by Bryce Evans
“Remember, if you stay together nothing can get through you,” Ne-ma said. Then she looked up, in a trance, and said: “Trust in others and the one that you love, even during desperate times.”
Jansen arched his brow. He had been around his Ne-ma countless times when she made predictions like this, and he had no clue what they meant. His adrenaline was pumping hard through his veins, urging him to get back home. Right now, he only needed to be with his mate. Seeing Star would help him calm down, but his whole body would on edge until he got to hold her again.
“Take care, boy.” Ne-ma hugged him good-bye.
“It was nice to meet you,” Banks said, but Ne-ma wasn’t having any of his hand-shaking. She grabbed him and hugged him close to her.
Ne-ma pulled his head down and whispered in his ear, “You’ll be the rock that holds the three of you together. Think before you act and remember, together you can stay alive. No matter what, stay together.”
Banks nodded, then followed Jansen out to the car. He had no clue what she meant, but sticking close to his mate was exactly what he planned to do. They both waved good-bye as Jansen pulled out of the driveway.
Chapter 15
Star packed her backpack, then got in her car and headed north. She wanted one day to get her head on straight and figure out what she wanted to do with her life. Jonas was helping her out because of River, but did he really need her? The answer was probably no; there were plenty of paranormals out there who had better talents then her. Sky could take a piece of wood and turn it into a masterpiece. River could build programs with her computer skills that made her wanted by every agency, both human and paranormal. What could she do? Oh yeah, shoot fire out of her ass. She snorted at herself. Well, shoot electricity out of her hands, but the thought made her laugh even if she wanted to hit something.
Where was she going to go? Star continued to drive until she saw a sign for Hubbard’s Bed and Breakfast. She plugged the name into her GPS and followed the directions until she came to a big, white Victorian house with rocking chairs all around the front porch. She could see smoke coming from the back of the house and figured that an outdoor fireplace was already in use. There was still snow on the ground, but people didn’t come to Colorado to stay indoors. They brought the inside out with the outdoor fireplaces.
Star pulled up, grabbed her bag out of the backseat, and walked up the steps. She loved homes that were old and restored to their original appearance. The outside looked just like that. She opened the door and walked inside, into a room that looked like a sitting room rather than a living room. She examined some old pictures of men and women dressed in 1930s clothing sitting on a side table.
“Can I help you, Miss?” Star turned around to see a lady standing there, wiping her hands on a hand towel. She was dressed in an old Victorian dress, with her long gray hair pulled up in a bun.
“Yes ma’am, I’m looking for a room for tonight,” Star told her. She watched as the lady smiled back at her.
“Well you’re in luck, we had a group just leave today. I have plenty of rooms for tonight, but tomorrow I have another group coming in. We’re trying to help out the Meadowland Lodge. Apparently they have a party going on tomorrow and they’re out of rooms. Will that be okay for you?” the lady asked. Her smile made Star feel better. She just needed a night to herself without Jansen and Banks, and without worrying about what was coming.
“That would be perfect. I have to leave tomorrow anyway,” Star replied.
“Just follow me and I’ll show you to your room. Then you can come back down and we’ll have dinner ready. Since it’ll be just the three of us, do you mind if we eat in the kitchen area? Unless you want to be alone.”
“No ma’am, that would be great. It smells delicious,” Star said as she followed the lady up the stairs to her room.
“My name is June, my husband Bill and I own the bed and breakfast. If you want to wash up, dinner will be in about thirty minutes,” June advised as she opened the door to her room.
Star wanted to laugh, because the room was just like the house, with old-style furniture and bedding. The bed had a big quilt draped across it. Everything was as it should be if you loved Victorian times and Star loved every minute of it. That was what was so charming about Hubbard’s; it felt being transported back to the 1900s. She inhaled and caught the scent of fresh flowers and pine needles. She looked and saw fresh-cut flowers in a vase above the fireplace. The calm atmosphere of the room was just what she was looking for.
“There are fresh towels in the bathroom, and I’ll get Bill to come start your fire. You’ll be nice and toasty tonight. People say that they feel snug as a bug when they go to sleep. It can get cold here since the house is so old, but you should be very warm with the fire.” June went over and turned on the lamp, since it was starting to get dark outside. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask your name.”
Star hesitated, then stuck her hand out. “Hi June, my name is Star… Star Johnson.” She prayed the lady hadn’t heard about her since she was helping out the lodge. She didn’t want anyone to know who she was. Right now all she wanted was peace and quiet, and to be normal.
“Well Star, you get settled in and then come on down. Bill will come up and start that fire for you. If you like to read, we have a library with books that we lend out to the people who stay here. Might be something for you to check out, sweetie.”
Star smiled and sat down on the bed. June closed the door and went back downstairs. Star could hear her light footsteps as she descended the steps. What did she want to do first? Rubbing her hand over the quilt, Star could feel how soft it was. She leaned back as the bed seemed to call for her.
She sighed, knowing that if she didn’t get up she was going to lay down and go to sleep. Instead she got up and washed her hands, then went looking for that library. She loved to read and hadn’t taken the time to do it in a while.
Quietly, she walked down the steps, looking for the library. She followed the hallway to the left since June had come from the kitchen area, which was on the right side of the house. Down at the very end of the hallway she found what she was looking for. The library walls and shelves were made of dark mahogany, and it was simply beautiful. The lighting had old world sconces, which had to be original, hanging from the shelves.
“Wow,” Someone had started a fire, which made this place absolutely perfect. She reached out and rubbed her fingers across the books as she searched for her favorite, Pride and Prejudice.
“Bingo.” Star laughed and pulled the book down off the shelf. She almost dropped it. It can’t be an original, she thought. The book appeared to be old, but still in great condition. Star opened the first page and there it was, Jane Austen’s signature.
“Holy shit,” Star whispered.
“You like the classics?” Star almost screamed out. She hadn’t heard June walk up behind her. “I’m sorry. I thought you heard me come in.”
“No…no, it’s alright. I was looking at all your wonderful books. You have my favorite, and to be honest, I can’t believe you have an original. This must have cost you a fortune. You should put this up.” Star was afraid to even hold the book for fear of damaging it in some way.
“Oh honey, I’ve had that book since Jane wrote it. I was just a pup when my father purchased it. I read it every year. I have other copies if you would rather take another version to your room.” June smiled at her like it was nothing that she’s lived since the eighteen hundreds when Jane Austen was alive.
“You’re a shifter?” River backed away. She should have known she’d stay at a bed and breakfast owned by shifters.
“Yes, we are, hon. Does that bother you?” June asked. Star could hear the hurt in her voice as she waited for her to answer.
Star shook her head before answering, “No ma’am. I just didn’t know.”
“I’ve heard about you from the Alpha. He talks about you and your sister and brother. He likes you three a lot. Your family seems like good people.�
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“I’m sorry, you said your Alpha told you about me?” Star asked, concerned. Nobody should know about them.
“Yes, my husband Bill is the Pack doctor. I think you met him the night your sister was taken. He thinks the world of all of you. Said that you three were the strongest people he’d ever met, and that tells me a lot if my mate said it,” June commented as she bent down and stoked the fire.
“Oh, now I see.” Star sighed, thinking that now everyone would be calling her.
“What’s wrong, dear? Maybe I can help.” June asked.
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone I’m here. I wanted some time to be alone. I hope you can understand that.”
“Yes, dear, I do understand that and nobody will know. Bill had to go out on a call for the pack so he won’t be joining us for diner. You can leave your book and come back and get it later,” June advised.
Ever since she arrived at the Hubbard B&B she could smell something cooking, and it smelled heavenly. She put the book down and followed June to the kitchen.
“I hope you like country-fried steak?” June asked.
“Oh yes, and it smells wonderful.”
“Sit down and let’s eat while it’s hot.” June set a plate full of food in front of her. She licked her lips and waited until June sat down with her plate before she dug in. Jonas cooked a lot, but this was country cooking at its finest and she hadn’t had country-fried steak in a long time.
“This is wonderful, June.” Star complimented her as she stuck another bite into her mouth. She could taste all the different spices as she savored her food.
June smiled. “Thank you. I haven’t had a young person here in this kitchen in a long time. I lost my Jimmy a while back. He was shot in the woods while he was in wolf form, killed by someone who hated shifters.”
Star put her fork down and turned to her. “I’m so sorry, June. There are so many mean people out there in this world. Just because we’re different.”
“To be honest with you, we think it was another shifter who killed him. He was such a good kid; he was honest and helped others. I just hate that I couldn’t tell him I was sorry before it happened,” June explained.
“What happened?” Star could see that it pained June, but she needed to talk about her son with someone.
“Before he went on his run we got into an argument. He wanted to go out with a certain girl, but we let our prejudice dictate who he dated. He got mad at us and I got mad at him. I told him he was being pig-headed and didn’t care about what his parents told him. He stormed out of the house and went for a run, and we never saw him again. I didn’t get to tell him that I loved him and that I was wrong.” June’s pain came out in her voice.
Star moved next to her and put her hand on hers. “He knew, June. I know that if he knew anything, it was that you loved him.” Star smiled and patted June’s hand. “Something tells me he got his honesty and helpful nature from you and your husband.”
“Thank you, Star. You’ve helped me so much today with your kind words.” June wiped her eyes and nose, then picked up her fork and started eating again.
Star nodded. “You have to be the greatest cook.”
“You must come again and stay here. I would love to have you,” June assured her.
“I think I will. I just needed some time away from everyone,” Star mumbled.
“Now that I’ve told you my worst fear and you helped me out so much, please let me help you. I’m all ears, and I give great advice too.” June smiled and put her fork down, giving all her attention to Star.
“Are you sure? It’s a long story,” Star asked. For some reason she felt the need to tell June everything that had happened.
“I think I have time,” June answered with a smile. “Plus, we have banana pudding to eat after this.”
****
“Where is she?” Jansen yelled.
“Now you listen here, Jansen. My sister asked everyone where you were at, and I understand that Jonas couldn’t say anything about what you were doing, but if you’re really my sister’s mates you sure as hell don’t treat her like it. You think I would stick around if Reece or Jonas left and didn’t even say good-bye, or didn’t have the damn decency to call me and say, ‘Hey we’re fine, we’ll be home tomorrow’? Did it ever occur to any of you knuckleheads to do that? No. You just left, beating your damn chests all the way to God knows where, without even a phone call. She left a note saying she needed a day by herself. I don’t know where she went, but I know she’s safe. I can feel that much.” River exhaled slowly, trying to calm down.
“It’s okay, baby. Calm down,” Jonas muttered.
River’s brow rose in anger as she stalked toward her mate. She got very quiet as she got in his face and poked her finger into his chest. “Now, you all listen, and listen very carefully, because if I have to say it twice, who knows what I’ll do. My sister didn’t deserve this.” River turned around and let her anger out on Jonas and Banks. “I understand that you two have never had mates, or apparently learned how to treat a woman, but she did not deserve to be left waiting, worried that something had happened to you two. We have lost enough. Don’t you know what that does to us, to her? We didn’t grow up in packs or have families that cared like all of you did. We had nobody. We only had ourselves, and that wasn’t all that long ago. We fell in love with you all, and we never want to be without you. And if something ever happened to you, I don’t think she’d survive it. She acts tough, but deep down she’s scared of loving you two because she doesn’t know for sure if you even love her back. You didn’t even call her. Now, let’s all calm down and find my sister. Stop yelling at me, Jansen. I don’t deserve that.”
Jansen lowered his head in shame and did the only thing he could, which was to start apologizing. “I’m sorry, River. I’m scared. I have a bad feeling that we need to find her soon.”
That got everyone’s attention, and River looked over at Jonas. “Can we get everyone together and see if they’ve heard from her, or see if she told someone else where she was going?”
Reece walked in the room. “Okay, we know where she’s at. She’s at Hubbard’s B&B. Doc Hubbard was at the lodge examining a kid who fell at the skating rink, and when he saw Larken he wanted us to know that she’s safe with his wife June. She said she wanted a night alone.”
“Where’s Hubbard’s?” Banks asked. Jansen was standing beside him, anxiously waiting.
“Come on, I’ll give you directions so you can go get her,” Reece answered.
Banks and Jansen followed Reece out of the room. Their only goal tonight was to find Star and mate with her. Once that happened she would be with them forever. She was their mate and they needed each other. He would apologize, grovel, or get on his hands and knees and beg for her for forgiveness if he had too. He understood everything River had told him and Banks. They needed to start thinking about her and how she perceived things. But first, he needed to hold her in his arms to get rid of this dread he was feeling.
“Something is coming. I feel it. I think you need to pull everyone in and get prepared. My grandmother was adamant that we stay together. She meant all of us.” Jansen nodded and walked out the door with Banks.
Chapter 16
Star explained all the details about Jansen and Banks and how they’d told her that she was their mate, but then they ran off to do something without telling her good-bye, or anything, for that matter. June said that she understood, and that Star had a right to be angry with them, but that like most men, they just don’t get it. June sat and listened to her vent, and she needed to get that off her chest. Just talking to someone who had nothing invested but was willing to listen made a lot of difference to her. After their talk, June wouldn’t let her help clean up, and shooed her off to the library.
Star sat down on the comfy couch and started reading. This was perfect, she thought. The fire was keeping her nice and toasty as she carefully opened the pages of her book. She brought the leather-bo
und book up to her nose and inhaled the crisp papers as she closed her eyes. Books were a passion of hers, and she loved the old bound books. She had a few, but could never afford a book like this one.
She tried reading, but her thoughts always went back to Banks and Jansen. Were they home by now? And if so, did they even care that she was gone? She loved them, but unfortunately they seemed too caught up in their job or how they wanted things done. She wanted her opinion to be important, too.
Instead, she got bossy and bossier in her two mates. Were they her mates, or just a shifter and a wizard who wanted her for sex? The question plagued her mind over and over.
Star closed her eyes when the headache started. She’d been stressing about what could happen with Jansen and Banks until the pain pounded against her eyes. All she needed to do was close her eyes and relax for a few minutes.
“Baby, baby, wake up.” Star’s eyes fluttered open to see Jansen and Banks standing over her.
“What’s wrong?” Star struggled to get up. Fear ran up and down her body, as she thought maybe something was wrong with River or Sky. “River, Sky?”
“Nothing. Calm down, baby.” Jansen’s voice was low and soft as he bent down to talk to her. “They’re fine. Everyone is fine.”
Star slowly sat up on the couch and turned to them. Banks sat down beside her and pushed her hair behind her ear. “You look beautiful when you’re sleeping.”
“So I’m ugly when I’m awake? You shouldn’t have woken me up.” Star rolled her eyes. Nothing had changed; and here they were messing up her nice getaway, already criticizing her.
“Star, I can’t say anything to you without you taking it the wrong way! I’ve never met anyone as beautiful as you.” Banks kneeled down in front of her. “But you’re going to have to cut me some slack on this. I’ve never felt this way about a woman, and I’m terrified that something is going to happen to you or that you’ll be taken from me. I’m not a soft man, Star. But I can promise this, I will love you with all my heart and protect you from anyone,” Banks confided. She could tell he was nervous about telling her how he felt.