“I wouldn’t miss it. Tell your father I’ll see him soon.” Dr. Rick nodded at Sergei and left.
“He’s such a nice man. I think he’s lonely. He gives all his time to the tribe and helping others. I wish he had someone to love,” Lindy said, with a sigh.
Sergei uncrossed his arms and moved back to the side of the bed. He moved with grace and power, and once more Lindy found it hard not to blatantly stare at him. “If we are to travel to your father’s house, perhaps you should change from the hospital gown,” Sergei suggested.
Lindy looked down at the ugly garment. What kind of impression had she made on the one man meant for her? First kidnapped, a damsel in distress, drugged out of her mind and now this. The Great Spirit possessed a terrific sense of humor.
§
Lindy walked out wearing jeans and a sweater. Soft leather boots completed the outfit. Sergei’s wolf jumped to attention as a wave of lust hit him hard. He squirmed in his chair. Lindy walked over and frowned down at him.
“You don’t have any shoes. You can’t walk into Shadow that way, your feet will freeze.”
“We’re walking into Shadow? I thought we were going to your father’s house.”
“We are, I live in Montana. Right now you are in the state of New Mexico. I’ll have to call Raven and see if we can get you boots to wear.”
“Don’t go to any trouble. I can handle the cold of Shadow. The last time I traveled, my clothes disintegrated.”
“The right kind of all natural clothes won’t fall apart. Isanti has departments that make our clothes as well as other items. I’m sure someone can get you something quick.”
Sergei nodded. She didn’t seem to be willing to change her mind.
“Let’s go upstairs so you can see the high desert. It’s very different from Siberia.” Lindy reached for his hand and Sergei let her lead him out of the room and down the hall to the elevator. Lindy kept glancing at him while they waited for the doors to open. He looked down at the jeans he wore and wondered if something was wrong with his attire.
“We should get you some different clothes too. Those will probably go through Shadow all right, but something warmer would be better,” Lindy muttered to herself.
The door opened and she dragged him inside. He frowned when she winced. Her shoulder wasn’t completely healed. “Lindy, I don’t want to be a bother to you. If these clothes are unacceptable I’ll be happy to purchase new ones, once I can get funds transferred here to America.”
“Hmm, I wonder if Hugh Thunder Hoof could help us. He’s such a computer nerd. I bet he could set up an account for you and get your money transferred. We’ll stop at the tech department first.”
Sergei nodded. It looked like it would be a long day. What would Lindy think when she realized he was a multimillionaire?
Chapter Six
It was late afternoon when Lindy and Sergei arrived on her father’s front porch. Bright colored lights cheerily blinked along the edge of the roofline. The scents of pine and cinnamon drifted on the air.
Sergei was now dressed in leather pants and a silk shirt with a black leather coat finishing the ensemble. He felt very western and thought a cowboy hat would be a good addition. When he mentioned it to Lindy, she laughed. He’d ordered other items to be delivered, but it would be a few days before they arrived.
Now as Lindy used her hands to open a door out of the Shadow Dimension, he watched intently, taking note of each step in the process. He had also kept connected to her mentally and noticed how intricately she envisioned her Father’s house. Next time they entered Shadow, he wanted to lead the way.
Sometime in the near future, he would need to return to Siberia and report his success of finding his mate to his Alpha. He also wondered if his brothers had made it to Moscow yet. Shadow Walking made traveling so much easier.
“Come in, come in,” Isanti said from the door. “Gwen, Lindy is home.”
Lindy hurried into the house. Isanti smiled and stopped Sergei at the door with a hand to his chest. “Give the girls a minute. They are very close. Gwen will want to make sure Lindy is okay. I hope she gives a good report on you. Gwen is very good with a knife and crossbow.”
“Dad! Don’t say things like that. You’ll scare him away,” Lindy complained as she reappeared in the doorway. “This is my mate, Sergei Sokolov, Gwen.” Next to her stood a woman slightly taller than Lindy and a little fuller figured. Both women possessed the same black hair and dark chocolate eyes. Gwen’s hair was shorter at shoulder length. Sergei smiled and offered his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Gwen. Lindy speaks very highly of you.”
She nodded, but didn’t offer her hand in return. Lindy frowned, looking quickly at her sister. “Gwen?” she asked uncertainly.
“Sorry. Everything is happening so fast. What do you so for a living, Mr. Sokolov?”
“Perhaps you could give him the third degree inside the house, Gwen,” Isanti said, with a frown. “He’s a guest in our home. Welcome him properly.”
Sergei put down his hand. “I only want to treasure your sister as she deserves, Gwen. Mates are very rare and my people devote our whole attention to their happiness.”
“I guess we’ll see won’t we. Come in and be welcome.” She stepped out of the doorway and motioned Sergei to enter. Isanti followed behind him.
They walked into the living room. A Christmas tree sat decorated in the corner and the television showed a young girl speaking of angels getting their wings. Isanti turned off the show.
Sergei moved up and took Lindy’s hand. Gwen might not like him, but he wasn’t giving Lindy up. Lindy sat on the couch and Sergei sat beside her, his arm around her shoulders. Isanti took one of the chairs while Gwen watched.
“I’ll get us some tea. Or would you prefer coffee?” she asked.
“Tea would be wonderful,” Sergei answered.
“Humph,” Gwen muttered walking into the kitchen.
“Did I do something wrong?” Sergei asked.
“You showed up,” Isanti said with a smile. “Gwen will come around. She’s always been the mothering hen to Lindy’s little chick. Their mother died when they were very young. I knew this day would come. Only, I thought the girls would be claimed by one of the local lycans.”
“Wait. How do you know about lycans and why would you think that Lindy should be claimed by one?” Sergei asked.
“Because, they have lycan blood from both sides of the family. My mother and my mother-in-law were both lycans. Sadly both have passed on along with their mates.”
“Wait. Lycan blood. What are you talking about Dad?” Lindy asked.
“He’s saying your future husband is an animal,” Gwen said, carrying in a tray of mugs. Lindy looked at Sergei, her gaze confused.
“A human is an animal, Gwen,” Sergei said lightly in reprimand. He turned to his mate. “One of those abilities we talked about is turning into a wolf. Since the wolf is your spirit animal. You know they are very loyal and family oriented.”
“They’re vicious animals,” Gwen said, stomping out of the room.
“Gwen was bitten by a boy when she was little,” Isanti explained. “He was a lycan child and very aggressive. She’s never really gotten over it. My family often visited the local pack. My mother gave the boy a scolding, but he grew up to be a bully. Chuck, I think his name is. He liked Gwen and thought she would shift and bite him back. Neither one of the girls ever shifted when they were young.”
Gwen walked back in with a tray of cups. Lindy looked intently at her sister. Sergei noticed the little shake of the head Gwen gave her. There was more to this story than first appeared. Breathing deeply, Sergei tested the scents in the room. Ah, there it was, a faint but unmistakable smell of lycan. One of the women in the room was capable of shifting, maybe even both of them. He smelled the acidic scent of fear coming from Gwen. Did she believe herself in danger?
“You’ve nothing to fear from me, Gwen. Lindy’s family is now mine,” Sergei said catching Gwen’s ga
ze.
“Don’t say anything else. Please. There are things you don’t understand.” The telepathic message from Gwen flooded his mind. He winced at the strength behind the communication. Lindy frowned and squeezed his leg. “As you wish, sister-kin,” Sergei sent to Gwen.
Gwen returned to the kitchen when a loud whistle filled the air. A pregnant pause made Sergei wonder how truly welcoming Lindy’s family felt. He looked at his mate, she dropped her gaze and began wringing her hands. He rubbed her shoulder. “Whatever you are afraid of, I will protect you and your family,” he sent through the heartmate bond. Lindy smiled up at him and nodded.
“So what do you do for a living, Mr. Sokolov?” Gwen asked returning from the kitchen with a pot of tea. She poured the steaming liquid into the cups before sitting across from them.
“Sergei, please, Gwen,” he said lightly. “My family supports our pack in Siberia. I work as a lieutenant under the Beta, organizing the men who guard the pack’s territory. When my time is free I enjoy making wood carvings to sell at our pack toy store.”
“That doesn’t sound very lucrative. How will you support my sister?”
“Now, Gwen. Lycans aren’t afraid of hard work. If nothing else, Sergei can work here on the ranch,” Isanti hurriedly interjected.
“I would be happy to work on your ranch, Isanti,” Sergei said with a smile. “As far as supporting my mate,” Sergei turned to Gwen. “My share of the mineral rights owned by our pack is enough to support us, wherever we all live.”
“All?” Lindy asked, her brow crinkling.
“I am the oldest of five brothers. I’ll need to see to their care as well as ours,” Sergei explained.
“Five brothers? That would come in handy at calving time,” Isanti said. “They’d be welcome here. The tribe owns a large piece of property that borders this one. I’m sure there’s room for a few lycans to run.”
“Dad! You can’t offer that. You need to speak to Raven first. He’s the chief now,” Gwen said with a frown.
“If you wouldn’t mind me using your phone,” Sergei said. “I should call my family again and see if they’ve made it to Moscow. They were supposed to meet me at an apartment the pack keeps in town. Lindy could always come to Siberia and live with me there.”
“Siberia?” Both Lindy and Gwen said with a gasp.
“I don’t think I can do that,” Lindy whispered. “Maybe we shouldn’t commit to this mating. We are so very different.”
“We can find our way, Lindika. Don’t give up on us. Your happiness is my first priority. I am willing to live wherever you wish.”
“Well, that’s good to hear!” Gwen said with a rush. “Lindy and I have lived here all of our lives. This is our home.”
“You’re welcome to use the phone, Sergei. Nothing needs to be settled at this moment. Drink your tea. Relax.” Isanti picked up his cup and took a sip. “Wonderful as usual, Gwen. Is this a new blend?”
“Gwen makes her own teas and tinctures,” Lindy said proudly. “She’s been offered a job in London at one of the big tea houses.”
“Yes, the girl is afraid I can’t live without her so she turned it down,” Isanti said with a huff.
“Now, Dad. You’re not as young as you used to be,” Gwen said. “Who would fix your meals and oversee the ranch?”
“We could hire a ranch manager and cook. You don’t have to put your life on hold for me.”
“Dad’s right, Gwen. You should have a chance to do what you want. Raven said I was on leave indefinitely until they can find out what’s really going on with the embassy marines. I can look after Dad.”
“Well, if you were here, then I guess I could go to London for a while. I’ll think about it,” Gwen said. Lindy smiled at her sister, the love she felt easily seen.
“Lindy, why don’t you take Sergei for a walk around the ranch? Let him see what we have here before the sun sets.”
Sergei dutifully rose and held out his hand to Lindy. He’d try to call his brothers again when they got back. Taking a walk would give them time to talk about whatever she and her sister were scared of. Whatever it was, they kept it from their father, or at least they thought they did. The old shaman was a wily old man and Sergei wasn’t sure he didn’t know exactly what was going on with his girls.
“We won’t be long, Gwen. I’ll help you get dinner together when we get back,” Lindy said leading Sergei to the front door.
§
Lindy took Sergei’s hand and headed into the woods at the back of the house. She needed to be in the trees to think. A small path wound around the huge trunks of the old trees. Lindy pressed her free hand against the bark sending a greeting to the spirits of the forest.
Why hadn’t Dad told them about the lycan blood in their background? Grandma Quiet Thunder died when Lindy was very young, and she couldn’t even remember her other grandmother.
Her mom wasn’t a lycan, Lindy would remember if she had shifted. When Gwen shifted the first time, she’d been terrified. Both girls made a pact never to tell a soul about the monster inside them. When Gwen’s wolf came out, it went completely wild, chasing rabbits and killing other small game. Gwen could control it most of the time, but every once in a while, she went to the cabin at the top of the mountain for a weekend and forbade Lindy to come with her.
Lindy had never shifted. Though, sometimes she felt something running under her skin and her senses seemed to strengthen. She shook her head, suddenly realizing that Sergei stood quietly waiting for her to come back to the present. What was it about him that made her feel so comfortable? She’d never reacted to a man like she did to Sergei. He still held her hand, lightly running his thumb over her skin. She felt an instant attraction and shivered.
“Why is your sister afraid?” he asked. “Is it because she can shift? I can smell the lycan in her, and you too, though it’s fainter.”
“The first time she shifted, we were outside playing. She killed a rabbit, ripped it into shreds. Her wolf is a monster.”
“Your sister needs to learn to control her wolf. We all start out a little wild. Our parents and elders in the pack teach us how to embrace our wolf while still keeping our humanity.”
“She hides that part of herself from the world. We didn’t have anyone to teach us.”
“Have you ever shifted, Lindy?” Sergei asked, his eyes bright with curiosity.
“No.” Lindy shook her head wondering if he would be disappointed in her. Maybe Sergei should be Gwen’s mate. Why did her stomach feel like it fell out with that thought?
“Come here, Lindy,” Sergei tugged lightly on her hand. “I need to kiss that look off your face.”
Lindy willingly stepped forward needing his warmth. Her world turned upside down when she connected to Sergei. His lips were gentle as he held her close. Little butterfly kisses that teased her senses. She quivered, a feeling of warmth igniting in her center. Sergei ran his tongue along her lips and she eagerly opened for him. He still kept the kiss light, rubbing his tongue against hers but retreating just as fast. Lindy reached up and grabbed his face. She pushed her tongue deep, needing to taste him. Sergei moaned and deepened the kiss, pulling her closer. She responded with a moan of her own. They broke apart, both of them panting.
“I need you, Lindy. I need to be deep inside you cementing our bond in place,” Sergei whispered as he looked at her in awe.
Suddenly he stiffened. Goose bumps ran down Lindy’s arms. Something was wrong. Sergei sniffed the air and a low growl came from his throat.
“We need to get into Shadow. Now,” Lindy heard in her head.
She didn’t question. Quickly finding a Shadow next to a tree, she opened a doorway. They both stepped inside and Lindy closed the portal.
Three men walked into the clearing where she and Sergei had been standing. “Dammit! I lost the signal. Her last reading was right here.”
“Did she go back into the house? I’d hate to take out a whole family, but the boss said kill her by any means.”
Lindy stiffened. Sergei held her close as Lindy sounded a telepathic alarm. Quiet Thunder and Gwen would be safe in Shadow. She felt movement at her back and found Raven, Joe, and Hugh walking toward them. The group stood quietly listening to the mercenaries hired to kill Lindy.
“I don’t understand how we lost the signal. Now it’s totally dead.”
“She couldn’t have removed it out here, unless they do surgeries in the wood.” The man turned in a circle, surveying the area. “Didn’t they just put the chip in the bitch? Now they want her whacked. Seems like a lot of trouble.”
Sergei’s arms tightened around Lindy.
“Someone messed up. The boss isn’t happy.”
Lindy looked at Sergei.
“Could the chip be faulty?”
“Don’t know.”
§
Sergei had heard enough. What was Raven waiting for?
He was about to take matters into his own hands when Joe and the other two men walked out of Shadow. The three mercenaries were down before Sergei could offer to help. The culprits laid on the forest floor, knocked out. Joe handcuffed each man before reaching for his phone.
Sergei and Lindy walked out of Shadow. “Is that all of them?” Lindy asked.
“I’ve got teams checking on the house and nearby roads. They must have parked a vehicle somewhere and walked in,” Raven said.
Sergei picked up the black box with a blinking red light one of the enemy had carried. He held it up, turning first one way and then the other. The closer the box got to Lindy, the faster the light blinked, until when next to her arm, it didn’t blink at all, but stayed on continuously. He dropped the box and crushed it under his boot.
“Wait. I wanted to look at that,” Hugh said disgruntled.
“What’ll you do with them?” Sergei asked Raven. “They were sent to kill Lindy. You should’ve killed them.”
“Sergei, we don’t kill people if we can help it,” Hugh said.
Shadow Mate Page 6