Maverik's Ashes

by Sandra R Neeley

  Avaleigh's bottom lip was trembling, she had tears pooling in her eyes, and she dared not hope, but she thought she knew where he was going with this. She nodded to indicate that he should go on.

  Daniel reached out through their connection needing to assure himself that she was okay. He felt an anger like he’d never felt from her before at the news that Remi had been abused, and hope; limitless hope. So he took over the explanation.

  “I had Riley bring him, but I didn’t say anything to you, because I didn’t want you to be disappointed, in case it didn’t work out. Do you understand, love?”

  She hugged Remi a little closer, “Yes,” she whispered.

  “He took right to you, Avaleigh. He let you put suntan lotion on him. He wanted you to get in the pool with him,” Riley said. “He hasn't allowed anyone else to touch him; he barely let me hold his hand when I defended him. And I had to beg him to let me carry him through the trees when we got here. But he gave you his throat, Avaleigh. He trusts you.”

  “Not to mention the way he planted himself in front of you to protect you when Maverik and Riley were having their little stand off,” Daniel added, chuckling.

  “Sweet baby,” she murmured, smoothing his hair off his little face as he laughed and splashed with Cristie.

  “Daniel, I’m not giving him back to that woman. I don’t know her, don’t want to know her. Don’t care who she is, but she doesn't get him back. She doesn't deserve to be his mother. He’s staying with us!” she stated emphatically.

  “Love, she’s not his mother. She’s his aunt. His mother died in childbirth,” Daniel said, waiting to see if she’d get the connection.

  The rest of their clan had gathered around and were holding their breath, standing just out of the way, listening, waiting.

  Avaleigh looked at him for a second, then realization hit, “He’s Dragon,” she whispered, “that’s why she didn’t survive his birth.”

  Daniel nodded. She looked to Riley, “He’s Dragon,” she told him through tears.

  “Yeah, that’s why I’m not the right person to raise him. But you and Daniel are. What do you say, Avaleigh?”

  Avaleigh looked back at Remi, who was now standing, facing her, concerned because she was crying.

  He turned and focused angry eyes on Riley, “Made her cry,” he said, his orange eyes flashing.

  “They’re happy tears, little man,” Riley told him, chuckling at the immense protective instinct the little boy already had for Avaleigh.

  Remi turned back to Avaleigh, not quite believing Riley. “Okay?” he asked her, his eyes flashing orange and back to black again.

  Avaleigh nodded and said, “Will you stay here with us, with Daniel and me? If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. But I would be really happy if you’ll stay with us. And Daniel’s a Dragon, too! He will know how to help you grow and teach you.” Avaleigh felt the need to try to convince him.

  Remi broke eye contact with her, searching in their group of family as they waited nearby. First he found Delilah, and she nodded at him. Then Kaid, who said, “Welcome, Remi. I’m very happy you're here.”

  He looked at Avaleigh and nodded, “Can I live with you?”

  “Yes! You will live with us. You will be our son. You belong with us.”

  Remi smiled at her then, “Okay. I’ll stay. But no daycare,” he told Avaleigh. Then he switched his attention to Daniel, “She can find me there.”

  “Nobody is taking you from us, Remi. I will not allow it,” Daniel snarled, a puff of smoke escaping his nostril.

  Then Delilah added rather passionately, “We will pay this aunt a visit, will we not, Daniel? She will not be an issue, child.” Then she addressed Avaleigh, “Do not worry, Sister Avaleigh. Your son will remain.”

  Remi smiled at Delilah and released his own puff of smoke.

  Avaleigh hugged him close, “You're home, Remi. We’re your family now. Nobody will ever hurt you again. Nobody will ever take you from us.”

  Remi sat on Avaleigh’s thigh and hugged her tight as his little arms would allow. As he snuggled her, he rubbed his forehead and face against her neck and jawline. She kissed the top of his head and held him tight, tears streaming steadily down her face.

  Daniel leaned over and chucked him under the chin, “Hey!” he addressed Remi, “My Mate! You’re getting your scent all over my Mate,” he smiled at the little boy.

  Remi smiled back at Daniel, knowing instinctively he was teasing him; then, he said the one word that sealed the deal; he whispered, “Mommy.” And if there was any doubt before, there was no longer.

  Avaleigh hugged him even tighter, her tears threatening to overtake her. She struggled to regain control. Janie and Sadie both openly crying as they watched, even Delilah had a mist in her eyes. The guys were touched; the masculine clearing of throats sounded in the yard from time to time. Bam didn’t even try to hide it; his face was flushed and wet from his tears as he cried his own happy tears, just as Avaleigh did. Finally, Avaleigh seemed to regain a bit of control and went into mommy mode, “How about getting you a bite to eat? You haven’t eaten hardly anything today,” she told him as she patted him on the bottom, so he’d allow her to stand. “I’m going to get us some food, okay?” She stepped out of the pool, smiling broadly, but still wiping her tears away with both hands as she walked over to the food table. Remi looked up at Daniel as he stood as well. Daniel reached down to lift Remi into his arms, but paused, realizing that it may take Remi longer to adjust to him. Avaleigh was already in full blown mommy mode, but Remi had been through a lot in his short life; he might need a little more time to trust.

  Instead of scooping him up, he reached out his hand to help him step out of the pool. Remi looked at his hand for a second, then another, then he raised his eyes to Daniel, then his little arms, to indicate he wanted to be picked up. Daniel pressed his lips together so that Remi wouldn’t see his own lips trembling with emotion. He reached down and swept Remi into his arms. Remi wrapped his little arm around Daniel’s neck and allowed him to carry him over to where Avaleigh was already hugging all the girls and most of her boys as they congratulated her. Each of them, especially her boys, knew what this meant to Avaleigh, and their hearts were bursting with happiness for her. She tried to get a hold on her emotions and busied herself making Daniel and Remi plates. She looked up and met Daniel’s eyes as he approached, and when he came to a stop beside her, they shared a kiss, with their son nestled between them, and his little arms stretched wide, one around each of his new parents.

  It was a very happy day; everybody was laughing and smiling, overjoyed for Avaleigh and Daniel and for Remi, too. Everybody except Maverik. Oh, he was happy for Avaleigh, very happy, thrilled for her in fact. How could he not be? He loved Avaleigh, and he was so fucking happy that she’d have her son. But he couldn't fully enjoy it because he was busy shooting daggers at Riley across the yard where he still played in the pool with his daughter. He’d considered drowning him in the kiddie pool, but then looking around at the clan gathered together, he decided that it might leave a lasting impression on the little ones, and he didn't want to upset them. He cut his eyes back to Riley, well, drowning him was out, now what? Suddenly Maverik smiled to himself, that was it, that was the key; Riley had a daughter, too. He made himself go over and congratulate Avaleigh and Daniel; then, he introduced himself to Remi and teased with the boy a bit. Then he made his way over to Riley, where he sat in the pool, glancing surreptitiously at Maia, every damn chance he got.

  Chapter 13

  Maverik pulled a folding chair closer to the kiddie pool. He sat down to the side of Riley; they were both looking in the same direction, toward the table where Avaleigh and her Mate and new son sat, enjoying lunch. The same table where Maia sat, talking and enjoying the atmosphere, the entire clan, family.

  Riley said nothing. He was acutely aware of Maverik to his right; he was able to see him with his peripheral vision as well as he could if he was looking right at him. He continued t
o play with Cristie, splashing in the water. As Maverik made himself comfortable beside them, Cristie looked up at him, “Puppy!” she said.

  Maverik laughed, “Yes, Ma’am, Puppy’s watching you play.”

  Then Maverik addressed Riley, “Beautiful daughter you have there. Very special little girl.”

  Riley reached out and tousled Cristie’s hair, “Yes, indeed,” he agreed.

  Riley knew that Maverik meant it sincerely, not only could he hear the truth of his words, but he remembered very vividly the way he got down on the ground and played with her the last time Riley had brought her here. And now he understood why; Maverik had a daughter of his own.

  “Didn’t know you had a daughter, Mav,” Riley commented.

  “Long story,” Maverik answered. Then he realized it was a perfect in for the conversation he wanted to have with Riley, “Want to hear it?”

  Riley turned his head toward Maverik, the first eye contact they’d had since Maverik sat down beside them, “Yeah, yeah I do.”

  So Maverik told him the story. The whole detailed, devastating story. Maverik watched Maia the entire time he spoke, never once looking at Riley. When he was done, he snapped his eyes to Riley who was listening without making a sound. What he found there had him surprised. Riley was pissed. His Panther easily seen in his eyes. Maverik raised his eyebrow in question.

  Riley finally spoke, “I want to help you when you go back to help your son. I want to kick those fuckers’ asses.” Riley swung his eyes back to Maia who was busy playing with Daisy as Janie took the opportunity of Maia holding Daisy to grab a bite to eat herself. “You should have fucking killed that bastard when he took your Mate and your kids.”

  Maverik followed Riley’s gaze to Maia, then he shrugged, “Kids needed her more than I needed to kill him. And she needed him. But it’s not over. I still may.”

  Riley hmftd, his only response to Maverik’s declaration that it wasn’t fully over yet.

  There were a few moments of silence between them as Maverik was lost in thought, and Riley split his time between splashing the water with Cristie and watching Maia as she held Daisy.

  Then finally Maverik spoke again, “You know no one will ever be good enough for that little one,” he indicated Cristie with his chin.

  Riley chuckled, “Oh, don’t I know it!” he agreed.

  Maverik continued, “Just like no one will ever be good enough for my little one.”

  When Riley’s eyes jerked to his, Maverik knew he had made his point. “I just got her back, Rie. I’m not ready to lose her again. And she’s just barely seventeen. How fucking old are you?” he asked him.

  Riley watched Maia again, knowing that Maverik was right. He just watched for a few moments, smiling when Maia leaned over and blew raspberries on Daisy’s tummy, resulting in peals of baby belly laughter from Daisy.

  Riley gathered his thoughts before he answered Maverik. He had to be careful when dealing with Maverik. Maverik was not only his Mate’s father, he was also a dangerous fucking Wolf shifter. One who had been denied his daughter for most of her life. And he was also a friend. He needed to be sure to do this right. “I’m twenty six, Maverik. And I never planned on taking your daughter from you. And yeah, you’re right, she is young,” he turned back to Mav, “but she is my Mate. I can’t completely stay away now that I’ve found her.”

  Maverik snarled low and deadly.

  Riley smiled slightly, but made sure to clarify, “I want her to be comfortable with me. I want Cristie to be comfortable with her. I want to give her every opportunity to become a part of your clan, your family here. I want her to be relaxed and happy and build the relationship that the two of you were denied. But I also want her to get to know me. I want her to know that she not only has you to depend on, to protect her and provide for her, but that she has me, too. That I am here for her, that she can depend on me and that I’ll be anything she needs me to be. I want her and Cristie to get to know each other. It’s going to take a while for Cristie to trust any woman after the way her mom treated her. It’s going to take time. It’s all going to take time. And only Maia will know when she’s ready for more. I’m perfectly at peace with going as slow as necessary. Hell, I’m perfectly at peace with not moving forward at all for right now, now that I’ve found her, and she recognizes me for what I am to her as well. We can take as long as necessary for all the pieces to fit together, for everything to happen in its own time. She’s got a lot of adjusting to do, and I’m perfectly happy to stand on the sidelines, protecting her, watching over her, as she finds her place in this clan. As she discovers the young woman she’s becoming. When she’s ready, she’ll let me know. And she’ll let you know, too. Out of respect for you as her dad, and as my friend, I would not be comfortable with any less than that. But out of respect for your own daughter, and for me as her Mate and me as your friend; when that time comes, I’d appreciate your blessing, not your resistance.”

  Maverik regarded Riley. He’d listened to all Riley had said. He mulled it over for a bit. Then he made his decision. “You will not be alone with her ‘til she’s of age. You will respect my rules, no matter if you agree with them or not, and believe me, my friend, there will be rules.” He paused to allow Riley to comment if he wanted to.

  Riley simply inclined his head in agreement as they stared each other in the eyes.

  Maverik continued, “You will not pressure her, ever. You gonna allow her to come to you in her own time. You push it, or rush it, any of it, I will kick your fucking ass. We clear?”

  Riley chuckled, “Crystal.”

  They both returned their attention to Maia, who was still playing with the baby.

  Maverik felt like he needed to say something else, he was a demanding… Ass, as Delilah called him, but he was not stupid. He knew that Riley was a good male. He knew that when the time came, he’d be good to Maia. He waited a couple seconds longer then he said, “I’m glad it’s you, Rie. You’re a good male.”

  Riley held his hand out for Maverik to shake, “Thank you, Maverik. I appreciate the trust you’re giving me,” but he couldn't resist adding, “Dad.”

  Maverik had been shaking his hand, but when Riley called him Dad, he flung his hand back into the water and got up muttering “asshole” under his breath. Stalking back over to Maia to lean over and kiss her on the top of her head as he told her very quietly, “Never without a chaperone. And there will be lots of rules. It’s going to be a loooong time coming, Maia. You’re still my baby girl, and I ain't ready for this.”

  Maia smiled up at him, “I’m not either, Daddy. But I don’t want to just let him go.”

  “You don’t have to, baby. We worked out some details. Just be yourself, take your time, find your place here with our clan. No pressure at all, he’s content to sit back and wait now that he knows where you are. He searched all his life, too. He don’t mind waiting a while longer. Just let things progress as they will. He’s a friend of ours, of our entire clan. He works with us. You’ll see him regularly; probably daily now,” he rolled his eyes. “He’s going to watch over you, get to know you, let you to get to know him. It’s gonna take some time, a lot of time; you got more growing to do, we got catching up to do, and his little one has been through a lot; it’s going to be hard for her to trust a woman again. She needs to get to know you, too. There’s no rush, Maia. Everybody knows what’s going to happen. Ain’t no reason for it to happen overnight. You good with that?”

  Maia turned and looked at Riley where he was getting Cristie out of the little pool, wrapping her in a towel. He felt her eyes on him and raised his head to look at her. He smiled lovingly at Maia, his heart in his eyes for her to see. She smiled back at him. “Yes, Daddy. I’m good with that.”

  Riley got Cristie out of the water and was drying her off when he felt Maia’s eyes on him. He immediately looked up to find her smiling at him. Damn she was sweet. “You want to go eat a little, Cristie? You hungry, baby?” he asked Cristie as he picked her up and snug
gled her as he made his way to the table. As Riley took his seat at the huge picnic table, Cristie in his lap, Bam leaned over and high-fived her. Everyone was reaching for the food they wanted, talking over one another, and enjoying being together. Maverik and Maia were sitting on the opposite side of the table from Riley. Maia had a plate piled high with shrimp she’d been busy peeling. She liked to peel them all, then mix them with cocktail sauce and eat them all at once. Cristie kept looking at her shrimp, so she picked up a big one and handed it to her. Cristie looked up at her doddy, who nodded that it was okay. She reached her little hand out and took the shrimp, first smelling it, then touching it to her tongue. She reached over and dunked it in the ketchup that was piled on the plate that Bam had left on the table when he moved to be closer to Maverik. She took a bite, chewed a bit, then grinned, dunked the rest of it, and shoved it in her mouth. She immediately looked to Maia who was already waiting, holding another out to her. “You like the shrimp?” Maia asked Cristie.

  Cristie nodded as she stuffed another one in her mouth after she dunked it in ketchup, reaching her hand out for another one.

  “Have you tried the fried ones?” Maia asked her.

  Cristie didn't answer her out loud, but she shook her head no.

  “Oh my goodness, they are so good! Wait, I’ll go get us some,” she said as she got up and went over to the pile of fried fish and shrimp that Amos had made. Maia filled her plate, then stopped at the desserts and got three huge pieces of carrot cheesecake. Yep, it was a carrot cake, with a center layer of cheesecake. And it was to die for! Then she went back and sat down. Cristie immediately reached out her hand to see what Maia would give her. Maia pushed the plate toward her and said, “Take whatever you like.” Then she reached for the tartar sauce and spooned a heap on the plate that Bam had left filled with ketchup. She dipped a fried shrimp in the ketchup and then in the tartar sauce and ate it, moaning in appreciation, “So good!” she told Cristie. Cristie mimicked her, dunking a shrimp in both sauces, then again in the ketchup before she took a bite. Her little eyes lit up, and she turned partially around to show her doddy before eating it all and reaching for another. After they’d eaten most of the fried food, Maia took one piece of the carrot cheesecake and placed the plate in front of Cristie, then offered the other to Riley and kept one for herself. Riley smiled warmly at her as Cristie immediately began putting the cake in her mouth by the handful. With a mouthful, Cristie declared to Riley, “Her nice, Doddy!”