Her brow pinched, “Umm. Who? Chayce?”
“Yeah,” Bowen replied in nearly a whisper. “He is really pale and cold, Ally. Smoking can’t be good for him.”
She had to cover her mouth while she giggled. “No. He’s fine.” Without giving him a chance to question her further, she pulled Bowen through the large entrance and down a hall. People were everywhere. It felt like all eyes were on Bowen as he followed his girlfriend deeper into the large home.
“If you felt how cold he was, you would think differently.”
She stopped and faced him, “Look, I really do appreciate your concern for my uncle but he’s fine. Trust me.”
“Ally!” A woman called excitedly. Bowen pulled his eyes away from Ally’s in order to watch the woman approaching them. Half of her auburn-brown hair was pulled up and the rest hung loosely in long ringlets in front of her shoulders. She finally reached Ally and wrapped her arms around her. “It’s about time you got here.” Her green eyes lifted to Bowen’s face from over Ally’s shoulder. They pulled away from each other. “And who is this handsome devil?”
Ally turned to face her boyfriend with a proud smile. “This is Bowen. My boyfriend I told you about.”
The woman took Bowen’s injured hand carefully into hers. “It is wonderful to finally meet you, Bowen. I’m Jessica. Welcome to my home.”
“Thank you so much for having me. Something smells good,” he chuckled nervously.
“We have plenty of food in the kitchen. Follow me.” As the night went on, Bowen was introduced to so many people, he felt dizzy. There were too many names to remember and languages to understand. Half of them spoke in Greek majority of the time. Bowen could feel they were curious but half of them were extremely standoffish.
They snacked on finger foods and once Ally’s cousins brought in two fried turkeys, everyone ate a large meal together. Everything was delicious and Bowen consumed far more than he should’ve. Theron and Mike watched him the closest. Bowen had been foolish to believe they had gotten past their distaste for him.
After a few hours, the house cleared out of only a handful of people. Ally assisted her aunt and mother in cleaning everything up. Bowen did try to help but they practically pushed him out of the kitchen. Jessica insisted he relax and watch some football. Sports were not in his area of interests, plus, Theron and Mike were bellowing wildly at the big screen TV in the living room. Bowen found his jacket and slipped it on as he made his way outside.
Seated at a round cast iron table and chairs were Rayce and Chayce. They weren’t alone. One other man was seated with them. He had dark hair and strangely, his skin was pale like Chayce’s. The closer Bowen got; he noticed the man possessed features of Native American heritage. The trio was laughing deeply and enjoying each other’s company. They were also playing a hand of cards. Suddenly, the stranger with the dark hair looked at Bowen and his smile faded. His nostrils flared slightly while he watched him with a powerful yellow gaze. Bowen stopped walking and Rayce turned around to face him. “Ah, Bowen. Come join us.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your game.”
“No. It’s fine. We can start a new one,” Chayce expressed and snatched the cards out of the stranger’s hand.
He flinched and his expression turned slightly tight. “Hey, fucker!”
“You were bluffing anyway.”
“For your information, that was a damn good hand.”
“I’m sure it was,” Chayce chuckled a taunt while shuffling the deck as a lit cigarette smoldered from his lips.
“Don’t want the new guy to know I was about to whoop that ass?” The stranger retorted.
“As if you ever could, old man,” Chayce snickered.
“I’ve got your old man swingin’, cousin.”
Chayce’s face shifted to disgust, “Dude, don’t nobody wanna hear that shit.”
Rayce chuckled, “Grab a chair, Bowen. Deal the kid in, bro.”
There was a folding lawn chair nearby. Bowen grabbed it and took a seat in between Rayce and the man he didn’t know. “Beer?” Rayce asked.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“There are some in the fridge. You mind grabbing me one?” Chayce questioned.
Taken aback and completely dumbfounded, “Umm, yeah, sure.” Bowen went to stand but all three of them laughed and Rayce grabbed his casted arm.
“Sit down, man,” he snickered. “Tell you a little something about my brother here.” He leaned in a little but the other guy was who spoke next.
“He can be a real dick at times.”
“Fuck you very much! Ass.” Chayce replied and then grew quiet as his brown pinched. “He’s right. I can be a dick.” He reached underneath the table and brought up a beer. “Here.” He tossed it to Bowen. He caught the wet can in his left hand.
“Thanks.” The confined carbonation hissed when he lifted the tab. There was an extreme chill in the winter air, but the guys didn’t seem fazed. Hellhounds body temperature did run slightly higher than a normal person. Bowen shivered slightly while taking a deep drink of the cold beer.
“So, Bowen,” the stranger said while shifting the new hand of cards he received. He absent-mindedly looked at what he had and looked at Bowen. “How long have you been banging my niece?”
Caught off guard, the remainder of a drink inside Bowen’s mouth sprayed across the table. “Ah, man. What the fuck?” Chayce questioned angrily while wiping beer from his hands. Rayce was able to move out of the way before getting doused.
“I’m sorry,” Bowen choked violently. The beverage burned in the back of his nose.
“I sure hope you’re using protection. We don’t want any halfers running around.”
“Umm, halfers?” Bowen would have never thought he would be asked that sort of question by Ally’s family.
“Yeah, little half breeds,” the man stated. It wasn’t only an insult to Bowen and Ally’s relationship, but it was also a stab at Bowen’s heritage.
“That’s none of our business, Gage?” Rayce glared at him. “Enough.”
“What?” He shrugged his wide shoulders. “I think it was a legitimate question, seeing as she is a princess.”
“None of that matters anymore. You know that,” Rayce expressed.
“You should be concerned too,” Gage uttered.
“And why is that?” Chayce replied. “I don’t see anything wrong with their relationship. Bowen is a nice guy and he makes Ally happy. Jay approves.”
“Yeah, he would,” Gage retorted. “This kid isn’t even a pure shifter. It would be unnatural.”
“Well, I can see where Mike and Theron get their hatred for my people,” Bowen stated.
Gage’s body squared as if he were trying to intimidate him, “And, you’re point?”
“Look, you can disrespect me all day. I couldn’t care less. Say what you want about me, but I won’t allow you to do it to Ally. She is a wonderful woman and deserves better from people who claim to love her.”
“You know nothing about our family, Skinwalker,” Gage growled.
Rayce corrected him again but Bowen stopped him. “No, he’s right. I know nothing about your family, but I’m open-minded, unlike some. Also, I think you were all wrong.”
“Meaning?” Chayce questioned.
Bowen set his beer down on the table and stood from his seat. This could escalate quickly and he had to steady himself. “I believe the title of dick no longer belongs to you, Chayce.”
Chayce burst into laughter, “I knew there was a reason I liked this kid,” he chuckled and pointed in Bowen’s direction.
Gage shot out of his seat. He was Bowen’s height but the girth of his muscles was double his. A fist fight between then would result in Bowen taking a pounding. Gage was only two-feet away from Bowen and could clock him in one swing. Bowen braced his body for impact. Gage’s lips curled and anger filled his face. “Careful. I could end you before you knew what was happening.”
“Gage,” Rayce barked and stoo
d from his chair. “Back off!”
The rage in Gage’s eyes was terrifying. “I already lost one princess. I won’t lose another one of our females to someone who isn’t even one of us,” he growled. “Disgusting.” The light from the porch cast a shine across his teeth. That was when Bowen realized what he was. Gage had fangs that were pricking his bottom lip as he spoke. Bowen’s eyes danced quickly from him to Chayce who was now relaxing back into his chair and watching the show with a smug expression. They both had the same pale skin and mystifying eyes. They were yellow eyes.
Chapter 20
After searching the house, Ally spotted Bowen standing with her uncles outside. When she stepped out to join him, Gage was there. He always treated Ally like a precious gem but she hadn’t seen him in over a year. Though he was family, sadly, he and her aunt Jessica had a checkered past, and though she said she forgave him, he wasn’t welcome inside her home. She never gave details on their issues and Ally never probed. It seemed to be a touchy subject for Jessica.
Happily, Ally walked outside to greet him. When she did, he attacked Bowen. They both hit the ground hard and before she knew it, clothing ripped as Bowen shifted into a hissing mountain lion. He kicked her uncle away with his back feet and steadied himself in a threatening stance. Without processing the situation, Ally reacted. She cleared the five porch steps in one leap and charged toward the scuffling men. The need to protect Bowen erupted her inner hellhound. Bowen didn’t back down and exposed his sharp teeth at Gage. Ally slid to a stop and watched while Gage began to stalk Bowen with his fangs out. Bowen swiped his claws in her uncle’s direction.
“Come on, Skinwalker,” Gage taunted while waving Bowen closer. “Let’s see what you’ve got.” Gage advanced but Bowen met his attacker. His clawed paws wrapped around Gage’s upper body and he attempted to bite him. Gage grabbed the skin at the back of Bowen’s neck and pried him off. Bowen flailed viciously and landed deep scratches against Gage’s face. Ally’s uncle balled his fist and punched Bowen in the head, but he didn’t back down. He continued to fight. The need to join him took over Ally’s entire body. She slammed into them both. Gage released Bowen as he was knocked into a large tree. He got to his feet quickly and spun around and snarled at Ally. Her mouth opened and a loud roar bellowed out.
“Gage, back off now or leave!” Rayce commanded while rushing up. Chayce remained in his seat, simply enjoying the show.
“You don’t command me, cousin.” Ally stood between him and Bowen and continued to growl. She had never tasted vampire blood but she was ready to feast on him. Gage crouched and hissed as Bowen watched him with keen eyes. “I don’t want to have to kill you, little boy.”
His taunt had Ally on edge. Her claws flexed into the ground and her body crouched, prepared to kill. She opened her mouth, ready to attack. “No, Ally!” Chayce shouted, coming from nowhere and his arms wrapped around her neck. The force he used knocked her to the side. Growling coming from the ground hounds and even the familiar mocking chatter of her cousins coming from behind them. “Calm down, Ally girl.” She lifted her head, trying to find Bowen. Her uncle Rayce was with him only a few feet away.
Ally scoffed in displeasure when she didn’t Gage anymore. “He’s gone.” He had taken off and the heat inside her subsided slowly. “That’s it. I’ve got you,” Chayce cooed. “As much as I would love for you to roast his sorry ass, he is still our family.”
Ally allowed her body to calm down enough to shift back, “You can let me go now. Having my uncle on top of my naked body is weirding me out.”
Chayce laughed and released her. “You aren’t naked.”
“What?” She sat up quickly and looked down at himself. Ally was completely clothed and not one piece of material was ripped. “I did it.”
Chayce stood and extended his hand to help her up. His cold skin never bothered Ally. “I think we found what your trigger is.”
Ally smiled but she couldn’t celebrate her new achievement for long. The need to be near Bowen was too great. She rushed over to him. Everyone was outside now. Bowen had shifted back into his human form but was nude. “We should find you some clothes.”
“Good idea,” he said while shielding his cock and balls from the crowd of people.
“I have some sweats in the second drawer upstairs,” Rayce stated with a nod toward the house. “Shirts are in the closet.”
“Thanks,” Ally replied.
Chayce came up to Bowen and placed his hand on his shoulder. “Not many have the balls to stand up to that son-of-a-bitch. Glad it was you.” He looked at Ally next. “I approve.”
Though Ally didn’t need his approval, it was nice to have it either way. She nodded before they walked inside and up the stairs. Once inside her aunt and uncle’s bedroom, Ally wrapped her arms around Bowen. He stroked her back slowly in an assuring way. “I can’t believe he did that. I’m so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”
“It’s alright. I’m fine. I’m sorry I let that happen. It should’ve walked away.”
“You shifted,” she replied happily.
He chuckled, “So did you.”
“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have done that but I need to protect you was too much. Instinct, I guess.”
“That’s natural.”
Ally lifted her head from his chest and looked at him. “How so?”
“You’re my protector, Ally Cat. You always have been. Even before we met.”
“Let’s go home.”
“Of course,” he replied and kissed her forehead.
Chapter 21
The road was dark and only the truck headlights guided their way. They had a half-hour before the would enter Kansas. It gave Ally a moment to think about their future together. “Are you going to be sad when we leave here and possibly go on tour?”
Bowen shook his head as he watched the road. “No. I’m great now that you are coming with me.”
Ally lifted her head from his shoulder, “I want you to be happy.”
“I’m happy as long as you’re with me, Ally Cat.” He looked at her and grinned while stroking the skin of her inner thigh with his fingertips. She nearly became distracted by his heated touch.
“This is a huge opportunity for us, Bowen.”
“I know. It’s kinda scary.”
“I know what you mean.” Her stomach was in knots. “I can only imagine how you’re feeling.”
“Nervous as hell,” he confessed.
“Do you think the other guys will be pissed?”
“Who? Kyle and Chris?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think so. I would have worried about Brent but he’s locked up. There is nothing he can do, now.”
“Why do you hate him, besides the obvious?” she smirked.
“Do you remember the story I told you about my people?”
“About the magic?”
“Yes. Well, Brent is one of those people who has taken our abilities a step further.”
An echo of disgust rolled through Ally as she thought about what he was saying. “You mean, he has killed someone?”
“Yes. His brother.”
Ally gasped, “What? How could he?”
“We started our band before we even knew what we were doing. Me, Kyle, Chris, and Brent.”
“Ok, so?”
“But the guy you know as Brent is not who he seems. Brent’s real name is Darrell.”
“Hold on. I’m confused.” she released his arm and he quickly moved his hand away from her thigh. “Brent killed the real Brent to take on his likeness. His brother? Why? Jealously?”
Bowen nodded, “Darrell was a troublemaker. He had been in and out of juvenile facilities for many years.”
Ally’s brow pinched. She couldn’t believe what Bowen was saying. “You knew what he did and you didn’t do anything?”
He sighed deeply and his expression grew hard, “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“Ally, when
this happened, we were kids.”
“I understand. You were afraid.”
“I was and we couldn’t involve the cops.”
“Sure,” she nodded. “It would expose all of you.”
“I regret it every day,” he confessed as pain struck his expression. “If I would have only told someone, but I was afraid of what might happen to me and my family. Our traditions are scattered to the winds enough. Could you imagine if people actually knew the legends were real?”
He and his people would become science experiments. Ally could relate. Being a hellhound made life difficult. She could never be with anyone normal and friends who weren’t like her were impossible. “My entire life is one big secret too.”
“Are you disappointed in me?”
She grabbed his arm. “No. Just confused on how you could put up with being around a murdering imposter.”
“Selfishness. I wanted to make it in the world and I thought following him would help me succeed.”
“You would have succeeded without him. That, I’m sure of.” He placed his hand back on her leg and she slid back in next to him. “I’m just glad he’s in jail,” Ally expressed and relaxed against him again.
“He may not get the justice he deserves, but he will be punished either way.”
After the night at the family gathering, exhaustion had its hooks in Ally. She wanted nothing more than to fall asleep in Bowen’s arms tonight. The potential of being in their bed made her stomach flutter slightly. The sweet coast of the truck as they traveled down the highway soothed her close to sleep. The sound of the tires against the pavement of the highway and Bowen’s breathing were her lullaby. Ally closed her eyes and allowed her body to relax. “I love you, Bowen.”
“I love you too, Ally Cat.” He placed a kiss on her head and she allowed sleep to invade her.
Ally was thrown forward and began falling. Her body, weightless, as she was shocked out of sleep. But she couldn’t open her eyes. Instinct told her to keep them tightly closed. The thundering sound of breaking glass and twisted metal expressed the only thing that could be happening. Bowen’s truck had collided with something. The grip Ally once had around Bowen’s arm was lost and her arms flailed as she was tossed loosely in the air. Her body slammed against the roof of the truck, splitting the skin on the back of her skull. Suddenly, everything stopped.
Echos in the Shadows (Mystifying Music Book 2) Page 13