by Tl Reeve
The pup gave him a lopsided grin and barked before curling into a ball to take a nap. Dani ran her fingers through his fur, relaxing the little guy even more. “He’s changed in such a short span of time. It’s amazing.” She said it to no one in particular. “I have to admit, I didn’t think he would make it when Caden brought him to me.”
“Well, I heard you have very talented hands.”
Her head popped up and her eyes went round. “No, it was all skill. Nothing special.”
“Dani,” Caden put his hand on her thigh. “It’s okay to tell him.”
“No, Keeley made me promise I wouldn’t say a word. We were just liking it here.” Her voice quivered and his heart broke for her. Keeley had pretty much said the exact same thing.
“It’s okay. Keeley told me everything about her.”
“Everything?”
“Yes, everything.” Kalkin smiled. “She told me she was a telepath and had telekinetic abilities.” It was his brother’s turn to stare at him bewilderedly.
Her hand trembled and she swallowed audibly. She had to do this in her own time, and he wouldn’t push her. “I’m an empath with the ability to heal just by using my touch and I am a psychometrist. I can read objects and tell you what they were used for. My abilities work hand in hand.” Her gaze dropped back down to the puppy and she resumed rubbing his back.
“Is that why he healed so quickly?” Kalkin cocked a brow at his brother.
“Yes,” she whispered. “When I put him under, I set his little legs and started weaving the bone back together. Same with the bites. Little by little each day, he grew stronger and no one was the wiser.”
And when it mattered, she didn’t realize Aiden was actually a human. “Amazing.”
Her hand stilled and she slowly tilted her head up. “Amazing? Is that all? You’re not going to make me show you what I can do?”
“No,” Caden answered. “He’s not.”
“He’s right, I believe you.”
“I’ve tried to explain the direness of our situation to your brother, but he claims you guys will protect us.” She shook her head. “You can’t protect us. No one can.”
“I told you to leave it to us. Now, don't get yourself all worked up, pumpkin. Okay?” Kalkin's brother reached over to her and wiped away a tear. “Since your sister is home and I am sure she'll want my ass on a platter, how about I take you and Aiden home?”
“I think I would like that, thank you.” She stood up gracefully, holding Aiden close to her. “For what it’s worth, I figured out what you are, and I plan on telling Keeley tonight.”
Kalkin sat back. “Oh, what are we?”
A little smile tugged at her lips. “Did you think when I worked on Aiden I wouldn’t figure out you’re shifters? Or when I helped ease Mrs. Martin’s pain in the hospital?”
Caden glanced at him. “Really? You kept it to yourself this whole time?” He’d been impressed by her candor and her loyalty. “All this time you could have said something to anyone and you didn’t?”
She shook her head. “No. At some point, Keeley and I have to trust someone.”
Well, shit. “Yes. We are. So is Aiden.”
She grinned down at the baby in her arms. “Incredible. It explains so much.” Without another word, she stepped off the porch and headed for her vehicle.
How in the hell had they gotten themselves into all this? He wouldn’t trade meeting Keeley for the world, but now everything he knew was completely turned upside down. He had to play everything close to the vest now. Couldn't let his guard down for anything. It also meant whoever attacked Mrs. Martin did it to scare them. Unfortunately, if they thought it would force his hand or he would give the girls up, they were seriously underestimating him and his family.
After pulling out his phone, he sent a quick text to Logan. By morning, he wanted a complete work up from Mrs. Martin’s place and he wanted to find out everything he could about Simon. There was more than one way to skin this cat, and if the FBI agent wouldn’t give it to him, he’d do it himself. He would put the new girl with him, Sage. Jace’s assessment of her and her qualifications impressed him. With her working with Logan, they would get the job done in half the time.
When his brother came back across the bridge separating their houses, he stood up and headed inside with him. “We have a shit-ton to discuss.”
“Yes, we do.”
What should have been a simple conversation about their mates had involved Jace and Royce. For now, their rotations of guarding the girls’ home wouldn’t change. Jace had taken to working from the house, so while Dani tended to her newest patients, he could keep a close eye on their comings and goings. Keeley was the opposite.
She was always out of the house, whether going to town to gather supplies they needed or picking up the milk for Aiden. Royce followed her, keeping his distance, always in her shadow. At night, between him and Caden, they guarded the house. He realized Keeley would see them in her security feed, but as wolves, she wouldn't suspect a thing.
“So, what do you want to do now?” Caden took a seat at the kitchen table.
“We find out who this Simon really is, and we figure out how to stop him.”
* * * *
“Danielle, we need to talk,” Keeley stated, as her sister came in the door carrying the little bundle of fluff.
Behind her sister, Caden stood on the gravel and dirt driveway. He raised his hand then headed for the bridge separating their property. Since Kalkin brought her home, she'd been trying to figure out the best way to tell her sister she’d spilled her secret. She didn't like keeping things from Danielle. The spell Kalkin cast around her had dissipated and now she didn't like the idea of him knowing the truth about her. It left her and them vulnerable.
“We do,” her sister stated. “First, I want to show you something.”
Show her something? “This is important, Dani.”
“So is this,” her sister replied, turning her stern gaze on Keeley.
“What?”
Danielle held her hand over Aiden. “Come on, little guy, it’s time to show your aunty your true form.”
His true form? “Danielle?”
“Shh,” her sister hissed. “Come on, Mommy's sweet boy.” Waves of healing energy and love poured off her sister and centered on the puppy.
The puppy began to glow, then his little body contorted and a squawk of fright burst from him. Dani continued to feed the puppy reassurances until the light disappeared and a naked, three-month-old wriggling baby boy lay in his playpen. He squealed and cooed at Danielle and her, seemingly proud of what he could do.
“Holy shit,” she whispered. “They’re shifters. We’re on pack land.”
Danielle grinned. “Yes. I figured something was different about the boy when I’d initially explored his broken and battered body. However, I didn’t put two and two together until I sat with Mrs. Martin. I saw the same anomalies. She should have died from the attack, Kee. She would have if her wolf genetics hadn’t started healing her body.”
Keeley sat there, dumbfounded, not for the first time. They were in a pack of wolves. They grew up knowing shifters existed in the world, but never in a million years did they believe they’d ever find a pack willing to take them in. “Do you know who else is one? Shifter, I mean?”
Her sister nodded. “I do. Kalkin and Caden. Their brother Jace and nephew Royce. Something is wrong with Jace, though. He’s…different.”
“He’s gay,” Keeley stated.
“No,” her sister replied. “It’s different. I feel it when I’m close to him. He’s stronger than he gives himself credit for and he’s hiding.”
“I’m not sure I want to know. This is all…so much.”
Aiden whimpered then went back to his puppy form. He planted his paws on the front of his playpen and yipped at Dani. She pulled the bundle out then headed for the kitchen. “Kal said you told him the truth.”
Shit. “Yes,” she answered.
“
Good. I did, too.” She came back into the living room moments later. Aiden was tucked into the crook of her arm, chowing down on his bottle. Makes sense now.
“You did?”
Her sister nodded. “Yeah. Caden already figured it out, I couldn’t keep it from him. Aiden healed too quickly. I think we can trust them.” She’d said it before, but Keeley still had her doubts. Not as many, though.
“I think you’re right,” she said with a bit of reluctance. “It’s a scary proposition.”
Dani sat down on the couch next to her. “I think it's supposed to be, sis. We've done all of this on our own for so long. Run so far yet never been safe.”
“Yeah. Mrs. Martin got hurt because of us, too,” she whispered.
“He’s trying to lure us out. I think if we do what Caden and Kalkin want us to do, we’ll be fine. He thinks we’re here, but he can’t know. You’re erasing our trail as we go, right?”
Keeley nodded. “Yes. As soon as we arrived, I cleaned up. As far as anyone is concerned, we’ve been here for six years. Never made a peep. We’re established. Have roots.”
“Then we have to give the Raferty boys a chance to prove they’re willing to do whatever it takes to protect us.”
“How are you so sure about them?” Keeley turned to her sister.
Danielle shrugged. “I just am. I have a good feeling about them. About this place. We were meant to find it.”
* * * *
Early Saturday morning, Kalkin sat at his desk going over the information Logan and Sage had put together for him. With all of the tourists in the area, it had been like finding a needle in a haystack for any trace of those responsible for Mrs. Martin's attack. He suspected Simon had been the culprit, but without physical evidence, he couldn't do anything—not yet anyway.
A knock at the door had him raising his head. Agent Blackhorn stood in the doorway, a sheepish look on his face. “Do you have a moment?”
If it got him information, Kalkin had all the time in the world. “Are we going to play games again?”
Blackhorn snorted. “I think we both know I want to nail this asshole to the wall.” He dropped into the chair across from Kalkin. “I am going to tell you something, and you’re going to nod if I’m telling the truth or shake your head if it is a lie.”
What the fuck? “Okay.”
“This is pack land. I’m on your pack lands,” he stated.
Well, fuck me running. “Yes.”
“I fucking knew it, shit.” The man scrubbed his forehead. “Look, I can’t leave. I kind of found someone last night.”
Kalkin laughed. “Turned you inside out?”
“You have no idea,” Blackhorn answered. “I want to help you catch Simon. I’m quitting the FBI Monday morning, and I’m looking for a job.”
Why the hell would he take a pay cut to be a deputy? “Why don’t you stay in and have your assignment moved here? It would be advantageous to have an agent in our pack.”
Blackhorn scrubbed his chin. “Sure. Maybe. Fuck.”
Kalkin hadn’t scented shifter on the man, but it didn’t mean anything. They all had to move among humans. If someone had made a way to conceal their true identities, it wouldn’t surprise Kalkin one bit. “I can’t tell if you’re human or shifter.”
The man smirked. “Shifter, coyote.”
“No shit?”
“No shit. I made a blocker to keep people from smelling me. I’ve been alone for a long ass time.”
Well, fuck. “And your mate?”
“Annabelle Martin.”
Kalkin shook his head. “Damn. Congratulations.”
“It kind of happened.” The guy shrugged. “Look, I am going to do what I can to get more information on Simon. In the meantime, keep the girls safe.”
Like Kalkin had to be told. “You know it. Welcome to the pack.”
Blackhorn stood, then exited his office. What else could happen today? Kalkin shook his head and snorted as he went over the files from last night. So far, since the incident, which only happened a couple of days ago, everything had been quiet. Didn’t mean anything, though. With the festival starting in a few hours, everything could go to hell in seconds. They had to be vigilant.
“Come on,” Caden said, bringing him out of his thoughts. “I heard the girls were already at Mrs. Martin’s booth and they’re getting the place ready.” Dwelling on everything wouldn’t do any of them any good. Besides, he planned to make the most of the evening as well.
“You’re kidding me.” Kalkin laughed as he closed the file and stood. His brother shook his head. “Do you think she told the girls what they were going to be doing?”
“Hell, I don’t know. But it should be fun to see their expressions when they see what they’re selling.” He smacked Kalkin on the back of the shoulder as they walked out of the station and into the early summer air. “Tonight’s the night.”
“Yes, it is. How are you holding up?”
“Nervous. Very fucking nervous. I’m not worried about her not accepting me, but there is that small part of me…”
Yeah, Caden didn’t have to tell him anything else. The last time Caden thought he’d found the girl, the day had been ruined when the girl left town screaming about wild wolf-men. For months, Caden wouldn’t shift or run. He just hoped like hell it didn’t happen again.
“Me, too. I know with every fiber of my being, Keeley is mine. But I still worry as well.” He shrugged it off. “Come on, let’s see what kind of trouble the girls got themselves into.”
The festival was in full swing. Children of all ages skipped and giggled down the street with balloons and cotton candy while couples held hands and perused the different arts and crafts booths. On the main stage at the end of the road, a band ran a sound check for later that evening. Each year it seemed the festival grew bigger. Two parking lot areas were filled with little carnival rides for the children, while rock climbing walls and Velcro walls were set up for the older kids.
Kalkin and Caden made their way down Main Street waving at some of the women inside their booths. A couple of them stepped out and handed them samples and drinks. Taking a sip of the apple cider Mrs. Perkins made, he smiled. He loved his town and his pack. They might be a little bit of a motley crew, but they worked. Until the girls showed up, their town had mostly been quiet. Not that he blamed Keeley or Danielle. No, on the contrary, they were meant to be there, no matter what.
“Look.” Caden pointed toward Mrs. Martin’s booth. The girls had their backs turned away from the people on the street, taking several boxes of pastries from a delivery man. “Do you think they have any clue what’s in those boxes yet?”
Kalkin laughed. “I doubt it. This should be good.”
They walked over to the table where Danielle placed a giant metal drink dispenser on the table before filling the small red cups with lemonade.
“We’ll take a cup,” he said, catching both girls off guard. “And a pastry as well.”
His brother choked on a laugh and Danielle quickly handed him a glass of lemonade. “Sorry.” He took a swallow of the drink. “I think I swallowed a fly.” He cleared his throat. “So, those pastries. How about you guys give us one?”
Keeley narrowed her eyes, giving Caden the once over before opening the box. A slow smile spread across his lips as anticipation curled inside of him.
“Oh my God.” Her hand slammed the box closed. “I think…” She licked her lips. “I think there was a mistake. Um, we can’t sell those.”
Caden shouldered Kalkin while both of them tried to keep a straight face. “What is it, Keeley?”
“Nothing.” She stood in front of the box. “Um, so I think there was a mistake. I am sure I can get the baker on the phone and have them change out the order. Probably some punk kid or something.” Keeley cleared her throat.
“Why don’t you let me—”
“No!” She pressed her hand to his chest, pushing him back. “Like I said, it’s a mistake.”
Caden moved ar
ound toward Danielle and popped open the box. “I don’t see anything wrong with the order.”
“What?” she screeched. “You can’t be serious. Danielle, tell him. Tell him he can’t… It’s not…Why me?”
“Well, it is different,” Danielle replied with a shrug. “But wouldn’t they know more than we would if the order is right?”
“It’s a penis!” she hissed. “You have children running around here.” Keeley folded her arms over her chest and lifted her chin. “I won’t sell these.”
Kalkin stood there for a moment and stared at his mate. In an instant, he wanted to kiss her, and spank her ass. “Keeley, this is part of the festival. You have to sell them to the adults. It’s tradition and for fertility. This festival has meaning for us. It’s about rebirth and new beginnings. We do it to celebrate the harvests. We do it to celebrate the birth of our children. You have to sell it.”
“I don’t understand,” she whined. “Why couldn’t you get sun cookies or moonbeams or I don’t know, vegetable-shaped cookies.”
Kalkin laughed. “Because the phallic is the symbol of fertility.” He took a step closer to her. “And you have to eat one.”
“It’s actually good, Kee. It’s got a custard filling.” Danielle said, finishing off hers. “Too bad we only get one, though. I could eat my weight in these.”
She groaned and shook her head. “Why me? Why did I have to say we would do this for Mrs. Martin?”
“Because we’re nice people, sis. Come on, eat it. It’s really good.”
Kalkin watched as indecision warred with her natural curiosity. His hands gripped her hips and he pulled her to him, allowing her to feel the brush of his erection against the cleft of her ass. “Take one, Keeley. You’ll enjoy it.”
She shivered in response. Picking up one of the pastries, she took a bite of it and groaned. “Oh my God.” The soft moans of pleasure she made went straight to his dick, and he had to hold himself in place so he didn’t cause a scene. He watched her eat every bite, and he swore he could feel her warm mouth around his shaft swallowing him down.