Called by the Bear 4-6 (10 page)

T
aylor

L
ast night
, I had dinner at Keith’s parents’ house and enlisted his mother, Peggy, to help plan our wedding. She suggested lunch today. Music plays softly on the radio as I make my way toward Peggy’s house.

One of the benefits of werebear hearing is she knew I was coming long before I got to the door, and she’s on the porch waiting for me. I smile at her floral capri pants and bright-turquoise top. Her hair is curly, like mine, and she lets it do its thing, creating a mane of color that matches her bubbly personality.

She practically bounces over to my truck before I can get out. Peggy slides in and pulls the heavy metal door shut with a solid thud before she turns to me. “Forgive me for being excited. But I’m thrilled to have a daughter-in-law to do lunch with. Raising two boys cheated me out of a lot of girl time.”

I smile as I back up. “I’m not much different from a boy. But I’ll always be up for lunch.”

“Good. Because you’re stuck with me for the rest of my life.”

I shift easily into first, and we wind down the dirt road to town.

Peggy says, “Goodness, this truck rides better than my SUV.”

“Yeah, I’ve modified it a bit.” I know she’s not interested in more, so I change the subject. “So did Keith tell you we’re thinking a small ceremony?”

“Yes, and I love the idea. You two aren’t the flashy type, and I know he’s always dreamed of using his backyard for his wedding. He’s a sweet romantic that way.”

I smile. “I know. He’s the most caring, empathetic man I’ve ever met. You raised a good one.”

“Thank you, but I’m afraid I can’t take the credit. Personalities have a way of prevailing, no matter what you do.”

“I’m not so sure about that. You could have squashed the sensitive traits and forced him to be an aggressive male. I’ve seen it happen.” We’ve left the woods, and bright sunlight makes me flip down my visor.

Peggy pulls large sunglasses from her purse and reminds me of a movie star when she slides them onto her face. “Maybe, but what child is truly happy if they aren’t allowed to follow the beat of their own drummer?”

I recall my father encouraging my interest in automobiles and channeling my fighting into martial arts, instead of insisting I play with dolls and have tea parties. “You’re right. I think you were the kind of parent my father was. He let me crawl under cars with him instead of sending me off to dance class.”

“Exactly. And I trust you and Keith will do the same for your children.” She sighs. “I know I don’t have to push because you have Donna, but I will say I can’t wait to be a grandmother and help you raise those babies.”

I chuckle. “Good. Because if I’m going to have twins or triplets, I’ll be making sure you get plenty of hands-on time.”

We’re having lunch at the Cat’s Meow, a café-style restaurant with a French flair. We pull into the parking lot and step out of my air-conditioned truck to what the locals think of as sweltering heat. I catch myself with that thought when I realize this is my home now, too.

Peggy says, “You’re going to love the food here, and the desserts are to die for.”

I grin at her as I notice a blonde across the parking lot. She’s leaning against a man with dark hair. He kisses the top of her head before opening the passenger door of a black BMW. I realize the girl looks like Lily, and I call out, “Lily!”

She glances at me with wide eyes before scrambling into the car. The man holding the door quickly slams it and growls as his werebear teeth poke out of his mouth. Once the door is shut, I can’t see her through the tinted glass, but I’m sure it was Lily.

Peggy grips my arm tightly and pulls me toward the restaurant as the sedan leaves. In a hushed tone, she says, “That’s Victor Veilleux’s car.”

“Shit.” I cover my mouth quickly. “Sorry. I need to tell Brady and Carly.” Peggy’s face opens in understanding, and I think Donna shared Sierra’s kidnapping and rescue with her best friend.

I send a telepathic message.
“I just saw Lily get into Victor’s car. I called out to her, and she raced away from me like I was the devil.”

Brady replies.
“Meet at our house at three, and we’ll discuss this.”

I
tried
to concentrate on Peggy’s ideas for my wedding, but I’d already switched into warrior mode, and my mind drifted toward rescue mission plans. When I returned home, I spent an hour with a punching bag as I tried to figure out why Lily would be afraid of me. I think maybe Victor has bitten her so he can get her pregnant with his children, and she’s now under his control. Keith agrees.

Keith is driving, and we’re in the Jeep with the top off. While my hair is shoved into a baseball hat to keep it from becoming a rat’s nest, I’m still enjoying the summer breeze instead of air conditioning. He speaks to me in my mind instead of yelling.
“We need to get pregnant. The idea of Victor biting you and—”

His words make me bristle, but then I think of what he lived through with Sierra. This is about his fear and not my capabilities.
“Don’t. I’d kill him before I let that happen.”
I reach over and take his hand.
“Besides, we’re true mates, and he can’t interfere with that bond. Although, having your children is something I can’t wait to do.”
I move my hand into his lap.
“Busy later?”

Keith shifts his hips and replies with a growl as we turn in to the Le Roux driveway. When we get to the kitchen, Donna, Carly, Brady, Annie, Ashton, Sierra, and Ian are waiting for us. Everyone ignores the niceties, so Keith and I quickly sit at the table.

Annie says, “I just sent Lily a text, saying you saw her in Victor’s car and that if I don’t hear something, we’re going to assume she’s there against her will.”

Sierra says, “I bet they’re mated. He can be quite charming, and she may be there because she wants to be.”

Annie’s phone dings with a text. She reads it aloud. “I was a fool to believe you cared about me. I’m married to Victor because I love him, and I know he’s someone you never would have allowed. Don’t ever contact me again.” Hurt flickers in Annie’s eyes as she looks up. I know she thought of Lily as a good friend, and she has to be worried sick.

“He’s probably made us out to be the evil ones,” says Carly.

Donna sighs. “Damn, he’s clever. He knows we wouldn’t hurt Lily, and she’s his sacrificial shield. Fucker.”

Ashton asks, “Taylor, could you tell if she’s a werebear yet?”

“I’m not sure. But if she knows what we are, I would guess so.”

Carly says, “Me, too. She has to be. If they’re married, he plans to get her pregnant.”

“Shit. She’s the Veilleux prima, right?” asks Sierra.

Heads nod, and Donna says, “She sure is. It might be time for another prima lunch to approach the subject of a joint council.” Something flickers in her eyes.

Carly says, “Exactly. We need her to see how unreasonable Patricia can be.”

Brady says, “Or at the very least, remind her of how rational the Le Roux are.”

Sierra sighs. “I’m not sure it’s going to be that easy. Lily struck me as impressionable, and I bet she’s fallen hard for Victor.”

Donna says, “That’s quite possible. Let’s hope to hell they aren’t true mates, or that girl has just sold her soul to the devil.”

S
ierra

I
watch
deep-burgundy liquid fill a small tube. The nurse smiles at me, and I wonder if she’s judging me as she draws blood for a paternity test. How do you explain to someone that your true mate knows your children might belong to an evil alpha who kidnapped you and made you want to fuck him every time he looked your way? And somehow, this new man in my life is okay with that.

I smile back, thinking about Ashton. Memories of his scent, his touch, and the taste of him flood my thoughts.
Judge away, sweetheart, because I’ve got the hottest man alive, and he’s all mine.

“Your results should be ready in a few days, and Dr. Reynolds will call you.” The nurse presses a small wad of cotton against my skin.

“Thanks.” While I know Ashton is fine with raising Victor’s children as our own, I’m holding on to the hope that he’s the father of the babies in my stomach. I fear the evil that lurked in Victor’s DNA might be passed on in his genetics.

I also hate the idea that we may have a constant reminder of me being with Victor. I shake my head and focus my thoughts on the man who saved me from a fate worse than death.

Ashton’s voice sounds in my head.
“Babe, come home for lunch.”

His command makes me grin as I step out of the doctor’s office and into bright sunlight.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Love you.”
Ashton wants me to eat right, and I know he’s making me a healthy lunch so I won’t stop for fast food on the way home. His body is a work of art he hones daily, while I tend to nibble on junk and try to find ways to avoid the fight training required of new werebear.

Ashton’s house is set back in the woods on a small lot. Until I came along, he lived simply. Now—not so much. I’m bringing color and warmth into the stark bachelor pad. I enter through the back door into the mudroom that is a New England feature designed to keep one from bringing dirt and snow into the main part of the house.

The aroma of cumin mixed with garlic fills my nose as Ashton calls out, “Lunch is almost ready.”

“Did you make me Mexican?” I step into the kitchen and glance at my mate, who is wearing just a pair of gym shorts.

His chest and arms are massive, and the muscles ripple when he turns to me. His blue eyes sparkle as he says, “Yes, a salad with chicken and lots of avocado.”

I lick my lips as I peruse his body with my gaze. “And your spicy salsa?”

Ashton chuckles at my sexual tone before he answers, “Of course. Aren’t pregnant women supposed to get heartburn?”

“Maybe when I’m bigger, but right now, it seems to be all I crave. Well, not all—” I’m interrupted by a kiss that makes my knees weak.

Ashton breaks away first. “How did it go?”

I shrug. “Fine, I’ll get the results in a few days.” I don’t want to dwell on the negative. I reach over to the cutting board to swipe a piece of avocado as I say, “I would kill for a margarita to go with this.”

“How about the next best thing?” Ashton opens the refrigerator and pulls out a pitcher of pale-green juice. “Virgin margaritas.”

“You take awfully good care of me.”

He fills two glasses that are on the table as I sit. “You don’t do too badly, either.” His wink reminds me of my favorite way to wake him up in the morning.

Plates thump onto the table as Ashton sits across from me.

I say, “I’ve been thinking about going back to work but want to make sure you’re okay with me being near Keith every day. Because I could probably find something else.” I used to be a receptionist at the lumber mill Keith runs. I had to quit when Victor was constantly in my head, since I couldn’t concentrate.

Ashton swallows a mouthful of food. “I’m fine with that. Besides, I do work with his mate, and it doesn’t bother you.”

I nod as I chew a piece of chicken. When I’m done, I say, “I suppose it’s Taylor I should ask then. It might be weird for her.” While she doesn’t strike me as the jealous type, the true mate thing is powerful and can make one feel unusual emotions.

“That’s a nice thing to do. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”

“Any news on Lily?”

“Our intel says she seems happy with Victor. He’s planning a fancy wedding reception to make a big splash and announce her as their new prima.”

Tart citrus flavor makes my mouth pucker when I sip my drink. I swallow my memories of being Victor’s sex slave and decide now is not the time to discuss our wedding plans. I don’t want to taint it with my recent past.

The kitchen curtains, which I installed this morning, help me avoid the subject. I’ve stopped asking for his opinion when I make changes to the house and want to make sure my assumption to do so is okay. “Hey. You’ll tell me if I go too far redecorating here, right?”

Ashton’s fork clatters against the plate as he sets it down to reach for my hand. “Babe, you’re the ray of sunshine in my life. Every new pillow and towel reminds me how dark my world was before you.”

I wind my fingers into his as warmth spreads though my heart. “I can’t believe your life was dismal before I came along.”

His thumb rubs along mine. “It’s true. People keep mistaking me for Ian again, because I can’t stop smiling.”

Ian is his twin, and except for his long hair, he and Ashton are hard to tell apart. Something dark flashes across Ashton’s face, and I wonder about the evils he witnessed as a Navy SEAL. He’s only been out for a few months, and I suspect that the nights I find him missing from bed, he’s up because of a nightmare. I guess we both have things we’d like to forget. “Same here. I keep waiting for our first fight. I’m finding it hard to believe we’re so perfect for each other.”

“When it happens, it’ll be my fault.”

I grin at his smiling face. “I am always right.”

Ashton’s huge arms pull me onto his lap. And he says, “Yes you are. You’re the right one for me. I love you.”

Just before his lips meet mine, I say, “I love you, too.”

C
arly

R
estless energy has
me pacing the kitchen since I learned Lily married Victor. I’m the reason she came to Maine, and now one more of the women I dragged here with my damn tattoos is in Victor’s clutches.

I rub my lower back and make my way to the bathroom. I might just resort to an adult diaper soon because I seem to pee every fifteen minutes. I’m so ready for these babies to come.

I return to the kitchen, resigned to the fact I’m making dinner for Marion and Richard tonight. I had hoped going into labor would keep me from doing something I dread. But I guess I’m going to be pregnant one more day. Learning that Marion went on to have more children after leaving my father doesn’t sit well with me, and any hope I had of finally having my mother in my life is gone. But forming a working relationship with the Robichaux is more important than my fantasies, and I’ll make it happen even if I’m not Marion’s biggest fan.

I return to the kitchen to find Annie.

She says, “Hey, I thought you might like help with dinner.”

For some odd reason, tears spring to my eyes at her thoughtfulness. “I would love it. Thank you.”

Annie walks over and pulls me close in a hug. “Hey, pregnancy hormones?”

I nod and let the tears fall. But it’s more than hormones. It’s what I did to Sierra’s life, what I’ve done to Lily’s, and how I feel like a failure as a clan leader. I sniff and pull myself together. I’m not sure why my emotions are helplessness instead of anger, because the Carly I’ve become since moving here is too strong to waste time on tears.

“I was going to make something involving shrimp and curry, but I can’t seem to focus.”

“How about shrimp scampi? It’s easy, and all you have to do is cut the tomatoes. I’ll do the rest.”

“Annie, what would I do without you?”

“You’d manage, but thanks for needing me.” She hands me the cutting board.

“Always.” I smile thinking about my sister-in-law. I’ve had Sierra for years, but the bond of family is strong for the Le Roux, and I’m grateful that Annie will be here to help me raise triplets.

Annie is at the sink, peeling shrimp, while my knife thumps lightly against wood as I cut tomatoes. She asks, “How are you doing on names?”

I sigh. “I never thought this would be so hard. Two alphas making this decision is tricky.”

Annie chuckles. “All my life, Brady has been bossing me around. It’s refreshing to watch him struggle to compromise.”

“Yeah, he’s really insistent on Clarice for our daughter, but I just can’t do it. It makes me think of a prissy girl.”

“What do you like?”

“Audrey, Connell, and Everett. Connell was Brady’s, and Everett was mine. The girl was supposed to be our decision together.”

Annie stops working and turns to me. “I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Donna told me she got to name me and Brady once my dad witnessed childbirth. He felt so bad about the pain he caused, he couldn’t say no.”

I grin at her. “That’s evil, but clever. Thanks, I may do it.”

Annie squints at me. “Your back hurts. Go soak in a hot bath before dinner. I’ll finish up the prep work for you before I go.”

“Out with Ian again?”

Annie’s grin is answer enough. “Yes.” She surprises me by adding, “Don’t wait up.”

I giggle. “You wanton woman. Have fun.” It makes me happy to see Annie in love. While she lives with the threat that Ian’s true mate could come along and take him away, the possibility that it won’t happen is very real. I’m glad she’s decided to live life instead of playing it safe.

I make my way upstairs slowly. As I pass by the nursery next to our bedroom, I smile at the cheery yellow walls. Annie did a fabulous job decorating it. I’m tempted to go sit in one of the three rocking chairs, but I don’t when a twinge in my back makes me want a good long soak and to cry.
What’s with me today?

I turn on water, and it thunders into the tub as I open the jar of bath salts. Lavender scent rises with the steam as I pour tiny lilac beads out of the container. Sinking into the heat feels glorious, and I speak to Brady telepathically.
“I’m going to need you to be the calm one tonight. My emotions are all over the place.”

“No problem. I figured you’d have a hard time seeing Marion. I should be home soon. I’m already on my way.”

Maybe that’s what my problem is—my disappointment in the person my mother turned out to be. I sigh and lean back to close my eyes. I picture what my babies will look like and let the fantasy of them playing as small children take me away.

A sudden cramping in my stomach makes me sit up.
Is this it? Am I in labor?
I step out of the tub, and thick cotton rubs against my skin as I dry off. I’ve read so much about what to expect that I know it’s probably only Braxton-Hicks contractions.

Minutes later, my husband’s car rumbles up the road as I put the finishing touches to my hair. I want to share that my body is getting ready with false labor, but he’ll insist on being safe and going to the hospital. This dinner needs to happen, and even if I’m wrong, I’ve still got plenty of time.

Brady walks through the door as I get to the bottom of the stairs. “How’s my beautiful wife?”

“Huge. And ready to cry if you look at me funny.”

He wraps me in his strong arms. “Honey, it’s almost over. Even though I only get a hint of what you’re feeling, I know you’re uncomfortable. How’s your back?”

Right, since I bit him, he can feel my pain.
“Not bad. A hot bath helped.” I wonder if he felt my contraction as I breathe in his scent. “This helps, too.”

Brady tips my chin up with his finger. “Are you sure you’re up for dinner? We can cancel.”

“No, we can’t. They’ll be here in a half hour. Besides, we really need to do this. Victor marrying Lily means he’s trying to weaken us, and we need to be allies with the Robichaux.”

“You’re right. What can I do to help you get ready?”

“Not a thing.” I step away from him. “Annie did the setup, and cooking will help keep my mind off things. Come keep me company in the kitchen?”

As we walk, I smile when I glance at the dining room, which is on the right. The table looks beautiful, and Annie even put fresh-cut flowers in the center. “Your sister missed her calling. She should have been an event planner.”

“She does have a knack for it, doesn’t she?”

The gas burner ticks as I light it. “Run over the game plan with me.”

“We’ll tell them about Lily and the possibility that Sierra is pregnant with Victor’s children so they understand the severity of our situation. Then we ask them if they’ll lead the Northeast Kingdom with us as equals. Even Richard isn’t stupid enough to give up that opportunity.”

“And I’ll suggest we attempt a joint council with all three clans.”

“Right. And I’m sure they’ll realize the importance of it while knowing it’s going to be a futile attempt to get the Veilleux involved.” I scrape minced garlic into the skillet with melted butter. “I think we’ve got it.”

Brady places his hands on my shoulders. “Let me finish. Your back is still hurting you. Go sit.”

“Thanks.” The moment I sit, another contraction hits.

“Hey, what was that?”

The sound of a car coming up our drive distracts us for a second, and I lie, “Oh, just a big kick.” But this one hurt more than the last, and I’m afraid I might really be in labor. If the sense of dread hanging over me concerning Lily and a possible clan war weren’t so great, I’d be telling Brady to get my bag while I made my way to the car. Instead, I’m going to do what a good leader should.
Hang on, babies. I need to secure your future.