by Alice Shaw
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.
The shop has a flickering, neon sign: “MAGIC ROCKS.” I laugh a little to myself, knowing that none of the rocks inside will have any sort of magic in them. As I open the door, a very tall and skinny man smiles at me. “We’re open!” He exclaims. He’s clearly a beta.
“What can I do for ya?” he asks. I squint my eyes and pretend I’m looking for something in particular.
“I don’t know. I’m just kind of wandering around,” I admit.
“Well, most people are,” he says. “Don’t worry. I won’t bug ya.”
I smile, trying to come off as someone completely normal. But when his gaze doesn’t fade from mine, I suddenly remember Uncle Dale’s warnings. The trappers are everywhere, especially off of the roads. I don’t know, though. This guy looks pretty normal for a beta.
“Do you get many customers here?” My voice sounds loud amongst the heavy silence. I clear my throat anxiously.
“Not really,” he says, with a strange lack of emotion. His next question is what really irks me. “Say, were you the guy with the set of cute jaguars?”
I shudder a little, but manage to try and steer the conversation. “Do you know anything about arrowheads? I found something the other day and I’m looking for information.”
Something very fucking weird happens. It’s as if we both sense what’s about to happen. With a short nod, I trigger my own instincts. I see his arm move from behind the counter, hidden.
Quicker than I’ve ever shifted, I go full bear on him. I jump at him, feeling my claws come in. I barely even hear his gunshot.
I slash the owner, but keep the wounds surface level. I don’t want to kill anyone tonight. At least, not yet. I grab his gun and throw it across the floor. Jackson and Jonas come running in from the outside. I’m baffled. “How did you--?”
“No time to ask questions!” Jackson shouts.
His ability. It’s obvious. He was watching the whole time.
“He got my shoulder, but I think I’m fine,” I say.
I keep the man’s arm behind his back and give him the biggest bear hug, but it’s not friendly or loving in any way. “Who are you?” I ask him.
“I’m just a shop owner. Let me go!” He’s practically crying, but his stupid shotgun nicked my shoulder, so he’s going to have to pay a little.
“Don’t you lie to me. Jackson, check inside the counter for any identification,” I say.
“You bastards will pay!” His screaming is only making the situation worse.
“Aha!” Jackson holds a bounty sheet into the air. “He’s a trapper. I knew it!”
“You knew it?” I ask Jackson.
The cute smile on his face doesn’t mean that he’s off the hook just yet. “I was watching you. Oh, come on. I knew you’d be safe,” he says.
I shake my head. “Sheesh.”
Jonas walks up calmly to the man. Smiling, he punches him in the stomach. “You’re going to tell us what this is or we’ll take you right to the camp grounds and have the guard do what they want with you.”
The trapper grins wildly. “Like hell I will.” He spits directly onto my foot.
Jackson walks up to the man and kneels down. He puts his hand over the man’s face and closes his eyes. A strange humming noise reverberates around us. Jackson’s skin turns blue again, just like the other night. All of our eyes light up in front of him.
The humming noise grows and grows, until it turns into a loud tearing noise. The whole room begins to shake. Trinkets fall off of the shelves. The rocks rattle in their cages.
“I have found all that we need to know,” Jackson says, almost robotically.
Then, he falls to the floor. “Jackson!” I scream.
He blinks his eyes until the strange fog leaves him. “I’m good. Don’t worry. I’m fine. Just give me a second,” he says.
“My omega. I knew I shouldn’t have come over here. I just knew it. Oh, kitten. I’m so sorry. I’m always getting you into trouble,” I say.
Jackson just takes a deep breath and hops back onto his feet. Jonas reaches into his satchel and ties the man’s arms and feet together. A strip of duct tape seals the whole deal.
“There we go.” Jonas stands in front us, proud of his deed.
“Logan, I’m fine. Trust me. I know we’ve got our twins to think about, but I can hold my own. At least, right now I can,” he says.
“From now on, we all need to be more careful,” I say. “You turned blue again. What did you see? What happened just now?”
“Let me show you,” Jackson says, putting his palm up to my face.
Suddenly, I’m transported into another realm. I see our twins growing. I’m… am I inside my mate’s womb?! Okay, this is getting really fucking weird.
“Breathe,” I say aloud. “You’re fine. Just go with it.”
Suddenly, I see everything. I see all of our memories together. I remember sneaking out of seventh grade class together. I see us at our birthday parties. There are so many memories that I forgot. We’ve really been through it all.
Jackson removes his palm from my face and kisses me with enough force to make me fall against the back wall. “Damn! That was intense!”
Jackson nods his head with haste. An excitement has overcome him. “Ever since we physically bonded, my ability has changed. It’s tied to memory. It’s so vivid. I think maybe our twins are controlling it. Is that totally crazy?”
“Crazy? Our whole world is absolutely insane. Our dads never really gave us the heads-up on these types of issues, so we’re just going to have to figure it out by trial and error. If our twins are somehow controlling your abilities, then they’re going to be completely badass!”
“You should check out how badass you look right now,” Jonas says, smiling.
In the store mirror is my reflection and it’s not exactly pretty. I raise my hand into the air and examine my bloody claws. “Oops.” I laugh, shifting back to normal.
“Hey, you looked sexy,” Jackson pouts.
I whisper in his ear. “I’ll shift for you later, kitten.”
Jonas looks down at the wriggling store owner. We’re all thinking the same thing: “What in the heavens are we going to do about this guy?”
Jackson jumps onto his heal. “Oh yeah! Follow me!”
Reaching into the bottom of the crystal crate, he flick a switch. The crystals drain and a back door opens. “Gotcha,” Jackson says.
We walk inside to a glowing light. Then, the door closes on us, and the light shuts off, leaving us in absolute darkness.
Chapter 9
Jackson
This is not the time, nor the place for these feelings, but the darkness is making me absolutely horny right now. I reach out and tap Logan’s butt. He licks his lips.
“You know, these trappers are real stupid,” I remark. “We all have perfect vision in the dark.”
“Yeah, baby. But we’re trapped in here without a way out. Sooner or later, someone’s going to walk in that store and see an innocent man tied up,” Logan says.
Jonas grumbles, “Innocent, my ass. He would have sold us all out. Those betas have no idea. They’re messing with a group of chosen-ones.”
Jackson laughs. “I’m pretty sure the knowledge keeper never told you that you were a chosen-one, Jonas.”
I try and listen to the best of my ability. I try to make contact with the shopkeeper in a desperate attempt to get out, but behind these ancient walls my ability is next to nothing.
Logan is sniffing wildly. “I have to think like a trapper. If there was a way out of here, where would it be?”
He looks into the air, up at the brick-laid wall. “There’s nothing,” he groans.
But I see something. At least, it could be something. “Guys. Wait. Look above this chair here. Do you see what I’m seeing?”
“
Holy shit,” Logan says, with a big, cute smile.
“A bow!” Jonas exclaims. “And look, the arrow is missing an arrowhead! By the great goddess, I think we found it!”
Reaching into his satchel, he pulls out the bag. The room glows vibrantly. Logan removes his shirt and makes a cup with his palm. I can’t help but stare at his incredible biceps and abs. I like this whole saving the world thing, but damn! When am I going to get some time alone with him again?
Logan receives the arrowhead in his cupped palm. He steps onto the chair and places the golden rock into its correct place. The whole room shifts violently. Logan flies off the chair, landing on his ass.
“Shit!” he cries out. Jonas can’t control his laughter.
“My clumsy alpha,” I purr.
“Yeah, I know it,” he grumbles.
Another door opens up behind us with a loud scraping noise. “What? That was it?” Jonas asks. “That stupid arrowhead’s purpose was to open a door?”
Jonas has spoken too soon. I feel a pain within my womb. I feel it hit deep within, causing me to collapse across the floor. “Ahhh!”
“Jackson!” Logan shouts, dropping to his knees.
Again, I see too much at once. Memories flood into my brain. I can feel every sense imaginable. Some of these emotions feel ancient, like they came before my time.
Finally, it all starts to slow down a little bit. I quickly realize that I’ve come into contact with Genesis, Logan’s papa. I used to know him fairly well, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen him.
This time, however, he looks as if he has lost all the glory he once held. He is laying on a bed of roses. The roses begin to decay around him. A breath of air flushes out from his mouth, spiraling into the air. I try to understand what is happening, but I can’t wrap my head around it.
“It’s a trap,” he whispers. His voice grows louder and louder, until it feels like it’s knocking on the sides of my mind. “It’s a trap!”
My eyes flicker back into reality. “We need to move!” I say, jumping back up onto my feet.
Logan is alarmed, but ready to move. Without any warning, he picks me up and carries me. “Okay. Let’s run this way! Through the door,” he says.
Just as we escape, the whole room collapses behind us. “Whoa!” Jonas cries out in astonishment.
“Whoa is right. Where the hell are we?” Logan asks.
“It looks like we’re in some underground tunnel,” I say.
It extends for miles at least. I was not expecting to walk this much while holding twins. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you, kitten. I’m not going to put you down just yet,” Logan says, practically reading my mind.
I don’t know how, but everything has already begun to feel a bit heavy. I’m trying to remain strong for everyone. I know that I don’t have to, but I want to. I didn’t realize that everything could happen so quickly.
“I’m sorry Logan. It’s the twins. They’re growing faster than I thought they would. I swear, they’re going to be out sooner than we think,” I say.
“Don’t ever apologize to me for feeling,” Logan whispers. “I’ve heard of stories. You know. I’ve heard of certain children forming faster because of their abilities. Whatever is happening to you, must be tied with the outer realms. We need to get to the caves as fast as we can.”
“Yes you do.” This phrase doesn’t come from Jonas, Logan, or me. It comes from a scratchy, high-pitched voice.
“Uh.” I peer past Logan’s shoulder and see a bright, red light.
“Don’t you recognize me? I’ve been with you this whole time. Don’t be frightened,” the voice continues.
“Reveal yourself!” Logan shouts.
The light footsteps echo off of the tunnel walls. The shadow-shape of a large bird comes into view. And then we see it. “The phoenix,” I whisper.
“Who are you?” Jonas asks. “And what do you mean you’ve been following us the whole time?”
The bird laughs, cackling lightly. “Oh, child. Names are not important. I have lived many lives. I was once called Huma. I suppose that is as good enough a name as any.”
“Okay, Huma. Where are we going?” Jonas asks.
“First, I need to know what this jaguar saw when he put the rock into its proper place,” Huma says.
The images flood back. I can feel that gut-wrenching feeling again. “I saw Genesis, laying in a bed of roses,” I say.
“You what? You didn’t tell me that.” Logan is startled. I can feel his heartbeat against his back start to pound faster than normal.
“It all happened so fast. He said something to me. He told me ‘it’s a trap.’ I’m not sure what any of that means,” I admit.
Huma smiles, knowingly. “I figured as much. The arrowhead was a false indicator, meant to trap you in that room forever. You must see. Your twins are very special creatures. Though, I’m sure you already know that. They’re growing at an alarming rate.”
“I can feel it,” I say.
“Yes. Well, there are entities that want you dead,” Huma says.
I can feel Logan’s biceps twitch underneath my butt. “What sort of entities?” Logan asks.
Huma has already turned her back to us. “Just follow me, will you? I will lead you to the great northern caves. Your father Genesis will be there. I have a feeling that your homecoming reunion will be much different than what you are expecting. Now, now. No more questions. All will be revealed in time.”
I can’t even begin to guess what any of this means. All I know is that I’m starting to feel really sick again. And when I reach down, I feel my baby bump already forming.
I close my eyes and communicate to my alpha. “Logan. Our babies. I can’t believe it! You have to feel my belly!”
Logan nearly gasps when he sees how big my stomach is. “What in the heavens! Do you think they’re coming soon?”
All of a sudden, I feel so frickin’ giddy right now. I almost start bawling on the spot.
“What?” Jonas croaks. “Oh. My. Goddess! You’re… fat!”
“Hey! That’s my mate you’re talking about, Jonas,” Logan warns. “Back off.”
I choose to laugh at Jonas’s ignorant comments because my skin feels radiant right now. “It’s okay. He’s just jealous that he doesn’t have a set of goddess-like twins coming into the world.”
“Okay, seriously. Huma, what is happening? This isn’t normal. Why is my omega already plumping up?” Logan asks.
“The twins have been blessed. I already told you that much. They will come within a month’s time. Please, we can’t keep stopping. I wasn’t going to say anything, but I might as well spill the beans. This tunnel is a few days journey. We must make haste!”
“Fuck,” I sigh.
“It’ll be okay, my mate. We’ll get through this together. You’re going to experience a lot, fast. But I’ll keep you safe. I promise you,” Logan says.
Looking into his faithful eyes, I know he’s telling the truth. This world has thrown a lot at me before. I just have to brace for impact and hope for the best.
We can do this. Together, we can get through anything… I hope.
Chapter 10
Logan
“Six fucking days?! You didn’t tell us we’d be down here for six days, Huma! Seriously, when are we going to get out of here?” I feel the rage within my bones get the best of me. I shift into my bear form and try to claw myself out from within.
“Your claws won’t work down here. The mud has been fortified with a special magic from the goddesses,” she says.
I growl loudly, exhausted. “I can’t keep eating Jonas’s nuts and berries. I need some meat. The twins need some real food,” I say.
Jackson lay across the ground, moaning. “I am starving!”
His temper is starting to get the best of him. We are all feeling restless down here, except for Huma.
“The twins will be fine,” she says. “We’re almost there. Look ahead and you’ll see it.”
Jacks
on has curled up into a ball, but he’s breathing calmly. “Goddess, kitten. I wish I could help you,” I say.
He closes his eyes and communicates to me. “I’m sorry, Logan. I just want this stupid frickin’ bird to shut up! I know I’m kind of freaking out here, but you don’t understand. My hormones are going nuts. I feel like I’ve been put in hyper-alert mode.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine what that’s like,” I say. I look ahead of us and see the sliver of light. It’s only a few hundred feet away. I show Jackson that we’re close.
“I’ll carry you there. There will be a hospital at the camp, I’m sure. Remember Gregory? He’s the best in the business. He’ll help you out.”
“Thank you,” Jackson manages to whisper. “I feel like such a burden.”
“You’re never a burden to me,” I say.
At the end of the tunnel is a set of steps. Carefully setting Jackson down on his feet, he hobbles in front of us, toward the top door. Huma grins and nods her head excitedly.
“We’re there. Oh, I love this part!” Huma flaps her wings together and chatters her beak loudly.
Jackson pushes the door open, shaking his head. “What do you see?” I ask.
“Uh. Nothing,” Jackson says.
“You have to see something,” Jonas says, pushing forward.
All of us exit the dark caverns. I immediately smell the chocolate scent. It’s been so long since I’ve been home. However, when we are in the camp, everything is silent. “Where is everybody?” Jonas asks.
“The caves. It’s about a mile away. We should rest first. I’ll find my old house. There should be a few beds inside for guests,” I say. Then, whispering to Jackson, “And we can finally have a moment in privacy.”
Jackson’s eyes are closed again. “I know I look more like a giant egg than a jaguar right now, but I have to tell you something,” he says.
I laugh, though he does not look like an egg to me. “You look wondrous and exuberant,” I say.
“Yeah, whatever. All I know is that I am more horny than I’ve ever been in my entire life. Seriously, Logan. I need you bad,” he says.