by Vella Day
“Her dad was a powerful Wendayan. He died when she was young, so she was basically left alone,” Shamus said. “Me Mum took a liking to her and tried to do right by her.”
That could have helped. Perhaps Jackson should reserve his judgment until he met her, but while quite a few Changelings appeared to be model citizens on the outside, many wouldn’t think twice about stabbing a person in the back.
Blair returned from the dining room, her gaze everywhere but on him or Kalan. “I got a hold of her. Ainsley is thrilled we invited her, and she can’t wait to see Shamus.”
Well, shit. From the strain around his sister’s eyes, she’d had to twist her roommate’s arm to accept the invitation, and his gut told him nothing good could come of this encounter.
*
Ainsley knew this was a bad idea to go over to the Murdoch house, but what choice did she have? She wanted to see Shamus, but she also wanted to throw herself on the bed and grieve over the loss of his mother. Thankfully, Blair had warned her first of Moira MacLeod’s death. If Shamus had mentioned her passing during dinner, Ainsley wasn’t sure she’d have been able to keep it together.
Now she could see that by not keeping in contact with him, she’d lost the chance to see his mom again and tell her how much she’d helped Ainsley grow into the person she was today.
She swiped a tear from her cheek.
Suck it up, Ainsley.
She was made of sterner stuff than that. Her Changeling genes helped her push aside her feelings and tuck them away for the time being. Needing to ignore the tragic loss of his mom, she refocused on what she had to do right now, which was get ready to face Blair’s family.
While Ainsley had met Mrs. Murdoch, who’d been warm and really nice, the rest of the family might not greet her with open arms. It didn’t matter that Shamus had probably told everyone the two of them were good friends. From the short conversation Blair told her she’d had with her brother Jackson in the kitchen, he was quite put off by the fact his sister was friends with her. It didn’t seem to matter that she wasn’t even related to Owen. She had Changeling blood in her system, and that damned her in his eyes.
And then there was her other brother—Kalan, who was a cop. While Blair didn’t give her many details over the phone, she’d mentioned that because of his job, he’d had run-ins with her kind many times. During the last scuffle, Kalan had been severely injured. Not surprising, his hatred for Changelings was off the charts.
Wonderful. Tonight would be déjà vu all over again. It would be like walking into her fifth grade classroom where everyone automatically assumed she was the devil incarnate because her stepfather loved to ruin lives.
Ainsley figured she could always disappear if things became too awkward then slip out unnoticed, but that would only prove to Blair’s family that Ainsley was some kind of shifting freak.
No. She had to face them, and she couldn’t take too long, or they’d think she was avoiding the challenge. She was Ainsley Chancellor, a woman with a thick skin and a temper to go with it. I can do this.
She rushed into Blair’s bedroom to find something appropriate to wear, as she certainly wasn’t about to go to dinner in her uniform. Ainsley’s three suitcases were laid out on the floor on the far side of the room. Blair was a saint for letting her crash at her place for as long as she had.
What to wear? The fact Ainsley had purple streaks in her short blonde hair would be enough to turn them off, which meant she had to soften her appearance with something that wasn’t flashy. She refused to take out her nose ring, however. It didn’t matter that Mrs. Murdoch was a down-to-earth person who didn’t seem to mind it. From the way Blair described her two brothers, they were conservative with a capital C.
She hadn’t laid eyes on Shamus in eight years, and she couldn’t wait to see what he looked like now. Blair’s words came back to her about Shamus’s motivation for flying all the way to America. Was it because he wanted to connect with his relatives and figured Georgia wasn’t all that far from Tennessee? Or did he really come just to see her?
Stop procrastinating. I’ll find out soon enough.
She chose a pair of straight-legged black pants and a white buttoned-down shirt that she’d purchased when she first interviewed for the job at the clinic. Because it was cold, she threw on a mohair peach-colored sweater that would complement her tinted hair.
Shamus was a foot taller than she was, so she slipped on her leather boots that had two-inch heels. After refreshing her makeup, she headed out, hoping she wasn’t walking into a shit storm.
While she was excited to see Shamus again, she wasn’t looking forward to the chilly reception from the others. But that couldn’t be helped. She’d learned long ago that she couldn’t change people. All she could do was be herself, and maybe she could break down the barrier between them. For both Blair and Shamus’s sake, she hoped tonight went well.
As she headed out of town toward the shifter compound, her stomach twisted into knots. Ainsley never had been good with meeting people, in large part, because her mom sure as hell hadn’t drilled any social graces into her. If it hadn’t been for Shamus’s mother’s guidance, Ainsley wouldn’t have stood a chance at making a good first impression.
One of her strengths was her ability to face her fears head on—and the fear of rejection was a strong one. The problem was that when backed into a corner, her temper often got the best of her, and of all the nights to lose control, this just couldn’t be one of them.
When the street sign appeared where Blair’s parents lived, she made a left turn, but then had to slow down in order to find the number. As she searched for it, she spotted her roommate’s car in the drive three houses away. Relieved she’d made it, Ainsley parked on the street instead of the driveway, not wanting to get blocked in, just in case she had to leave in a hurry.
For Shamus’s sake, and Blair’s, Ainsley had to be polite, no matter how ugly things might get.
As Ainsley walked up to the front door, she spotted a large group of people through the bay window, sitting around the dining room table laughing. They were probably enjoying something Shamus said. He always had been amazingly charming.
Here goes.
Chapter Three
‡
To Ainsley’s relief, Blair opened the front door. Before Ainsley changed her mind and decided it would be better to meet Shamus on more neutral ground, she quickly stepped inside. The entranceway of the Murdoch’s home blocked not only the sight line to the dining room, but some of the sound as well.
Blair rubbed Ainsley’s shoulder. “I know this will be awkward, but Mom really wants everyone to get along.”
“Get along? She’s kidding, right?”
“No. She loves harmony. Besides, it’s only for one night.”
Harmony, hell… “From what you’ve told me, neither Jackson or Kalan will ever accept me,” Ainsley whispered.
Her roommate waved a hand. “Just be charming, and I promise they’ll love you. But for goddess sake, don’t lose your temper if they say something about your kind.”
That would be like asking the sun to rise in the west tomorrow. “I’ll try, though I’ll probably agree with them.”
As her roommate led her to the dining room, Ainsley briefly looked around. The living room was straight ahead and contained lots of dark brown furniture, complete with three comfortable looking loungers, something she could use right about now. Family photos graced the walls and made the place homey. Her stepfather only had pictures of his two sons, but never any of her. A strong longing for a loving family of her own welled up inside her.
Ainsley’s thoughts were cut short as soon as she stepped into the dining room. The dark wooden table sat eight, three seats of which were empty. The chair backs were ornate, sculpted with swirls, and the flowered seat covers blended well with the light blue walls and dark wood wainscoting. Everyone stopped talking as soon as they saw her. Well, crap.
Forget them. Concentrate on Shamus. Her gaze sh
ot straight to her old friend, and joy elbowed its way in despite the uncomfortable glares. Without warning, a strange emotion that she could only describe as lust attacked her from all sides. What the hell was going on? Her chest tightened and nearly cut off her air. Dizziness assaulted her and forced her to stop while she inhaled a few deep breaths. Her vision slowly cleared, and the tension in her shoulders released its death grip. Her heart, however, was beating harder than a stampede of cattle. The pounding had to be anxiety and nothing else. Right?
Stay calm. Don’t make a scene. For a few seconds, she was tempted to turn around and run, but that would only make matters worse. More than anything, she had to prove to everyone in the room that she wasn’t evil; that the eight years away from her family in Scotland had taught her how to embrace her good side.
When she looked deep into Shamus’s kind eyes, her lips started to work again, and she broke into a smile.
“There she is.” Shamus shoved back his chair so hard it tumbled. “Sorry.” His ruddy cheeks turned beet red as he leaned over and righted it.
Once he moved around the others, he rushed toward her. Seconds later, she was in his arms being swung around, and for the first time in weeks, she laughed. Boy, did that feel good. Shamus could always erase her worries.
“Put me down you big oaf.” She lightly pounded on his back with one fist while holding on with her other arm.
Shamus obeyed. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, lass.” He wrapped an arm around her waist with one hand and fluffed her short hair with the other. “I like the purple, squirt.” He squinted. “A nose ring? What have these American’s done to me sweet little friend?”
“Sweet?” Now, he’d gone too far, though most likely he was kidding. “I may only be five foot six, but I’m the same Scottish Ainsley you always knew. I still pack a punch too.” To prove her point, she jabbed him in the belly. To her surprise, it was hard. “Ouch.”
He laughed. “Oh, lass, I have missed ye. Come on in and have something to eat. My aunt has made a delicious meal.”
As he led her back to the table, another wave of uncontrollable lust assaulted her, and her wolf wanted to be released. That was more than crazy. Her teeth sharpened, and her bones started to crack. Stop!
She’d heard tales about what happened when a person met her mate; it was like the world had tilted on its axis, and her desire was ramped up to a point where she would do anything to have that other person. Never in her wildest dreams, however, had she thought her mate would be Shamus. Didn’t he realize it could never be? Mating with her would eventually cause him despair and even death. Poor Shamus.
“Here ye go,” he said, offering her the seat across from him, between Mr. Murdoch and a man who she suspected was Kalan, if the sheriff’s uniform was any indication. His long, dark blond hair was tied back and he looked like he could use a shave. He’d be a handsome man if it weren’t for the clenched fists and his lips pressed thinly together.
Shamus held out her chair and she sat down. Not wanting the Murdoch family to believe she had no manners, she smiled and waved. “Hi, everyone. I guess you know I’m Ainsley. Thanks for inviting me.”
Blair sat to the left of her father, and next to her was most likely Jackson who was next to Shamus. To his left was Mrs. Murdoch, then the last empty chair, and finally Kalan who was sitting next to her.
Yup, this was going to be a tough crowd.
She debated shaking everyone’s hand, but she feared they’d not extend her the courtesy. Not that she’d care, but it might make Shamus uncomfortable.
Strong, angry pulses radiated off Jackson whose negative energy was mixed with Shamus’s sensual vibes, making it hard to breathe again. Focus on Shamus. Soon, her chest expanded and the pain began to diminish—but not enough to help her relax.
“I love your new look, Shamus. You look good with a beard,” Ainsley said with as much cheer as she could muster.
He stroked it. “Why, thank ye. Keeps me warm in the winter.”
As much as she wanted to study all the changes in her friend, it was Jackson, with his ruggedly good-looking short beard, who drew her attention. His flannel shirt had the top three buttons undone, and wisps of light brown hair filled the open expanse. Oddly, her stomach fluttered at the masculine view. That was not good. Despite it being late fall, his skin was tan, which brought out his emerald green eyes. His short hair hinted he might have been in the military, but she didn’t remember Blair telling her that Jackson had served.
Perhaps his most striking feature was the symmetry of his face. His nose was straight, his eyes were wide-set, and his lips were just about perfect.
Stop it. All the lust pouring from across the table came from Shamus—didn’t it? Of course it did. From the lines around his eyes and mouth, Jackson was looking at her as if he was waiting for her to shift or something, which would give him an excuse to attack.
“Jackson, stop staring at our guest,” Mrs. Murdoch said in a sharp tone.
“Sorry.” The moment he looked away, air returned to her lungs.
What is wrong with me? Shamus came all this way to see me.
Blair was right. He must have known all along they were mates and had waited until she’d grown up before he sought her out. That had to be it. Otherwise, it made no sense that her body was going crazy. If she and Shamus were alone, she’d ask him back to her place to have a wild Scottish fling. There could never be any biting or mating. Oh no, that could lead to his death.
“So what have ye been up to these last eight years?” Shamus asked, as if he were oblivious to her discomfort. He must feel these strange stirrings too, so how was he remaining so calm? Then again, the man always did have control.
Oh, I don’t know—avoiding Changelings of all kinds—including my family. Did he really think she’d talk about her life as a Changeling when Kalan and Jackson were probably looking for something to prove she was evil? “As Blair probably told you, I’m an acupuncturist now. So, for the last eight years, I’ve basically been studying my ass off while working part time for an awesome acupuncturist learning my craft.” Crap. She shouldn’t have said ass in front of Blair’s folks. Not wanting to witness more scowls, she kept her gaze on her friend. “When I called Blair a month ago and said I wanted to come for a visit, she helped me get an interview, which landed me a job at the clinic where she works. Wasn’t that nice of her?” Stop rambling. Ainsley cleared her throat and placed the napkin next to her plate on her lap. “As soon as I find my own place, I’ll officially be on my own for the first time in my life.” She smiled, but it took more effort than she thought imaginable.
“I know of a place you might be interested in,” Kalan said, his low voice gruff.
Ainsley’s tongue twisted from the shock. “You do?”
“My mate used to live in the small apartment above her flower shop. Now that she’s with me, it’s available for rent.”
Jackson sent a glare straight at his brother that looked as it if could cut him in half. Mrs. Murdoch shot Jackson a stern look, and he glanced away again. That man had serious issues, though she did understand where the animosity was coming from. To tell the crowd that she disliked Changelings as much as they did, however, would probably sound like a lie, mostly because they were brought up to believe everyone of her kind was evil.
“I’d love to take a look at it. Thank you.”
Shamus grinned. “If Kalan can set it up, how about I come with ye? We could check it out together.”
She almost laughed at his protective nature, but she shouldn’t be surprised. He’d always looked out for her. From Shamus’s quick turn of his head toward Jackson, Jackson might have kicked him under the table.
“What was that for?” Shamus said. “Can’t a man make certain his friend isn’t being taken advantage of?”
As if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water on his head, Jackson’s shoulders slumped. What she wouldn’t give to know what that was all about. “Sure. In fact, I think it’s a great idea.”
Kalan glanced at his mother then turned back to Ainsley. “Tomorrow, I’ll call my mate’s former landlord to see if he can set up a showing.”
For some reason, Kalan must have decided not to go to war with her, for which she was grateful.
Wanting to take the focus off herself, she asked about Shamus’s banking job and whether he enjoyed it.
He shrugged. “I can take it or leave it. What I’d really like to do is start me own financial investment firm.”
Excitement soared through her. “Why don’t you? You’d be perfect. You’re honest and smart.”
His cheeks turned pink again. “I need a bit more experience, as well as some capital, but I’m working on both.”
She wanted to ask if he was happy, but she figured his mom’s death had to have dampened his love of life. “I’m really happy you’re doing so well.”
“Thanks. I know this might not be the best place to ask ye, lass, but did ye know Owen is dead?”
His words stole her breath. “My brother is dead? For real?” Only because it was inappropriate to show joy over another person’s death did she fight her smile.
“Aye. In fact, I’m told he died right here in Silver Lake a few months ago.”
This was too good to be true. She hoped he suffered, but it would be impolite to say so. “What was he doing here?” Was he looking for her? An unexpected shiver shot out to every nerve ending. Atlanta was a good four hours from Silver Lake.
Shamus reached across the table and squeezed her hand in support. He then nodded to Kalan. “You want to tell her how Owen ended up here?”
Kalan regaled her with the story of a Wendayan named Izzy Berta. Because of her magical talents, which Owen had witnessed while Izzy had been visiting Scotland, he decided he wanted her for his wife. He flew to Silver Lake and stalked her, but then resorted to kidnapping her when she refused to go with him. “Izzy was mated to our Alpha, you see.”
A chuckle escaped. “That sounds like him. He always had such a high opinion of himself.” She shook her head. “My brother was a fool.”