were stinging, and the snot in her damn nose was making an appearance.
>
Natalie’s eyes glowed a bright neon green, her head shaking back and forth slightly.
Enoch shook his head as if he were disappointed in himself. He walked over, still holding Natalie’s mother, bent down, and picked Natalie up too, suspending both of them off the ground effortlessly. As Jenny wrapped her other arm around her daughter, Natalie crumbled into them like they were her lifeline and she had been drowning. The three of them were all arms and sobs.
Tatum lowered her head, crossed her arms behind her, and fidgeted with her fingers. She was letting her emotions get the better of her and began to cry. James leaned into her arm for support. She had a strong urge to travel back to Green Lagoon to be with Grandpa and Eli too.
Tatum looked over her shoulder and nodded toward the door. James followed her.
She decided to give the newfound family space and time. James sat on the porch while she took a walk and called her best friend, Alma.
“Oh, Tatum. I’ve missed you. I tried to call the other night, but the phone said you were out of area.”
“Yeah, I was out of the service area for a while. Why were you trying to call me at night? Is everything alright?”
“Everything is perfect. Marshall University has accepted me, and I’m getting my accounting degree. You know I am good with numbers and money. I have been running the finances for my family’s restaurant ever since Roberto passed. God rest his soul.”
“Alma, that’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you, but you told me there was no way you could afford college. What changed your mind?”
Alma giggled. “That’s the best part. The other night I was waiting on the last table, and a handsome man was sitting there. I’m telling you that he was so fine looking. He had his black hair slicked to the side, a nice business suit on, and he had a nice trim body.”
Tatum shrugged her shoulders. “What does that have to do with college?”
“Okay, let me finish. Sheesh, chica. Anyway, I thought the man would never leave. He was going over and over all these papers. So you know me. I had to ask him what he was doing. I sat in the booth in front of him, and he told me he needed help because his accountant had quit. He didn’t know how to do all the money stuff. I sat down, and we went over everything. I told him he needed to have it double checked and everything, but we must have gotten it squared away because he came in the next evening asking me to wait on him again.”
“And…?”
“And.” Alma squealed. “He said I saved his life! Did you hear me? His life!” Alma sounded like a lovesick schoolgirl. “He offered me a job, and I was like, ‘No way! I could mess something up. I don’t have a degree or anything.’ He said he would pay for my schooling. I didn’t believe him, but I received a scholarship from his company. I’m getting a full ride. I mean…I have to work for the company for five years after getting my degree, but that’s good news. I already have a job waiting for me. There’s a contract about it. It’s a dream come true.”
Tatum could just imagine Alma looking at the sky, all starry-eyed. “It sounds too good to be true.”
“Tell me about it. I wanted to let you know because you’re my best friend. I already turned in my paperwork. Marshall’s program accepted me. I’m starting in a couple of days, you know, to take summer classes. I want to get started right away. I get a room and everything.”
Tatum laughed at her friend’s excitement. “Is it a four-year or two-year program?”
“If I take extra classes every semester plus summer classes, I can get my degree in two years. I know. I know. It’s hard and a lot of work, but I’m smart. I can do this.”
“Of course you can, and if you need anything, ever, you call me. I’ll be there. I’m so happy for you. Make me proud, okay? I’ll call you all the time. I want to stay besties until we’re old and gray.” Tatum was over the moon for her. Alma staying busy also gave her time to figure things out with the pack without making her suspicious.
“I’ll make you proud, mi hermana. I’ll talk to you later. I have to go.”
“Bye.” Tatum hung up the phone. It was fortunate that Alma was getting the education she had always wanted, but it was also weird.
Tatum sat in the rocking chair beside James. Sometime later, Enoch invited them back in for breakfast. Jenny and Natalie told them stories about Nat growing up, disclosing all her embarrassing farm life moments. Natalie discussed her college classes and the nursing program.
Enoch told his females about his pack and how it had all gone downhill over the years. He told them about Gareth’s message from long ago.
Tatum sat back, ready to burst at the seams from overeating. The newfound family talked as her mind raced with all the information she had gathered so far before making an important realization. The pack needed to move to the farm. There was no other way to work it out.
Jenny had everything operational on the farm already. She had electricity, running water, vehicles, and she was close to civilization.
The problem was that the pack might not want to live with humans. But whether Jenny came to Enoch’s territory or the pack came to the farm, the shifters would get the human end of the deal. Now she needed to slide this new revelation into the conversation. “Speaking of prophecies, I need to bring something up. It’s going to be touchy for everyone, excluding James and me, but I have to say it anyway.” Oh yeah, she was going to use the “prophecy card.” Hell, that’s all she had.
Everyone stared at her.
Enoch crossed his arms. “What do you have to say?”
“Jenny, with your permission, I would like to suggest that the Green Lagoon Pack move here.” Tatum paused, surprised no one gasped. James dropped his spoon on the floor. Well, it was close to the reaction she’d been waiting for from all of them. “It won’t work out any other way. Enoch, I doubt you’ll let Jenny out of your sight. Am I correct?”
They looked at each other. Enoch grabbed Jenny and pulled her chair closer. “Correct.”
“So inevitably, we’ll have a human within our pack no matter where we live. But we can’t bring Jenny and Natalie into your territory. They’re not used to hunting and eating raw meat. As for work, Natalie would be too far away to keep a job. And if we want to move this pack forward, we’re going to need technology, running water, electricity, and proximity.”
“Proximity?” Jenny stood up and poured another cup of coffee.
“Yes. I would like the pack members to go to school, learn life skills, learn trades, and earn money. They can pay Enoch a tithe, or rather ten percent of their earnings. We can use the money to help other shifters in the outskirt packs.”
There was a long pause. What would be Jenny’s decision? Tatum pushed her fork around her empty plate. She hoped she had said enough, and she knew it was asking a lot.
Enoch had to give up his territory, his home, in defeat. It would be tough for any alpha and on the pack. Thank Destiny she played the “your females won’t make it” card. But it was for the best, even though Jenny and Natalie would have to give up their space, time, privacy, money, and even their land for Enoch’s pack. However, Natalie would get the pack she had always wanted and the father she always craved, and maybe James for a bonus. Jenny wouldn’t be dealing with the farm by herself, or have to hire people during the fall for harvest, and she would have the love of her life. The shifters, well, they would be moving toward a goal that was vital for survival.
“She’s right.” Natalie stood up, taking her dish to the sink. “If shifter kind is not doing well, we need to stay on the farm in order to help them. We can’t help them if we give up what we have already worked so hard for. What do you say, Mom?”
Jenny nodded with a smile on her face. “I say it’s the finest idea since sliced bread. No wonder he listens to you, Tatum. Strong and smart; what more could he ask for in a beta?”
Tatum straightened, shaking her head. “I’m not his beta. I’m just trying to help. Females aren’t betas.”
“Speaking of that.” Enoch directed his attention to Tatum. “I owe you an apology. I worry too much about what traditions say and what others think. That ends today. When we get back to the pack, I’ll announce to everyone that you are my beta, my first counsel. You may be the first female ever to counsel an alpha. And I couldn’t be more honored. If I’m being honest, I know that Destiny is moving us along, placing us where it wants us. Destiny intended this position for you. If anyone has a problem with my mate, my daughter, or you, they can leave the pack. The rest can come here with us.”
Tatum stared at him wide-eyed. “I know you believe that, but I can’t be your beta. I just want to help.” She couldn’t believe it. It would be great if Destiny had a plan for her, but she wasn’t buying it. He could just let her give him ideas and keep his original beta.
Breakfast had been over for some time. Natalie was the first to stand up. She started to clean the dishes in the sink, followed by James. Everyone chipped in, cleaning the kitchen.
Natalie grabbed James’s hand, and his eyes glowed. “I’m going to show James and Tatum around the farm. We’ll be back later. Maybe you guys should discuss where everyone is going to sleep.” Natalie smiled and backtracked through the kitchen, pulling James through the house. Tatum followed, and soon they were outside.
Chapter 13
Jenny stood in her large pale yellow kitchen, with all her fancy decorative things. Roosters adorned her walls, shiny white tiles were above her white stone countertops, and there were technology kinds of things; Enoch wasn’t sure what they were used for. The one thing he was sure about was how breathtaking his mate was.
Jenny untied her apron, pulling one ribbon at a time. When heat burst through his body, a growl rumbled in Enoch’s throat.
He had longed to be in her presence and wanted to belong to his other half again. It was the living breath of Destiny working in his aimless life that had brought them back together. How else could he explain why his mate was a human female? Was this what Gareth had meant when he said that sometimes things took unexpected turns for a reason?
