by V. Vaughn
Carly nods. “But when I tell you the rest, you might not care.”
Mugs and a plate of cookies thump down between us as Keith sits next to me. He places an arm on the back of my chair as Carly says, “Because Victor was a powerful alpha, Sierra’s bond with him was as strong as the one with Keith.”
I shake my head, because I don’t understand what that means. Carly says, “Victor could talk to her telepathically the way mates do, and he tortured her daily. But that’s not the worst part.”
Keith moves his arm from the chair to be on my shoulders, and he grips my arm as if I’m going to run off. Carly says, “Victor kidnapped Sierra and impregnated her with his children.”
My stomach rolls with a wave of nausea. My father was a monster. “What does Patricia have to do with all of this?”
“She was behind the whole plan,” says Carly.
Now Keith’s grip is firm on my shoulder, and I wonder if he does think I’m going to run. I lean into him instead as I ask, “And you think she wants to do something similar to me?”
Keith says, “I’m sure of it. The Veilleux are without an alpha, and they blame that on the Le Roux. To steal one of the women who can help our clan continue would be very attractive to Patricia.”
Carly says, “The rivalry between our clans runs deep.” Her eyes flash with something not human when she says, “She wants revenge.”
A tiny shiver runs through me at her words. I think a whole lot more is going on here. Keith places a finger under my chin to turn my face toward him. “Patricia wants to take you away from me forever. I can’t lose you, Tori.” His voice cracks as he goes on. “I’d rather die.”
This time a tear does roll down his face, and I catch it with my finger. I ask, “If you turn me first, I’m bonded to you for life, right?”
“Yes, Tori. We’re true mates.”
True mates? He explained the concept to me, and the idea of being with Keith in a relationship where neither of us will ever fall out of love is appealing. I smile at him before I ask my next question. “And if I don’t let you change me?”
“Then we’ll do whatever we have to do to keep you safe,” says Keith.
Carly takes a sip of her drink. Silence hangs for a moment before she says, “You have time to think this over.”
I get up from the table and take my mug over to the coffee maker to add more. It’s still too sweet, but I’m really up to take time to process what I’ve heard before they tell me anything else. I notice the champagne bottle on the counter where we set it aside to go out to recycling. The gift that was out of character for my sisters. I reach for it, and the glass is cool in my hand as I gaze at it. I think about the guy in the elevator. A man I’d never seen before gave this to me. And my phone I’d use to call and thank my sisters mysteriously disappeared. Then I remember the strange nausea I experienced last night, as if I’d had too much to drink when I’d only drunk two glasses of alcohol.
I turn and ask Carly, “Why did you ask me if Patricia gave me anything to eat or drink?”
“That how she poisoned Taylor. She drugged her and caused hallucinations that led Taylor to do things she never would have otherwise.”
Stars float before my eyes as my knees go weak. “I think I know where my dreams came from.” I hold up the bottle.
Chapter 13
Lucy
Sven’s strong arms hold me tight in an embrace. In just a few weeks, his scent has become a source of comfort for me, and I inhale deeply. My best friend, Tori, is in danger. Patricia Veilleux is known for revenge, and she’s got her sights set on my human friend who is from werebear descent. Veilleux blood runs in Tori’s veins, and I guess Patricia wants to turn her to the dark side of the Veilleux.
All Veilleux are not evil. It appears to be a small fraction of them, and I’m told their current acting leader, Lily, is fair and kind. Lily was a human who came because of the Le Roux’s call. But she ended up being Victor Veilleux’s true mate and took over leading the clan when they were left without an alpha due to Victor’s death. I have to wonder if Lily has any idea what Patricia’s up to now.
I snuggle into Sven a little more. I tried calling and texting Tori, but she’s not answering, and I don’t know what to do. Carly told me she’d keep me updated on what’s happening, but that it might be nothing and not to worry. Easy for her to say. I gaze up at Sven. “I feel so helpless.”
He says, “I know. But you have to trust the alpha.”
I nod. I do trust my sister, Carly. I just wish she’d let me in on what’s happening. I sigh and pull away from Sven to see what I can do to stay busy. Perhaps Annie would like me to make breakfast. I imagine she’ll like the idea since her mate is off on a rescue mission to save his mother from herself.
Sven says, “I’m going to go change for work. The crew will be here soon.”
I gaze out at the building that was put in place yesterday. Less than twenty-four hours ago, there was nothing but a concrete foundation next door to Annie and Tristan’s house, and now a structure seems to have magically appeared. Only, I was part of the many hands that made it happen. All so that a polar bear clan can relocate to Maine and continue on.
I watch my true mate climb the stairs, and think about his clan. I thought my family was screwed up, but the De Roziers makes us look tame. A team of warriors just left to go save an old lady who’s out for a joy ride. Helga De Rozier, Tristan’s mother, is bipolar. And apparently in the werebear world it can’t be treated. To make things worse, her mood-swing is on a yearlong cycle. So as we approach the summer solstice, she’s reaching her peak manic phase, which means right now she’s bat-shit crazy.
Annie is doing laundry, so I make my way to the small room where she keeps the washer and dryer. I find her folding clothes. A shirt snaps as she flicks it to remove wrinkles, and she glances over at me. I ask, “Should I start breakfast?”
She smiles. “We’re a lot alike, Lucy. Cooking and cleaning are my go-tos to deal with stress too.” Annie places the shirt in a basket and says, “Let’s go whip up something decadent like chocolate chip pancakes. The triplets will think they’ve died and gone to heaven.”
I’ll bet they will. Sven hasn’t told me much about his past, but I know life in the Arctic wasn’t easy. Annie is the perfect hostess for them. She takes care of people in a way they don’t realize what’s happening. And she seems to think I’m capable of doing it too. I follow her to the kitchen.
Not only do we make pancakes, but there’s bacon, eggs, and hash browns to go with them. I sit down to a feast. The little girls’ chatter is melodic, and Annie’s smile tells me she’s in her own kind of heaven. I notice the mound of food on my mate’s plate. Sven’s already filling out, and this morning I noticed his pants are getting tight. Although, I suspect he’s going to eat as if he’s not sure when he’ll get his next meal for a long time. I ask, “Should I pick you up some new jeans?”
He grins at me. Egg is on his chin, and I can’t believe I’m in love with a man who would make my mother’s friends clutch their pearls in reaction to his manners. Not too long ago I would have made the same assumption about my mother, but since I’ve learned that she was married to the tattoo artist who was Carly’s father, I’ve changed my view. I think much of my mother’s life has been keeping up appearances as the alpha of our clan, and it makes me a little sad for her.
A yawn escapes as I smear butter on my pancakes. I take a bite of bacon, and the rich flavor floods my senses as Annie catches my eye. “You should go take a nap after breakfast. I have a feeling Tori’s going to need you today.”
“Have you heard anything?” I ask.
“Carly just told me that she’s following up a lead and to let you know Tori is safe at Keith’s. Apparently Tori lost her phone yesterday, and that’s why she’s not texting you.”
I decide that after breakfast I’m going to go see my best friend. “Instead of that nap, I’m driving over to Keith’s. Is that okay?”
Annie says,
“Of course. I’ll be fine here without you. Tori needs you more.”
Sven gets up to clear his plate, and his silverware rattles on his dish. A car is rumbling up the road, and I know he prides himself on being at the job site first. I get up to give him a quick kiss. He leans his forehead on mine and says, “Come find me when you get back. I’ll miss my helper today.”
My heart melts every time my mate does something sweet, considering being human is not as natural for him as it is for me. I say, “I will.”
I watch him walk across the lawn. While I’m worried for Tori and Tristan’s mother, I’ve never been happier. Out of the corner of my eye, I see an accident waiting to happen as one of the triplets sets her glass down near the edge of the table. I reach over, and the cup is sticky in my hand when I grab it just before her elbow would have toppled it over.
Annie says, “Nice save. You’re good at this.”
I glance over at her and give her a quick shrug. But even though my response was nonchalant, Annie’s praise matters to me. I understand why she’s so happy that she now has children, because that’s what I want too. I glance out the window to find Sven. He’s pointing toward something and using some of his carefully delivered words. I want to squeal with happiness, because I’ve found the man that will help me make my family happen.
Chapter 14
Tori
Carly didn’t waste any time in determining if the champagne had been tainted. By afternoon, we had our answer. Patricia has somehow managed to get through all the safeguards Brady and Keith had put in place to keep me protected. And when I’d heard about the measures they’d taken, I began to accept my fate. I have no desire to live in fear of Patricia. I’m going to become a werebear.
It was decided that I’ll be changed at Keith’s house. This is all happening so quickly that I’m kind of glad, because I’m not sure I’d be able to go through with what I’m afraid is an excruciating process if I had too much time to think about it. I’m on the couch, surfing the Internet for funny videos with Lucy, as we both pretend nothing important is going to happen soon.
I lean into the warmth of my friend as she says, “Do the train one again.”
I pull it up, and it begins to play as Keith walks over to me. He captures my attention with the leather cuffs he’s holding. They’re attached to heavy chain, and if I didn’t know better, I’d be afraid about his sexual preferences. I hand the tablet to Lucy as I stand up to go to him. He says, “It’s time.”
Carly enters the room and takes my hands. “I won’t lie. You’re going to wish you were dead for a little while. But four of us have lived through this. Each of us had the strength in our genes, just like you do. You can do this.” She gives me a quick squeeze before she lets go.
Keith leads us up to his bedroom, and my feet pound on the stairs in a slow beat that makes me think of what it must have been like to be a gladiator being led to the arena to fight a lion. Or a bear. Carly explained that my bear will be fighting to get out while my body will struggle with accepting it. In other words, claws and hair will try to grow while my skin will swallow it up. I don’t even want to think about what my bones will be doing.
Carly grabs a large T-shirt that was sitting on the bed and hands it to me. “You’re going to shred the clothes you’re wearing, but I didn’t think you’d be comfortable getting restrained naked in front of us.”
I offer her a small smile as thanks while the acid in my stomach threatens to boil over. My palms are sweating as I make my way to the bathroom to change. Once I’m naked, I take a last look at my human body and memorize it. When I become a werebear I’ll have more muscle tone, and while I’m bound to like that, I feel as if it’s a small consolation for giving up being human. Oh god, I can’t do this.
My palms slap down on the granite countertop, and it’s cold under my fingers. I gaze down at my hands and imagine what they’ll look like as paws. I take a deep breath to calm myself before I gaze back up at my reflection. My green eyes appear to stare back at me, and I’m reminded of Patricia. I imagine the evils she’s capable of, and the evils she inspired in my father. The man who killed my true love’s past wife. The agony she caused Keith burns in me, and a need for justice gives me strength. I’m a freaking alpha’s daughter, and that’s bound to mean something. Follow in my father’s footsteps, Grandmother? You have no idea.
The cold tile floor of the bathroom is a stark comparison to the plush carpet when I step into the bedroom. I gaze into Keith’s eyes, and my love for him fills me. Patricia will never win. I say, “I’m ready.”
The bed has been covered with old sheets, and when I climb on it, they slip under me. It makes me think that a plastic covering of some sort is protecting the mattress. I stretch my legs out as Keith approaches me. He’s got the cuffs in his hands and lifts one up. “They’re lined with soft material to help keep you from too much bruising.”
I nod. Too much?
Lucy is next to me and grabs my hand. “Focus on all the cool things you’ll be able to do as a werebear.”
I gaze at Keith. I’ll be able to maim and torture the people who hurt you. I say, “Right.”
My best friend says, “You and Keith will be able to talk to each other telepathically. That’s cool too.”
Keith slips a cuff around my wrist. The lining is soft, and I flash to what it would be like to be doing this for sexual purposes. My core twinges, and Keith winks at me. He’s probably detected my desire, and I wish I were brave enough to make a joke. He says, “All your senses will be magnified.”
A chain rattles as he attaches it to the bed frame, and my body begins to tremble. Carly’s working on my ankles and says, “I told you I was changed by accident. What I didn’t tell you was that it took me less than a day to realize how amazing being a werebear can be. You’re going to love it.”
Lucy is stroking my restrained hand as if I’m a pet. Her eyes have a slightly wild look to them, as if she’s afraid too. I turn to gaze at her. “Luce, it’s going to be okay.”
She nods quickly. “I know it is. First run as a bear is with me. Promise.”
I grin at her. “Promise.”
Carly has come to stand beside Lucy and asks, “Do you have any questions?”
“No. But we better do this quickly before I start to freak.”
“You’ve got it.”
I turn my gaze to Keith, who’s on my other side. He strokes my cheek with his finger. “Tori, I love you. This is the first step to a life together forever, and I’ll be here the entire time.”
“I love you too.”
He leans down and kisses me. His tongue licks at my lips, and I focus on the sensation of our connection and imagine what it will be like when this is over. The intense feelings I have will be magnified once the change happens, but I can’t imagine loving Keith any more than I do right now. When he stops, I whisper, “Bite me.”
Keith stares at me as he brings forth a partial shift. His teeth elongate as hair grows on his face. Something in his eyes mesmerizes me as he lowers his mouth to the fleshy part of my shoulder. The sharp points of his canines puncture my skin, and for a split second I feel nothing before the pain starts. My body involuntarily arches up as the agony of his bite begins to register, and when an intense burn begins to creep through my limbs, I let out a scream that could shatter windows. It’s begun.
Part III
Part 6
Chapter 1
Isabelle
Helga’s run away. Again. Although, it’s been a while since she took off last. The pages of a fashion magazine flutter as I flip through it. Over the years, the De Rozier clan lost most of the resources my mother could use for an excursion. But with cars, credit cards, and cash placed so carelessly around Annie and Tristan’s house, it’s no surprise Helga exercised her options. Stupid Tristan. So in love with his Annie, he let his guard down. And now he’s got to go rein in our mother.
The magazine slaps on the glass table when I drop it, and I stretch out on th
e couch. My training session with the Robichaux warriors was earlier this morning, and since the majority of the Le Roux fighters are chasing after Helga, their session this afternoon is cancelled. I’ve got nothing to do.
I get up and make my way to the kitchen. A cabinet door clicks as I open it and grab a jar of peanut butter. I hop up on the counter, and the granite surface is cold on my bare legs as I dangle my feet over the edge. My heels tap with excess energy, and I let my mind wander down a dark hole.
I was only fifteen the time Helga brought me with her on one of her adventures. I recall how excited I was that she wanted to bring only me. The woman I desperately wanted to please smiled upon me that day like sunshine, and I basked in her love.
Peanut butter sticks to my tongue as I lick it off my finger. I can still remember what I was wearing. My favorite jeans with the holes in the knees that made my crush, Ivan, tickle my skin whenever he was near me. But after that trip, I never wore torn jeans again.
When we took the fancy sports car out for a test drive, I thought I was in for the ride of a lifetime. My mother sweet-talked the sales guy into letting us go without him. Big mistake. Because we hopped on the interstate and never looked back. Pressure squeezes at my skull as my vision becomes a small tunnel like an old movie projector, and a scene flashes.
My mother is in the driver’s seat. Our hair swirls and snaps in the brisk wind. Her laughter. Laughter over the accidents we’ve caused.
A splintering sound snaps me out of my memory, and I discover shattered wood litters the kitchen floor. I jump down from the counter and fall to my knees and catch myself on my palms. Something is warm and sticky on my skin. Blood. I discover my heels are shredded, and I collapse further from the pain.
