by L. P. Dover
I drape an arm over Faith’s shoulders. “Micah will bring them back.”
She blows out a sigh and looks up at me. “I know.”
Kami and Tate finish dancing and he comes over to steal Faith away to the dance floor. Kami walks over to Tia and Laila, grinning and using her hands as she speaks. I don’t even think she realizes she does it; I think it’s cute.
Chase catches my attention from across the yard and holds up a beer. I nod, and he brings one over to me. “Salut, my friend,” he says, handing me the beer. I clang my bottle against his and take a huge gulp. It’s going to take a whole case of beer and then some to get my mind off of a certain female. It doesn’t matter what I do, she’ll most definitely be in my dreams. I can’t escape her. What’s messed up is I don’t want to. I welcome my dreams.
Chase stands next to me and gazes out at the crowd. “Fun party.”
I shrug. “Yeah, it’s okay.”
He snorts. “Says the guy who’s usually covered in women.”
“What can I say?” I reply, taking another swig of my beer. “I’m not feeling it tonight.” A few seconds pass, and I watch him to see where his eyes go. I’m happy to see they don’t go straight to Kami. “What’s the deal with you and Kami?” I ask. “Is there something going on between you two?”
Chase bursts out laughing. “Not at all. She’s like the sister I never had.” His gaze narrows at me. “Why do you ask?”
“No reason,” I say, trying to sound disinterested. “Just curious.”
He slaps me on the arm. “All I can say is she sure does have a distaste for you. You might want to watch it. Kami will kick your ass if you keep messing with her. The girl is a force to be reckoned with. After everything she’s been through, she’s come a long way. I’ve never seen anyone more determined than her.”
My eyes instantly go to Kami, who is still talking animatedly to Tia and Laila. They laugh at everything she says. I had heard Kami was taken by the Yukon pack a long time ago when they were after my sister, Bailey, but no details were given to me. I turn my head to him and lower my voice. “What did the Yukons do to her?”
Chase’s jaw clenches, and I can feel the rage build inside of him. “Things I can’t discuss right now. Let’s just say it was bad. She doesn’t ever talk about it.”
Thoughts run through my mind, and none of them are good. I know what shifters are capable of. Kami’s a female, and I can only imagine what they did to her. The Yukons are the ones who killed my parents, and I wish like hell I was there to reap my vengeance on them.
My wolf paces back and forth inside of me. All he wants is to be close to Kami, protecting her. The worst part is that she doesn’t need me … she never will.
4
Kami
The second I open my eyes, I remember every single detail about my dream. In my heart, I knew I could help Ansley, and the answer came to me. I jump out of bed and grab a pair of shorts and a T-shirt out of my dresser. It just so happens Ansley’s path to happiness is in my living room, sleeping on the couch. Before I can change into my clothes, my phone rings.
Heart racing, I see Faith’s name on the screen. “Hey,” I answer breathlessly. I tap the speaker button and toss the phone on the bed so I can get dressed. “You’re calling a little early, aren’t you?”
“That’s because I have good news.”
I quickly take off my pajamas and slip on my shorts and T-shirt. “So do I, but you go first.”
“Well,” she begins in a sing-song voice, “while you were busy at your party last night, I happened to push two wolves together literally. And I do mean that literally. Jamie fell into Thorin’s lap.”
“Oh, wow,” I laugh, slapping a hand over my mouth. “What happened after that?”
She giggles. “Not sure, but I know they snuck off together. This morning, Tate and I got the call that their mating signs appeared. They’re going to bond on the next full moon.”
My feeling last night was right. I knew something would happen between them, just like I know something will happen with Ansley when I send her off. “I guess I do have a special gift,” I say, loving the satisfaction it gives me. I can’t explain it, but it makes me feel like I have a purpose.
“Yes, you do,” Faith says. “It’s an interesting gift. One that could be taken advantage of.”
With a heavy sigh, I lean against my door. “I know. Tia and I have already talked about this. I’m not going to tell anyone.” Except maybe Chase since I’m getting ready to tell him about Ansley. I trust him with my life, and I know he’ll keep my secret.
“What was your good news?” she asks.
I can’t begin to control the happiness I feel. The only problem with sending Ansley to the Timberwolf pack is that I’m going to miss her terribly. “I went to see Ansley last night and made sure to touch her. In my dreams, I saw her mate. He’s with the Timberwolf pack.”
Faith gasps. “Oh, Kami, that’s amazing. I know she’s not happy here. What are you going to tell her?”
“She trusts me, Faith. I know she won’t ask questions if I tell her to go. I just want her to be happy.”
“I understand. Well, I won’t keep you. Go and talk to Ansley. I know you’re dying to.”
I laugh. “Yes, I am. I’ll talk to you soon.” We say our goodbyes, and I rush downstairs.
Tia is in the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee, and she holds a finger up to her lips. “He’s still sleeping.” I tiptoe past the kitchen table into the living room and peer over the back of the couch. Chase is shirtless with his arms above his head, sprawled out on the sofa with his jeans hung low on his hips. One day, he’ll make the perfect mate.
Tia comes up beside me, holding her coffee cup, and looks down at him. “It’s times like these where I hate I’m not a shifter. Especially when you have good ones like him.”
Chase’s lips pull back, and he opens his blue eyes at us. “Thanks,” he says to her. “Just because you’re not a wolf doesn’t mean we can’t have our fun.”
Tia lifts her cup and winks. “True, but I know it could never go anywhere. My heart’s not interested in getting broken.”
Chase sits up and runs a hand through his hair, giving her that dashing smile of his. “If you ever change your mind …”
Tia’s cheeks turn red, and she smiles. “Thanks for the offer.”
He nods once. “Anytime.” His shirt is on the coffee table, so he reaches for it and slips it on. “Thanks for letting me stay here. I should probably get going. I need to get back to California by the afternoon.”
“About that,” I say, sitting down on the couch next to him. “I need you to do me a favor.”
His expression turns serious. “Anything. What do you need?”
“I need you to take Ansley with you.” I grin up at Tia, and her eyes widen in understanding, but she doesn’t say anything.
Chase glances at us both curiously. “Why do I need to take her with me?”
I look up at Tia, and she knows I want to tell him. She shrugs and takes a seat at the kitchen table. “It’s up to you, Kami.”
Chase sits up straighter, his body tense and in protective mode. It’s one of the things I admire about him. Laughing, I place a hand on his arm. “Everything’s fine. Nobody’s in trouble. It’s quite the opposite. I need you to take Ansley to your pack and make sure you get her around Lance.”
His brows furrow. “What for?”
“Because they’re mates.”
By the look on his face, I can tell I’ve confused him. “How do you know that?” he asks.
Closing my eyes, I can picture Ansley and Lance in my mind. They were both so happy in my dream. When I open my eyes, I look into his. “A couple of months ago, I started having dreams about someone. I know he’s my mate, but I don’t know who he is yet. My dreams won’t let me see his face.”
Chase’s eyes narrow curiously. “O-kay. What does this have to do with Ansley and Lance?”
I hold up a hand. “I’m getting t
here. In between the dreams of my mystery mate, I dream of others. Before Faith and Tate showed their mating signs, I had a dream they were mates. And since then, I’ve had dreams of others, and all have come true. Last night, I dreamt of Ansley and Lance. That’s why I need you to take her to him.”
Chase glances over at Tia and then back to me. “Are you saying you have magical abilities now?”
I nod. “It appears so. I don’t know how it works or why, but every time I touch an unmated female, I end up dreaming about her and her mate.”
“So, it doesn’t work when you touch unmated males?”
Reaching over, I place a hand on his. “I wish it did. I’d do anything to help you find yours.”
He smiles, but I can see the sadness behind it. “I know you would.” Getting to his feet, he stretches and grabs his phone off the coffee table. “Go get Ansley, and I’ll take her back with me. Lance is a loyal wolf. He deserves to find his mate. I’m just glad I can be a part of it.” He looks over at Tia. “As always, it was a pleasure spending time with you. If you ever want to visit the vineyard, I can send my jet.” Then he winks at me. “Same to you. The guys in my pack love having you around.”
A vacation to a California vineyard would be nice right about now. “We might have to take you up on that.”
His smile warms my heart. “Great.” He starts for the door. “I have to run by your brother’s house for a minute, but I’ll be back. Think you can get Ansley here within the hour?”
I pull out my phone. “I sure can.”
As soon as he walks out, I hurry and call Ansley, bouncing on my feet the entire time it rings. “Come on, pick up.”
It takes her forever to answer, and when she does, I can hear the solemness in her tone. I’m about to change that. “Hey, Kami,” she says, her voice low.
“Pack your bags. You’re taking a trip. And trust me, you’ll thank me for it.”
5
Kami
One Week Later
Over the past week, I’ve been so busy with interviews that I haven’t had time to work. I plan to help my family with Grayson’s Construction until I hear from the FBI. If I don’t get accepted, I will apply to the local PD and work my way up. I have to start somewhere.
I finish my orange juice and set the glass in the sink before grabbing my car keys off the counter. Tia is at the front window, peering out while she drinks her coffee. “What are you going to do today?” I ask.
She glances back at me and nods at the newspaper on the kitchen table. “I saw an ad in there for a job at the flower shop. I think it could be fun.”
Tia has plenty of money from being with Killian all those years, but I understand her reasoning for wanting to find a job. “I think it could be too,” I agree. “I’m helping Faith on a landscaping job today. We’re going to plant trees. Now that all of my interviews are over, I can get back to life.”
Tia smiles. “I bet you’re happy about that.” She walks over and sets her coffee cup down on the kitchen table. “It’s the full moon tonight. Did Ansley tell you what she and Lance are going to do?”
So much has happened in the past week. When Chase took Ansley back with him to California, he made sure she spent plenty of time with Lance. They’ve known each other for years but never really talked when we’ve had our parties. It only took two days for the mating signs to appear. When Ansley called me to tell me the news, I had never heard her so excited and full of life.
“They don’t see the need in waiting, so they’re going to complete the bond tonight,” I say, smiling. “Lance is bringing her back to Montana in a couple of weeks so she can get more of her things.”
Tia smiles. “Good. I’m happy for her.”
“Me too.”
Several couples will be completing their bonds tonight. A part of me wants to make a list of the females in my pack so I can pick a day and visit them, but the other part wants me to let nature run its course. For Ansley, she needed to find her mate. For others, like myself, I’m not in a hurry. I have other things in life I want to accomplish.
I look over at the microwave clock and sigh; I’m running out of time. “All right, I gotta go. Good luck at the flower shop.”
Tia waves. “Thanks. I need it, especially since I’ve never had a normal job before.”
“You’ll do fine.” I wave at her and rush outside to my Jeep. The weather is warm and perfect with a slight breeze. The Jeep top is down, and I crank up the music. The house we’re working on is only six minutes away, so it doesn’t take long to get there. Faith and I will be working in the yard while Tate and Orin are in the house, remodeling the kitchen. However, when I pull up into the driveway, Tate and Orin aren’t the only wolves present. “You have got to be shitting me,” I grumble. Standing next to my brother is not only Orin but Colin. Since my party, he’s been in Montana, and I thought for sure he’d have gone back to Wyoming by now. Groaning, I get out of my Jeep. Faith appears around the side of the house, already dirty with mud on her pants, and waves me over.
“Hey,” she calls out.
Tate and Orin wave at me, and I wave back while Colin gives me that devilish smirk of his. I glare at him in return and turn my focus to Faith.
“I’m not late, am I?” I ask. I arrived at nine o’clock, just like I was told.
Faith shakes her head. “Not at all. Tate wanted to get here a little earlier to get a head start on the kitchen. You know how he is.”
Yes, I do. He likes to finish his projects early. That’s why everyone around town wants to hire Grayson’s Construction. I look out at the backyard, and Faith already has markers in the grass where she wants the trees planted. Before I can say anything, I can feel Colin coming closer. Royals can hide their presence, or they can make it known by blasting their power. Colin wants me to know he’s there. Arrogant ass.
“All right, where do you want them?” Colin asks.
I don’t even bother turning around to look at him. Faith points toward the small flags sticking out of the ground. “Just line them up for me, please. Kami and I will take care of the rest.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him walk over to the flags, holding a small Eastern Redbud tree in each hand, showing off his perfectly chiseled, bare upper body. I may not like him, but I’m not blind. The last thing I want is for him to think I find him attractive like all the other females in the world. Faith comes over to me with a big smile on her face. “The trees will look amazing in the spring.” She nods in the direction where her brother still stands with the trees. “Can you picture it? It’ll be nothing but beautiful purple flowers.”
I don’t want to look.
Nodding, I keep my attention on her. “Yes, it will.” My phone rings, and I turn all my focus onto it as I pull it out of my pocket. It’s a restricted number. “I’ll be right back,” I say to Faith. I intentionally don’t look over at Colin when I walk past him to the front of the house. I accept the call and bring the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Kami Grayson?” the man asks.
“Yes.”
“I’m Reed Chandler. I’m with the FBI.”
My heart stops, and I bite my lip to keep from shrieking with excitement. “Hi, Mr. Chandler.”
He chuckles. “You can call me Reed. I like to keep things casual with my recruits.” Recruits? Does that mean I’m in? I hurry over to my Jeep and lean against the door. “I looked over your application for the FBI Academy. You graduated from the University of Montana, correct?”
“Yes, sir,” I reply.
“Nice. I also happened to see you on the news this past week. It’s one of the things I wanted to talk to you about.”
I hold my breath and let it out slowly. “It’s been an interesting week,” I admit honestly.
“I bet. How are you holding up? I know it’s not easy taking a life, even if it was someone who deserved it.”
My heart stops and I freeze. They know I killed him. I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out. What the hell do
I say?
“Yes, we know you killed Michael Lawrence, Kami,” he adds. “You’re not in trouble if that’s what you’re worried about. You can talk to me freely. But I do want you to answer my question … how are you handling everything?”
I can’t exactly tell him I’ve killed others before. However, Michael is the first human I’ve killed. “I’m doing fine, actually. I’ve come to terms with it. I know if I join the FBI, it’s something I might have to do again.”
“You’re exactly right. Does that not bother you?”
I don’t know if this is a trick question. All I know is I feel the need to tell the truth, no matter what I think he wants to hear. “No,” I answer. “I’m a firm believer on an eye for an eye. All I want is to make the world a safer place. Can I do that on my own? Of course not; the world’s too big. But I can try.”
Reed bursts out laughing. “Wow. I’m impressed. No one has ever answered my question like that. It makes this a lot easier.” He clears his throat, his voice turning serious. “There’s something I want to talk to you about before we move on. I have to say it’s piqued my curiosity.”
“Okay,” I say. “I’m listening.” I have to say I’m curious as well.
“So, I read Michael’s autopsy report. The cause of death was trauma from a broken neck. What surprised me was the complete obliteration of his bones. I’ve never seen anything like it, especially considering you’re a female. I don’t mean that in a sexist way; I’m just stating the facts. The amount of force to do the kind of damage you did is unprecedented in this case. I’m just wondering where your strength came from.”
I will never forget how I felt that day when I found Samantha Teller’s body and smelled Michael’s scent all over her. The rage consumed me. My strength came from that.
