Her Guardian Angel (Fire and Snow)

by Khloe Wren

  She watched as her tears landed on his soft fur. Words fell from her lips before she could stop them.

  "She's dying. My precious mother is leaving me." she whispered.

  "She's all I have. I'm going to be so alone once she's gone."

  As she poured her heart out, her chaton gently nuzzled her cheek and shoulder. Eventually her tears ran out and with the sun warming her from above, and her chaton warming her from below her eyes slipped closed and she relaxed with just the tiniest hint of a smile on her face--with her chaton she felt safe and protected; maybe she wasn't so alone in the world as she thought she was.

  ~ * ~

  Dominic watched Conner hoe into his breakfast of bacon and eggs as he came into the kitchen. Their mother put a plate identical to his brother's down on the table for him as she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

  "You're looking better this morning, my darling son; did your father's advice help?"

  Dominic chuckled softly as he noticed Conner had stopped with his fork half way to his mouth. He was watching Dominic with keen eyes. Obviously he was desperate to know if the Dream Bonding their father had told them about had worked. No doubt he was trying to soak in all the information he could, hopeful he would soon dream of his mate. At nineteen, Conner still had at least a couple of years to go--male shifters were always older than their mates.

  "Breakfast smells great, thanks Mum." He paused to give his mum a kiss and sit down. "Yeah, Dad's advice was real helpful. I managed to get the Dream Bonding to work last night. Took me a bit to get it started but, boy, was it well worth the effort." Dominic replied between mouthfuls, while flashing a big grin. He felt a lot better now he'd visited her and felt her hands in his fur. The knowledge she wasn't in any imminent danger also brought him some relief.

  "I'm glad to hear it Dominic. Next time you won't wait so long before going to your father for help will you?" She didn't wait for him to answer before she continued "I've got to get moving so I'll leave you boys to it. Shopping doesn't do itself and with the way you boys and your father eat, you have no idea how much I wish it did. I'll catch you both later." She gave both her sons a kiss on the top of their heads while she spoke.

  "Now don't you boys forget to put your dishes in the dishwasher before you leave."

  Conner and Dominic ate in silence for a while. Dominic only just held back from laughing. He could see Conner wanted to ask him about what happened but was trying to act cool. Finally, Conner cracked and started the predicted questioning.

  "So, what happened, Dom? Is she alright? Do you know where to find her now?"

  Dominic was silent for a minute while he finished off his mouthful, enjoying the show of his brother squirming in anticipation. But he could only torture his little brother for so long, and anyway, he really wanted to share what he had learnt with his brother, who was also his best friend.

  "I was right, Conner. My sweet mate is hurting something fierce. She told me her mother was dying and it had always been just the two of them. She's feeling like she's going to be alone when her mother has gone."

  Conner frowned at him.

  "She told you all that? In one dream--to a man she's never seen before? Dream Bonding's that strong huh?"

  Dominic barked out a laugh. "Hell no, even in dreams women don’t tell strange men anything. I did try to join her dream as a man while she was envisioning a public place but she just moved past me--refusing to even look at me even when I called out. It was pretty obvious she has little interest in men in general. I'm thinking maybe she's been hurt by a man at some point--her Dad maybe? If it's just her and her Mum then her Dad's obviously not in the picture. So anyway, when that didn’t work I tried pulling her into mine. That worked perfectly. I took her to the little field up near the lake and met her in my leopard form."

  "Oh man, you trying to make the woman run?" Conner said on a chuckle as he slapped his thighs.

  "Not like I had much choice, Conner. It's either man or leopard. But she didn't run. After a little bit she cuddled up to me, spilled her story, had a good cry, then closed her eyes and relaxed with her head over my heart and her hand buried in my fur. Man, was I one happy cat! I got to see all of her, from head to toe and, Conner, she looks just like an goddess. She had her dark wavy hair spread across my fur, her ivory skin looked so soft. Even with her warm chocolate colored eyes closed, I could still feel the warmth of them." Dominic felt his eyes glaze over as he sighed.

  "Don't know that I ever want to be mated if I have to look like you do right now bro--you look like a damn love sick kitten." Conner told him in an amused tone.

  Dominic's lips quirked into a lopsided grin as he remembered his mate’s nickname for him.

  "That's what she called me, you know? 'chaton'... Looked it up this morning. It's French for kitten."

  That had Conner instantly roaring with laughter, Dominic couldn't help but join his brother, as he hoped like hell that he didn’t have to wait too long before he would meet his mate in person.

  Chapter One

  Four years later...

  The gravel crunched under the soles of Adele's shoes as she walked through the cemetery. Some days she still couldn't quite believe she was gone. Her tears started before she left the path to walk down the row toward her mother's grave. She swiped at her eyes with her free hand, frustrated at herself that she still fell apart whenever she thought about her Maman. Adele wasn't really looking where she was going, not that it mattered. She was quite sure she could find her way blindfolded at this point in time. When she reached her destination, she set about cleaning the tombstone off and neatening it up. Then she carefully placed her six deep purple roses, her mother's favourite, in the special vase built into the top. As she sat down in front of the tombstone, she buried her face in her hands and cried. Four years later the wound to her heart and soul still felt so fresh, like it had remained open and continued to bleed.

  "Ma mère précieux, tu me manques tellement."

  My precious mother, I miss you so much.

  After several minutes she managed to rein in her emotions. She pulled out a tissue, dried her face, blew her nose and took a few deep breaths. She had things to tell her mother but she couldn't afford to sit here all day in the sun, she had studying to do. Opening her eyes, she looked up at the tombstone, reading the words she had so carefully chosen four years ago:

  'In Ever Loving Memory Of

  Fleur Petit

  26-5-1972--20-11-2007

  Loving Mother of Adele

  As a mother you cared for me,

  the Lord will now care for you'

  In a quiet whisper, Adele began to tell her mother about everything that was happening in her life.

  "I'm nearly finished Maman. My last exam is on Thursday, then I'm all done with Uni. You'd be so proud. I got my honors completed too. Your petit fille will soon be a qualified nurse and paramedic. If only I could find a job. I really don't want to be stuck working inside a hospital all the time. I think I'm going to have to leave here, Maman."

  Adele let out a sigh. Leaving was going to be hard but staying here surrounded by memories and reminders of her mother wouldn’t be any easier. It had been unbearable at times over the last four years. She’d been feeling the beginnings of depression claw at her. She needed to get away, get a fresh start or she would remain stuck in her mother’s shadow, forever grieving.

  "I've found a few openings coming up in Tasmania. They're in Devonport, Strahan, Rosebery and Hobart. I'm sure I'll be able to land one of them. I think I'll like Tasmania, it doesn't get as hot in the summer, for one thing. You know how well me and summer heat get along. Most of the jobs aren't going to start until the new year so I've got time to finish up before moving over. I figure, new year, new start--what better time to go."

  Tears pricked her eyes again as she thought about not being able to come for her weekly visits with her Maman.

  "I'm going to miss being able to come. I thought maybe if I take a photo, I can still sit and
talk with you. I spoke with Chrissy and she's going to come visit on your birthday each year and tidy up for us."

  Adele glanced down at her watch and discovered it was later than she had thought. Time always seemed to fly when she was with her Maman.

  "Okay, Maman, I've got to get moving, I need to study for my exams. I don't think I'll be able to make our weekly visits for a few weeks, but I'll make sure I come and visit again before I leave."

  Adele stood and stretched out her muscles that were cramping from sitting down for so long. She laid a kiss to the top of the tombstone before heading back towards her car.

  As Adele reached for her door she got a strange feeling like she was being watched. She turned back toward her mother's grave and stopped still as she tried to wrap her mind around what she saw. Was that a leopard under the tree near her mother's grave? She rubbed her eyes, looked again and this time nothing was there. She shook her head and climbed into her car, thinking to herself that she was getting too caught up in her dreams if she was now seeing leopards in real life.

  ~ * ~

  He didn't get to do this nearly as often as he would like to. In his teenage years after Dominic first shifted at fifteen, he would go for runs through the mountains regularly but now he was an adult and had responsibilities, he simply didn't have the time.

  He loved the feeling of the wind brushing over his face as he ran through the scrub. Loved the feeling of water splashing up on his paws and stomach as he loped through the creeks. He arrived at the top of a high cliff and stopped to look out over the beauty of the Cradle Mountains, pausing to breathe in the clean fresh mountain air. A low growl to his right reached his ears and he felt Conner head-butt his shoulder before he heard his voice in his head.

  "What's up Dom? I can feel your anguish."

  Most of the time Dominic was thankful for the link he shared with his Leap; being able to project thoughts to each other could be incredibly useful. The fact they could sense each other's emotions, wasn't always convenient. Especially when you were hurting and didn't want the world to know about it.

  "My mate was really suffering yesterday. Fourth anniversary of her mother's death. Just like Dad told us, I felt her pain like it's my own. I just wish she'd come to me or give me some hint to where she is so I could go get her. It's driving me insane being able to feel her agony but not being able to do anything to comfort her."

  "Four years already? Surely you'll meet her soon bro. How long until you go looking for her?"

  "Soon, I can't wait much longer. After the fire season is finished I'll head over to the mainland and start searching. Come on, lets go for another run before it gets late and we have to head back."

  Conner nipped the back of Dominic's hind leg before he leapt away to run off through the bush. With a playful growl Dominic took off after his brother--Conner was so going to pay for that cheap shot.

  Dominic let Conner lead the way for a few minutes before he sped up and leapt onto his back, grabbing Conner's neck with his teeth, gently of course, he would never intentionally hurt his brother, and rolled to the ground with him. Dominic loved mucking around with his brother, they both gave in to their inner kittens and rolled around play fighting, growling and purring. It was a good ten minutes before Dominic, deciding the game was over, pinned Conner down.

  "C'mon Conner, sun's setting. We better get moving. Thanks for the game bro."

  After lightly butting against his brother's head, Dominic leapt up, releasing Conner before they leisurely prowled back to the car park. As they got near, they stopped to listen for any people close by. All was silent, but they still shifted back to human form before emerging from the trees. Better they get busted as naked men than as snow leopards if there was anybody around. They emerged from the tree line to discover they were indeed alone, so they quickly dressed, jumped in the car and headed home. Dominic felt a hell of a lot better after their day out and a quick glance at Conner confirmed that he too was looking more relaxed and at ease than he had before they went out.

  ~ * ~

  Cole Jones was hot and frustrated and it sent his mood straight down the drain. Just like every other damn day down at the Strahan Docks, he loaded and unloaded boats all day. What made today particularly crappy was that summer had kicked in early, throwing a thirty degree day at him in November. Out on the docks under the sun, it felt about forty degrees and it put everyone on edge. So, on top of him being in a hellish mood, so was everyone else. Maybe he should have finished school, earned himself a fancy desk job in a climate controlled office. Damn, what he wouldn't give for an air conditioner right about now. He started to think, finding a way to cool down wasn't the only thing that would improve his terrible day. A good solid workout followed up with a hard fuck would definitely improve his mood alright. Those thoughts kept his mind occupied until finally it was the end of the workday. He didn't bother saying goodbye to anyone, that would take time and he just wanted to get home. Jumping in his ute, he started it up and headed home with a sinister grin and a glint of excitement in his eyes as he thought about what he would do when he arrived at his destination.

  His house wasn't huge. The main living area was open plan, with the kitchen at one end and lounge at the other. Three bedrooms and a bathroom came off the main room--and of course, the downstairs basement had a small hallway and two rooms. The open plan suited his needs, it meant that by collaring the slave and chaining her on a fifteen meter length of chain she could do all he needed her to, but couldn't get out the front door and escape.

  After parking his ute in the garage and making sure it was locked up--his OCD satisfied--he walked up the path and pushed through the front door. As he entered, he saw the brat silently slide into her room. Good. He didn't want to deal with her tonight. He wanted the slave. He rolled his shoulder anticipating his workout, hearing her screams... He continued his way through the house until he found what he was looking for. She was in the kitchen trembling by the oven. He stalked over to her until he stood over her much smaller body, relishing the fear soaked wide eyed expression she looked up at him with. She was right to fear him in this moment. He was in one hell of a ferocious mood tonight. He watched her closely so he didn't miss her shudder as he cracked his knuckles.

  "I--I--I've made dinner for you, just like you wanted, Sir." The slave stammered out.

  He grinned, she was trying to placate him into not taking her downstairs, after all these years she really should know better. His moods were only placated by two things: working her body over and fucking her.

  "Turn everything off. You've got somewhere else to be." His voice edged with his excitement of what lay ahead of them.

  He watched as with trembling hands she turned the oven off and took a pot off the stove, putting it down on the sink. As the pot hit the sink he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the doorway to the basement stairs. He unlocked the chain from her collar, carefully hung it on the hook by the door and dragged her down the stairs.

  Now, time to see about improving his mood...

  ~ * ~

  Blood and pain--neither his of course--always makes sex better; hell they made life better, he mused to himself. Cole unhooked the slave's cuffs and watched as she slumped down on to the floor. Damn, he felt good.

  He pulled his pants back on as he watched the slave attempt to stand. His lip curled into a sneer, she was so weak and unworthy of a master like him. He needed a stronger slave, one who could handle the workouts and rough fucking he needed to doll out. Grabbing her by the arm he roughly hauled her back up the stairs, reattached the chain to her collar and shoved her aside.

  "You've got fifteen minutes to get cleaned up and serve me dinner, or back down you go." He barked, turning toward the fridge. He needed a drink and some chill out time in front of the TV. He grabbed a beer before heading to the lounge. He was a bit pissed to find the TV was already on--bloody cartoons, damn little brat. He wondered where she was, before shaking his head. Who the fuck cared? He did appreciate t
hat the brat knew to hide, knew to stay silent. He had always hated kids, hated having to put up with them and their noise. But her sad, lonely, desperate mother, who had no family or friends was too easy to entrap to resist. No one noticed her not hanging around any more. No one had filed a missing persons report on either of them. This little brat wasn't too bad, he thought to himself. Pretty, with her black curls and big round grey eyes--just a pity she was too young for his tastes. He was sure she'd make a better slave than her useless mother did. Those big grey eyes wide in pain would be a thing to see. That got his mind ticking over. Maybe when the brat was older and her mother had passed being useful, he could get rid of her and train the brat to be his slave, properly. A virginal slave...he chuckled, yeah that sounded fucking ace.

  ~ * ~

  Kelly silently closed her door as she heard his evil chuckle, the one that always made the hairs on her neck stand up and her body shudder. She heard the footsteps on the stairs when he dragged her mother back up. She'd silently fled to her room away from the main room where she had the TV on trying to drown out the sounds of her mother screaming. When she got to her room she’d panicked. She’d forgotten to turn the TV off. She'd been lucky this time. He had just cursed and changed the channel. He hadn't come looking for her like she feared he would one of these days. He’d never touched her. He rarely even spoke to her. But she could see the violence in his eyes, and she saw the condition her mother was constantly in from his ‘attentions’.

  Kelly slid down the wall, sitting with her knees up and her head back against the wall. She pulled at the neck of her shirt. It was getting too small again. She needed to sneak out soon and get herself something bigger. No doubt, her mother would need new clothing after tonight too. A couple of years ago, after going out while he was at work, she’d discovered a clothing bin a few streets away. Since then, she would sneak out every six months or so and get herself bigger clothes. She also brought clothes back for her mother. He was always ripping her mother’s clothes; wrecking them. He didn’t allow them to leave the house, didn’t provide anything more than food. Thankfully, he didn’t pay any attention to what they did or didn’t wear either, so he didn’t notice when she’d been out to get more.