“Thank you but,” Eva shakes her head sadly, “we shouldn’t have held on to her so tightly. We should have encouraged her to go out into the world a long time ago. Let her make mistakes; have her heart broken.” She waved a hand toward Knud. “Even if it’s with a wildly inappropriate guy.”
Knud doesn’t bother taking offense because he agrees with President Rustanov. Layla does deserve better than him. But now their paths have become permanently intertwined. So all he can do is promise her parents: “I will do right by her. I’ll love her and protect her, even though she’s made it very clear she doesn’t think she needs anyone’s protection.”
Her parents chuckle.
“She has told me this, too,” Alexei says in a tone that is almost sympathetic.
“That’s the Alexei in her,” Eva says with an apologetic smile. “He doesn’t think he needs anyone else either.”
The amused look rapidly fades from Alexei’s face. “Kotenok, how can you say this? I need you! I need you like I need to breathe.” And then proving he really had no damn business calling anybody else “overpassionate,” he gathers her hands in both of his and declares, “This time apart has been hell for me. I feel dead without you. But I am stubborn and I did not know how to tell you this. How to beg for forgiveness. But if you want me to do this, if that is what it will take to for me to repair this damage, then I will—”
“Oh, stop it, Lexie!” Eva cries out, cutting him off. “You never left my heart. I love you! I love you so much!”
Wide eyed, Knud watches Layla’s 50-something parents fall into each other’s arms. And like a scene out of one of his twin sisters’ romance novels, they kiss with more passion than he ever would have attributed to a former American president.
“Uh…” Knud shifts from foot to foot, feeling like an awkward voyeur.
This is definitely not how he expected things to go when he found himself on the wrong end of Alexei’s gun. It feels like he’s interrupting a very private moment when he clears his throat and says, “Look, I’m really glad you both figured things out. But can someone please tell me where Layla is?”
Just like that, Alexie the romance novel hero disappears, and Layla’s serious father returns. Thankfully his gun hasn’t also returned, but his gaze is deadlier than any bullet as he says, “Da, I will call her and tell her the worthless scum who let her fall into the river while pregnant with his baby would like to see her. If she agrees, then maybe…maybe I will let you see her. But as for marriage—.”
Knud jumps in, “Uh, we’re already technically married.”
“What?!” Alexei roars. “No. There is no marriage contract on file.”
“Well, about that,” Knud says, “See…my laws don’t work like your laws.”
“What are you talking about? I know how the laws of this country works. And Layla is my daughter. While you are only the scum who made her pregnant and then lost her!”
“I didn’t lose her. I just had problems getting to her—the main obstacle being you, sir,” Knud clarifies. “There’s a big difference.”
“There is no difference as far as I’m concerned.”
“But that’s just it. You have no authority in this situation. I don’t need your permission to see my wife. Since she was found in Kansas, a common-law state. And according to common law, I’m her husband.”
“That’s not possible! You must be married for at least ten years for common law to take effect. What do you mean by this?”
“I apologize,” Knud says, raising his hands in a placating way. “Let me explain.” He darts a glance over to Layla’s mother, making a point of including her in this portion of the explanation. “According to the North American Lupus Pact, Layla and I are mates which makes me her husband according to both state and North American laws. The only exception to this being in states that still require an official certificate to make marriage binding.”
Alexei shakes his head in obvious confusion. But his wife, former President Rustanov, curses. “Damn. I wondered how you knew she was pregnant.”
Alexei’s brow wrinkles and he looks from Knud to his wife. “What are you talking about?”
Eva shakes her head, one hand pinching at the bridge of her nose. Then she suddenly shoots Knud a look of panic. “Oh no. Wait…does this mean…she’s like you now?”
Knud nods sympathetically, having a good idea how most humans would react upon hearing their child is now a werewolf.
“You turned her?”
“No, no…” Knud says, palms outstretched in a calming gesture. “I would never do that. If it had been up to me, we would have stayed together but figured out another way to have kids. But it wasn’t up to me so…”
Alexei inserts himself into the conversation, his face contorted in anger and growing alarm. “What are you both talking about? I do not understand!”
“Neither does your daughter, yet,” Knud answers. “And that’s why you have to tell me where I can find her. I’m a doctor, and there are a million things that can go wrong with a pregnancy between your kind and mine.”
Alexei now looks like he is about to explode. “I do not understand what you are talking about!” he roars, the veins visibly throbbing in his neck. “Someone will tell me. NOW!!”
Eva places a calming hand on one of her husband’s arms. “Lexie, it’s against the law for him to tell you anything,” she explains sympathetically. “And everything to do with the North American Lupus Pact is in the Blue Folder.”
Knud doesn’t know much about human politics—for obvious reasons. But he assumes the blue folder has something to do with the secret treaties and agreements that the United States government have made over the years with various supernatural creatures.
Knud feels bad for Layla’s father. But he doesn’t have time for another round of family therapy. “I’m sorry but one of you really needs to tell me where my mate is. Now.”
Eva blinks and clamps her lips in a way that reminds him of Layla. Then finally gives up and says, “Okay, then. I almost hate to tell you this after all the hard work you must have gone through to get in here.”
Alexei pipes up, “You will tell me how you managed this, by the way. So I know who to fire and what new security measures to put in place.”
Knud nods. “Of course. I’ll tell you whatever you want. Fill out a whole feedback form if you need me to. Just…where is Layla?”
“She’s not here,” Eva replies with an apologetic wince.
“Because she went back to Kansas to search for you,” Alexei finishes, his tone near to overflowing with irony.
“What?!” Knud’s brain feels like it’s about to implode.
“She went back to Kansas to find you,” Alexei repeats. “She is at her old apartment with Gracie. So if you would like to check there…maybe she will decide you are not a piece of shit for letting her fall in that river.”
“Lexie, stop harassing this boy,” Eva says. But the glare she throws him is more indulgent than admonishing.
“Thank you. I’m going to go find her,” Knud says, starting toward the bedroom door.
“But wait, you can’t just ambush her. There’s something you need to know first,” Eva said.
Knud turns back. Impatient. Because what else could possibly be important enough to hold him back from reuniting with his mate? But this is the former president of the United States. And Layla’s mom. So, he forces himself stay calm and listen, doing his level best to sound respectful as he answers, “Okay…what is it?”
Eva opens her mouth but before any words come out, the ringing of three different phones cuts her off. And his newly reinstated bioware explodes with messages.
34
Wolf Haven, Oklahoma
It’s like a recurring nightmare. Or that old movie, Groundhog Day. I wake up in a hospital bed with my parents looking over me.
Except this time my mother and father are on one side of my bed wearing twin expressions of worry, while one of my father’s guards is on the o
ther. Like Santiago, he must be a new guy who’s made it into the family rotation since I left Drummond.
“She’s coming to!” the guard calls out.
A doctor, wearing a white coat with Wolf Haven Clinic stitched over the breast pocket, rushes into the room, her dark ponytail swinging behind her.
Another big difference between this hospital visit and the last one is that I can recall exactly what happened to land me here.
“The baby! Is my baby alright?” This time, these are the first words out of my mouth.
“Your baby is fine,” the doctor answers, snatching up a touchpad. She quickly reviews what I assume to be my charts. “You were experiencing some mild cramping, and brought into our clinic.”
I’m too confused and scared for manners. “Those cramps didn’t feel anywhere near mild,” I tell her. “It was like my first period after eating two cheese pizzas times 100.”
The doctor looks from side to side as if suddenly caught in a trap. “Oh, ah, I wouldn’t know about hu—I mean, your past cramping,” she answers carefully. “But some cramping is to be expected in the first few months of these kinds of pregnancies. Perhaps yours simply felt severe than normal. But I assure you, everything is going perfectly.”
“I passed out!”
“You did, and luckily our qu—uh, Ms. Ataneq was there to bring you to us. I’m sure we can find something to help manage the pain while you gestate.”
“Okay, thank you,” I say carefully. Though I really don’t understand.
As if sensing my confusion, my father’s guard takes my hand. “I know you’ve got to be confused by all of this but the main point is the baby is okay. And you’re okay. And I’m here for you now…that’s all that matters.”
I blink up at the young guard who must definitely be brand spanking new to our family’s rotation, because I know I would have remembered seeing him before. His skin is the color of warm sand, and he has deep set eyes that curve downwards at the edges. He’s pretty, so very pretty…but there’s a hard edge to his sharply planed face. Pretty, but dangerous, I think to myself right before his scent hits my nose. He smells…oh my gosh! He smells amazing. Like a fire burning in the deepest winter snow.
And the way he looks at me. It’s like he’s staring into my soul as the strange new voice inside me chants, Mine! Mine! Mine!.
With the explosion of emotions, smells, and internal chanting, it’s all I can do to keep my voice polite and level as I say, “Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. I’m Layla Rustanov. May I ask your name?”
The whole room goes silent.
Uh-oh. “Have I made another faux pas?” I ask, feeling unsettled.
But then Mom says, “Ah, he’s not one of our guards, honey.”
“Then who is he?” I ask, shaking my head in alarmed confusion. I turn back to the strangely handsome man standing on my other side, still holding my hand. “Who are you?”
Another silent exchange passes between the three and Mom says, “I’m not sure who should tell her.”
“Tell me what? I’m right here,” I answer.
More hesitation, then my father blurts, “He’s the boy who made you pregnant and let you fall into the river,” at the same time the pretty-but-dangerous guard says, “I’m your mate.”
35
Wolf Haven, Oklahoma
“Well, ain’t this some anti-climactic bullshit.”
“Aunt Tu…” Knud speaks signs at the same time Qim signs, “Mom.” And Jandro signs, “Grandma…” Grady only shakes his head as if he’s given up on trying to reign in his wife.
“I’m just saying… We went through all this…let a bunch of humans into Wolf Haven…and she can’t even remember you!” Tu speak-signs back. Her eyes narrow in the direction of the closed clinic door where Knud left Layla and her parents after they requested to “talk privately.”
Layla only asked for the room, but Knud, knowing a few things about wolf hearing that she didn’t, decided to give her the whole building.
Which is where he found Tu, Grady, Qim, and Jandro…all waiting outside in matching track suits and matching expressions of worry.
“You guys have nothing to worry about,” he spoke signed to them. “Believe me, all the illegal stuff you did to get Jandro here is the last thing on her mind right now.”
Tu let out an audible sigh of relief…right before taking Knud’s reprieve as her cue to run commentary on the latest complication in what had started out as a simple NSA relationship.
“And that overstepping family of hers can just miss me,” she complains now, glaring at the human guard posted outside the clinic.
“You’re angry because they have more money than us and more power,” Qim signs, teasing his mom with laughing eyes.
“NO…” Grady signs in seeming defense of his wife. “She angry because she choke in front Eva Rustanov. I NEVER see her no able to TALK. I was afraid she might FAINT.”
“The only reason I’m not throwing cuss fingers at both you now is because of J-Blessing,” Tu signs back with a grouchy look on her face. But then her shoulders sag as she signs, “I can’t believe I choke. But she so beautiful. Like angel. I must try talk to her again.”
“Mom, this isn’t about you talking to L-heart’s mother,” Qim reminds her with gentle signs. “We’re here for K-Thunder.”
Then, proving why he was handed the keys to his kingdom earlier than most, Qim turns to Knud to ask, “What can we do? How can we help?”
“Yes, want help you like you help us,” Jandro agrees, proving why this street kid would probably end up with the keys to the kingdom, too. The boy already seemed like he was part of the family—and not just because of the track suit. He looked healthier. And though Knud doubted the shadows from his eyes would fully clear until he’d been seeing his therapist for a year or two, at least they no longer appeared sunken in and hopeless.
Happy. He’s happy here.
Even if Layla didn’t remember Jandro, he knows she’ll feel the same as him. That saving this kid was worth it. Worth everything they’ve been through.
Everything they’re still going through.
Which is maybe why it feels more true than sappy when Knud speak-signs back, “Trust me, J-Blessing, you did enough by agreeing to be part of our family. But thanks for the offer.”
“His word speak exact truth,” Qim signed to Jandro. Then he made a point of carefully signing “Gracias” in LSM.
Jandro beams, perhaps beginning to believe he deserves to be part of this family. He thumbs his chin in return, “De nada.”
A sudden commotion at the clinic’s front door interrupts the warm moment.
They turn as one to see the former First Family walking out together. Layla’s hand is wrapped inside Eva’s, like a child being guided by her mother, and they head toward the small drone now sitting in the field between the kingdom house and Wolf Haven.
Knud flew here with her parents in the drone, but he already has a feeling they won’t be leaving that way. And though Knud is happy to see the relationship with her mother is on the mend, his heart sinks knowing what’s coming next.
Beside him, Tu frantically speak signs, “No, no! They don’t just get to take her away. You’re her MATE. There are LAWS.”
“Yeah, laws we can’t truly enforce with their kind,” Knud reminds her.
“That’s bullshit,” Tu says. Then she speak signs, “This is our land! OUR kingdomland. We can forbid them from launching their drone.”
“Or arrest them for trespassing without an order from the sitting president,” Qim adds. “Whatever you need, we’ve got your back.”
Yes, they did. And not for the first time does Knud realizes just how stupid he’s been to keep his family at a distance for so long. But in this case…
“Thank you. But I’m not going to stop her from leaving. She doesn’t remember me, and she sent me away five minutes after meeting me.”
“Wait—” Tu starts, hands readying for a tsunami of signs.
“No, Aunt Tu. She’s had a lifetime of playing the part of perfect First Daughter.” With a shake of his head, he recalls all the research he did on Layla before going into the Texas compound. Because of her father’s place of birth and his complete lack of interest in running a political office, she’d had to step up at the age of 12 and do double duty. Not only had she undergone heavy media training, she’d campaigned tirelessly for her mother and even took over the office of First Spouse during her mother’s second term in office.
While Knud had been blindly following Rafes’ often fatal orders all over the world, Layla had given up everything, including her own sense of self, to be the person her mother needed to secure and successfully keep her presidency. No, Knud couldn’t ask her to do the same for an unworthy wolf she didn’t even remember.
“If she doesn’t want to play the part of my mate, I’m not going to make her. Our lawyers will figure out the custody arrangement, and she’ll be happy. That’s all that matters.”
Tu considers his words, then drops her hands with a sigh—only to stiffen again and squint into the distance.
Knud follows her gaze to see Alexei Rustanov headed their way.
“Stay calm,” he signs to both Qim, Grady, and Tu.
But his family makes no promises. Tu and Grady flank one side of him, while Qim and Jandro fall in on the other. They cross their arms over their chests...there if Knud needs them.
But he doesn’t have time to be grateful for their support because he’s too busy bracing himself for what Alexei Rustanov will say.
The larger man stops about a foot away from them, his cold grey gaze finding Knud with the precision of a laser. “You will listen carefully to my words. I do not care that you are a Nightwolf, or from some protected tribe my wife cannot tell me about. If anything else happens to my Layla, I will kill you. You understand this, da?”
“Yeah,” Knud answers. “I get it. You don’t have to worry about me harassing her. I wouldn’t do that, especially in her condition. If she doesn’t want to see me again, she doesn’t have to. But there are a few conditions that need to be met before I let her go…”
KNUD, Her Big Bad Wolf: 50 Loving States, Kansas Page 19