by Avery Gale
Kit felt like she was slowly surfacing from hibernation. For a few seconds she just lay with her eyes closed and enjoyed the feeling of the sheets as they slid over her bare skin…Bare? Oh brother, she was wide awake now. She didn’t ever sleep naked so something was seriously wrong with this picture. Jerking up in the bed she realized she was alone in the biggest bed she’d ever seen and just that fast, everything came rushing back to her conscious mind. And right on the tails of blushing at the memories of all the pleasure she’d been given was a crashing wave of sadness at the news little Dusty had been hurt and everything she owned blown to bits.
Turning her gaze to the large windows in the bedroom, she found her thoughts lost in the beauty of the gardens below. Looking around until she found one of the men’s shirts discarded over the back of a chair, she quickly buttoned the middle two buttons and moved to stand before the windows and take in the winter wonderland outside. Damn, told Libby it was going to snow, but did she listen to me? Oh hell no, and now here we are out here in the country without winter wear. Sighing to herself, Kit couldn’t help feeling a bit of loss at the things in her apartment she’d never see again. She didn’t collect anything, but she had gotten a few nice pieces of jewelry from her grandfather before he’d passed away last year and thinking about those being gone brought tears to her eyes.
She shivered involuntarily just as she was wrapped in a warm embrace and pulled back against the solid wall of Trev’s chest. “Tell me what’s put the sad look in your beautiful eyes, baby. Seeing you hurting is painful for me as well.” She didn’t want to seem weak but in this moment, she just couldn’t help but turn in his arms and rest in his care. Kit didn’t cry often because, it had always seemed like a huge waste of energy if you asked her, but she just let the tears flow silently and hoped they would help purge the sadness that had snuck up on her. When Trev picked her up in his arms and made his way to the small sofa, she just curled into his lap and let his warmth surround her. She didn’t really understand much about matings, but if this feeling of comfort was a part of the deal, she might have to reevaluate her objections.
Feeling Trev’s hand tracing symbols on her back, she stilled for a moment and paid attention until she could identify them. “Those are rune symbols of protection aren’t they?”
Kit wasn’t sure Trev had heard her at first, but she felt him take a deep breath just as he’d finished the last of what she knew was a series. “Yes, baby, that is exactly what they are. Jameson and I learned them the night our parents all died. Our mom traced them into each of our hands and over our hearts before she and our dads locked us in a closet to keep us safe. She must have put a spell on the door as well, because by the time we could finally get the door open it was too late.” When she looked up at him she knew he’d read the confusion in her eyes. “Keep in mind we were already young men and quite large for our age, so keeping us contained would have been impossible without magic. The symbols and magic were the final gestures of love we saw, but I’m sure our wonderful mother died, instead of letting us help our fathers protect her.”
She just kept quiet because she could sense he wasn’t finished with his story and she didn’t want to interrupt.
When he finally seemed to come back into the moment, he looked at her and for a brief moment, she saw the young man he’d been when he’d lost his parents and she saw a flash of how hard he and Jameson had fought trying to get free so they could help. Trev leaned forward and kissed her so sweetly on the forehead, and said, “I hadn’t used them again until last night with you.”
“Why? I mean why last night?” She remembered him tracing on her skin, but she’d been so overwhelmed at the moment with lust, she hadn’t taken time to identify what he’d done.
“I don’t really know, it just came over me and from what we have learned this morning that was at almost the exact time your apartment was being wired to blow by two men who successfully conned your doorman into letting them in your apartment with some bogus story about delivering a computer. Our best guess is they used some sort of magic because when police interviewed the doorman last night he seemed completely baffled about why he’d fallen for something that was so obviously a lie.”
Kit felt Trev shift just before he stood her on her feet. “Now, the reason I’m here is to make sure you are up and functional. We need to get you showered and dressed quickly so we can make the meeting in our office downstairs. So get a move on, baby. While you are in the shower, I’ll bring in the bag Libby packed for you. And before you ask, Charlie and Libby have already left to go snowmobiling so you don’t have to worry about answering any of her questions just yet.”
Kit squeaked when he gave her still tender ass a sharp swat, which sent her scurrying into the bathroom. She quickly took care of all her morning routine and was back out in the bedroom searching for her clothing in short order. The towel she’d wrapped around her was huge so she hadn’t thought anything about exiting the bath with nothing but it wrapped around her. She regretted the move as soon as she stepped in to the room and heard Jameson’s growled, “Kit” just before he shoved her back into the bathroom. What the hell?
At her startled look he said, “Didn’t you notice there were people in the room, mate?” What crawled up his ass this morning? And hell no she hadn’t noticed because the only thing she’d seen was his large self and his snarly, pissy expression. “Pissy expression? Oh sweet kitten, I’ll show you pissy. And yes, you did indeed speak those thoughts out loud. Now, we have security people out there installing some extra precautions and I’d prefer they didn’t get to see our mate’s glorious body wrapped in nothing but a towel.” She saw Trev was standing just outside the door and knew there was something Jameson wasn’t telling her, but she also knew better than to push either of them at this moment. Hell, she could barely sit now without wincing so adding any more fire to her ass didn’t seem like a very wise choice
Kit had gone from relaxed and sated to flaming in the blink of an eye. “Well alrighty then. All you had to do was let me know and I’d have been thrilled to sit in here all day waiting for someone to bring me something to wear.” Boy oh boy she was working on a good-mad now so she might as well go down fighting. “And furthermore, I’m not your mate. One night of sex…okay, it was really amazing sex…but still, one night of sex doesn’t mean we’re mates because I have to tell you, right now I’m kind of thinking you’re an asshat.” She was pretty sure she saw the corner of his mouth twitch just before they both heard a chuckle from the other side of the door.
When Trev opened the door and stepped in, he didn’t do a thing to hide his amusement. “Well, brother, I see you are doing a great job of pissing off the most beautiful woman in the world. Christ, I leave you alone with her for two minutes and you have her spitting mad like the kitten you call her.” He stepped up and handed Kit the clothes he’d brought for her. He must have seen her mentally inventorying what he’d handed her because when she looked up at him and opened her mouth to ask, he’d just smiled and placed his finger over her lips to keep her from speaking before chuckling, “No, baby, I didn’t forget anything. That is exactly what we want you to wear and if you kick up a fuss, you’ll be wearing a few hand prints and tender bare ass as well.”
Kit wanted to snap back but figured this was one of those “choose your battles” moments she was always hearing her mom talk about. She took a deep breath and nodded at Trev before glaring at Jameson. When neither one seemed like they were planning to leave anytime soon she sighed and dropped the towel before sliding the dress over her head. The knit was clingy and did nothing to hide her tightly peaked nipples. And the feel of the silky fabric washing over her skin in soft waves felt so much more sensual without underwear. But crap if she had to be in a meeting without underwear that was going to be seriously distracting and getting wet and having a big wet spot on the back of her dress was really going to make a great impression on their pack members.
When she finally realized they were both grinn
ing at her like loons she rolled her eyes and groaned, “Please tell me I didn’t do it again. Frack it. I really have to stop speaking out loud. It’s like giving looters the keys to the kingdom. Damn.”
Jameson and Trev both laughed out loud and surrounded her. “Looters are we, kitten? Well then, I’ll guess we’ll have to see what treasures we’ve scored as soon as we get this meeting done. And I’m sure we’ll all enjoy it. But first, let’s head down to the office where our team has been patiently waiting.”
Chapter Twelve
Kit had sat through the entire meeting with the Wolf brothers’ pack members and marveled at the scope of their member’s infiltration into the upper echelons of the city’s government and business organizations. She watched as the men discussed her as if she wasn’t even present and despite being impressed with their company, she was starting to get mighty tired of being treated as if she was invisible. She had a glass of water in her hand, and when she looked down, she noticed it was bubbling.
She hadn’t even realized Trev was speaking to her until he knelt down in front of her. “Kit, can you hear me?” She heard the genuine concern in his voice and as much as she wanted to assure him that she was fine, the truth was she wasn’t sure. “Kit, look at me, baby.” She didn’t even realize she’d returned her gaze to the glass; even though the bubbles had stopped she was still stunned by what had happened.
Just as she brought her eyes up to meet Trev’s again she heard the sound of chimes and wondered if maybe that old expression “Saved by the bell” might be more truth than myth. Well, that is she wondered until she heard her mother’s voice in the hall. Groaning, she just shook her head and then whispered, “I’m so sorry. No one deserves what you are about to be subjected to.” And before Kit had even taken her next breath, Carla Harris swept into the room.
Jameson gave their sweet housekeeper a small smile when she seemed totally flustered by the audacity of the woman who had obviously simply ignored her attempts to corral her in the entryway. Instead, the tornado had just swept into their office unannounced. There wasn’t any question, the radiant woman was Kit’s mother. The resemblance was undeniable. He’d bet the polished looking man following in Kit’s mother’s footsteps was her father. The smaller and much older woman with the mischievous glint in her eyes was probably the grandmother Kit mentioned. When the woman realized she’d stormed in to a meeting, she didn’t appear to be the least bit fazed. “Nice to meet you, gentlemen. I’m Carla Harris and this is my husband Richard. And that ornery old woman behind me is my mother, Ruby.”
Jameson about lost it when he nodded at the older woman, she grinned and pulled her long skirt up enough to reveal sparkling red high top Reeboks.
“Oh there you are Kathleen, mercy you have been awfully hard to tract down, dear. And we’ve been so worried.”
Jameson was sure he’d seen Kit mouth the word “sorry” to Trev when she’d heard her mother’s voice in the hall, but he hadn’t been able to make out the rest of what she’d said.
When Carla reached Kit she’d grabbed the glass, stuck her finger in the water, and then laughed. “Perfect! Did it bubble?” When Kit slowly nodded, Carla clapped her hands together gleefully. Then pointing to Trev, she asked, “This one?” When Jameson saw his sweet kitten drop her face into her hands he decided he’d stood back and let Carla Harris rule his office long enough.
Stepping forward Jameson deliberately approached Richard Harris first, “Hello, Richard Harris, Kit’s father, I assume? I’m Jameson Wolf and the man kneeling before Kit is my brother, Trevlon. Welcome to our home and specifically Trev’s and my office. We were just having a strategy meeting with our security staff so we can ensure Kit’s safety. Any additional information you can provide will be appreciated.”
Jameson could see the stunned expression on the man’s face. No doubt he was accustomed to being overlooked as people dealt with his much more Alpha wife and Jameson had to admit, the woman radiated magical power. He also noticed Ruby’s sly wink and smile of approval. She knew exactly what Jameson had done and why. And if he wasn’t mistaken, he’d just made a new friend.
Richard Harris shook his hand and Jameson didn’t miss the small smile on his lips. He thanked Jameson for his hospitality and explained they’d been trying to track their daughter with a couple of tokens in her purse but that with all the electronic security equipment in the Wolf’s estate house, it hadn’t been as simple as it should have been. Looking over at Kit with obvious affection, he asked, “Kit darling, are you alright? We’ve been so worried about you.” The man’s sincere concern for his daughter warmed Jameson’s heart and he could see Trev was equally impressed.
Watching Kit move into her father’s outstretched arms touched Jameson’s heart. Richard was tall, but not imposing and his lean physique was a testament to his shifter heritage. His dark hair and eyes gave him a look that might have seemed intimidating, but his entire demeanor radiated a peaceful countenance. Turning to Carla, he said, “It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Harris and while I wish it was under more pleasant circumstances, we’ll be happy to hear anything you have to add as well.” He saw recognition in her eyes a second before she masked it, but in that second he’d gotten his answer. This woman was indeed the woman who had tried to save his parents and he made a silent pledge to cut her some slack and keep focused on the fact that his goal was to make sure her daughter was safe and happy. He and Trev would make it their life’s mission to make sure Kit’s life was as perfect as possible and that her parents never again had to worry about whether or not she was in danger.
Jameson and Trev worked together to get everyone settled back down and refocused on the topic at hand—keeping Kit safe. After they had seated everyone, Carla turned to face both he and Trev before speaking, “As I’m sure you have noticed there is a very strong bond between you and Kathleen and I’m sure you have chalked it up to the typical mating attraction, but let me assure you it is much more than that.”
Not being a big fan of dramatic presentations in general, and particularly not when he felt someone was dangling information just out of his reach, Jameson pressed, “Could you please explain that statement, Mrs. Harris? Because I have to tell you, I’m anxious to get this meeting taken care of because as I’m looking on, my mate is visibly wilting. Kit is tired and overwhelmed, and at this moment I don’t feel like my brother and I are doing a very good job of caring for her. So…no disrespect intended, but cut to the chase, please.”
This time there was no mistaking the smile that spread over Ruby’s lips, nor did Jameson miss the slight lowering of her head in deference to his Alpha status. He returned her nod as an acknowledgement and then returned his attention to Carla Harris who obviously had not missed his interaction with her mother. While it was easy to see the two women were related, it was equally clear they dealt with people in entirely different manners. Ruby appeared to watch and assess while Carla seemed the type to run headlong into the roar.
Carla seemed to glance around the room and note there were quite a few people in attendance before speaking again. “Without going in to a lot of detail, I’ll say this mating was predestined and has been highly anticipated in both magical and shifter circles.” She took a deep breath and then for the first time he saw a hint of compassion in her eyes. “That is not to say everyone is thrilled that it has finally happened. You see, while it was common knowledge in those circles that a powerful merging between a child with great magical ability and a very dominant pack leader was predicted, only a very few people knew the specifics. The prophecy speaks to the upsurge of good that will follow and anytime one side is able to tip the delicate balance of power in their favor the other side is going to fight it with everything they have. Some of the fight took place a long time ago…it was a pre-emptive strike so to speak. Damian is one of the dark side’s leaders and he has been taken a very personal interest in the three of you. He failed in his attempt that night and he didn’t take it well.” Carla’s rueful smile told Jameso
n she had deliberately understated this Damian character’s reaction. And if he didn’t miss his guess it wasn’t something she did often.
Trev’s words blasted into his mind, ‘Oh my fucking God. Carla Harris was there that night to help our parents defend us, not to defend our parents.’ Jameson wasn’t surprised that his twin had processed the information at the speed of light, but he wasn’t completely convinced yet. It was almost incomprehensible to Jameson that this could have escaped them for all of these years. He didn’t answer his brother, mostly because he was just too overwhelmed at the thought that all three of their parents had died that night defending them. They had always believed the attack was directed at their sweet mother because of her magical abilities, but it had never made that much sense either. She had drawn symbols of protection on each of them and then locked them safely away when they could have easily been a lot of help.
Carla seemed to sense the fact he and Trev were scrambling to process everything she’d said, as well as what she’d left unspoken because her voice was filled with compassion when she spoke again. “Jameson, Trevlon…I know this is overwhelming and hard for you to consider because this is not at all the way you have remembered that night. But please believe me, your parents made the sacrifice with nothing but love in their hearts. They knew exactly what they were doing and I swear to you, we all fought with everything we had.”
And there it was—the confirmation that she had been the witch who had joined the fight that night. Unfortunately it seemed to raise more questions than it answered. And right now he needed to focus on keeping Kit safe because things had just gotten a whole lot more complicated.
Chapter Thirteen