UnexpectedFind

by Nancy Corrigan

  Rafe faced Kade. “We’ll give it a couple of days. Calum might not even stick around. We’ll sit tight, center our position here and wait. As long as the cubs and the humans are with a royal, Calum won’t dare touch them. He knows he’s no match for us.”

  “I hope so, brother. I don’t want to lose any more of our females to him.”

  “We won’t,” Rafe said, then jogged across the lawn. Time to find his rival and learn what he could about Jasmine. It was damn hard to lead her into a conversation that might reveal her fears when he didn’t know anything about her. He stopped at the bottom of the porch and looked across the yard. Kade sat with his back against a tree, his gaze on the outer buildings. Good. Jasmine would be safe.

  He glanced between the garage and the house. Doubt filled him. Jasmine should be the one to reveal everything but he didn’t have time to get to know her, not if he wanted to gain her trust before the next time it was tested. He wouldn’t lose her.

  Rafe turned away and called out to Josh.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jazz jerked awake, sat up and scanned the room. Memories came back to her. Rafe, mind-blowing sex and the lion peering at her through the car window. She pressed a hand against her chest. Oh god, it was real. All of it. From learning about Tony’s death to Rafe loving her.

  She glanced down at her body—naked with reddened marks of his possession. Her breath escaped in a rush. She ached in a delicious way that reminded her she’d been taken hard. The man was amazing, filled her more completely than anyone had before and stirred emotions she knew weren’t safe. His heated praises, the way he was desperate for her body and even his possessiveness made her feel special. With a grin on her face, she collapsed on the uncomfortable, squeaky sofa bed. Thinking of Rafe pushed the scary thoughts away but it didn’t last.

  Reality crept back along with the sound of voices. That’s what had woken her. She jumped up and scrambled for her clothes. She couldn’t find the bra so she pulled the shirt on and reached for her shorts. Ripped. Rafe had torn them off her. Great. Now what? Her gaze traveled back to the bed and the neatly folded pair of shorts. Her heart swelled. He’d thought of her.

  Obviously his, the shorts hung to her calves. She had to roll the waistband three times for it to stay up but she was decent. Fashionable? Not even close. Anyone who looked at the outfit and her disheveled, tangled hair would be able to guess exactly what she’d been doing. The thought embarrassed her but her need to see who was here pushed it aside. She was an adult. Who cared if these strangers knew she’d been intimate with Rafe?

  With her feet shoved into her sneakers—she didn’t even remember losing those—she hurried to the door. Peeking through the glass, she looked toward the driveway. Two more SUVs with darkened windows were parked in the grass next to the house. Four new men stood in a circle. One woman leaned against a dark-blue car—the same one from Rafe’s phone. Beautiful. She had to be Mira, Devin’s twin. She was curvy, tall and with the uniquely colored hair, exotic. She also looked incredibly sad. In the throng of men, she stood alone.

  Eager to know what she’d missed out on while she’d napped, Jazz opened the door. All the new people turned and looked in her direction. She froze under their unblinking stares. Two of the guys, ones she suspected were related to Rafe, openly perused her. If their heated gazes were any indicator, they liked what they saw. Her skin burned. It took every bit of self-control she had not to slink back into the office and hide. Now she knew how a gazelle felt.

  She licked her lips and forced her feet to move. Image was everything, especially when her heart knocked hard against her ribs. There was no way to hide her fear from them. They’d smell it.

  Rafe stood near the flowerbed with a raven-haired man, but the new guy didn’t have the same up-tilted eyes as Rafe, Kade and Devin. His were almond-shaped, deep-set and brown but just as intense. Another predator. She’d bet money he wasn’t feline though. Wolf, maybe? Didn’t matter. The only man’s eyes she wanted on her were Rafe’s.

  She locked her gaze with his and silently urged him to come over. He gave a small shake of his head and held out a hand. Was she supposed to walk across the yard in front of his family? When he didn’t move or drop his hand, she guessed that’s exactly what he wanted.

  Her hands shook but she tucked her tangled hair behind her ears and went to him. She kept her eyes on Rafe’s face—her anchor—and ignored the ones that tracked her progress. By the time she reached Rafe, her legs shook and her breath sawed past her lips. Rafe closed his hand around hers and pulled her into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her ear over his heart. It didn’t race. The beat was steady and strong. Hearing it calmed her. Her pulse slowed and each of his slow caresses over her messy hair relaxed her tense muscles.

  “Do not make me do that again,” she whispered.

  Rafe’s chuckle shook his chest. She sighed and snuggled closer.

  “I won’t but it was necessary to show them that not only do I own you, you’ve accepted me.”

  Her eyes widened and she leaned back to look into his eyes. “Own me?”

  He traced the column of her neck—the same spot that had tingled after they’d had sex last night. “I’ve claimed you. My scent will always be a part of you.”

  She stared at him wide-eyed and couldn’t get past her anger to say anything. He’d claimed her? Like his favorite toy?

  “The term is ‘beloved human’,” the other man said. “It’s an honor, little female. It means Rafe will always watch over you, care for you. It’s a title few humans hold.” He bent close and captured her gaze with his piercing stare. “Do not dishonor my friend with your ignorant complaints. You might know about shifters but you don’t know our customs.”

  Rafe’s grip on her waist tightened. His heart beat harder but a carefully neutral mask hid his emotions. She glanced from Rafe to the new man, letting his words sink in. Beloved human. It didn’t sound offensive. In fact, it made her feel as special as when she’d woken with a satisfied smile on her face. And if Rafe would always watch over her, he’d be close. A part of her life. Happiness brought the grin back. She buried her face against his chest.

  “So what does that make you?” she asked Rafe.

  Rafe didn’t answer her. He took her hand and faced the man next to him. “Watch your tongue, Xander. My female will learn about our culture from me, not you.”

  Xander inclined his head but she caught his warning look. She had a feeling the man didn’t take orders well and planned to say what he wanted to her when Rafe wasn’t around. She made a mental note not to be alone with him. His focused glare wasn’t appreciative like the other men. His held animosity.

  She glanced at Rafe to see if he noticed the hard look but his attention was on the woman several feet away and Josh, who approached from behind her. Oblivious to the fact that the other guys nearby had turned to watch him, Josh closed the distance between him and Mira with determined strides. Or maybe he had noticed and didn’t care. That was more like Josh. She’d seen him wade into fights at the bar without worrying about getting hurt. He liked to start them too.

  Two men broke from the ring loosely surrounding Mira and blocked Josh’s approach. A head taller than Josh’s six-foot-three frame, they were huge and chilling with their pale complexions and braided pale-blond hair. They reminded her of Vikings.

  “Rafe?”

  “I see.” He sighed and led her forward.

  Mira watched Josh and the Viking twins. A small smile played on her lips. She might be amused by the male posturing but Jazz wasn’t. Josh could handle himself in a fight, but not against these two. If they were Rafe’s friends, they weren’t human.

  “Back off,” Rafe ordered. “The human isn’t a threat to Mira.”

  One of the two blonds turned and Jazz sucked in a shocked breath. Pale-blue eyes, cold and emotionless, stared at them.

  “He’s male. Devin’s orders were specific. No man from outside the pride is allowed to talk to M
ira.”

  Anger and annoyance rose and she blurted, “Well, why the hell not?”

  The other blond’s lips lifted in a small smile. The hostile edge to his expression faded. “Because Devin is her guardian and makes the rules.”

  “Guardian?” She looked to Rafe for an explanation.

  Rafe appeared as if he were choosing his words carefully. He glanced at Mira, Josh then her. “All females need a guardian, someone to protect them. Our women are precious but there are many who don’t follow our belief and see them as no more than breeders and sexual slaves. Given the chance, they’ll force a bond on any unprotected female.”

  “That’s barbaric,” she said.

  “That’s our way.” Rafe shrugged. He faced the men. “Let it go. Mira is here to help with the cubs and Megan is Josh’s child…for now.”

  “What do you mean?” Josh asked. He stepped around the wall of male flesh and stood between them and Mira. “I’m not giving up my rights to Megan. Tony had a will listing me as her guardian.”

  “Tony didn’t have the right to do so, but Kade is willing to allow you to remain a part of her life as long as her parents aren’t found,” Rafe said. “It’s the best you’ll get, Josh.”

  Jazz pushed away from Rafe. “And if her parents are found, Josh won’t have any contact with her?”

  “Most likely not. If they’re alive, she belongs with them.” Rafe reached for her but she stepped back.

  Nina’s stories came back to her and Jazz shivered. “What if the children are better off with a human guardian?”

  Rafe’s mouth parted slightly. He studied her with narrowed eyes. “Shifters do best when they grow up with their own blood. The familial bond calms our animals.”

  She swallowed hard and flicked her gaze to the people standing near them. Every shifter watched her the same way Rafe was—with suspicion. She ignored them and turned her attention to Rafe. “So if a parent is found, the children will always be reunited with them.” He took another step toward her, she took a matching one backward. “Just answer my question, Rafe.”

  “Yes. Always. We love our children but many parents would be grateful to the humans who cared for their young and could be persuaded to allow contact.” Rafe paused then said, “I will do everything within my power to make sure you and Josh are granted the right to see them.”

  “To see them,” she repeated. Oh god, her worst fear was coming true. If Calum got his hands on her boys he’d sell them, maybe even kill them. She wouldn’t put it past him. He murdered his own wife, sold his daughters. What were two more lives?

  Rafe wrapped his arms around her before she could get away. “Why are you so upset?”

  “I don’t want to lose my kids to someone.” She slid out from under his arms. “I should’ve met you for our date instead of letting you pick me up. Then you never would’ve known about them.”

  His gaze flicked to her wrist. “When I figured it out doesn’t matter.” He shrugged. “I did and now you and your children are safe. It’s too soon to worry about losing Seth and Levi. We don’t even know if their parents are still alive.”

  What he said was true and if she was going to trust him, maybe even hope for a relationship, she should accept his words. Just let it go. She glanced down at her wrist, the one her boys always rubbed their cheeks against before she left the house. She’d scoured the internet for anything she could learn on big cat behaviors and learned that cats often scent-mark things, territories, people. She assumed that’s what they were doing.

  With the threat of being discovered by other shifters always hanging over her head, she couldn’t risk walking by a stranger on the street who’d recognize it for what it was. As soon as she got to her car after they marked her, she would use baby wipes to get the claim off. Except for the day she met Rafe. The tub had been empty. She’d meant to wash her hands at Tony’s house but she’d gotten distracted then…

  Then everything had spiraled out of control.

  “You smelled them on me that night in the bar, didn’t you?” she asked.

  Rafe took a step toward her and she scrambled backward. He stopped and balled his fists at his side. “Yes. I scented you at Tony’s house and when you came into the bar I knew I had to find out who marked you. Nobody in my pride owns—” He cleared his throat. “Nobody in my pride has a beloved human. It made me suspicious.”

  “So you made a point of getting me alone and coerced my name and number out of me. Is that it?”

  Rafe moved before she could retreat. He pulled her close and pressed his mouth to her ear. “This is not the time or place for this conversation, Jasmine. What we shared has nothing to do with getting information from you. I told you before and I’m telling you again, you’re special to me. I needed to be with you.”

  She huffed and pushed against his chest. “Whatever, Rafe. Let me go. I don’t want you to touch me right now.”

  “No, that’s not happening, not while you’re upset. Calm down and listen to me.” He leaned back and met her eyes. “I don’t know of any mated couple who lost boys in the last decade. A report would’ve been made. I can’t guarantee you anything but I don’t think you have to worry about losing Seth and Levi.”

  Of course Calum wouldn’t file a report for children he planned to sell. She took a deep breath and tried to do as Rafe said. The panic eased as she focused on Rafe’s words. No report meant Calum wasn’t looking for them. If he did show up, she could always tell the Shifter Affairs people what Nina had told her. It would be her word against Calum’s but unless she was going to take her kids and run, she’d have to work within the system.

  Rafe brushed his lips against hers. “Put your faith in me, sweetheart. I will do everything I can to keep you and your boys together.” She nodded and he stepped back. “I am going to mark my territory and look for our murdering shifter. Xander and Kade will protect you.”

  She wrapped her arms around her chest and looked around at the strange faces—all predators—who watched her. Fear rose at the thought of being alone with them. She pushed it back. Rafe trusted these men, so she would too. She cleared her throat. “Your territory?”

  “Yes. My territory.” He waved his arm out to encompass her yard. “The house, the outer buildings, the land. It’s mine and I need to claim it.”

  She let her gaze roam over him and anger rose. “Excuse me?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “What’s yours is mine now, Jasmine.”

  She blinked and took in his stiff pose and eyes that dared her to challenge him. “And you have this right because you own me.”

  Rafe snapped his teeth together. “Because you are my beloved human. And yes. I do.”

  “I hate to tell you this, but the deed on this house is in my name, not yours.”

  Rafe’s gaze slid behind her to the other shifters who were no doubt listening to their conversation, then yanked her against him. He fisted her hair. With his mouth near her ear, he said, “I am your male, Jasmine. In my world that gives me every goddamn right to your body and your holdings.”

  He lowered his voice. “Do not fight me on this. You have every right to my holdings as well…and my body.”

  She felt his engorged shaft pressed into her belly and desire swept through her. Moisture pooled low and the damn ache in her core grew. She blew out a breath. She had to get away from him. Whenever she touched him, her thoughts drifted to sex. She shoved hard against his chest but didn’t move him.

  “You are my lover, Rafe. In the human world, that doesn’t give you the right to take over my life,” she growled.

  Rafe licked the length of her neck. She shivered. “And your lover isn’t human, Jasmine. Your rules don’t apply to me.”

  She squirmed, tried to get away but only succeeded in arousing herself. “And yours do?”

  Rafe brushed his lips up along the length on her neck across her jaw to her mouth and kissed her. Slowly, he twined their tongues. The gentle strokes took the anger away. She moaned, the seduction one s
he couldn’t resist. He broke the kiss but whispered against her lips, “Yes, sweetheart. Mine do. You’re a part of the shifter world now.”

  “I’m not sure I like it,” she mumbled.

  He pulled back and ran a hand over her hair. “You will, my Jasmine. You will.”

  She stared into his feline eyes and Xander’s words came back to her. She didn’t understand their culture but the burning stares directed her way reminded her this wasn’t the place to discuss their differences. They’d already shared too much.

  “This conversation is not over, Rafe.”

  Rafe bent close and pressed his mouth to her ear. “Yes it is.”

  He ran a finger down the length of her neck but turned away before she could say anything else. She watched him walk over to his brother. Their heads bent close as they talked and Kade made a frightening sound, something between a hiss and a snarl. He looked in her direction and one corner of his lip lifted, revealing a fang. Apparently he wasn’t too happy with his baby-sitting orders but he strode toward her while Rafe and the other men faded into the woods.

  Kade didn’t speak to her. He settled on the porch swing and propped his feet up on the banister.

  Mira cleared her throat. “Jasmine, I’d love to meet your kids.” She turned to Josh. “And your daughter too.”

  Jazz led the way into the house, introduced Megan and her boys to Mira and stepped back to watch all three kids’ eyes light up when she sat down in the middle of the floor with them. Mira spoke softly and within minutes they were giggling. Jazz smiled.

  “She’s good with kids,” Josh murmured from right next to her.

  “Very,” Jazz agreed. “I wonder if she has any.”

  Josh shrugged but he didn’t look happy about the idea. He turned his back on Mira and faced her. “I need to talk to you, Jazz.”

  “About what?”

  “Rafe.”

  Josh turned and headed toward the kitchen without elaborating. She followed and sat at the table. “What about him?”