Finding Hope: Book Ten of the Running in Fear Series

by Trinity Blacio

  Jaycee looked at Hope, then at Suzanne, who nodded. “Fine, I see the need, but you will have to watch some of the men. They’ll take advantage of this situation. Believe me, we all have felt the effects of this one way or another.”

  “Oh not to worry, there are rules for the men also. After the pain and suffering you endured, if a male even thinks of hurting a female…” Seth growled.

  “Leda, what are the humans doing to prepare, to be safe?” Dane asked.

  She sighed. “Not much. They don’t want to take away what we women have fought for. Do you know how far this is going to knock us back in time? Everything we have fought for will be gone. Already gangs-large families are taking things into their own hands. What is left of our government is a mess. Seth, some countries are imposing new laws to control the women. Even what we wear is being talked about,” Leda said with tears in her eyes.

  She looked over at King Jared, her mate. “I wanted to live in Washington DC so bad, but there is no way I’d allow my children to be raised there now. The newest thing the government wants to do is to get the women pregnant to rebuild the population. Don’t ask how they are thinking of doing this. Remember that movie…?” Leda whispered, and all the ladies growled as Hope shivered in his arms.

  “Handmaidens…” Suzanne whispered.

  Gourd hugged Hope tight. “You are safe, Hope,” he reassured her.

  “Yeah, but what of all the little girls down there? They will only exist to be bred. I hate to say it, but Seth, you might want to wall off your territory, because if they do this, what is to stop them from coming and grabbing our people? No offense, Leda,” Hope said.

  A puff of smoke came out of Suzanne’s nose as she took Leda’s hand, indicating Temmra was close to the surface. If she was upset, then so was King Landon, and that was a good thing. “I really wish you and your mom would stay here with us instead of going back.”

  Leda smiled. “We’re going to live in Maine with Seth’s people. My mates are going to help rebuild, but I think Hope has an excellent idea. We need something to protect our land and people, because I hate to say it, but humans are assholes when they are scared, and they are terrified right now.”

  Gourd looked over at Seth. “Get me the coordinates of your land. My brother and I will work on security for you. But build that wall so the humans won’t know the extent of our gift to you. I must also ask you not to share this with the humans. Like Leda has said, they are not ready for any of this. I have a feeling if they keep going the way they are going, they will end up killing off the rest of their race.”

  “Thank you, everyone. You are right about the humans. Already we have found six families from such things you wouldn’t believe it. We’re not only getting Maine now. My brother and I have demanded Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and everything up from that. It’s obvious whoever is in charge can’t control what they have. It will take time, but I want to clean up the East Coast.” Seth sat back and smiled.

  “It would seem the humans are not interested in cleaning up New York. I am, but it’s not going to be the same as it was when we’re done. As a matter of fact, Remi, your brothers Ralph and Silver have decided to tackle that city.”

  “What?” Remi glanced at Seth. “Where the hell has Silver been? Our parents have been worried sick about him.”

  Seth sighed and glanced over at Clayton. “He’s been tracking the group that kept Cecilia. He’s freed two more sites, but it seems Patrick Whiles has been using those zombie-like creatures to keep others out. Your brother believes Patrick might be the one organizing what is left of them.”

  Cecilia sucked in her breath, grabbing on to her mate, Clayton. “It would explain why many of the men couldn’t care less if they got bitten. I couldn’t figure out how some of them survived the bites I witnessed.”

  Jaycee frowned. “You know these things have been on Earth for a while. I mean, I’m over 30 , and they were there when I was child. Makes you wonder what other things they’ve brought to our world without anyone knowing.”

  Cecilia and Clayton nodded. “It would seem this man knows more than we gave him credit for,” Clayton said. “If possible, we might want to capture him alive so we can find out. Does Silver believe he’s in your area of target?” he asked, lifting his woman up and putting her into his lap, calming her at once.

  “Yes, it’s one of the reasons we have been granted the areas we have asked for. And I agree about capturing him alive, but as you found out, this man is elusive as ever. Not to mention, it will take years to clean New York. It’s time to clean our world before we destroy it.”

  Leaguer sat forward. “Are you going to have enough men to face this threat? There could be hundreds of these things, not to mention how many labs this thing has created.”

  Grant sat forward and took a drink of his water. “With others coming in from all over the US, so far our totals are running close to 200,000 men alone, and believe me they are ready for this battle. However, our female population is low, which was expected, but we’ll survive.”

  Gourd whistled. “That is impressive. Any word from your European allies?”

  Grant smiled and nodded. “ Seth and I are keeping in touch with one of the alphas there. Remi, I believe you know Stiles Crowman.”

  Remi laughed. “Glad the moose is alive and well.” He looked down at Jaycee, who was giving him a questioning look. “He’s bigger than I am.”

  Jaycee shook her head. “God help the woman he ends up with, then, because you’re enough…” Her face pinked. “Well, you know.”

  Hope giggled and glanced at Remi. Gourd had a few inches on him. “Yeah, big men are impressive, especially if they know what they are doing.”

  Valda, Jaycee, Suzanne and the other women laughed. “Amen to that, sister,” Lissa said, earning a growl from Nikola.

  “You don’t need to be thinking of others.” He snatched her up and held her tight in his arms.

  “And you, are you thinking of trying others?” Gourd growled before raking his fangs across Hope’s neck.

  “God no,” Hope moaned. “I was just saying. I’m very happy so far with what I have.” She patted his chest and he snorted.

  “Those numbers are impressive,” Gourd said, getting them back on track as he slid his hand under her shirt and rested it just under her breast. “Behave, Little Bear,” he whispered in her head as he ran his fingers over her breast. Gourd would never get enough of her.

  “But I would still build that wall on the outer edges of your territory. The water you could set up pylons, make one big port where you’ll allow travelers to come in and out of. With the pylons in place, we’ll be able to assist in the water too. Our technology will not hurt the innocent, but it will fry anything with dangerous intentions that tries to come in.” He kissed Hope’s cheek before lifting her and placing her on Jester’s lap, then standing and stretching. “If you will excuse me, gentlemen, it’s time for my lesson on how to defeat a bear in a challenge,” he grumbled.

  Remi smiled. “Good luck with that.”

  Hope’s growl had him looking down at her. “Who? It better not be one of those females.” Mama bear came to the surface growling, showing her fangs.

  Gourd grabbed a handful of her hair, yanking her head back. “You know better. My ship found a polar bear shifter on Earth. In return for his help, I’m taking him and his family to Garth’s area of safety.”

  “I’m sorry,” Hope said, closing her eyes and sighing.

  “Nikola, can you still make it to Earth?” he asked, holding on to Hope. “We’ll deal with your insecurities later,” he told her.

  “Yes, you need help?” Nikola asked.

  Gourd released Hope and turned to him. “I’m wondering if there are more families in this Alaska that we don’t know about. If there are and they’d like to join Grant, would you mind if I call you to help transport them?”

  “Please do. I’ll have a few of my warriors ready to help also. I’m surprised they didn’t call earlier
.”

  Gourd and Nikola looked toward Grant.

  “I’m afraid cell service is almost gone and half the US is without telecommunications. Most of the shifters that are coming in now have heard of the area through word of travel,” Grant said.

  “If we fix these problems, the other side will be able to communicate as well. When I get back we’ll have to discuss how to make sure you can speak with others without humans and the heliokillers learning about it. But for now, I’d give clear warnings that you are going to level New York, then destroy the city. It’s half-gone already. All the buildings are traps waiting to be sprung.”

  “ We’ve already sent out notices. The council and I agree totally on destroying this area.”

  Jaycee and Cecilia jumped up snarling. “You have the council guiding you. Are you out of your ever-living mind?” Jaycee cried. “Do you know what those pricks did to us?” She started to pace. “I knew they should have been killed,” she snarled.

  “Jaycee,” Dane growled, sweeping her up in his arms as Clayton wrapped his arms around Cecilia. “Shut up and listen.”

  Tug and Rory whispering to Cecilia, needing to calm her.

  “Ladies, it’s not the old council. It’s one we created. We have two of each species on it. We have to be able to work together if we are going to create a safe place to live. There are even two humans we trust on it. Believe me, our old council is done. They have no say in what we do,” Seth explained.

  Jaycee bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Grant, Seth. I should have allowed you to explain. It’s just they brought so much pain to Cecilia and me. Even having a few of them here on this ship still pisses me off, but so far, they have not caused any recues here. Maybe you can call your council something else?”

  Grant reached over and placed his hand on Jaycee’s. “What you and the other women went through is what we are trying to prevent. If the name upsets you that much, I’m sure it will upset others also.” He looked over at his brother.

  “I see no reason we can’t change the name. Maybe the governing body?” he asked.

  Remi stood. “I think we have a lot to think about. Grant and Seth will be staying with us for two days so we can iron out how to help them best. Maybe you ladies can help them come up with a name that wouldn’t upset everyone? And if you are so worried about these rules, maybe you can come up some things that would help the females adjust to this new way of life?”

  Gourd nodded, staying longer than he had planned. He looked at Hope one more time before leaving. “Go home and watch some movies with the little ones. Tonight, we’ll have a family night,” he said, leaving her bound to learn all that he could.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Hope, Valda, Jaycee and the other ladies sat in the back of the commons as the children watched movies nearby. After all the depressing talk, she and the other ladies had they needed a sleepover.

  Everyone wore funny pajamas, and the children had their sleeping bags, pillows, extra blankets, and amazing treats Cecilia and Lissa had whipped up at the last minute. Hope contributed her favorite drink as a child, Tuggs Little drinks, while Valda had set up the screen for the movie and the player. Even the children from the orphanage were there enjoying themselves.

  Hope stared down at the bundle in her arms. Isabela, a cat shifter who was three years old, had crawled into her lap and curled up, hugging her tight.

  The older woman who ran the shelter smiled at her. “She hasn’t said anything to anyone since we took over the home. We know Isabela could talk before all this went down because some of the children knew of her and her family. I’m actually surprised she’s in your arms. Isabela has been so withdrawn.” Mrs. Whitefields informed her. “Maybe there is hope for us all after all.”

  Hope groaned and rolled her eyes as the others laughed. She shook her head and placed a kiss on the little girl’s head as Sasha came over to her in her Flintstones pajamas.

  “She’s pretty. I like her white hair. Can she stay with us?” Sasha asked, joining Isabela in Hope’s lap and wrapping her arms around the little girl. “She needs Mama Bear too, and we can help too,” Sasha said as Hope wrapped her arms around both girls.

  “Sasha, is something scaring you two?” Hope asked, noticing how stiff Sasha had gotten as soon as she had touched Isabela. Hope looked up at the other children to see if something was off, but they were all having fun.

  “Valda, Jaycee, do you sense anything?” Hope looked to her friends, knowing if anyone could tell if something bad was here with them, they could.

  Jaycee and Valda walked over and knelt by the two girls then ran their hands over them.

  “They’re picking up or sensing someone we’re not.” Hope glanced over her shoulder as Gourd appeared behind her.

  “What’s wrong, Little Bear? I could sense your fear,” he said, looking at the little ones in her arms.

  “Something has to be scaring them. Now even Sasha isn’t talking,” Hope growled, holding on tight to the children and looking for the other two. As if sensing Hope’s need to find them, both children stood and came to her as other children in the room began looking around, as if sensing that something wasn’t right.

  Jaycee stood, lifting her head and sniffing the air. She growled as Cecilia did the same thing.

  “I smell them. Two of the council are here.” Cecilia shivered, but moved to stand in front of the children.

  “Why would the little girls be scared of them?” Cecilia asked, looking at her.

  Hope frowned and placed her hand on Isabela’s head. Could she see what Sasha had through the gift Gourd had told Sasha she had? Her little girl had obviously seen the problem.

  “Hold on, let me try something,” Hope said.

  Hope opened up her mind to the little girls and easily slipped inside. She tried to push back her bear as a growl echoed around the room.

  “Valda, hold on to the two little ones. I’m going hunting,” Hope snarled, but Gourd’s hands squeezing her shoulders had her looking up.

  “No, Little Bear, this is a father’s right, because this little girl seems to have chosen us to be her family. Rest assured, little kitty, your new daddy will take care of this threat for you.” Gourd reached over and touched Isabela’s cheek. “You are safe.”

  Gourd lifted his head and growled along with the other males in the room. Yep, a hunt was on, and the two men that had touched this sweet little kitty where going to be no more.

  It was bad enough her parents had been killed by the monsters they fought, but the fact two of their own kind had sexually abused a three-year-old made tears roll down Hope’s cheeks, and she rubbed her cheek on Isabela’s head.

  Hope glanced up to see Jaycee staring at Isabela with fear in her eyes, and Hope knew she was reliving what Jaycee had gone through as a child. “Come sit next to me.” Hope nodded to the chair Mrs. Whitefields had been sitting in.

  “I think it’s time for a story for these two brave little girls,” Hope said, sitting back and hugging the little ones tighter to her as Jaycee took her hand and held on to it tight. “I’m here, Jaycee. You see, Isabela and Sasha, others have been hurt just like Isabela was. But we survive to help and protect whoever we can from going through what we went through.”

  The room quieted down and the movie stopped as all the children surrounded them, listening to her. Behind her and Jaycee, Dane and Fand placed their hands on their mate’s shoulders, giving them the support they needed. Hope knew the hunt would be over soon. It sickened her to realize child abusers had come to this new place.

  “Long ago, there was a child who had been hurt by someone she trusted. A family member. Yes, little ones, even our families sometimes have monsters in them disguised as someone who should care for us. This little girl did everything she could to survive, telling others what was happening to her, but no one would listen. But this little girl was stubborn and a true warrior. She escaped the hurt and pain. With nowhere to go, to the brave warrior fought to survive. But little did she know, in a
faraway world someone had heard her cries. They were coming to help.” Hope glanced at Jaycee, who had tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “It took years of running, hiding and fighting back when I could, but I never gave up, hoping one day I’d have what I dreamed of: a family of my own.” Jaycee looked up and smiled at Dane. “Meet one of my knight’s children.” Jaycee turned to Isabela, who was peeking up at her. “So, you see, Little Kitty, even though it hurts now, I promise you will survive. We are all warriors here on this new world. Our friends Aurora and her men believed we were fighters and that we would survive.”

  “And we all have survived to be here today,: Hope said. “But we must always remember that no matter what happens, you have people all around you who are willing to help you. Do you understand that, Little Kitty, Sasha?” Hope asked before placing a kiss on Isabela’s head, then Sasha’s.

  “We are all part of a new world—warriors who have fought hard to be here and suffered many losses, but we are stronger together. We must always look to help our neighbors. We can’t shut ourselves in or we are lost as a people.”

  “We need to a name for our new world,” Sasha said and Jaycee laughed.

  “Little Bear, I’ve been asking the same thing too.” Gourd said as Jaycee glanced over to see Remi and the other men coming back.

  “It’s done, and I guess now would be a good time to pick a name for our new world.” Remi looked at the children and smiled. “I notice there are paper and crayons on the tables over there. Why don’t you all go and draw us our new world and give us a name. Valda, can you start the movie back up?”

  “Coming up,” Valda said as the children ran to draw and think of names as Bo and Shelly made their way to her side.

  “Little Kitten, do you know who this is?” Hope asked as Isabela shook her head and burrowed closer to her.