by Tl Reeve
“So he told you his parents died by my father’s hand?”
No. He didn’t. Rage burned through her veins. The need for vengeance filled her. How dare this man sit at their table? The anger, though irrational, pumped through her. “I think you’re wearing out your welcome.” Sayer squeezed her shoulder. “Why are you still here? Why haven’t you left? His father killed your parents? How does this work?” She had so many questions swirling through her mind. This man’s father was despicable, yet everyone treated this man like gold.
“Because Drew suffered as well. He’s the person bringing this town back to life.” His cool, calm tone surprised her. She’d figured Sayer would have been just as pissed off as her. “You know I have a sibling?” The question hadn’t been for her, but for him.
“I have a suspicion, yes. But, he doesn’t smell like you.”
“Figured. Ten years is a long time. I’ll be wanting to see him.” The icy edge to his voice chilled her ire.
“We’ll arrange it. For now”—he stood—“I expect to see both of you tonight.”
Sure, why not. None of this sat well with her. She didn’t understand.
“We’ll be there.”
Drew turned to her. “My father was a ruthless bastard who didn’t give a shit about anyone but himself. He was insane and out-of-his-mind dangerous. I’ve felt his wrath, and, with his death, he felt mine. This is my pack, and my wolves. We make damn sure everyone is safe and protected here.” Without another word, he pivoted and limped out of the house.
Sayer sagged. “You’re going to be the death of me, woman. I should have explained this better.”
“No, I think I understand somewhat. Why does he limp?”
“His father shot him before banishing him from the pack going on eleven years ago.”
Well shit, there went her reason to stay pissed off at the man. “Oh.” She hurried out the door, following in the man’s wake. “Drew?” She didn’t see him anywhere, but with the low-hanging fog and at least a foot of snow, it didn’t mean anything. “Please come back.”
He stepped out of the fog. “Kizzy.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not my best with this stuff. It’s too….”
“Unusual?”
She nodded. “Very much so. I won’t tell. I promise. I’m not leaving, either. I’m here to stay, and I’ll help anywhere I can.”
“Good to hear. I’ll be in touch.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Sayer stared at the ornament he’d bought on the sly while they were shopping. From the gathering last year, he learned they needed to add one to the tree standing near the center of town. He hoped she liked the TARDIS ornament he found for her. And, after learning Graham opened a tab at Los Lobos Books and More for Elle, he’d done the same for Kizzy. She could buy whatever book she wanted without worry—it’d been more symbolic than anything. He knew she had her own money, more than enough, but he wanted it to be from him, to show he paid attention and he cared.
Hell, let’s call a spade a spade. He loved her.
Dropping his present back into the bag, he slipped the object into his jacket pocket then headed for their room. For the last hour, Kizzy had been trying on outfit after outfit, desperate to fit in for their run. Little did she know, the majority of the town would be wolves while the humans would hang back and keep a leisurely pace. He opened the door to find her before the mirror, with a frown marring her brow. She’d gone for layers. A long-sleeved red, white, and green Christmas shirt had been covered by a red Bah Humbug graphic-T. Broken ornaments lay along the bottom of the shirt along with a half-empty glass of milk and broken cookies. Her jeans clung to her ample curves and his mouth watered.
“You’re perfect.” He leaned against the frame and crossed his arms. “Your ass especially so.”
She sighed, and gave a little laugh. “You’re impossible.”
“Can’t help it.” He strolled over to her. Leaning in, he kissed her mark. “I have snowshoes for you if you want them. The base is thick but some of the snow is loose and powdery and makes it hard to walk on.”
“I think the boots I picked up in Aberdeen should be okay. Do we go far?” She glanced up at him, the nervousness, along with maybe fear, tinged her pretty hazel-green eyes.
“It’s more of a loop. It’ll start at the trail in the middle of town and go up into the hills and then come back down. About two miles, give or take.”
She frowned again.
“You’re worried. Why?”
She shrugged. “I don’t want to hold you up.”
“You’re not going to.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s almost time. We don’t want to be late.” Sayer guided her from the room. The little present he got her practically burned a hole in his pocket and he didn’t even have it near him. “There are some things you should know about the festivities, besides the whole running thing.”
“Like what?”
“Stories and food. Pack togetherness. It’s a way for us to heal.” And, yet, he skipped the run last year. Shame washed through him. He allowed his hatred of everything blind him to his love of pack. He’d allowed the wounds of a child who lost everything, fester and become so deeply infected, he’d cut himself off to everyone.
“Sounds like fun. Are we supposed to bring anything with us besides the honey?” She accepted the offer of her coat from him.
“Yes. One more thing, but it’s a surprise.” Once she was tucked into her coat, he donned his own.
“A surprise?” She grabbed the small honey pot and the bear-shaped bottle of honey that was their gag gift to Gee.
He couldn’t wait to see the look on the old bear’s face when she placed it in front of him. Sure, he should have told her Gee was actually a bear, but where would the fun be in that? “Let’s go. I can’t wait to see Gee’s face when you hand him the fake entry.”
“Me, too.” They hurried out the door to his waiting truck, which he’d started while she was getting ready. After getting her settled, he got in on the driver side.
He took his time down the driveway he forgot to fix, chiding himself for being an idiot. Kizzy could get really hurt out here if he didn’t take care for her safety. Shit, he was an asshole. With the snow here to stay, he, too, would have use caution. Thankfully, he could leave the house as a wolf and do what needed to be done. Kizzy, on the other hand, might go a little stir crazy. “You know, once this snow gets thick enough, we’ll be cut off from everyone.”
She nodded. “I know. Before you came and unceremoniously told me to pack my shit, I figured as much.”
“Are you going to be okay with it?” He worried keeping her confined to the cabin with minimal travel to town, might make her a little stir crazy.
“I have you. I’ll be fine. Plus, you have a TV now. We can watch movies. Talk. Do other things.” She gave him a wicked sexy grin while squeezing his thigh.
“Woman, eventually, if we’re not careful, you’re going to be carrying my pup.”
“Meh.” She inclined her shoulder. “I’m not too concerned. If it happens, it happens.”
A heady dose of possessive lust filled his gut. The wolf demanded he stop the truck and take her then and there and keep at her until she carried his child. “Damn it, why’d you have to say that now? Do you know how hard it’s going to be to get through tonight without thinking about this shit?”
She laughed. “You brought it up. I gave you an honest answer. Kids aren’t a bad thing.”
He believed her. “We’ll have a long, cold winter ahead of us. We’ll find out how you feel about kids once you get knocked up.”
Chapter Eleven
For the rest of the drive to town, Sayer kept giving her smoldering, hot looks. They made her squirm in her seat and a little bit anxious. She didn’t know why it didn’t bother her about getting pregnant. She’d never seen herself as a mom, though she loved kids. She supposed if she thought about it, like actually tapped her inner t
herapist, she’d have to say it came about because of her mother and the piss-poor way she raised Kizzy. However, she also knew she’d never do the same with her kids. She’d let them be who they were meant to be, nerdy and all. It didn’t matter to her.
As they pulled up to Gee’s, a flutter of anticipation filled her. Tonight, she’d finally take the step into her new life. She couldn’t explain it, hadn’t been able to since their night out of town. But, the minute he marked her fully, it was like everything fit into place and she’d come home. Crazy as it sounded, she wasn’t alone anymore, and she had a sneaky suspicion he felt the same way. Weird how finding your perfect match does that to you.
She got out of the truck and grabbed the items for Gee. “Are you sure we should do this?” She didn’t know why a blast of nervousness hit her square in the chest. The intimidating man waited by a small table, taking scavenger hunt objects from those who approached him.
“Don’t back out on me now, beautiful. You’ve got this.” He wrapped his arm around her and guided her to the table. “Be brave.” His breath ruffled her hair at the side of her head.
Sure, be brave. “Good evening, Gee.” She stood before him and smiled. “I have what you’ve requested.”
Surprise registered on his face. Had he thought they wouldn’t be able to find it? “Good.”
She opened the bag she’d placed both objects into and grabbed the bear-shaped bottle first. Her heart pounded as she tried desperately to keep her features neutral. “Here you go.” She handed him the fake honey and waited.
The look on his face was priceless. Drew came up beside him, patted him on the shoulder then burst out laughing. “What’s this shit?”
Kizzy bit the inside of her cheek hard to keep from laughing. “Honey. In a bear bottle.”
A chuckle escaped Sayer.
“Horse shit!” He narrowed his eyes at Sayer. “You told her to do this, didn’t you?”
He held up his hands, while continuing to laugh. “All her idea.”
“I think she got you, old man.” Drew grabbed the bottle off the table. “Kind of resembles you, too.”
Kizzy stopped laughing. All the blood drained from her face as her stomach dropped and her hands became cold and clammy. Gee wasn’t a wolf. Gee was a bear. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Abort. Abort. Abort. She didn’t know. Sayer didn’t tell her. How was she supposed to know? Mortified, she stood there unable to move. She’d pissed him off. How could she not have? She’d basically insulted him with the honey bottle.
“Hey now.” Sayer wrapped his arm around her and tucked her into his side. He gazed down at her and smiled. “It’s okay, beautiful. He’s not mad. Are you, Gee?”
The man gave a small chuckle. “Suppose not.” He grunted. “But, you failed to bring me what I requested.”
She shook her head and reached into the bag to pull out the honey pot. “T-tricolored honey bee honey. As you asked for.”
Gee grinned and placed it on the table. “Thank you. I’ll keep the other bottle for you when you come inside and eat.”
Sayer barked out a laugh.
“O-okay. I’m sorry if I offended you.”
“You didn’t offend me at all. Surprised? Yes. Shocked, a little bit. Sayer should have told you as well.” He narrowed his eyes at her mate. “You scared your mate.”
“I’ll make it up to her.”
“Not against the side of my bar, boy,” the bear snarled.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” The lightness in Sayer’s voice pushed back against the embarrassment. “Let’s go before he gets sentimental on us.” He eased her toward the pack Christmas tree. “Remember the other present I told you I had?”
“Yes?” She narrowed her eyes. “What is it?”
He pulled a small paper bag from his jacket pocket and handed it to her. “I know I’m a dick, and a hard person to handle, but I wanted you to know I listened.” He handed her the sack. “It goes on the tree. Everyone adds to it.”
She stared at the small ornaments on the tree. Some were made of wood, others were glass. The majority of them were handmade, including the strings of cranberries. Opening the bag in her hand, she took out the small box and gasped. He had been listening to her. The TARDIS stared back at her with Dr. Who emblazoned on the packaging. There was also a slip of paper in the bag. Shifting her decoration to Sayer, she pulled the paper strip. Again he amazed her. An open tab from Los Lobos Books and More. She hadn’t been there yet but had seen the quaint little bookshop a time or two.
He did all of this for her.
Tears welled in her eyes. “Sayer. You shouldn’t have.” Her bottom lip trembled as she stared at the simple certificate.
“Yes, I should have.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Open the box and put your ornament on the tree. You’re one of us now.” He kissed her once more then stepped away, giving her space.
She opened the box and took out the figurine. The blue police box had a small green wreath on it, and while she thought it was plastic, it was actually fine glass. Everything on it had been hand-painted and inside on the bottom lay a number. Fifty-two of one hundred. Limited edition. She glanced up at him. Did he realize what he’d bought her? No, probably not. They still hadn’t watched season ten yet. Which, in her opinion, had been the best season to date. “Keep this.” She dumped the box and the protective plastic back into the bag. “We’ll need it.”
Then, she walked to the tree. A million tiny lights glittered amongst the branches laden with an array of decorations. So many different ornaments, each one a unique symbol of the couples gathered around it. She wanted to showcase the ornament but not have it stick out. She bit her bottom lip.
“You’re never going to hang it up if you’re thinking too hard.”
Elle. She turned to her friend and hugged her tight. She owed her a huge apology, even though she still wished her friend had told her the truth.
“I am so sorry.” She hugged her once more. “Let’s never fight again.”
Elle laughed. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you. I wanted to. For a long, long time. I hated I had to lie. Can you forgive me?”
Pfft. There was nothing to apologize for. Once Sayer explained and then the impromptu meeting with Drew, she got it. They had to keep everything secret or else others would come, and who knew what society would do to them or what they’d destroy? No, she couldn’t carry the burden of anger at her friend for trying to protect her life and her family. “There’s nothing to forgive. I understand. You were doing what you needed to do.”
“Then you and Sayer will come for dinner tomorrow night?” The hopeful gleam in her friend’s eyes made it impossible to deny.
“Of course we’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She placed the ornament on the tree in a clear spot. “There, perfect.”
“What are you two conspiring about over here?” Sayer’s voice cut through their moment, and she giggled.
“Nothing. Airing out our dirty laundry and making up.” She smiled at him. “We have dinner plans for tomorrow night. You get to be sociable.”
He groaned.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you later.”
“Yes, you will.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Looks like Gee’s going to tell us a story.”
Soft whisperings greeted them as they walked over to the bonfire burning brightly. A woman with multicolored hair dressed in billowy clothes, something Kizzy just wouldn’t wear in the snow, placed a child in front of her, and stared at Sayer. Her mate stilled, his arms tightened as the chattering grew louder. The boy, though she couldn’t make out his features well, resembled him.
“Sayer.” Kizzy murmured, shocked by the child’s appearance.
When he didn’t take a step, she nudged him. Finally, with a little coaxing on her part, he closed the distance between them. The woman held the same note of hesitancy and fear as Sayer did. The boy’s gaze never left her mate’s face. Oh this boy. Her hea
rt broke for both of them all over again. Ten years of never seeing a sibling he knew would be born soon. Ten years of thinking the boy had died when their mother was killed. Ten years of suffering the loss of his parents and feeling as though he were alone in this world.
He swallowed hard. “Tinks.”
“Hey, Sayer.” The tremble of her voice belied her relaxed position.
“Who’s this?” He pointed to the little boy.
“This is Jordan.” She squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “I-I want you to know, I never…. I mean it wasn’t my intent to—”
“Are you my dad?”
Sayer shook his head. “No, I’m not.” He crouched down. “I think you could be my brother, though.”
“I’m not doing this right at all.” Tinks rubbed her forehead. “I actually never thought about how this would all work out. I just did it to keep him safe.”
“Slow down.” She placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Breathe. Tell us what happened.”
“Maybe we should sit? This could take a while.”
Sayer nodded and led them over to an open log. Sure, everyone stared at them, but it didn’t matter. As they took their seat, Jessie, the little girl she’d met in the diner came over to them. She kept her distance until Jordan waved at her then she approached them.
“Hi, Kizzy. Hi, Tinks.” She shrank back from Sayer. “Hi, Mr. Blackcrow. Can Jordan play with me?”
Jordan looked to Tinks then to Sayer before setting his stare on Kizzy. “Not my rodeo, kid. Ask your….” Well, she didn’t know what to call her.
“How about when Gee tells his stories, he sits with you, okay?” Tinks smiled and ruffled the girl’s hair.
“Okay. See you then, Jordan. Bye, Kizzy. Bye, Tinks. Bye, Mr. Blackcrow.” She waved to them and skipped back to her waiting parents.
“So, about Jordan.”
Sitting next to the boy, he could see pieces of his mother and father in him. He had his father’s blue eyes. His mother’s light-brown hair. For long moments, he’d been content to just stare at the boy. His family. How had he been so preoccupied with everything, he hadn’t seen the boy? Oh sure, he’d seen him around town with Tinks, but he never seen him.
