by Alice Shaw
Dale pounces beside me. Without warning, I feel his head near my abs. “Well, I’ll be damned. Listen to that!”
“I want to hear!” Jonas cries out.
“You can all hear to your heart’s content after supper. The twins are hungry. If you want them to keep their holy abilities in tact, I gotta get them some grub.”
“You’ll just vomit it up, anyway.” Jonas scoffs.
“Don’t be jealous, son,” Uncle Dale warns. “It’s unbecoming of a jaguar your age. You’ll find your mate soon enough.”
Jonas doesn’t care to respond. Dale grabs me and Logan by the hand and leads us outside. “Boys, you know I’m cooking you up something mighty tasty. I’ve got my world-famous stew, already boiling on the pot. Your dad was eating a ton of it back when he was carrying,” he says.
“I can already smell it. Delicious,” Logan says, licking his lips.
All of us gather around the long, wooden table outside. Under the tall trees, the leaves shade us enough to be content with the heat. Seeing everyone together right now, I start to get a tiny bit emotional. It’s been so long since the family has gathered around the table together like this.
As each day passes with Logan, I’m realizing more and more what it means to really grow up. It won’t be long until I have children of my own. And then we’ll be part of the elder crowd. It’s sort of blowing my mind how crazy all of this is.
“A toast!” Jergen holds a big glass of mead in the air. “To the goddesses. To my three sons. Most importantly, to Logan and Jackson’s blessed twins. We’re so damn proud of you both!”
“We love you guys. I mean it,” Logan says. “Even you Uncle Dale.”
Everyone laughs loudly. “Well you better love me! Shit. I swear, I’m always left on the sidelines.”
Logan pats his back and sits down. We all begin eating. I’m like a total fiend, throwing huge globs of stew into my mouth. I finish within one single minute. Logan stares at me, wide-eyed and startled.
“Wow. I didn’t realize all of this stuff comes on so soon,” he says, chuckling.
Underneath the table, he moves his hand beneath my shirt. He rests it on my belly and smiles real big.
“I’m totally going to get fat,” I remark.
“Good. I need you all big and cuddly. My boys have to become big and strong,” Logan says.
Jonas grimaces at the end of the table. I can see it clearly. “Dads, can I go with them on their adventure too?” he asks.
“Great goddess, no!” Jergen bellows. “We need you here, tending to the house. You can have your own adventure when you finally find your mate.”
Jonas grumbles to himself and grinds his teeth. “Not everyone has to find a mate,” he whispers.
“Don’t worry. You’ll find one. I can feel it,” I assure him.
“Whatever. It’s my stupid ability. I know it. It pushes people away,” he says.
Jergen dunks a piece of bread into his bowl and devours it. “That’s where you’re wrong, my son. You’re connected to time. It’s a huge blessing.”
Jonas sulks in his seat, acting totally immature. “I can’t do anything, dad. It’s just a feeling I have. It’s pointless. Why can’t I be like all of you?”
“Stop this pouting,” Alste chimes in. “You’ll realize your abilities very soon. It simply takes longer for some people.”
“What’s this about an adventure?” Uncle Dale’s eyes grow big with excitement.
“Oh, man. It’s hard to explain,” I say. Logan lovingly licks a piece of stew from my face.
Jergen says, “Logan has been chosen, Dale.”
“By the goddesses? Oh, crap. That sounds like trouble,” he says.
“It is,” Jergen says.
“Well, it’s a good thing Logan likes a little trouble,” I say. “Ain’t that right, kitten.”
Logan flexes a solid muscle and grins. “Damn straight,” he says.
I watch as my family rolls their eyes into the back of their skulls. “Just be on the lookout for trappers,” Dale warns. “If you’re headed toward the northern caves, there are plenty of them. And they’re waiting to catch those of us who were blessed with certain abilities.”
“Disgusting,” I say.
Jonas looks annoyed, still embarrassed about not understanding his ability. “Maybe I’ll become a trapper.”
“Jonas!” Alste gasps in shock. His bowl of stew falls off the table. His mouth lay agape, in horror.
Dale has a piece of meat hanging out of his mouth. He sucks it in and licks his lips violently. He shakes a finger at Jonas. “I’m sure he’s only kidding,” he says. “They’re just a bunch of betas. Well, aren’t they? They trap us and sell us like gold. They exist in their own little bubble. To top it off, they don’t even have reproductive glands like us. Completely pathetic.”
“Alright, alright,” Alste says, standing up. “I can’t hear about this anymore. You’re making me nervous, Dale. Enough of this talk.”
“All I’m saying is you can’t trust no one these days. I heard about this cab driver who took an alpha wolf, just last Tuesday and---”
“Dale!” Jergen slams his fist down against the table. “You’re family, but we’ve warned you. Keep it to yourself.”
Dale’s sly grin never fades from his face. “I always take it too far. I know,” he says.
Logan chuckles lightly. “We’re not going to fall for that crap,” he says. “The caves are about a hundred miles away from here. The guard has overseen the roads for decades. We’ll be fine.”
I close my eyes and communicate to my heroic mate. “My uncle is totally batshit.” He snorts loudly, choking on his food. Everyone quickly looks at him.
“Excuse me.” He coughs.
I look at my watch and realize that we should be going. The rest of my family already senses the moment has come. Jergen nods and stands up. “They must leave now,” he says. “Come. Let’s all say our goodbyes.”
We all bring it in, next to the stump of the giant tree. Alste holds back his tears, which makes me want to cry. But Jergen and Logan provide us strength in the moment.
“Destiny only comes once,” Jergen says, repeating the old saying of the wolves.
“It also comes in two’s,” I say, thinking about the twins being formed inside of me.
So much is now at stake. I’m not sure Logan has even thought about it fully yet. Both Logan and I have a path together in this. I close my eyes and feel the warmth of my family’s hugs surround me. It gives me all the strength I need.
When I open my eyes again, Logan looks ready. “Let’s get this show on the road, kitten.”
“Let’s do it! I love it when you call me kitten, by the way.” He winks.
I laugh and grab his hand tightly. My dad reluctantly throws a set of keys our way. They bounce off Logan’s chest and land in his free palm. “You’re going to need those if you want to get anywhere fast. Just be careful with her. I just got her washed.”
“Seriously?” Logan looks at the sports car in astonishment.
“Seriously. A hero needs a fast ride, right?” He chuckles and walks back to camp.
“Shit,” Logan sighs. “I was just going to catch one of those cabs your uncle was talking to us about.”
Chapter 8
Logan
We both stumble into the car together, laughing, despite the circumstances. As soon as we’re inside that leather interior, I feel frisky as hell. I turn the key and pull out onto the roads. Glancing over at Jackson’s crotch, I feel my cock begin to grow.
“You know, maybe we should get a room somewhere halfway tonight,” I say.
He grins. The sharp edges of his teeth can be seen, so sexy. “Oh yeah? You ready for round two?”
“I am beyond ready. My man is looking incredible today,” I say, reaching out to feel his stomach. “And it turns me on to know that something of mine is inside you, growing.”
His hand slides onto my thigh, pushing inward. I hold the wheel steady
as I feel his fingers grace the edges of my shaft. I gulp down. My slick is soaking right now. “Mmm,” he whispers. “You’re so heroic.”
Suddenly, a loud banging sound happens from the trunk of the car. “Seriously?” I bite my tongue and scowl.
“Uh, what exactly did my dad put in there?” Jackson looks back, anxiously. I pull off to the side of the road. Another loud banging noise is heard and this time, we’re both cautious.
I reach under the driver’s seat and find a small bat. I take it in my hand and hold it steady. Jackson looks mortified. “What are you going to do with that thing?”
I look down at the bat and shrug. “I don’t know! I’m just trying to be prepared. What if it’s one of those trapper betas. Maybe your dad is actually a crazy axe murderer!”
“My dad is not an axe murderer, Logan,” he says. “Come on. It’s probably a squirrel or something.”
We both step out of the car and tip toe toward the trunk. “Okay. On three,” Jackson whispers. “One. Two. THREE!”
He swings open the trunk. I have the bat over my head like a total lunatic. And inside the vehicle is…
“Jonas?!” Jackson cries out, astonished.
“Uh, hey guys. So about that hotel. I’d really appreciate it if you’d get me a separate room. I’m not exactly into watching—”
“Oh, you little bastard,” Jackson sighs. “You had us completely freaked!”
“What the hell?” I laugh loudly and scratch my head.
Jonas climbs out of the trunk and stretches his arms real wide. “I’m going with you,” he says. “I want to find a mate too and I won’t be able to if I hide out in my room forever. Please, don’t tell papa.”
I try to reason with him because his plan is totally crazy. “Your dads have most likely already found out,” I say.
“Actually, I don’t think so,” he says.
Curious, I interrogate him. “And why not? What did you do?”
Jonas gulps, looking at Jackson for some help. When he realizes he’s not going to get that, he comes clean. “Okay, don’t be pissed. But I know how to use my ability. I kind of figured it out last year.”
Jackson laughs. “You what?”
“Uh, yeah. I can kind of bend time, I guess. I don’t really understand it fully yet. I’m pretty sure the camp is stuck in the time that I left. It should last for about an hour,” he says, looking quite proud of himself.
Jackson doesn’t know whether he should feel outraged or excited. “You better hope your ability is safe,” he says. “Because if it is, you are completely awesome.”
“I still don’t know if he should come. I mean, what if we do run into one of those trapper guys? They’d make a ton of coin off of us,” I say.
Jonas’s ability is incredibly powerful. I’m actually kind of jealous. All I was blessed with was a good nose, insane dreams, and the body to die for. Oh, and I guess I’m chosen by the goddesses and shit. There is that.
“Did you already forget? Look, I’m getting in the car before I say anything further. You want to get to the caves before dark? Then you better start driving!” Jonas slams the door open and jumps into the back seat.
“Well,” I say. “He’s got a point.”
“Cheeky little bastard,” Jackson mutters, shaking his head.
In the car, we turn around and wait for his little explanation. He reaches into his satchel and pulls out a leather bag. Removing the top thread, he parts it open. “Remember this?”
A golden light comes from the center of the bag. “Shit,” mutter. “The arrowhead. How in the hell did we forget about it?”
“I can give you one reason why we forgot.” Jackson touches his belly.
“So, I’m coming with you, right?” Jonas’s eyes are lit up with excitement. I can’t exactly tell him no.
Jackson’s eyes are closed. He communicates to me: “If he’s coming, he’s staying in a room at least ten doors down.” I nod.
“Fine. Whatever. I have a feeling that the arrowhead will somehow come into play, so I guess I have to give in,” I say.
Jonas claps his hands readily. “Yes!”
I put my foot on the pedal and peel out onto the road. Jackson switches on the radio, closing his eyes with a smile. I place my hand back on his thigh. Jackson can’t help but telepathically communicate to me. “Go ahead. Slide that hand down a bit.”
“At least wait until we get to the hotel,” Jonas growls. “It’s cool that you’re all ‘in love’ and shit, but there are other omegas here now too.”
“You’ll find a mate,” I tell him. “I’m sure the goddesses are plotting it out, right as we speak.”
“They better be. It’s taken them long enough,” he groans.
Both Jaguars can’t stop talking and plotting, as we drive on a big stretch of highway. Jackson’s family is totally interesting, but sometimes their active minds can give me a headache. In reality, seeing the light snow on the mountains is making me more tired than usual.
In the distance is a red sign: VACANCY. “Finally,” I whisper. “Somewhere to rest.”
“Aw, is my bear tired?” Jackson coos.
He rubs my biceps and actually scoops into my seat for a kiss. I swerve the car to a stop, just as we get into the parking lot. “C’mon!” I cry out, laughing. “You almost made me crash.”
“I just want to kiss you,” he says.
I feel his warm lips on mine. I smell that nutty, oaky scent of his, flood my senses. As soon as it hits my nostrils, my cock perks right up. Jonas grumbles something unrecognizable and walks toward the lodge’s lobby.
“I guess we should follow him,” Jackson remarks. I agree with him. Although, I want to kiss him forever first.
When we step inside the lobby, I look upward at the magnificent woodwork. Large bears have been carved into the pillars. Antlers line the ceiling. A fireplace warms a section off to the side. The feeling is really great in here.
Jonas tosses a set of keys into my hands. “I took care of it. You’re on the third floor. I’m on the second. Cool?”
What is up with this family and throwing keys at me? “Cool.”
Jackson blushes when I look at him. Even though we grew up together, the time we spent apart sometimes comes through. We still have so much to learn about one another. It’s these times in our life where we can do just that.
I wrap my arm around his shoulder and kiss his forehead. The hallway stretches in front of us. I pause to take a heavy glance at the ancient patterns on the carpet. I wonder how long this lodge has been here for. Maybe centuries. There is a lot of history in these woods. More than I ever understood.
“You’re so damn cute. You know that?” I ask him.
He smirks and blushes even more. “Maybe a little.”
I jam the key inside our door and push it open. “Here we are,” I sing. Jackson doesn’t actually say anything back. His gaze is off to somewhere else, deep in his mind.
“How’re you doing, baby? Do you need anything?” His face has turned pale. That’s when I realize that he’s probably feeling some of the first effects of childbearing.
I jump into that bathroom and grab a trashcan. “Here!” I dive and throw it underneath him.
He tries to hold it back, playing it off all cool, but I know better. Our twins are already causing a ruckus in that belly. “I’m fine. I’m f-f-f-ii… oh goddess, no!”
I quickly close the door to shield him from the other guests. “Oh, my omega. I’m so sorry!” I reach down and rub his back, which is about all I can do right now, besides worry.
He wipes his face and groans. “Shit. There goes my uncle Dale’s stew,” he says. “I can’t believe it. I didn’t realize I’d start feeling it so fast.”
“You’re a jaguar. You guys are always feeling things more quickly. Plus, I think I’ve got some pretty strong-binding spunk or something.”
He frowns, opens the door, and carefully pushes the trash into the hallway. “I’m sorry. I wanted to be sexy for you. I fe
lt fine on the drive!”
I kneel down and kiss his cheek. “Jackson. It’s totally fine. I mean, besides the piece of steak hanging from your chin, you’re the sexiest omega in the world to me.”
“Oh, you bastard!” Jackson furiously runs to a mirror to check if there is in fact a piece of meat hanging from his chin.
Knowing I have to correct my little joke, I walk up behind him and put my arms around his waist. He leans back and rests his head against my clavicle.
“I’m just messing with you, darling,” I say. “You have always been sexy to me. Remember our first sleepovers? I couldn’t wait to touch you.”
“You were creepy,” he says. This time, I blush. “Just kidding. You know I loved that. I still love your creepiness.”
“It’s the bear in me,” I say, already kissing down the back of his neck.
“Before you go down any further, we should really figure out what Jonas’s arrowhead even is,” he says.
I stop at the bottom of his spine, smelling his warm slick. My cock is throbbing underneath these pants, but I know I have to stop myself. We’re on a journey to fix literally everything, so maybe I should just chill for a second.
“Yeah, but how?” I ask him.
“On the way up to the lobby, I noticed a small shop. Did you see it? It was near the edge of the clearing,” he says.
I furrow my finger into his belt loops. “Yeah, I saw it. So what?”
“So, it was a crystal and rock shop,” he says.
“And?” I tap my foot impatiently. “It’s just one of those tourist shops. We’re not going to find anything in there.”
“Fine.” He just stands there in silence. I can tell I’ve pissed my beautiful omega off, so I give in.
“Alright, alright. I’ll go. But I’m telling you, I won’t find anything there,” I say.
I could die for a shower right now. A nice hot shower with my mate. That sounds perfect to me. I love getting frisky in the water. Instead, I have to go to some weirdo’s shop and somehow bring up something about a mystical arrowhead.
Outside, the sun has already set. The darkness has pervaded the region and it’s getting really fucking cold. “What did I do to deserve this?” I joke around with myself.