by Kasey Belle
Cathy turned her head and looked at him over her shoulder. “That makes you the best mate ever. You’re a marshmallow dipped in badass. My very own Woobie Dom.”
He tickled her sides and playfully bit her neck, making her squeal. “Divulge my secret and there will be hell to pay.”
She held up three fingers together. “Girl scouts honor.”
“You were a girl scout?”
“No.” She snickered. “But, your secret is safe with me.”
“I love you, mate.”
“I love you, too. We have to tell Luke. I don’t know how he’s going to take it. I don’t want to tell him right now. He’s having so much fun. I don’t want to ruin it or Emma Grace’s birthday.”
“We can tell him tonight once we are home.”
****
Cathy spent the rest of the evening vacillating from elation to trepidation. The only thing that diminished the sheer joy of knowing she would never have to look over her shoulder again, was the fact that, before the night was over, Luke would know that his father was dead.
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind. Paul whispered in her ear, “You’re going to scrub the coating off of that pan.”
Cathy dropped the sponge and leaned back against Paul’s chest. She let his warmth sooth her anxiety.
“You’re worried about Luke?”
“He’s such a loving boy, I’m not sure how he’s going to take the news.”
“No matter how he takes it, we’ll be here for him. Bud was his father, and it would be normal for him to feel a little sad over the loss. Especially, caring boy like Luke whose feelings run deep. He’s also a highly intelligent boy. He’s knows who and what William Latimer was, so his feelings could go either way.”
Cathy turned in Paul’s arms so she could look into his eyes. “He spoke to you about Bud?”
“He did.”
“What did he say?”
“He told me about the abuse, about how you protected him, and told him to hide.”
Cathy’s lower lip trembled. “He remembers all that?” Paul nodded. Cathy placed her forehead to his chest. “I wanted him to forget. I hoped he would, but I should have known better.”
“He’s a smart boy.”
“Sometimes far too smart and too mature for his own good. I didn’t want Bud’s actions to ruin him. I didn’t want him to focus on those few years of his life when he had so much to look forward to. I want him to know the joys of childhood, scraped knees caused by fearless adventures, unrestrained imagination, and indulging in silliness, that society frowns upon after a certain age. I have never heard him laugh the way he did today. Oh, don’t get me wrong, he laughs and plays like other kids, but never with the total abandon like he does with Jay and Emma Grace.”
Cathy smiled as she thought of how good Emma Grace and Jay were for her son. An epiphany of epic proportions smacked her right between the eyes. Shocked, her eyes met Paul’s. “Did you put that image in my head?”
“No, mate, but I saw it. You get it now. You understand why every member of the pack was so excited for our cub. Luke will always know joy, he’ll never be lonely, because of Emma Grace and Jay. No matter where life takes him or what happens to us, there will always be two people he can count on, no matter what. It’s a miracle, kitten.”
As much as the idea of her seven-year-old with a future partner and a mate wigged her out, Cathy had to admit it was a miracle. A peace she had never felt before settled over her. Regardless of what happened, her son would be alright.
She stood on her toes and planted a chaste kiss on Paul’s lips. She knew better than to linger there, knowing they wouldn’t be able to finish what she started. “Why don’t I finish up in here and you go wait for Luke on sofa. He should be done with his shower soon.”
“Alright, kitten. No matter what, regardless of how he feels after we break the news, Luke will handle it with maturity beyond his years. So don’t fret too much.”
Cathy joined Paul on the sofa. He put his arm around her shoulders as she half listened to the talking head on the twenty-four-hour news station drone on about nothing, while trying to make it sound like something. Must have been a slow news day.
Luke, finally finished with his shower, no longer smelling like a wet dog, bound downstairs dressed in his Batman pajamas. He trotted into the room. He stood in front of Paul and Cathy. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on now? We’re not leaving are we?”
“No!” Paul and Cathy answered at the same time.
Cathy cleared her throat. “We aren’t going anywhere, Luke. Well, we will have to go get our stuff eventually, but other than that, no.”
“So we’re still a family then, right?”
“Yes. Luke, come sit down. Paul and I would like to talk to you.” Cathy couldn’t help but notice Luke looked a little worried and guilty.
Luke looked down at his bare feet as he shuffled to the sofa. “What’s wrong? Am I in trouble?” Luke asked carefully.
She shared a look with Paul, who was fighting a grin.
“Should you be?”
“Um.”
Cathy held up her hand to stop him from answering. “I don’t want to know. I didn’t see it and nobody ratted you out.”
Luke’s body deflated once he found out, he was not in trouble. Cathy didn’t want to know what he and Jay may have been up to. Sometimes ignorance was bliss. “One question, though.”
“Yes ma’am?”
“Did anything get broken or was anyone hurt?”
“No ma’am.”
“Okay, good.” Cathy elbowed Paul in the ribs when he snickered. “Paul got a call today from the Sheriff in Henley.”
“Was that before you went for a walk, cuz you were acting weird after that, Mom.”
“Yes.” Cathy felt like she was going to vomit. Paul slipped into her mind. “Do you want me to do this?”
“No, I’ll do it. I just hate it. Thank you.”
“Luke, it’s about your father.”
Luke gasped and looked at Paul. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
She felt Paul puff up beside her. She took Luke’s hand. “Paul’s fine, honey. I was talking about Bud.”
“Oh, what about him?”
“They found his body in a motel room. He’s dead.”
“Bud’s dead?”
“Yes.”
Jay nodded, his eyebrows knitted together in thought and with every minute of silence that passed Cathy became more worried. Paul rubbed her tense shoulders.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
Luke shrugged his shoulders. “Is… Is it okay if I don’t feel sad? Does that make me a bad person like him?”
Cathy pulled him into her lap and hugged him. “Of course, it’s okay. Your feelings are valid. He was not a good father or a good man. You are nothing like him. I promise you.”
Luke looked skeptical. “Are you sure?”
Cathy cupped Luke’s cheeks in her hands. “Look into my eyes. Do you see anything but the truth?”
“No, ma’am.”
“You are the only good thing that came from him. That’s why I have never been able to regret marrying Bud. I regret what he did, what happened between us, and that you were exposed to it. However, I do not regret having you. You are my boy and I love you. If I thought for a single second that you were going to turn out like him, I would have you in therapy.”
Luke grinned. “So you hate him, but you don’t hate him?”
“Something like that.”
Luke turned his attention to Paul. “You think so too, Dad?”
Cathy saw pride in Paul’s eyes every time Luke called him that. “I do. There isn’t anything evil or bad in you. I’m not only a sheriff, but a wolf. Wolves know these things.”
“Good. Jay said I was a good guy. Said he knew it, in here.” Luke put his palm to his heart. “But, we’re partners and he may have to say that. Plus, he’s a kid and doesn’t know any bad people. You know plenty, so I’ll belie
ve you.”
“Glad I could be of service, it’s what I do.”
Luke laughed at Paul’s deadpan response.
Cathy asked him, “Do you want to talk about anything?”
“Not right now. Maybe, later though. I have to think about it some.”
Paul settled Luke in between them and smiled at Cathy over Luke’s head. “I’ve got an idea. I noticed the latest episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is available to stream. Why don’t we watch it before you go to bed?”
“Cool! I’ve been waiting for that one. Thanks, Dad.”
Paul kissed the top of Luke’s head. “You’re welcome, son.”
Chapter 27
Cathy stood in line, with a cart full of groceries, waiting to check-out. Two weeks ago, Cathy would never had imagined she’d be purchasing groceries to fill the pantry and fridge in a home she shared with her mate and son. Not only was she happier than she ever thought possible, she was free. Free from the fearful anticipation caused by Bud’s existence. With him dead, she no longer had to look over her shoulder, wondering when he, or one of his buddies, would find her.
She knew Paul wanted more from her, more than she was ready to give right now. He wanted to marry her. He hinted about it often as did Luke. Any reference to the institution sent her body into panic mode. It was stupid really. She and Paul were mates and matings were forever. They were soulmates, there would be no other for either of them. She, along with Paul and Luke, packed up her house in Houston and permanently moved into Paul’s home. Well, their home, now. They were for all intents and purposes married. So, why did that simple two-syllable word send chills throughout her body and cause her to hyperventilate? Sometimes, she got so irritated with the ridiculous ninny that lived inside her. A calm washed over her as she recalled Paul’s reassuring words and infinite patience, after her last panic attack.
“I have you for the rest of my life. I’m not going anywhere and neither are you. You are always going to have triggers, it’s part of PTSD. We will work on them and around them. I love you, sweet mate and I will marry you when you are ready.”
Cathy glanced at her watch, the list took longer to fill than she originally planned. She was happy to see she still had plenty of time to run home and drop the groceries off before she had to pick Luke and Jay up at school.
She grinned as she imagined Fiona’s reaction to the goodies Cathy picked up for her. Her friend was a chocoholic, and it seemed pregnancy only exacerbated the issue, big time. The tiny woman had six brownies last night for dessert. Cathy picked Fiona up two boxes of chocolate Pop-tarts, a gallon of chocolate milk, and her favorite Death by Chocolate ice cream. As far as Cathy was concerned, a pregnant woman should be allowed to eat whatever she wanted, and Fee wanted chocolate.
Cathy leaned in through the open door and dropped her purse on the passenger seat before she started to load the bags into the trunk.
“Excuse me?”
The voice behind Cathy startled her, and she jerked around to see a tall, slender woman with short, dark hair. Cathy put her hand to her chest to try to still her rapidly beating heart. “Jeez, you scared me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you or be a bother. My car won’t start, my cellphone is dead, and stupid me forgot the charger at home. I was wondering if I could borrow yours to call my husband?”
“Oh, sure, if you can’t reach your husband, I know someone we can call.” Cathy leaned in to grab her purse off the passenger seat and felt a sharp pain in her neck. She instinctively put her hand to her neck and whirled around to look at the woman who giggled and waved a syringe at her. Cathy’s limbs felt like lead, her vision blurred, and she only had enough time to call out for her mate before her world went dark.
“Paul!”
****
“Mate!” The pain that sliced through Paul’s chest dropped him to his knees. “No! No, no, no!”
Kell rushed over to help him up. “Shit! Are you okay? What the hell?”
Paul looked up at his younger brother and Kell cringed. Paul knew what he saw, utter devastation. “What is it, Paul?”
“My mate, she’s gone.”
“What do you mean gone?”
“She was there and then she wasn’t. She screamed for me, that’s it, after that, nothing. I can’t feel her.”
“What’s going on?” Paul looked up to see Declan and Cade rushing in to the room. “Someone explain, now,” Declan ordered
Paul couldn’t form the words. He could utter those words again. Kell took pity on him and filled them in.
Cade put a hand on his shoulder. “That doesn’t mean she’s dead. Maybe she was in an accident and is unconscious.” Cade winced. “Sorry, that doesn’t really sound any better. When that happened to Fee, we couldn’t feel her.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“She went to the grocery store. I spoke to her about half an hour ago to see if she wanted me to pick the cubs up from school. She said no. Said she was almost finished. Next thing I know she called out for me. She was terrified. Then she was gone.”
“We’ll find her. I’ve alerted the entire pack. Cole, Micah, Hunter, and Alan are on their way. Paul,” Declan used his alpha voice. Paul was grateful for it. It was the only thing that could penetrate his fractured mind right now. “Search your heart. Do you still feel her life force in your heart?”
Paul closed his eyes and willed everything away, the hollow pain in his chest, his fear, his sorrow, and the men in the room. He focused solely within himself. It took him a while to find it, but it was there. A faint blip in tune with his own heartbeat. Relief washed over him and he was able to breathe for the first time since Cathy screamed his name through their link. He opened his eyes and looked into the hopeful faces of his family. “She’s still there.”
Declan nodded. “We will find your mate and bring her back home where she belongs.”
“Yes we will. I need to call my deputies have them go to Merkel’s and see if her car is there.”
Fiona and Shelly rushed into the room and Fiona headed straight towards him. She hugged him and he smirked as twin growls filled the room. Usually, he would have released Fiona immediately at the warning issued by his Alpha and Beta, but not this time. He couldn’t find the strength to remove himself from the hug he so desperately needed, and his little cousin gave some of the best.
“We’ll find her,” Fiona whispered. Paul squeezed her one last time before he let her go. “Shelly, Max, and I are going to pick up Luke and Jay from school. What do you want me to tell them?”
“I don’t know. Nothing yet, I guess.”
Fiona shook her head. “That’s not going to work. Jay is an omega. He’ll know something is wrong, no matter how well we try to hide it.”
“You’re right. I should go, not you.”
“I didn’t say that, and no, you shouldn’t. Luke would want you out there looking for his mother. You worry about Cathy, let us take care of Luke, alright?”
“Okay.” Paul sighed. “Let me call Dragan and get him over to the grocery store. I’ll have him pull the security footage while he’s there. Dec? Could you have Hunter and Alan get the footage from the bank across the street, intersections near the grocery, hardware store, and any place else they can think of?”
“Doing it as you speak.” Declan tilted his head to the side and grinned.
It took Paul a minute to understand what his cousin was talking about, then it hit him common pack link. He rolled his eyes. Duh! “Shit, sorry Declan. I guess I could have done that.”
Declan clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s alright, you’ve got other things on your mind.”
“Tell Luke his mom is missing, but I know she’s alive and I will find her. I think keeping it simple is best.”
“You got it.” Fiona squeezed his hand.
Shelly gave him a hug. “It going to be okay. Max is here, we’ll get the boys.”
A half hour later Paul sat at Declan’s desk and stared in st
unned disbelief at his computer screen, as he watched the security footage from Merkel’s Grocery. He watched a woman walk up to his mate and say something that had Cathy reaching into the car. The woman took a syringe from her pocket and stuck his mate in the neck with the needle. It only took moments for the drug to take effect. The woman grabbed his mate as she began to sag and pushed her into the passenger seat, then rushed around to the driver’s side and leisurely drove out of the parking lot, as if she hadn’t kidnapped his mate. The entire event took sixty seconds. Unfortunately, there were no shots of the kidnapper’s face, but there was something so familiar about her. Paul couldn’t put his finger on it, but he got the distinct feeling he knew the woman who took his mate.
He looked up when Kell entered the room. He sat down in the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
Kell looked at him with unconcealed rage. “Anything?”
Paul shook his head. “Nothing that helps. This woman is familiar to me, but from where I don’t know.”
“How can you tell? You can’t see her face.”
“It’s the way she moves. Her body type is also familiar, but I don’t know any women with short hair like that. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking.”
“No. If you say you know her, then you do. Give it time, it will come to you.”
“We don’t have time. You’ve watched it a few times, do you recognize her? Anything stick out to you?”
Kell looked disgusted as he sighed. “Not a damn thing. Have you heard anything on the BOLO? Anyone see her car leaving town?”
“Dan Colter, he’s a deputy with Henley S.D., said she didn’t make it that far. He’s been sitting beside the Welcome to Henley sign all shift running radar.”
“That’s good. She’s still in Copper Creek.”
“If, whoever that woman is didn’t use back roads to leave town.”
“That’s assuming she’s from here,” Kell offered. “You said it yourself you don’t know any women that hairstyle. I think, if she was from here, you would remember her right off. It would be safe to assume she’s not local and therefore, wouldn’t use back roads to get to where she is going.”