by Kasey Belle
“I won’t make you, Em.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a sideways hug. “But, you know Janie won’t let anything happen to Lula and Sage, except for the imminent sugar crash. I think we all know there’s no stopping that.”
For several long beats of time, Matt didn’t think she would answer him. “Yeah.” Emmarie gave him a half-hearted smile. “I guess I could go with you. We won’t be gone long though, right?”
“Not too long.” He jostled her. “Give the puppy-kittens a hug and let’s hit the road.”
“Puppy-kittens?”
“What?” Matt blinked innocently. “I think it’s cute.”
Emmarie rolled her eyes, but he caught her grinning when she turned to do his bidding. She took a moment to explain what was happening and where she was going to Lula and Sage. The youngest Bennetts weren’t at all upset by the turn of events, just as Matt knew they wouldn’t be. Lula and Sage were too busy having fun with their new friends.
“So, what was so important?” Emmarie asked as she fastened her seatbelt.
“First, we’re going to Mug Shots to grab something hot to drink then I’m taking you to the lake. I want to show you something.”
“Where’s the lake?”
“Black River Pack land.”
“That’s the wooded area behind Mr. Koda’s right?”
“Part of it.”
“The thing you want to show me isn’t some abandoned shack in the woods where you make skin suits out of your unsuspecting victims, is it? It puts the lotion on its skin…” She mocked in a deep, ominous voice.
Matt barked a laugh. “No. I do not plan on murdering you and wearing your skin as a coat.” He shook his head and snickered unable to hide his amusement. “I didn’t realize you were so twisted. You’re a little young for your thoughts to leap straight into a Silence of the Lambs scenario, aren’t you?”
“I love horror movies, especially that one. Mom and I watched it all the time.” Em fell silent. The sorrow rolling off her threatened to choke him. Matt reached over and gave her hand a squeeze silently letting her know he understood she needed a few moments to herself.
Bow greeted them with a smile. Her once tiny baby bump now well-defined. Matt ordered a large coffee with a shot of amaretto syrup. Emmarie chose a large mocha latte with extra whipped cream. He had Bow throw in a half-a-dozen pumpkin-chocolate chip scones to complete their order. Ten minutes later they were back on the road heading to his favorite spot hoping it helped Emmarie find some peace.
Chapter 8
Emmarie checked on Lula and Sage once more when she returned from brushing her teeth. Sage was sleeping soundly in the crib. He’d kicked his blanket off as usual, so she covered him up again. Lula was wrapped up like a little burrito on Liam’s old toddler bed. Emmarie leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Emmarie tugged off her socks and climbed into bed pulling the covers up to her chin. She stared at the ceiling thinking back over her afternoon and the time she spent with Matt.
He’d parked his truck in a clearing then led her down a path. It didn’t take them long to make it to the half-frozen lake. The contrast between the water, surrounding trees, and clear blue sky was breathtaking. She felt privileged that he’d shared his special spot with her. She could tell by the way he spoke about the lake it was sacred to him. Matt told her he would take her there to think about stuff that was bothering whenever she wanted. Whether she wanted to tell him about it or not was up to her. He’d covered a large flat boulder with a blanket from his truck and they sat on it while they enjoyed their purchases from Mug Shots.
She really liked Matt. Had from the second she met him. He wasn’t a typical adult. He didn’t think he had all the answers, nor did he think she was stupid because of her age. He seemed to respect her and her position as the oldest Bennett. He understood her need to protect Lula and Sage. Running away was dangerous and not her most shining moment, but she’d had little choice. Where most adults would have listed all the ways her actions could have landed them in serious trouble, Matt kept his opinions to himself.
He also saw most things people missed and not because he was a shifter. He was extremely empathetic. Matt was one of those people that if he noticed someone was sad, he’d do everything in his power to make whatever it was bothering them better. If he couldn’t, he’d find someone who could. Even at her age, Emmarie knew the world needed more people like Matt.
Before she knew what was happening, Emmarie opened her mouth and the words she held locked inside came tumbling out.
“I have to be strong for them.” Emmarie focused on the hands clutched together in her lap trying to hide her tears.
“You don’t have to be strong with me. Lula and Sage are safe with Janie. Out here, you can be anything you need to be.”
She nodded absently wondering what would happen if she opened her mouth. Would she cry? Scream? Would she be able to stop once she started?
“Would you like to talk about your mom? Or maybe your dad?”
Her throat worked, and she sniffed. “My dad… I guess.” she cleared her throat. “My dad was amazing. He was a Green Beret like Mr. Koda. Did he tell you?”
Matt nodded.
“He was killed, but not in combat. They were doing some training and the helicopter they were using had an issue or something. It crashed. Everybody died. It devastated us, my mom especially. We lost a dad, but she lost her mate. She didn’t give up though. She had us, you know? I helped as much as I could.”
She shared some of her good memories. The ones of her dad home on leave. How he’d spend his every waking moment with them as if he were afraid to waste a second of their time together. She told Matt about the day Lula was born. Her dad hadn’t been able to make it home. She’d been so excited that the doctor and nurses had agreed to let Emmarie stay in the room while her mom gave birth. Something Katie Bennett had worked out ahead of time, just in case. It was a beautiful experience one Emmarie would never forget. But it also made her not want children anytime soon.
“Sage was born a couple of months after Dad died,” she said with a smile. “I got to be there for that one, too.”
She told Matt the bad. About the horrific accident that took their last remaining parent and her mother’s last moments. Opening up to him helped. Emmarie felt less alone knowing she could share her burden with someone who only wanted to listen.
“Your parents sound like amazing people.”
“They were. I miss them.” Emmarie wiped away a tear.
“I know you do. They would be so proud of you, Emmarie. You’re an excellent big sister.” He wrapped an arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder. “Promise me something.”
“I’ll try.”
“No matter what happens, you don’t run. If you think you need to take Lula and Sage away, you’ll come to me. If you have to leave, I’ll go with you. I’ll keep you safe.”
Emmarie couldn’t help but smile. Honestly, it was a vow she had no problem making since he promised to come with. “Okay. I swear.” They sat in silence for a few moments before she spoke again. “Matt?”
“Hmm?”
“You can call me Emmy.”
Matt’s bright smile warmed her heart. She knew she hadn’t made a mistake allowing Matt to be her friend.
On their way back from the lake, Matt had pointed out his house. It was pretty. Not something you’d expect a single guy to live it. His house reminded her of wood farm houses they showed in movies. Two-story, painted yellow with white trim, and a deep-set front porch. The place was huge. Big enough for a large family.
Emmarie imagined Matt would make a great father someday. She figured he’d be that awesome parent who sat at the dinner table and eagerly listen as his children told him about their day. He’d lend advice when they had a problem or defend them when they felt they’d been wronged. Emmarie smiled. He was kind of like a kid sometimes, too. She bet he’d be a bit over-indulgent and have a tendency to spoil any child
lucky enough to be his. When she closed her eyes, Emmarie could imagine those children were her, Lula, and Sage. It made her feel extremely guilty, like she was being disloyal to her mom and dad. Her dad had been gone a couple of years now, but she remembered everything about him. Maybe that was why she pictured Matt in the role as their guardian. William Bennett had been a lot like Matt. Loving. Playful. Protective.
Emmarie rolled to her side and curled into a ball, hugging her knees to her chest. She was so tired. She didn’t want to be the parent. She would do it because Lula and Sage needed her. But she was a kid damn it! Sorry, mom, she thought picturing her mother’s arched eyebrow as she told her to watch her language. A tear trickled from her eye and rolled into her hair then another and another. Emmarie didn’t bother to try and stop them. After Lula and Sage were asleep was the only time, she allowed herself to cry. The only time she allowed herself to show her fear and sadness.
The bed dipped behind her and Emmarie froze. Lula’s little hand brushed the hair from her cheek. “Don’t cry, Emmy. It will be okay. You’ll see.”
A sob escaped her mouth. Emmarie rolled over and gathered Lula in her arms. “I thought you were asleep.”
Lula moved her head against Emmarie’s chest. “No. I knew you were sad, so I pretended I was. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Oh, baby girl.” Emmarie kissed the top of Lula’s head. “As long as we’re together I will be.”
“Matt will make sure we stay together. Mr. Koda too. He promised.” Lula leaned back and wiped the tears from Emmarie’s cheeks. “You have to believe.”
Emmarie let out a watery chuckle. Lula sounded like a Disney character. “I’ll try.”
Lula snuggled back into her embrace. “Can I sleep with you?” She asked around a big yawn.
“I’d like that, Lu.”
“Tomorrow will be better.” Lula patted her chest. “Ms. Ella is making pancakes for breakfast.”
“Every day is better with pancakes,” Emmarie said with a smile.
“And syrup.” Lula giggled. She hoped Lula didn’t lose her innocent optimism any time soon. Lord knows Emmarie was pessimistic enough for both of them.
Chapter 9
Callie arrived in the small Montana town three days after Millie informed her that The Bennetts planned to move to Sanctuary. Thankfully, her boss hadn’t asked her any detailed questions regarding her “family” issue. Technically, she didn’t lie about her reason for leave. All Callie’s children were members of a makeshift family. The kids had all in one way or another been screwed over either by their families, life, or society in general.
Still, if her boss Sarah Mathers knew there was even a possibility the children were here, she would have ordered Callie to call the authorities and have them handle it. That option was a definite nope for Callie. As a shifter who believed every shifter regardless of species should look out for one another, turning them in felt like the ultimate betrayal to her people. Especially, if the children found a pack willing to take them in. Sarah was human. She wouldn’t understand a pack family would be the next best thing to having blood family look after the Bennett children. At least in a pack, they would be kept together. Wolves were family oriented.
Sanctuary Pack becoming a safe haven was a best-case scenario for Emmarie, Lula, and Sage. Katie planned to move them out here after the school year ended, anyway. Callie just needed to make sure Alpha Stone wasn’t an asshole and that he wanted the three orphaned children in his pack. She needed to make sure the children were in a safe place and were being taken care of and loved. If she found all of that to be true, Callie would inform her boss of the children’s whereabouts and move heaven and earth to keep Alpha Stone out of jail and make the placement permanent.
Callie pulled her rental car in front of a coffee shop called Mug Shots. The tagline: Because nobody looks good in prison orange, made her laugh. A few snow flurries landed on her wind shield. The second she stepped off the plane in Missoula, she quickly learned Montana was a shit ton colder than Spokane. She grabbed her purse from the backseat where she’d thrown it along with her carry-on and exited the car. A shiver worked its way down her spine when a gust of cold wind hit her in the face.
Callie ran to the door of the shop desperate to get out of the cold. She made a mental note to pick up a coat if she ended up staying in Sanctuary more than a couple of days. The wool wrap she packed wasn’t going to cut it. A pretty and very pregnant woman with purple hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun and wearing Bohemian attire greeted her from behind the counter.
“Welcome, to Mug Shots,” she said with a bright smile. “Where it’s warm and smells divine.”
Callie snickered and shot her a wave as she made her way to the counter.
The woman cocked her head. “You’re new.”
Callie’s grin grew. She loved blunt honesty. “That obvious, huh?”
“Well, I do know pretty much everybody who lives in Sanctuary. If not by name by sight. I’m Rainbow. Not a normal name, I know. My hippie grandmother’s fault. Everyone calls me Bow.” The woman held out her hand. Callie shook it.
“I know all about having a unique name.”
“Oh yeah?” Bow asked looking skeptical.
“Yep.” Callie pointed at herself. “Calypso.”
Bow’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious?” She laughed when Callie nodded.
“Afraid so. My father is obsessed with Greek mythology.”
“I thought my name was unusual.”
They shared a smile. Callie had bonded with a stranger over worse things. “Is this your shop?”
“It is. I opened up a little over ten years ago. Sanctuary is a great place. Are you just visiting our fair town or is it something more permanent?”
“Visiting. I’m actually looking for someone.”
“Oh?” Bow’s smile slid off her face and her shoulders tensed. “Who?”
“Dakoda Stone.” Callie glanced around. There were only two other customers in the shop. They occupied a table in the corner by the window. She leaned in and murmured, “Are you a member of his pack? I can smell shifter on you. Your mate?”
Bow narrowed her eyes but didn’t confirm or deny Callie’s question. “What is your business here?”
“Perhaps if I told you my name you could guess? If a certain three hybrid children are where I think they are. I’m Callie Caldwell. I’m sure Emmarie has mentioned me.”
“The DCFS social worker?” Bow hissed. Callie nodded. “Give me a moment.” She turned and walked through the swinging door behind the counter. Callie was able to catch a glimpse of the kitchen before it swung shut.
Callie wasn’t sure what to do with herself, so she leaned her butt against the counter and watched the locals walk past the shop. The bell over the door chimed as a woman about the same height as Callie and a couple of tweens walked in the door.
Bow poked her head through the door, obviously to check on who had entered the shop. She held a cellphone to her ear with one and waved with the other before ducking back into the kitchen.
“Callie Caldwell?” The woman asked.
Callie noticed the woman had an inch on her in height. The observation made her frown. She was even a Shorty McShorterson compared to this tiny woman. Callie fought the urge to stomp her foot. Everyone was taller than her five feet.
Callie sniffed the air. She could tell the woman was a shifter. Her human scent was intermingled with something animalistic. However, Callie didn’t recognize the species.
“Fox.” The woman supplied in a low tone then held out her hand. “Nikki Hendrix, second in command to the Alpha of Sanctuary Pack.”
“Since when is that a woman’s job. I mean. Men usually… Big men…”
“What to make a first impression. Stop talking,” her cat ordered with a flick of her tail.
“You’re short,” she blurted. Callie felt her face heat with embarrassment. “Wow. Sorry. No insult intended.”
“Seriously?”
cat moaned.
Nikki snickered. “None taken. And yes, I am short. But still taller than you.” The children with Nikki laughed and nodded.
“We do things differently around here,” Nikki informed Callie as if she hadn’t already deduced that.
“A female beta to a male alpha? You certainly do.” Unbelievable. Her father would be practically apoplectic if anyone hinted he do such a thing and for a fox no less. Wars were started for less.
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Bow said as she joined them.
“Hey, mom!” The tween boy wearing a bright blue shirt with the Batman symbol emblazoned on the chest in glittery purple hugged Bow.
“Missed you, baby boy.” Bow kissed the top of his head. “How was school?”
“Awesome. I aced my history test.”
“I knew you would. You knew that stuff backwards and forwards.”
“That’s Stevie,” Nikki explained. She placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “My daughter Casey.” Casey had long blond hair and didn’t look a thing like her mother. She also wasn’t a shifter. Callie assumed the girl was adopted. No doubt there was a story there.
Bow turned her attention to Nikki. “You got here fast.”
“I had just turned the corner when Koda sent me a text. Do you mind if we use your apartment?”
“Of course not. Stevie do you have your key?”
“Yep.” He pulled it from his pocket and jingled the key chain. “Come on Casey. Let’s grab a snack before we go upstairs.”
“There are fresh brownies in the kitchen. They should be cool by now.”
“Sweet!” Casey pumped her fist in the air.
Callie followed Nikki up a set of stairs that were located just off the kitchen. “Will Alpha Stone be joining us?”
“No. He asked me to handle this meeting.”
“Vetting me, are you?”
Nikki glance over her shoulder and cocked an eyebrow. “You know it.” She held the door open for Callie.
Callie grinned when she got a look at the apartment. It certainly reflected the woman who owned it. Colorful, eclectic, and inviting.
