by Jana Leigh
“I am fine.” The girl struggled to get out of her swollen lips.
“Good.” Cami said and then took the small stool next to the bed and sat down. She took the girls uninjured hand gently and spoke softly, “I don"t know you very well, but I wanted to tell you something. When I was young and living with my mother, she drank a lot. There were days that she would not even know I was there. When I was twelve, she met this man. I thought that maybe for once, she would find someone who would take care of her so I would not have to. Of course, that did not happen. He began to notice that I was changing when I was fourteen; when I was fifteen, he did not even bother to hide his interest. On my sixteenth birthday, he came into my room, told me it was time that I became a woman, and earned my keep around the house. I will never forget his smelly breath when he tried to kiss me, or the weight of his body, when he pinned me to the bed. I remember thinking this could not be really happening. It took me a few minutes to also realize, that no one was going to save me. I had to save myself.
You know you have to do whatever can, to stay alive. I really thought he was going to kill me when I said no. He was so mad, and he started slapping me. I did what I had to in order to get away. When I ran down the hall to my mom, she told me it was my fault and kicked me out. I know this is nothing compared to what you are going through. I want you to know, it was not your fault, whatever you did to stay alive, was okay. Your mom loves you, and your father is not mad at you. He is mad at the situation. Ruby, you have to tell the doctor what happened so he can help. If you don"t want to tell him, then tell your mom and me, and we will tell him. Don"t let them win now. You made it, and now we are here to help you and take care of you.” Cami said. While she was talking, her mother had come around to her side of the bed, and had laid her hands on Cami's shoulders. As she had told her story, Ruby"s mom had wrapped her arms around her shoulders and held her, while she struggled to tell her daughter her story. The unexpected comfort from a stranger had almost been too much. She wanted to help the girl, and instead she was finding comfort for her own past.
Ruby watched her with tears rolling down her cheeks; she tried to talk a few times.
Cami waited patiently as she held on to her hand. Finally, the girl composed herself enough to talk. The first words came out as a whisper, then it was like the flood gates opened, and she began to get stronger and stronger.
“I was going to the restaurant to just take a delivery. We live right above the restaurant, so it was not like I had to go very far. I never go by myself, but mom and dad were getting ready and the bell buzzed. I figured the bread man came early. I opened the back door, and someone hit me in the face. I don"t even know what they looked like; they started hitting me right away. They just hit me, and wouldn"t stop no matter how loud I cried. I yelled for help, but they laughed at me, saying if anyone else came out, they would take care of them too. Then one of them kicked me in the stomach, laughed, and said since I was on my knees already he had something I could do. They pulled at my jeans and I thought they were going to rape me. I screamed and kicked. One of them pulled my underwear. He was kissing me and sticking his tongue in my mouth.
He kept saying he knew I would love it. Before he could do anything more though, something scared them. The one who was kissing me whispered in my ear he would be back to collect.” The girl sobbed.
Cami closed her eyes briefly; thanking God, she had not been raped. The assault would be bad enough to get over, but a rape would have been devastating. Cami then began to get angry for the girl. Whoever these men were, they were going to pay, she vowed in her head. She knew the girl did not need to hear that declaration right now, so she talked quietly to her about what she was feeling. The helplessness and the anger were going to be there for a long while. Margie helped by telling her daughter she had done everything right, fighting, and yelling. She told her it was not her fault, and she and her father were not angry with her.
They talked for a long while, before Cami felt it was a good time to get the doctor. He needed to look at the scratches on her legs before they let her go home with her mom.
Margie kissed Cami on the cheek, and whispered her thanks in her ear. Ruby clung to her hand and asked if she would stay. Cami said she needed to get the doctor, and talk to Quin, but she would be back.
Cami stepped out of the room, made sure the door was closed, before she cried and sank into a chair that was next to the door. She felt Quin come and hold her while she cried for herself, and the young girl in the room.
“Baby?” Quin said into her ear quietly.
Cami shook herself, and stood up. She looked at the doctor and told him what Ruby had told her. The doctor nodded, then looked at Cami curiously, while she ordered him back into the room and told him what he needed to look at.
Quin nodded behind her, and the doctor nodded, and told her he would wait for her to come back into the room before he proceeded.
Cami turned in Quin's arms and looked at him. “I need to be with her.” She said simply and Quin nodded. He looked over her head and instructed Tey to remain in the waiting area until Cami came out. He and Devon were going to the office to arrange for the Pack meeting.
Cami nodded, kissed him lightly on the lips, and then turned to go back into the room.
Quin smiled as he watched the woman brace herself, and then pulled open the door. He had been given such a great gift in the woman who had been chosen as his mate. She was strong, and did not even realize she had already stepped into the role as Alpha.
Both Devon and Tey looked at him with approval. Tonight he would introduce her to the Pack, and then after he would claim her, and she would be his forever.
Chapter 3
Quin returned to the offices, and went to his office. When he entered, he was very surprised to see he had someone waiting for him. Quin walked, and stood in front of the man who was sleeping on his couch and grinned. It was Jaden, his best friend when he was a child. Jaden had been asked to come to the States with him, but he had instead gone into training with the Council of Europe, to be an Alpha.
His parents were the Beta of the Gevaudan Pack. Jaden had proven that he could be an Alpha when he was a young wolf. His parents never wanted to challenge Quin's claim as Alpha, and had tried to teach their son to be a Beta, but the power that he had could not be contained. The Council recognized it, and asked him to come to them for training, and then when ready he would receive his own Pack. Quin had missed his friend. They had been closer than brothers. Whenever he needed to talk or work things through, he often called his friend and talked to him.
This was a very pleasant surprise. His best friend would be here to meet his mate, and be a witness for the Council in France of the claiming. It was perfect.
“Dude,” Quin said, and nudged his friend"s leg to wake him.
Jaden slowly opened his eyes and stretched before saying to his friend. “Hey, bro.
What"s up?”
“What"s up is you are in my office in the United States. When the hell did you get in, and why are you here?” Quin said laughing at his friend when he shook his head to clear out the cobwebs.
“Seriously bro, I know where the hell I am. The Council sent me, to help your sorry ass with the Rogues. They thought I could lend a hand. Besides, I was getting bored waiting for them to find me a Pack. I was thinking about coming here, and making a Pack near here. This place is gorgeous, and the women are not bad either.” He said wiggling his eyes.
“You could not have come at a better time; we had an attack last night. I was going to have to call the Council anyway for help. I need to figure out who the hell the leader is, and why he has targeted my Pack. For a month, we have waited and watched, we thought they had left and then this. Whoever it is, they had patience; he waited and watched, until he found a weakness in our security.” Quin said and ran a hand over his face.
Jaden stood and instantly became serious, that is what he loved about the man. One second, he could be laughing and joking, the
next, he could start issuing orders. He was the same height as Quin, but where he had dark hair Jared"s hair was pale blonde, almost white. He left it shoulder length, like when they were younger. He had bulked up a lot, since the last time Quin had seen him. He looked like a professional football player instead of a business man.
“Who was attacked?” Jaden said quietly.
“Ruby, Margie and Rodger"s oldest daughter. She thought she was accepting a delivery for the restaurant, and they jumped her in the alley.” Quin explained what happened.
Jaden"s hands were clenched, when he finished the story, and Quin let him calm down before he spoke. “I need help. I have found my mate.” Jaden looked at him in surprise and then grinned. “Dude, doing the wife and kid's thing, that"s awesome.”
“Well, definitely the wife, we have not even had a chance to talk about anything else. I just met her a few days ago. Right now, it feels like a lifetime from where we are. I want to introduce her to the Pack tonight. I am glad you will be there so you can meet her.
She should be back here soon.” Quin said and went to his desk. Even with all the bad things happening, he had a hard time not thinking about Cami and smiling.
Jaden and Quin caught up as they sat and talked about what the Pack was planning.
Jaden asked for permission to stay with the Pack until he decided what he was going to do, and where he was going to establish a Pack. Jaden had never thought beyond coming to the States and reuniting with his friend. For the last few months, he had been plagued with an almost desperate need to come to his friend. He felt that things were going to change and get rocky before they got better for his friend.
Two hours later, they had a plan, and Quin called for a Pack meeting. He brought his friend up to his apartment to get settled before the meeting. They entered the living area and Quin smiled. Cami had just gotten home, he felt her in the bedroom moving around. Their bond was already forming and he could not be happier.
Quin noticed his friend had stopped in the entry way and was sniffing. “Dude, don"t do that around her, she will be pissed.” He chuckled and then frowned when his friend did not respond, but only continued to sniff.
“Jaden?” He said.
His friend opened his eyes and Quin stepped forward. “What?” He asked, thinking there was something wrong. He could not smell anything but Cami.
“Shit.” Jaden said, as he expelled a breath.
“WHAT?” Quin said impatiently.
“NO FUCKIN WAY!” Jaden yelled.
Cami came out of the master bedroom to see what the heck all the noise was about. She hoped nothing else had happened, she was worn out from staying with Ruby. The girl had cried and wanted Cami to come home with her. She had made sure the girl was settled in her parent"s apartment, before returning to Quin"s apartment. She was going to go and see Quin, but she needed a few minutes to gather herself before she saw the man who was consuming her thoughts.
There were two men standing in the entrance when she came out into the room. She stopped when she saw Quin; he looked tired she thought, before she looked at the other man. He stood the same height as Quin, and was just as handsome. They were like two sides of the same coin. One dark haired, one light. Both strong and muscular, had similar facial features, long chiseled nose and cheeks. Quin had blue eyes and the stranger had deep green. They were both drop dead gorgeous, she felt the heat between her legs, what the hell was wrong with her? One man was more than enough.
“Quin, everything okay?” She asked and walked to his side.
“Hey baby, this is Jaden, my oldest friend in the world. He was sent to help us. How is Ruby?” He asked, and kissed her on top of her head.
Cami looked at Jaden through her lashes shyly, and then turned to Quin. “Fine, we got her home and settled. Her mom was calling the counselor to come and talk to her.
Gosh, you have one of everything in this Pack don"t you?”
“No, but what we do not have, I will get. Ruby will need us all in the next few weeks. So, how about dinner before the meeting?” He said looking at his friend who was staring at his woman as if she was dinner. “Dude?” He growled.
Jaden seemed to shake off whatever was bothering him and opened his mouth and said,
“We have a little situation guys.”
“Really?” Quin frowned and looked at Cami. “Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Cami. She is Alpha of this Pack too.”
“Well bro, I do not know how to break this to you, but Cami is also my mate. The spirits must be laughing right now.” Jaden said, and pushed a hand through his hair and waited. He had not seen his friend in ten years. He comes here to help, and finds his mate too. What the hell was going on? She was already with Quin, and he would never do anything to hurt him.
“Huh?” Cami said, and leaned in closer to Quin.
“Impossible.” Quin said, and pulled her closer.
Grace came into the room, looked at both men, and smiled. “Jaden, you just get in?
What?”
“We need a few, Grace.” Quin said, and never took his eyes off his friend who was staring at Cami.
“I think I will be needed for this. Your parents both called me a few minutes ago. Cami dear, why don"t you come sit down with me.” She said, and held out her arm for the woman.
“Sure, I think I may have stepped into another reality. Werewolves, fine, I got that, it took me awhile. But, two men? I do not think so.” Cami said, and dropped to the couch when her legs would not hold her anymore.
“Boys, if you please.” She said pointing at the couch across from the women. “I think I may be able to shed some light on the situation. The Council contacted your parents a few months ago. They thought that sending Jaden to the U.S. would be prudent, considering the attacks had all but stopped except for in Denver. They felt there was something going on, and Quin you would need help. They also asked that you not be told, Quin. The Seer of the Council had a dream. She said that events that happened here were meant to be. You will be an Alpha Triad in order to have the strength for what is to come. She does not know exactly what is coming, she just knows that it is not good, and it will be soon. You have to deal with this now, so you can help the others prepare.” Quin sat, listened, and then grinned. It was not a mistake, it was the way it was supposed to be, and it felt right, that he would share a mate with his best friend. Now, how the hell was he going to convince Cami of it?
“Whoa, three people in a relationship! What are you talking about? I need to get a clue here with what I am dealing with. Are you saying I am going to have two boyfriends? At once? You are crazy; I can barely keep one man happy.” Cami said with a hint of panic in her voice.
“Baby, you do not have to keep us happy. That is our job, we keep you happy.” Jaden said to her.
“I do not even know your name, why would you want to keep me happy?” She giggled in panic.
“My name is Jaden. I am Quin"s childhood friend. We grew up in France together, and I clearly was sent to you and Quin to complete this Alpha Triad. No, you don"t know me, but everything that Quin has told you goes double for me. I will protect you and keep you happy.” Jaden said smoothly.
Quin stood, and came to sit next to her. He took her hands in his and looked her in the eye. “I know this is nothing you bargained for, and you have a lot of questions. I guess the best way to think about it is that Jaden and I will both be your mates. Together we will run the Pack, and we together will keep you happy. You already took the step to be with me, or you would never have come to the doctor"s place to help.”
“Well yeah, but now you want me to be with two of you, I mean sex and all.” She whispered trying to wrap her mind around the fact that two virtual strangers were asking her to mate with both of them, and they were doing it in front of an old woman.
What is wrong with this picture? She had to be dreaming.
“I need space.” She said, stood, and walked back into the master bedroom that had become her place to think
.
Grace stood up and smiled at the pair of men. “Don"t let her think for too long. This is a whopper. Dinner is in the fridge when you are ready.”
“Shit,” Quin swore, and leaned back against the couch.
“Yeah.” Jaden said, and stood. “Let me try to talk to her.”
“Go for it.” Quin replied, and stayed where he was.
Jaden walked down the hallway, and knocked gently on the door. He looked around and smiled, his place in France was decorated in the same colors. Quin and he had always had the same taste in everything, including women. Though they had never shared one woman before, Jaden had a feeling they were going to have to learn.
“Baby, can I talk to you for a minute?” He said and pushed open the door.
Cami was standing in front of the big wall of windows looking out over the city.
Not turning, she said quietly. “You know, when I woke up three days ago, I was happy as a clam. My life was going along as planned, and everything was normal. In the span of forty eight hours, I find out mythical creatures are real, and I am supposed to assume an important role that I have no idea what it entails. Fine, go with the flow. Grace told me what would happen if I refuse you. I figured, finally, I would have a relationship where the man could not cheat on me, and he would never get sick of me. At least that is what Grace says. You know it is kind of a heady feeling, that I have that much control over Quin. I did not want to be the one who destroyed another person, just because I could not have an open mind. So it was not moonlight and roses, still nothing I have ever done has been normal, why start now, but two men? That one is going to be a little hard to accept.” She whispered.