by Mason Sabre
Malcolm said nothing at first but took the papers and started to inspect them. If Malcom was anything, it was that he was fair and kept the rules the same for everyone, no matter who they were to him. He looked up when he was done with a perfunctory smile. “It seems that you have done all of our work for us.”
“Yes. To save you the bother. I have copies for everyone here. May I pass them around?”
Malcolm nodded his permission. It was customary for the Society, and then the Council, to agree on the mating. It seemed that Aaron had both of them there, but of course, everything had to be checked first. What would be the point in a mating, especially if one of them was beta, when the potential mate couldn’t or wouldn’t produce offspring? Or maybe there was something in their blood that would bring risk to the family line. Aaron handed the copies to everyone at the table, but the only thing that really mattered was that Malcolm had read his, and he was happy with the request. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have allowed Aaron to carry on. In turn, the heads around the table muttered and nodded their agreement, too. Cade felt the world around him slipping farther away with each nod. It seemed that fate wasn’t done with him today. No, she was here to make sure that he was well and truly screwed.
“I have no objections,” Malcolm said as he took a pen from the holder in front of him and signed the bottom of the document. He held out the pen to Trevor, whose eyes were alight with his excitement. After everyone had put down their signature, the pile of agreements mounted up in the middle of the table.
Aaron could mate with Isobel.
Cade glared at his father. There was no doubt the son of a bitch had known. This was why Cade had been summoned. His heart sunk as he suddenly realised that, apart from Isobel and her parents, the fourth person sitting at the table that he didn’t recognise had to be one of the Castle women—and judging by her age, Cade guessed it was the mother. He had been set up and he’d walked right into it like a world class fool.
Two years ago, he had made a pact with his father in order to protect Phoenix. He had agreed that when his older brother, the heir, mated and then produced his first born, he would in turn mate with one of the Castle girls. It would be a legal contract that strengthened the ranks. The Castle family were powerful people, but with the death of Mr Castle, they had fallen on hard times and couldn’t afford their Society fees. They were too valuable to let go, though. They had many contacts that would be useful assets to Trevor and the Society. They just needed a way to stay and that was to have one of the daughters marry someone in a good position—and that someone was Cade.
He glanced over at Stephen who sat in his chair with a clenched jaw and a murderous look on his face as he stared at Trevor. Cade knew that his friend was well aware of what all this meant. Stephen also knew that Cade was backed in a corner and that there was little he could do to avoid the fate Trevor had decided for him.
Aaron sat back down with a more than pleased smile upon his face. That was it. The next full moon and pack run, he would officially mate with this woman.
“With this new development, we have another contract to adhere to it would seem.” Malcolm nodded to Trevor, who then stood to address the congregation.
“It had been agreed that when my first heir mated, my second would mate with a member of the Castle family,” Trevor proclaimed.
“That was not the agreement,” Cade cut in. “My brother has to have his first child before that happens.”
“And how long do you think that is going to take?” Trevor asked, tilting his head and eyebrows rising in question. Cade could hear the underlying smugness in his father’s voice—everyone knew that Aaron would set about trying to acquire an heir as soon as was possible. Turning his attention back to his audience, Trevor addressed them once more. “After the official mating, I propose that Cadence MacDonald is to meet with the three,” he paused and smiled at the widow, “lovely daughters and make his selection.” He stared Cade straight in the eyes now. “We had these made out for you, to help you decide.” He slid some papers across the table—three sheets with details of each of the women on them. Cade took the papers without glancing at them.
“This is with Ms Castle’s permission, of course.” The woman nodded in consensus, tying a noose around Cade’s neck, so much that he was sure he would suffocate very soon. There was nothing he could say—to argue would be to hand Phoenix over to his father, which would be like signing his death warrant. Cade wasn’t about to do that.
His mind raced with thoughts and ways of escape. He had to get the three of them, four if he counted the baby, out of there. There was no other way. If they ended up stray, then they would cope ... somehow.
When the meeting closed and everyone started to mingle, Cade strode over to Stephen and grabbed his arm. He didn’t give him time to speak as he pulled him outside. Stephen went without question.
“Where is Gemma?” Cade demanded when they were outside of the house and far enough away that no one would hear them.
“She went to Shelley’s. Said she couldn’t see you tonight.”
“Is she okay?”
Stephen shrugged. “Is she going to be okay again?”
“This is all fucking bullshit. You know that, right?”
Stephen nodded and then started to walk along the driveway and to the lane that led to the main road, letting Cade follow suit. When they were far enough away, Stephen stopped and turned towards him. “She doesn’t know about this tonight. She needs to, but she doesn’t yet. I lied to her ... told her that there was a meeting and maybe she should go out. It would be hell if anyone sensed she is upset. I'm on your side, you know that, right?”
Cade swore and started to pace. “I have no idea what I am supposed to do here.”
“I don’t, either. But now you’ve signed to mate some woman, so you’ve got to talk to Gemma. You’ve got to make your decisions. I’ll back you whatever it is.” He paused before adding quietly, “If you need to leave, you leave. Okay?”
Cade’s eyes flew to his. He knew Stephen would have known his friend might consider that option, but Cade hadn’t been sure how Stephen would take it. “What about you?”
“I'm going to be king of my father’s castle. No way am I giving that up. Do you know how many requests from the ladies I get a day?”
Stephen was lying, Cade knew it, and Stephen knew that Cade knew it, but he didn’t call him out on it. Stephen didn’t care for the women—they bored him mostly. It would take a better woman than any on offer to make him want to stay. But he also knew that what he was doing was telling him to run and not worry. For that he was grateful because they had to do something, and they had to do it fast.
“Together, remember? Whatever happens.”
Chapter Five
Gemma had been nursing her mug of coffee for almost half an hour as she sat at the kitchen table in her best friend, Shelley’s, house. She sat and stared into the now too cool drink and wondered, isn’t coffee bad for expectant mothers? This was how it had gone these last couple of days, driving herself crazy with these thoughts and questions, which were always followed by one thought—the one thought. What did it matter if she wasn’t keeping the baby anyway? She could go out clubbing for the night and down shots while dancing half-naked on the bar if she wanted to. It would be impossible to do harm to a child that she wasn’t intending to keep anyway … right?
Shelley leaned forward with her elbows resting on the table. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong or do I need to beat it out of you?”
Gemma scowled at her friend. Shelley, beautiful, perfect Shelley. Her hair was many shades redder than Gemma’s, and it cascaded down her back in waves of tight curls. Her eyes were an emerald-green that reminded Gemma of the most beautiful tropical seas in the world. Compared to Gemma, Shelley’s colours were darker, deeper, but both woman held an allure that was uniquely theirs. They had been the two ginger kids of the Council—except Gemma wasn’t ginger, she was auburn. That was what her mother always said
anyway.
“Nothing is wrong. I told you.”
“Mmhmmm. You’ve been sitting there for ages staring into your mug. You didn’t flinch even when Tom came down to give you some shit, so I know something is wrong. Spill it.”
Gemma frowned. “Tom was here?”
Shelley shook her head in gentle reproof and gave a gentle sigh. She reached over and cupped Gemma’s hands in her own, the mug still between them. “What’s wrong, Gem?” she asked lowering her voice.
Gemma wanted to tell her friend about the baby so badly. The words were right there on her tongue. This was Shelley for god’s sake. Shelley … the person she had grown up with, who knew everything from the smallest of irrelevant things to her biggest, most momentous moments. She was Gemma’s go to person, and had been since that very first day. Of course, back then, Shelley had still been a respectable member of the Unseelie Court, until she had met and fallen in love with Tom. Not that there was anything wrong with that in itself, except that Tom was Human and Shelley was Fae. She had given up everything to be with him—even her family. That hadn’t changed Gemma’s relationship with her best friend, however, and she was still the person Gemma turned to—as she was for Shelley.
Yet, she struggled to get the words out now. They caught in her throat and got stuck there, leaving a bitter taste that no amount of coffee would swill away.
“Did you make the right choice?” she finally said.
Shelley blinked in surprise at the question. “In what?”
“Tom.” Gemma pulled her hands free and brought the mug to her lips. She screwed up her face and forced herself to gulp down the cold liquid before continuing. “Picking him over everything else. Was it worth it?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, her friend replied, “Without a doubt.”
“You don’t have any regrets?”
“None.” Shelley eyed Gemma suspiciously. “Are you and Cade thinking about leaving? Making it together?”
Gemma gulped down more cold coffee and looked away.
“Gem?”
“Tom really came down? I was that out of it?”
“For ages. I was debating on heading to bed at one point … you were boring the shit out of me. Now quit changing the subject and answer my question. Are you and Cade planning to leave Society?” Shelley knew about Cade. She knew nearly everything that went on in Gemma’s life—well, almost everything—except this one thing just now that was so god damn hard to say. When Shelley had announced her pregnancy the year before, they had celebrated together and had got excited over it like little girls. But as Gemma sat opposite Shelley with the tables turned, she couldn’t find the right words to tell her friend. Maybe that was the problem. While in Shelley’s case there had been joy and celebrating, it wouldn’t be so with Gemma now. No celebrations. No girly nights with the bump.
It wasn’t meant to be this way
“Gem?”
Gemma set her mug down and took in a shaky breath. “I’m pregnant.”
For a moment, Shelley simply stared at Gemma, making her feel uncomfortable and ill at ease. She could see the thoughts running through Shelley’s mind, almost hear her brain working. “It’s Cade’s, right?”
Gemma slumped back in her seat. “Jesus, Shell …”
Shelley raised her hands in defence. “Just making sure. Maybe you went all ‘do-as-you’re-told’ and met a tiger.” She paused, eyes still trained on Gemma. “Does Cade know?”
“Yep, he knows.”
“And … he’s not happy?” she prompted.
Gemma scoffed. “He’s over the god damn moon.”
“And you?”
Gemma sighed and put her hands to her face. This was all stupid. All of it. She couldn’t keep the baby, yet everyone was acting like it was an option. “It’s like I take my life and put it in a snow globe, then I shake it to see where all the shit lands just for kicks.”
“You could just say you aren’t happy,” Shelley teased her gently, but Gemma couldn’t muster even a hint of a smile in return.
“Does Stephen know?” she asked softly.
“He knows. You know what he is like. He would know even if I didn’t tell him.”
“Still doing his creepy-ass know-everything shit?”
Gemma nodded and sighed.
“He’s sexy as hell with it, though,” Shelley winked.
“Shelley …”
“What? I’m not blind. Have you seen him?”
“Every damn day,” Gemma scowled. “You're married.”
“Doesn’t’ make me blind. I can still look.”
“Not at my brother.”
Shelley laughed. “Cade or no Cade, if I had a brother like yours, you’d constantly be around here drooling like a puppy.”
“He’s my brother,” Gemma protested again. She wasn’t mad at her friend’s joking. She was used to it mostly. Being Stephen’s younger sister sure was a pain in the ass some days. Over the years, so many girls and women had tried to be her friend just so that they could come over and see the big, sexy tiger—maybe even catch his eye if they were lucky enough. They were idiots, the lot of them. Stephen didn’t have eyes for any of them—and if he did, it was only to relieve his natural urges. But beyond that, there was no other interest. Stephen was a born bachelor. It would take a truly special woman to get under his skin, someone who could match his wit and not take any of his shit.
Gemma had had to ban him at one point. Anyone that she was friends with was strictly off limits. She had got so sick of them asking her if he would call or if he asked about them … because he didn’t. Stephen didn’t care, he didn’t call and he wasn’t interested. Why they never got the message, she never knew.
“I came here for some comfort,” Gemma scolded her friend.
Shelley chuckled then reached for Gemma’s hand again. “You know I’m kidding, Gem. I was just trying to make you smile a bit.” She stood then, pulling Gemma up with her. “Come with me. I want to show you something.” She didn’t let go of Gemma’s hand as she led her through the house and up the stairs. They stopped on the landing, just outside the bathroom. The door was closed, but the heat from the running shower permeated through … along with a sound that was somewhere between a screech and a howl.
“Hear that?” Shelley whispered, an undertone of laughter in her voice.
“You mean Tom’s awful rendition of something undistinguishable?”
“Yep,” her friend chortled, making Gemma giggle.
“He sings in the shower?”
“Every god damn night.” Shelley pulled Gemma towards the small room at the front, the one that overlooked the small driveway. Inside it, there was a nightlight which slowly rotated. Trains danced about the wall with clouds overhead. There was a gentle tune to it as it went, something soothing as the little music box twanged the chords. Shelley walked Gemma over to the cot that stood next to the wall. Harry, Shelley’s nine-month-old son, was asleep in there. Gemma smiled. He looked much like his father—all he needed was the small glasses and the funny little smirk, and he’d be set. “See him in there?”
“Yes,” Gemma breathed, her heart squeezing at the sight.
“Do you know what I wake up to every morning?”
“His cute smile?” Gemma said with a sigh.
Shelley snorted. “Nope, usually it’s his shitty nappy.”
Gemma let out a surprised laugh and her eyes shot to her friend. “Between shitty nappies and Tom’s awful singing, I think I am missing the point.” She had expected this to be a lesson in all things great and wonderful.
“Close your eyes and listen.”
Gemma frowned.
“Just do it. Trust me. Close your eyes, and keep them closed.”
Gemma did as she was told and Shelley moved around so that she was behind her. She felt the warmth of her there as she snaked an arm around her waist and rested her hand against her still-flat stomach. Gemma tensed, but she didn’t open her eyes—instead, she leaned into her friend.
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“In there is a life ... a life that you both created. Can you hear my life here? The singing? The soft snores? Tom drives me nuts most of the days, and Harry has me running around until I am so tired I just want to pass out.” She paused, and Gemma could hear the smile in her voice as she continued. “But I’d never give it up. Not in a million years. These two men in my life are my life. You have to decide if Cade and this baby are yours.”
Gemma rested her hand over Shelley’s and fought down tears. It was easier said than done. She wasn’t just choosing to have a baby—she was choosing to leave the life she knew. To leave her parents and the Society, to leave Stephen, and even Shelley. Shelley was an outcast now herself, but Gemma still wouldn’t be able to see her as she wouldn’t be allowed back here—not in the area, at least. It wasn’t just a case of choosing.
“If I choose this life, they’ll kill us. You know they will. And the baby? What do you think will happen to the baby? They will kill it, too.”
Shelley turned Gemma around gently so that they were facing each other and stared her right in the eyes. “If you abort this baby, what do you think you are doing? Aren’t you killing it anyway? Doesn’t that make you the same as them?”
Gemma’s bottom lip trembled. “At least it will be a merciful death.”
“Will it? You're taking away a child’s choice and chance at life.”
The words tore at Gemma. It wasn’t so simple as that. Her breathing grew laborious as the pressure in her chest intensified. “What if they kill Cade?”
“He wants the baby, right? You said that. He is happy?”
“Yes, but …”
“If you abort his baby …” She stopped short and leaned in to embrace Gemma. “If you abort this baby,” she whispered, “there are more ways to die than death.”
And that was the truth of it. Shelley was right. What would aborting the baby do to Cade? He’d never forgive her, and if he did, would they stay together? “I don’t know what I am supposed to do,” she sobbed, hugging her friend back tightly. “If we run, I have to leave everything behind.”