Alder, Alanea - Fated to Be Family [Kindred of Arkadia 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (10 page)

“Hun, your OCD is coming out. Maybe some ice cream would help,” Ashby offered.

“The Xanax-flavored one maybe,” Nic said and Ashby slapped his arm.

“Kate, please sit down. I can feel your anxiety through our bond and it’s making my tummy feel weird.” Rebecca looked a little pale.

“Oh God! Anything but that!” Ashby said, frantically digging through his pockets. His hand came out with a tiny green rock that he handed Rebecca, who immediately popped in her mouth.

“What did you just give her?” Kate asked as Rebecca leaned back and began to chew slowly.

“Well, she had such great results with the ginger mint tea, we kinda made mint-wrapped pieces of ginger with a sugar glaze on it. That way we can carry them around.” Ashby pulled out a bag filled with what looked like small rocks.

“What if he doesn’t want me to be their mama?” Kate asked quietly.

Rebecca opened her eyes and looked at Kate. “Kate, he’d be an idiot not to want you to be their mother and he doesn’t seem like an idiot.”

Kate smiled. “You always think the best of everyone.” Kate took a seat at the counter. For some reason just being around Ashby, Nicholas, and Rebecca made her feel more calm and together.

“Not true! I don’t like the hyenas!” Rebecca argued.

Kate smiled. “Hun, no one likes them right now, considering they are responsible for mass genocide,” Kate said wryly.“While we’re here, we need to have a group meeting to discuss Ashby wanting to go back to Purgatory.” Nicholas frowned at his best friend.

“Gabriel wants me to come back for a visit. He feels really bad about what happened the last time I was there,” Ashby said, blushing.

“I didn’t get an invitation back,” Rebecca said, looking at Ashby closely.

“That’s because he doesn’t want to sleep with you and chomp on your neck,” Nic said, exasperated.

“We don’t know that for sure, Nic! That man is like a God. He could have any guy he wanted. I’m sure he’s just being nice. That’s all.” Ashby flipped through one of the books on the desk to be checked back in.

Kate saw Rebecca and Nic’s eyes meet with identical looks of concern of their faces before they turned and looked at her. Kate could feel the attraction that Ashby had for the handsome vampire. She could also feel the growing sense of unease from Rebecca and Nic about this budding attraction.

“Just don’t go off on your own,” Nic said, looking worried.

“Okay, okay,” Ashby said, still looking down at the book. Nic’s eyes narrowed and he was about to say something when Emmett, Aleks’s younger brother, started heading toward them.

“Dammit, Rebecca, I’m not going out there anymore while they are still here!” Emmett strode up to the counter, one hand rubbing his backside.

“Emmett, what in the world is the matter!” Rebecca exclaimed.

Emmett looked at Ashby, Nic, and Kate standing there and a slow blush worked its way up his neck.

“Emmett?” Rebecca asked again.

“They won’t leave me alone,” he said quietly.

“Who?” She lowered her voice to a whisper.

“The Blue-Haired Lady Brigade,” he said, wincing.

Ashby and Nic hid smiles and Kate turned around. Sure enough there were no less than six little old ladies sitting at the table near the shelves where Emmett had been working. One was high-fiving another.

Oh dear
, Kate thought.

“What is the Blue-Haired Lady Brigade?” Rebecca asked.

“Them,” Emmett said, pointing to the small group of senior citizens.

“That is Ms. Tully and her book club. They are harmless,” Rebecca said.

“They are evil old shifter females who haven’t died since Satan doesn’t want them!” Emmett protested.

Rebecca’s eyes widened. She had never heard any of the Arkadion men speak about a woman that way. She glanced over to the old women with curiosity.

“Rebecca, have you ever heard of the term ‘cougar’?” Kate asked, trying to clear this up.

Rebecca nodded and Kate continued. “Cougar usually refers to women in their forties, women in their fifties are considered ‘jaguars’ and these ladies… I guess they would be like pumas,” Kate said and then pointed to Emmett. “Emmett is perfect prey for them.”

Rebecca’s mouth became an O.

“Oh, Emmett, I’m sorry. Ummm, can you work on the shelves in the archives instead?” Rebecca asked, patting his arm.

He gave a quick nod turned to scowl at the “book club” then hurried down the stairs. Kate noticed the death grip Rebecca had on Ashby’s hand. Once they heard the basement door shut, Rebecca erupted into helpless giggles.

“You are absolutely wrong,” Nicholas said.

“How come you two aren’t prime prey?” Rebecca asked wiping her eyes.

“I think it’s because they know we’re gay,” Ashby said and Nicholas nodded.

“They
heave
great big ol’ sighs around us and say ‘damn shame’ a lot,” Nic added.

Kate smiled and jumped when her phone buzzed.

Hey gurl - ur men are at B&T getting ur fav choco, C looks like his dog died, go easy on him
 
-lurves R

Kate jumped up and waved her phone in front of Rebecca.

“Look! Look! He’s not mad! He’s actually sorry and is buying my favorite chocolate!” Kate exclaimed.

“See! I told you he was a good guy,” Rebecca said. They all jumped when the phone buzzed again.

Headin ur way now!

Kate stared down at her phone as a rush of excitement flooded her body. She had the best friends in the whole world.

“Kate, they’re here,” Rebecca said, pointing to the door a couple minutes later.

Kate turned and watched as her two men walked toward her. One dark, reminding her of cool, long nights and the other auburn with red-tinted hues reminding her of the sun’s warmth. She never felt more thankful in her life. She watched as they walked right up to her and then surprisingly,
both
men dropped to their knees.

“Kate, I am so sorry for what I said to you at the diner,” Caleb said, his voice shaking in spots

“I never meant to hurt you or insinuate that I didn’t want you to be the boys’ mother. I was just afraid that the boys would forget Renee and I didn’t want that to happen. You are the most beautiful and amazingly caring woman I have ever met. I couldn’t beg God for a better mate and mother for my children. Will you please accept this as our way of asking you to be ours?” His hand trembled as he held up a small white box.

Kate reached forward and felt tears drip off her cheeks and run down her neck. She took the box and opened it. She closed her eyes as her chest shook in silent sobs. Caleb and Bran stood. Caleb took the box out of her hands.

“See, it’s an adjustable chain. It can be smaller when you’re human and if you have to shift in a hurry, the chain will slide and become larger to accommodate your wolf’s neck. I got three charms. They’re birthstones, mine and the boys’, so we’ll always be with you.” Caleb took the chain out of the box, sliding on the three charms and handing it to Kate.

“I got you something too, Katie Belle. I took for granted how we came together and I never took the time to show you how much I thank Fate every night for sending you to me, even though I know I’m not good enough. You make me remember how to smile and laugh. Without you, I’m empty.” Bran reached into his pocket and pulled out another charm. It matched the white-gold charms holding birthstones that Caleb had given her. He took the chain from her shaking hands.

“It’s my birthstone. And later, when we have more children, we can add theirs to the chain as well.” He added his charm onto the chain and passed it back to her. “Where’s my birthstone?” she asked, looking at Caleb then Bran, tears in her eyes.

“Katie, don’t you know?” Bran asked gently. Caleb stepped forward and placed a hand on her cheek.

“You’re the chain, baby. You’re the one who holds us all together,” Caleb said.

Kate threw her arms around Caleb’s and Bran’s necks. She sobbed so hard she didn’t think she would ever be able to breathe again.

“IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou!” She wept as she held on as tight as she could. Caleb pulled away to kiss her gently on the lips before turning her to Bran so he could kiss her as well. She smiled up at them, her tears slowing. Behind them, she heard sniffles. Every single one of the old ladies was crying. She heard more sniffles from behind the counter. Ashby, Nicholas and Rebecca had their arms wrapped around each other and were boo-hooing.

“That’s so be-bea-beautiful!” Rebecca finally managed.

Ashby and Nicholas nodded.

The library door swung open and Aleks, in his sheriff’s uniform, strode in. He saw Rebecca crying and raced behind the counter.

“Becca, baby, what’s the matter? I could feel you crying across town.” He looked around and saw nearly everyone except Caleb and Bran in tears, though their eyes were very bright.

“What in the hell is going on!” he demanded.

Rebecca continued to cry. “It was so beautiful! I want you to be like Bran and Caleb, but you’re only one man and I love you and don’t want anyone else, but it was so perfect. I love you!” she wailed.

Aleks’ eyes widened and he simply scooped Rebecca up and sat in her chair. From the looks of things, he was getting used to her outbursts. He no longer got that panicked look on his face. Kate knew that Rebecca’s meltdown was part hormones and part of the feelings she had gotten through their bond. She would have to apologize later. Kate smiled and brought the necklace up and fastened it around her neck. She wiped her eyes and took both of her men’s hands.

“I want to go shopping! I have two sons now and I want to get some home furnishings that all three of us pick out so Caleb feels more at home at the Pack house.” Kate smiled up at them.

“As long as we don’t spend too much money,” Caleb said, kissing her nose.

She rolled her eyes. She looked over to where Rebecca was down to tiny sniffles and wiping her nose on her sleeve.

“Meet you at the diner later for dinner?” she asked the three. Ashby and Nicholas smiled and nodded.

“See you at dinner,” Rebecca said, rubbing her eyes.

“Later, hun,” Kate said, winking. Rebecca smiled.

Walking away she let go of the men’s hands and reached for her phone. Her fingers flew over the keys in a text message to Rian.

Ri ~ I need nighties in the following birthstone colors. They need to be amazing – my men just hit a grand slam with their apologies ~ lurves K

She typed what colors she needed and it wasn’t long before she got the reply.

Pulling out all the stop s- ur getting premium sexy package - don’t worry I have your cc # ~ lurves R

She smiled. She really did have the best friends ever!

* * * *

Later that afternoon, Kate, Caleb, and Bran found themselves back in the diner. Bran and Caleb collapsed into chairs across from one another. Kate was showing Ma her purchases. She’d been waiting until Rebecca got there, but Ma told her that, after the princely display that Bran and Caleb had done at the library, Aleks felt the need to show Rebecca that even though he was one man, he was more than enough for her. Evidently he had carried her out of the library caveman-style to the cheers of Ms. Tully and her book club. Ashby and Nic said they had plans to go over to Alek and Rebecca’s later in the evening to make cake since everyone was craving it after talking about it all day.

“I told you,” Bran said, placing his head down on the table.

Caleb leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. “I didn’t believe you, but you’re right. She was like a demon possessed.” Caleb shuddered.

“I’m so glad I don’t have to do this alone anymore,” Bran said, pretending to sniffle.

“I have your back, brother.” Caleb patted Bran on the head. They comforted each other like old war buddies. Kate rolled her eyes.

“Seriously you two are big babies. Damian and Rian could shop circles around you. We only went to the mall and Babies ‘R’ Us,” she said as she showed Ma the tiny jumpers she had bought for Landon and Lucas.

Bran lifted his head. “We went into
every
store in the mall, some of them twice. My feet hurt! I will never give you chocolate before shopping again!” Bran exclaimed.

“Do you need a burger? Your blood sugar must be low. You’re getting cranky.” Kate turned her back on him to hold up two small leather jackets.
 
Bran’s mouth dropped and his eyes narrowed. He was about to lean forward to speak when Caleb patted him on the arm and shook his head.

Just then Bran’s phone started ringing. A second later, Kate’s, Caleb’s and Ma’s phones also rang. Everyone looked at each other and then frantically started pulling out their cell phones.

“What! We’ll be right there,” Kate said, hanging up and grabbing the keys. Everyone in the diner was silent and staring at Kate as she made her way to the door.

“Everyone stay back. We’re on our way,” Bran said into his cell phone, following Kate.

“Are the boys safe? I don’t care about what he did to the pack member. Are our boys safe?” Caleb demanded, moving past Bran to get to the car.