Finding Hope: Book Ten of the Running in Fear Series

by Trinity Blacio

  “Sweetie, this is Bo. He’s the alpha of your den. He’s a super nice man and he needs to speak with you. It’s up to him and you if you want to live with us.”

  Hope glanced at Sasha, who was now growling. “She is my sister, and she lives with us. I’ll bite you if you take her,” Sasha growled again, and fur started to appear on her as Gourd reached over and picked Sasha up.

  “Stop, Little Bear, now. We know you want her to live with us, but Bo must make sure that is what this little kitty wants and needs.” Gourd held Sasha as she cried.

  “But she’s my new sister,” Sasha whimpered, and that was when Hope heard the tiny voice.

  “My sister,” Isabela said. “Mama Bear, mine.” Isabela hugged her tight as Bo knelt and smiled.

  “Well, I guess that says it all, but Little Kitty, you will come to us when you have questions?” he asked.

  “She certainly will. I know for a fact that both Sasha and Isabela would love to play with your two little girls. They’ll be able to help you adjust to your animal, then Mama Bear can. But not to worry, I’ll be there too,” Hope said.

  Gourd groaned behind her. “I’m going to have to learn how to be a cat too?”

  Hope and Sasha laughed. “You see, Isabela, your new daddies can turn into any animal, but they have to learn how to do things when they shift. The first time Daddy Jester shifted into a bear—”

  “Hope,” Jester growled, coming around behind her.

  “What? She has a right to understand. Anyway, he fell facefirst in some poo.”

  Bo laughed as the first smile appeared on Isabela’s little face. “Now that is a pretty little kitty,” Hope said. “So you’ll go with your daddies to learn how to be a kitty.”

  “Hey, you can change too,” Gourd growled. “I think we should do this as a family.”

  Sasha’s eyes got big and she turned to look at Gourd. “I can turn into a kitty?” Before Gourd could say a word, their little girl was now a blue cat.

  Hope couldn’t help but laugh, which started them all laughing as Sasha jumped from Gourd’s arms and ran around them as happy as can be. When Hope glanced over, Sasha’s sister and brother were cats too.

  “I’m glad you’re home, because the three of you are going to have the job of teaching these little ones about shifting to different animals. We don’t need for them to shift into something not so pleasant,” Hope said and cringed, looking over at Baron, who was now a snake.

  “Baron!” Hope and Jaycee screamed, jumping up and moving away from him. Hope held on to Isabela tightly. “Baron, that was not funny. I hate snakes and so do a number of other people,” Hope grumbled, noticing that little Isabela was giggling. “You think that was funny, do you?” Hope attacked the little girl in her arms with tickles as Bo laughed.

  “Well then, we’ll see you all when the time is right.” Bo reached out and tilted Isabel’s chin up so she was staring at him. “Are you sure you want to live with Hope and her family?”

  “Mama,” she whispered, putting a smile on everyone’s face.

  Off to the side, Hope noticed Sasha wiggling her little butt, ready to pounce on Bo, growling. “Sasha no,” Hope ordered.

  Bo glanced down at the little blue kitty. “It would seem our little kitty is going to be well protected and loved. But little Sasha, here is your first lesson. If you are going to pounce, no growling helps. Otherwise it warns those you wish to attack,” Bo said.

  “She will not be attacking anyone,” Hope said as Jester swept Sasha up in his arms.

  “Change back, Sasha, now,” Jester ordered. In seconds Sasha was back in her human form frowning, tears glittering in her eyes.

  “But he keeps wanting to take Isabela away,” she pouted.

  “No, Little Bear, he is making sure Isabela really wants to come home with us, because once the choice is made, there is no going back. Remember when we asked you three? We had to make sure you wanted to be here before we brought you into our world. It’s the same with Isabela.”

  “Do you think she’ll be blue like us?” Sasha asked.

  Jester laughed. “Isabela has time to decide, little Sasha. You three were with Mama Bear for a while. So let’s give her time to adjust to all of us.”

  Baron came to Hope’s side and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Sorry, Mama Bear,” he said, rubbing his head against her stomach.

  “Apology accepted, but you three will have a talk with your daddies about what not to do.” Hope glanced over at Gourd, who nodded.

  “Sorry, Mama bear,” he said before leaning over and kissing her cheek.

  “So I see we are having a party here?” Gourd asked.

  “Yes, and everyone must wear pajamas. Hmm, what kind should you wear?” Hope said.

  “He sort of reminds me of Taz,” Valda said, coming up with Owen, who already had his Bugs Bunny footie pajamas on.

  “I have to agree,” Jaycee said, tapping her finger on her lip seeing Remi coming over to join them. “While I think Remi should wear He-Man,” she leaned over, whispering to Hope.

  “What the…?” Remi growled, looking at them both.

  “If you are staying for the party, you need pajamas, right, Baron?” Hope asked.

  Baron smiled, staring at Gourd, who was shaking his head as he looked at his new clothes. “What about Daddy Fand and Jester?” he asked.

  “Boy,” Jester growled, making Baron laugh and dash behind Hope.

  “Since he growls all the time, I’m thinking Elmer Fudd for Jester and for Fand, Goliath,” Hope said.

  “Ohh, I loved Gargoyles. Too bad they didn’t play it too long. Had the hots for Goliath big-time,” Suzanne said.

  “You and me both. I wanted to kick the lady cop, whatever her name was. I mean, come on, you have some hunky stone dude and you do nothing? Please,” Hope said.

  “Hmm, I think we’ll have to watch these cartoons,” Gourd said. “Did you ladies come up with a name for the council?” he asked as Grant and Seth came over with Dane.

  She glanced at Jaycee. “Wizard of Oz?” she mouthed. Hope laughed, putting pajamas on the three men: the Tin-Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow.

  Dane shook his head. “Only our women can make things lively around here.” He yanked Jaycee into his arms and nipped her lip.

  “I could have chosen the Powerpuff Girls,” Jaycee said.

  “And I can tan your backside,” Dane grumbled as Isabela squirmed in her arms, pulling on Hope’s shirt.

  “What do you need, Little Kitty?” Hope asked, loving her big eyes.

  “Can I have milk, please?” she asked.

  Hope frowned, looking for Bo, who had moved away, but Mrs. Whitefields came over with a sippy cup.

  “I’ll show you what she’ll need and have her belongings moved to your home. She’s still a little young for meat, but still needs the protein in the milk we enhance it for them.”

  “Thank you, we’ll be over in the morning before the meeting,” Hope said.

  “Why not bring all the children tomorrow? We have two of the pack members from each den coming to teach different things. It would be good lessons for the children,” Mrs. Whitefields said.

  “Are there any bears coming to help?” Hope asked and Mrs. Whitefields shook her head.

  “We have four bear cubs and not one person from their den has come to help the children,” Mrs. Whitefields growled. “I hate to say this, but the leader of that den is an ass.”

  “Oh, I totally agree, but not to worry, I’ll make sure to meet them tonight if you’ll point them out. They can come with us when we do our lessons outside too.” Hope snarled, getting madder, when she felt Gourd move in behind her.

  “What’s wrong, Mama Bear?” he asked before kissing her cheek and wrapping his arms around her. He nodded to Mrs. Whitefields.

  After Hope explained what the house mom had told her, Gourd growled too

  “Of course we’ll take the little ones with us. Why don’t we as a family introduce ourselves tonight,”
he said.

  “Let me round them up so I can introduce you, and thank you. They were the only children who didn’t have a leader,” Mrs. Whitefields said before leaning over and placing a kiss on Hope’s cheek. “Now I know why Isabela chose you.”

  Her cheeks heated as she glanced down at the little one holding on to her leg. “Thank you.”

  “I hadn’t realized that no one from the den had stopped by. That old fart needs to go,” Remi growled.

  “Agreed. Only a few more days,” Gourd snarled.

  “I still don’t understand how people can hurt children,” Cecilia said, coming over with a tray of treats.

  Isabela released Hope’s leg and took a few.

  “Not to worry, they are all good for the children and they love them on top of it,” Cecilia said.

  “Who wouldn’t? they’re amazing,” Jaycee said, reaching over and grabbing a few for herself. She popped them into her mouth, moaning. “I swear, anything that woman makes is amazing.”

  Cecilia and Hope stared at Jaycee. She’d been eating nonstop every time Hope had seen her. “Jaycee, do you have something to tell us?” Cecilia asked and smiled, staring at her belly. “I thought you were going to wait till the triplets were four?” Jaycee’s little ones were only two.

  Their friend frowned. “What are you…? They didn’t.” In a matter of seconds Jaycee had a huge smile on her face, but then whipped around and glared at Dane. “You’re sleeping on the couch for the next week!”

  “What did I do?” he growled coming over to her and yanking her into his arms.

  “I told all three of you I wanted to wait, but no… Three more babies,” she grumbled, holding up three fingers. “Couldn’t wait till they were potty-trained. Well guess who gets to train them now.” Jaycee pouted, but glanced over her shoulder at Hope and winked.

  Out of nowhere, Mark and Remi came to Jaycee’s side, and placed their hand on her belly, smiling.

  Hope looked up as Gourd wrapped an arm around her and placed a kiss on her cheek. “I can’t wait to see your belly filled with our children, even though we have a nice start on our family already.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Gourd couldn’t help but laugh at Hope’s expression as she automatically placed her hand on her belly. “Babies? How many babies do you have at a time?” She turned in his arms, looking up at him. “Is there any difference in how long we carry the children between my species and yours?”

  “Well you might as well tell her, dear brother, since if I’m not mistaken, you have already made sure she was carrying your children,” Luca, the king, said, appearing next to them with his daughter’s sons and mate.

  “Welcome.” Gourd bowed his head as Jester and Fand did the same. “I thought you wouldn’t be here till tomorrow.” He reached out and shook his brother’s hand, smiling and nodding to his mate, Birdie. “It’s a pleasure to see you, Birdie. I’m surprised you are still with the three—ow!” he growled when his brother’s partner, Ravi, yanked him over to give him a hug before dropping Gourd on his ass in front of everyone.

  “Watch it, brother Gourd. I still owe you for the damn nest of varmints you put in my room before you left,” Ravi said.

  “What?” Ground said, jumping up and looking at Birdie. “Do I need to know what I did?”

  Birdie laughed and hid behind Luca as Ravi growled, trying to grab his mate. “You! Do you know how long my clothes stunk?” he roared when he heard the giggles coming from behind him, turning his eyes on his mate and little girls.

  “Don’t think it. Hope, may I introduce my brother Luca, his mate Birdie, Ravi and Hadar. Along with some of their children, Samara, Storm, Marlow and Tobias,” Gourd said.

  Hope shook her head laughing. “And how am I going to remember all these names? Welcome, would you like to join our little party we are having for the children?” Hope asked as Lissa stepped up to her side.

  “Need help?” Lissa whispered.

  “Need help with what?” Gourd asked, but all to soon he was laughing his head off at the sight of his family now wearing pajamas too.

  “Much better, now we all match,” Hope said as Sasha clapped her hands

  “Powerpuff Girls.” Sasha squealed, running to Luca and hugged him. “I love the Powerpuff Girls,” she laughed.

  “Hope?” Fand growled.

  “What? He’s powerful, so yeah, Powerpuff Girls pajamas for him,” Hope said and squeaked as Luca snarled.

  “You have a vicious mate there, but then again, it would seem I do as well,” Luca said, looking down at his woman next to him, shaking his head. “Are you up for a pajama party?” he asked, placing his hand on her lower belly.

  “You’re expecting?” Gourd asked, slapping his brother on the back.

  “Yes, and I’m not too happy about it. I wasn’t ready, but one of the three decided they were taking the choice out of my hands,” Birdie growled, placing her hand on her stomach before turning her attention to Hope. “Be warned, sister, these men will listen, but they still do as they please.” She looked down at Sasha then knelt next to her. “And I would love to stay for the pajama party. Plus, it would give our daughter and the other females time to mingle with the children since they will be teaching most of them.”

  As if on purpose the other females moved into the common room, and now Gourd knew why. Glaring at Luca Fand and Jester groaned, seeing that Tara was with them. She had been assigned to the three of them while they finished their training. Since each warrior could not leave the training area, each family of men or single man had a volunteer woman who would come to them when they needed female companionship.

  “You knew this would cause problems, yet you brought her here anyway? I expected more from my brother,” Gourd hissed, knowing the only one who would be hurt would be their little bear.

  “I’m afraid this was not my doing” Luca glared down at Birdie. “My mate found out about the volunteer program and has put a stop to it,” Luca announced for all to hear.

  “Why would you allow her to do this? Do you know the problems this is going to cause with the warriors? The fights around the training base will skyrocket, training will have to be cut, and that means warriors will be killed because they will be sent out to fight before they are ready,” Gourd growled, glaring at Birdie.

  “It’s about time you learn to keep your needs to yourself until you can control your behavior. Our women are not pieces of trash for you to use and then forget about,” Birdie growled back, her eyes flashing back and forth to the bird.

  “You are wrong. You put our planet and others at risk by cutting the training for these men. Tell me is it different that they must suffer to protect our world? The women are not forced into this. They volunteer, knowing what they are getting into.” Gourd shook his head and ran his hand over his hair. “I’m afraid you will regret this, brother. I hate to say this, but I wouldn’t want a warrior who hasn’t been properly trained standing next to me. It’s just wrong.” Gourd turned his gaze on Birdie. “And you did this just to hurt us, well guess what, it will only hurt our mate more. Valda, please show my sister and brother to their rooms.”

  Hope had been standing there watching them argue. She placed her hand on Gourd’s arm. “Is there a problem? Why are Fand and Jester growling at that woman over there?”

  Birdie reached out to touch Hope’s arm, but Gourd stepped in front of her. “You have done enough,” he growled.

  “Don’t push it, brother. Or you and I will be having our first major battle in a long time,” Luca snarled, pulling Birdie back to his side.

  “Sorry, but this should have been done in private. Instead, you announced this in front of our friends, Hope’s friends. No, you should have thought this through, brother, instead of allowing your female to hurt mine. Not to mention the embarrassment this must be for Tara. I have accepted your mate, but I will not have her causing problems here.”

  He and Luca stared at each other, refusing to give, as Valda stepped up and took Isabela i
nto her arms while Owen grabbed on to Sasha.

  “Gourd, take Hope home and explain what is going on in private. Burr will escort your brother and his mate to their quarters, because right now, I don’t think they are welcome at our party, especially if she has set out to hurt Hope,” Valda growled.

  “Valda, we don’t know what is going on.” Owen glanced at Gourd. “She is right, though. Take your woman home. We’ll wait for you here.”

  Hope didn’t say a word when they all appeared in their living quarters. She walked to the big overstuffed couch and curled up on it. “I have to ask this first. Does your brother/s mate seem like a total bitch or what? Does she not like you three? Have you done something to hurt her?” Hope asked, looking back and forth between them. “Because I wasn’t the only one out there that wanted to kick her skinny little ass.”

  Gourd smiled and sat beside her. “Birdie is from another planet also. Her species are very self-centered, but she has learned a lot from being with my brother and has improved. As far as their children are concerned, she’d kill anyone who would hurt them, and she even wants to protect you, even though she does not see what she did wrong.”

  He leaned back, resting his head back the cushion. “Our training to be warriors is different from what men go through on your planet. We must learn how to control certain things, physical and mentally, with our gifts.” He looked at her. “Even the mental aspects of training take a lot out of you, which is why we train for a year or longer. We also encourage our warriors not to leave the base, because our gifts can get away from us.” Gourd smiled and glanced at Fand.

  Fand shook his head, smiling too. “. We were tired of the food at the main campus, so we decided to try and go to a diner. We thought we could handle it for an hour. Needless to say, we ended up paying the owner for a remodel and an extension in his place since he now had a whole the size of a machine to go through it. Food was scattered all over the place, on us and the other customers. Yeah, that night we learned a big lesson and we were lucky no one was hurt.” Fand lowered to his knees in front of Hope.