by T. L. Reeve
“I think so.”
“Oh, good. At least I won’t be alone.” Abby smiled. “Can we go in now?”
Aurora nodded. “Let’s go!” They got out of the car then walked up to the door and knocked. Aurora placed her niece in front of her and waited. “Remember, no leafy green veggies, no cranberry juice, or hot dogs or—"
“Come on in,” Kalkin said, after opening the door. “Glad you could make it.”
Aurora stared up at him. He put off a ‘don’t fuck with me’ vibe, she still couldn’t get a handle on. It could be she’d barely spent time with him. “Thanks.” She tucked a lock of her curly-brunette hair behind her ear. Heat filled her cheeks when he continued to stare at her while she scooted past him. “Thank you for inviting us. I really hope we’re not intruding. Keeley said this party was for everyone, and you know...”
Stop rambling.
“You’re not,” Kalkin grunted. “Intruding that is. Hello, Abby.”
“’Lo, Mr. Wolf.” She was the spitting image of her mother. After giving her a bath, Aurora had pulled her long red hair into a high ponytail. Her blue eyes twinkled with happiness, though her coloring was a little off. She frowned. Maybe they shouldn’t have come out, after all. She knew some of it came from the surgery and subsequent medication Abby took, but her cheeks were a little too pink. If she’s too hot later, I’ll take her to the clinic.
Kalkin chuckled. “Come on back. We have drinks and food for everyone.” He glanced at Abby. “The kids are outside if you want to go play with them. Or, the babies are in the nursery if you’d rather be with them.”
“Mumsy, can I go outside?” Abby looked up at Aurora.
“You may. Remember to keep your sweater on.” The little girl skipped to the door. “Sorry about her not dressing up. She said she’s already wearing her costume.” She rolled her eyes at Kalkin and gave a small chuckle. “I should warn you, though, she’s on a strict diet.”
Kalkin’s brows shot up. “At five?”
Aurora laughed. “Her medication has strict guidelines.”
“Well, then, tell me what she can have, since I’m manning the grill.”
She followed after Kalkin through the living room into the kitchen. “Chicken is good. Fries and potatoes are great. No salads. No cranberry or grapefruit juice...” She gave him the condensed version of her food choices.
Kalkin blinked at her. “Wow. I didn’t realize. How is she today?”
“I guess okay,” she answered. “Sorry to bum you out.”
“It’s okay. So, are you liking our little community?” Kalkin grabbed a soda out of one of the coolers sitting on the kitchen table then handed it to her.
“I am. I have to thank you again for the job. I really think I am going to like working for the Sheriff’s Department.” She loved the work, even though she’d only been in training for a week, the eight hours of learning gave her a chance to familiarize herself with all the equipment she’d be using. Also, it gave her a chance to learn how to protect her and Abby, just in case.
“Good. Loraine only says good things about you,” he replied. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”
Kalkin brought her over to Keeley and Danielle first. Then they made their rounds through the living room. There were so many people. Charisma she knew from the kids’ school. Royce because of him being her mate. There were men from the Dryer family there along with their mates. Aurora’s head was spinning at the amount of information being given to her, she feared she’d never remember it. “And this, is my eldest brother, Mackenzie or Mac for short. He is Riley and Liam’s father.”
Eldest brother? How was that possible? Both men appeared to be the same age. Then it dawned on her. Wolf genetics. She took a moment to take her fill of him. He had shoulder-length black hair and the bluest of eyes. Not the same shade as Abby. More like cobalt than blue. His shoulders were broad. His chest and stomach were bulky and muscular. A shiver of arousal floated through her, and she brushed it aside. At twenty-three, she hadn’t had a chance to experience life. Being stunted as she was, Aurora was bound to find any man sexy as hell. She held a trembling hand out to him. “Hello. It’s nice to meet you.”
Mackenzie took it. “Likewise.”
“Aurora is our new dispatcher. Loraine has been training her. You probably saw her daughter skip through here. Her name is Abby.” Kalkin stared at his brother, who appeared indifferent.
Mackenzie nodded. “Good to know. So, you’re new here?”
“Yeah, kind of,” Aurora answered. “I really like it, though.”
Mackenzie nodded. “Where did you move from?”
“Washington,” she answered before taking a sip of her soda.
“To the desert. Interesting.” Mackenzie pushed off the counter he’d been leaning against then strode through the open sliding glass door.
“Don’t worry about him,” Keeley said joining them. “He’s in a rut.”
“You mean all the stuff I keep hearing about?” she asked, staring after the man who couldn’t get away from her quick enough.
“Yeah, I think it has him tied in knots.” Keeley frowned. “So, have you decided what you’ll do tonight?”
Aurora cocked a brow. “What do you mean?”
“Well, are you going to go home when we put the kids to bed, or are you going to stay and see what all the fuss is about?” The blonde woman wiggled her brows.
“Uh, I hadn’t quite thought about it,” she answered, suddenly nervous.
“Well, if you do. I should warn you. You might see a naked ass or two.” Keeley laughed as she hooked her arm through Aurora’s. “Come on, let me introduce you to the newest Dryer and Raferty arrivals.”
“Awesome. How many are there?” Aurora asked.
“As of today, four.” Keeley smiled. “We’re a big family built on growing families. We—well some of us, didn’t have great lives. So, our children give us a chance to experience everything through their eyes and learn to love all over again.”
“Oh.” She couldn’t imagine anyone, with the exception of Mackenzie having a tragic past, especially with all the raucous laughter and loud conversations. They all appeared to be happy and most of all, a family.
Aurora followed her through the house until they came to a room that, if she had to guess, had recently been added to the house. Keeley cracked the door open and inhaled deeply. “I love the smell of baby.” She hummed as they entered the room. There were two pack and plays in the middle of the room. One had three babies in it and the other had a single baby inside. All four were sound asleep.
Against the walls were three more cribs, inside one of them lay a set of twins and then on the far end slept a baby bear cub. Aurora’s heart squeezed. They were all so adorable. She went to the playpen with the smallest baby in it first.
“That’s Bay,” Keeley whispered. “He was born about five months ago.”
“He’s so tiny,” Aurora murmured.
Keeley nodded. “He is. I think he’ll be like his sister Natalie.” She pulled his hat back and exposed a tuft of white-blond hair.
“Oh my...” Aurora gasped. “Blake is his father, then?”
“Bingo.” Keeley pointed to the three cubs in the playpen beside Bay. “This is Arcadia, Espen, and Phelan. They’re Bodhi and Emma’s triplets.”
“Wow.” All three babies were cuddled together. Each of their shirts had their first initial on them. “Identical?”
“Espen and Phelan are. Arcadia is fraternal,” Keeley answered. “The little bear over there is Asher. He’s Hayden and Nico’s adopted son. And, you also know Charisma and Royce’s twins, Julius and Fern.”
“I feel like every time I see you, someone has or is about to have a baby.” Aurora laughed.
“Shifters are very fertile,” Keeley said. “We have to be careful.” She gave Aurora a saucy wink. “But, you already know that, huh?”
Abby. She snorted. “Bastard signed away his rights the minute she was born.” She’d never met the guy
who’d knocked up her sister. Nor did she care to. The asshole had left her sister high and dry through the pregnancy. Then when he heard she’d died shortly after Abigail’s birth; he terminated his rights quicker than Aurora could be named Abby’s guardian. However, a year later, he started sniffing around, causing problems.
“Assholes,” Keeley agreed. “You’re here now, though. We’ll take care of both of you. You’re pack after all.”
“Huh, what?” Aurora stepped out of the room with Keeley.
“Part of the pack?” Keeley guided her back to the kitchen and the tables set up outside. “Once you moved here and once you applied for the job, you were part of our pack.”
“I feel like we just had this conversation two days ago,” Aurora muttered.
“Going with the flow is easier than fighting it,” Keeley said. “In about an hour or two we’ll be putting the younger kids to bed. The others will head over to Danielle and Caden’s house to watch movies with Shelby and a few of the teens from the orphanage. Wherever you’d like to have Abby stay, is fine with us. We always have room.”
“Where is their house from here?” Aurora asked.
“Across the foot bridge you passed on the way in.”
“So, close by then,” she said.
“Yep,” Keeley agreed. “I’ve always been kind of militant about the kids’ bedtimes. Kind of had to be when our first children were twins. So, if Abby doesn’t go to bed early on the weekends, might as well let her go watch movies.”
“Movies it is.” Aurora bit her bottom lip. “I have to make a list, though.”
“Of?”
“Snacks she can and can’t have along with drinks,” Aurora replied.
“Right. Let me get you some paper.” Keeley went back into the house, and for the first time since they arrived, Aurora allowed herself to relax.
She watched as the children ran around at full tilt, hopped up on candy and excitement. Abby was in the middle of them all, laughing and talking. It was as if they’d all always been friends. The adults had gathered together in small clusters as well, carrying on their own conversations. But, as her gaze moved over those who filled the backyard, she’d yet to see the one person who’d single-handedly turned her inside out since she arrived, Mackenzie.
Why she cared about him after he basically ran away from her, she didn’t know. When she stared at him, there’d been this kindred thing between them. She’d felt it the moment she said hello. She saw the shadows of loneliness in his eyes. Saw the sadness, too. She couldn’t imagine what it had been like seeing his whole world implode like it had, and in such a public theater. From the small bits of news she’d heard, Holly Geithner had not only torn apart the lives of her mate and children, but that of Hayden’s, Jase’s, and practically the whole community of Window Rock. It broke Aurora’s heart seeing the remnants of Holly’s betrayal, in a way.
Yeah, people were smiling and laughing. The children were playing and having fun, but she could feel the undercurrent of tension radiating through all of them. Almost like they waited for the other shoe to drop. She didn’t blame them. In the last year and a half, more shit had gone wrong instead of right.
“Here you are,” Keeley said, placing a pad of paper in front of Aurora. “Write down everything, and I’ll make sure Shelby gets it before the kids leave.”
“Thanks,” she murmured.
“Not a problem.” Keeley squeezed her shoulder. “Duty calls.”
Aurora watched as Keeley retreated to the kitchen once more. The woman did run a tight ship. Tighter than she did with Abby. Of course, they had their routines. More so while Abby was undergoing treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital. After her surgery, they fell into their own daily plan that worked for them. However, when Abby’s incidences of turning blue and being too cold became too much, they moved to a warmer drier climate.
After she finished the list, she sat there for a while longer, observing those around her. At some point, Kalkin brought her a plate of food and she began to eat. The meal had been spectacular, what she’d eaten of it. Her stomach had been in knots since she’d accepted the invitation, and as the hour grew later, the knot cinched up more. She couldn’t explain it. She didn’t think it was because she or Abby would get hurt, but perhaps, it was more like, the unexpected.
Soon, all of the children were gathered into two lines. Those who would be going to Caden and Danielle’s place and those who would be camping out in Keeley and Kalkin’s house. Abby came over to her with a huge smile on her face. Her cheeks were still rosy, but her eyes were still bright and clear.
“Mumsy,” Abby said. “Did you hear? We’re going to have popcorn and watch spooky movies.”
“I did,” Aurora said. “I gave Keeley a list of all the things you can and can’t have.”
“Okay.” Abby threw her arms around Aurora. “Thank you, Mumsy, for bringing us tonight.”
“You’re welcome.” She tapped the tip of her niece’s nose. “Have fun watching movies.”
Her niece grinned. “I will. You have fun, too.”
Once all of the children were gone for the night, Kalkin stepped outside into the middle of the backyard. If the man had been intimidating while inside the house, he’d been more so, standing there. A minute later, another man she recognized as Rapier Dryer joined Kalkin. She learned quickly after she moved there, that Window Rock had two Alphas, Kalkin and Rapier, and though they were both Alphas, Kalkin had more power. She also learned there was a small pride of lions just arriving in Window Rock, and they were led by Christoph St. John.
“Welcome, everyone,” Kalkin said. “Tonight, we run. Those who are mates and those who are single are welcome to participate. I will remind you it is the full moon. For wolves, it means—” Kalkin gave everyone a wicked grin— “things are about to get freaky. I shouldn’t have to say this after all we have been through, but there will be no forced capitulation. If your partner isn’t willing, then leave them alone. Don’t make me have to stop enjoying my evening because you don’t like being told no.”
Rapier stepped forward then. “The trail behind Kalkin’s house goes up into the bluff. There are trees and clearings. Remember where you are at all times. Also, one of the paths opens up behind Caden and Danielle’s house. Don’t freak the kids out.”
The way Rapier said those words, had Aurora wondering if someone had scared the kids before without meaning to do so. She laughed to herself. Well, Keeley did say naked butts were bound to be seen. So, it probably had. She glanced up at the moment everyone began to undress. Aurora’s ability to breathe vanished. What were they doing? She closed her eyes and gave a small squeak before backing away from everyone. She didn’t need to see all of them in their naked glory.
A low growl caught her attention, and she opened them. There alongside a giant lion stood Kalkin. A black wolf with yellow eyes. Around her, several different types of animals and... Holy shit... A dragon? Her heart hammered in her chest. Her body trembled. There was also a unicorn, horse, a...a vampire. How the fuc—? No, she was seeing things. Right?
“It’s a lot to take in the first time you see this,” Keeley murmured beside her. “No one here will hurt you.”
“I’m really seeing a vampire then?” Aurora whispered.
Keeley gave a soft tinkling laugh. “You are.”
Keeley said everything a bit too matter of fact for Aurora’s liking. Sure, shifters were out and visible and had been for as long as she could remember if not longer, however finding out vampires were real? What else? “I’m sorry...”
“It’s overwhelming, I get it.” She wrapped her arm around Aurora’s shoulders. “I was in your shoes a few years ago when we finally met Cyril when he came home for a visit with Henry and Shelly. “Okay, crash course. Ready?”
“Uh...” She glanced up at Keeley. “Sure.”
“Vampires exist. So do demons and fae, which include brownies, pixies, fairies, sprites along with a sundry of other mythical creatures I haven’t even
begun to investigate. There are also beings called unseelie.”
“Okay, now you’re yanking my chain.”
“Nope. It’s all true. They didn’t join us tonight, but we have a few members of the pack/pride who are demons and a dhampir.”
“Wow.”
“Indeed,” Keeley agreed. “Kalkin opened us up over ten years ago to all those who were seeking sanctuary.”
“So, Cyril is part of your family?” Aurora quirked a brow.
“He is.” Keeley grinned. “It’s a little unconventional, but he’d kill anyone who hurt Henry or Shelly.”
“That’s pretty intense,” Aurora murmured.
“It’s because, she’s the last of her kind.” Keeley frowned, staring off toward the open gate.
Her words were like a punch to Aurora’s gut. “Wow. Can they...you know, help repopulate?”
Keeley shook her head. “Unlike most shifters, from what Danielle and I have gathered, only a pure mating of two unicorns can produce a unicorn heir.”
“So, when she dies...”
Keeley pursed her lips. “Don’t think about it right now. Have fun. If you want to hang back for a bit and get your bearings, I’ll be inside finishing up the dishes with Danielle.”
“Are you sure?”
Keeley grinned. “Yes. You’re safe.”
Aurora walked to the gate all of the shifters had left through and watched the plume of dirt being kicked into the air dissipate. She still couldn’t get over where she was or how she got there. It was amazing. Enthralling. A bit scary. No way she could leave now. The town had too much... Everything.
A growl from the side of the fence surprised her. She took a step back when a black and grey wolf entered the area. His eyes were a shade of ice-blue. His feet were almost the size of her palm. The menacing way he approached her, scared the shit out of her, but also aroused her. She didn’t understand what was happening to her, other than she couldn’t take her eyes off of the wolf.
She glanced down at his front leg and narrowed her eyes. A patch of skin shone through the wolf’s fur. The mark was puckered and pink, devoid of any hair. How in the world? She took another step back and tripped over her own two feet, falling hard on her ass. The wolf pounced then, bracing himself over her, sniffing her everywhere.