“Don’t let me ever hear you say that. A good leader always has compassion. If you didn’t, then I’d be worried,” White Eagle said as he turned to see the Whitefields coming up the path with two men carrying a few boxes each.
Mrs. Whitefield smiled at Shelly and held out her hand. “Thank you for allowing us to do this. We’ll miss our children, but this will give us purpose.”
“White Eagle suggested it, but I couldn’t have picked a better couple. I’ve talked with the other Alphas and we’ve decided to have one home for every race. Is this going to be okay with you? They will start work on expanding this home since it’s the largest,” Shelly asked the woman who so reminded her of her grandmother.
Mrs. Whitefield beamed up at her husband. “No, that is such a wonderful idea. All children should be together to help with such a loss of their loved ones. You are a smart woman, and our Alpha was very lucky to find you.” She bowed her head to Little Wolf, and Bo smiled as Shelly’s face turned pink.
“Please, enough of that. I’m just glad we’ll have someone here who the children will look up to. The other Alpha women and I are having a meeting tomorrow at noon. Why don’t I swing by and you can accompany me? We’ll be talking about this project and a few others.” Shelly hooked her arm through Darla Whitefield’s and moved them up the stairs.
Bo shook his head and nodded for Mr. Whitefield to precede his wife, then lowered his head to speak with the man. “Thank you. You and your wife have put a little spark back into my woman’s eyes. This is just what we needed and, White Eagle, you are a very smart man,” he said, grinning at White Eagle.
His friend just shrugged. “I know what it’s like to lose a loved one. Nothing can replace them, but others can make the loss seem less painful.”
Chapter Eight
As Shelly moved into the house, she looked back over her shoulder at White Eagle. His words to Mr. Whitefield had come from experience. The haunted look in his eyes was one she had seen too many times, but hopefully she would be able to ease some of that pain.
She turned and Mrs. Whitefield nodded to her. “He lost his sister and mom a few weeks before my boy.” She patted Shelly’s arm. “You and Bo will be good for him. He needs to take care of someone, and having you around will help. Now come, show me around and introduce me to the staff. Then you can go spend time with your Anna,” she said. Shelly was shocked that she knew about Anna, but then again, White Eagle may have said something to them earlier.
“I’m sorry about your children. So many have lost people who are close to them. It’s another reason why we have the ladies’ meeting. Every month we meet to discuss new problems that are popping up.”
They stepped aside as Buck escorted a furious Melissa out the door.
“You think you’ve won? Well, just wait! You’ll get yours, wolf!” she screamed.
Buck picked the screaming woman up and forced her outside, but the children were already crowded on the stairs, staring at the commotion.
“Now, that is a way not to behave?” Mrs. Whitefield jumped right in. “Hello, my name is Mrs. Darla Whitefield. My husband and I will be your new in-house parents. Who’s the oldest here?” she asked, and a tall girl in the back raised her hand, stepping forward.
“I’m Trish Valley, 15 years old,” she announced, coming down the stairs.
“I see Mrs. Whitefield has the problem in hand,” Bo whispered in Shelly’s ear from behind her. “Sorry about the scene. Buck honestly didn’t believe she’d go off like that. Which one is Anna?”
Shelly frowned scanning over the children.
“That’s weird. She’s not here.” Shelly placed her hand on Darla’s arm. “Excuse me, Darla. Trish, have you seen Anna?” Her heart was pounding hard. Something wasn’t right.
Trish shook her head. “Last time any of us saw her was last night. Ms. Randle said they’d found her a home. All her stuff is gone too.”
Shelly felt as if someone had ripped her heart out. She nodded and spun away from everyone, then headed for the door. Tears rolled down her face as she stepped outside, Bo and White Eagle right behind her.
“We’ll find her,” Bo tried to reassure her, but she was already shaking her head.
“How? Trest could have taken her to Earth, or anywhere else. God, what if they hurt her just because I was interested in her?” She turned and buried her face into Bo’s chest, crying.
Bo swept her up in his arms. “I promise we’ll find her, and soon.”
He moved down the stairs to where Buck now stood. “Find Anna. I don’t care what you have to do.”
Buck stepped up to Shelly and brushed her hair out of her face. “I’ll find your little girl, I promise.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
For some strange reason, Buck’s words gave her a flicker of hope. “Thank you. Let’s just hope she’s alive.”
Flicking her nose, Buck leaned down. “Think positive. Now go have the doctor check you out.”
She rested her head on Bo’s chest as he moved back into the tunnels.
For over a month straight, the Fey people had worked miracles. The tunnels below the ground were amazing, wide enough to allow at least four adult humans to walk through side by side. The stone covering the walls provided a natural light source. Special vents allowed fresh air to move freely through them.
“Bo, you’re not worried about the challenge, are you?” She looked up into his handsome face.
Slowly a smile formed on his wide, sensual lips. “I’m well aware of my capabilities and I will win this challenge, but I will never take a chance with your life, Little Wolf,” he reassured her.
* * *
For ten minutes, his Little Wolf said nothing. She nodded politely at those they passed, but Bo could feel the pain and worry she carried for Anna. White Eagle walked next to him, looking down at her with worry
Already an idea was forming in Bo’s head, but first he would need to speak with his new family without her finding out about it.
In front of their home, Argo stood with the den’s doctor. The physician had been with the pack for more than 30 years, and Bo trusted her with his woman. She’d also helped his mother deliver his new siblings. “Hello, Doc Marsh. Thank you for coming on such short notice,” He said.
She waved her hand dismissively and looked to Shelly. “I’m here if you need me. Is something wrong?”
“I’m fine. My husband just has this thing for carrying me everywhere.” Shelly tried to squirm out of his arms, but he held on tight as he stepped into the living room.
A little bundle of a child was curled up on the couch.
“Anna!” Shelly jumped out of his arms and ran to the little girl, who was now rubbing her eyes.
The blanket fell away from the girl, and her striped hair flowed down her back as her eyes lit up at seeing Shelly kneel next to her. She threw her tiny arms around her. “They took me to a bad place, but I got away.” Tears flowed down Anna’s face. “Can I stay here please? I’ll be good,” she cried, and instantly Bo knew they had a new member of their family.
He moved slowly over to the couch and knelt next to Shelly. Anna scooted away from him, and his heart ached at seeing such fear in her little face.
“I would never hurt you, Anna. I’m Shelly’s husband, and she’s told me all about you. We even went back to the home to see you.”
Little Wolf sat next to Anna on the couch and lifted the girl onto her lap. “We want you here. I’m just sorry you had such a bad time, but you’re safe now and no one will hurt you.” She frowned and looked down at the child. “Did they hurt you?” Shelly lifted one of Anna’s hands and Bo saw the bruises on her upper arm.
Anna shrugged, looking down at her lap. “I didn’t like them and they didn’t like me.”
“Well, then, it’s a good thing I’m here,” Doc Marsh said, stepping up to the couch. “I was brought here to take a look at our queen, but I can look at you both. Shall we go into the bedroom, away from prying eyes?” She smiled and winke
d at the child, who nodded.
“Anna, would you let me carry you in there? I don’t want Shelly lifting anything till we make sure everything is okay.” Bo held out his arms, knowing this would be the first step toward Anna getting used to him.
The little cat sniffed the air and looked around before nodding. She held out her arms for him, and a lump filled his throat. “If I stay here, will you be my new daddy?”
Lifting the little bundle in his arms, Bo took a deep breath, imprinting her scent on his brain so he would be able to find her if need be. “Would you like that? I know you don’t know me, but I would love to have a bright little girl like you as my daughter,” he said, carrying her into the bedroom.
He placed her on their bed and stepped back as Shelly sat next to her. “I’m going to go and talk with Argo. We’ll make sure from now on that she’s here. There’s no sense in taking her back to wherever she was since she’s not safe.” Bo cupped Shelly’s cheek. “You do what the doctor says. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” His gaze went to Anna. “That goes for you too.”
She smiled up at him and it brought tears to his eyes. “When the doctor is done, why don’t you get her into the tub?” Bo asked Shelly. “I’ll have White Eagle get her some new clothes.”
Already Shelly was nodding. “I want to take her with us to see our parents. Can you see our moms when they meet Anna?” She shook her head and hugged Anna. “They’re going to love her.”
“That they will.” Bo had turned to leave when Anna’s small hand slipped into his bigger one.
“I didn’t answer your question. I want you and Shelly to be my new parents. I had a dream last night. My momma and daddy told me I need to find Shelly. That she and her husband would take care of me,” she said, then frowned for a moment before smiling again. “Oh, and I’m to tell you there are no other people or family.”
He leaned down and placed a kiss on her head. “Very good, and thank you. I’m honored to have you as my daughter,” Bo said and turned to see that Shelly’s eyes were filled with tears.
“Come here, Anna. We need to get ready for the doctor. We’ll let her look at you, then I’ll put you in the tub while she looks me over really quick.” Shelly held out her arms and the girl ran to her.
The doctor nodded to him. “I’ll make sure both of them are fine.” She patted his arm and he left, shutting the door behind him.
In the living room, Argo, White Eagle and Buck stood waiting. “White Eagle, you are the best tracker. Find out where who took Anna and deal with them. Also, bring back whatever is left of her belonging. Buck, the little girl says she has no living relatives, but I want you to double-check with Nikola. After the doctor is done, we’ll be taking her with us to our parents to tell them the news.”
He turned to Argo and smiled. “You have the hard job. I want you to get the bedroom ready for us. We won’t have much time before the challenge, but I want the time we have with Shelly to be special. Also, maybe we could have Suzanne come by with her little girl. They could take Anna on a picnic or something while we perform the ceremony. Buck, you can meet us at my parents’ house when you’re done. I’ll have Shelly’s parents meet us there.”
All three men nodded and left to do his bidding, while Bo paced.
He hated to rush the Reticulon, but they had to do it before the challenge. They would make it up to Shelly afterward. Tonight, they would have a true family night by decorating the house for Halloween, making costumes for everyone, and trying to figure out what treats to give the children, not to mention carving pumpkins, drinking cider. He’d make sure Anna was also comfortable with Argo, White Eagle and Buck since all of them would be sharing the same house.
The bedroom door opened and he turned to see the doctor come out with a huge smile on her face. “Everything is fine. Your wife is in perfect health and she is definitely carrying twins, maybe even three, we’ll see.” She patted his arm and sighed before meeting his gaze.
Then anger flared in her eyes. “Find the bastards who took that little girl. She has bruises all over her little body. Her cat has healed most of her injuries, so I can only imagine what she went through. She’s a lion too.”
His cat roared to find those responsible, but right now he had to save his energy for the fight coming up. “Believe me, those who touched her will be taken care of. With the number of people on this ship, it was bound to happen, a few bad people would have naturally slipped through but we won’t allow the assholes to live for long.”
She nodded and turned to leave. “Oh, and I’ll be there for the challenge. Be careful. From what I’ve heard, Daniel doesn’t fight fair.”
“I am aware of that, and thank you. Any instructions for my wife?” Bo asked. and she smiled over her shoulder at him.
“She’ll be fine. I’ve told her to swing by the clinic tomorrow. I want to do an ultrasound to make sure this isn’t another tubal pregnancy, but I believe everything is developing normally. I’ll give her some vitamins that will help, but other than that, she is fine. Relax, enjoy the rest of the day. It won’t be long before you’ll have those little ones in your arms.”
Bo watched her walk out and released the breath he’d been holding. He was a father and was going to have two more little bundles soon.
Chapter Nine
“Do you really think they’ll like me?” Anna asked as Shelly helped her slip on the pretty dress Buck had brought her to wear. Shelly could hear the worry in her voice.
“How can anyone not like you? You’re smart and very pretty.” She pulled Anna’s hair to the side, then zipped the girl’s dress. “There, you’re all set. Don’t forget to thank Uncle Buck for the clothes and the doll.” She stood and held out her hand.
Anna nodded as she placed her hand in Anna’s. “I love my new clothes and the doll,” she said, hugging it as they walked out into the living room.
Buck, Argo and Bo stood when they entered. “Wow, you look great,” Bo said, coming to Shelly and placing a kiss on her cheek before leaning down and tweaking Anna’s nose. “Who’s that?” he asked, looking at the doll.
Big happy eyes looked up at him. “I’m going to call her Bella, after my mommy that went to heaven.” She looked over at Buck. “Thank you for the gifts.”
Buck smiled and bowed. “You are very welcome, Princess,” he said and she gasped.
Her gaze flew up at Bo. “I’m not a princess. Your baby girl will be a princess, and your boy will be the prince,” she said seriously.
Bo frowned and knelt before her. “You are my daughter now, Anna, so that makes you a princess, but why do you believe Shelly is going to have a boy and girl?”
“Really? I’m a princess too?”
Shelly laughed, knowing Bo wasn’t going to get his answer. “Might as well hang it up,” she said as Bo moaned. Anna threw herself into his arms and he almost lost his balance.
“Thank you. I’ll make you proud, I promise. I won’t be bad.” Anna squeezed tighter before leaning back and looking Bo in the face as he stood, holding her. “You won’t send me back though, will you?”
“No, you are here to stay. The papers have been filled out, and you are my daughter. Shelly is your mom. I promise you no one will hurt you again, Little Cat,” Bo said, tweaking her little nose again.
Anna smiled and looked at Shelly. “I’ve got a name like you, but you’re Little Wolf.” Everyone laughed as they introduced Argo to Anna. “Do you live here too?” Buck and Argo nodded at the same time.
“One other man lives with us, White Eagle. You’ll meet him later tonight, but we need to get going,” Bo said and nodded to Argo. “We’ll be back in a while. Don’t forget to contact Suzanne.”
Shelly looked up at Bo, then at Argo. “What’s going on? Why are you contacting Suzanne?” she asked as Bo and Buck ushered her out of their home.
“Nothing is going on. I thought it might be a good idea for the Suzanne’s little girl and Anna to get to know each other. Plus, we have plans for later that t
his little one cannot be present for.” Bo tickled Anna before looking down at Shelly. “The Reticulon and the challenge.”
“The Reticulon?” Shelly stopped and frowned at him. “Tonight?” She looked at Anna, then at Buck, who was grinning like a fool. “You said I would get to know them first. And where are we supposed to be doing this?”
“Oh no, Mommy Shelly is mad at you.” Anna’s eyes got real big as she stared at Buck.
“Not to worry, Little Cat. Mommy Shelly knows to behave or Daddy Bo’s going to spank her cute butt.”
Anna covered her mouth and started to giggle. “Mommy Shelly is going to get spanked,” she teased, then looked at Bo with a serious expression. “My Daddy was like you. He always threatened to spank Mommy, but he always ended up kissing her.” Anna screwed up her face in distaste and Bo grinned.
“You don’t like kisses?” Before Shelly could warn Anna, Bo covered Anna’s face with kisses. Anna squirmed in his arms as tried to get away from him, laughing.
No one could stay mad long at anyone with Anna around. Shelly hooked her arm through Buck’s and urged them forward while Bo followed with Anna. “So, tell me about yourself. Where were you born? Are your parents still alive? Do you have other family?”
“Wow, slow down, Shelly.” Buck laughed and patted her hand. “I was born in Montana and grew up with Bo. I was a year ahead of him in high school. My mother and father are alive and here. You’ll get to meet them soon enough. I have four brothers and two sisters who joined us here on this new world. You already know that my mom is a vampire and my dad is a lion. What else did you want to know?”
She glanced at Buck. His brown hair brushed his shoulders and covered the tattoo on his neck and arm. “Do you have to feed? Are you immortal?”
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