Called by the Bear 7-9 (13 page)

C
arly

O
ne of the
things Kimi and I are working on is my ability to sense true emotions from telepathic communications. As soon as I opened my mind to my magic, I discovered that I see colors in my head associated with the things people say. So it’s no surprise that Annie’s voice is laced with red when she sends a message from home.

“Isabelle is here, and she brought Tristan’s clothes. And he just announced they’re staying through the holiday. Of course I was polite about it and invited them to remain at our house. But that man!”

What’s interesting is that her words are also mixed with purple, which is the color I’ve seen when Brady is sexually aroused. I wonder if she’s figured out that Tristan is her true mate. I reply. “
Sexy, isn’t he?
”

I chuckle to myself as I power down the laptop at Ink It, and Annie says,
“He sure thinks he is. But I find him annoying as hell.”

My sweet sister-in-law is in denial, because I know how the true-mate attraction feels, and she’s in for a wild ride with Tristan. I’m still grinning when Sierra comes out of the tattoo room with the garbage. We’ve decided to close early and get some last-minute Christmas shopping in after all. I wasn’t above bribing her with the promise of coffee and cake at our favorite bakery.

“What’s so funny?” she asks as she reaches for our coats on the hooks.

“Annie’s all worked up about Tristan. It’s cute.” The nylon of my jacket is smooth to the touch, and my arm slips in quickly.

“He’s more than cute. That guy is beyond hot. And did you see his cock? He might rival Keith at full mast.”

“You’ll have to tell Donna.” I push the door open into the cold for us to exit.

Sierra giggles. “Poor Annie. She’s in for a lifetime of teasing.”

The lock clicks shut, and my keys jingle as I drop them into my purse. “Yup, and it makes me so happy for her.”

“Me too. She deserves a steamy relationship. And boy oh boy, is she going to get it. Do you think—”

I hold up my hand to stop Sierra, because Donna’s voice is faint in my head as if she’s too far away to reach me. I can’t make out the words or determine the meaning of the color surrounding them. It’s a deep maroon that I haven’t encountered yet. “It’s Donna, but she’s not clear.” I call out to her mentally, but she doesn’t reply.

“She’s probably distracted. She’s babysitting for me.” The sun is bright, making us squint at the reflection off the snowbanks that line the sidewalk.

“That makes sense. She might not have realized she was tapping into me.” We’re headed to a bath and beauty shop a block away so I can get stocking stuffers, and I decide I’ll pick up something small for the De Rozier twins, too. I ask, “Do you think we should check on Donna?”

“No. We’d know if something was wrong. Taylor’s there, too. She’s still got an obsession with being a mother, and I guess she decided she needs to practice.” Sierra shrugs. “I don’t mind. It’s nice to have time off.” She links her arm in mine. “Can we get cake first?”

“No way. You’ll ditch me before I get my errands done, and I need your help.” We’ve reached the boutique, and I pull the door open for us. “Let’s find some sexy bath salts for Annie and Tristan.”

“Oh, good idea.” Sierra stops and inhales the aroma of soaps and lotions. “Spicy—I think that fits what’s ahead for them, don’t you?”

I chuckle. “You’re as bad as Donna.”

Sierra winks at me. “Probably worse.”

An hour later, we’ve managed to finish my shopping and are at the Cat’s Meow. The French-inspired cafe is busy this afternoon, and the noise level is higher than usual. I sip a decadent hot drink made with real cream and imported chocolate. I recall the shopping trip Sierra and I took last year, which ended in a mall coffee shop.

I say, “This is a far cry from what our lives used to be.”

Sierra licks her fork, which is covered in cream cheese frosting from her carrot cake. “Um-hmm. Who’d have thought I’d be married to the love of my life and have triplets?”

“And me.” Being in public means we can’t talk about werebears, but I don’t have to say anything more, because Sierra’s been with me through just about everything that has happened since we decided to take our crazy road trip last spring.

Sierra reaches across the table and grabs my hand with a tight grip. “Promise me we’re going to do this every year and that one day our children will roll their eyes at the things their ridiculous mothers say and do.”

“Of course.” I take her hand while I trace a finger along a flower on her lower arm and remember how I gave her the tattoo. It was the first of many.

“That one will always be my favorite. It reminds me of what a treasure you are, Carly. Thanks for being my best friend.”

My eyes water, and I glance at the shiny gaze of the woman who is my best friend, too. She’s been with me through the good and the bad, and she’s never left my side. “Every girl should be lucky enough to have someone like you.”

Sierra sniffs. “We’re getting sappy in our old age.” She breaks off another piece of cake, and before she bites, she asks, “What did you get Brady for Christmas?”

I’m about to answer when Donna’s voice screams in my head.
“Carly! Brady! Sierra’s babies are gone! And I think Taylor took them.”

The shock must show on my face, because Sierra doesn’t ask why when I throw a twenty on the table and say,
“We need to get out of here. Now.”

T
aylor

M
y plan started
off so well. Sierra jumped at the chance to get out of the house when I offered to babysit. For a moment, I thought there might be a problem when I discovered she had invited Donna to help me, but the reality was I needed the assistance. Three babies are a lot of work. When I got the chance, though, a sleeping pill in Donna’s tea was a cinch to pull off. But I really should have kept her awake long enough to load the babies into her car. Because right now, I can’t get the child seat to snap into place on the base.

How the hell does this thing work?
I glance down at Jackson’s blinking eyes. “Too bad you can’t talk. I could really use your help.” Plastic grinds as I jiggle the carrier around trying to find the right spot. A loud snap tells me when I do. “Finally!” I quickly load the other two kids and climb into the driver’s seat of Donna’s BMW.
Nice car.
I hope it can handle the back road to Patricia’s cabin.

I glance at the huge bag full of diapers, formula, and clothes. I’m not sure if I got what is needed, but it’ll have to do.

Inexperience with babies was almost my downfall. As soon as I got Donna to sleep, the children started wailing, and I realized they needed to eat. And that triggered three diaper changes, along with a change of clothing for some. Apparently not everyone can contain the velocity at which their contents decide to explode. Motherhood is no joke. By the time I was done, Donna had started to moan, and I wasn’t sure how long I had before she woke up.

I flip on the radio, and loud rock music blares. “Shit!” I quickly turn down the volume and glance in the rearview mirror to see if it bothered the babies. But the darn kids are all facing backward, so I take the lack of screaming as a good sign. “Sorry, guys, I think I just taught you your first swear word.” I chuckle at the absurdity and scan the radio stations for a classical one to counteract my profanity.

A driver of another sedan waves as he passes, and I wave back as if I’m supposed to be taking Donna’s grandchildren to a remote cabin in the woods. Donna’s day is about to suck, but it can’t be helped. Sierra’s babies belong to the Veilleux, and Patricia and I are going to make sure they end up with Victor.

Snow flurries dance in the wind ahead of me. Another storm is coming, and I’m glad I managed to get on the road before the brunt of it hits. The route to Patricia’s is engrained in my memory, but having never driven it, I pay careful attention to the side streets so I don’t miss my turn.

As I get closer, the speed limit decreases, and the clear pavement becomes snow-covered dirt. I wince as Donna’s BMW bounces over potholes. It’s murder on her alignment, and I make a mental note to get that fixed for her later. Later? An uneasiness settles in me.
What the hell am I doing?
The traction is getting progressively worse, and my wheels slip, causing me to slow down to avoid fishtailing.

A horn blares, and I glance in my mirror to notice a large truck behind me. The lights flash on and off, so I slow down to pull over and let him pass. But when I stop, I realize the guy is still behind me.

I get out of the car to see what the man wants. He calls out to me as he walks in my direction. “Taylor?” A long gray ponytail hangs over his shoulder and rests on his chest, and his ear-flap hat with dangling braided yarn ties looks like it’s decades old.

A tidal wave of fear mixes with that nagging feeling you have when you are about to do something stupid but can’t stop. I blink and shake my head to clear my confusion. I say, “Yes, that’s me.”

“I’m Tokala. I’m here to get you up the road. Your car won’t make it much farther.”

“Oh, good. I’m afraid it’s already having trouble.”

“You’ve got three babies with you, right?” He smiles at me, making his eyes almost disappear in the wrinkled skin of his ancient face, and the previous fear grips my heart. Something’s definitely not right.

Adrenaline surges in me, and I tense, preparing to protect myself. “Yes.” As we make our way to Donna’s car, my senses are on high alert. I’m afraid danger lurks in this man. I add, “I hope you know how car seats work, because these suckers are tricky.”

He places a hand on my arm to stop me, and I’m about to make an offensive move when his touch makes my body tingle and relax. “Ten grandchildren. I’m a pro.”

Oh my God.
He’s the man in my dreams. Relief washes over me, and as if fog has lifted, my purpose becomes clear. I know this man isn’t dangerous. Between the two of us, we manage to get everything loaded into his truck and, within a mile, turn onto a road that appears to not have been plowed at all this season.

We descend a steep hill through woodlands, and Tokala says, “Good thing I packed the chains. I might need them to get back out.” His voice barely registers, because I’m focused on the deja vu I feel as the trees thin out. I recall why when I remember the first time I came to this cottage. Only I remember it a vast meadow. Now I realize it’s a lake and wonder how I could have possibly been so confused, considering I walked right beside it.

The cabin is off to the left, and we turn in that direction on a road that is barely visible. “You must know this by heart,” I remark, “because I wouldn’t be sure I was going the right way.”

Tokala says, “Wouldn’t matter so long as you made it to the cottage.”

I suppose he’s right. I turn around to check on the babies in the back. They’re all asleep and have no idea what an adventure they’re on. When I face forward again, I notice Patricia exiting the house to greet us. She’s bundled up and must have been watching so she could help get the children inside.

When we stop, Patricia barely takes notice of me and Tokala, and she pounces on the back door to get to the babies before my seatbelt clicks open. She coos when she removes one, and I realize this is the first time she’s seen her grandchildren. I say, “That one is Justin. Jason is in the blue, and Jackson is wearing green.”

The walkway to the cottage has been shoveled, and each adult carries a child into the house. I bring the diaper bag as well, and it thuds on the wooden floor when I drop it. A sense of completion makes me sigh. My mission was successful. I take in the cottage as the uneasy feeling comes over me again, and I frown.

Patricia nods in my direction and turns to Tokala. “Is she...?”

He mumbles, but I hear the words, “She’s got a strong will.”

What? The same relaxing warmth I felt before returns when Tokala takes my hands. “Come. You need some tea and a cozy fire.”

I follow him and sit down, suddenly exhausted from the day’s events. The sensation of floating above the couch is relaxing, and I’m almost asleep when Patricia hands me a warm mug. She says, “Drink this and then you can nap. You did well today, Taylor. Thank you.”

L
ily

I
’m engrossed
in a romance novel when Victor’s voice brings me back to reality. “Darling, I have the best news. I’ll tell you all about it in the car, because you need to get ready quickly.”

“What is it?” My e-reader clatters on the coffee table, and I swing my feet around to the floor.

“My mother has arranged to get the babies to us today, but we need to go to her.” Victor lifts me up by my hands and gives me a kiss my body wants even though my head is reluctant.

Patricia.
I knew her absence wouldn’t be a permanent thing. Victor downgraded her to a small lake cabin he owns, and I ask, “Are we going to the cottage?”

“Yes. So dress appropriately. The road isn’t always clear, and we may need to hike in.”

Oh, God.
“Sierra?”

“She’s fine.” Victor lifts my chin with a finger. His eyes look truthful. “I asked about her. The fact I care is a testament to you, darling. You make me a better person.”

I give my husband a smile, but my mind races with the news. Patricia kidnapped the children, but she didn’t kill Sierra. Victor releases me to leave, and I say, “I’ll be up in a minute.”

I bet good money Tokala has a spell in mind to keep them from Sierra forever. Fear for her grips my heart. After what my husband did to Sierra to bring those babies into the world, she sure doesn’t deserve to have them stolen, too. But what can I do to fix this?

The rattle of dishes in the kitchen offers the answer. Carol. Paper rustles as I grab a sheet of stationery and scratch out a note to Francoise, the manager at the Cat’s Meow. “Please contact Annie right away and tell her the shipment is at the cabin on Silver Lake.” I’m sure Annie must know the Veilleux have a cabin there, and she’ll understand what I’m trying to say.

Victor is upstairs, and I have to hurry, or he’ll wonder what I’m doing. I take a deep breath to hide my panic as I walk to the kitchen. “Carol, I need you to do me a favor. This note should be delivered to Francoise at the Cat’s Meow right away. Can you do that for me as soon as we leave, please?”

Carol wipes her hands on a tea towel. “Of course, Miss Lily.” She takes the sealed envelope from me, and I have no doubt she’s curious. Fortunately she’s well trained, too, and she doesn’t ask questions.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” The moment I’m out of sight, I jog to my room to get dressed.

Victor is pulling on wool socks and grins at me. “We’re getting an early Christmas present. Won’t it be lovely to have babies for the holiday?”

I paste on my smile. “It will.” I search my mind for something deliriously trivial to say. “I’ll have to get them stockings. And presents. Oh goodness, I’m not prepared for this.”

Victor walks over to me as I pull on jeans and takes me by my shoulders. “Darling Lily, they’re babies. They’ll never know.” He brushes his lips with mine.

“Yes. But I will.” I shake my head. “No matter. I’ll deal with it all when we get back.”

Victor chuckles. “I’m sure you will. You were born for this.”

The words I was told in Colorado that convinced me I should come to Maine sound in my head. “You are destined to save a clan.” I think to myself,
Oh, Victor, you have no idea what I was born to do.

When I get to the garage, our black, oversized truck is already running. I climb up into a warm cab. I’ve barely shut the door before the gears clunk into reverse. “A bit excited, are we?” I offer up a chuckle.

Victor’s face gleams with the joy of a boy on Christmas morning. “Partially. But the truth is, I’m not sure if we can trust my mother. I was quite cruel to her when I cut her off, and she might be up to something.”

“True. But even though she’s not my favorite person, she does want what’s best for the clan. Surely she hasn’t got evil intentions for the Veilleux heir.”

Victor’s large hand lands on my thigh, and I jump a little. “You do ground me, my darling. Of course you’re right. Even so, the sooner we get those babies while she’s feeling charitable, the better.”

While my husband is in a hurry, I want to buy the Le Roux time to stop something that most likely will be irreversible. “We should probably get diapers and formula. Have you asked Patricia if there’s anything we need?”

Victor squeezes my leg before he removes his hand. “Always the planner. I’ll ask, but I think she’s probably fine.”

I give him a minute to speak telepathically with Patricia. A storm has begun, and the soft thud of the windshield wipers beats a steady tempo. I gaze out at the snow-covered pine trees. The world looks dismal without any warm color to counter the white, black, and dark green. Before I realize what I’m doing, I sigh.

“Lily, are you having second thoughts about this?” Victor reaches for my hand and pulls it into his lap. “Talk to me. What’s bothering you?”

“No. Gosh, no. I’m thrilled to become a mother. I—” I shift my body so I’m almost facing him and take a chance. “Poor Sierra. You really don’t intend for her never to see her children again, do you?”

Victor’s brow knits, and then he relaxes. “She can have more. The children are Veilleux and rightfully ours.”

His callous words make me snap. “They’re not puppies! They’re her flesh and blood.” I stop because I’m not sure how my outburst will be taken. “I’m sorry. I’m not thinking. It just touches me on a motherly level, imagining what it would be like if someone took my children away.”

My husband takes a moment before he answers. “You’re right. I know how distraught I am over not being with them. I’ll arrange visitation rights.”

Visitation rights. My stomach churns, and while he seems sincere, I wonder if he’s just placating me, because I can’t tell where the lies end and the truth begins. I imagine what we’re about to do. I don’t know if I can live with stealing another woman’s children, even if my husband is the father. I sure hope Annie gets my message in time. I say, “Thank you. You always do the right thing.”

“That’s because you’re my voice of reason.”

I reach over and touch his arm. “Yes, and you’re mine.” I cross my fingers on my right hand and slide them under my leg as if the small action can actually work. “I’m sure everything will happen the way it’s supposed to.”

We’ve slowed down, and the blinker ticks to indicate a right turn. The road becomes more difficult to navigate, and Victor puts both hands on the wheel. Growing up in Colorado, I’ve done my fair share of driving in snowstorms, but I know better than to offer my help. Besides, maybe we’ll get lucky and slide into a ditch that could delay us for a bit. An idea comes to me.

I place my hand high on Victor’s thigh. “You know, once we have three babies in the house, we may not get as much one-on-one time.” My husband opens his legs, and I slide my hand closer to his crotch. I whisper, “I can be quick if you want to pull over.”

Ever since I learned the evil truth about Victor, my head isn’t into our lovemaking. But being true mates is a wonderful disguise, because my body can’t help itself. Lust builds in my core as I rub my hand over rough denim, and my husband lets out a low growl. “Hold on. I know just the place.”

The metal of his button is warm in my fingers when I release it, and I work the zipper down slowly. His lower abdomen is flexing as desire heats up and his erection hardens. My voice is husky when I say, “Don’t crash.” My seat belt retracts quickly when I unhook it, and the metal thuds against the door.

I lean over his lap and release his cock. Moisture oozes out the tip, and I swipe my tongue over it to taste his salty essence. I’m rewarded with a hiss. “Oh, God.” The truck bumps over to the side, and I sit up to wait for him to park in what I guess is a private drive to a summer residence. Hope flickers as I pray we’ll be stuck.

His seat hums as he moves it back as far as it will go, and I ask, “I take it that’s a yes?”

Victor grabs my hips and yanks me underneath him as he lies on top of me to take my mouth in a kiss that tells me all I need to know. The weight of him is heavy, and I squirm underneath his body, realizing how easily he could overpower me if he wanted to. I shake the panic that’s building and tug at his flannel shirt to reach under and scrape my nails lightly along his back.

My mate’s hand is under my bra, and he pinches my nipple as I arch up, begging for more. I reach down and unfasten my jeans so I can wiggle them down. “God, I want you, Victor. I need you so bad.”

He rises up on his knees to help me pull my pants below my knees before we work on his. Our boots keep us from removing our jeans completely, but it doesn’t stop Victor from thrusting into me. “So warm and wet, darling.” He settles himself all the way in and sighs as he holds still. “This is heaven.”

This is hell.
My thoughts turn to Sierra and imagine this is what it must have been like for her, too. Her body wanted my husband while her mind didn’t. I want to focus on getting Victor to come as quickly as I can, because I don’t want to think about my new reality. But I need this to last to give Annie time. I recall the first few weeks of marriage and how our passion was a symbol of true love. How blind I was. Now it seems to be a horrible twist of fate.

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to block out my thoughts to focus on the physical pleasure. My husband roars out his release as tears escape my eyes and roll down my face. Victor leans down and kisses them off my skin. “My darling, don’t cry. Today will never change this for us. Our life is only going to get better. You’ll see.”

No, my darling. Everything is about to get worse. Much worse.