Running In Fear: Coming Home

by Trinity Blacio

  Jaycee shifted into her beast form knowing her wolf form was no contest for a leopard, swiping Belinda in the face with her claws and sending her flying back into a tree, Jack jumped in front of his mate in his human form, growling at Jaycee. Jaycee was pushed behind Remi, and his beast growled at Jack.

  Jaycee shifted back to her human form, dressing herself even though her arm was killing her. “Remi, please let him calm down,” Jaycee begged, holding onto his waist, hugging his back. “Let him take her home. We'll deal with this later. I'm tired, Remi. Take me home,” Jaycee whispered, finally feeling Remi relax.

  Jack turned his back on Remi, picked up his mate as she shifted to her human form, and cradled her body against his. Her head rested on his chest as she stared up at his frowning face.

  * * * *

  Remi swung his mate up in his arms and glared at Jack's retreating back. He would love to go rip his heart out, but knew Jaycee was fond of him. He turned and nodded to Dane and Mark as they took off running to the cabin.

  Jaycee whimpered in his arms as they neared the cabin.

  “You're hurt. I can smell your blood. She should be dead!” Remi growled, as the door flew open to the cabin.

  Marsha was there, lighting candles. Remi watched her carefully as Jaycee looked around the cabin, her expression shocked when she saw the candles, rose petals scattered all over the floor, and the fire blaring. She turned her gaze up to Remi and caressed his cheek.

  Remi carried her over to the fire and gently laid her down on the big down comforter. He stood back and watched as Marsha came over and whispered something to Jaycee. Jaycee's top disappeared when Marsha knelt down and inspected the wounds. She growled, looking up at Remi. “Who attacked her?”

  “Jack's mate got to her before we could do anything. That bastard Jack even growled at Jaycee!” Remi snarled as Dane and Mark paced back and forth. Marsha sat quietly for a moment, and then she nodded her head, working on Jaycee's wound.

  “My son and alpha Bo is on his way and he's furious. He will take care of Jack and his mate. This will be dealt with tonight,” Marsha snapped and pulled out a bottle of some stinky stuff, pouring it into Jaycee's wound.

  Remi wanted desperately to pick Jaycee up and hold her, but knew he would only hinder the healing process. When Belinda had attacked Jaycee, he could have sworn his heart stopped when he realized what would happen if he ever lost her.

  “Damn, that hurts!” Jaycee flinched, and tried to move away from Marsha.

  “Hush, now shift to your beast and it will heal. Then we need to talk.” Marsha stood back and watched as Jaycee shifted. When Jaycee shifted back to her human form, she clothed herself in jeans and a sweater.

  Remi moved to gather her in his arms but Marsha held up her hand, stopping him. He frowned, but held back.

  “Jaycee sit, we need to talk.” Marsha paced back and forth in front of Jaycee's chair. “What you did tonight to her was uncalled for. I mean, come on, telling her that you could take her mate away earlier just added to the problems. It's no wonder she attacked you. I'd do the same if you threatened to take my mate!” Marsha yelled, glaring at her.

  Jaycee looked at him, but they didn't say a word.

  “So I was supposed to say nothing, while she attacked me in my own home? Plus, I thought all that was behind us when we talked afterward,” Jaycee grumbled, staring back at Marsha.

  Remi turned as Bo stormed into the cabin with Shelly. Shelly ran to Jaycee. “Are you alright? Did you give that bitch some shit?” she asked, her eyes roaming over Jaycee's her body, checking her.

  “I'm fine Shelly, she got my shoulder, but Marsha already healed it. Right now, I'm getting yelled at for my behavior earlier when we were all here in the cabin.” Jaycee snarled at Marsha. But the older woman just stared back at her.

  Remi didn't know if he liked anyone yelling at his mate. He could feel Jaycee's pain and hurt as Marsha disciplined her, but she was right, so he kept quiet for now.

  “You're an alpha. You need to start acting like one and ignore little nibs like that. You're not a teenager. We're talking about mates. You know how you felt when you saw your mates with that other woman. Well think about how Belinda must have felt!” Marsha demanded.

  There was silence for a moment, then Marsha asked, “Did you hurt Jack's mate when she attacked you?”

  Remi flinched as Marsha yelled those words.

  Dane's thoughts snapped into Remi's head. Damn it! Did she have to remind Jaycee of our biggest mistake? We're trying to make it up to her. We don't need it flung in her face.

  Remi nodded, but kept his gaze on his mate.

  “What was I supposed to do? Let her rip me apart and hurt my baby?” Jaycee got up, shouting back at her. “Of course I hurt her, but it could have been worse. I was easy on her! She'll have some marks on her face, that's all.” Jaycee growled, her beast close to the surface. Remi had had enough. He stepped close to her and pulled her tense body to his. He wrapped his hands around her and hugged her.

  “You did nothing wrong out there, Baby. I'm proud that you protected our child. I know you held back,” Remi whispered. He turned, looking down at Marsha.

  Suddenly, a pounding on the front door broke the tension. Now what the hell!

  His mate tensed and she sniffed the air. Crap, Belinda.

  Jaycee growled against his chest when Bo threw open the door, snarling. “What the hell have you two done?” Bo yelled, staring down at Jack. His mate stood next to him, holding her face, blood dripped down her fingers.

  “I didn't know Belinda was going to attack. We were running when she took off. I didn't mean to … well you know what I did,” he said, staring at Remi.

  Remi growled and would have rearranged his face, but he held onto Jaycee and kissed the top of her head. Dane moved up next to them and kissed her cheek. All three of them wanted everyone out of the cabin, but he didn't see it coming anytime soon.

  “Are you going to just let us stand out here? I need Marsha to heal me here!” Jack's mate growled, glaring at Jaycee.

  Remi and Dane tried to hold their mate back, but it was impossible. She ripped out of their arms and stalked to Belinda. He sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be good.

  “Okay, that's it. First she comes into my home, then she attacks me, and now she comes here and growls at me again, demanding to be healed.” Jaycee sent her powers out, throwing Belinda back into the snow with Jack.

  Remi followed her outside, making sure no one touched her.

  Jack jumped in front of his mate, growling, but Jaycee wasn't having any of it. She picked him up with her powers, setting him away from her, holding him there. She advanced on Belinda, snarling.

  Remi stepped up when others from their pack came out of the woods, growling. She stopped, staring at them all. Jaycee turned to Bo. He shook his head, stepping up to her. He stood straight, his gaze never missing anything, always alert to protect those in his pack.

  “What were you going to do to her, kill her?” Bo demanded. Jaycee backed away from him as Remi stepped up and wrapped his arms around her, supporting her. He snarled at the other leopards, his glare fierce. They hesitated and turned to look at Bo.

  “No, I would never do that to Jack. I was just going to have it out with her. You know, try and get to the bottom of this. It has to stop. Jack is like family to me,” Jaycee whispered, lowering her head and showing her respect to Bo.

  Remi watched as Bo pushed his hand through his hair. He looked down at Jack's mate, growling at her. He reached down and picked her up off the ground.

  “Go into the cabin, Belinda, and wait,” he said looking at his mate, Sheila.

  As the female leopard shifter walked toward the cabin Bo spoke to Jaycee. “If you want to end this, then do it civilly. No attacking, talk to her. She's nice Jaycee. You would like her if you talked to her. We'll all wait out here. We won't interfere unless we hear furniture breaking or screaming.”

  Pulling her out of his arms, Remi let her go, know
ing she needed to settle it.

  “If Belinda harms one hair on my mate, I will personally take it out on you, Bo. She's carrying our child!” Remi growled, and stepped into Bo's personal space.

  Bo nodded, but he pushed Jaycee towards the cabin.

  Remi stood out in the snow with his wolf mates and watched his mate enter the cabin facing her attacker.

  * * * *

  Jaycee closed the door and stood watching Belinda sitting by the fire. Without a word, Jaycee walked into the kitchen, grabbed a dish towel and wet it. She strolled back into the living room and handed the wet towel to Belinda, then sat down across from her, and stared at the fire.

  “I apologize for what I said before dinner. I would never try to take Jack. He loves you. Anyone can see that. Belinda, he's family to me, like a big brother.” Jaycee glanced up at her. The leopard shifter held the dish towel to her face.

  “Bo tells me that I would like you if I got to know you. I would like that. I have a feeling I'll be coming around here more now that we're going to add on to the cabin and I don't want to interfere with your clan. I have my two clans to deal with at home.” She sighed, and shifted in the chair.

  Belinda stared at her for a moment. “I don't know what to say. Maybe I was a little harsh earlier, and I'm sorry about that. All Jack has been talking about is you. It hurt. I guess I let my pride get in the way.” She pulled her legs up into the chair. “I'm willing to try, Jaycee. I'll even talk to the other woman of our pack and have her back away. I'm sorry about the incident at the club I didn't know she was going to proposition your mate.”

  “I never blamed you for them, Belinda. Matter of fact, I couldn't wait to meet you when Bo told me about you, but when you said those things, and the other women were all over my mates … I guess I kinda felt like you did.” Jaycee got up and went to the door. She turned around, smiling at Belinda, and opened it.

  “Hey, Marsha, you want to come in here and heal Belinda while we talk.” Jaycee grinned and walked back to her seat, curling her feet under her.

  “I think I ruined your night with your mates. I'm sorry for that.” Belinda glanced around the room, seeing the candles and the rose petals all over the floor.

  “It's okay. We both screwed up, it's over and done with.” Jaycee shrugged as Marsha came in and took the cloth away from Belinda's face. She poured the stinky stuff on the dishcloth, and then rubbed it on her face.

  Belinda flinched. “Damn that stuff stinks,” Belinda snapped, shifting to her beast form, and then shifting back. Her wounds were healed. Jaycee waved her hand, dressing her in a pair of jeans and a sweater.

  “Would you like a cup of coffee? I think our men are probably freezing outside.” Jaycee laughed, strolling into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. She heard the men coming into the cabin with Shelly. Jaycee knew Shelly was coming straight for her. “Well, are you okay?” She asked, coming in and grabbing the coffee pot from her hands. “You get the cups.”

  “Yes, I think everything will be fine.” She walked into the living room with Shelly. Mark walked up to her, kissing her cheek, and taking the cups from her, putting them on the table. Both Jack and Belinda came up to her, lowering their heads.

  “I'm sorry about earlier, Jaycee.” Jack's voice was hoarse with emotion. “I couldn't lose her. She's all I have and she means the world to me. I've been a fool lately and have a lot to make up to her. I shouldn't have put you in this position, please forgive me?”

  Jaycee smiled, hugging both of them. “Jack, you're like a brother to me, as Bo is. I hope in time that Belinda and I will become friends.” Jaycee stepped back, bumping into Remi again, who surrounded her with his arms. He rested his head on her head, his hands skimming her belly.

  “I think we should leave,” Belinda said to Jack, with a twinkle in her eye. “We have already interrupted their night.” Belinda stepped up, hugging Jaycee. “I'll talk to that woman tomorrow. Maybe we can all get together later in the week and have a big dinner while the men work on the cabin. Again, I'm sorry for what I did.” She whispered into Jaycee's ear and stepped back into Jack's arms. Bo opened the door and the couple left, heading home.

  Bo came up to her next, looking down at her. “I'm proud of you, you did well. We'll see you tomorrow. Shelly, you ready to go?” Bo asked. He kissed Jaycee's cheek in farewell and then nodded to Remi. Jaycee smiled at Shelly as she went into Bo's arms.

  “Yes, I grabbed some clothes while I was here. They're in the bag by the door.” She kissed Bo's cheek and then he hugged her.

  Dane walked up to her, hugging her. “Are you sure?” Dane asked looking into Shelly's eyes.

  “He's my mate. We found out earlier tonight.” Shelly smiled up at Dane.

  “I'm proud of you, baby girl. I'm sad you'll live so far away, but we'll be back every summer to visit. And I expect the both of you at our wedding.” Dane kissed her forehead, stepping back, smiling at Jaycee.

  Jaycee patted Bo’ cheek. “I told you, Shelly. I knew it the way Bo was all over you from the first time he saw you.” Jaycee reached up and kissed Bo's face. “Keep my sister safe, she's my best friend.” Jaycee whispered into his ear.

  She stepped back into Remi's arms as Dane and Bo shook hands. Dane walked them to the door and stared out as Shelly got into Bo's truck and waved her hand at them. Marsha stepped in front of Jaycee's view, looking at her.

  “I want to say I'm sorry about my yelling earlier, but you have to learn to control your temper, Daughter. You have a lot of power stored in you that hasn't even been touched. You could easily hurt someone without meaning to. Tomorrow we can set up a time to work on your powers and your self control.” Marsha pulled her into a hug, holding her tight. Jaycee wrapped her arms around her. So this is what it feels like to have a mom. Tears threatened to come but she held them back.

  “I'm sorry too, Momma, I shouldn't have snapped at you, and I look forward to working with you. You and Ben are going to come to our wedding also, aren't you?” Jaycee looked up at her when the older woman pulled back.

  “I wouldn't miss it for the world. The whole family is going to come.” Marsha smiled as Ben kissed Jaycee's cheek, and then they walked out. The candles flared to life as they shut the door.

  Jaycee laughed, gathering the dishes and taking them into the kitchen. Dane came into the kitchen, immediately pulling her away from the dishes.

  “We can do them later. Our evening was interrupted and we promised you a night of hot sex.” Dane growled and picked her up. He carried her to the living room. All the lights were off, and the pillows and blankets were spread on the floor. The furniture had been pushed back so they could have enough room. Jaycee felt like a caged bird waiting to be pounced on by the cat, or rather, wolves, three of them, named Remi, Dane, and Mark.

  Chapter Three

  Jaycee rolled over, looking up at the ceiling and saw that she was in her room. The last thing she remembered was being downstairs with Remi and Dane. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand, and then jumped out of bed. “Shit!” She was sore and it was late. Everyone would be here in an hour to start working on the cabin.

  Jaycee jumped into the shower, the hot water eased her aching muscles. She could remember each moment with them. Mark, his gentle hands touching every part of her body and his tongue following suit. She had cried when he entered her, it was so beautiful. Jaycee felt the tears coming again as she remembered the love in his eyes shining down on her as he made slow love to her. Her heart was so full and she was so scared something would come and ruin what she had found.

  “Hey Jaycee, you in there?” Shelly yelled, knocking on the door.

  Jaycee dried off, slipping on her jeans and a t-shirt,. She was burning up. She opened the door to smile at Shelly. “Kind of slept a little late and the big dummies didn't wake me.” Jaycee laughed and sat down on her bed to slip on her socks and boots.

  “Marsha and Ben are already downstairs going over the plans for the addition.” Shelly followed Jaycee down the sta
irs. “Bo's outside showing them where to put the load of wood and the bull dozer thingy.”

  Jaycee reached the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. Shelly poured herself a cup too, saying, “Oh, I forgot to tell you that Remi and Dane had a few members from their packs fly out here last night. They're also going to help, plus they want you to have guards at all times.” Shelly whispered that last part, looking up at Jaycee.

  Jaycee sighed. “I knew it couldn't last, just the four of us.” She grabbed a banana, threw the peel in the garbage after peeling it, and walked into the living room. She smiled at Remi and Dane who looked up. Slowly she licked her banana, then slowly pushed it all the way down her throat mimicking what she would do to one of their cocks. Then, she took a giant bite out of the banana, and turned to Shelly, who laughed her ass off.

  “Did you see their faces when you bit off the end of that banana? They actually cringed.” Shelly wiped the tears of laughter away as they sat down on the sofa.

  “That's what they get for not telling me about part of the pack coming.” Jaycee's smile was evil. “So how many are coming and will they be here for our pot luck dinner?”

  “I don't know. Hey Dane, how many from the pack are here and are they going to be here for the pot luck dinner?” Shelly shouted across the room.

  Jaycee rolled her eyes. “I could have done that, smart ass.” She laughed with Shelly as Dane and Remi strolled over to them. Dane picked her up, sitting down in her spot with her in his lap.

  “There are about twenty-six from my pack coming, and about twenty-five from his pack. They'll all be here within the hour, and yes, they're staying, so we need lots of food, ladies,” Dane said, nuzzling her neck. “And baby, was that banana thing a warning?” He asked, grabbing her breast and twisting her nipple.

  She tried to push his hands away, but he had her hands trapped. “Dane … You should have told me about part of the pack coming. I thought, no, you promised me two weeks ago … How are we going to have any time alone with so many here?” Jaycee pouted, sticking her lower lip out.