“Congratulations! What wonderful news,” Brencis said. “Why didn't you announce it last night?”
“I'm not sure Meli knows yet, so don't say anything.”
“How do you know, then?”
“It is just a few little things. She is tired a lot and sleeping more, and she smells different. Her breasts are tender, as are her feelings. I don't want anyone to know until I am sure. Tell the pack members to be careful with her. No roughhousing or games of tag. Last time she played with the youngsters, they ganged up on her. I don't want to take any chances she might lose the baby.”
“Are you hoping for a girl like Dmitry is?”
“No, I am hoping for a healthy child. Both of our mothers had only one child. My mother lost two others before their time. I don't know about your mother. We know our race is having difficulty conceiving, so either a boy or girl as long as it is healthy.”
“Meadow fears having children,” Brencis said. “She worries she will be a poor mother.”
“You will have to reassure her, though I think all women go through something similar. Meli was afraid she couldn't raise wolf pups, that she wasn't strong enough, didn't know how to teach them to be wolves. I am sure Meadow will be a great mother. Being a wolf is instinctual. You can't teach it. Being a good person and learning right from wrong is what we will have to teach our children.”
“I am happy for you, and I will speak to the youngsters,” Brencis said. “What do you think about Mischa, Desya, Jurek, and Tolya?”
“I like them, though I think Sergei is a little crazy sending his brother after Gwen. I’ve never met a woman more in control and set on her path. I’m not sure she'll even look at Mischa.”
“We'll have to wait and see,” Brencis said. “Tolya says he is not in a hurry to mate. He came to protect our mates. But I noticed a look of envy cross his face as he watched you and Melisande last night. I think we would all be happier if he mated and soon.”
“He is a charming fellow. All of our women seem taken by him. It doesn't help his face is so pretty. I think you are right. I will take him into work, and maybe one of our employees will be able to tame him.”
“Be careful he doesn't break their hearts. You might have a mutiny on your hands,” Brencis said.
“I see what you mean, I feel my mate beginning to wake. Excuse me while I go attend her. She has been feeling a little nauseous in the morning. Another little sign.”
“Go, dote on her. The whole pack will be wrapped around her finger if she is truly breeding.”
“Remember, don't say anything yet.”
Brencis smiled as he watched the man he loved run out of the room to attend to his wife. For a moment, Brencis pictured himself in Grigori's shoes and felt the joy it would bring. He chuckled lightly and headed down to the exercise room. The youngsters would be gathering there before their morning classes. Why Dmitry sent more teenagers was a mystery to him. But then Grigori took Dmitry and Kolya under his wing when they were youngsters. Maybe Dmitry thought Grigori would be the best man to teach them. Now that he thought of it, Grigori had taught most of the young men who were Brencis’ age, including Mischa and Tolya and maybe a few others. Dmitry had sent the next group to Grigori.
Brencis remembered the camping trips and the survival training Grigori insisted they learn. Maybe he could take the boys out for a camping trip. Or since he had a mate now, Mischa and Tolya could take them out. Even if they camped on pack lands, roughing it might be good for them. It would allow them to let their wolves out to run for a bit. It sounded like a good idea. He'd have to talk it over with Grigori.
Walking into the exercise room, Brencis was surprised to find Tolya pacing back and forth. He hurried over as soon as he saw Brencis.
“Donat and Donny had a fight last night that escalated into all of the pups fighting,” Tolya said. “Seth finally called for help after Lukyan tore into Adam. They were all scratched up pretty badly. Rosie cleaned the worst of the wounds and gave them a good scolding. I figured a little exercise might be a good thing for them. So I sent them out to run the perimeter.”
“Did you tell Grigori?” Brencis asked.
“Yes, but he was busy pampering his mate.”
“He thinks she is breeding,” Brencis said. “We are to tell the youngsters to be gentle with her. Now isn't a very good time for me to be leaving, is it? What's worse, I'm living in Glastonbury.”
“Don't worry, that's why Mischa and I are here. We'll get through this,” Tolya said.
Brencis clapped him on the shoulder. He was glad to have Tolya back in his life. The youngsters would be in good hands. Smiling, he walked out of the room and tiptoed up to the door to his room. Mischa, Desya, Jurek, and Tolya, as well as Rosie and the youngsters, would be here to guard Melisande.
Brencis opened the door and saw Meadow. The sheet had fallen to her waist and her breasts were bared for his sight. His hands itched to take them and fondle them, to lick and taste the cherry-pink nipples. If he and Meadow wanted to get back to the shop by noon, they would have to hurry. It was unusual for her to sleep this long.
Thinking about what Grigori had said about Melisande, Brencis wondered if it could be possible Meadow was also breeding. He pulled back the covers and climbed into bed with her. He sniffed her neck and her breasts and her stomach. All he detected was her apples-and-cinnamon smell and the odor of him on her skin. Feeling a moment of disappointment, he licked her neck and then lower, taking a taste of her breast and nipple. Maybe they could be a little late getting back. They might be able to make a baby right now. When Meadow moaned and grabbed his hair, Brencis smiled and continued to bathe her nipple.
Good morning, my love. Wake up and pleasure your mate this morning.
God, you are killing me, Bren, she sent to him.
Ah, but what a way to die, Brencis sent as he continued to make love to his mate.
§
When they were finally ready to depart for the shop, Brencis was feeling guilty about leaving. Grigori was working from home today, because he was afraid to leave Melisande, even though she would be guarded by Mischa and Tolya. Brencis knew if he were home, Grigori wouldn't worry about going to the office. Instead, Grigori watched as Brencis tucked his mate into the car and drove away. This was not a good time to be staying in Glastonbury.
“You don't want to leave them,” Meadow said. “Why don't you stay? I'll be all right.”
“I can't abandon you, not with a possible stalker after you. Do you think I would leave you unprotected?”
“I hate to see you so torn. What can I do to convince you?”
“Move to the estate with me. Hire some help so we have time to make the drive each morning,” Brencis said. “Or better yet, sell the shop.”
“Do you hate the shop that much?”
“It keeps intruding on our time. I watch you work yourself to exhaustion. We don't even make love because of it. Yes, I hate the shop that much. Do you make any money with it?”
“Enough to keep going and live. It pays for itself, but barely.”
“Meadow, do you have to have the shop?”
“How will I get my magic to people who need it if I don't have a shop?”
“Have you thought about the internet? You could sell your potions on the web. Or if you sold the shop, you could have a contract with the new owner to carry your potions.”
“It's a lot to think about. I don't know much about the internet. Who would want to buy the shop?”
“What about your mentor's friends, the ones you celebrate with? Would one of them be interested?” Brencis asked.
“I guess I can ask them.”
“Even if they wanted to manage the store for you, you would be free to be in Somerset with me, and we could come into work a couple of days a week.”
“Would it help if we came back tonight after work?”
“Yes, it would make Grigori and I feel better if I was here in the evenings.”
“Then, we will start commuting. Is there a workroo
m at the estate where I can make my potions and store my supplies?”
“I'm sure we can find a space. What about finding some help?” Brencis asked.
“I will talk to Angeline and see if she can work a few hours in the morning. If we get in by twelve, it would be only two hours a day we would need someone. If she can't do it, then we will put an ad in the paper.”
“Thank you, Meadow. Grigori will be happy with this news. He thinks Melisande might be breeding but has asked us not to say anything yet. He is working from home today because he is afraid to leave her with Mischa and Tolya guarding her. I wish Dmitry had sent us more men. And one day soon I, too, will need to go back to work at Solovyov Security. If you were at the estate, I know you would be well protected.”
“I know this is hard on you, Brencis—having to choose between me and your duties to the pack. I will try very hard to give you the freedom you need.”
“In Siberia, the pack lives on one large tract of land and has for countless generations. When a mate is found, the couple moves into a house together. All the pack members support each other with food and childrearing. We have plenty of men to guard our lands and protect those who need it. The businesses of the pack are handled online and by agents appointed by the Alpha. Occasionally, Dmitry needs to go to Moscow to take care of pack business, but normally it is handled remotely.”
“Here in England, things are different?” Meadow asked.
“We are so few in number, and we have the youngsters to train and care for. Grigori started the security business to help support us and the estate. Because the business has taken off, we have been lucky, but now we have been attacked, and you have been threatened. This is of grave concern. In Siberia we are well hidden, here we are out in the open and vulnerable.”
“Why do you stay in England? Why not go back to Siberia?”
“Do you wish to move to Siberia, mate? I will be happy to take you if you wish. But Melisande's work is here, and we found Rosie, who somehow seems to find orphaned lycanthropes. We are still unsure how their parents found their way to England. That the children survived undetected is a miracle. Let’s not forget the general public does not know we even exist. Grigori cannot leave his business unattended as you cannot leave yours unattended. What do you suggest we do? Turn tail and run? Hide the children away and hope someone doesn't notice? I noticed you are saying you, instead of us, Meadow. There is no longer just you. Because we are mated, you must think of yourself as one of us. I cannot live without you, mate. I would not want to.”
“I don't understand. Rosie told me you would mourn yourself to death if something happened to me.”
“It is part of who we are. Our mates are the other half of our souls, and we are linked mind to mind and heart to heart. We speak telepathically to each other, as well as sense each other’s emotions. We have only been mated a few days, in time the sharing of our thoughts and feelings will become commonplace. Then, what if one day the other half of your soul was gone and a big hole was left, would you wish to continue? Knowing you would always be missing a part of yourself?”
“I don't know. This is all new to me. I guess it would be hard to go on after being connected so long.”
“To be apart from your mate is a terrible agony. As long as we can touch minds, we are connected. If we cannot link, a terrible grief takes hold of us. I have never felt it, but I know of lycans going mad with the agony it caused them. My own father went back into a fire that was out of control to try and save my mother who was already gone. He could not accept her absence, and even knowing it was probably too late and he might find her on the other side, he ran back into the fire. That is why we die if we lose our mate.”
“Oh, Brencis. I am so sorry. Forgive me for bringing up this hurt.”
“You wear my mother's ring, Meadow. She was in her wolf form when the fire started and had left her ring behind. That is the only reason I have it to give to you.”
“I will cherish it always. I’m sorry I asked so many questions. I wasn't trying to hurt you.”
Meadow sat glumly in the front seat. She could feel the pain Brencis was trying to hide from her coming through the mating bond. Why hadn't she stopped pushing him for answers? He told her before there was no going back. He was her mate as she was his. Just last night he reminded her she was his. Was she trying to push him away, even knowing it wouldn't work? Why couldn't she keep her mouth shut? Hurting Brencis had never been her plan, but she was doing a good job of it.
When Brencis pulled into the parking spot behind the store, Meadow almost sighed. At least, her store would now keep her busy and her mind off Brencis and being his mate. Sometimes the store put everything on hold and took control. No wonder Brencis didn't like it.
“I need to go upstairs and change,” Meadow said. “Can you let Angeline know we are here and I will be down in a jiffy? Don’t let her leave until I talk to her about working the morning hours. Oh, I forgot to tell you. My purple scarf is missing. I think it must have been dropped somewhere when Seth brought in our bags last night.” Meadow got out of the car.
She knew she was running away, but she really did need to change into the costume of the day. Plus, she needed to grab another wig to put on. Brencis could hold down the fort until she got back.
Brencis sat in the car and watched as Meadow ran up the metal stairs to her apartment. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes for a moment. Grigori brushed his mind, feeling his pain.
Are you all right, Bren? I feel you hurting. Is there something I can do? sent Grigori.
I will be fine. Meadow has a lot to learn about being a mate. We will be back tonight. She has agreed to commute in from the estate.
That is good news. I am glad to know I will have you close for support.
Warn Rosie we will be home for dinner. She might need to get some supplies, now that Meadow is moving in, sent Brencis.
I will let her know. Meadow doesn't mean to hurt you, Bren. She doesn't understand our ways. If she is here, Melisande can help her adjust.
It will be fine, Grika, I'll contact you later, Brencis sent telepathically.
Chapter Eight
Before Meadow realized it, time flew by, and she was counting the receipts for the day. The store had done well and would be able to pay Angeline without any problem. Angeline was happy for the work because she had graduated from the university and wanted a flat of her own. Living with her mother was making her crazy, and she craved her own space.
Brencis was sweeping the floor while Meadow finished up the paperwork. When the bell on the door chimed, she looked up in surprise. Hadn’t she locked the door? A tall, well-built man with red hair, wearing a dark suit, stood in the entry. He looked familiar, but Meadow couldn’t remember where she’d seen him.
“I’m sorry, the shop is closed,” Meadow said. She was not going to get sucked into waiting around for this man to make a purchase when she and Brencis needed to drive back to Somerset tonight.
“I need a moment of your time. Are you Meadow Seymour? I like the pirate costume. Are you getting ready to scuttle a ship?”
“What is this about?” Brencis asked, coming up and standing slightly in front of Meadow.
“A lycan? This is interesting, and I see you have bonded on the soul-level. I guess congratulations are in order,” the man said, looking from Brencis to Meadow.
“Who are you?” Brencis asked, his voice taking on a growly tone.
“I am from the Witches Council. There has been a complaint. I am also Meadow’s half-brother. My name is Garrett Amhurst, the third. We share the same father.”
Meadow couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her knees wobbled, and she sat down quickly in her chair. She had a father?
“Meadow?” Brencis asked, kneeling down beside her, worry on his face.
Needing to reassure him, she reached out and caressed his cheek. He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close, sheltering her with his body.
“I have a bro
ther?” she whispered, leaning into Brencis’ warmth.
“I’m sorry to drop it on you like this,” Garrett said, walking up to the couple. “With your mate feeling protective, I wasn’t sure he’d give me a chance to explain. I’ve been looking for you for years now, Meadow. I’m glad I finally found you,” he said, shaking his head. “It was all over an anonymous complaint of black-magic use. I can tell from your auras that neither of you is practicing black magic. Not that I thought my own sister would do such a thing. You understand. There does seem to be a taint of something in the building here. Hhm, strange.”
“Is our father still alive? Why didn’t he ever come around?”
Meadow knew her eyes were accusing as she looked up at the man who claimed to be her brother.
“I’m handling this all wrong. Forgive me. Can I take you someplace for dinner? We can talk, and I can tell you everything. I know you must feel confused and hurt.”
Meadow looked at Brencis. She reached for his mind, needing to know what he thought about this. Warmth and love filled her thoughts as they linked minds.
He is telling the truth from what I can see. We should go with him and let him have his say. Brencis’ voice flowed into her thoughts.
What about Grigori and Melisande? Meadow asked, worried about Brencis’ need to return to Somerset.
Its one night. I will call him and let him know. I think your brother is waiting for our answer.
Meadow glanced up and saw Brencis was right. Garrett stood there waiting patiently. She glanced down at the pirate costume she had chosen to wear today.
“I’ll have to change,” Meadow said, rising from her chair. “Can you wait?”
“I’ve waited years. What are a few more minutes? You have beautiful eyes. They mark you as being my father’s child. The Amhursts are famous for their amethyst eyes.”
Meadow looked closely and saw Garrett’s eyes were the same exact color. No wonder she thought she recognized him. They had the same eyes.
“You must be a lady killer with those eyes. Before I run upstairs, one more question? Do we have any other siblings I should know about?”
My Magic Mate Page 10