by Morgan Rae
He shuffled a couple steps closer until he reached the end of his leash. With a sinking feeling he realized it wasn’t the sky underneath him at all.
It was the ocean. The vast North Pacific stretched out forever in front of him. He was trapped in a cave, tethered to a hollowed-out cliff face. Nothing but ocean in front of him and a steep drop below, filled with jagged rocks.
His heart beat in his chest as he flung himself backwards, scurrying away from the steep fall.
God help him. He’d always hated the ocean.
Chapter 64
Holly rinsed her mouth, spitting water and toothpaste into the sink. When she glanced up at herself in the mirror, she could see Jacob in the reflection through the open bathroom door. He was hunched over the edge of the bed, staring pensively at his phone.
“Did you try calling him?” Holly asked as she tied her hair back.
“Twice.” Jacob’s eyes didn’t lift, but Holly saw the shift in his expression. From worry to determination. He tucked his phone back in his pocket. “I’m going over there,” he said. “See what’s going on.”
“Do you think Brent’s in trouble?” Holly asked, tearing away from the mirror so she could stand in the doorway and look at him head-on.
Jacob stood. “There’s no way to know unless I see for myself. Stay here.”
“I’m coming with you,” Holly said.
He shook his head, but his eyes didn’t meet hers. If there was one thing Holly had learned, it was that Jacob Westmore couldn’t look her in the eyes when he was dodging the truth. “It’s probably nothing. There’s no point in both of us going.”
“If it’s probably nothing, there’s no reason I can’t go,” Holly protested.
“Don’t you have school to go to?”
“It’s Saturday. Jacob—”
Her hand pressed to his chest, stopping him. His eyes met hers and he relented. He sighed and then entwined his fingers with hers. “Look…just in case something goes wrong, I need you here.”
“But—”
“But you’re pregnant. If something happened to you or the baby because of this, I’d never forgive myself.”
Holly cast her eyes down and tried to keep her composure, but she felt her bottom lip tremble. She tried to bite it back, but then she felt Jacob’s lips, soft against hers, and it unlatched whatever control she had left. She let out a whimper into his mouth and pressed her lips back, harder, as though begging him to stay.
“Be careful,” Holly said when he peeled back.
“I will,” Jacob replied. He gave her one more lasting kiss. With that, he tossed his denim jacket over his shoulders and left.
Chapter 65
The door shuddered behind him.
Okay, Holly thought.
Okay.
She could survive this. Jacob was being paranoid. Overly protective of his reinstated younger brother. Like he’d said, it was probably nothing. Probably. Except the thought that it maybe could be something and there was absolutely nothing Holly could to do stop it…well…
That made her feel helpless. Beyond helpless. Like she was chained to an anchor and surrounded by lantern fish.
She had plenty of ways to busy herself. Plenty of papers to grade. Plenty of clothes to wash. She could sit down and make an appointment with Dr. Klaus, who Cassidy had recommended for prenatal care (He’s in the family, Cassidy had said, whatever that meant). Holly lifted up a pair of jeans Jacob had left on the floor, put them in the hamper, and closed the lid. Even that much seemed exhausting when her mind was spinning a mile a minute. She needed silence. Quiet. She needed to think and plan out her next step.
Holly went out through the back door, onto the porch. She could clearly see the mountains glittering golden-green under the morning sun. The sky was a soft baby blue, dotted with white fluffy clouds, and she could hear small birds twittering in the trees. Holly took it all in, enamored by the view, and her hand unconsciously fell to her belly.
So strange. The child had been barely growing inside of her for a week and, already, he (or she) felt like a very real, solid part of her. It occurred to Holly that, while she could stand outside of the shifter world looking in, her child wouldn’t be able to. No matter what, the baby would have animal blood inside of her. Holly stared idly through the thick brush of trees. Holly had learned the rules of the clan and she followed them as best as she could. But could she really live like they did?
Well. Holly had always been a fast learner.
Jacob would be gone for the next few hours, at least. If she could just see it for herself—
This way, the birds seemed to say.
And there it was again. Like the low hum of a fluorescent light, teeming with flickering energy. Holly’s hand moved, protectively, to cup her stomach.
The woods were calling her. And who was she to deny the call?
Holly’s sandals flattened summer-green blades of grass as she broke her own path through.
Chapter 66
Jacob only got so far down the bumpy road before he was flagged down. None other than Cassidy’s youngest, waving her arms frantically. Here we go, Jacob thought as he slowed to a glugging stop.
“Make it quick,” he told the young girl.
“Are you going to Miranda’s place?” Trish asked.
Jacob nodded. “Won’t be long.”
“Take me with you.”
He shot her a look. “Have you lost your mind, cub?”
“Holly told me all about it. I can help.”
Holly. Of course. She’d make a young protégé out of Trish yet. He set his jaw and said, “If Holly told you everything, then you know why you can’t come with me.”
“Cayden trusts me. I can help.”
Jacob narrowed his eyes at the young woman. “Why does he trust you?”
She shrugged. Sheepishly. “I dunno.”
Jacob let out a sigh. Managing this family was like herding cats sometimes. He dug his fingers into the wheel briefly and then said gruffly, “Get in before I change my mind.”
Trish all but leapt in the passenger side and the truck kicked up gravel as they hurtled down the road.
Chapter 67
Holly had heard stories before about mothers who were so in tune with their unborn children that they felt like they knew what the child was thinking or feeling. It all seemed very far-fetched to her—science fiction—but she had to wonder if there wasn’t a part of the cub growing inside of her that was pumping new life through her veins. Holly was, after all, human and all-around biologically uninteresting, but this baby growing inside of her—three-fourths human, one-quarter bear—it was something wholly different. She couldn’t help but wonder if, maybe, this child knew something she didn’t, maybe she—or he—had some natural, animal instincts hardwired into his (or her) DNA. And, maybe, Holly was tapping into those now as her feet shuffled across the grass, pulling her deeper into the woods, drawn by a very strong, very elusive feeling.
Holly slipped off her shoes to feel the blades of grass tickle her toes. She found she liked it better this way; she liked letting her feet sink into the summer-warmed ground. She continued deeper through the woods beyond the house, and the deeper she went, the darker it got. The trees grew thicker here, closer together, and they huddled over her and cut off the sun. Sunlight came in shafts through the trees, like the images she saw painted on the stained glass at church of holy light beaming in. In the back of her mind, the logical part of her knew that she should be afraid of getting lost in here. Already, when she looked behind her, she couldn’t tell where she’d come from.
Instead of fearful, however, she felt calm. At peace. She followed the trail of light and let the woods swallow her whole. Birds chirped and sang above her, small squirrels and chipmunks chased each other through the trees and over the ground, making the branches shudder. Holly closed her eyes and took in a breath; she could practically taste the deep earth, the life all around her.
And then she felt it. A breeze—no
, a breath, riding up her neck. A stick crunched behind her and Holly’s eyes snapped open and she whipped around.
A bear. A full-grown, muscled black bear. Dark fur, white around the muzzle—not Jacob. So close that, when it leaned in to sniff her, its black nose nearly grazed her skin.
Holly couldn’t say anything for a second. Fear lumped in her throat and she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t swallow it down.
Then the bear bared its teeth and roared.
Chapter 68
Jacob’s truck rumbled to a stop a little ways outside Stoneridge Cliffs and he cut the engine. The truck lowered its voice to a purr and then went quiet. He’d go on foot from here to Miranda’s estate, just in case something had gone wrong. He wanted to get the jump on Miranda before she heard him coming. Outside, the birds fluttered by, oblivious.
“Stay here,” Jacob said as he pushed opened the driver’s door.
“I’m coming with you,” Trish said and pushed out her own door, following. Why did stubborn have to run in the family?
Jacob’s boots crunched against the gravel driveway as he turned around to point back at the truck. “Get back in the truck,” he said, voice stern, alpha. “Keep it running for when I come out.”
“Cayden won’t attack you if I’m there,” Trish said, holding her ground firmly. “Trust me.”
“You’re gonna drive me to an early grave,” Jacob growled and pushed forward. When he saw Trish hesitating, he snapped back, “C’mon, then.”
He heard her shoes kick up gravel as she hurried to catch up with him. Miranda’s estate loomed in front of them, all white pillars and haughty arrogance. He could smell cat everywhere; he could hear the not-so-distant crash of the waves against the cliffs below. They made their way to the front door and Jacob leaned against the window and glanced inside.
A light was on and he could smell him. Jacob’s nerves were resting on a pin. Here, ready for what might come, he no longer felt the urge to fight back his Beast. Instead, he felt it flow through his veins, a growl instead of a roar, humming inside of him, heightening his senses and honing his instincts.
He moved his hand to Trish’s side, gently pulling her out of the way. Then, he grabbed the doorknob, pressed his shoulder against the door, and shoved—
The hinge cracked and the door gave way, letting them in. Jacob shoved it aside and pressed in, stepping down the hall. Big house, pristine house. The lights were on and the TV was playing softly, but there was no sign of the cats.
“Come on out,” Jacob said as he stepped through, keeping close to the wall, just in case one of them jumped out at him. “I just wanna talk.”
“Maybe they’re not here?” Trish whispered.
But he knew she could smell it too. Jacob inched across the hallway, passed the living room, and saw the porcelain-white glow of the kitchen. He eased closer to the door, close enough, and then…sniffed.
Cat. Definitely cougar.
Just then, Cayden came jolting out and tried to dash past Jacob. But he wasn’t quick enough. Jacob grabbed the young man by the back of his shirt and shoved him hard against the wall. He heard Cayden yelp and saw him duck his blond head, trying to avoid Jacob’s next blow.
But it didn’t come. “Where’s Brent?” Jacob asked.
Even here, two bears against one, the young cougar was cocky. He flashed Jacob a light grin and then said, “Thought you didn’t care about that one.”
“Brent is my brother. Now tell me where he is.”
Cayden barked a laugh, and then seethed through his teeth. “I don’t have to tell you. You’re not going to change. You don’t have it in you.”
“I don’t have to change to hurt you,” Jacob growled and wrapped his hand around the young man’s throat, pinning him to the wall.
“Stop!” Trish’s voice broke through, even as Cayden choked and thrashed. Finally, Jacob lowered the cougar, who crumpled against the wall and coughed.
Trish crouched down next to him and helped him up, her arm around his shoulders. To Jacob’s surprise, Cayden accepted the help, leaning on her. “Just tell us where he is,” Trish said softly. “We just want to take him back and go home. That’s all.”
“And the talisman,” Cayden spat.
“Not as important as my brother right now,” Jacob said sternly. “He’s a pain in my ass sometimes, but he’s family.”
Cayden knit his eyebrows at that, like the concept was foreign to him. “I know you’re protecting your mom,” Trish murmured. “But we don’t want to hurt her. We just want to get my uncle and we’ll leave.”
Speak for yourself, Jacob thought to himself. Still, he held his tongue and, when Cayden glanced up at him as though for reassurance, Jacob gave him a nod. “We’ll be out of your hair.”
Cayden’s head dropped, his hair falling in front of his face. After a second, he murmured, “He’s in a cave on the cliff. You can get to it through a path around the back—”
That was all Jacob needed. “Stay here with the boy,” Jacob said as he turned to go down the hall.
“My mom’s not gonna stop until she gets what she wants,” Cayden called back clearly.
Jacob stopped and clenched his jaw. He turned in his spot to face the boy. “What’s that?”
Cayden was still panting for breath, but his eyes locked on the Alpha bear’s. “You. She wants your Beast.”
Jacob pressed his lips together and then wordlessly made to turn and leave. He didn’t get far, however, before he felt a sharp stabbing inside of him. Jacob grunted, toppling against the wall, and winced in pain.
“Jacob?” Trish’s voice, like a little nagging bell behind him. “Are you okay?”
He could feel it, like a cold hand wrapping around his heart and squeezing. It was an instinctual pounding in his hears, pulsing as adrenaline whipped through his veins: Holly was in trouble.
(Mate. My Mate. Find my Mate.)
“Let’s find Brent and get the hell out of here,” Jacob hissed through his teeth as he shoved himself off of the wall and pushed forward. The sooner they found Brent, the sooner they could get out of here, the sooner he could find Holly.
If he wasn’t already too late.
Chapter 69
The roar was loud, animal, and it vibrated through Holly’s skull, making her teeth chatter. She put her hands to her ears and winced until it quieted. She couldn’t take her eyes off the white snout, the gleaming sharp teeth inside of it, teeth that could tear her limb from limb. Protectively, Holly’s hand flew over her stomach and she quickly stepped back. “Please…” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I’m pregnant—”
The animal growled and swiped its huge paw at her. Holly yelped and fell back, tumbling into the long, tangled roots of a tree. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest as those dark eyes stared at her.
Dark eyes. Black bear. It looked familiar, it looked like Jacob’s bear, almost, except…
Older. And then she put two and two together. She’d seen those eyes before. In the pages of an old edition of Eyes on Etna.
“Scott Westmore?” she whispered. It was him. Jacob’s father, who had turned all those years ago and never turned back.
The name seemed to irritate the bear and it roared again. Holly grabbed onto the tree as the noise vibrated through her very bones.
Stop acting afraid, a voice inside of her said. There’s nothing to be afraid of. He’s family. Show him that.
Slowly, Holly straightened up, her eyes never leaving the animal’s. It bared its teeth, but didn’t come any closer.
“I’m one of yours,” she said, forcing her voice to stay level. She peeled back the collar of her shirt to reveal the mark on her throat. “Jacob marked me. I’m his mate.” The bear stalled, breathing heavily, staring at her. Say it! the voice in Holly’s head screamed. “I’m your Alpha’s mate!” she said firmly. “And I demand your respect.”
Those dark eyes watched her, blinked at her, and then, slowly, the animal backed away. It huffed once, and then droppe
d its head, submitting to her.
Holly could barely believe it. Did I do that? She couldn’t help it; a laugh bubbled at her lips. She lifted the back of her hand and the bear craned his neck, sniffed, and then gave her a lick with his large, rough tongue. “That’s better,” Holly said, thrilled even while her heart was still going a mile a minute. She reached out and carefully drew her fingers over the top of his head. His fur felt coarse, dried with mud and the wear and tear of Mother Nature, but he leaned in as she scratched behind his ear.
Holly felt a pang of pity for the man, out here all alone, calling the brush and the bramble home. But she had to tell herself that he wasn’t a man, not anymore. He was a Beast—she’d seen that clear as day only seconds ago. Back at Red Moon Ranch, they had children, families. Horses. How could they let a bear run free around there, where he could be a danger to those around him?
She remembered suddenly all the times when Cassidy or Brent would talk about “taking their bear for a walk up the mountain.” She realized then that it was more than simply stretching their animal legs; they were spending quality time with their father in the only way they could. Everyone except Jacob, that is, who couldn’t shift for fear that he would go the way of his old man and never be able to regain his human form.
Holly’s thoughts were interrupted when the bear’s large snout nudged her out of the way. He turned, then, lumbering through the trees. Holly watched him go, the big, powerful animal parting the woods as he went. She stayed in place until she saw him turn his large head to look over his shoulder back at her. Then he barked.
Was he…telling her to follow him?
Wordlessly, Holly pressed off of the tree and climbed over the bushes, following behind the bear’s much larger footsteps. They walked quietly through the woods, and Holly listened to the sound of twigs snapping under his paws, small animals skittering out of his way, and the occasional grunt and huff from the older animal. Finally, he came to a stop at the bottom of a large willow tree. Holly stepped gingerly over the brambles to catch up and then asked, “What’s here?”
