Forever Fated Mates: A Shifter Romance Collection

by Meg Ripley

  My own bouquet was just three flowers—three of the hugest Gerbera daisies available. One in vivid scarlet, one in bright pumpkin, and one a sunny yellow, all tied together with a metallic gold ribbon that hung past my hands.

  As Kylie stepped into place, she turned to smile at me. My turn. The music changed and I walked forward slowly, beaming. Our guests stood as I passed and made my way to my two waiting grooms. One stood on either side of me, each holding a hand, while Kylie held my flowers.

  The ceremony was very much like a traditional wedding, except that three of us repeated vows that we’d written together—vows that includes things like not falling into competition or jealousy; that we would stay together as a team, no matter what.

  We exchanged rings, and after I shared a kiss with each of them, we walked down the aisle as a trio. Our first dance, too, would be as a trio, but just like we were, it was far from typical. Of course, Max had planned some silly choreographed dance for us all to do, which we’d then had to practice ad nauseum. But we knew it would be fun and make people laugh. Just like I knew Carson’s speech would be inspiring and tear-jerking.

  After we’d cut the cake, I stole them away so we could have a private moment.

  “I feel like we haven’t had much time together today, ironically,” I confessed to them from a small, secluded room I’d found.

  “It’s been a busy day,” Carson agreed.

  “The dance turned out awesome,” Max beamed. “Thanks, guys, for going along with that. I know it took a lot of practice, but I think it was worth it.”

  “Definitely,” Carson said and fist bumped him.

  “It was perfect,” I added. “The thing is, I actually have something that I wanted to talk to you both about.”

  Their faces changed to concern.

  “What is it?” Carson asked.

  “Well, it’s something that we’d started talking about, but we hadn’t finished our discussion. And now it’s a little too late.” I bit my lip.

  Carson had a look of suspicion, and he probably guessed right. Max just looked confused, probably thinking through which conversations we’d left incomplete.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  It was fun to watch their faces. Max reacted first. His face went from confusion to excitement instantly. Carson took longer to get there, but when he did, his smile was huge and genuine.

  “We knew we wanted kids. But we hadn’t really set a timeline,” I said. “I didn’t expect us to get into this too soon, but I’m very excited for what’s to come. There’s just one little thing that’s bugging me.”

  Max pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. “Whatever it is, we’ll work it out.”

  “This is incredible,” Carson agreed. He hugged me, too, letting his hand linger on my belly. “What’s bothering you?”

  “We never discussed this part at all. But obviously, only one of you is the biological father. I think it could cause problems if we knew who the father was.”

  They looked unsure, so I went on. “Think about it this way. Let’s say we end up having three kids. That’s feasible, I think.”

  They both nodded.

  “So, with three or any odd number, one of you would have more than the other. We could just do two or four, of course, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be even. What if only one of you happened to father all the children? How would that make the other feel?” I shook my head. “I don’t want us to find out. Ever. I mean, it might be obvious eventually, if the baby looks more like one of you. I honestly don’t want to know. If there was a way to stitch both of your DNA into one baby, I’d do it, but there’s not, so…”

  I felt like I was rambling, so I closed my mouth and waited for them to respond.

  “I think that’s the only way,” Max agreed.

  Carson nodded. “Our families will likely pressure us to find out. If we knew and kept it a secret, one of us might cave eventually. And if everyone knew, I think our families would act differently, sad as it is. I can’t see my mother treating a baby she knew was Max’s the same as she would treat one that she knew was mine. Max is right. It’s the only way to go.”

  I sighed with relief. “I’d been dreading that part of the conversation all day. I thought for sure you’d both want to know. I don’t know why I thought that.” I placed a palm on each of their cheeks. “You have both turned out to be the most absolute perfect mates I could ever ask for. I love seeing you two work together and act as a team. It brings me so much joy, and I know that us having a baby will be more of the same. You’ll both be amazing dads.”

  Carson blushed and looked down.

  Max chuckled and rolled his eyes. “You already got us tied down, you don’t have to keep trying to win us over.”

  “I never want to stop trying to win you over,” I said fervently. “I love you both so much, and I will spend my life making sure you both know it every single day.”

  “So, there is one thing we’ve been waiting to talk to you about, too,” Carson said.

  “There is?” I asked.

  “But you have to come with us,” Max added, taking my hand and tugging me along.

  I followed them to an exterior door. Max put his hands over my eyes as Carson opened the door and took my hand to lead me out. When Max removed his hands, I saw a shiny new Jeep sitting in front of me, dazzling white with a huge, floppy red bow on its roof.

  My mouth dropped open and I stared in wonder.

  “If you recall,” Carson started, “you once challenged me to buy you a car. At the time, you weren’t ready for the commitment. I think I even said a car was something more like a wedding gift.”

  I laughed and dabbed a tear from my eyes. “You did. I remember.”

  “And you also made that a term of our games on our first date,” Max pointed out.

  “I remember that, too, and the way you guffawed at the idea.”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t want to admit I didn’t have the money, but Carson and I both went in on it together.” He gestured to the car.

  “We wanted to hold up our end of the deal and make good on your challenge,” Carson explained.

  I dabbed my eyes again. “Do you know that I only ask that to see how a person will answer? Their response shows me how giving or creative they are. Max, for example, had said there was no way, which wasn’t a great answer, but then he got creative and said we’d rent a car for a day. And you did already make good on that promise. Carson, your answer was so unusual and so unexpected, I didn’t know how to respond. You were the first person who didn’t just say no or claim that you would in an obviously insincere way. I never expected either of you to actually buy me a car, though. This is crazy!”

  I laughed and hugged them. Just then, I’d noticed the rear window said, “Just Married!” and someone had tied tin cans to the bumper.

  “Wow,” I said. “Who got all old school on us?”

  Carson chuckled. “You can thank our bridal party for that. They all got together last night and did it. We kept the car at Cooper’s for a few days.”

  “You’re so sneaky and sweet.”

  “It was all Max’s idea, actually,” Carson confessed. “I’d forgotten about it until he mentioned it.”

  “But Carson picked out the car,” Max added. “I thought for sure he’d come back with some kind of ugly sedan because it was the safest.”

  “This car has many safety features,” Carson said. “I’ll tell you all about them later.”

  “I know you will. So, can we take it for a drive?”

  “Just leave our reception?” Max asked.

  I shrugged. “We have a huge suite waiting for us…”

  Max pulled open the door and handed me the key. “Let’s roll!”

  Carson got in the passenger side while Max sat behind me, hanging out the window to enjoy the wind. We drove off in my new Jeep, the three of us, as happy as could be, together.

  24

  River

  Epilogue

  I knew it was
going to hurt, but not like this.

  “Almost through it.” Carson dabbed the sweat from my forehead, while Max rubbed my back.

  When the contraction ended, I relaxed. But I didn’t have much time before another started. I’d known I would have to give birth in human form; all eagle shifters did. But after seeing Kylie have their second child, I saw how much easier it was for her in animal form.

  “I think you’re almost there,” Vanessa said. She had become a midwife when she saw how many women in the clan, shifter or not, didn’t go to a hospital to give birth. Almost none of us did, unless there was a major complication. It was nice to have someone with some medical knowledge there, if for nothing other than peace of mind.

  When I’d felt the urge to push, I told her, like she’d said to. I had both my husbands on either side of me, holding my hands as I pushed with all my might.

  Suddenly, I felt a release as the baby’s head slipped out and Vanessa set the crying, wet baby on my chest.

  “It’s boy!” Max exclaimed.

  Carson looked from the baby to me, then back so many times, it was comical. I held the baby close as Kylie helped to wipe him clean.

  “Um…” A deep crease formed between Vanessa’s eyebrows.

  I didn’t have time to wonder about her “um” before another contraction hit me. I groaned and gritted my teeth through it. “I thought I was done with these…?”

  “Well…” She checked something and then gave me her full attention. “It seems that you’re having twins.”

  “What?” That would explain why I felt another contraction coming already. “How did we not know this?” I shouted as I moaned in pain.

  Max picked up the baby while Carson leaned in, resuming his position from the first time I had to push.

  “I have to do it again?” I shrieked, my voice breaking.

  “It’ll be much easier now,” Vanessa assured me. “But I’m so sorry I missed this; I feel like a freaking idiot! You’re my first real case, and you’re so small, that I just thought it was a big baby.”

  It was a definite surprise for all of us, but we’d welcome this baby just the same.

  “Here, push on the next one,” she instructed.

  I did, and she was right. The second baby was much easier to deliver now that its brother had cleared the way for him. “Another boy?” I whispered as she’d placed the baby on my stomach.

  “Twin boys,” Vanessa confirmed, and tears streamed down my face.

  I broke into laughter that turned near hysteria. “I was only prepared for one…” But once I’d gotten cleaned up some and felt the weight of the warm little bundles in my arms, I started to feel better physically and mentally.

  I lay in bed, resting. The babies had both nursed already, and each of my husbands held one. As I looked at them, sitting side by side, holding their sons, I was overcome with pride and wonder.

  “I’ve been smelling them,” Max admitted. “And I’m pretty sure both are bears.”

  Carson nodded. “I thought so, too.”

  “I’m outnumbered again.” I shook my head. “I guess it makes sense. Two of you, two of them.”

  As I looked from baby to baby, Lucas had a tuft of blonde hair, like Carson’s, while Ethan had a head of dark hair, like Max’s. Was it possible they were each the father of one? Fate had done stranger things to us.

  Just then, the Ethan yawned, stretching his little arm. He happened to be positioned in such a way where his tiny fist hit Lucas’ arm. The blonde baby cried and struck back. We all laughed, but I wondered…What exactly are we getting ourselves into?

  Either way, I had two amazing husbands who loved me—and now, our sons—and they’d be there for us all. They traded babies and went on cooing and smiling. Our happy threesome had grown into a family of five in just hours. It felt overwhelming, but in the best way possible.

  In the past, I’d been overwhelmed by pain and cruelty; I never thought I’d escape Levi. But now that I had Carson and Max and our twin boys, the only thing overwhelming me was how amazing my life had become.

  THE END

  Preview of Rescued By The Soldier Bear

  Shifter Nation: Special Ops Shifters: Dallas Force

  1

  Ash leaned forward over the bathroom sink, trying to get a better look at the gray hairs that were slowly making themselves known at his temples. The light was dim and yellow, making it difficult, and he gave up with a sweep of his hand. He considered a shave but decided against it, then grabbed a coat and headed downstairs.

  “Where are you off to today?” Old Jim was a well-known resident in this part of Fairbanks, and even though Ash had only been living there for a few months, he was starting to think of the old geezer as one of his good friends. Jim sat in a chair in the corner of the small lobby of the apartment building, which served as nothing more than a place to pick up mail and maybe harass the landlord about a frozen pipe. The elderly man seemed to take incredible delight in seeing the comings and goings of his neighbors, and Ash couldn’t help but indulge him.

  “Just going to look at another property,” he replied as he shrugged into his green Berne work coat. He was never a man who minded the frigid weather, but it seemed a necessity if he was going to spend the rest of his life in a place like Alaska.

  Jim squinted, making his narrow eyes little more than slits. “Ain’t you already done that?”

  Ash laughed. “Yes, and more times than I’d like to admit. Probably more times than my real estate agent would like to admit, too.”

  “Might as well just settle down right here in Fairbanks. We’ve got it all, you know. No need to go anywhere else.” He made a grand gesture with a wrinkled hand to indicate the entire city, as though it was Jim’s to offer. “Many a man has made himself rich here, you know.”

  “So I’ve heard.” Ash swiped a hand over his face to hide his amused smile. Jim claimed to be an ancestor of E.T. Barnette, who founded Fairbanks in 1901. Perhaps because of the DNA he felt he shared with such an important man, Jim took it upon his shoulders to educate everyone who happened to come within speaking distance. And he usually didn’t stop at just one rendition. Ash had heard the stories about a hundred times already, and his friendliness and patience could only go so far. “I think I need something a little further outside the city, though. I’m heading out to look at a big ranch today.”

  Jim nodded slowly, his gray mustache twitching as he muddled over his next words. “You know, I had a ranch once.”

  Oh, no, Ash thought. Here he goes again. If he would’ve allowed him to keep rambling, he’d be late. “I’ll have to catch up with you about that later, Jim. I don’t want to be late, and you know how it is traveling around here.” Ash waved goodbye as he trotted out the door to his truck.

  An hour later, he was standing at the end of a driveway looking at an impressive log cabin. The mountains in the distance gave a stark but gorgeous contrast to the flat land of the parcel, where the ground was brilliant green with the beginnings of a crop. Ash wished he knew enough to recognize what it was, but at the moment, it simply looked like a verdant carpet that stretched off into the distance toward a massive metal building.

  “It’s currently being operated as a very successful cattle ranch,” explained Mr. Larson, pushing back his sport coat to tuck his thumbs into the front pocket of his jeans. He was dressed like many of the professionals Ash had met during his time in Alaska, who wore button-down shirts, ties, and sport coats over their jeans and boots. “I think it’s just what you’re looking for. Natural water source, flat land, highway access—and you know how important that can be in this area if you don’t own your own plane. Note the equipment shed right over there. It comes complete with everything you need since the owners are retiring and moving to the city. All your tractors and mowers and everything else!”

  Ash felt a deep wrinkle forming between his eyebrows. The place was beautiful; there was no doubt about it. It felt more right than the other properties he’d looked
at before, but it was still missing something. “Yeah… I don’t know.”

  “Of course you don’t!” Mr. Larson enthused, throwing his hands up in the air. “We’ve hardly even looked at the place. C’mon.” He led the way up to the house, where he fiddled with a lock box for a moment until he could get the door open. “This place is just magnificent. I know when you think of a ranch, you’re picturing some bare-bones, barely livable tin shack. But clearly, the Alaskan wilderness has far more to offer than that! Check out this beautiful double-sided fireplace that serves both the living room and the kitchen with this open floor plan.”

  “Yes, it’s very nice.” Ash turned toward a large window to check out the view, but also to roll his eyes. Mr. Larson had been recommended as one of the best realtors in the area, but he reminded Ash of a sleazy car salesman. “I’m not sure I need a home this big, though. It’s just me.”

  “You never know what your future might hold. A beautiful bride, perhaps? One who would surely appreciate the granite countertops and radiant heating in the floors.” He combed his thick mustache with his fingers and waggled his eyebrows.

  “Mm. Doubt it.” Ash left the realtor in the living room and wandered through the home. He didn’t really need to know that it had a separate office area and several bedrooms. The attached storage area for firewood was useful, and it was convenient that most of the furniture and appliances came with the place, but it was too big for just one man.

  In all his life, he’d never felt that incessant urge that came from meeting one’s mate. While he was still with Delta Force, it didn’t matter much. He couldn’t exactly worry about settling down while he was busy running down terrorists and rescuing hostages. It was a hard and rough life, one that he enjoyed for the camaraderie and the excitement. There was something special about knowing he was one of the few men the country trusted with those missions, even if they weren’t ones that civilians usually heard about on the evening news.