Shadowed Instincts

by Wendi Wilson

  They have to say yes, she thought.

  Her mom walked into the room and put her hands on her hips, saying, “Melanie, calm down. Everything is going to be fine.”

  “What if they say no? I swear, Mom, if he doesn’t go, I’m not going either.”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Just sit down and relax.”

  Melanie plopped onto the couch and heaved a sigh. “Mom, there are people out there that want to kill Jeremy. Would you let me take off for another state if someone wanted me dead?”

  “Probably not. But your father has a way with words. Have a little faith in his powers of persuasion.”

  Melanie sat up straighter. “Can he, you know, make them say yes?”

  “I wouldn’t do that, Melanie,” Darren said from the doorway, startling both Melanie and Elaine. “Even if I wanted to, I can’t. They are not members of my pack.”

  “Oh.”

  The doorbell rang and Melanie jumped up from the couch and ran to answer it. Jeremy stood there, looking sinfully delicious in a pair of dark jeans and a black t-shirt. Her eyes roamed down his body, taking in every detail until she heard a cough from somewhere behind him.

  “Oh, uh, sorry. Please come in.”

  Jeremy smirked as he walked through the door and placed a light kiss on her cheek. Her face flushed as she spied the couple standing behind him, waiting for her to move out of the way so they could enter. Jeremy took pity on her and pulled her to the side, introducing her.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Melanie. Melanie, meet my parents, Don and Alicia.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Melanie said, still blushing as she closed the door behind them.

  “Nice to finally meet you,” Alicia said, pulling Melanie in for a light hug.

  “Likewise,” Don said, holding out a hand for her to shake.

  Melanie led them into the living room, where her parents stood side by side. She let Jeremy lead the introductions. His parents were gracious and polite, but Melanie did notice a tensing of Don’s body when he shook hands with her dad.

  Darren was quick to put him at ease. He glanced at Melanie and, noticing her confused look, nodded his head. She got the message and stayed back as the others made their way into the dining room.

  “I get that reaction a lot,” he whispered close to her ear. “It’s because I’m an alpha. Other male shifters can sense it, and get leery when they first meet me. It’s a physical response they can’t control.”

  Melanie nodded her head in understanding and took the arm her offered. He led her into the dining room, where they took their seats at the table.

  “I hope lasagna is okay,” Elaine said as she began dishing up the plates.

  “Oh, it smells delicious,” Alicia replied and Don nodded his head.

  After everyone had food on their plates, Elaine sat down and said, “So Jeremy, I hear you and Melanie finished your finals today. How did it go?”

  “I did well, I think. I’m just glad it’s over and I don’t have to go back to school. I’ll have tomorrow to pack.”

  Melanie sucked in a harsh breath. “Does that mean you’re going with me?” she asked, a hopeful gleam in her eye.

  “Hold on there,” Don interjected. “We haven’t decided yet. Darren, I assume the kids told you about our history?”

  “Yes, they told me.”

  “So you know how dangerous it is for Jeremy. Can you guarantee him protection?”

  “Don. Alicia,” Darren said, looking at each of them in turn. “I don’t know much about the Oklahoma pack as I’ve never had any dealings with them. I can tell you, however, that in my compound, in my home, he will be safe. No one enters without permission from the alpha. On that you have my word.”

  “I don’t know,” said Alicia. “What if they find out he’s there and sneak in?”

  “Can’t happen. I have sentinels that guard the perimeter, in both dog form and human, every hour of every day. No one gets by without my knowledge. If you’re really worried, you are both welcome to come as well.”

  “That’s very generous,” Don said, “but we just got home from a three week vacation. We have jobs that we have to get back to.”

  “Dad, please. I need to go. Not just for Melanie, but for me. There’s so much I don’t know. So much I can learn,” Jeremy said.

  Don looked at Alicia. She squeezed her eyes shut and gave a slight nod. He looked back at Darren, who smiled at him warmly. He shook his head and sighed.

  “Okay. But you have to call us every day. I’m not kidding, Jeremy.”

  Jeremy jumped up from his seat before he finished his sentence and ran around the table, giving his parents a tight hug. Melanie laughed and gave a loud whoop.

  “I promise,” Jeremy whispered to them. “I’ll be careful and I’ll call every day. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  “I know this is important to you, son,” Don said. “Your mother and I want you to be happy, but we also need you to be safe.”

  “He will be,” Darren said.

  “I’ll be fine. I promised I would call, and I will.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Don said. He looked at Jeremy and moisture gathered in his eyes. “We love you, Jeremy. Please be careful.”

  “I will. I love you guys, too.”

  He gave them each another hug, then looked over at Melanie with a joyful smile. She smiled back at him, happiness shining in her eyes. Jeremy walked back to his seat next to her, taking her hand in his.

  “Okay, now that that’s settled, who wants dessert?” Elaine asked with a smile.

  Everyone relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the evening. The conversation was lively and full of laughter as the adults got to know one another better. Melanie smiled at Jeremy and tightened her grip on his hand. He smiled back, happy to be going on this trip. He would learn so much and wouldn’t have to be apart from Melanie. Life was good.

  Chapter 8

  Melanie went to the mall on Friday with her mom. She needed a whole new wardrobe and though she wished Tara was there to give her advice, she was stuck at school. Her mom’s opinions would have to do.

  “This is so weird,” Melanie said from the dressing room. “I never thought I’d be able to shop here at all, much less find such cute outfits that fit so well.”

  “I told you that you’d slim down eventually,” Elaine replied from the bench outside the door.

  “Mom,” Melanie said as she walked out to show her the ensemble, “even you couldn’t have imagined this. These jeans are a size 8. Two weeks ago I was wearing a 14.”

  “Ooh, that’s cute. Put that one in the buy pile.”

  “The buy pile is getting kind of big,” Melanie laughed. “Can we afford this?”

  “Your dad is footing the bill, so yeah.” She shot Melanie a crooked smile.

  “Really?”

  “He missed out on so much, Melanie. He wants to make up for it any way he can. He loves you.”

  “He doesn’t even know me.” Her expression filled with resentment as she said the words.

  “Melanie,” Elaine said, standing behind Melanie so she can see her face in the mirror, “please don’t hold that against him. It’s all my fault and I feel horrible about my decision now that I know the truth.”

  Melanie turned around to face her. “I don’t blame him, or you. If it was anyone’s fault, it was my grandfather’s. Don’t worry, Mom. I’m sure I’ll get used to having a dad eventually.”

  Elaine smiled. “Go try on the turquoise blouse. It’ll bring out your eyes.”

  *~*~*

  “Holy crap, did you buy out the entire store?”

  “Just about. Daddy’s treat,” Melanie said flippantly when Tara’s eyes bugged out at the pile of clothes on her bed.

  “Wow. That was awfully generous of him. Wish my dad would send me shopping with his Amex.”

  “Um, excuse me. You seem to be forgetting a certain cherry red convertible currently parked in my driveway?”

  “Yeah well, still. T
his is awesome. Fashion show! I want to see everything on!”

  They spent the next hour laughing as Melanie sashayed around her room modeling her new wardrobe. It would be the last time they saw each other for at least three months, so Tara was sleeping over.

  After Melanie had tried on every piece of clothing, she changed into her pajamas and plopped down on the bed next to Tara. They sat in silence for a while, each lost in her own thoughts.

  “What’s up, buttercup?” Melanie finally asked, breaking the tension.

  “I’m just sad you’re leaving. I know you have to get to know your dad and all, but why can’t you do it here?”

  “He wants me to see his home, Tara. To meet the rest of his…my family.”

  “I get it. I’m just bummed.” She paused for a second before an evil glint shone in her eyes. “Can you please explain to me how you convinced two sets of parents to let Jeremy go with you?”

  “Well,” Melanie started, trying to remember the speech she prepared for when Tara asked. She didn’t know the truth about either of them, and as much as it pained her to lie to her best friend, it had to stay that way.

  “Come on, spill it.”

  “Okay. So, I told my dad that I was still traumatized by my ordeal with Mr. Hughes. That I needed Jeremy with me for support, especially meeting all these new people.” She lowered her eyes, hoping her lashes would cover the lie.

  “What? And that actually worked?” Tara laid back and stared at the ceiling, making it easier for Melanie to continue.

  “Not at first. But I refused to go without him and told him if he tried to make me, I’d be a total bitch to everyone in his family.”

  “No! You didn’t!”

  “Yep. Worked like a charm. Mom took a little extra convincing. But she eventually agreed.”

  “What about Jeremy’s parents?”

  “They left him alone with his cousin for three weeks. They’re pretty laid back as far as parents go. It wasn’t such a big deal to them, as long as he finished and passed his finals.”

  “Wow. Alrighty then,” Tara said, sitting back up.

  “I’m gonna miss you so much,” Melanie said, throwing her arms around Tara, who hugged her back.

  “I’ll miss you, too. Love you.”

  “Love you.”

  *~*~*

  Melanie woke to her alarm blaring the most offensive noise on the planet. She slapped it several times, trying to hit the snooze button, but she couldn’t seem to find the right spot. She groaned and buried her head beneath her pillow to drown out some of the noise.

  “Ugh, make it stop,” Tara groaned, kicking Melanie in the side.

  Melanie sat up and grabbed the clock, yanking the plug out of the wall. Rubbing her eyes, she suddenly realized it was Saturday, the day of the big trip. Leaving Tara to sleep a while longer, she grabbed her clothes and tiptoed from the room. She headed to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for the day ahead.

  After she showered, dressed and was ready to go, she went back to her bedroom and opened the door quietly. She found Tara sitting on her bed with her knees drawn up to her chest, her face pressed against her thighs.

  “Hey,” she said softly as she walked across the room. “Are you okay?”

  Tara lifted her face and Melanie saw her red, puffy eyes. She sat down on the bed and pulled Tara into her arms. They sat like that for a while and Melanie’s eyes started to sting.

  “I’m going to miss you so much, Mel.”

  “I’m going to miss you, too.” She let go of Tara and wiped her eyes. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “Yeah,” Tara said sadly. “In no time at all.”

  Chapter 9

  Jeremy held Melanie’s hand for most of the eight hour drive to Kentucky. She was nervous, but her sweaty palm didn’t seem to bother him. He tried to keep her occupied with road trip games, but she wasn’t able to concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time.

  “Hey,” he whispered into her ear, “it’s going to be fine. You’re going to do great and everyone is going to love you, just like I do.”

  She started to smile as Darren interjected from the driver’s seat, “He’s right. Everyone is going to love you.”

  “How did you…” Melanie trailed off with a confused look on her face.

  Darren smiled at her in the rear view mirror. “Shifter hearing. Once you go through the change, you’ll see.”

  “He’s right,” Jeremy said.

  “My hearing and eyesight have both improved already.”

  “That’s normal,” Darren replied, “but it gets even better after your first shift.”

  “Not too much longer now,” Melanie mumbled.

  Jeremy squeezed her hand reassuringly, then pulled it up to his mouth and kissed it. She gave him a small smile and resumed staring out her window at the countryside. They had entered Kentucky an hour before and the closer they got, the more nervous Melanie became.

  At around four o’clock, the car started to slow and suddenly Darren was pulling off of the highway and onto a single dirt lane. Melanie sat up straight and looked all around, noting that there was nothing but thick woods on either side of the road.

  “Are we there?”

  “Yes,” Darren replied. “We’ve been within the Wilkes city limits for the last five miles. This road leads to the compound where everyone lives. People who work have jobs in the nearby towns of Danville and Junction City.”

  As he finished speaking, the compound came into view. Melanie sat in awe as she stared around. She had somewhat expected a circle of dusty cabins with half naked people cooking fresh game on a spit over an open fire.

  The dirt road had ended on a paved street lined with cute bungalow style homes. Each home had a manicured lawn, some even had flowerbeds. There were no fences to separate them and children ran around yelling and laughing. At the end of the street was a large, white plantation style house with a wraparound porch and bright red shutters. Several people stood on the porch, watching as Darren’s SUV pulled into the drive.

  “What is this place? Who are those people? Are they waiting for us?” Melanie asked without pausing for an answer.

  Darren put the car into park and turned around to face her while reaching out to place a hand on Elaine’s knee. “This is my home. Our home,” he amended. “Those people are members of the community come to meet you. The sentinels told them we were coming.”

  They got out of the SUV and Jeremy grabbed Melanie’s hand as soon as they rounded the car. She smiled at him with gratitude. She was nervous, but strode forward with confidence.

  “Melanie,” Darren said as they reached the bottom of the porch steps, “I’d like you to meet Chad Brown, my beta, or second-in-command.”

  Melanie shook his hand and said, “Hello, it’s nice to meet you, Mr. Brown.”

  “Please, call me Chad,” he replied in a deep voice.

  Melanie studied Chad’s features while Darren reacquainted him with her mother, who remembered him from her youth. He was tall and somewhat lanky, with a shock of white-blonde hair and light green eyes. His face was lined with crinkles around the eyes and mouth, giving the impression that he laughed a lot.

  He’s good looking, for an old guy, Melanie thought, and felt a squeeze on her hand from Jeremy.

  He leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, “Should I be jealous?”

  Melanie jerked her eyes toward the ground and blushed when Chad’s gaze shot toward them with a smirk. He stuck out his hand to Jeremy and introduced himself, ending with “No reason to worry, son. I’m a happily married man.”

  Jeremy just laughed and put his arm around Melanie’s shoulders. “Oh, I’m not worried.”

  Melanie elbowed him in the side, hard, and he released her with a groan. “Damned shifter hearing…” she mumbled, almost incoherently as she stalked away from him and toward her parents, who had climbed the steps onto the porch.

  Melanie was introduced to several people, including Chad’s w
ife, Willow. The joy shone in her blue eyes as she introduced herself, and Melanie instantly felt at ease with her. She ignored Melanie’s outstretched hand, threw her long, golden blonde braid over her shoulder and pulled Melanie in for a tight hug.

  “It’s so nice to finally meet you, sugar,” she whispered into Melanie’s ear. “Your daddy is so happy. He has talked about bringing you here so many times over the years. Welcome home.”

  Melanie wanted to be perturbed by that “home” bit, but it was impossible to be upset while wrapped in Willow’s arms. She smelled like strawberries and fresh cut grass, a combination very pleasant and calming to Melanie’s ever-improving nose.

  As Willow pulled away, her head shot to the side and she said, “Melanie, I’d like you to meet our son, Declan.”

  Melanie looked in the direction Willow indicated. Her mouth opened to say hello, but all that came out was a choked cough as she sucked some spit down her windpipe. Jeremy, who had joined them on the porch, patted her back and asked her if she was okay. She nodded and glanced back up to get a second look at Declan Brown.

  He was beautiful. That was really the only adjective Melanie could think of to describe him. That, and maybe angelic. He had a halo of light blonde waves, the shade somewhere between his father’s white hair and his mother’s golden blonde. His eyes reminded her of a picture she saw of the ocean in Tahiti, blueish-green and so light and clear, they looked like glass. He had a square jaw and deep dimples. His nose was a little crooked, like maybe he had broken it at some point, but it suited him.

  Melanie cleared her throat and stuck out her hand before things got more awkward. “I’m Melanie, nice to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is all mine,” he responded, his voice smooth and deep.

  Jeremy stepped closer to Melanie’s side and held out his hand to Declan. “I’m Jeremy, Melanie’s boyfriend.”

  Declan smiled at him as they shook hands. Jeremy felt his hackles rise. Something about this guy didn’t sit right with him. It was an instant dislike. Though Jeremy knew his feelings were irrational, he couldn’t shake the bad feeling.