Pursuing Paige

by Anya Bast

  “Yes. We need to have faith.”

  She nodded. “Yes.” Sometimes that’s all you had in life. Faith.

  Kaitlyn launched herself into her arms once more and Paige hugged her tight.

  “What’s with all the hugs? Can I have one?” asked Rafian, coming up to them with Lucas at his side.

  “Of course!” said Paige, sniffing back tears, then embraced each of her brothers-in-law.

  Together they walked into the woods neighboring the house and found the small oak grove where her men were waiting for her. Both of them were dressed in white suits, yet their feet were bare and nestled into the carpet of soft leaves.

  Kaitlyn and her husbands took places at the rear of the grove and Paige crossed the space separating her from the men she loved. Kaiden and Jarek both watched her approach with pure adoration in their eyes that warmed her from the top of her head to the tip of her bare toes.

  Jarek took her hand. “You look—”

  “Beautiful,” finished Kaiden.

  “Thank you.”

  Kaiden took a ring box from his pocket. “Are you ready?”

  She smiled. “I couldn’t be readier.”

  Jarek took a ring box from his pocket as well and the men opened them together. In each was a ring band, both intertwined silver and gold and set with small diamonds. She gasped. “They’re incredible.”

  They slid the wedding bands onto her ring fingers—Jarek on her right and Kaiden on the left. “Not as incredible as the woman who wears them,” answered Kaiden.

  The men spoke in unison “Paige Ellen Gannet, do you consent to join your life to ours in matehood?”

  She smiled. “I do.”

  “Universe, hear our words and make it so:

  We give you our breath, blood and bone.

  We pledge to you our everlasting protection.

  We merge our souls with yours.

  Forever, we will shield you from harm

  Foresworn, we will cherish you.

  Eternally, we will honor you.

  United, we forge this bond.

  We are mated.

  We are yours.”

  As they spoke, a warm, strange tingling made its way over her skin. Euphoria filled her. She knew immediately—it was the magick of soul binding.

  “It is done,” said Jarek.

  A curious strength poured through her, the bond between them making her more powerful in every way. She hugged them both. “I’m the luckiest woman in the world,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. “Both of them.”

  “Come on, let’s go home,” said Jarek, taking her by the hand.

  But by the time they’d reached where Kaitlyn and her men stood, the desire to shift was unbearable. In a flash of an eye all three of them were dire wolves running through the woods, wild, free...and together forever.

  Chapter Eight

  “Let me go, you dickhead!” Caroline struggled against the grip of the guard who held her.

  He pushed her into a cell that reminded her of a medieval dungeon. “Such strange words,” the man muttered to his companion as he locked the door and turned away.

  Caroline stared at the bars and fought a wave of hopelessness. She hugged herself and shivered. She’d not gotten a warm welcome when she’d reached the city she’d seen in the distance after her arrival. This was the second cell she’d been pushed into by a people who were obviously not human, at least not completely human. She was cold, tired, hungry, and completely terrified.

  “Hello?” came a deep voice from the depths of a pitch black cell next to hers.

  She turned, examining the cot and chamber pot, the only two items in her prison. “Hello?” she called back.

  “Are you all right?”

  Those simple words, spoken in a voice that seemed to genuinely care were almost her undoing. She swallowed back a flood of emotion and sat down on the cot. “Physically, yes.”

  “Good.” The man sounded relieved. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

  She snorted. “No. What gave it away?”

  “I know women a lot like you back where I’m from.” Now his voice sounded defeated, bereft of all hope.

  Paige felt an odd, immediate connection to this man, whoever he was. She shook it off. It was likely due to her circumstances. One little bit of kindness from someone and she was ready to marry him. “Where are you from?” her voice broke on the words.

  A hand appeared on the bars separating their cells. Broad, big fingers curled around the metal. Blood streaked his skin. It was impossible to make out his face or any other part of him. “I’m from far from here. Very different place.”

  “Are you hurt?”

  “That is not of concern. Only your welfare is important.”

  “What? You don’t even know me, buddy.”

  Silence. After a few moments the man spoke again. “I do. Your name is Caroline.”

  She gasped. “How do you know that?” She hadn’t told anyone here her name. Not one person.

  “I was hoping you wouldn’t come.”

  Her mind tripped over his words. What was he talking about? “Well, I’m pretty unhappy I came, too.” She paused and drew a shaky breath. “I’d go back if I could.”

  Silence.

  Finally, he spoke. “If I can, I’ll see you get out this unharmed, Caroline.”

  “That’s a nice thought, but seeing how we’re both locked in separate prison cells it’s unlikely.”

  She moved to the bars and sank down on the floor near him. She still couldn’t make out his face in the black. Touching his fingers on the bars made him flinch at first, but then he curled his hand around hers in a warm and loving way. It made her heart break and she didn’t understand why.

  “What’s your name?” she asked him finally.

  “Torrent. My name is Torrent.”

  Excerpt from Keeping Kaitlyn

  Chapter One

  The man had a body made for battle, all strong bones, long lines, and powerful muscle. His axe swung over his head and came down with a thwack on a huge chunk of wood. Every movement showed the powerful flex of his back and upper arms. Birds twittered in nearby trees but she barely heard them. The scenery was far too distracting. He paused for a moment to push his dusky blond hair away from his face, perspiration glistening on his skin.

  She wondered what it would be like to be with a man like that, to have the freedom to touch him as much she liked, to have those arms around her, his bare skin brushing against her body, that magnificent chest pressed against her breasts…

  Kaitlyn had never dreamed watching someone chop wood could be so compelling. She could stay here all—

  “Kaitlyn Isabella Gannet.”

  Kaitlyn jerked her head up to stare into her sister’s eyes. Immediately the sounds of the coffee shop filled her consciousness like air into a vacuum. Voices murmuring. Cups clinking. Espresso machine whirring. She grimaced. “Ugh. Don’t do that. You sounded like Susan.”

  And just like that, she was in a thronged downtown Chicago coffee shop, the scent of espresso replacing the fresh smell of forest. She was back and he was gone. How depressing.

  Paige’s lips parted in a mischievous smile “I know. Gotcha. Where were you just then? I’ve been saying your name for the last two minutes. I feel like I’m having coffee by myself.”

  So she’d pulled the old sound-like-Susan. Kaitlyn shuddered. Even the memory of their stepmother could give her the shivers. She shrugged and shot a smile at Paige. “Just distracted, I guess. Daydreaming.”

  “About what?”

  “Uh.” She ducked her head and took a sip of coffee. Nearly cold. “Work.”

  It was a lie. It was a lame lie. Daydreaming about work?

  Guilt filled her for fibbing, but no way was she going to tell Paige the truth. Her sister would take her to the emergency room right away and, while Kaitlyn wasn’t sure she actually shouldn’t go to the emergency room, she didn’t want that. The doctors might admit her to the psych ward a
nd make her two fantasy men go away.

  She knew she was probably going insane. The problem was that insane was a nice place to be. Nice enough Kaitlyn was considering relocating forever.

  “Daydreaming about work, huh? Wow.” Paige tipped her cup back, draining her café mocha.

  Your daydreams are boring, sis. You need a vacation. Some sand, a piña colada. We could take off for the Bahamas for a few days or something. You could start writing that book you’re always talking about.”

  Her sister had been nagging her to take a vacation for a while now. After her divorce, Kaitlyn had thrown herself into her career headfirst. “Are you kidding? I have three projects due within the next month.” She glanced at her watch and jerked with surprise. “Speaking of, I need to get back.”

  Scooping up her paper to-go cup, she made for the door.

  “Caroline invited us for dinner on Sunday,” Paige called after her.

  Kaitlyn waved a hand at her, clutching her tote under one arm as she opened the door. “I’m in…as long as Susan isn’t there.” She shot one last smile at her sister and burst into the bright sunlight, hurrying across the square to the office building where she worked.

  Paige’s office was just a couple blocks over. When Kaitlyn could grab the time, they went for lunch or coffee at noon. Caroline, their other sister, worked clear on the other side of town, but they saw her often. They were close, the three sisters. Only a year apart, they were all very different in personality, but surviving their childhood had made them best of friends.

  She wished she could tell her sisters about the strange forays from reality she’d been taking lately. She’d called it a daydream, but that was far too mild. It was a little more like being sucked, mind, body, and soul into a dream for a few minutes. Every time it happened, it was too short. They were a little like blackouts, except with sound and pictures. Lovely, wonderful moving pictures of two incredible men…

  Shivering at the memory of the wood chopping daydream in the coffee house, she pushed open the door of her building.

  Entering the elevator, she found herself shoulder to shoulder with Evan, who worked in accounting at the software development company she worked at.

  “It’s a hot one out there today, huh?” said Evan, smiling.

  Oh, great, small talk. She forced a smile. “Yes, yes, it is.”

  Silence. The elevator music soothed them with soft jazz. Wow, it took a long time to get to the sixty fifth floor.

  Evan cleared his throat and turned toward her a little. “I was wondering if you were busy tonight, Kaitlyn. There’s a—”

  Oh, no.

  “I can’t.” She blurted, and then froze, realizing how rude she’d sounded. Evan was a nice guy, good looking too. He wasn’t married, or obnoxious, and it really was time she got back to dating. Yet… “I’m sorry. It’s not you. You’re an awesome guy. I’m just really into my work right now.”

  Evan took a step back from her. He gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “No problem. It was just, you know, an idea. An…elevator pitch.” He laughed, but it sounded a little trembling. Nervous.

  The car dinged, stopped, and let on another passenger. She and Evan moved to the back and Kaitlyn touched his arm. “Like I said, it’s not you, but I appreciate it.”

  “No problem.” But he wouldn’t look at her.

  Great. She felt like a total asshole now. Her sisters would kick her butt if they knew she’d just turned down a date with a suitable guy, too.

  The elevator doors opened and Evan scooted out as fast as he could. Kaitlyn exited slowly, letting Evan get the distance from her that he so clearly needed, and found her office, closing the door behind her. All she wanted was to lose herself in work. Drown in it. If she couldn’t be locked in those amazing daydreams all day, she wanted to be completely distracted with something else. Something she knew. Something safe. Something she was good at.

  She worked into the early evening. Finally, after the sun had gone down and the office outside her door was dark, quiet, and the cleaning crew was working, she sat back in her chair and stretched. Time to go home to her empty, lonely apartment.

  Maybe it was time to get a cat. She sighed.

  Closing her eyes, she tried to drift into that lovely dreamscape, but she couldn’t do it. She could never invoke the daydreams on her own; they were always involuntary. A result, Kaitlyn was sure, of a life filled with stress. Not only was she swamped at work, but that nasty divorce had an emotional echo. She’d had to file a restraining order against a man she’d thought had loved her. So it was likely these little snatchaways she was having were probably her mind’s way of dealing with all the tumult in her life. Harmless…though their uncontrolled nature was strange. Worrisome, even.

  Her head told her she needed to seek help, but her heart jealously guarded every second she spent with the two men in her daydreams. Both of them were tall, ripped—one dark haired and one light. One of them was tattooed. There was something animalistic about the pair of them, something brutal…something wild. Yet she sensed they wanted nothing but to protect her.

  They just wanted her, every inch of her. Forever.

  She supposed that would be frightening if the men were real. But they weren’t real. They were a figment of her overstressed, overstretched, overworked imagination. So she was free to admire them whenever they sprang up.

  Neither of them had talked to her in her daydreams, or touched her. They were always doing something, forging iron, riding a horse, chopping wood, whatever. That was okay, looking at them was enough. It was like she segued into an alternate reality just for a couple minutes at a time, observed their life there, except both the men knew she was watching them. They looked her with such determination on their faces, such hunger. They wanted her. They both had claimed her as….

  Ours. The word breathed through her office, spoken in a low, rough male voice.

  Kaitlyn shot to her feet, every muscle in her body tight. Occasional mental vacations were all right, but hallucinating voices in her office was going too far. She stood frozen for a moment, trying to convince herself that she hadn’t just heard a disembodied male voice claim her as his, but she couldn’t do it. She’d heard that voice clear as if someone had been standing right next to her.

  Maybe she needed help after all.

  “No.” She gathered her tote bags, stuffing in a few files she might want to look at before bed. “I don’t need help, I need Caroline. I need company. I need—” She groaned. “Now I’m talking to myself. That’s just great.”

  She raced out of the office, trailing loose sheets of paper behind her and nearly colliding with one of the cleaning people. All she wanted was to get to Caroline’s house. Her sister lived alone and would still be up; she wouldn’t mind her little sister dropping in for an unexpected visit.

  Kaitlyn shouldered her tote bag and mounted the stairs to the elevated L stop at Milwaukee and North, not far from her office, and walked onto the platform to wait for her train.

  This was an affluent area, yet she was still very aware of her surroundings. But even though it was well after dark in downtown Chicago, she wasn’t afraid. That’s what self-defense classes were for, classes she’d been taking with abandon since her former husband had gone wonky doodle. And pepper spray. No way was she going to be held captive by the fact she was a woman.

  Ours. The voice drifted on the air, filling up the space around her. Just one voice, but more than one claim. The two men of her daydreams, she assumed.

  Her eyes widened and she went stock still. A man sat on the metal bench near her reading a book. He didn’t budge. Seemingly, the voice was in her head. That was so not a good thing.

  Come to us.

  “Come to you?” The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them, a gut reaction to the whispered request of one of the men who were only supposed to exist in her fevered, overworked imagination.

  The man on the bench shifted uneasily and glanced at her.

/>   A train sped by, blowing an empty drink container around the platform and buffeting her hair. Come to us, the voice breathed again. She turned to run away, off the platform, down the street, anywhere to escape the voices in her head, but she knew she couldn’t run from her own crazy. Maybe wonky doodle was catching.

  Something tingled through her body. A pulling sensation tugged at her clothes.

  The train whipping in front of her seemed to speed up and grow longer. She looked down the track and couldn’t see the end of it; it was just one long stretch of blurry silver. Paper and trash buffeted around her feet. The air from the passing train became stronger, thrumming around her head and yanking at her clothing. She stepped back and saw that the man with the paperback was gone. Had he run away…or just vanished?

  The wind grew stronger, roaring in her ears. The train sped impossibly faster. She turned to flee and she staggered to the side. Her tote slipped from her shoulder and dropped to the pavement. This was not right. This was not normal.

  Her vision became fuzzy. She dropped to her knees. Throwing back her head, she shrieked in fright, but the roar of the wind swallowed the sound, tossing it away like it was nothing.

  Blackness. Silence. Floating.

  A couple moments later, her throat raw from screaming, and she lay on something soft and cool. She cracked her eyelids, letting in a flood of bright light. Her pupils weren’t ready for that. She pushed up and scrabbled backward, shielding her eyes with her forearm.

  “Take it easy,” said a low, male voice.

  She whipped her arm down and blinked owlishly. The cool soft stuff was grass. The bright light was sunshine. The low, male voice came from…..

  “Oh, my….god.” She must have had a psychotic break at some point, because one of the men from her daydreams was standing in front her, though this experience lacked the wispy, vague, removed quality that was always present.

  This was real. Real grass. Real ground. Real sunshine.

  Real man.