by Moxie North
“She’s amazing, man. She misses you and your grumpies as she calls them,” Everett said with a laugh.
“Yeah,” Stryker said. He’d met Layla at his brother’s wedding. Layla was a bad ass cougar shifter that was very take charge. She didn’t make him talk either. He liked that.
“I’m here for you brother, you know that. Does Dax know?” Everett asked.
“Yeah, sorry called him first.” He didn’t mention he’d called him days ago.
“No worries, Alpha first, I got it.”
“I’ll call you, let you know how it’s going,” Stryker said.
“Fine, I’m here for you, man,” Everett said. Knowing his brothers stoicism was legendary, but he’d call him if he needed.
“Bye,” Stryker said and hit the end button.
Now both of his brothers knew about his mate, and neither thought he was handling it right. He knew he wasn’t, his cougar knew he wasn’t.
But now he’d gotten himself in so deep he was terrified of losing his mate. Humans didn’t have to stay. It wasn’t like with another shifter. Two shifters wouldn’t ever leave each other. Their animals would never allow it.
Humans though, they had to choose. They could walk away from someone they loved. With shifters there was always only one.
Stryker looked up to the dark window that held his mate. He wanted to see her. Stepping out of his SUV he took in the outside. The quiet neighborhood was asleep.
He walked quietly over to the side of the house that held her window. There was a large tree that stretched out over the eaves of the house. Stryker stripped out of his clothes and let his cougar push out of his skin. His body shifted in a spark of color as he stretched in his fur.
His cat was happy to climb the tree. As he made his way to the highest limb that would hold his weight he settled in on a long branch. His vision was good at night and Libby had left a small desk lamp on that cast a glow into the room.
She was lying on her side in bed tucked under the covers with a book in her hand. Every once and a while she would smile or frown, then turn another page.
Finally, he watched as her eyes would droop then flutter closed a few times before she’d force them awake. Eventually sleep won out and the book dropped onto the bed, her head falling to rest on her folded arm.
Stryker spent the night in the tree, his big cat keeping a watch over their mate.
Chapter 35
Libby’s master plan of easing her parents into her new relationship was working like aces. She’d gone on “dates” with Stryker for the last five nights, each night getting progressively longer until they made it to tonight.
Tonight was a sleepover! She’d brought a bag out with her when Stryker was picking her up. Libby grandly announced, “I’m spending the night at Stryker’s. I may not be home tomorrow.” Then turned, head held high and walked out.
Yes, she was an adult, but she had never told them anything. Asked yes, but not told. It was liberating, it made her feel like she could take anything on.
She had plans, they were moving ahead at a quick pace, but nothing felt out of control. Libby decided that was the universe telling her she was on the right path.
She’d made it through the front door when she ran smack into Stryker’s chest.
“Mouse,” he rumbled.
“Hey!” she said excitedly, looking up at his handsome sunglass covered face. “Told my parents I’m spending the night with you tonight and that I might not be home tomorrow.” She told him quickly practically vibrating with excitement.
Stryker looked over her shoulder towards the house. “How’d they take that?”
Libby looked at him like he was crazy. They should be trying to make a fast getaway!
“They didn’t say anything, I mean I just kind of announced it and left,” Libby said, realizing she’d just did a drive by on her parents. Not cool.
Stryker grabbed her by her shoulders set her to the side and reached for the door handle. Pushing it open while knocking he stuck his head in the door.
He spotted her mom and dad sitting in the living room. Her mother on a yoga mat wearing what looked like a spandex unitard and her dad lying on the couch wearing a robe with hopefully something underneath it.
“Primrose, Freedom, I’ll make sure Libby is safe and sound. I’ll have her give you a call tomorrow and let you know her plans,” Stryker told them, his eyes making contact with both of them. He wanted them to know she’d be safe and he was on top of things.
“Thank you, Stryker,” Freedom said from the couch. He took a deep breath and offered, “You kids have fun.”
Stryker nodded back at him and closed the door turning back to Libby.
“Okay, I didn’t do that as well as I should have. I was just excited,” she explained.
“It’s okay mouse, we’ve got this together. How about a ride today?” The sun was shining and Stryker felt restless.
“Sure, let me go grab my gear,” she said turning to go back inside.
“Bought you another set for my house,” Stryker grunted while guiding her towards the Rover.
“That’s awful wasteful, Stryker. My stuff is inside. I can just go get it.”
“Let’s not stress your parents any further, yeah?”
Libby didn’t like when he spent money on her. It made her uncomfortable. She’d never been good with gift giving. She grew up in a make it yourself or it’s not a gift world. Knowing someone spent money on her put her in a situation that felt like she needed to repay them.
Seeing that she was gearing up to keep protesting he said, “Already done, babe.” Then he opened the passenger door and handed her in.
He knew she didn’t like the topic of money. She refused to go to the movies with him unless they hit the matinee. When they went out she’d choose a place so that when the bill came she could excitedly throw out some coupon she had stashed.
They drove out to Stryker’s house, the whole time Libby was switching through radio stations like she was trying to listen to them all at once. This was something Stryker realized she did often. He should never have showed her how to use the satellite radio.
“Babe, pick one,” he growled. Which just made her giggle.
“I don’t know what kind of mood I’m in. Coffee house rock, rhythm & blues, classical.”
“How bout none of the above,” he gruffed. He really didn’t give a shit that she was a channel flipper. She did the same thing when they watched TV. Her sheer joy at having a seemingly unlimited supply of entertainment made him happy.
“Spoilsport,” she said, sticking her tongue out at him.
“I’ll give you something to do with that tongue, mouse,” he said darkly.
Oh, goody.
They managed to make it to his house without any more arguing. Not that they were arguing, more like playful bickering.
Stryker had gotten to her door and was helping her out when his phone rang. He ignored it and accompanied her into the house.
Libby had remarked that he walked her everywhere. To the car, from the car, into buildings, out of buildings. She’d asked him if he thought she was clumsy or incapable.
He’d looked a little taken aback at her question. “It’s just what I do,” he offered as an explanation.
In Stryker world apparently that was answer enough. Libby didn’t mind it. She felt cherished, protected with his hands on her and helping her. It was nothing something she intended to complain about she was just curious.
Inside the house, Libby went to the couch and flopped on it as Stryker took her bag to the bedroom. She could hear his phone ring again as he walked back out to the living area. She saw him reach into his pocket and pull it out. He looked at the number and accepted the call.
“Yeah,” he answered.
“Hey man, I’m sorry to do this to you. Dad just called, there’s been a fire,” Dax said, sounding out of breath.
“Fire? Where?”
“In the vineyard, they think lightning strike, b
ut it got out of control fast with the winds. It took out one of the processing buildings. The equipment is toast.”
“Anybody hurt?” Stryker asked, his eyes on Libby. She’d heard the word fire and was now kneeling on the couch looking at him.
“No, thank goodness. The fire crew got there pretty fast, but we lost about ten acres. The building is a loss. I’ve got insurance adjusters on their way. I already have a temporary structure on order once we can secure a site away from the damage.
I know you and your mate are new, but I could really use your help with the equipment. I’ve had Hector order the equipment that needs to be replaced. We’ll get the money back from the insurance later. But you are the genius behind the magic there. You had everything set up perfect.
Could you spare a few days? Maybe bring your mate? I’d love to meet her. I’m about to head out now. Dad sent the jet up, we can pick you up on the way,” Dax finished.
Stryker was watching Libby, concern etching her face.
“Yeah man, pick me up. I’ll be waiting at Roseburg,” Stryker said this, but never took his eyes off Libby.
“Great, your mate coming?” Dax asked.
“No, explain when I see you,” he said roughly.
He heard Dax sigh, “All right man, see you soon.”
Chapter 36
The phone clicked and there was silence.
“What happened?” Libby asked, clearly worried.
“My family’s farm had a lightning strike. Burned a number of acres. That can be re-grown. Nobody got hurt, but it hit a building we keep equipment in. Sounds like a total loss.
I set up most of that machinery and my brother Dax wants me to be there set up the new stuff. I don’t want to leave you here alone.”
“Stryker, your family comes first. This is a big deal and you need to be there. I’ll just hang out here while you’re gone. It will be like a mini-vacation,” she said trying to be enthusiastic.
“No,” he barked, then pulled back his cougar. Fuck no, was she going to be there in the woods alone. “Mouse, I need you to stay with your parents. I won’t be able to concentrate if I thought you were here alone. Can you do that for me?”
Libby looked at him, assessing whether he just didn’t want her in his house or he was really worried. He looked worried.
“Of course, Stryker, I don’t want you to worry. You focus on your family and I’ll see you in a few days?”
She wasn’t sure that she’d make it a few days without him. She had work sure, but now her work usually involved multiple visits from him along with fun sexy times in the storeroom.
Stryker closed the gap between them and cupped her face in his hands.
“Fuck me, you’re beautiful Libby. If it wasn’t family I wouldn’t leave you for a second,” Stryker admitted.
He also knew that if she just knew the truth he could take her with him. He wouldn’t have to explain about the private jet that would be picking him up at the podunk airport. Then about the vineyards and mansion his family owned. The dozens and dozens of employees that kept up the house, the grounds, and the crops.
Instead, he was being a chicken shit and avoiding the truth again. It was getting harder. Before he could tell himself he was doing it to protect her. Now he knew he was doing it out of fear.
His mate had nothing but trust in her eyes for him. His hole was so deep now the truth would cause her pain he was sure of it.
“I should only be a few days. My brother already has the equipment ordered and scheduled for delivery. I just need to be there to get everything like it was. I was the handyman of the group.”
Libby nodded then asked, “How are you flying out of Roseburg? That’s a tiny little airport.”
Thinking quick Stryker said, “You know farmers, most of them fly. You just have to call one up and they are ready to lend a helping hand.”
This was true, but it also didn’t actually answer her question. He hoped she didn’t press.
Libby smiled, “Of course, it’s not one of those open top crop dusters is it? Those must be dangerous.”
“No, baby, not one of those. I need to go pack,” he said turning from the couch, reluctant to let go of her.
“I’ll help,” she said, springing from the couch. She was being sweet and helpful. God, her heart was so good, he thought.
“Mouse, it’s not like I have a huge wardrobe.”
“I still want to help. Why don’t you call Bud, let him know your situation. I’ll grab some stuff and toss it on the bed for you.” She said this hopping over the back of the couch, standing on her tiptoes and giving him a peck on the cheek.
Shit, he’d forgotten about his job. “Thanks, babe.”
He watched her cute rear end sashay down the hallway as he dialed Bud. He let him know he’d be out a few days and would let him know when he was coming back.
This really wouldn’t disrupt his business it just meant Bud would actually have to work instead of staring at girly magazines in his office and playing solitaire on his computer.
He hung up his phone and walked into the bedroom. His mate was cruising between the bed and dresser stacking up items. Stryker didn’t want to tell her he usually didn’t travel with clothes when he went home. His closet was stocked there.
“Babe, just a change. I still have some old stuff at my mom and dad’s house. I’ll probably just wear that.”
“Oh, okay then,” she said looking at the huge stack of clothes. She grabbed a pair of jeans, two pairs of boxers, two socks and two tees then restacked them. She’d found his leather satchel he often used and started stuffing the things into it.
“Will you need toiletries?”
“No, mom’s got toothpaste,” he grunted.
“Well, I guess that’s it. Do you have time to run me home?”
“Yeah, mouse, I’ve got time.” It felt like his fucking heart was sinking in his chest. Three days meant three nights away from her. Not with her in his arms, not safe in her own bed, his cougar keeping watch.
“I’ll call you. Text you. You do have a phone don’t you?” He realized he’d never had to call her except for home.
“Uh, no? Never needed one. Just call the library or the house. It’s not like I ever go anywhere else.”
Stryker’s cat set up a yowl in his head. All those times his mate walked back and forth to work and she didn’t have a fucking cell phone? He’d remedy that situation ASAP.
“I’ll order you one, have it shipped to your house. It will be there in the morning,” he said, seeing she was about to protest. He pulled her into his arms. “Do this for me, mouse. I need to be able to contact you at all times. It will make me worry less.”
Libby sighed, he seemed big and tough, but he was just a big softy deep down. “Fine, but I’m paying you back for it. Your gifts are too extravagant. I don’t need anything fancy, just a basic phone, please.”
Fuck that, she was only getting the best. All the bells and whistles. If he could find one that cooked and cleaned for her too he’d get her that.
Stryker grabbed her elbow and his bag while walking out to the couch. He used the hand holding his bag to snatch up her bag too, never letting her go.
They were out the door and in the Rover before Libby could say boo. The drive to her house was fast, not that Stryker needed to rush, but the fact he was leaving her had him and his cougar agitated beyond reason.
Pulling up to her house he had her and her bags back out and up the steps. Libby opened the door and saw the surprise on her parents’ faces.
“Hey,” she said lamely.
“Freedom, can I have a moment,” Stryker said, behind Libby to her father.
“Sure, Stryker,” her father said, standing and walking to the kitchen. Stryker dropped Libby’s bag on the floor and followed him.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?” her mother said from her lotus position on the floor.
“There was a fire at his family’s farm. They need him to help get things back in order I guess.
” Libby couldn’t keep the sadness out of her voice. She was planning a long weekend of fun and frivolity with her man. Now she was home probably pickling green beans with her mother.
“Well, I’m sorry your weekend was ruined sweetie. How long will he be gone?”
“Just a couple days he says. I know he has to go, but I wanted him to myself,” She admitted to her mother.
“Of course you did. He’ll be back in no time,” her mother tried to reassure her.
She had also given up on trying to fix his aura. She decided he was a cosmic mystery that she shouldn’t be meddling with. That was fine with Stryker since he’d refused all of her herbal concoctions to date.
Stryker walked back in with her father grabbed her hand and headed towards the door. They were out and it was closed behind them when he moved towards her face, one hand on her neck the other tangled in her hair. She let her hands go to his waist to hold on.
This was the ‘Stryker taking a kiss from her’ position. It was when he kissed her so passionately and desperately all Libby could do was hold on.
And boy did he kiss her.
He finally let her go, resting his forehead against hers. “Your dad is going to keep an eye on you for me. Don’t get pissy, it’s not like that. I just need to know that he knows I don’t like leaving you alone. Got it?”
Libby didn’t want to argue, he was clearly stressed about his family and he wasn’t impeding her ability to live and work. He was just being ridiculously overprotective.
“Fine, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Mom and I’ll can some veggies for you while you’re gone,” she said offering him a wonky smile.
That earned her a grunt and another kiss.
“Bye, mouse, I love you,” he said against her lips.
“Love you too,” she said, the words so easily coming now.
“Use the phone, text me, call me. Keep it on and charged at all times, yeah?”
“Aye, aye, captain,” she smarted.
“Good,” he said, placing one last kiss on her forehead and headed towards the car.
She waved from the front porch until his taillights faded into the distance.