FavoriteObsession (16 page)

“But why?”

He shrugged. “I’d bet money it had to do with the prophecy.
The single-shifters have always assumed the link your children will breach is
the tie to the gods they believe has been wrongfully denied them. Their quest
for immortality has made them bitter and desperate.”

She hated the damn prophecy. At the moment, she despised the
gods too.

“Just as your fake letter suggested, the goddess would’ve
told my father which male she wanted me to mate if it was set in stone.” Unless
she had and her obstinate sire had ignored her dictate. No, Mira refused to
believe that. Her father was a lot of things, but he loved the goddess. She
shook her head. “I was an opportunity to Edmund. Nothing more.”

With his cheek against her leg, he peered at her. “The
goddess didn’t intervene because the events of our lives were supposed to
happen the way they did.”

Mira huffed. “So I was meant to be raped, shamed and
ridiculed? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

Aron nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

The seriousness in his voice stopped her cocky answer.
“Why?”

“To make you into the female you are today. Strong,
independent, respected. You, my darling Mira, are unlike any woman I’ve ever
known.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me any lines.”

He lifted his head. “I’m not. Things happen for a reason. It
is why I have never found my
one
among the humans.” He tugged her closer
so his body wedged between her legs. “I’m supposed to mate you now, not three
hundred years ago. This modern era where we hover on the verge of discovery is
the one our children are meant to alter. The link between the humans and the
shifters is the one they will breach, not some mystical nonsense.” He shook his
head. “The gods don’t despise the singles, they simply love them differently.
Besides, don’t they realize the world was never meant to house so many
immortals? It is the reason we don’t breed well.”

Although his reasoning made sense, she didn’t want to
believe it. She shoved at his shoulders but didn’t budge him. “I never agreed
to mate you.”

“But you will, Mira. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Dammit, I will not blindly fall into the role assigned to
me at birth. Prophecy or not. If the goddess anticipated this path for us, she
wouldn’t have allowed me to take a beloved human.”

Aron studied her for a long time. Finally, he sighed. “You
love this human?”

“Josh,” she corrected automatically.

A wan smile graced his mouth. “Josh, of course.” Aron placed
a palm over her belly. “Well, my sweet Mira? Do you love him?”

“I don’t think I’m capable of loving anyone.” At least she
wouldn’t be, not once she cut Josh out of her life.

“You love your twin.”

She smiled. “Yes, I do. Devin has always had my back, even
when I thought his actions were unreasonable. But the twin bond goes beyond
love.”

“And often greater than any other.”

“No, that’s not true. Devin loves me. Of that I have no
doubt, but his devotion to Lena is greater. She is his
one
.” She’d been
shocked to see with her own eyes the deep connection between her brother and
his little human. “That kind of devotion is rare. It surpasses all, as it
should.”

Aron stared at her with unblinking eyes for a long
breathless moment. “Shifters can form that deep bond too.” Slowly, he raised
his hand and trailed a finger down her cheek. “I want you to be mine.”

She pushed against his shoulders. “It’s late. Let’s call it
a night.”

Instead of obeying, he cupped her cheeks and leaned close.
She pressed her lips together. He sighed and let his hands fall away.

“Yes, let’s call it a night.” Aron stood and dropped a
twenty on the table, their bill paid and food long gone. He took her hand and
led her to the door. “I won’t walk away as easily this time, Mira.”

After tonight’s revelations, she figured as much and wasn’t
so sure she was happy about it. Scratch that. She was positive she wasn’t
pleased with the turn of events, but her life had never been about happiness.
No, her life had revolved around the prophecy.

The bitter reality was the goddess didn’t care about her as
long as she popped out the kids destined to change their world.

* * * * *

Josh walked down the hallway of his house. He knew it
belonged to him yet it didn’t look the same. Instead of the ugly brown carpeting
under his feet, sleek hardwood gleamed. Drywall replaced the faded wallpaper
and solid wood doors hung in place of the hollow fake ones which blocked off
each room. He glanced at everything, but didn’t stop to ponder the changes. A
baby’s cry urged him forward.

He flung open the door at the end of the hall. The shrill
scream of a newborn met his ears. A quick scan of the room showed three cribs,
a rocking chair and changing table. He frowned at the sight, ignored the
oddness in the next breath. The baby’s demands beat at him. He strode to the
middle crib. A red-faced newborn in a blue onesie with a healthy head of black
hair lay on his back with his fists curled by his hips. Josh scooped the child
up and lifted him to his shoulder.

The crying didn’t stop. Each wail increased his urge to
comfort him. He rubbed circles over the baby’s back, gently patting after each
pass. After a few strokes, the child belched.

Josh chuckled.

Content now, the little boy made those happy gurgles babies
often made. Josh kept up the soothing caresses and studied the room. A safari
theme decorated the walls. Cartooned pictures of lions, tigers and jaguars
formed scenes across the surface. Stuffed animals and a throw blanket folded
neatly over the back of the rocker added to the wild motif.

He was dreaming again, it was the only explanation. But when
had his dreams become so vivid? Or his participation in them feel so damn real?

He shook his head and walked to the other cribs. The one on
his right held a sleeping blonde baby in a pink sleepsack. He ran a finger down
her chubby cheek. Beautiful. She had a tiny dip in her chin and a delicate nose
that reminded him of Mira’s.

Of course. These were Mira’s kids, the prophesized ones. Why
he dreamt of them in his house, he didn’t understand. Dreams didn’t always make
sense though. They were a jumble of emotions and triggers.

The little girl stretched and rolled onto her back. A black
streak showed in her hair. His heart sank. She had Aron’s hair. The
confirmation hit him like a physical blow. Josh pushed it away. No matter her
father, the child was gorgeous. She brought her fist to her mouth and sucked.
He smiled and gave her cheek another stroke. He adjusted the baby still cradled
against his shoulder and moved to the next crib.

Patchwork hair covered another little boy’s head. Mira’s
hair. He ran his hand over the colorful strands. The baby opened his eyelids.
Josh’s heart stopped.

Blue eyes stared back at him.

His eyes.

The child he held wiggled, fussing with a grumble of annoyed
sounds that warned he’d soon start screaming again. Josh shifted the small
bundle in his arms and glanced into his face. Another pair of dark-blue eyes
met his. It couldn’t be. Yet, his mind fed him the details which made the
impossible theory grow. The child looked hauntingly similar to his baby
pictures. Could this one be his and the other two be Mira and Aron’s babies?

The boy scrunched his nose and bared tiny fangs at him.

“Dear god,” Josh muttered.

The girl cried. He scooped up the other boy, not wanting to leave
him, and made his way to her crib. She stopped fussing as soon as he stepped up
to the side and looked at him with dark blue eyes that had specks of gold in
them.

His. The babies were
his
.

The dream shattered and he jerked up in bed. He untangled
himself from his sweaty sheets and scanned the room. The pants he’d taken off
lay discarded on the floor and the laundry basket with his folded clothes sat
in the corner. Everything looked the same as it had when he’d fallen asleep.

He jumped from his bed, grabbed his sweats and flung the
door open. Brown carpet, white doors, peeling wallpaper. He peeked into Megan’s
room and found her sleeping with her stuffed lion. He made his way to the end
and opened the door to the room he’d dreamt about. Boxes sat stacked in the
center. No cribs, no babies.

He closed the door with a soft click and dropped his
forehead against it. “I’m losing my fucking mind.”

Josh paced the length of his house. His restless path took
him from the kitchen to the living room. A few lonely, gut-wrenching hours had
gone by since he’d last seen Mira, held her soft body against his and given her
pleasure. He ran his tongue along the roof of his mouth. He swore he could
still taste her arousal. The memory of their liaison played over and over in
his mind.

He halted his clipped steps and stared at his reflected
image in the glass above the hall table. With splayed fingers, he traced the
four slashes that extended from above his ear to his chin. Because of Mira’s
ministrations, only white lines remained. At the moment, the shadow of his
beard camouflaged most of it, but the stubble didn’t diminish the response
touching the marks elicited. Tingles ignited at the base of his spine and
spread to his balls. If he closed his eyes, he could feel each swipe of her
roughened tongue as she’d healed the cuts.

He groaned and dropped his balled fist. The erection
straining against his zipper demanded relief, but he didn’t have time for a
little self-love. That would have to wait until he was locked in his room
tonight. Deep breaths and sheer will zapped the horny state thinking about Mira
caused.

He resumed his restless pacing. Ever since she’d left him
last night, he’d been agitated. Besides his skin itching and muscles twitching,
his bones ached. A sharp pain to his chest stopped his strides. Cursing, he
pressed a balled fist against his rib cage.

Dammit, it might feel as if he’d aged twenty years in the
last few days but he was too young for a heart attack. At least he hoped.
Anxiety attack? Nah, the label didn’t exactly fit. Zoe had those from time to
time, usually before she grabbed her bag and took off. Whatever this pain was,
it sucked.

Shallow breaths eased the tingly sensation in his limbs. He
dropped his hands and continued prowling his house. At the hall mirror, he
stopped once more to study his likeness. Something about it bothered him.

The clock ticked and he stared at himself hoping to pinpoint
the difference. Finally, he realized there wasn’t
anything
different.
That
was the problem. He looked exactly the same as he had last night and the night
before. The stubble on his cheek, the point where the roughness turned to
softness, dusted his jawline and chin.

He ran his palm over it and chuckled. It felt exactly how
Mira liked it. She’d commented on her preference so often he made a point of
letting himself look a little unkempt for her. But still… He could’ve sworn
he’d shaved before going to bed last night. His hair didn’t grow that fast.

The front door opened. No knock. Devin walked in and pulled
him out of his thoughts. The shifter wore denim bibs, a strap unbuckled, and a
white tee. In one hand, he held a bunch of plastic bags from the local hardware
store. A soggy, paper-wrapped hoagie from the town’s only deli shop dangled
from the other.

Josh glanced over the outfit, focused on the price tag still
hanging from the leather tool belt Devin had slung over his hips, and shook his
head. “Halloween isn’t for another couple of weeks, buddy.”

“Very funny.” Devin dropped the bags. Rolls of duct tape and
plumber’s patty spilled out. He kicked them to the side. “I’m here to work.”

Josh glanced heavenward and counted backward from ten. With
his patience held in place, he asked, “On what?”

Devin bent, pulled out a PVC pipe and held it up like some
sort of trophy. “The new plumbing, of course. Those lines in your kitchen are
old. They make the water taste funny.”

Of course. He ground his teeth. The shifters were a
close-knit group, willing to help raise each other’s kids, protect their friend’s
mates and back their neighbors in whatever endeavor they attempted.

He’d been awed by the support they’d showed him after
becoming an honorary member of their extended family. Josh had been showered
with casseroles, offers to babysit Megan and investors for his bar. In some
ways, the shifter community was the epitome of what every small town should be.
However, the meddling in things they knew nothing about needed to stop.

“I thought I made it perfectly clear I didn’t need any help
with repairs.”

A streak of crimson flushed Devin’s cheeks. He rubbed at the
back on his neck and glanced out the window in the direction of the garage which
boasted a huge hole in its ceiling. “Give me another chance, human. How was I
supposed to know the roof wouldn’t hold the weight of two shifters?”

Josh chuckled, despite the annoyance seeing Devin in his
house with a bunch of tools brought. “Especially when you decide to fight over
whose turn it was to use the nail gun.”

A grin spread over Devin’s face. “It was my turn.”

Josh held his hands up in front of him, his smile widening. The
light-hearted expression looked natural on Devin. Since Lena came into his
life, it had become the one he wore more often than not. “Hey, I’m not starting
that argument again.”

Devin hefted the bags and strode past him toward the
kitchen. Josh followed, nerves settling in his gut. He liked Mira’s twin, but Devin
wasn’t exactly what you’d call handy, more of a disaster waiting to happen.
Josh watched him unload the bags, lining everything up on the table. At least
he’d gotten the right supplies this time. Then again, the guy at the local
store was better at helping his customers than the big warehouse outlet the
shifter had gone to for the roof tiles.

After arranging everything by first color then size, Devin
stared at the table. Josh waited for him to broach the subject he’d really come
over to talk about. Finally, Devin pushed everything into the center and
sighed. “Lena wanted me to see if you’d be willing to let us keep Molly.”

Josh tensed, wondering what brought on the change of heart.
“Molly belongs in my family with Megan. I promised Tony I’d take care of his
daughter if anything ever happened to him. I don’t break my promises.” He
worked his jaw and tried to come up with the right words to express how he felt
about the little girls. “I love them. You understand? They’re like my kids.”

“I do, but—”

“No buts. I’m keeping Molly too. I’ll go through Shifter
Affairs and adopt her if Kade won’t honor me as her guardian.”

“Nobody’s disputing your claim.” Devin picked up a small
baggie of washers, studied it with narrowed eyes as if wondering why he’d
bought them before dropping it in the pile. “You are legally Megan’s guardian.
That’s been accepted by your government and ours. Nobody wants to split up the
girls. So as soon—”

“Then, that’s your answer.”

“As soon as Molly shifts back,” Devin went on ignoring the
interruption, “Kade will file the paperwork. Until then, we think it’s in
Molly’s best interest if she remains in a shifter home.”

“No. Being with her sister on a full-time basis is what
Molly needs. The twin bond is powerful. You know that.”

“In a perfect world, I’d agree.” Devin rubbed the back of
his neck. “Actually, Lena was wondering if Megan could stay with us for a while
too.”

Josh fisted his hands and growled. “No. Fucking. Way.”

Devin tilted his head, the cat assessing his prey, and
studied him for several long heartbeats. Josh held the other male’s gaze while
he tamped down his temper. Logically, he knew Devin didn’t want to steal his
nieces. Instinctually, he saw the move as a threat to his family. At the
moment, attacking Devin sounded like a damn good idea. Josh wouldn’t, though.
Devin was important to Mira. That meant Devin was important to Josh.

“You’re being unreasonable.”

Was he? Dammit, with the itch crawling over his skin and the
pressure in his chest, he couldn’t tell. He only knew that Megan and Molly
belonged with him, were
his
family. Not that he had one beyond the two
little girls. Still, the rightness of the thought resonated through him.
Instinct, maybe? No, it was more than that. He pictured both girls as he’d last
seen them. Megan had been giggling and Molly had been…playing, even while Zach
had sat on the couch watching TV.

“No, I’m not. Molly tries to attack every male shifter
except you and Kade.”

“That is why we need to get her used to other shifters.”

“But she doesn’t when she’s with me. She’s ignored both
Xander and Zach while they were at my house.” Josh let that sink in. “You see?
She feels safe with me.”

Devin watched him for several long moments. Finally, he
broke his focused study with a small shake of his head. “So be it. I’ll bring
Molly over later so she can get used to your home. I do think we should make
the transition slowly. She’s had too much stress in her short life.”

Josh unclenched his fists. “Agreed.”

Devin leaned against the counter, ankles and arms crossed. He
pointedly glanced from Josh’s white knuckles to his face. “You’ve been spending
too much time with shifters, human. You’re picking up our traits. That was a
damn realistic growl.”

Josh forced a chuckle. “Hey, maybe I’m turning into one.”

“You know that’s impossible.”

Impossible and fucking depressing. Josh had asked if he
could be converted—a desperate request in his bid to find a way to be with
Mira. Everyone had told him the same thing. Being a shifter wasn’t a disease or
a contagious condition. Their bodies housed animal spirits—separate entities
that lived and died with them. Unless he was born with them, he was shit out of
luck.

Josh shrugged. “So I’ve been told.”

Sympathy filled Devin’s eyes. “I wish it weren’t, Josh. If I
could pick a male to be my sister’s mate, it’d be you.”

Josh pressed a fist to his chest before he could stop the
reaction. He dropped the balled hand and jerked the fridge open to get a bottle
of water. Devin’s words made that ache he’d developed worse. He hated dealing
with emotional crap, but he couldn’t help feeling a wave of…he wasn’t sure
what. Relief, maybe? Happiness? He’d worked so hard to earn the shifters’
respect, Devin’s especially. Knowing he’d finally gotten it made him feel…good.

“Thanks, cat.”

“I still think it’s a bad idea.”

So much for the elation. He slammed the door, rolled Devin’s
water across the countertop then twisted the top on his. “Gee, thanks for the
support.”

“I fear Mira will try to share her cats with you. It would
support Kade’s vision.”

He took a swallow of cold water. It did little to soothe his
dry throat or wash away the lump lodged there. “Because you think it’s
impossible?”

Devin took a sip, capped it and rocked the bottle back and
forth. He watched the air bubble see-saw inside the plastic. With a sigh, he
let it clunk to the surface next to him. “I don’t think it’s impossible. I know
it is.” He held up his hand, stopping Josh’s retort. “I’ve checked with several
elders sympathetic with Mira’s circumstances.”

“And?”

Devin gave the bottle a twirl. He watched it until it
stopped spinning. “When the gods speak outside of the realm they own, their
words become divine law. The decree involving human-shifter matings was
specific to their royal
sons
, not their daughters.” He lifted his gaze and
focused on him. “None believe the prophecy meant she’d be the first female to
bind a male to her. Even the gods cannot break their laws. That’s why they
rarely speak to their children outside of their dreams. It’s too dangerous.”

Josh heard the words, waited for a sense of defeat to settle
over him. It never came. Eternity with Mira would’ve been a miracle, but he’d
settle for now. Being human and mortal, he might not get another tomorrow.
Having Zoe home reminded him of that cruel fact. Death could snatch their loved
ones away in the blink of an eye.

He allowed the determination to fill him. Rightness came
with it.

“I don’t suppose I can get an audience with your gods?” He
wasn’t above begging.

Devin chuckled. “Sorry, doesn’t work that way. It’s a one-way
communication path with pride leaders only.”

“Another divine law?”

“Yeah. Besides, they’ve delivered their warning. Maybe they’ll
choose to elaborate by sending Kade another vision. Maybe not. But I know if I
were in Mira’s shoes, I wouldn’t risk your life or your soul, which is what
will be on the line if she decides to test the gods’ decree.”

Josh ground his teeth. It didn’t matter what anyone else
thought, including Mira. He’d bet money she’d been debating her options since
the night in the bar when he’d fought with Aron. No way was he going to allow
her fears to get in their way, but he also sensed her anxiety. If he pushed too
hard while she was in that state of panic, he’d lose her to another man.

She’d had her space. It was time to claim her as his—girlfriend,
lover, wife—he didn’t care what tag he put to her. They belonged together.
Simple. Everything else would work itself out.

Josh jerked his chin in the direction of the sink. “You need
help with the plumbing, cat?”

Devin shook his head. “I have a couple of wolves coming
over.” He bent his head and studied him with narrowed eyes. “No comments about
the vision or Mira?”

Josh slipped his water bottle in the back pocket of his
jeans and grabbed his keys. “Nope.” He walked to the rear stairs. “Megan, grab
your bag. We’re ready to rock and roll.”

Megan came bouncing down, lopsided pigtails and all. She had
an infectious smile on her face, a tee with a cat on it and the pink capris Zoe
had bought for her. A pack stuffed with toys was slung on her back and her
favorite stuffed lion was clutched under her arm. She hopped up and down in
front of him, the bag flopping with each bounce. He tugged it off her arms and
motioned her forward.

“Let’s go, munchkin. Molly’s waiting.” He followed his niece
to the door, paused with his hand on the knob and glanced over his shoulder. “Try
not to burn my house down while I’m gone.”