by Jana Leigh
“Merde and Milliken doesn’t have any deputies so she must have meant an Enforcer.”
“My thoughts exactly, the two women are from Greenwood Village.”
“Right, so they’re most likely human. Look, there were less than two dozen that originally came over from the Gevaudan Pack, but more have come over since then. It’s going to take me time to narrow this down. Do you have any more information?”
“Only that her given name is Surya,” Lev added.
“What! Are you sure?” asked Luc
“That’s what I’ve been told.”
“Surya is the name of the Old Council Seer. She hasn’t been heard from for months.
The last to see her was Braden so we’ve feared she was dead. Look, even if I don’t track down her grandson, I’m sending over four enforcers to make sure she’s well guarded.”
“Fine, I’ll stick here and get the full story from the wits.” He closed his phone and went to sit with the girls. He didn’t pull out his notebook; he wouldn’t be filing a report with the state police on this one. “Judy, the good news is that you won’t be getting a ticket.”
“You said ‘good news’ does that mean there is bad news too?”
“I’m not sure yet, maybe. Surya’s grandson is on his way here with some bodyguards.
Her family has been worried about her for some time. For now why don’t you tell me everything you know from the beginning?” And while Sarah and Judy related their story, the doctors were working to help Surya and Luc was finding Surya’s grandson.
Forty minutes later Lev, Sarah, and Judy had finished talking and were waiting for word from the doctors. One had come out some time ago and said that they believed she’d pull through but that she hadn’t regained consciousness. When suddenly the front door opened and four, tall, gorgeous men stepped into the room. Sarah looked at Judy and she looked back. That was all it took for them to pass the message ‘hotties’, they had thought Lev was a cutie too, but didn’t get the vibe from him at all. They figured he didn’t swing their way, too bad. But now they knew Surya would be alright and they had four pieces of beefcake to look at. It was only a little before nine, maybe this evening would have a happy ending after all.
Jean Paul Gillard walked into the clinic beside his team leader. He hadn’t been on duty tonight but when he heard that the woman at the clinic might be his Grandmeré he’d volunteered to go along. He said goodbye to his bunk mate and left. Charlie would have come along too, but he had guard duty at the gate starting at ten thirty and they didn’t know how long this would take. The wolf Enforcers and pride Warriors were sharing the barracks for now, they intermingled the rooms to promote inter-species team building.
They ragged on each other all the time at first, then after some scuffles, kept ragging on each other. Only now, the teasing was good natured. He and Charlie, a cougar shifter from the Northern Pride, had become good friends.
“Lev, this is Jean Paul Gillard. He believes the victim may be his Grandmeré. May he see her?”
“Luc, glad you could make it. Sure thing, she’s in the first examination room on the right, down that hall. There’re two docs with her now.” Jean Paul had just started heading down the hall when he caught her scent. Merde, his mate was here now? He stopped and turned to Lev, “Don’t let them leave,” he said pointing to the two girls and then he walked away.
“Luc, do you know something I don’t?” Lev asked
“No, I think we should wait and ask Jean Paul.”
In the corner of the room, Judy and Sarah wondered if their plans were going to take another turn. One of the men just stood by the door and another had gone back outside.
They were waiting for Lev or Luc to say something.
Down the hall, Jean Paul knocked on the exam room door and then opened it. One look at the frail figure on the bed and he had to force his wolf from leaping out. It was his Grandmeré and she looked very weak. He looked to the doctors. “She is my Grandmother, and the Seer to the Old Council. How is she doing?” he asked.
“She’s going to be okay, she’s just very tired. It’s obvious she’s been starved and been under a great deal of stress for some time. We’ve given her one bag of Cloe’s special IV
for shifters, this one is the second. These last few minutes she’s been mumbling a little.
We were discussing whether or not to pull Lev in when you knocked. She may wake up soon. Would you try calling to her?” The doctor said.
“I’ll speak to her in French, it’s her native tongue, and she may respond better.” Then he approached the table and carefully picked up her hand. When had she gotten so frail, he thought. “Grandmother? Grandmother, it’s me, Jean Paul. Wake up, Grandmother.” He repeated himself several times and they could all see her waking up.
“Jean Paul, it is you enfant?” That was when he realized she was now blind. His rage was so powerful that he fell to the floor trying to contain it. After a moment of two, he stood back up. “Yes, Grandmother, it is I.” He kept his voice calm and even for her sake when all he wished to do was howl.
“Jean Paul, you must tell the human wolf, all will be lost if she doesn’t remember the three. The Alphas will die if she doesn’t remember the three. Hope will be gone. The high place, the treasure must be found or Hope will be lost. Hope will return with the treasure.” That was all she said, her eyes closed and she fell back. Jean Paul looked at the doctors.
“She’s asleep now.” She no longer fidgeted or moaned. “It’s a healing sleep and just what she needs,” he said.
“Can she be moved? I’d like to take her back to the compound, it’s more secure,” he asked.
“I don’t see why not. She needs to be kept warm though, in her weakened condition she’s more vulnerable.”
“That’s fine; we’ll warm up the truck and get it ready before she’s brought out. I’ll go ahead and make sure a bed is ready for her. Would you make sure she’s bundled up?
Does she need to continue the IV?” he wanted to know.
“We pushed the first IV bag as fast as we dared to get her fluids up, she was badly dehydrated. We’re going slower with this one. She’ll need to stay hooked up for another two hours then she should be good. In the morning, she can start eating solids again, mixed in with plenty of fluids. Can you wait and take her at about eleven thirty?”
“Yes, I can do that. We brought four Enforcers, the clinic is surrounded, we can keep her safe that long. Thank you for taking care of her. You can send the bill to me at the compound.”
“She’s considered Pack, there won’t be a bill,” the doctor said. “She’s covered under the monthly stipend Quin donates to the clinic from pack funds. We’re the best equipped office for miles around because of the Pack, don’t worry about that. We’re pack too.”
“Thank you, I haven’t been sick myself, so I didn’t know. I’m grateful for all you’ve done for her,” he said as he left the room.
He walked back into the waiting room. Everything was quiet; he walked over to where Lev was standing and explained everything that had happened in the room. They were going to have to talk to Jordan soon. Luc suggested that they speak to Jordan first and not disturb the Alphas until they knew more. That was agreed and Lev was allowed to leave and go home, he’d put in a long day. The four Enforcers would take over from here. Lev saw the way the big wolf was looking at the two girls behind him and offered to introduce them. Jean Paul immediately took him up on it.
“Judy, Sarah, this is Luc and Jean Paul, they and the two others are here to see to Surya’s safety and yours. I’m leaving you in good hands.”
“You’re leaving?” Judy asked.
“Yep, I was actually off duty when I pulled you over. These guys are private security at a gated community at the edge of town. They will explain, here is my card; you can call me if you need to. I don’t think you’ll need to though,” he said with a smile and went to leave.
“Bye, thank you for your help,” called Sarah, Lev
just waved and went through the front door.
Almost ten, and the challenge was tomorrow, forget the beer, I’m going straight to bed, Lev thought to himself as he left.
“Sarah?” Said Jean Paul, kneeling down on one knee and taking her hand. He leaned over and placed a kiss on the back. “Enchanté chéri, I thank you for saving the life of my Grandmeré.”
“Judy helped.” Sarah said. Jean Paul didn’t let go of her hand, but he turned his head towards Judy. “Mademoiselle Judy, you also have my thanks. Unfortunately, my grandmother has been treated very badly. She could not have gotten far in her condition. There is a possibility your car was seen and you could be in danger.” Both girls gasped, that hadn’t occurred to them.
“We have a compound on the edge of town, Lev mentioned. It’s a little over 1000 acres or just less than two square miles in size. Within the compound, there is a Bed and Breakfast and several homes. Will come with us and stay for a few days? We should know soon if it’s safe for you to go home.”
Sarah turned to Judy, she thought it was odd that Jean Paul still hadn’t let go of her hand. Then she realized she didn’t want him to, how strange. “What do you think?”
“I think we call in sick tomorrow and stay here.” She turned to Jean Paul; she’d noticed that her friend was still holding hands with him. “We’ll stay. Is there someplace here in town where we can pick up a few things? When we left our apartment, we weren’t prepared for a weekend visit.”
“The nearest mall is in Greely, we have toothbrushes and other necessities at the Bed & Breakfast. There are a lot of ladies staying there, I’m sure we can come up with something for tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll see, okay?” Sarah and Judy nodded. Jean Paul rose up, switching Sarah’s hand from his right to his left as he stood. “Luc, I’m going to take my...Sarah and Judy to the compound, will you and the others be okay with Grandmeré? The doctor’s said she’ll be ready to be moved within two hours. I’ll get her a room at the B&B and arrange to sit with her through the night.”
Luc, who’d been ending a call on his phone, hung up and turned at Jean Paul’s words.
“Yes, that will be fine. Jordan wants to see you all as soon as you get there. We’ll be fine here. You better get going; we’ll follow when the doctors give the okay.”
“Fine, I’ll ride with Sarah and Judy so you’ll have both blazers here with you.” He then turned to Sarah and Judy and gestured with his free hand. “Shall we go?” They all walked out together. Judy walked around to the driver’s door. “Why don’t you slide into the back seat with Sarah, Jean Paul, since you can’t seem to give her hand back to her,” she said with a laugh.
He looked down as if just noticing that he still held it. “Chéri, I cannot apologize, I feel the need to hold you always. In my family, it is always like this. The timing is bad, I understand. Just so you know, though, I intend to pursue you until you are mine. And so we are clear, I speak of marriage not some other less permanent arrangement.” Sarah just looked into his beautiful, dark eyes, took a gulp of air, and said, “Um, I don’t suppose you’re Jewish? I’m just asking because I know if I take you home my mom will ask. And this bodyguard thing, is that permanent, or are you doing that to put yourself through medical school?” Jean Paul threw back his head and laughed. Then he leaned over and gave her a smacking kiss on the lips. Once again, she was in shock and Judy was chuckling from the driver’s seat. He gave her directions to the compound and they started driving away.
Sarah sat silently; amazed at the turns her life had taken in one day. She could tell Judy was ready to burst too. A few minutes later and they were approaching a huge wall. The road turned to follow around the wall with a drive leading up to a gate.
Judy pulled up to the gate and stopped. Jean Paul stepped up and walked to the front of the car. His roommate, Charlie, had just come on duty.
“So was it your gran?” he asked.
“Yes and my mate.” He laughed with joy then sobered again. “Jordan is expecting us.
Surya had a vision while I was with her.” He helped Charlie open the gate, waved the car through, and then helped him close it again. “Come over and meet my mate, Sarah, she and her friend, Judy, are human so keep it cool. Then we’re heading over to the B&B.”
The girls had rolled down their windows as Jean Paul and Charlie walked up the left side. “Sarah, Judy, this is my best friend, Charlie. He’s a guard also. Charlie, this is Sarah.” Charlie could tell that Sarah was Jean’s mate just by the way he said her name.
“And this is Sarah’s friend, Judy.” Charlie stepped around Jean Paul to greet Judy to her face when he caught her scent.
“Judy, I really can’t tell you how happy I am to meet you.” He held out his hand and took hers as if to shake it, but he’d learned a few things being Jean’s roommate all these months. And so he bent over and kissed it. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. Please tell me you’re staying for awhile?” Judy looked up into Charlie’s face. Was there something in the water here? Every man she met was even more handsome than the last. “Jean Paul thinks we may be in some danger, so we’ll be here over the weekend.”
At the word danger, Charlie came alert, looked to Jean Paul, and saw him nod. Then he turned back to Judy. “Don’t worry; we’ll take care of you. In the meantime start working on how you want to introduce me to your parents, okay beautiful?” Sarah laughed, “Gosh, he’s the same as Jean Paul!”
Judy also laughed and looked over her shoulder, “Yeah and he’s got that same hand holding problem that Jean Paul has.” And they all laughed.
Jean Paul said to Charlie, “You should call the watch commander and explain. We’re meeting Jordan at the B&B right away.” At that, he climbed back into the car and Charlie had to watch them drive away.
Chapter 8
Trinity closed the door and turned to her mates. They had been planning all day long for tomorrow and she had yet to be able to talk to them in private. She had not wanted to announce her news in front of the Council yet, she wanted to have her mates to herself for a while when she told them. Then she would put ‘Operation Celebration’ into effect and seduce them, she thought they’d be up for that and smiled at her own pun.
Her mates continued to talk as she sat quietly and listened.
“Do you think we have everything covered?” Lagon said pacing back and forth.
“We have the full support of the cats. Even though Ryan and Ariel are the judges of the challenge, the Pride answers to me also. They are making shifts for who will be where and when,” Blaze said. “What about you?”
“The children will be safe with them. I have to tell you though; it was a surprise to me when I realized what Hope was doing. She just put a picture sentence into my head; I think they have been able to do this for weeks. She giggled and laughed when I looked around the room and frowned. I knew we would be able to communicate telepathically.
The Spirits told me we’d need this ability when I started teaching them. I just hadn’t expected it so soon.”
“That is a special gift indeed. To be able to communicate with the children, when even their parents can’t will be useful. Especially since their powers are developing so quickly. Hope and that bubble thing is frickin’ cool, and the twins moving things with their minds. I just wonder what they’ll be able to do when they are older. Could be scary.” Blaze laughed and looked at Trinity who looked unsure and was biting her lip again.
“Trin, what’s wrong? I can see you’re stressing about something,” Blaze said and then pulled her into his arms and settled her on his lap. Lagon sat on the other side of the couch, took her legs and began to rub them.
Trinity sighed and then smiled at her mates. They had only been together for such a short time and she felt such an amazing connection. But still, she was unsure of how they were going to take this news.
“Well, you were talking about babies and all, so I thought it would be the perfect time to let you in on a little secret,” Trinity sai
d and looked at her men under her lashes.
They both stared intently at her and she moved a little until she was facing both of them,
“I went to see Cloe today.”
“What’s wrong? Are there still lingering problems from the blast, what do we need to do?” Blaze said quickly.
“I knew we should have had you stay with Jordan too. Damnit, I will call Quin and Jaden and tell them that we are going to have to think of a reason that you can stay here,” Lagon said and pulled his phone from his pocket.
Trinity quickly grabbed it and tossed it across the room. She giggled when her mate growled and frowned at her. “Just a minute, let me get this out before you go all shifter crazy on me. As I was saying, I went to see Cloe today because I was feeling a little strange. Nothing bad, just a little more, well everything. My emotions, my eating, everything. She did a few tests and gave me the results.” The men held their breath and she laughed. For such smart men they really could be quiet daft. “We are having a couple of babies.” She said and grinned.
Lagon looked at her then Blaze who sat with his mouth open staring at her. “Uh, what?” She giggled and then said, “Babies, you, me, and Blaze. Parents.” Finally, it sunk in and Blaze jumped up. Thankfully, his cat reflexes grabbed her before she ended up on the floor. He set her on the bed gently and carefully before turning around and hugging Lagon and then doing some weird happy dance.
“Woo Hoo, daddies, us! We are gonna be daddies, we are gonna be daddies.” Lagon laughed and then turned to Trinity and smiled. He knelt in front of her, put his hand on her still flat stomach, and said, “I love you.” Blaze paused and fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her and said, “Ditto.”
She felt the tears gather in her eyes and sniffed, damn hormones. Cloe said she would do this, go from laughing to crying to yelling all in three seconds. “I love you, too.” She cried and threw her arms around them.