by Lola Gabriel
“Younger?” Easton asked. “Like, in your one-hundreds?” Ash grinned and pushed her arm gently with his, trying not to wake the child sleeping against his shoulder.
“So we’re joking about it now?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Easton said. “How else would I cope?”
“I love you,” Ash said. It had just spilled out of him, watching her cope, watching her take this insanity and roll with it.
“I love you, too.” Easton grinned at him. “Shall we put her down?” She nodded toward Penelope. Ash had almost forgotten he was holding his daughter.
“Yeah,” he agreed. “And then bed? Today was tiring.”
“I hate to break it to you,” Easton replied, “but I’m not sure we’ll all fit in the twin bed.”
“Then,” Ash said, “I have some good news for you. I’ve upgraded. I’m sleeping in the king-sized bed in the adult bedroom now.”
They reached the top of the stairs, passing the picture of Rebecca. Ash knew Easton was looking at it. He craned his neck back to check.
“Oh, she wouldn’t approve of the whole human thing,” he said. “She could be quite proper. But other than that, you would have probably gotten along. Anyway, I don’t think she’s haunting the bedroom. Not as far as I can tell, anyway.” Easton let out something between a laugh and a scoff. “If you don’t laugh,” Ash added.
The two adults watched Penelope in her sleep for a few moments, worried she would wake up at any moment. But she slept on, her little fists balled. On their way out, Ash plugged in the nightlight and flicked off the overhead light. “I don’t think she even misses me.”
“She’s asleep!” Easton argued. “And anyway, children do have to grow up.”
“I know,” Ash said simply. He missed his daughter being smaller, easier to protect. Now she was starting to explore, to understand the world. And it was going to be a tough one for her, he knew that. If he didn’t lose his pack in all of this, Penelope would be a female alpha. A rare thing, and an undeniably tough job. There had been a lot of shock when his firstborn had been a girl. And now he was doing this. He was not making her life any easier.
Easton’s hand was in his. She stroked his palm with her thumb.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Ash smiled at this funny old expression.
“Sometimes you’re the one who sounds centuries old,” he said.
“Oh, burn!” Easton answered him. They were standing in the corridor, outside the bedroom door.
“Sorry,” Ash said, leaning forward to open the door. “I was just thinking about Penelop— Holy crap!”
Behind the bed, there were slashes in the wallpaper. In spray paint, there was a message. NOT YOUR BED. One of the pillows had been ripped open, leading to an impressive coating of feathers over everything, which added to the drama of the scene.
“Who on earth would do this?” Ash questioned, the pitch and volume of his voice rising. He had balled his hands into fists without noticing he was doing it. His urge to hit something, to find a way to show his anger, was almost overwhelming. That won’t help anything, Ash, he told himself. Instead, he counted his breaths, trying to keep them long and calm. He was so angry it took him a minute or so to turn to Easton, who had left the room immediately.
“I’m so sorry,” he apologized. “I… Obviously, I didn’t know it was there…”
“Of course not,” Easton said through tears. She was wiping at her eyes as if annoyed at them for betraying her. “How could you have known? But I’m clearly messing things up for you. For Pen. The last thing I want is to cause problems for her, and for you. This is a bad idea, Ash, you know it is.”
Ash stepped forward. He had to touch her. He had to have skin-to-skin contact, and he had to stop her crying. It was a deep, biological need. When his hand met her hip, his fingers pushing under her t-shirt just a little, he heard her gasp quietly. He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. “I don’t think we really have a choice about being together, do you?”
“No,” Easton muttered, shaking her head against his chest. “I don’t think we do. I’ll feel you here without me, even if I go back to California. Even if I go to Australia, or the moon.”
“Right.” Ash kissed the top of Easton’s head. “And I would be very worried about you, all the way up on the moon.” Easton laughed, her arms snaking around his waist now.
“What do we do?” she asked. Ash was rubbing her back, feeling as her breathing calmed from the crying.
“Well,” he said, “I think they’re just trying to freak us out. Avery is right, it’s probably just the kids of some of the older traditionalists. They’re trying to get under our skin. I’m going to call a meeting, and before that, I have to talk to the general council. They make and amend laws, sit as judges, that kind of thing. They’re a bunch of fossils, but I’m in charge of them, so there’s not much they can really do unless they revolt, and I think they’re too comfortable for that.”
“Sounds boring,” Easton said, still against his chest. “Not as glamorous as it sounds, this alpha nonsense.” Ash laughed.
“You’re the best, Easton,” he said, and she turned her head to kiss his chest through his shirt.
“No, you are,” she said. “Gross. How about the first thing we do is have a sleepover in the living room? You have a pull out, right? We can all fit on that, for sure.” Ash nodded.
“Good idea.” But he kept holding her for a while, unwilling to let her go, especially given that a small child would be in between the two of them all night. Eventually, Easton let him go and wriggled out of his arms.
“So needy,” she said. “I’ll get Pen, you sort out the bed.”
“Okay,” Ash said, and he was about to turn and head down the stairs.
“Ash,” Easton called, and when he turned, she looked a little embarrassed, clicking her knuckles and searching his face for something. “Uh… can you check the closets and stuff?”
“Of course,” Ash said, and he darted forwards for a kiss. “It’ll be okay, Easton. We’ll get through this. We have to. I’m sure it’s not as big a deal as it seems. Just kids being idiots, as usual.” Easton nodded and smiled a tight smile.
“Right,” she said, “just kids. Teenagers who can turn into bears. Not terrifying at all.”
16
Easton
The morning was beautiful. Sun was pouring into the living room when Easton woke. She pushed herself up on her elbows, initially very confused about where she was. And then the previous day hit her like a ton of bricks—like a grizzly bear running full pelt. For a second, she thought she might puke, but then she turned her head to check on Penelope.
The little girl was asleep with her hands above her head again, relaxed and twitching. She looked as though she were celebrating something; a sporting victory, maybe. And beyond her, there was Ash, on his side, an arm and hand reaching out above his daughter’s head as though he had to protect her and be in contact with Easton at all times. Easton had never felt more content that she did at that moment. She was absolutely sure of it. This was where she was supposed to be: this lumpy sofa bed with a man she had met barely a week ago and his daughter—a shifter she had met barely a week ago. It was wild, but it was like she had found her purpose. To be a part of this family.
Trying to keep the utter calm she had just experienced in her chest, Easton stood up. She padded over the cold wooden floors in her bare feet. In the kitchen, she made coffee and got stuff out for Penelope’s breakfast. The sun was glinting off the water, and the sea was calm. Still, Easton couldn’t help but move her head at every sudden movement. A bird, another bird, a tabby cat streaking past the window. Finally, the cracking of a branch somewhere in the backyard made Easton jump half out her skin. She scurried back down the hall and into the living room. Her entrance was not quiet, and Ash opened his eyes, giving her a sleepy smile.
“I was worried you were a dream,” he said. “Are you running away?”
“No.” Easton smiled
at him and at Penelope, who was awake, looking at her dad and reaching for his hair. “I made coffee, but I think every noise I hear is bad guys.”
Ash propped himself up on an elbow. “It’s not bad guys; it’s kids.”
“Well, bad kids, then,” Easton said, slipping back under the comforter. “Hey, Pen, don’t pull Daddy’s hair.”
“Want me to go look outside?” Ash asked through a yawn.
“No, of course not,” Easton replied. Morning Ash was adorable. His face was all squished and pink where he had been sleeping on it, and his blinks were slow, almost like he might fall back asleep at any moment. “I’m just being hypervigilant. It’s a lovely day. Let’s have a lovely day.” She leaned forward, arching herself over Penelope, and kissed Ash lightly.
“Good morning,” Ash said. “It’s amazing to wake up with you. Even with this little bed-invader.” He tickled Penelope, who squealed and wriggled.
“What a little grub,” Easton said, joining in with the tickling.
“No!” Penelope warbled. “No more tickles!”
Easton stopped, and Penelope rolled over onto her tummy. “Breakfast?”
“Guess we’re up then.” Ash swung his legs off the side of the sofa bed and stretching. He stood up, so Easton got up again as well, scooping Penelope. “As much as I would love to have a lovely day on this lovely day,” Ash said, walking out into the hallway, “I have to go and see the council as soon as possible. And then we have to work out who’s doing all this ridiculous stuff.” Ash turned to Easton. “You and Pen will be okay without me for a couple of hours, right? I can ask Avery or someone to come and hang out, if you want.”
Easton shook her head.
“We’ll be totally fine,” she said, “won’t we, Pen?” Avery hadn’t seemed enthused by Easton last night. The last thing she needed was to look weak—to look human. She handed Penelope to Ash. “You can be on diaper duty, as I’ll have her all day.”
Ash looked at Penelope in mock horror. “Did you hear that, Pen? Easton’s so cruel.”
Penelope, who had no idea what was going on, laughed. “Daddy!”
“I am,” Ash said. Then he leaned down to kiss Easton. “Back in a minute then.”
Easton wandered into the kitchen. This already felt so easy, so domestic and comfortable. And not in a bad or scary way. Everyone was supposed to be here, not only her. They made one another happy. She felt relaxed around Ash.
Easton started gathering grownup breakfast things. Getting paid would be kind of weird now, she was thinking idly as she pottered around the kitchen. Maybe she shouldn’t? But she was working. She guessed they would talk about it when all this was over. But when would that be? Even if they sorted out these kids, or whoever it was, there would always be another obstacle. What about age? What would happen when—?
There was a creak from somewhere, and Easton dropped a basket of blueberries. It burst open on the floor, blueberries rolling every which way.
“Jesus,” Easton cursed, turning to see Ash, dressed in double-quick time, in the doorway and Penelope toddling toward the fallen berries, grabbing a handful.
“Blue-ees!” she shouted joyfully, ramming them in her mouth.
“Yay!” Easton said, scooping Penelope up. “Floor blueberries!” She put the toddler in her highchair. “Maybe we could try some that haven’t been on the floor?” Penelope nodded happily.
Ash put a hand on Easton’s back. She jumped again, though less badly this time.
“Sorry!” he said. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Are you sure you’re going to be okay alone, Easton?” Easton turned and put her arms around him. He held her, his face buried in her hair, her face buried in his chest, in his clean shirt.
“Yes,” Easton said as she broke from the embrace. “We’ll be just fine here. I need to calm down, but I will do, I’m sure. In fact, maybe I’ll skip coffee this morning.”
“That might not be a bad idea,” Ash agreed, grabbing the dustpan and broom from behind the trash can and beginning to clean up the blueberries. “Perhaps you should take Penelope out? The empty house might be the worst place to be.”
“Sure,” Easton said. “Maybe a t-e-a p-a-r-t-y? You could meet us when you’re done?”
“That sounds so great,” Ash said, throwing away the berries and replacing the broom and dustpan. He poured some coffee in his travel mug and left it on the side. Easton turned back to Penelope to help her eat the rest of her breakfast, and this time, when Ash touched her, she didn’t flinch. He hugged her from behind, and then he gently turned her face up to him, his hand under her chin. Easton smiled, letting him kiss her softly.
“I love you,” he told her. “And I checked the upstairs closets. No monsters, bears, or kids, okay?” Easton let herself enjoy being held for a moment, enjoy how he looked at her. Then she said, “I love you, too. Don’t be all day.”
“I’ll try,” Ash said, “but the old farts can’t half go on. Hopefully they’ll be shocked and appalled enough to keep it short and sweet.” This made Easton laugh, and making Easton laugh made Ash smile. He ruffled his daughter’s hair and kissed her cheek, which was flaked with drying yogurt. “See you, short stuff,” he said to Penelope.
Once the door closed behind Ash, the house felt very silent.
“Dada?” Penelope asked.
“Back soon, Pen,” Easton assured her. Maybe reassuring Penelope everything was going to be okay in this strange new world would convince Easton herself. Penelope looked as though she was thinking about her dad for a while, and then she gave a wise-looking nod and pushed her nearly empty bowl away.
“Done!”
“Okay, mucky-pup,” Easton said, and she turned to wet some paper towels. When she turned back to Penelope, the little girl was smiling, pointing to the glass doors that opened onto the garden and then the sea. “What did you see?” Easton asked, heart in her throat.
“Bear, big, big, big!” Penelope replied. “Raaawr!” Easton tried not to let her smile waver as she wiped the girl down and grabbed her out of her high chair.
“There’s no bears in the garden, Pen,” she said, trying to do that reassuring thing again and failing badly.
“Raaawr!” Penelope cried, running toward the doors.
“Okay,” Easton said, “we can look.” She and Penelope pressed their faces to the glass, noses squishing against it, damp patches appearing beneath them. “I can’t see anything, Pen! Just the sea.” Penelope was straining to reach the door handle, which was much too high up for her. Half to avoid a scene and half to reassure herself, Easton unlocked the door and slid it open. She had to take a deep, calming breath of sea air before she took the step out. Her heart was thumping as she looked left then right. Nothing and nothing. Easton relaxed. “See, Pen? No big bear!”
She glanced down at where Penelope should be. She wasn’t there. Easton looked into the house. Not there, either.
“Penelope!” Easton called, looking around wildly. She was about to run inside, as she’d last been paying enough attention to Penelope in the kitchen, but she heard distant giggling and wheeled around. Penelope was right down by the shore, ridiculously close to the water, tottering around on slippery rocks. Easton bolted toward her, kneeled down, and put her arms around her. “Pen,” she said, breathless, “you know there’s no playing in the water by yourself. Yes, that is a very big jellyfish, but it isn’t safe.”
Easton glanced up at the house, the open door half obscured by the rise of the land. Penelope wanted to keep poking the jellyfish she had found. Normally, Easton would encourage this kind of thing, maybe talk about the visible brain or how jellyfish tentacles are stingy. Right now, though, she wanted to get back to the house and lock that door behind them.
Easton picked up Penelope.
“No! Jeyyyee fish!” The little girl hit Easton right in the eye with a flat palm.
“Ah! Penelope, no!” Easton cried, trying to keep her cool. “Don’t hit me. No, don’t pull my hair.” For a good few seconds, she cou
ld hardly see. Her eye was streaming, and her hair was being pulled painfully across her face by Penelope’s salty little hands. “Hey, I can put on a cartoon!”
Penelope kept her fist around Easton’s hair while she thought about this. Then she dropped it, accepting Easton’s weak bargain and frankly terrible example of childcare. Maybe she shouldn’t get paid. It was kind of a high stress time, though, she reasoned with herself. A bit of Miffy couldn’t hurt.
Easton realized, once she was in the house and pulling the door shut behind them, that she was shaking. She locked it, put Penelope down, and shook herself for a couple of seconds. They were inside; there had been nothing and no one outside. They were both okay, apart from Penelope choosing today to be a right little madam, of course.
Penelope was running into the hallway on her still somewhat unsteady feet. Easton followed her, grabbing baby wipes from the diaper bag in the hall so that she could wipe the sea off the hands Penelope would no doubt be sticking in her mouth during TV time. By the time Easton reached the living room, Penelope had sat herself down far too close to the TV.
“How about over here, huh? On your comfy chair?” Penelope looked around, clearly aware she had been chancing it having her face right up against the TV like this. She got up and toddled to the chair. Easton turned the TV on and wiped the kid down. Standing, she waited until Penelope had reached her usual TV-induced trance-like state. “I’m going upstairs to wash my hands now, Pen,” she said. “Back in a minute.”
Penelope didn’t respond, which was a positive, really. Easton needed a second.
She took the stairs two at a time, locked herself in the bathroom, and ran the faucet. She washed her hands, and then she made the water as cold as it could be. When she had stared into the mirror for a while, Easton again splashed her face and then dried it with a clean towel. It was while she had the towel over her face that she heard the first creak.
It was up here, on the landing. And another. Her heart was trying to bust its way out of her, but Easton had no choice. She was going to have to open the door. Penelope was downstairs, and so if something… if someone was on the landing, they were in between her and the little girl.