by Moxie North
“Wait, what? Ma, I didn’t. I was very nice and calm. I swear!” Shit, of course, his mom thought he’d done it poorly. She always called him her bull in a china shop.
“Cash, don’t you bully that girl. She’s human, and you need to take your time, be cautious. Give her some space. You aren’t staying over there are you? You’re going home to your house each night, right?”
“No Ma, I’m not going home. Cassie is way too skittish to leave alone right now. She’s looking for a reason to run. I have Effie coming in today. I’m hoping she will convince Cassie that it’s all going to be all right.” Cash hoped that a quick visit from Effie was going to work.
He was optimistic that she’d barely put any effort into sassing him this morning. He figured she always would to an extent. He thought it was cute. He just didn’t want her snark to be her sign of them not getting along. If she wanted to bust his balls she could, as long as she was staying.
“Well, you better be very aware of her tolerance of you. You push her too far, and you’ll be chasing after her,” his mother warned.
Cash knew she was right. It was a very big fear that with Effie showing up she’d want to go home. Even though Cash and his bear thought of her already being home. At least close to it.
“I will, Ma. Can you keep everyone off me for a while? Cage and the guys are keeping their distance to not overwhelm her. In fact, she still hasn’t even met some of them because she is uncomfortable about how she looks. I need time,” he told her.
“I’ll give you your time. I will only tell your dad. The rest of the zoo can wait until you are bonded,” his mother declared.
Bonded, hell Cash just wanted her to agree that they were mates. Bonding to her through the bite would introduce his DNA into her system. Her aging would slow to match his. She would also be able to handle the pregnancy of a shifter child. His dominant genes would mean any children they had would be shifters. Of course, he also had to convince her that sex would work between them.
First, he had to make sure she liked him.
“Thanks, Ma. I’ll keep you up to date,” Cash said.
“Love you, son, congratulations,” she said warmly.
“Love you too, bye,” Cash said, hanging up.
Poor Cassie, she thought meeting the people here was a big deal. Wait until the first family gathering.
Cash turned and leaned back against the counter. He saw Connie watching him as she stirred a large stock pot of chili.
“I don’t envy you,” she murmured.
“Why?”
“Because, meeting your mate should be all about the joy and love you feel. With another shifter, it’s easier. You both are pulled towards each other. That completeness is a craving. With a human, their brains get in the way. So while you are physically incapable of being away from her, she could deny you and not suffer the same pain. She might miss you, but she could get over you,” she said quietly.
Cash didn’t want to agree with her, but he knew she was speaking the truth. He was already addicted to her scent and her taste. His bear would growl loudly in his mind whenever he thought about not having her with him. It made them both agitated.
“I’m gonna go for a run. You keep an eye on her for me?” Cash asked.
“Of course, dear. Go let your animal out. He could use it,” she surmised.
Chapter 24
Cash nodded and headed out the back door towards the deck. He stripped off his clothes and left them folded on the porch.
He stepped off the covered deck and took a deep breath. His bear was itching to come out, and it didn’t take much encouragement to have the shimmering start over his body. His body stretched and contorted as his bear pushed out from his skin. Fur sprouting, joints reshaping as the huge grizzly found his feet.
His bear stretched and dug his claws into the dirt. He sniffed around the ground for a bit, and then Cash gave him his lead. The bear shot off, bounding through the river to head up the mountainside.
Cash and his bear ran for the better part of an hour. His bear found some early berries and stopped for a snack. He sharpened his claws on a tree, digging deep into the bark.
By the time he was done, both man and bear were ready to see their mate.
He hit the back porch, dressed and went inside to see they had visitors.
Walking through the back door, Cash saw Dax and Connie talking in the kitchen. He swung the door open, his eyes on Dax. Dax was a cougar, but he was still an Alpha. His bear recognized him as a leader even if he wasn’t clan.
Dax stared at Cash shaking his head. Cash could see it wasn’t in a negative fashion; it was like he didn’t know what else to do.
“You just go running after trouble, don’t you?” Dax said, looking at him with an unreadable expression.
“I’m not in trouble,” Cash said, closing the door behind him. He leaned up against it. Until he could read the other man better, he wasn’t getting any closer. He’d easily be able to take Dax in a fight, but he didn’t want to get into that situation.
“I know Cassie. I know you. You are in it so deep you should have trouble breathing. And Cassie isn’t the least of your worries. You’ve also got a very pregnant, very uncomfortable best friend that thinks you are a very bad choice for her girl.”
Shit, Cash hadn’t thought about Effie’s take on this. “I’ve got it all handled. Cassie had a good day. She’ll keep having good days,” Cash said confidently.
“She better, or I’m gonna end up hearing about it,” Dax said.
Cash nodded then looked towards the hallway. “Effie in there?”
“Yeah, she headed straight there. It’s been quiet. I’m taking no screaming as a good thing,” Dax said thoughtfully. His brow wrinkled in worry.
Cash moved toward the coffee machine. Lucky for him, Connie kept it going pretty much twenty-four-seven.
“I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but we have another problem,” Dax said, turning his attention away from the closed bedroom door.
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” Cash asked, sipping his coffee. He didn’t want to get in to what kinds of problems he had with Dax. He had enough eyes on him.
“Got a call yesterday, before Cage called me. The local DA is thinking of bringing charges against Cassie for the crash,” Dax said.
“What? She wasn’t even driving!” Cash angrily whispered. His bear was rearing up in his head to protect his mate. “That asshole could have killed her!”
“Well, apparently his parents hired a very good attorney who is trying to convince the DA that Cassie supplied the alcohol, encouraged him to drink it, and forced him to drive by threatening him. It’s all complete bullshit, but the process still has to play out. I don’t want to worry Cassie. We can hire the best lawyers for her, and it shouldn’t be a big deal, but she’s fragile right now. Old Cassie would come out fighting. This Cassie? I don’t know if she’s got it in her,” Dax said honestly.
“Fucking hell, she doesn’t need this shit. I just got her out of that damn room. I haven’t convinced her about us so that she can feel confident and secure; now I have to tell her someone wants to lock her up? Even if it’s bullshit and will never happen, it’s still going to cause her stress. When will we find out? Does she need to fly back to deal with this?” Cash asked. He was a pretty easy going guy. But sometimes even he got overwhelmed.
“Not yet. I’m keeping an eye on the situation. I made some discreet inquiries and found out that they are just grasping at straws. I also made a brief visit to her mother’s house, letting her know where I stand as far as their pursuit of a lawsuit.”
“Still, I’ve given our family lawyer a heads up. He’s on retainer. He said it will never stand. There is no proof of Cassie threatening the driver. I’m having him preemptively get statements from her friends at the party before the DA can get to them. I figure we can get a jump on it. I’ll let you decide when and if she can handle the news,” Dax suggested.
“No, I appreciate that. I�
��m sure you made your point clear with them. I want to at least get her to agree to being my mate first before handing her anymore trouble,” Cash said with a sigh.
Dax looked over at Connie, who was silently listening to the guys. He gave her a wink then turned back to Cash. “I find overwhelming them with orgasms makes humans very compliant.”
“Damn straight,” Connie muttered behind her coffee mug.
Cash smiled, that was certainly part of the plan. He was hoping that Effie would be the biggest part. He knew she was happy with Dax and that their family was growing. Effie knew enough about the shifter world to know it was the best place for her friend. He just hoped that Cassie was receptive and didn’t flip her friend too much shit.
Chapter 25
Cassie slowly came awake with the feeling of a warm body behind her. Her hind brain told her anyone putting out that much heat had to be Cash. Knowing him, he’d probably shifted, and there was a big smelly bear in bed with her.
“Keep your damn hands to yourself. I mean it,” she grumbled, her voice sleepy and had a slight slur to it.
“Bitch, like I haven’t seen it all before. And I might add, I have never wanted to touch it.” The voice came from behind her.
Cassie came fully awake and twisted to see her very puffy best friend lying behind her. Her big belly was pushing against Cassie’s back, and she could feel the strong kicks from the little parasite like it was trying to say hello too.
Cassie was thinking up some saucy comeback and instead burst into tears. She rolled into her friend and let the tears pour out of her. Her body shook as Effie held on to her. Cassie wasn’t a crier, but today at this moment, it’s all that would come out.
“Shhh. Hey you big spaz, quit being such a fucking sissy. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in a scratchy manger. You’re getting me all wet!” Effie groused.
“Shut your piehole,” Cassie blubbered into her friend’s chest.
“Fine, get it all out. You’re going to be dehydrated, though. Don’t blame me. And you better tell your mate that I warned you of the consequences of blubbering.”
“I…I don’t have a mate,” Cassie wailed.
“Oh yes, you do. Us humans can’t quite understand the depth of these guy’s affection. But to normal people they are obsessed, addicted, and paranoid.” Effie said, rubbing over her back.“Get it out now, because you can’t be the weak one in this relationship. I’m going to give birth soon. You have to be the strong one, or I’ll never get through this. Dude, I’m going to have a fucking kitten!” Effie said trying to sound offended.
“Hah, your kitty is going to have a kitty.” Cassie laughed through her tears.
“Dude, don’t call my pussy a kitty, it’s weird,” Effie scolded.
That made Cassie laugh even harder. “Pussy, kitty, classic,” she said.
“Just wait, I’ll think up some bear puns for you. Won’t be so damn funny then,” Effie warned.
“Fuck….” Cassie moaned, and rolled back from the only love of her life so far.
“Yeah…fuck,” Effie agreed.
“Well, you are using up all of your trouble points for the year, seriously. Tragic accident, horrible injuries, now you had to go and hook up with a damn bear,” Effie said, looking up at the ceiling.
That reminded Cassie. She leaned over and lightly punched her friend in the arm. “You didn’t tell me about the fucking bears. What the hell?”
“I couldn’t. It wasn’t my secret to tell. But you can see why I thought you would be safe here. They would have killed to protect you from anything. Plus, the Rochons are always good for lifting spirits. I just didn’t know the biggest, studliest bear was going to pick your scrawny ass to mate with. Had I known that, I would have kept you locked up at the vineyard. Believe me, this was not what I expected for you to have to deal with. Dax didn’t even tell me until this morning about you and Cash. I tried to kick his ass but lost my balance. Good thing he has those cat like reflexes or I would have been on my ass,” Effie said with a laugh.
“I was just starting to feel okay with being here. I mean I was feeling pretty damn sorry for myself. I can’t lie. But, Kenzi came over and helped me with my hair. I actually put some makeup on. I had big plans for this weekend to meet the rest of the family. Now, now I’m supposed to be part of the family? I don’t get that. WE are family, me and you. We let Dax hang out cause he gives you multiple orgasms and is rich. Okay, and pretty to look at. But we were okay, just the two of us,” Cassie said, looking at her sadly.
“I know, baby girl, but we had to grow up eventually. I mean, look I’m going to be someone’s mom! What kind of cosmic joke is that?” Effie asked.
Cassie looked at her best friend. She was still Effie. Today she was sporting a clipped poof at the front of her forehead. Her hair pulled back in a high pony. For Effie, that was the equivalent of tossing on a scrunchie.
She was wearing what looked like a trapeze style polka dot tunic with black leggings. Clearly to give room for her growing belly.
“You’ve always been a great mom to me,” Cassie said.
“Ahh, you’re so full of shit,” she said, fluffing Cass’s pink tips. “But we need to talk about you and Cash,” she reminded her.
“Don’t wanna,” Cassie pouted.
“Don’t care. So when did this happen?” Effie asked.
“Uh, last night? Hard to tell. I’m in denial,” Cassie said with a huff. She rolled to her back to stare at the ceiling.
“How does he kiss?” Effie asked.
“Oh, well… why would you ask that? You think I just let anyone kiss me? I have standards,” she declared.
“No you don’t, slut,” Effie shot back. “Hell, I let Dax go down on me right after we met. I mean right after. I’m no one to judge. I’m just curious.”
“He’s a good kisser,” Cassie admitted.
“What else? Tell me about him. I know him, but only as a friend. What’s he like?”
“Tall, big, I haven’t seen it, but I’m guessing he has elephantitis of the dick. He brought me burritos,” Cassie said, looking at her friend.
“Wow, burritos. Was that before or after he knew who you were?”
“Before. He brought me cookies to my window night before last. We talked in the dark. It was nice because I didn’t have to worry about him seeing me or my scar. I started to like him in the dark. Then he came in because I woke up with a freaking bear on my chest!”
“Ahh, Maizy, that little scamp.” Effie laughed.
“Scamp my ass. Scared the shit out of me. I thought I’d lost my damn mind. Then Goliath came in and fucking dropped to his knees and started babbling about mates, and that he was mine, and I was his. I really thought I was nuts then,” Cassie whispered.
Effie shook her head in wonder. “You brought that big man to his knees,” she said quietly.
Cassie thought about that. He didn’t seem like the type to bend to anyone. But he did the moment he saw her. Fuck her, that was profound.
“But then he got all bossy and shit. Telling me I was going to start doing my exercises. And I was going to start letting him do things for me and to eat. Said I was too tiny,” Cassie scoffed.
“You are, but still he was saying he wanted you healthy? That he wanted to help you?” Effie asked.
“No, you aren’t hearing me, remember, bossy. He was all like, you don’t have to work, or you could start a knitting club. What kind of guy says you don’t have to work? I told him all I was good at was sitting on my butt. Do you know what he said?”
Effie shook her head with a grin.
“As long as I was sitting on his lap he didn’t care. Can you imagine? What, I’d just lounge around his house, and he’d be happy with that?” Cassie asked incredulously.
“Yup,” Effie responded.
“That’s not helpful,” Cassie hissed.
“Maybe not, but it’s the truth. You’ve seen Dax. What wouldn’t he do for me? Has he ever denied me anything? Thought I was being unreasonable?
No, he just smiles and makes my world easy. Gives me the time to pursue my career. But only because I want to. If I wanted to lounge around the pool all day getting my nails done, he’d be just as happy. They have to take care of their mates. Your happiness is theirs. Imagine never being fully restful and content unless someone else was. They are totally focused on your needs.”
“All of them. I can’t imagine you with a bear, but I have no doubts about how well he can take of you. You deserve to not struggle, sweetie. You deserve to have something good in your life. Cash is the good you deserve,” Effie said quietly.
Cassie tried to imagine if her world wasn’t always so shitty. She’d always taken her knocks and never expected different. That’s why when shit happened, she wasn’t shocked anymore. Her motto had been keep your expectations low, and you won’t mind getting kicked in the teeth so much.
It had worked up until now.
Cinderella was a fairytale. Cassie wasn’t just from the other side of the tracks; she was from the bad side of the bad side of town. Cassie knew she would never introduce anyone to her family. She’d be embarrassed to bring Cash home.
Shit, was she thinking about this? How do you change a lifetime of pulling away from people? How the hell do you say yes? And even if she did what did that mean? Do they become boyfriend and girlfriend? Are they dating? She knew the whole mating and bonding thing for them was instantaneous. They went zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. They didn’t think it was too fast.
Every other shifter around them didn’t think it was weird either. Effie had told her about Kenzi and Conner. Kenzi was in love the moment she saw him. Conner was an ass, but even he admitted he loved her from the start.
Maybe Cassie could suspend her sense of reality and pretend she was in a paranormal world where true love, instant true love, was normal. What if she just went along with it for a while to see if it worked out for her?
