“You’re family now.” Elise slid her arms around Belle’s shoulders and hugged her lightly. “Family sticks together.”
Belle took a shuddering breath and dashed her hand across her eyes. “I’m used to doing things on my own. I’m used to being the person I depend on. Aside from my mom. It might take some getting used to.”
“Then take your time, there’s no rush.” Elise rubbed her back. “Come on, you look as if you’re about to keel over.”
“Yeah. I feel it. But what about my mom and the kids?” Belle turned around and scanned the trees. “Is someone going to drive with them?”
“Flora is going to drive the truck to Wishing Moon Bay. We’re going to squeeze in the car with you. We’ll make sure that no one follows us.” Rift guided her back to the car.
“Are they safe on their own?” Belle’s concern grew.
“We won’t be far behind them. But if those guys are watching us, it’s best if we don’t have contact with the truck.” Rift put his hand on the door and helped her into the car.
“Can’t Aiden go back to them through the trees?” She fastened her seatbelt and leaned her head back on the headrest.
“I could, but it’s risky. And anyway, if they attack, we’re certain they’ll come at you again. And we might not be as lucky at fending them off,” Aiden replied.
“Lucky.” Elise put her hands together as if she were swinging a bat. “I took that guy out.”
“You did.” Caleb hooked his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Remind me to never cross you.”
“Ah, you never would. You’re my mate.” She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him, her body pressed tightly against Caleb’s.
“Can you two get a room?” Aiden complained. “I don’t want to sit in the back of the car with you two kissing all the way home.”
Caleb chuckled. “Hey, you found your mate first. I had to put up with you and Flora kissing while I was alone.”
“For a couple of days,” Aiden said hotly.
“A couple of long days,” Caleb complained as they all got in the back of the car.
“Your mom must be a brave woman to have raised six kids,” Belle told Rift.
Rift nodded and chuckled as he started the engine. “Valerie is something special. We owe her so much.”
“Is she going to be okay with you showing up with a family in tow?”
“She’ll be so happy, she’ll explode.” Rift’s smile widened. “She’s always hoped that we’d all find mates. Now there’s only Ivan left.”
“Wow, he’s the odd one out. That’s going to be tough.” Belle’s eyes grew heavy as they left the forest road behind and headed toward Wishing Moon Bay.
Wherever that was.
As the wheels turned and the engine throbbed, she slipped under the veil of sleep.
Her future was uncertain, but she trusted Rift. She trusted his family.
They would protect her and the kids.
But would they ever be able to go back to their old life? And if they did, where did Rift fit into that? He obviously loved his family and his hometown. Would he give it all up for her?
As sleep finally claimed her, she realized she’d already accepted that he was a part of her life now. She was his mate, and they were meant to be together.
This sure was one crazy day. Or was it all a dream?
Chapter Twelve – Rift
Rift glanced at his mate, sleeping in the passenger seat beside him. She looked so serene, as if she didn’t have a care, and he longed to make that a reality for her.
We will, his snow leopard assured him as they neared the turnoff to Wishing Moon Bay.
I sure hope there is something in those boxes in the trunk that’ll give us some clue as to what those guys are after. If not, we’re going to need a new plan. Rift checked the rearview mirror. They’d driven along this same stretch of road three times, each time the shifters had pushed out their senses to try to locate the truck or anyone else that might be following them.
At last, there was no one within a mile of them. It was time to go home.
Flora had already arrived in town, she’d gone there directly after the incident in the forest. As far as she could tell, there was no one following her, and she had taken the same precautions of looping back several times to check there was no one following the truck. It might have been overcautious since the guys in the truck had never seen Aiden’s vehicle. But overcautiousness was better than complacency.
If those guys found Wishing Moon Bay, Belle and her family might not be the only ones in danger.
Do you think those people were connected to what happened to Aiden and Caleb? His snow leopard asked the question that had been in Rift’s mind for the whole trip. He’d turned it over and over in his head, but he had no answer.
I don’t know. What are the chances of any of these being connected? Our mate and our brothers. It’s like our lives are woven together so intricately.
Fate brought us together in the same way fate brings mates together, his other side mused.
Rift ran his hand through his hair. He was hungry and tired, verging on grouchy, but they would soon be home.
Elise had called ahead and asked Ivan to prepare some food for them. She hadn’t said that Rift had found his mate. That was news Rift should break in person.
“Valerie is going to be super excited.” Elise leaned forward and whispered in his ear so as not to wake Belle.
“She is.” He couldn’t help worrying about Ivan, though. Would the dragon shifter ever find his mate, or would he be forever alone?
Maybe his mate is on the dragon isle, his snow leopard suggested.
The one place he’s not supposed to go, Rift replied.
One of the places he’s not supposed to go. Valerie has always warned him about going into the fae realms, too. His snow leopard flexed his claws. Since two of our brothers have fae for mates, Ivan’s mate might also be fae.
Great. That would incredibly unfair. Rift rubbed his hand over his chin. Ever since they were kids growing up in Wishing Moon Bay, Valerie had warned them not to go into the fae realm.
Fae didn’t like shifters in general, but they had a particular dislike of dragon shifters.
Although Aiden and Caleb had traveled to the fae realm with their mates, Ivan had yet to set foot in the realms. Even talking about it made Valerie nervous.
She’d never told them why. It was one of many mysteries and the brothers respected Valerie’s silence.
Their mom had only ever done what was best for her sons. She’d worked hard to raise them and keep them safe.
And fed. His snow leopard licked his lips. I am hungry.
We’ll be there soon. Darkness surrounded them as they drove through the long narrow tunnel leading to Wishing Moon Bay.
Elise shuddered and sat back in her seat. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this tunnel.”
“Don’t worry, I’m here for you.” Caleb slipped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.
“I’m not scared,” she told him even though she snuggled closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. “I just don’t like the dark, it kind of crowds in on you.”
“Is it nighttime?”
Rift visibly jumped as Belle sat up straight in her seat and looked around. “No, we’re in a long tunnel.” He pointed ahead. “There’s the end. Can you see the light?”
She yawned and leaned forward before she rubbed her eyes. “I see it.” She yawned again. “Where are we?”
“We’re just entering Wishing Moon Bay. The tunnel is the only road in and out.” Rift glanced sideways at her even though he couldn’t see her features in the dim light. But he didn’t need light to picture her face. He’d memorized every curve, every line.
He ground his molars together as he recalled the vivid red marks left by the guy who had hurt her.
We owe Elise a debt, his snow leopard said. Without her, we could have lo
st our mate before we even had time to get to know her.
We do owe her. And one day we’ll repay the debt. The end of the tunnel neared and as the light grew, Belle stared ahead, her eyes intense. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
His breath caught in his throat. How had he gotten so lucky?
“I slept the whole trip?” Belle’s voice wasn’t as raspy after her sleep and as they emerged from the tunnel, he was grateful to see the marks had faded. Elise’s ointment seemed to have done its job.
“You did. I figured it was better to let you sleep so you didn’t worry about your family.” He nodded ahead. “They’re already in town, they should be at the hotel by now.”
Belle ran her fingers through her tangle of hair which hung below her shoulders. She looked adorable, and he licked his lips as his eyes settled on her full lips. “I look a mess.” She pulled down the sun visor and looked at herself critically in the mirror. “Urgh.”
“Don’t worry, you can get cleaned up when we get to the hotel. There’s a hot meal waiting for us, too,” Rift told her.
“Are the kids okay? Have you spoken to my mom?” Belle flipped the visor up.
“Aiden called Flora to check in on them a half-hour ago. Then your mom texted to say they had reached town. They seem fine, the kids think they’re going on an adventure. Jack’s extra happy because he overheard part of the conversation you had with your mom and he thinks he’s not going back to school.” Rift smiled to himself as Belle wriggled up in her seat.
“Does he? That is so like Jack.”
“Doesn’t he like school?” Rift asked.
“He says it’s boring.”
“I can relate to that. I always thought the world outside the classroom had more to teach me,” Rift confessed.
Belle smiled and waggled her finger at him. “Please, do not repeat that in front of my son. It wouldn’t take much for him to decide that he doesn’t need school.”
“Ah, I can help him there. It wasn’t until I got a little older that I realized I needed school to teach me about the world outside of the classroom. We used to go on field trips to the beach and the mountains and I learned about the world and the creatures who live in it. I learned how the mountains were formed and how the moon pulls the oceans toward the shore.” He blinked a couple of times. “Yeah, I liked school. Eventually.”
“That does sound like the kind of school Jack would like. He loves the outdoors, but unfortunately, we live in a large town and we don’t always have time to travel to wide open spaces. Which is a pity because he’s a boy who likes to run.” She turned her head and stared at the mountains in the distance. “It sure is beautiful here.”
“It is.” Rift nodded, wishing he could figure out how to make Belle see she could have a happy life here with him. She would be happy, the children would be happy.
And we would be ecstatic, his snow leopard said.
We would be in heaven, Rift agreed.
“So, you grew up in a hotel?” Belle dragged her attention away from the distant mountains.
“We did. Valerie had a large apartment next to the hotel and we all lived there. It’s smaller now, she’s downsized a lot since we all moved out. Most of the room has been given over to the restaurant. My brother, Ivan, is an amazing chef.” His stomach rumbled just thinking about the food waiting for them at the hotel.
“A chef. I can’t wait to try his food. I am hungry, it’s been hours since we ate.” Belle made a new attempt to tame her hair. “I wish I’d gotten some clean clothes and a hairbrush. Maybe you could sneak me in the back door or something.”
“You’re beautiful just the way you are.” Rift glanced in the rearview mirror as Aiden covered his mouth to hide his smile. He’d almost forgotten they weren’t in the car alone. Being so close to his mate made him forget about everyone and everything else.
“Did your mom teach you to be charming to women, too?” Belle’s eyes danced as she teased him, and he was grateful to see her looking much more relaxed and at ease.
“Yes, she did. Along with always being polite and looking after each other. Family is important. We should always look out for each other.” He pointed ahead. “There’s the hotel. Aiden’s truck is parked outside.”
“Are the kids there? I can’t see them.” Belle sat up and wriggled in her seat until she was on the edge, staring at Aiden’s truck.
“There they are.” Elise checked her phone as a message came through. “It’s Flora asking where we are.” She leaned across Caleb, rolled down the window, and stuck her hand out, waving it frantically. “We’re here.”
Flora turned around and watched the car as Rift drove it into the parking lot and stopped next to the truck. He opened the door to get out, but Belle was faster. Even before the car stopped, she’d unfastened her seatbelt and thrown the door open so she could run for her kids with her arms open.
“I missed you, are you okay?” She knelt on the ground and scooped them up, clutching them to her as if they were the most precious things in the world.
They are, his snow leopard replied. To Belle, there’s nothing more important than her children. Which is how it must be.
That’s okay, I’m happy to be in second place to Rosie and Jack. Rift would happily be any place as long as Belle was by his side. He chuckled at his own joke as he got out of the car and closed the door.
“Hey, good to see you again, Katrina.” Rift made a beeline for Belle’s mom while his mate hugged the children so tightly Jack pretended to gasp for air.
“Not as good as it is to see you all.” She reached out for Rift and hugged him tightly. “I don’t know how to thank you for coming back for us.”
“You know I’ll always come if you need me,” Rift assured her. “You know Belle is my mate.”
“I know. I know. But part of me was scared that the mating bond wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. It’s one thing to hear about it, it’s another to experience it. I’m just happy my daughter has you in her life.” Katrina buried her face in his shoulder as Belle tilted her head back and looked up at him.
Do you think Belle has any doubts about how strong the mating bond is? His snow leopard was incredibly happy to have their mate here. After their earlier fear that she might walk out of their lives forever and never return, this was the best outcome they could have asked for. Which brought a huge dose of guilt along with it. They were only here in Wishing Moon Bay because they were in danger.
Rift would have preferred them to be here for happier reasons.
“There you all are.” Valerie emerged from the hotel, her curious gaze resting on Belle and the children before switching to Rift who was still firmly clamped to Katrina.
“I heard we were having guests.” Valerie walked down the steps to meet them, using her cane to keep herself balanced. A recent operation had left her stiff, but she was getting stronger and more like her usual self, more and more each day.
“More than guests,” Aiden replied.
Valerie stopped walking, leaning heavily on her stick as she studied Rift. “You have news?” She glanced from Katrina to Belle and then her attention fixed on the children.
“I do.” He let go of Katrina and moved toward Belle who stood up, holding her children’s hands.
This is awkward, his snow leopard said, although he couldn’t wait to break their happy news to Valerie.
“Hi.” Belle nodded and stepped closer to Rift. “I’m Belle. And you must be Valerie. This is my mom, Katrina.”
“Good to meet you, Katrina. There’s food and coffee inside. Or tea if you prefer. Ivan’s kept the kitchen open for you. It sounds as if you’ve had an adventure.” Valerie smiled warmly at Katrina.
“Thank you. An adventure, that would be one way of putting it.” Katrina aimed a concerned glance at Belle, her eyes resting on the fading marks on her daughter’s wrist.
“And who are these little people?” Valerie smiled down at Jack and Rosie, her love for children evident as, despite
her stiff leg, she lowered herself down to their height.
“This is Jack. And this is Rosie.” Belle introduced her children, mirroring the same pride and love as Valerie had when she spoke about her children. Even though they hadn’t been children for decades.
“Hello, Jack. Hello, Rosie. I’m Valerie. Do you want to come inside the hotel and see what we can find to eat?” Valerie leaned her weight on her stick as she straightened up.
“Hello. Are you Rift’s mom?” Jack asked.
“I am,” Valerie confirmed as her gaze switched from the children to rest on Belle’s face for a moment. Then she glanced at Rift, who nodded, the unspoken message met with a wide smile from Valerie. Tears sparkled in her eyes as she took a long shuddering breath.
“Your hotel looks like a castle.” Rosie tugged on Belle’s hand, pulling her toward the hotel steps as she stared up at the turret that had sat on top of the hotel since it had been built.
“It does, doesn’t it? Do you know it’s one of the reasons I wanted to buy it? I always wanted to be a princess,” Valerie confessed.
“Me, too!” Rosie replied.
“We’re going to get along just fine.” Valerie paused at the bottom of the steps and turned around, her expression unreadable as she took in the scene before her. Three of her beloved sons, all with their mates.
She’s happy, his snow leopard sighed.
She isn’t the only one, Rift replied lightly. We should make the most of this time and forget about the danger that stalked Belle, even if just for one day.
Chapter Thirteen – Belle
“Do you need anything from the car?” Rift was by her side as she reached the steps to the hotel. He’d seemed tongue-tied when his mom had asked for introductions. After a fleeting moment of uncertainty, her fear that his mother might not approve of his mate already having two children was instantly swept aside.
“I have my purse. Rosie has her favorite toy and her favorite princess book, and Jack has his game console.” A smile slipped across her lips. “You’ll soon learn that these are the only necessities in the world. At least until Rosie moves on to a new favorite book.”
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