Institute of Supernaturals: Savage Collects

by J. E. Cluney

  “Thank you,” I breathed as he set the sheathed blade on my bedside table.

  “We’ll talk soon, daughter,” he said, his mouth curving up at calling me that.

  I just smiled back at him and watched as he headed out.

  “So, tell me everything that happened,” I said once I was alone with just my mates. Mr Oxley had headed out after my family, giving me a brief nod.

  The small gesture meant everything. He’d put his life on the line for me. I knew it wasn’t just for me, he’d wanted to kill his old captor. I was curious to learn more about his time with the Collector, but that was a story for another day.

  “Well, guess we’ll start from the beginning,” Tristan sighed.

  39

  “So this must be a big change for you, huh?”

  I turned to Izzy as she sat beside me on the stone bench. We were soaking up the warmth of the sun while my brothers and mates played some volleyball. Even my dads were playing as well.

  Izzy and I were sitting off to the side on the edge of the gardens watching.

  “How so?” I asked as I pulled my legs up to cross them.

  “Well, you only got your mates not that long ago, and now you have your family whom you also only recently learned were alive,” Izzy shook her head in disbelief.

  She was wearing a baby blue sundress while I wore denim shorts and an oversized shirt from Nate. He had a tendency to not wear shirts, not that I was complaining.

  “It certainly is a change, slowly getting to know all my family. They’re interesting though, lots of stories to tell,” I nodded. Days had passed and I could feel my power and energy returning. I knew the boys had plans for me tonight to properly welcome me back now that I was feeling much better. The past few days had consisted of lots of cuddles in bed, but we’d held off on the sex.

  And my leg had healed up when Leon had healed me. I’d almost forgotten about it during the big battle thanks to the adrenaline.

  “I got mated to your brothers almost a year ago now, they’re amazing men, all of them. So sweet, funny, kind,” Izzy sighed as she watched them play.

  “I feel bad for my fathers. And Chris. He lost both his parents that night,” I murmured.

  “Yeah, but the others took him under their wing. Bernie spends the most time with him. He’s a sweet old guy,” she smiled, showing off her perfect teeth.

  “I’m glad my brothers found you.”

  “They didn’t find me. We were arranged, but my kitsune chose them anyway.”

  “Arranged. Samson told me that apparently it’s fairly common for female kitsunes,” I mused.

  “Yeah.”

  “Have you called your parents?” I asked as I twirled a strand of blonde hair around my finger.

  “Yeah, as soon as I got back. They’ve been keeping in touch with my mates while they searched too. They were ecstatic. We’ll be heading off in a few days to see them.”

  “We’ll have to stay in contact,” I said instantly.

  “Of course, you just found your family. We’ll be seeing a lot more of each other now I think,” she giggled softly. “Thanks for everything you did too.”

  “I didn’t do a whole lot,” I admitted with an eye roll.

  “You tried hard to escape, you ended up free. I think even if your mates hadn’t shown, you would’ve gotten out,” she said. And her expression was sincere.

  “I’m glad they did show up. Still can’t believe Mr Oxley is a dragon, that, I didn’t see coming.”

  “Yeah, dragons, who would’ve thought? I mean, I’d heard of them long ago, but not as being around still. I thought they were just old, ancient fairy tales,” Izzy frowned, just as shocked as I was.

  “Do you think my fathers will ever find someone else?” I mused.

  “They can’t ever mate again. But they may search for a kitsune female who has been widowed or lost a number of her mates. Or maybe another supe. More and more supes are becoming polyamorous. The male to female ratio in most supe races are more male orientated, so they needed to adapt,” Izzy said as she played with the hem of her dress.

  “How are you doing though?” I asked gently as I touched her arm. I knew she must still be struggling with what went down back there. With being raped.

  “I’m okay. I have my mates again now,” she said, and her chocolate eyes met mine. I could see the truth in there. That she was going to be okay. She had her support now, her men.

  “What about you? Samson tells me you’re not big on popping out kids,” Izzy asked, her face lighting up as her boys scored a point and she clapped.

  “Nah, not any time soon. I think I’ll continue bounty hunting with my guys. Getting to know my family. Just see where life takes me,” I shrugged.

  I perked up as Soren pulled away from the group to jog over to me.

  “Hey Izzy, do you mind if I steal your new friend away?” he asked, giving us both a broad smile. He was wearing shorts and a navy short-sleeved tee today to enjoy the beautiful weather.

  “As long as you return her,” Izzy chuckled as I stood up.

  “Walk with me?” my father asked as he offered me his arm. So gentlemanly.

  I weaved my arm through his, allowing him to lead me into the exquisite gardens behind the institute. I’d spied Dominic out here earlier with Tristan as he pruned the hedges, which were shaped like many creatures. Wolves, bears, horses. And then there were extravagant rose bushes and other flowers of incredible colors. Some looked so exotic and unique that I couldn’t even imagine what they were called.

  “Renee would have been so proud of the strong woman you’ve become,” Soren murmured as we made our way through the gardens, my boots crunching on the white stone gravel.

  “What was she like?” I asked, curiosity winning out.

  “A wonderful woman. She met all of us in her travels. She was meant to be paired with some mates, but ran away from home before she turned eighteen. Instead she travelled and worked, and I ran into her with Dave, who was a good friend of mine at the time,” he explained.

  Dave, Chris’s father, the witch. I wondered what he was like too.

  “She mated with the pair of us, and we joined her on her travels. She was a free-spirited woman, so full of life and passion, so eager to see the world. We travelled across continents, but wound up back here in the States, where we stumbled across a bar in the middle of nowhere. That was where we met Lionel, and we knew instantly that she was drawn to him. One thing led to another, and he became a part of our circle. Bernard was the last one we found, when we were looking to settle down. Renee had fallen pregnant with Samson, and we were wanting to find a place to raise our family. Our main car broke down, so we pulled into a small mechanics, and that’s where we met him. Renee believed she’d found all her mates after him, and we all worked together to get us a perfect home to raise our family,” he said, his smile so bright and his eyes twinkling with the memories. “When you were born, we were so ecstatic. The first girl, and you were mine as well. Chris came after you. Holding such a tiny, beautiful little girl in my arms, you were perfect. I vowed to take care of you no matter what,” he murmured, his smile faltering.

  “When Dave and Renee died that day, there was no body left of yours. We didn’t know what happened. Bernie and Lionel were working, and I was doing the school drop-off. Little Chris had just been born and wouldn’t stop crying, so I took him for the drive as well. When I came home…” his voice had dropped to a whisper as he drew to a halt. He turned to me, his jaw tight.

  “We searched for you for a long time, bled our resources dry, paid witches and even searched for a Warlock to aid us. But we couldn’t find you. We had to assume the worst, we had your brothers to take care of as well, and the funeral took its toll on us,” he was tense as he spoke, and I softened at his words.

  “When I was a child, Thomas took me to see this hunter witch. It was always so strict, once a month, I’d go to him, and he’d give me this potent potion. Said it was to protect me from those wh
o sought to harm me. I was raised believing I was an ancient line of hunters, a special breed of human. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was to stop any tracking spells or whatever from finding me. And when I turned eighteen, it all ceased. Guess he figured no one would be looking for me much anymore. I still had to take something every six months though, but it was a fine powder I mixed into a drink,” I explained.

  Soren just nodded thoughtfully.

  “I expect it was to keep you warded still, but not as powerfully. No wonder the Warlock discovered you. When you came here, you would have been safe. This whole place is warded,” Soren said as he began walking once more.

  “Right,” I murmured. I guess I’d need to get that warding sorted for myself. He wasn’t the only Collector out there.

  ‘Don’t worry love, we’ll get that sorted for you,’ Tristan assured me mentally.

  “So, where did you guys travel together with mom? I want to know everything about her,” I beamed.

  “Well, it’d be best if I get the others to join us then, they can help me tell you everything about her,” Soren said with a chuckle.

  My fathers.

  I wanted to learn everything about my family.

  40

  “Australia was probably my favorite,” Bernie laughed as we all sat at a picnic bench under an old oak tree on the grounds.

  “That’s because you loved their kangaroo steaks,” Lionel snorted.

  “You should’ve seen Renee’s face when that huge huntsman spider popped up in the car that time. It was the size of my hand!” Soren chuckled. “She swerved and we ended up in a ditch and had to repair a blown tire from it.”

  “Bernie actually went kangaroo hunting one time. We ended up tagging along, even got Renee to join us. Dave drove us out there but hung back, reading instead of hunting with us,” Lionel sighed.

  It was a nice change to see him smiling and laughing, not the scowling, brooding expression he and his son wore a lot of the time. I swear, so many werewolves could be like that.

  “Bernie got injured trying to take a big red kangaroo down. They have a nasty kick, and they’re strong, muscular creatures,” Lionel said as he backhanded Bernie’s shoulder lightly. “We patched him up though.”

  My father and I were sitting on one side of the table, while Lionel and Bernie sat opposite us.

  “She loved hunting. Completely shifting and becoming one with her kitsune side,” my father’s voice was soft. I glanced over at him, at the tender, sweet look in his eyes. And the pain. He still grieved for her, they all did.

  “We focus on the good memories, keep her alive in our minds. We know she’s gone, but that doesn’t mean we should despair. We need to celebrate her life whenever we can, laugh and be grateful for the time we had with her,” Bernie said as he stared hard at the table.

  “I used to take her out on my bike a lot, she loved the old Harley before it blew up,” Lionel added, still reminiscing.

  “You really should’ve let me take a look at it when it started making that weird noise,” Bernie groaned. “I could’ve saved it.”

  “Some things aren’t meant to last,” Lionel said firmly, but gave Bernie a sly smile before hitting his arm playfully.

  “You look so much like her. You have her fire, her spirit,” my father said as he stared at me. I squirmed under his tender gaze, but I did enjoy it.

  “Unique set of mates,” Lionel stated as he cocked his head at me. “The two half angel ones are interesting. Hell, they all are rare supes. You must have a special taste.”

  My cheeks heated up at this as I felt Nate reaching into my mind. He was projecting the moment he went down on me.

  ‘I’d definitely say you have a special taste,’ he purred.

  Tristan’s laughter rung around in my mind. I knew they were all listening in now while still playing volleyball with my brothers.

  “So, what are your plans now?” my father asked, his expression mildly curious.

  “I think I’ll bounty hunt with my mates. I’m good at it, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it,” I said quickly. I knew it was something I wanted to do.

  “Any kids?” Bernie asked gently.

  “Not anytime soon,” I blurted, and they all grinned at one another.

  “They’re not that scary,” my father chuckled as he put an arm around my shoulders.

  “I’m not ready for that yet. I want to do more first,” I explained.

  “Fair enough. Renee was like that too. She wanted to experience the world first,” Lionel nodded in understanding.

  “Samson and I do some bounty hunting, along with security and such. Maybe we could get you to join us sometime?” my father suggested.

  “I’d like that,” I murmured, chuffed that he’d asked.

  “We should definitely have you come by more often. Izzy and the boys live in a house not too far from us. It’d be great to have you around some weekends, even stay with us. Your mates are welcome to,” Bernie said with a tender smile. I felt my eyes prickle at the invitation, but I was quick to push it away. I was not about to get sappy now.

  “Train you a little more too. Maybe we can come visit you here too, or wherever you end up,” Soren said as he squeezed my shoulder. “You’ve already learned to project your aura, that’s not an easy thing at all to do. You have no idea how proud I am of you.”

  “Thanks,” I mumbled, beginning to feel like the compliments were getting to be too much.

  “We all are,” Bernie added. “Our little girl, out kicking ass and taking names.”

  “Taking down the big bad Collector,” Lionel whistled. “She definitely got some of my genes too.”

  Soren snorted at this, and I grinned as they joked with one another.

  I felt completely at ease with the three of them, and the way they all looked at me made me melt.

  These were my fathers. And they were ecstatic to have me back.

  They loved me.

  “So, what do you think ever happened to that golem?” Izzy mused as I sat with her and my brothers in the library. My mates had retreated to the training room, and from my mental prying, they were getting to know Nate and testing his fighting capabilities. Typical men.

  “No idea,” I said truthfully as I frowned.

  “Council didn’t find it either. They assumed it disintegrated when its controller died. They’re a strange thing, no one knows a whole lot about them,” Samson shrugged as he sat on the edge of the desk.

  Izzy and I sat on the couch, while Lachlan was on the armchair, and Benny was perched on the arm of the couch beside Izzy. Chris was on the floor between her legs while she kneaded her fingers through his hair.

  “So, what will you guys all be doing once you get home?” I asked as I eyed my brothers.

  We’d all had dinner after a day of getting to know one another and spending time enjoying the beautiful sunshine. I knew Izzy and Nate were savoring it like me. Probably more-so, considering they’d been prisoners longer than me. But finally feeling the sun on my skin and having proper daylight had been a blessing.

  “Dad and I have a few jobs we need to catch up on at the garage, thankfully most of our clients were understanding about our family emergency,” Benny said as he leaned over and kissed Izzy’s forehead. She closed her eyes as he gently stroked her face, and the sight of their utter love and affection made my heart squeeze.

  “I’ve got work to get to,” Lachlan shrugged. I’d actually caught him alone this afternoon, and he’d opened up a little more with me about his job as a chef and bouncer. Never would have expected him to be a chef.

  “I’m the main helper for Izzy now in household stuff. I enjoy assisting her with chores around the place. We need to be prepared for when we become parents,” Chris said, his voice low and practically purring as he enjoyed Izzy’s fingers playing in his hair.

  “I’ll be hunting with dad and doing my security stuff,” Samson said, his eyes honed in on Izzy. I recognized the dilation of his eyes instantly.

 
; I’d wondered if he got as horny as I did.

  Izzy’s eyes shot open as she sensed his desire, and I shifted uneasily at the warmth rising in the room between their gazes.

  “You know what, how about I talk to you guys tomorrow. I’m sure you’d like to spend some… quality time with Izzy,” I snickered as I stood up. “Try not to mess up the library either,” I warned, and Benny snorted with laughter as Chris’s face went red. He’d only just gathered what was going on. Lachlan was growling softly as I quickly darted past him and for the door.

  I grinned as I heard Izzy squeal as Benny pounced on her.

  I would never look at the library the same.

  Ugh.

  41

  I chuckled to myself as I headed down the hall, trying to decide if I should hunt down my fathers or my mates.

  I also needed a new phone. Considering my last one was gone along with my clothes after the Collector got me. The boys had taken the time to hunt down some boots for me that looked identical to my old ones. And they’d bought me clothes too. Quite a few.

  ’Savvvv.’

  I smiled as Tristan’s voice floated through my mind.

  ‘Come to the bedroom, we have a surprise,’ Damien said, his voice not as sweet as Tristan’s. He was only sweet when he was alone, but I’d forgive him.

  ‘Does it involve cake or nakedness? Cause then I’m keen,’ I purred.

  ’Shit, someone get some cake,’ Tristan said.

  ‘Guess we’d better get naked too.’

  Nate. He was slotting into our little group easily.

  ‘I expect cake before I get naked,’ I joked.

  I felt their interest spike in my mind.

  Izzy certainly wasn’t the only one getting lucky tonight. Hell, I knew they’d made plans for me.

  I just hoped it included cake. I was having a sugar craving.

  Chuckles and laughter rocked through my mind as I made my way back to my room with a bounce in my step.