by Jane Jamison
A lifetime. She couldn’t leave. Not before finding out what they wanted from her. “Okay, I’ve got to ask. Where is all this going? You said a lifetime. Does that mean…” She stalled, suddenly fearing she was wrong.
Jadon took her hand, rubbing his thumb over the tops of her fingers. “I thought we’d made that clear, but let me say it out loud and in the words you need to hear. It means that we love you. You’re our mate, the one and only woman we’ll ever love.”
Josh took her other hand, then caressed her cheek. “We want you for as long as you’ll have us.”
“Which with these two, may not be all that long. God knows I wouldn’t blame you,” joked Curt. “If that’s the case, just say so and I’ll kick them out right now.”
“As if you could.” Josh snarled, but the snarl held no real threat.
She smiled, loving how they bantered with each other. What they were saying made her heart light and carefree.
“You’ve felt the connection, right?” Jadon waited until she’d nodded. “That can’t be ignored. Even if you were to leave, we’d never stop loving you. It’s impossible for us to do that. When shifters mate, they mate for the rest of their lives.”
The attorney in her had to know. Short of getting them to sign a contract, of course. “Just to be sure, you’re saying it’s like we’re married. That we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. Just the three of us. You won’t be adding any other women to our, um, family?”
Curt chuckled. “Hmm, we hadn’t thought of that. Would you like sister wives?”
She could see he was joking, but she wasn’t. “Not a chance. You three are mine and mine alone. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” It was funny and so reassuring that they all answered at the same time and so fast.
“I’ve got to run, but I want you to tell me. Why do your eyes change color? I’ve seen bits of amber in them. Then, when you were in your bear forms, your eyes glowed with that color.”
“That’s when our inner bears are pushing to take over, to shift.”
“Can you control it? Or do you have to change?”
“We can. Unless we’re very angry. Then we might lose control. Like if someone tried to hurt you, I don’t think I could hold back.”
“And you can change at any time? You don’t have to wait for something like a full moon?”
He cringed. “Werewolves are thought to change during a full moon, but that’s a myth. Like us, they can shift anytime they want.”
Everything they were telling her was mystical, bringing up childhood stories she’d never believed even when she was young. Instead, the monsters she’d read about were real, but so much different than what she’d heard.
“What about children? I mean, do you want them? I know you told me to think about this last night, but I need more information to do that.” She didn’t question that she loved them. But could she live the life they led?
“Yeah, we want kids,” answered Josh. “We’d love to have a whole bunch. Like maybe nine or ten.”
She was stunned. What did they expect? That she’d have a litter? “Okay, I’m not going to stay preggers all the time. I’m an attorney and a good one. When I move up here”—she paused, happy when they didn’t try to dissuade her—“then I’m going to get another job. In a law firm or set up my own practice. As for kids, I was thinking maybe two or three. Maximum. You three can say what goes in the bedroom, but we’re equals in life. Do you agree?”
“Sure. We wouldn’t want it any other way,” answered Josh. “About the kid thing…”
The disappointment she saw threw her, but they weren’t the ones who’d be subjecting their body to nine or more pregnancies. “I’m sorry. You seriously can’t expect me to have that many children.”
“However many you want is fine with us.” Jadon turned her hand loose. “But you have to understand. Even if you decide not to have us change you—”
“Change me? As in becoming a werebear like your mothers? I’ll definitely need more time to think about that.”
“And you don’t have to if you don’t want it. But we can change you if that’s what you decide. It’s a painful process, but it can be done.”
“And if I don’t want to change?” She’d accepted and even loved every part of them, including their werebear sides, but she didn’t think she wanted to be anything other than human.
“Then our children will most likely be half-werebear and half-human. Like we said, sometimes they can wind up being full werebear or completely human when the mother is human. There’s no definitive answer.”
“But why not? Shouldn’t someone have figured it out by now?”
“Maybe, but as far as I know, there aren’t any scientists or geneticists that have studied shifters and their offspring. And I’ve never known a werebear who cared to know. As far as we’re concerned, a child of ours is a child of ours. We don’t care if he’s werebear, human, or part of both.”
Tears came to her eyes. That was one of the sweetest things she’d ever heard. How many children in the world went without that kind of acceptance?
“So, Mayla, does this mean you want us, too? That you’ll stay and make a life with us?”
They were large, strong men who could change into one of the fiercest animals on the planet. But from their open expressions and expected looks, she saw how vulnerable they could be.
“Yes. I want that more than anything.”
They lunged at her, shouting their joy, but she held up her hands and prayed they wouldn’t crush her in their exuberance. They groaned, but held back.
“Guys, I’d love to stay here and celebrate, but I’ve got to go see my father. If I don’t, I’m afraid he’ll call out the National Guard.”
“Then go.” Josh pulled her to him, his hand sneaking below the top of the sheet to skim over her breast.
She giggled and pushed his hand away. “Damn, but you’re an animal.”
“Yeah.” He feigned a confused look. “I thought you knew that by now.”
She shoved him away again. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
* * * *
Mayla had never wanted to face her father as her opposing counsel in a courtroom. So far, she never had. He was a relentless attorney, known for his impressive record and his persistence at getting at the truth.
When she came into the cabin and saw his face, she knew that, although they weren’t in a courtroom, the time she’d dreaded had come.
“Mayla, sit down.” He was calm, too calm. And on the offensive.
She didn’t argue since it wouldn’t have done any good. Instead, she took a seat at the table where he and John nursed their mugs of coffee. It didn’t help that her father didn’t offer her a cup.
“I don’t know what’s come over you since we came here, but I don’t care.”
She didn’t want to get defensive, but she had to stand her ground from the start or she’d never get him to understand. “Dad, I’m not your little girl any longer.”
His gaze met hers, unblinking, filled with determination. “You’ll always be my little girl.”
Aw, shit. He couldn’t have found a better way to soften her up. Because it wasn’t one of his courtroom tactics. He meant every word.
“And you’ll always be my favorite dad.” It was a joke she’d used often, but he knew how she felt. He’d been her hero every day of her life. Even more so after her mother’s death.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
She glanced at John. He was very quiet, more than she’d ever seen him. “I fell in love.”
He blinked then, caught off guard by the one thing he wouldn’t have expected her to say. “With who? What’s his name? Is it Barberson?”
She nodded, then added, “Yeah. The last name is Barberson.” She swallowed. “But it’s more than one man. It’s three of them.”
He slumped in his chair, his jaw going slack. “Three men? What are you talking about? How can you fall in love w
ith three men at the same time?”
John leaned forward, none of his usual teasing coming out. Instead, he studied her as though he’d never seen her before.
“Their names are Jadon, Curt, and Josh Barberson and I’m not sure how it happened, but it did. I’m in love with all of them.”
The shock was gone and the litigator returned. “That’s insane. Not possible. Surely, you know that.”
She dragged in a ragged breath. “A week ago I would’ve agreed with you, but I know how I feel.”
“You’re naïve or confused. After all, you haven’t had much experience.” His hands cupped his mug, his fingers growing white with the effort. “Or have you?”
Irritation flashed through her. He had to know her better than that. “I’m not a slut, Dad. How I feel about them is amazing. I can’t even describe it, but we have a connection.”
He scoffed, snorting his derision. “A connection? Really, Mayla. I’d expect that from silly high school girl, but not you.”
“I know how it sounds, but that’s the way it is.”
“And you had this so-called connection with three different men?”
“Yes. And it’s not had. It still is.” She held back, fighting against irritation that would morph into anger. “I love them. They’re strong, good men who treat me like a queen.”
“And you just met them? How can you be sure in such a short time?”
He wasn’t going to believe her unless she could convince him that she was telling him the truth. If only she knew how. “I know it sounds out there, but you need to trust me on this. I just know.”
“Because of this connection you say you have. Is that right?”
He wanted her to show him cold, hard evidence, but she had none. Only the connection that he couldn’t feel and maybe wouldn’t understand even if he could. “Yes. Dad, please believe me. Can’t you trust my judgment enough to do that?”
“All right. For argument’s sake, let’s say what you’re telling me is true.”
“We’re not in a courtroom. Talk to me like my father. Not like a lawyer.”
She fisted her hands, placing them in her lap. One of the first rules he’d taught her about law was to keep her cool. Or, if that was impossible, then to keep her opponent from seeing that she was getting angry. Anger never helped. Instead, it drove a person to do and say foolish things, losing their chance at winning a case.
“Fine, then. This is your father talking. You’re well past legal age and I can’t stop you from doing whatever you want. But, as your father, I’m asking you to consider that you’re making a damn fool of yourself.”
“How am I doing that, Dad? By loving someone?”
“According to you, it’s three men. Which, if anyone heard you say that, they’d laugh their head off. And they’d damn sure never hire you.”
She shook her head, then ran her fingers through her hair, barely keeping from pulling a hunk out. “Is that what this is about? You’re worried about my professional reputation?”
“And your personal one. What would Ryan Hopkins say?”
His curve ball whacked her off her footing. Ryan Hopkins was the son of one of her father’s business friends. The Hopkins family were very influential and had suggested that her father run for Congress with their personal and financial backing. She’d dated Ryan for the past three months, but it had never turned into anything serious. She’d planned on never dating him again even before they’d come on the hunting vacation. “I don’t care what Ryan or his family might think. You’re the one they want to run for office, not me.”
“Honey, you need to think about what you’re doing. I realize these men live out in the middle of nowhere, but even small town rumors have a way of making their way to the bigger cities. I’ll bet the people of Forever and Shatland gossip as much as anyone else.”
“I love them, Dad, and nothing, especially not rumors, is going to change that. I hope you can accept my decision, but when I get back to Austin, I’m packing up my belongings and moving here. I’m going to live with them.”
Her father was on his feet, his face a mask of rage. If they’d been in a courtroom, she would’ve just landed a one-two punch.
“Mayla Weaton, I forbid you to do that.”
She laughed, more out of exasperation than at him. “Dad, I’m sorry and I respect your opinion. I really do. But I’m going to do want my heart tells me to do.”
“Sis, please. Think about this.”
She ignored John. “Now if there’s nothing else you’d like to discuss, I’m going to grab my suitcase and get back to my new home.”
“Over my dead body.”
She’d never seen her father so angry. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have threatened her. She loved him and couldn’t handle leaving with him so upset. She owed him so much.
“Dad, please try and understand. It’s like I’ve known them my entire life.”
“Are you talking about love at first sight? That’s a ridiculous idea.”
She stared at him, trying to hold back, but unable to do so. “Is it, Dad? Mom said she fell in love with you at first sight.”
“That’s not the same thing. Three of them? Come on, Mayla. Where’s your common sense?”
If bringing up her mother wouldn’t make him understand, then nothing would. Frustration and sadness warred against each other as she fought to maintain control. “I don’t know how to make you believe. The connection is this thing that their people have. It tells them when they’ve found their intended mate.”
He stared at her as the flush of what she’d said hit her. She silently begged her men to forgive her.
“Their people? What does that mean anyway? Are they a different ethnicity? And what does that mean, their intended mate?”
She should’ve discussed it with the men, should’ve realized before she’d left that she’d have to tell her father, but it was too late. Instead, she went with her gut and decided it to take a chance on the first man she’d ever loved and trusted.
“Dad, what I’m about to tell you is the God’s honest truth. Please, please believe me.”
He didn’t speak, crossing his arms and lifting his eyebrows as his answer.
She closed her eyes and prayed she wasn’t making a mistake. Opening them again, she stood straight and tall, then told her father.
“The men I love…are werebears.”
Chapter Seven
Mayla had expected almost any other reaction than the one her father gave her. He didn’t answer for a moment, then threw back his head and laughed. But his laugh was forced and humorless.
“What are you trying to pull? We’re having a serious discussion and you’re throwing in a bunch of nonsense?”
She’d made a tactical error. How could she have thought he’d believe that the men were werebears when he couldn’t even believe that the connection she felt with them was real? But there was no turning back.
“I know it’s difficult, even impossible to believe, but I’m telling you because I respect you. Please respect me and trust what I’m saying.”
John hooked his fingers behind his head and leaned back in the chair. “You’re either trying some kind of trick to get us to accept that you’ve fallen in love with three men or you’ve gone insane. Did you hit your head when that bear knocked you over?”
“That bear was Josh Barberson and I love him.” Her pulse pounded in her head, the blood gushing through her as her anger grew.
“So you’re saying these men can change from humans into animals? Into bears? And that the bear that ran you down was actually a man?”
“Into grizzly bears to be exact.” What was the saying? In for a penny, in for a pound. She’d just jumped in with all the money in the world.
“And this is what they told you?” The sadness in her father’s eyes undid her.
“That’s what they showed me.”
Her father paced into the adjoining living room. His shoulders slumped as worry replaced anger. “Honey, p
lease tell me. Are you using drugs? Did these men get you to take something?” He was across the room and taking her by the arms with a few quick strides. “If they did, I’ll have their asses thrown into jail before nightfall.”
She pulled away. “No. Of course not. They’d never do anything like that.”
“But you’re saying you saw them change into bears. Bears with fangs and claws and fur? Come on, sis. What are you trying to pull?”
“I swear it’s true.”
Her father backed away from her, moving at a much slower pace. “This is beyond ridiculous. I don’t know why you’d think we’d ever be so stupid to believe such a story.” He rubbed the back of his neck. Suddenly, he appeared much older, aged ten years since she’d last seen him. “Look, honey, we’ve gotten heated talking about this. Perhaps we need some time to think.”
“I agree.” Was he ready to give her a chance? Ready to accept what she’d told him?
“That’s why I’m going out for a walk. When I come back, I’m going to insist that you tell me the truth, every bit of it.”
Disappointment hit her so hard she rocked on her feet. He was giving her an ultimatum. Not directly, but it was an ultimatum nonetheless. “Time won’t change anything. I’ll tell you the same thing. I’ll tell you the truth.”
He fisted his hands, his face turning a shade of red as his fury retook him. For a moment, she believed the incredible. Would her father hit her?
Instead of coming at her, he pivoted on his heel and stalked to the door. He paused, his hand on the doorknob, then slowly turned toward her, jabbing his finger at her. “Stay here. When I get back, you’ll tell me everything.”
She didn’t have any time to respond and wouldn’t have if she’d had that time. Instead, she watched her father walk out the door.
Would he ever believe her? If she left, was it the same as saying good-bye to her father forever? She drew in a hard breath, as though the tight feeling in her chest had captured the air in her lungs.
“Tell him, sis. Don’t let these men break our family apart.”
She plopped back into her chair. Every ounce of her was in pain. The morning that had started out so wonderful had taken a tragic turn and she didn’t know how to fix it.