by Lia Davis
Smiling, she pulled the box of Lucky Charms out and showed it to Sammie. On her nod, Cameron grabbed two bowls from another cabinet and set Max on his feet. “Go ask Sammie to help you in your booster seat.”
He toddled over to the table and giggled again as his sister lifted him up and peppered his face with kisses. Cam’s chest grew tight at the affection between the siblings. Sammie’s love for her brother flowed out, touching everything in its path.
Strong warm arms wrapped around her from behind. Blaine kissed her ear, her jaw, and then her neck. “I have to go now. See you in two days.”
Turning in his arms, she kissed him hard and deep, taking in his scent. “I’ll be waiting,” she whispered when she pulled back.
Cameron’s gaze met Graham’s as he stepped into the dining room. Her heart did a quick thump thump when Blaine pressed his lips to her neck. Graham’s eyes dipped to watch Blaine kiss her, then rose back up to lock gazes with her.
Desire flooded her system, warming her to the core.
Damn. They were killing her. If there weren’t two children sitting at the table watching them, she’d return the sensual tease. She might even have dared Graham to join them.
Fucking Blaine and his idea of pursuing Graham. Now it was all she thought about.
Graham broke the eye contact first and kissed each of the kids on the forehead, telling them he would be back soon. Cameron twisted out of Blaine’s arms, poured the cereal and milk, and brought the bowls to the table, setting them in front of the kids. Max grunted and banged the spoon on the table. She grabbed his hand and shook her head. “You are a big boy. Eat with the spoon.” She turned the utensil so that he held it correctly and helped him scoop up a spoonful of cereal.
When he did it without help, she praised him. “That’s great. You are so smart.”
She looked over at Sammie, who was watching her with a grin. Cam smiled back, and Sammie took that as an invitation to ask, “Are you staying here while Papa is away?”
“Yep. Dani will be here. Your uncle will be staying next door with Travis while Shay and Josie come over. It’ll be like a slumber party.”
Sammie beamed. “I like Josie. She can shift into a white wolf. She said she’s only four, but I don’t believe that.”
“Believe it. She is four. Josie was very ill, and our wolf Alpha had to bring the change early to save her life.” Sammie frowned and looked at her cereal. Cam reached out and covered her hand. “It’s okay. Josie’s all right now.”
“I’d like to be her friend.”
“Josie would love that. She’s new to the den also.” Cameron reached over to correct Max’s spoon again and wiped milk from his chin before adding, “I’ll take both of you to the nursery after breakfast. That way you can meet some of the other children in the den.”
Sammie’s smile returned, and her face lit up as if excited at the thought of meeting other kids her age. “Really? That would be great.”
Later, Cameron finished tying Max’s shoes as a knock sounded on the door. Dani answered it with Sammie hot on her heels. Josie’s small voice echoed into the house as she greeted Sammie and drew the taller girl into a hug.
Cameron’s heart swelled when she saw Sammie smile and return the hug. Graham had to stay in Ashwood. It would be good for the kids. And that’s the only reason she wanted him to stay. Not because he intrigued her jaguar.
Standing, Cameron hugged Shay when she came to stand next to her. “Dani and I were going over to the nursery. Wanna come?”
Josie squealed in delight. “Please, Momma. Can we go?”
Cameron raised an eyebrow at Shay, and she teared up and said, “She asked me the other night if she could call me momma.” She peered down at Josie, who was now giving her stepmother sad eyes and a poked-out bottom lip. Shay released a dramatic sigh then smiled. “Of course we’re going.”
“Yay!” Josie linked her fingers with Sammie’s and tugged the girl out the door.
Dani laughed. “I guess she has a new friend.”
Cameron nodded. “I think you’re right.” She felt Max’s tiny hand pat her on the thigh. When she looked down into his blue eyes, she saw worry. His brows were bunched together, and he kept peering warily at Shay then back at Cameron. He threw his hands up and said, “Up.”
Shaking her head, before he could start pouting, Cameron said “You can walk.” She offered him her ring finger and pinkie, and he wrapped his hand around them. “That’s my big boy.”
Max’s face brightened. Dani moved to stand on his other side and offered him her hand. His smile widened as he gripped her two middle fingers. Cameron met the Healer’s gaze. “You too?”
Dani shrugged. “He’s adorable. Last night while we watched TV he crawled in my lap and went to sleep.”
The poor little guy must have been exhausted. Dani had said he hadn’t slept well the night before, and Cameron doubted he’d slept much in captivity unless his sister held him. That made sense with how much he craved touches from her, Sammie, and apparently Dani.
Stepping out into the spring air, Cameron inhaled deeply, drawing in the scents of the dogwoods in full bloom. The walk to the nursery was pleasant and fun as Max jumped over every crack in the sidewalk while holding on to Cameron’s and Dani’s hands. He even laughed.
Something she hadn’t taken much time to do lately was have fun and actually use her days off to enjoy herself. After today, she decided she’d have to do it more often.
The nursery and school were housed inside a huge dome-shaped building set in the middle of about five acres of land with a few large trees scattered about. They continued along the sidewalk that led into the open courtyard. Max’s laughter faded, and his excitement shifted to nervousness. He wrapped an arm around Cameron’s leg when they were greeted by the head den mother, Rhea. With dark auburn hair that she always kept cut to shoulder length, honey-toned skin, and pale blue eyes, Rhea was beautiful to say the least.
Rhea smiled at the three of them then knelt down to be at Max’s level. “Who do we have here?” she cooed and reached out to him. He drew back from her and hid behind Cameron’s legs. Rhea frowned and stood, meeting Cameron’s gaze. “Touch-starved and afraid of everyone.”
The sorrow in the den mother’s voice tugged at Cameron’s heart. She nodded and peeled Max’s arms from her leg so she could pick him up. “I was the one who found them, and he seems to have attached himself to me.”
Dani ran a hand over Max’s head and down his back. He tensed at first but then relaxed, as if recognizing the Healer’s touch. “He’ll get plenty of love here,” she said and kissed the top of his head.
Shay nudged Cameron’s arm. “Sammie sure has a friend for life.”
Cameron felt her lips lift in a smile as she watched Josie lead Sammie around, introducing her to the other children in the activity area before tugging her toward the gym. It felt good to just hang out with her two best friends and the kids.
The familiar brush of Keegan’s power touched her awareness. As an enforcer, she had a direct link to the Alpha. It was both comforting and awkward. The power of the Alpha was the glue that kept the Pack together. Anytime one of the members needed comfort that the Beta or Empath couldn’t provide, Keegan was there to comfort or kick ass, whichever the situation called for. In Cameron’s case, it was the ass kicking she needed more times than comforting. The awkwardness came into play when Keegan pulled on the father-in-law hat.
She still wasn’t sure why it bothered her. Most females would kill to be mated to the Marshal and one day heir of the Pack. Cameron loved Blaine, but it was her jaguar that resisted. The damn cat just didn’t want to be tied to a male as dominating as Blaine. His pushiness and controlling nature was just too much at times. Besides, she’d failed him when she’d lost their child. He deserved so much better.
Max cried out, and she felt his weight lighten in her arms, bringing her out of her musings. She met Keegan’s amused gaze and narrowed her ey
es. Damn telepath. “What are you doing? You’re making him cry.” She reached for the little boy as the Alpha settled the crying Max on his hip.
Keegan stepped back, out of her reach. “He’ll be fine in a moment. You can’t spoil children, Cameron.”
Cameron fisted her hands by her side. “No, Keegan. You love them.” She went to take a step forward but stopped when he lifted his hand.
He then turned to look at Max’s tear-streaked face. “Max, stop.”
Just like that, the crying turned into a sob then a hiccup as Max studied the Alpha. When Keegan started to walk off, Cameron called out, “Where are you going?”
Without looking back, he said, “Little man and I are late for story time.”
She huffed, not liking the empty feeling of her arms without Max. Damn. The kid had wiggled his way into her heart. Now she wasn’t sure if she’d ever be able to say goodbye to him if Graham decided not to stay in Ashwood Falls.
She turned back to her friends, who were trying to hide their laughter. Cameron’s lips twitched and she shook her head. “Don’t say it. I know I’ve fallen for the kid. He’s just too damn cute.”
“And needs a protector.” Shay burst in giggles and held up her hands at the scowl Cameron cast her. “That’s a good thing. You’re a protector at heart. It’s what makes you one of the best enforcers we have.”
Cameron shrugged, but it was true. She was never truly happy unless she was doing everything in her power to protect the Pack. She glanced back in the direction where Keegan had disappeared with Max and drew her brows together as his last words sank in. “Story time?”
Dani and Shay said at the same time, “Yeah.”
Shay finished. “He comes here twice a week to read to the three to six-year-olds.”
“Hmm.” Cameron knew the Alpha spent time with everyone, especially the kids and young adults. But story time? The same ruthless Alpha that wouldn’t hesitate to kick her ass all over the training center read to toddlers?
She started walking before she was aware of where she was headed. The tap tap of Shay’s and Dani’s shoes told her the women had followed her into the building.
“What are you doing? You can’t go in there.” Shay tugged on her arm.
Cameron pulled her arms away and continued across the gym toward the classrooms. “I just want to peek in.”
Dani snickered. “To check on Max.”
Cameron smiled. “Hush it.”
She crept up to the door of the classroom the den mothers used for lessons and apparently story time with the Alpha. Peering through the rectangle glass window, she saw Keegan sitting crossed-legged on the floor surrounded by a dozen or so children patiently waiting for the story to begin. Sitting in the Alpha’s lap, Max watched the other kids with interest. When Keegan settled the book in front of Max to begin reading, the little man, as Keegan had called him, patted the book. His little face lit up.
Dani leaned in and rested her chin on Cameron’s shoulder. “Sammie said she read to him all the time. She said the den mother that brought food also brought books.”
Cameron ground her molars together. They could bring them food and books, but not pick him up? She turned away from the room and headed toward the “adult” section of the nursery. It was a coffee shop set in one corner of the open main play area in the center of the nursery. Tables and chairs were randomly placed about. Cameron sat at a table closest to the exit more out of habit and years of shadowing Blaine and the other enforcers.
Dani went to the counter to place their orders. They were always the same. Cameron had a chi latte and Shay, a hazelnut mocha. Shay sat back in her chair and sighed. Cameron tried to ignore her stare, knowing all too well what was coming. Her BFF knew when something bothered her. And there were two somebodies that bothered her.
To Shay’s credit, she managed to stay quiet until Dani joined them with their drinks. As soon as the Healer sat down, Shay said, “Spill it.”
Cameron peered over at her friends then rolled her eyes. They wouldn’t leave her alone until they knew. “Graham kissed me.”
Shay gasped, and Dani choked on her coffee. Shay patted Dani on the back and said, “And he’s still alive? Oh, Cameron, you have to share details.”
“There’s nothing to tell. He kissed me, I bit him, and said to back off. That’s it.”
Shay made a tsk sound. “Bullshit. There’s something else you are not saying.”
Cameron stared at Shay and shook her head. “And you’re nosy. Okay, I’ll tell you, but it doesn’t leave this table. And I don’t want to talk about it.”
The two women nodded in agreement, so Cameron told them about Blaine’s confession about liking Graham’s scent on her.
Shay smiled, making Cameron regret saying anything. This would never go away now. “I can’t believe my possessive brother is considering this.”
Cameron growled, “Shay. Not a word.”
Dani fiddled with the sleeve of her coffee cup. “Cam, you know this could be a way to keep Graham in Ashwood, and you would get to keep Max.”
Oh, no she didn’t. “I can’t believe you’re using an innocent child to sway me to take up Blaine’s offer. Besides, I’m not sure I can handle one alpha male, let alone two. I don’t think my jaguar will like it.”
Shay sat back in her chair. Smirk intact. “Have you given her a chance to decide?”
Cameron opened her mouth then closed it. No, she hadn’t let the cat decide. She really hadn’t planned on it.
It’s not fair to shut me out.
Groaning at the jaguar’s thoughts in her mind, Cameron peered out over the children playing various games. How bad would it be to let the animal part of her help her chose their path?
Chapter Five
Blaine materialized with Graham outside a single-story brick home just outside Black Mountain, North Carolina. Usually his teleporting abilities were limited to places he’d been before. Although he had been in Black Mountain before, he hadn’t been to this house. But Graham had lived here for a couple of years. The male had provided enough information about the house and its location that Blaine knew where to teleport to.
Graham took a step then swayed. Blaine clasped him on the shoulder, ignoring the odd electric current from the touch. He’d thought it had dulled from first gripping Graham’s arm to teleport the both of them. Apparently not.
As if sensing the electric spark, Graham shrugged out of Blaine’s touch. “That’s the most disorienting thing I’ve ever done.”
Blaine raised a brow. “Have you done many disorienting things?”
Graham chuckled and moved toward the door. He felt above the door frame until he pulled away a key. Smirking over his shoulder to Blaine, Graham unlocked the door and walked inside. Blaine followed, shutting the door behind him. He crinkled up his nose at the stale, musty air. “How long did Sammie say they were being held captive?”
Graham shrugged. “She said it was close to a year, but she was guessing. She said she lost track after eight months.”
“Fucking rogues,” Blaine growled.
“Yep.” Graham set his duffel bag on the sofa and went to the pick up the mail from the coffee table. Blaine watched as the male drew his brows together, and a tic formed in his temple. “The postmark on this is fourteen months ago.”
Blaine didn’t flinch at his angry tone. Hell, he agreed with it. He was betting the whole disappearance thing had the Onyx written all over it. But why hadn’t Isaac told Graham that anything was wrong? Could he have been protecting his lover?
Graham moved to walk by, and Blaine grabbed his arm to stop him. Locking gazes, Blaine asked, “You good?”
The other male gave a short nod. Blaine wasn’t convinced but released his hold anyway.
After a few moments, Graham said, “I didn’t see it at the time, but now everything looks out of place. Like he left in a hurry.”
“Or someone had taken him and the kids.”
&n
bsp; Graham’s head snapped in Blaine’s direction. Blaine’s chest tightened at the emotions rolling through his features. It was something he’d seen many times from the Pack members over the last thirty years. Loss and sorrow at never being able to see their loved ones again.
Blaine was the first to break eye contact. The loss of his mother threatened to resurface, bringing renewed rage with it. Blaine didn’t want to remember that day his father lost it in a fit of rage and pain when his mate took her own life. His father thought Blaine believed the story that Onyx had killed his mother.
The truth was he had mind linked to his father when he found her. Blaine heard them argue, heard his mother’s pleads for forgiveness, and then heard the gunshot. The final thoughts Blaine picked up before cutting the link were his father’s angry roar then sobs as he asked her why over and over.
Breaking from the dark memories, Blaine scanned the living room. Graham was right. It didn’t look right. A coffee cup and a toddler’s sippy cup sat on the coffee table. At the far side of the room, toys were scattered about the floor, but it was the diaper bag that confirmed his theory of abduction. He nodded toward it and said, “What kind of single father leaves the diaper bag behind?”
Graham growled low. “One that was either running from something or taken.”
“Exactly.” Blaine paused to study Graham, who ran a hand through his short blond hair and peered around the room as if unsure where to start. “You want to start in the bedrooms, and I’ll look out here?”
Graham glanced at him then nodded. “Yeah. Thanks.” He turned and walked down the hall.
Blaine tore his eyes from the male’s back and searched the living room for other oddities. He needed to focus on the job and not the male that confused the shit out him. He should be furious with Graham for boldly touching Cameron, but he wasn’t. Instead, he was intrigued and a little amused at the nip on his lip. That told Blaine Cam was taken off guard and had bitten the male. Chucking softly, Blaine wondered if she’d threatened to hurt him at the uninvited kiss.