Chloe’s New Beginning (16 page)

When the house came into view, Adam walked quicker, wanting to get inside the house, knowing that the fireplaces were lit and the house would be toasty warm for Chloe. Brandon walked in front of him and opened the door, allowing him to sweep inside and get out of the cold. He walked straight to the bedroom, wanting to get under the covers with her and hold her close. He knew Brandon was feeling the same way. How could he not, they were newly mated, and the full moon was still out.

When he reached the bedroom, he crawled onto the bed, still holding Chloe in his arms. Brandon was there, pulling the blankets back, and Adam knew that he needed to hold her. The longing in his eyes made it obvious.

“Front or back?” He didn’t have to expand on the question. Brandon smiled broadly, knowing what he meant.

“Front.” Brandon got into the bed and Adam laid her down, letting him adjust her so that she was facing him. Brandon pulled her against his body and kissed her face, her nose, her lips, and her forehead. He watched them, Brandon holding her close, and got in bed. He snuggled up close behind her until her back was against his chest.

“Mmmm…I love you.” Her words whispered through the quiet room, and he held her tighter.

“I love you, too, baby.” Adam kissed her shoulder and closed his eyes. He felt at peace having her in his arms. This was just the beginning. He knew when more secrets surfaced, she’d probably be mad at him for a while. Right now, though, he didn’t think about the future. He thought only about this moment, holding his mate in his arms.

Chapter 12

Chloe woke up feeling amazing. Last night had been the most amazing experience of her life. She was finally in a place that she felt welcome and complete. Adam woke her up with breakfast in bed, and Brandon kissed her entire body. She had never been so thoroughly loved.

She felt the love she felt for Conner just as strongly for Adam and Brandon, as if they were pieces of a puzzle she found that she didn’t even know were missing.

The doorbell rang, and Chloe skipped to the door. Everything was perfect. Her life was finally the way she had always wanted it to be. She was thankful to both Adam and Brandon for making that happen. She opened the door with a huge smile on her face, but it slowly dropped when she saw her sister’s face full of anger and Ryan standing behind her.

“Well…it’s good to know you’re alive. I tried calling you every day since you left.” Katie looked so upset, and Chloe couldn’t understand all the emotions flickering across her face.

“Katie. Oh, my God. I’m so glad to see you. I did try to call you this morning, but I guess it was too late. Where have you been?” Chloe pulled her into the house, wanting to be close to her, loving that she was here with her to meet Adam and Brandon.

“Me! Why don’t you ask Ranger Ryan? I’ve been here, in town, for almost a freakin’ week.” Katie was shrieking, and Chloe backpedaled, unsure of what to say, shock freezing her in place.

“What? Ryan…what’s going on?” She looked at him, wanting to know the whole story but scared to actually hear about it. Adam walked over with Brandon, both of them watching her closely. “Adam…what’s going on? Why are you looking at him like that?” She knew there were unspoken words, even a full conversation happening. She felt left out.

“They kidnapped me, Chloe. These freakin’ barbarians tricked me, said they were taking me to you, and then locked me in a cabin.” Katie was fuming. This was completely unusual for her. She had always been such a calm, sweet thing.

“Who? Did Adam and Brandon have anything to do with this? I’m waiting for an answer. Someone answer me!” Chloe felt herself getting angry. Ryan wasn’t speaking. He looked heartbroken and defeated.

“It was Ryan and those other Neanderthals.” Katie walked farther into the house, away from Ryan. Every time she moved, Ryan followed her, trying to get closer.

“Adam…did you know about this?” Chloe whispered the words, hoping that he didn’t know anything.

“Yes. They came here, that day before the ceremony and told me. They said that she was their mate and they wanted time with her. They asked permission to keep her for a while.” His face was serious, and his words shocked her. He had lied and kept Katie away from her.

“Like she’s what…property? You gave them permission. She’s my sister. I can’t believe that you actually had something to do with this.” Chloe shook her head, shocked that either Adam or Brandon could be involved with her sister being taken by men who were strangers to her.

“No. I didn’t tell them they could keep her. They just wanted some time to woo her. I gave them until after our ceremony. I told Ryan she needed to be here today. I knew they would be at the door,” Adam said. He was the leader of his clan. She tried to understand what he must have been thinking.

“I’m surprised he did. I wouldn’t have. Where are your brothers?” Brandon added, looking at Ryan. Chloe hadn’t expected him to be involved. She didn’t want to be mad at them both. It was easier to just focus her anger on Adam.

“They weren’t exactly on board with bringing her here. I snuck her out of the cabin. I knew that if we didn’t come today, you’d come for her and there might be a fight. Nathan, Lucas, and Ethan will be coming here soon I’m sure.” Ryan said it quietly. He looked sad, and Chloe felt sorry for him until she remembered her little sister being scared and stuck in a house with four men.

“Damn right there is gonna be fight! You committed a crime! You took my sister, you ass. Leave. I want you gone, and keep your brothers away from this house.” She pulled Katie close and wrapped her arm around her shoulder.

“Chloe. It’s not that easy. We aren’t completely human, baby. They did what was necessary.” Adam spoke calmly, and she hated hearing his voice. He irritated her when he was calm.

“The others will be here soon. I doubt Ryan will leave. She’s his mate. You know how serious that is.” She heard Brandon’s words but ignored him as she ushered Katie into the living room, wanting some alone time to talk, wanting to create some distance and move Katie away from Ryan. She didn’t care what any of them had to say. Her only concern was her sister.

* * * *

They left the men in the entryway, talking and went to get comfortable on the couch. “I’m so sorry, Katie. You must’ve been so scared. I’ve only seen them twice, and both times that big one scared the hell out of me,” she said, feeling sympathetic and horrible that her sister must’ve been through a traumatic event.

“Nathan?” Chloe nodded her head, and Katie continued. “No…he’s not too bad, he’s a big teddy bear compared to those twins.”

“Teddy bear?” She didn’t know if her sister knew all the facts concerning the clan or even if she knew what it meant to be a mate. She wasn’t sure if she should tell her or if she should just keep the information to herself. She argued in her head, feeling a bit confused.

“Yeah…he looks kind of scary, but really he’s nice. At least he was nice to me, both him and Ryan. The other two, they were more irritating than anything. I kept asking about you. They told me that they couldn’t let me go. It was so upsetting, not knowing if you were okay or not.” Katie grabbed her and hugged her tight. “I was so worried about you.” She sniffed, and Chloe knew she was crying.

“I’m sorry, Katie. I should’ve called you sooner. There was so much going on. Losing Conner then coming here and meeting both Adam and Brandon. Everything. I left feeling dead, and now I’m happy.” Chloe rubbed her hand up and down her sister’s back, trying to comfort her, consumed by guilt for not calling.

“Being locked in that cabin, away from you, I just wanted to get here. I tried to get here, but I had no idea where you were. Ryan’s right…they aren’t gonna just let me go. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re all here. I don’t want to see them right now.” Katie moved away from their hug and stared at her, her eyes vulnerable. Chloe knew that there was no way she would let those men near her sister unless Katie changed her mind.

“It’s okay. Even if they are here, they aren’t taking you anywhere. You’re safe. I promise Adam and Brandon won’t let anything happen.” She meant it, too. She wasn’t going to let anything happen. If Katie wanted to stay, she could use one of the many guest rooms.

* * * *

Adam led Brandon and his cousins toward the living room, he knew there was going to be a fight, but that couldn’t be avoided. He’d given Chloe all the privacy he could under the circumstances. When Nathan, Lucas, and Ethan showed up, he knew things weren’t going to play out in the calm manner he had hoped for. They wanted their mate, and he couldn’t stand in the way when it came to a mating. Their kind waited years to find the right one, the one that was meant for them and them alone. The rules changed when she appeared, and Adam knew this wasn’t going to be easy for any of them.

When they walked into the living room, Katie jumped up from the couch and retreated to the corner of the room, obviously wanting to put distance between her and her mates. He heard growls and knew that the rejection alone was having a negative effect on his cousins. The animal in them was surfacing, and he needed to get some order before things really got out of control.

“What are they doing here?” Chloe’s voice held an edge he had never heard. Anger dripped from every word. He wanted to reach out and talk to her, help her understand, but now wasn’t the time.

“Katie is their mate. We can’t keep them apart. It isn’t right. Just like Conner wasn’t right by keeping you from us. A lot of pain and anguish could’ve been prevented. I can’t keep her from them.” Adam searched her eyes, hoping for some understanding.

“She doesn’t want them. I told her she would be safe here.” Chloe got up and walked toward Katie, putting herself in front of her, blocking his cousins’ view.

“
She’s mine
!” Nathan’s voice came out deep and harsh. Adam knew that he was having trouble keeping his bear in check. Adam was standing in front of them, creating a barrier the best he could. He knew that Katie wouldn’t get hurt. If anything, she was safe. His cousins would protect her with their lives.

“No. I’m not yours. I want to go home. Please…just leave.” Katie’s words came out more of a plea than anything else, and Adam felt horrible. This was all new for her. Ethan and Lucas blew up, not being able to control their baser instincts, which he understood all too well. He wouldn’t have been able to handle any rejection from Chloe.

“You belong to us…you know it. Don’t say things like that. You know how upset it makes them.” Ryan’s voice broke through. He was always the peacemaker, trying to help everyone. Even now when he was obviously hurt by her words, he was trying to help both his brothers and their mate.

“I’m too tired to handle this right now. I just want some time alone.” Katie’s quiet sniffles stopped all the angry voices in the room. Adam could hear Nathan’s voice telling both Ethan and Lucas to stop talking.

“You’re not going to be able to get rid of us that easily, sweetie. If you’re staying here, then so are we. This house is big enough for us all.” Nathan took deep breaths, and Adam knew that he was trying to stay calm and talk to her, not wanting to make the room fill with any more of her fear. They could all smell it in the air, and it was making him feel ill.

“No. Adam…you can’t let them do that.” Chloe’s big brown eyes turned to him, and he wanted to give her the answer she wanted so desperately, but he couldn’t. If he kept Katie locked away, that would be against every rule they had when it came to mates.

“Chloe. He can’t. They have the right to be near their mate.” Brandon saved him by stepping in to talk to Chloe.

“I’m staying. I can’t speak for my brothers. It’s up to them, but I’m not leaving here without you, Katie. You mean too much to me. I’m sorry you’re hurt. I don’t like seeing you sad.” Nathan’s voice stopped all conversation. For the first time in a long time, Adam was shocked by the tone of his voice. He talked to Katie as if she was a young child. Very calm.

“Me, too.” Ryan moved to stand next to Nathan, and Adam smiled a little knowing they were showing her that they were willing to stay and make things work. She probably didn’t realize it yet, but Katie was in for some major wooing.

“Damn it. Nathan…Ryan…We came here to take her back with us. This is bull. I’m not staying here. This isn’t our house. Let’s just take her and leave. Four against two…we can take them.” Lucas’s voice was still full of anger, and Adam changed his stance, ready for a fight. He hadn’t wanted things to turn sour, but he wouldn’t let them take Katie.