Running In Fear: Coming Home

by Trinity Blacio

  Mark stepped up, pulling her body to his and walking her to the lounge. Shelly and Kate were already sitting there with their guards. They looked up, smiling at her as she and Mark made their way to the table.

  “So, why are you two here? I know why I'm here,” Jaycee said, shivering again.

  “I think it's the same reaction we had when we found out about the snake shifters being here. I couldn't believe your father asked them to come to talk to the National Council after what they did,” Kate replied, shaking.

  Jaycee heard Mark growl behind her, pulling a chair out for her. “If he did this, Remi and Dane are going to have a fit!” Mark growled, just as Remi and Dane stormed in.

  “Come on, baby, we're going out to eat tonight. I've called the steakhouse down the street and made the reservations. I will be damned if I sit at the same table with those fools,” Remi stated, and pulled Jaycee up into his arms, walking her out of the lounge.

  “Thank you, Remi. I hate to be prejudiced, but they give me the creeps,” Jaycee whispered, leaning into his body. Dane on the other side of her held her hand and squeezed it.

  Then Jaycee stopped dead in her shoes, “God, Remi he wouldn't invite them to move near us, or tell them where we live, would he?” Jaycee's voice shook with fright.

  “No, baby, I told your father under no circumstances were they to let them, or anyone, know where we live. If anyone does reveal that information, I will personally hunt that person down and destroy him. They don't want a war started, baby.”

  “Remi, wait a minute!” They heard her father shout at them, stopping them again. Jaycee curled up next to Remi, not letting go.

  “What do you want, Guy? We have dinner reservations,” Remi growled, and held Jaycee tight against his chest.

  “We didn't invite them to your town. We need to know if we could just set up a meeting with their leader, get a feel for how many there are, and where they stand towards other shifters.” Guy said, staring down at Jaycee. “Jaycee, are you okay?”

  “I'm fine, but I won't go near those men, Dad. Remi, can we go? I don't want to see him again.” Jaycee looked up into his face.

  “Let's go, baby.” Remi picked her up, cradling her against him. A white limo pulled up, and Dane's brother Ralph stuck his head out of the door.

  “Are you coming? We're going to be late.” He smiled.

  Jaycee laughed. “You are so bad!”

  “What? I came to the rescue, didn't I? When Remi called, telling me about those creepy snake guys, I could see why they give you the creeps because they sure as hell do me.” Ralph shook his head and crawled back inside, helping Jaycee into the limo.

  “Let's not talk about them, shall we. I want to be able to eat tonight, and the babies need food,” Jaycee replied.

  Ralph tried to pull her into his lap, but Remi growled and pulled her away from him.

  “Get your own mate and leave ours alone,” he said, slapping Ralph's head.

  “See how he is with me when I bail him out all the time? He was even this mean when we were small.” Ralph pouted, looking at Jaycee.

  Jaycee busted out laughing, and the others followed.

  “Bo and Shelly are coming,” Remi stated.

  Shelly crawled into the limo, followed by Bo. Shelly smiled at Jaycee and sat next to her and Remi. Bo pulled Shelly into his lap, sitting in her seat.

  Shelly rolled her eyes, smiling at Jaycee, and they both laughed. “I kind of feel guilty leaving Kate there alone to deal with this. I asked her to come with us, but she said she couldn't. She said she had to stand next to your father even though she doesn't agree with it.” Shelly shook her head.

  “I know I don't know why Dad is acting so stupid. He's going to lose Kate and Sam if he keeps this up.” Jaycee frowned. “It's like he's not thinking straight.”

  “Hush, baby, there's nothing you can do now. We have to just wait and see what happens.” Remi and Dane rubbed her arms. When Jaycee's stomach grumbled, they all burst out laughing, and Jaycee buried her head in his chest.

  “God, that's embarrassing,” Jaycee mumbled.

  “Well, you don't have to wait any longer, baby. We're here.” Jaycee looked out of the window and, sure enough, they'd pulled up to the restaurant.

  “You guys go ahead. We need to talk to our mate alone for a few minutes,” Dane stated, staring down at Jaycee.

  She heard Ralph's laugh and Shelly's giggle in the background. Dane and Mark kneeled in front of her and Remi. Each one placed a hand on one of her knees and stared up at her.

  “There is one thing we need to do before we go any further. It won't hurt the babies, but we want to join our life line with yours.” Remi pushed aside her hair and kissed her neck. “We want our souls to merge, to be connected as one. It's only done, when mates are sure there is no mistake and are willing to commit their lives to each other.” Remi's hands slipped under her blouse and stroked her breasts.

  “How come I haven't heard of this before?” Jaycee asked, and rested her head back against his chest. She glanced at Dane and Mark.

  “It is only talked about in the higher circles of Council. Only mates with extreme power can do this. It would enhance our life span and join our powers when there is need,” Dane said and slipped his hand up her thigh, tracing her nether lips with his fingers.

  Mark lifted one of her legs and placed it over Remi's thigh, spreading her open for their view. His gaze intensified as he stared at her mound. He pushed her skirt up around her waist.

  Remi lifted her so her ass, and her pussy hung open, spread between his thighs.

  “What are you doing?” Her heart raced, juices leaked out of her, dripping down her thigh to land on the leather seat.

  “The only way for us to join is for you to be the throes of an orgasm. And then we will drink from you. I will drink from your neck.” Remi scraped his teeth against her neck, sending chills down her spine.

  “I will drink from your pussy lips,” Dane whispered, his fingers traced her clit, making her squirm.

  “And I will drink from one of your large, beautiful breasts.” Remi lowered the straps of her dress, exposing her breasts to him.

  Jaycee's breath hitched under their heated scrutiny.

  “Will you let us join with you?” Remi's hot breath whispered into her ear.

  “There's something you're not telling me … something, I can feel it.” Her gaze lifted to Remi's. “This joining would give you complete control over me, wouldn't it?” She felt the heat of anger rise in her and pushed her legs closed, pulled her dress down and her straps up.

  “Jaycee, we all ready control you. You're ours.” Remi growled. When she moved, she slipped out of his arms and onto the seat away from them.

  “You do this out of control, not to be connected. You still don't trust me.” Hurt vibrated in her words. She slipped out of the limo and slammed the door in their faces. The woods in the back of the restaurant called to her. Taking one last look at the limo door, and making sure no one was around, she shifted. Her wolf sniffed the air and took off.

  Jaycee, get back here, now! Remi demanded.

  You lied earlier! You told me that you trusted me. Jaycee slowed down to a trot, tree limbs hung low and glittered bright with ice. The cool air soothed her muscles, but nothing eased the hurt that pounded through her mind and heart. The crunch of snow behind and around her signaled her mate's presence. She crawled under a big tree and waited, knowing they could out run her if she took off. She wouldn't risk the health of her babies.

  Sitting down, she listened to the night, Remi slipped behind her and growled. Dane and Mark appeared in front of her and all three wolves glared at her.

  Tell me something? What does being a mate mean to you shifters? Do you know what it means to me? To me, it means someone who holds me when I'm scared, someone who is there, to talk to. She glanced up at Remi, tears slipped down her muzzle. To trust and love a person no matter what they have done. Do you know why I run?

  All three men
shifted back to their human form and crouched down next to her. Dane's black jeans hugged his muscular thighs. Remi's chest was bare and his black chest hair glistened with sweat, and Mark's long hair blew in the wind.

  Jaycee shifted, covering her body in jeans, a sweater and a warm down coat. A thick waterproof blanket lay under her.

  “I did a lot of thinking last night. Did you know I first started running when I was three years old? My mom and dad were fighting about who would watch me. Both of them were too busy and didn't have the time. I can still remember it.” Leaning back against the tree, she stared down at her hands.

  “All my life I've had trust issues.” She laughed. “So you see nothing you do, even this connection thing, will stop me from running.” Her stomach grumbled and she looked up. “We better go eat before our babies have a fit.”

  Remi extended his hand to her. She stared at it for a minute. She knew she had to trust someone sometime, but could they trust her? Her small hand slipped into his larger one, and he pulled her up into his arms. His big black eyes gazed down at her. Dane and Mark surrounded them from behind, hands stroking her. She knew they were trying to calm her, but she felt so trapped.

  “We'll wait for the bonding, if it means that much to you. But, talk to us, baby. When you feel the need to run, grab one of us and demand our attention. We'll listen.” Remi kissed her forehead and placed his head on top of hers.

  “Let's get some food into you,. Then we can go home and plan our wedding,” Dane cooed into her ear.

  She glanced up at his big hazel eyes and smiled. Her knight smiled down at her, Mark nibbled her neck. Their magic and power stroked her body.

  “Where is home, Dane? Will we live at your cabin?” Jaycee asked while they pulled her towards the restaurant.

  “For now, yes, but we want to build a home away from the pack house for you. I think we need time away from the packs. We're going to turn my cabin into an extension for the pack house,” Dane answered.

  She smiled, keeping her secret. “But what about all your carvings? You can't leave them there, they're part of you.” Jaycee looked up at Dane.

  “Baby, I can do more, plus I think the pack would love to be part of it, learning the old ways, teaching them to the children. You're more important.” He smiled down at her.

  Jaycee gulped down the emotion that rose in her throat. They were willing to give up their homes for her. All three of her mates hadn't pushed her for the bonding. They walked back to the restaurant in silence. Her mind was a whirl of emotions. She'd been running for so long, in fear of life.

  Entering the restaurant, Remi led her towards their table. Shelly scooted a chair out next to her place and smiled. “You know this will be the last time we'll see each other till your wedding.” Shelly had tears in her eyes. “You've been like a sister to me since I first meet you, Jaycee, and now you are my sister. I'm just sorry we'll live so far away from each other.”

  Jaycee grabbed the napkin and wiped the tears that fell. Remi rubbed her back as Bo did the same for Shelly.

  “Okay, you two, stop it,. You can use my jet anytime you want. Just stop crying already. I can't stand to see two beautiful women cry,” Ralph grumbled.

  She glanced at Remi and then at Ralph, smiling. “Anytime Ralph? Is that a promise?” Ralph's head shot up and he grinned, gazing at Remi. He knew where she was going and he played right into it.

  “Yep, so anytime that dickhead near you gives you shit, you just call me and I'll get the jet ready for you.”

  Remi growled and reached across the table to grab him, but he scooted back laughing.

  “Not this time big brother, I have to get on the good side of my sister-in-law. She has a mean streak in her, and I sure don't want to be turned into a toad, thank you.” He shook. “I refuse to eat flies.”

  Jaycee burst out laughing as Dane grumbled, “I don't think that's funny. I still shake when I think about that.”

  Remi's phone rang and Jaycee sighed. Just once she would like to not be interrupted by those things. Remi squeezed her leg and answered it.

  The waitress came and Jaycee ordered the biggest steak they had. Then Remi handed her the phone. She looked at it and frowned.

  “Mom wants to ask you something.” He shrugged.

  “Hello?”

  “Listen, I know you can't talk, so just listen. I have had the crew working non-stop for the past three days just in case. It's up, I just wanted to ask about the carpet in living room and family room—dark blue, right?” Remi's mother asked.

  Jaycee smiled. “Yep, that would be good.” Jaycee took a sip of her diet Pepsi as Remi frowned at her.

  “Good. Also, I have had all the pictures hung up and your bedroom set already put in the master room, the appliances are there too. So when you get home tomorrow, you'll be all set, except for the final touches. And don't you worry about your wedding. Kate called me. You're still going to have it on Christmas Eve. We'll just have the bonding ceremony early. They can wait for the wedding,” she snapped. “Now, let me talk to my son so I can give him a piece of my mind.”

  Jaycee laughed and handed Remi the phone. “Your mom wants to talk to you.” She laughed again and glanced at Ralph.

  He glanced at Remi and saw him flinch. Ralph laughed. “Mom's yelling at him. How cool is that?” He laughed so hard that people turned to stare at him.

  She shook her head and glanced at Remi who slammed the phone shut. “You knew she was going to yell at me, didn't you?” he accused.

  “Hey, she's your mom, I can't control her.” She grinned. “I can't help it if she happens to agree with me.”

  “Fine. We'll have the wedding on Christmas Eve, but I want the bonding ceremony tomorrow night.”

  Jaycee frowned for a minute and glanced at him. “Remi, could we wait till the next day …” He stopped her words, shaking his head.

  “I mean it Jaycee. It's time we get this done,” he growled.

  She sat up straight and glared at him. “So this bonding ceremony is nothing other than a distraction to you, or is it just what the pack expects?” She threw her napkin down and started to stand up, but he grabbed her by the shoulder and held her down.

  “You damn well know it's not that. You're the one who keeps running from it,” he accused her.

  Tears dripped down her face. “No, Remi, I wasn't running from the bonding, and you know that. All I was asking was for was one more night. I had a surprise for you three all planned out for tomorrow night. Everyone back at the packs has been working their asses off to get it done before we got home so I could give it to you. Well, fuck it! I'm tired of my plans getting thrown out the door.” She held out her hand and a key appeared in it. “Here is your present, dickhead. Now eat that for dinner. I'm going back to the hotel to rest so we can leave. Ralph, I'll send the limo back for you guys.”

  She got up and looked at her mates. “By the way the key is to your new home. I had it rebuilt for you.”

  Her guards followed her out the door as she made her way to the limo. One of them grabbed her arm and shoved her behind him. “Don't move, Jaycee.”

  Jaycee looked up. Snake men surrounded them. Their nasty tongues flicked as they glared at them.

  “You know, I'm so tired of this crap. What the fuck do you want? Why can't you freaks leave me the fuck alone?” She yelled and released her powers.

  Remi, Dane, Mark, Bo and Ralph flew out of the restaurant. But she ignored them as she placed a protective bubble around herself and the guards. “Relax, guys, they can't touch us now. Let the big he-men take care of them.” Jaycee patted her guards’ backs and sat down on the ground as Remi growled. Then her father stepped out of the limo with the Council.

  Everything in her froze. Kate was crying in the limo.

  “Oh, good. I see you've met Greg here,” said her father. “The Council and I have invited him and a few representatives to our headquarters, so we could get to know them.”

  Her knees shook and she grabbed onto her guard.
“In New York, right?” She whispered trying to breathe.

  Guy stepped forward, but couldn't move into the bubble. He glanced around her and frowned. “Well for now, yes, but when we build the new one …” His words blurred together in her ears. She stumbled towards the limo, not caring to hear the rest.

  “Never!” she screamed. The limo driver opened the door and she slid inside and huddled against the seat as the guards got in, followed by Mark.

  Mark slowly moved toward her. “Jaycee, it's okay, baby.” He cooed and picked her up, rocking her back and forth. “Get us to the hotel, now,” Mark ordered, as the limo pulled out.

  She rocked back and forth in his arms. “Can't live in the home I built for them. Gotta’ run, gotta’ hide again. They can't see the evil surrounding them, but I can.” She rubbed her belly. “Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace. You were a gift to us. Can't let them have you. I have to protect you from them,” she cried all to herself.

  * * * *

  Remi and Dane watched the limo whip out of the parking lot. Remi turned and stormed past everyone, grabbing Guy by the neck. The Council members watched, shocked. “You come near our town, any of you, and we'll declare war. This is the last time you will hurt her. Stay in New York and don't set a foot near us again. You've gone too far, Guy. I don't care if you're her father or not.” Remi slammed the man's head against their car. “Dane let's go. We're taking Jaycee home. Bo, watch yourselves. I have no idea what they're planning.” He nodded to the snake people and threw Jaycee's father to the ground.

  Guy jumped up, and would have grabbed him, but Remi let his powers go. The wind ripped around the car, shaking it. The Council members stepped back, as did the snake people. “You've just seen a taste of my powers. You don't want to push me.” He stormed off, hopping into Bo's car with Dane, Bo, Shelly, and Ralph. The tires squealed, as Bo took off out of the parking lot.

  Chapter Eleven

  When Remi walked into their hotel room, Mark was standing by the balcony window. “Marsha is in there with Jaycee. It's not good, Remi. She's withdrawn into herself,” Mark's voice was a mere whisper.