Bonded In Shadows: A Shadow Unit Novella

by Tigris Eden

Everyone was seated at the table, including the twins and Belinda. The tension was thick enough to choke on. The only person who couldn’t tell there was anything wrong was Faith. Enola hadn’t liked meeting Ronin and Royce knowing they were both sharing a bed with Belinda. Jes didn’t want her friends to be anything but who they were, and except for the whole ‘immortal’ thing, she wanted them to act as they normally would.

  “Mr. Zealand what is it that you do again?” Mara asked politely as she handed a plate of corn across the table to Belinda.

  “Our family is in the sugar cane business.”

  “That’s interesting. Jesminda never said what it was her family did.”

  Enola took that as her cue to spew her negativity in the form of one of her tirades.

  “Well she wouldn’t, would she? Being as she hasn’t been home in almost six years.” Her mother turned to Draven’s mother and smirked.

  “How did you come to be in the sugar cane business?” Mara continued, directing the conversation back to Joseph.

  Enola held up her hand when Jesminda’s father would have spoken and Jes had had enough.

  “Oh do let me tell this story mother, my version is so much better than yours.”

  Draven placed a hand on her knee and the twins both smiled. She knew Royce could read her thoughts. She was positive he’d shared with his brother.

  “Now, where to begin, oh I know, way back in the day, before television and electricity, there was a King and Queen who sat atop their mighty thrones in Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast. They were the rulers of the mighty Zulu nation. Some would say their reign had spread across the great nation of Africa, and they would be right. They basked in their greatness, and while they did, their people went hungry. To punish them, their tribe rose up against them and sold them into slavery. Bound for the Americas they ended up in South America in what used to be called British Honduras.” Jes went for the dramatics and faked being shocked as she continued to tell the tale of her families supposed ancestry. “Now when the King and Queen were stripped of their costly robes and thrown into tattered rags, it was said they won the favor of their plantation owner, Aurelios Zealand. He owned a sugar plantation.

  A deal was struck because Africans are a superstitious sort and the King and Queen promised their first child to their master, and in return, the master promised that their child would be wed to one of his children. It is said the King and Queen came from fallen Angels. Something about their royal bloodline being an ancient bloodline of Elder Angels. Am I right so far mother?”

  Enola smiled tightly, and opened her mouth to speak, but Jes continued.

  “So you see, the reason my skin is the color of brown sugar and my eyes are the color of honey, is because it is said that the Angel Anael was the one that gifted the King and Queen of Africa with his blood, and that his eyes were truly gold, and his skin made of bronze. My mother married my father because of this pact. Only I didn’t come out the way you wanted, isn’t that right mother?”

  “Jesminda Zealand, you will respect your mother.” Her father said sternly.

  “Yes father.” Jes looked down at her food feeling quite chastised. Her mother wasn’t the nicest person, but she was still her mother. Her father was right, she should show her mother more respect. Even if the story was an old wives tale, she’d just wanted to spare Draven and the rest of their friends and family from being subjected to her mother’s ire.

  Everyone at the table was quiet including Draven. Jes stood and was about to excuse herself when her father asked her to sit back down. She did, but not because she was listening to him. It was because of Faith.

  “That was a great story Jes. Here I thought my life was interesting. Angel blood? Really Jesminda you’re too funny.” Royce said as he downed his drink.

  “Well, I think it’s a nice story, and it explains a lot.” Belinda said.

  “You’re right tifi.” Jes’ grandmother said. “It does explain a lot.”

  “Does this mean I’m a princess mommy?” Faith asked. Of course, her daughter would pick out that part of the story, bringing a smile to Jes’ face.

  “Of course baby, why do you think daddy calls you his Angel? It’s because you’re a beautiful Princess Angel.”

  “Yay! You hear that Uncles! I’m a Princess Angel!”

  Cyrian took that moment to speak. His voice quiet and controlled.

  “I think we should focus on Faith’s party and the upcoming items still left on the table.”

  “Agreed.” Ronin said.

  The rest of the night was about Faith’s party. Her family would be leaving after tomorrow so Jes didn’t have to worry about them stumbling upon anything suspicious. They’d taken dinner at the main house, which worked out for the best. The rest of the pack was out dining in the main dining area.

  When there was a knock at the door. Mara stood and excused herself to answer the it.

  “Draven, what is it that you do?” Jes’ father asked. She knew her father didn’t have a problem with her mate, but it was still a bit unnerving.

  “I work in law enforcement.”

  “Yeah? That’s an admirable job.”

  “Thank you sir.”

  “Antony, Draven, can you both come to the door please.” Mara yelled from the front of the house. Royce and Ronin didn’t look happy about the interruption.

  “We’d better go see who that is at the door.” Draven and his father both stood and Jes watched as they made their way to the front of the house.

  “This can’t be good. What’s going on Royce?” Jes asked via their link.

  “That’s a good question. Whoever it is they aren’t projecting.”

  “This whole idea of having two parties was a big mistake.”

  “Who you telling sista-girl. I told you and Belinda this wasn’t going to work out. Your parents are human. I hate to say this, but you need to disconnect yourself.”

  “But what about my father, grandmother?”

  “I know it’s hard for you, but you haven’t seen them in almost six years. Why do you think that is? It wasn’t all your mother; it had everything to do with them finding out about Faith. You knew it would be too much for them to handle. You’re grandmother I’m not worried about, she knows more than she lets on, its your parents that concern me. Even more so now that you are with Draven. You have to find a way to say goodbye.”

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  “You have to honey, it’s the only way. It will be safer for everyone.”

  He was right. They were not a part of her world now. She had to say goodbye. Even if it meant never seeing them again. She could ask Cyrian to keep tabs for her and fill her in on what her family was up to, but that was as far as her contact with her family could go. Jes inwardly sighed. She wasn’t ready to let her family go. Not when she’d just got them back in her life.

  Chapter 9

  Asia was at the door with none other than her father, Rasmus.

  “I thought I made it clear that you were not invited.”

  “You’re not alpha of the pack. Your father is. He was the one to invite us.”

  Draven looked to his father while his mother tried placing a calming arm on his shoulder, but he shrugged her away.

  “You’re the one who is supporting his actions mother. I’ve already said I’m not going to mate Asia. First mate, second, third. I’m not going to be a part of it.”

  “Draven, just hear what they have to say.”

  “Why should I listen? Whatever they have to say means nothing.”

  “Son, there are things you don’t know. Things I should have explained long ago.”

  Antony looked sincere, but Draven was still skeptical.

  “I want Jesminda to hear what you have to say.” He wasn’t going to leave her out of whatever bullshit they wanted to spew at him. Shielding it from her would only make it worse.

  “This is pack business,” Asia said taking him by the wrist. She tried pulling him toward the study, but he quickly
jerked his hand from her grasp.

  “She’s my mate,” he growled. “No more touching me, do it again and I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”

  “Fine, no touching.”

  “I want Jes here; I don’t care what this is about.”

  Rasmus nodded in agreement as they made their way into the study. Jes was already there, rising from a chair in the corner and approaching them. Royce. His friend would have been relaying the conversation. Draven enfolded her into the comfort of his arms and gave her a squeeze positioning her to his side. His mother and father sat on the sofa facing the fireplace while Asia and Rasmus remained standing. Whatever they had to say would not be good.

  Draven chose to remain standing.

  “Well someone needs to start talking, my lamb is getting cold.” Draven shared.

  Asia stopped in front of them, her eyes glittering with tears.

  “I don’t know how to tell you this,” she began. She tugged on the hem of her shirt, as if it would somehow make what she had to say easier.

  “Spit it out.”

  “I left you because I had no choice. It wasn’t just because Aidan was to be Alpha.”

  “Here we go with this shit again,” Jes said. Her hand tightening around his waist. In return, he gave her the same comfort she offered him, by pulling her closer. He wanted her to know that no matter what was said in this room, they’d walk away from it together.

  “We have a child together. He’s ten and his name is Rory. I was already with child when I left you for your brother. Aidan knew but didn’t care.”

  Draven felt the floor beneath his feet opening up. It had to be some sick nightmare. The one where you’re falling but never hit the bottom. Impossible! Jesminda was his true mate, not Asia. Jes stiffened in his arms and he could do nothing but stare. Jaw hanging on the floor he stood stone still trying to take in the words Asia said. He had a son? But how? He would have known. You should have known with Jes and you didn’t. He thought. Which was true, but Asia had been around him after they’d split. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “That’s not true. You’re lying!” Jes said vehemently. “This is just another ploy for you to get what you want. There is no way he’d have a son. His parents wouldn’t keep this from him.”

  Draven looked to his parents. His mother standing to approach him.

  “We’ve only just found out tonight.”

  “It’s true girl.” Rasmus said. “My daughter is his first mate, you if he chooses, will need to take the role of second mate.”

  “I will do no such thing.”

  “Jes,” Draven tried to calm her down before things got out of hand, but she ignored him. Her eyes no longer gold, but ice-cold blue. This was something he’d never seen and could not gauge her emotions. Any other time, he was able to tell what she felt. Now, nothing. Even though they were still holding on to each other, Draven felt disconnected. It scared the shit out of him.

  “This isn’t some episode of Big Love. Draven and I are completing the bonding ritual after Faith’s ceremony and that’s the end of it.”

  “You lose your place Jesminda.” Antony said sternly. “You will be second mate, Asia has given birth to the first son, and as such her cub is to be next in line as alpha of this pack when Draven steps down. It is the way it should be. Any children you have with Draven, Faith included will only be viewed as second rate. Especially now in light of this new development. You’re not even a Lycan, your blood weakens the pack.”

  Every word his father said made Jes fold in on herself until her breathing had stopped and he knew she was trying to control the power he felt stirring beneath her skin. Hell, he could feel it looking for a way out.

  It didn’t matter if pack law deemed what his father said was true, Draven was not having any of that. He didn’t know how he was going to get himself out of the hole he apparently dug, unknowingly, but his father was right. The pack would only view Faith and all of him and Jes’ future offspring as second rate. He didn’t want that for his little girl. Knew Jes would grow to hate him if he took Asia and her child as his family. He couldn’t live with that. Wouldn’t. It would cause strife between both females.

  “Everyone needs to shut the hell up. I want proof the child she speaks of is even mine. Go and bring him here after Faith’s party tomorrow. By then Jes parents will no longer be here.”

  Asia took another step forward and addressed both of them directly.

  “With me, you wouldn’t have to hide your true nature at family gatherings. We’re the same Draven. Lycans. She’s new to all this. She still has ties to a world that no longer exists for her. Eventually her parents will find out the truth, and what do you think that will mean for us? They could try to hunt us down, kill us. Worse, experiment on us, learn our secrets. Do you want that to be your life? Always hiding your true self, never able to walk out among her kind? Are you going to ignore your true nature because of her?”

  Asia looked to Jes.

  “You’re lucky, you know that? Not long ago your actions and behavior would not be tolerated by anyone in this pack. But because you’re immortal now, they are lenient with you when they shouldn’t be. In my eyes, you’re still human, and you don’t belong in this world. You don’t belong here at all. Do yourself a favor and leave your daughter to me and Draven and go back to what you know.”

  Asia didn’t have a chance to finish because Jes untangled herself from Draven’s arms and slapped the other woman hard across the face, snapping Asia’s head back. The sound reverberated through the study bouncing off the walls. Draven took a step back involuntarily, feeling as if he’d been the one slapped.

  Both women faced off against the other. Asia growling and Jes producing a nice set of razor sharp claws.

  “If you ever insinuate again that you should raise my child, I won’t hesitate to strike you dead. If I leave, my daughter leaves with me. Not you or anyone else in this room will take her from me.”

  Jes turned and walked out of the room.

  “This changes nothing.” Antony said.

  “No father, it doesn’t. I want proof. If this boy turns out to be mine, then I will deal with the situation, but it won’t be the way you’re thinking. Now if you’ll excuse me, we have guests.”

  Draven turned following his mate out of the study and made his way back to the table where Jes’ family waited.

  “Sorry for leaving so abruptly, we had uninvited guests.” He said as he seated himself one again.

  “That will now be joining us for dinner.” Antony said as his mother and said uninvited guest followed his father into the dining room.

  Asia and her father took a chair at the far end of the table.

  “More family Draven,” Enola asked, taking a sip of her wine.

  “No, I’m Asia, and the mother of his ten year old son Rory, and this is my father Rasmus.”

  Everyone at the table was silent.

  “You have got to be joking me.” Belinda said standing up from the table excusing herself. “I’ve lost my appetite.”

  “Same.” The twins said at the same time, following Belinda.

  “Well done. As usual Jesminda, you’ve made a mess of your life. At least with Marcus you knew where you stood.”

  “Shut up mother.” Jes said in a low voice. Draven watched as his mate rose from the table and grabbed their daughter’s hand. “Bath time baby. Remember party tomorrow.”

  “I’ll help you tifi.” Inara said leaving the table with Jesminda and Faith.

  He watched as Jes’ mother folded her napkin across her plate and she too rose from the table.

  “Joseph, I’m no longer hungry and clearly our hosts have other people they’d rather entertain.”

  The two of them left too, leaving Draven and his parents, and their uninvited guests at the table, Cyrian included.

  “Does anyone want to address this new issue? Cyrian asked.

  “You have to believe me Draven.” Asia pleaded trying to re
ach for his hand. Hadn’t he told her no touching?

  “I want proof, and even if he is my son, I’m still not mating you.”

  “Damn right you’re not.” Royce said walking back into the dining room.

  “No one asked you boy.” Antony sneered rising from the table to approach him.

  “Don’t care. My opinion as always is priceless, even if there were some truth to her claim, which I highly doubt. It wouldn’t matter. Draven has already taken Jes’ blood. Their bond is halfway complete, therefore can’t be negated.”

  Royce pulled a red smoke from his pocket and lit it. He inhaled deeply before he let the plume of smoke escape from his mouth in floating tendrils.

  “What everyone in this room fails to acknowledge, is that Jes is like a sister to me. I love her and Faith.” He looked at Draven and winked. “I even love your ugly ass and because I care and because I can, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure my friends are happy. That includes killing you and your father right here, right now. Getting rid of the problem we all seem to be facing. Because I’ll be damned if anyone treats my family like they’re second rate.”

  Royce was bat-shit crazy, no one threatened the pack and walked to tell the tale.

  “Who is this guy?” Cyrian asked.

  “I’m your resident badass. The only motherfucker in this room that can back up what he’s saying.”

  “Royce, be serious. Cyrian he’s cool.” Draven looked across at Cyrian and then over to Royce asking with his eyes that he stand down.

  “Don’t have a problem with him. I actually like him.” Cy responded.

  Royce nodded in their direction but his eyes were still on Asia and her father. He was serious. Serious Royce was scary Royce.

  “Bring Rory by after Faith’s ceremony.”

  “He’s out of state. New York.”

  “Guess you better get a start on things. You have exactly twenty seven hours before Faith’s spirit walk.”

  “Why won’t you trust me? Is it because of what happened in the past?”

  “It could be that, or the fact that since you’ve returned, you’ve had ulterior motives all along. On the other hand, maybe it’s because you pissed off my mate and were disrespectful. I could go on.”