by V. Vaughn
“No wonder you don’t want Val and me running to him.”
“Right. I need to be the one to tell your father about you, and I’m afraid it’s not going to be a pleasant surprise.”
I imagine finding out about a secret as big as a child more than twenty years later won’t be good news in the best of circumstances. “Mom.”
“Don’t look at me like that. I carry enough guilt over this.”
“I’m not judging. I’m sympathizing.”
“Thank you, but I’m not the least bit proud of what I did, so save your compassion for your father when he finds out.” Cold air licks at my bare legs as she shifts her position on the couch and moves the blanket. She says, “Julie and I weren’t sure what happens with half births, and we decided she’d deliver the baby instead of going to the hospital.” Mom shakes her head. “It was so stupid now that I think about it. So many things could have gone wrong.”
“Wow. But I guess they didn’t since I’m fine.”
“Actually, they did.” Mom stops rubbing my foot, and I slip it back under the blanket.
“What happened?” I ask as I place my other foot in her lap.
“One of you died.”
One of us? I swallow hard and ask, “I was a twin?”
She nods as she blinks, and I think she’s trying not to cry. “Yes. Your twin was stillborn.”
I lean forward to place my hands on my mother’s thighs. “Oh, Mom.”
“It was devastating, but at least I had you.” She squeezes my fingers. “And you were so beautiful. The perfect baby.”
“Hold up. What did you do?”
“Julie took care of the whole thing. When she delivered the other baby and discovered the child was dead, Julie whisked her away and told me to focus on you. And I did.”
“That had to have been so hard.”
“It was, but honestly I was so busy trying to figure out how to take care of a baby I didn’t have much time to dwell on it.”
“So when did you tell Grandma and Grandpa?”
“I had concocted a story about going to Julie’s for Christmas, which upset your grandparents very much, as you can imagine.” I picture the pursed lips of my grandmother when she’s angry. “Julie left the day after you were born for a family emergency, and I discovered how hard it was to take care of a baby all by myself. I knew there was no way I could take classes the next semester, so I swallowed my pride and went home.”
“Oh my gosh. What did Grandma and Grandpa say?”
“They freaked out at first over me not telling them I was pregnant, but you were so darned adorable their hearts softened at the sight of you.”
I grin. “I am super-cute.”
Mom chuckles. “It wasn’t all roses and puppies, though. Your grandmother had a secret of her own. She’d kept my father’s identity as a werebear a secret from your grandfather, and me. So when I told her in confidence I’d fallen in love with a man who wasn’t really human, she confessed she had done the same.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Knowing that you were three-quarters werebear made us nervous you might change during puberty, and Grandma decided she had to reveal the truth to Grandpa.”
I remember not being allowed to go to sleepovers when I was in junior high. My mother claimed lack of sleep would stunt my growth, and I thought she was being mean. Now I understand what she was really afraid of. I also think about how my grandfather treated me as if I was the most precious thing in the world. I say, “He stuck by his halves, didn’t he.”
Mom nods. “Your grandfather is the kindest person I know. When he found out what Grandma and I feared about you, he told us if you turned out to be a shifter, he’d move us to an island so you could run free.”
I grin as I recall how he’d take me fishing and tease me it was so one day when he bought us a remote island I could help him feed the family. I say, “He’s a special man.”
“And you are a very special girl, Kelsey.” My mom yawns. “And I think we both need sleep. Tomorrow we can talk about meeting your father if that’s still what you want.”
I ask, “If I decide I don’t want to, what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to find him anyway.” The shadow of her guilt darkens her eyes. “I’ve kept you a secret far too long, and he has a right to know.”
I think about what else might happen, and while I don’t say anything, I hold on to the hope the true mate bond my mother and father have can rekindle their love. Because after everything my mother went through, I want her to be as happy as I am.
30
Tally
The last thing I want to do is go work out. I have a sugar hangover two cups of strong green tea haven’t cured, and my outlook on life without Marcel is dismal right now. Izzy will be here any minute to force-feed me some disgusting concoction and then take me to the gym, where she’ll try to perform the miracle of making me a fighter. If I could muster up the energy, I’d pretend I was too sick to go. But I don’t have it in me. I let out a sigh that involves my whole body as I get up off the couch to change into workout clothes.
By the time I’m ready Izzy is already in my kitchen, and the whirl of my blender makes me grimace as I imagine what I’m having for breakfast today. She greets me with a hug, and I take comfort in her touch as she says, “I’m so proud of you, Tally. I know you hate this, but you still get up and make it happen each day.”
I pull away and give her a side-eye. “What are you making me eat today? Because that sugar-coating is making me nervous.”
Izzy smiles as she hands me breakfast in a glass. “I put banana in. You might like it.”
“Hmpf.” The glass is cool against my fingers as I take a sip, and when it doesn’t trigger my gag reflex I drink a little more.
“You like it.” Izzy nudges me with her arm.
I push back. “I don’t hate it.”
“Good. Drink up so we can get going. I have to pick up Nadia on the way. She’s a De Rozier who came to stay here for a while.”
“Jean Luc got you a bodyguard?”
“How did you know that?” Izzy frowns at me.
“Please. I’ve known your husband all my life. You’re the most precious thing he’s ever had, and he’d do anything to protect you.” I gulp down the rest of my shake before I add, “Especially since you’re carrying his children. How are the little guys?”
Izzy puts her hand on her stomach and says, “Pretty tame. But I’m told they won’t stay that way for much longer.”
“Nope.” Water rushes as I fill my glass and the blender to soak. I turn to my friend. “Let’s hit the road.” I shadowbox toward her. “I’ve got some fighting to do.”
She chuckles as we leave my house. We grab Xavier and drive to Ouellette Yachts to get Nadia, and I stay in the car with my guard when Izzy goes to get her. I spy the ocean through the trees. Sunlight is bouncing off the waves, and I gaze up through the sunroof when a seagull calls out. Footsteps tap in the distance, and I look over to discover a woman descending the stairs from the third-floor apartment. Her hair is dark brown, and something about her seems unusual to me. As she walks across the parking lot, she’s far enough away I can’t see her features clearly, and I chalk up the oddness to the fact I don’t recognize her. I pride myself on knowing every clan member. Maybe she’s human. I glance at Xavier and ask, “Do you know that woman?”
He shakes his head, but he’s squinting, and I sense he’s wary of her too. Although, she lives in an apartment that is only for Jean Luc’s employees, so I suppose she’s nobody to be concerned about. When she turns the corner I glance over to the building to find Izzy and Nadia walking toward me. The two women are stunning, with their blond hair blowing in the wind. Nadia is a little taller than Izzy, and I bet she’s almost as ferocious in bear form. They do stand out in the Ouellette crowd, and I think about what easy targets they appear to be. But I know that’s far from the truth. Jean Luc is smart to make sure his wife is protected by another polar bear
. Even though the hunters know about them, they don’t seem to have a handle on polar werebear strength and senses, which are even more heightened than the black bear’s. Besides which, Isabelle has magic to rival some of the best witches I know. Heck, I might need to hang out with these two more, because Xavier in the backseat wouldn’t last a minute against them.
Nadia climbs in the back with Xavier, and he says, “I hear you’re kicking ass and taking names at the gym.”
I turn to face them as she shrugs. I say, “Hi. I’m Tally, your local witch. Let me know if I need to hex any of the names on your list.”
She gives me what I think is a forced smile, and I notice how it lights up her face. “Nadia. And so far everyone’s been great, but there’s a hunter or two I wouldn’t mind messing with.”
Xavier growls in agreement as Izzy pulls out onto the main road. It’s going to be a warm day, and any snow left from our spring storm will finally melt. I gaze at the bare trees with their tiny green buds and think about how this is the time of year when the females in the clan begin to come to me for pregnancy tea blends, and I wonder when I’ll get the chance to make the journey to motherhood too. I sigh, and Izzy reaches over for my hand to give me a squeeze.
I know dreaming about having children with Marcel was only a fantasy, because Jean Luc would never let us marry and have a family. And the truth is, it wouldn’t be fair to either Marcel or me to even go down that path. But damn it, a fling would have been nice. I blink back the tears that burn in my eyes. I really need to start hanging out with human men who can break my heart the good old-fashioned way.
When we get to the gym I’m surrounded by so many werebear Xavier can take a break and work out his own way. He and Nadia head toward the weights, while Izzy takes me over to the mats. She says, “I think we should start with a little yoga to get your frame of mind in a better place.”
I snort. “Who took Izzy and replaced her with a yogini?” Werebear are not into passive exercise.
“A what?”
“Whew. It is you. And I don’t need no stinking yoga. Let’s jump.” I grab two ropes, and they’re slick in my fingers as I toss one her way. My throw is wild, but Izzy snatches it out of the air. I suck at this, but each day I do it I trip over my rope a little less. I figure by the end the month I might make a full minute without stopping.
Izzy has charts for me to keep me motivated, and while I thought it was silly the first day, I find I like checking off the boxes. I chug along until my friend tells me to stop so I can get my gold star. Sweat trickles down my face as I catch my breath, and she reaches over to grab my wrist so she can take my pulse. Izzy holds on for a minute before she says, “Nice. We’ve only been at this for a week, and you’re already in better shape.”
“I am?”
She nods. “Let’s get you on the elliptical for a bit before we move on to the weights.”
I actually like the elliptical, because I can get lost in my thoughts for a while. Buttons beep as I set it to the time and level Izzy tells me, and the hum of the machine lulls me into my head when I begin to move. Of course the first place I go is my kiss with Marcel. I fantasized about how it would be for so long, and the real thing did not disappoint until I was sucked into another dimension.
I find myself moving faster as anger builds. Portals are not common, and the more I revisit my relationship with Marcel, the more I’m convinced this is a recent development. I can’t believe we never connected before the kiss. Marcel has touched me -- he had his hands all over my body when he gave me a massage the other day! Something about this is not right.
My breathing is jagged as I pump my legs harder, and my muscles begin to burn. I think a witch is messing with me, and I’ve got a good idea who might be behind it. Tokala.
“Whoa! Tally!” Izzy comes to stand in front of me. “What’s going on?”
I slow down my steps and say, “Sorry, I got a bit carried away. I was thinking about the portal thing.”
“Ah.” Izzy pats at my forehead with a towel, and it’s rough on my skin as she says, “Taking your frustrations out through exercise is a good plan.”
I catch a glimpse of Marcel in the mirror on the wall in front of me. He sees me too, and our gazes lock. His eyes mirror my pain, and I look away as my determination surges in me. I’m going to fix this. I say, “I need to go to Maine and have a little chat with a few clan witches I know.”
31
Kelsey
My mother has been here for three days now, enjoying the beach and my quaint ocean town. I love having her here, but she’s interfering with the plans for my sex life. Every time I see Val my body begins to quiver with lust I can’t tamp down, and I might explode if I don’t do something about it. I trail my fingers down my neck as my pulse beats erratically, and I recall the silky-smooth skin of Val’s cock in my palm, the caress of his fingers on my face, and the way his lips feel on mine. I wonder if you can come from thinking about the man you desire.
I’m not sure how much longer I can last like this, and when I see Val approaching me, I decide to take matters into my own hands. We’ve gotten into the habit of walking back from work together, and I slip my hand in his as we make our way home. “Hey.” Val smiles at me as his fingers thread through mine, and I squeeze as I lean against him to say, “I’ve been thinking.”
“What about?”
“I texted my mother and told her I’m going to be home late from work today.”
Val gazes down at me with a twinkle in his eye. “And why would you do that?”
I shrug. “I have this project I’ve been meaning to get to.” I picture his naked body as I imagine kissing every inch of it. I know I’ve got to be oozing with the scent of my arousal leaving no doubt what I’m thinking about.
Our steps slow, and Val’s voice lowers in volume and tone. “I’m a project?”
“Yes. A very important one I’ve been neglecting.” I let go of his hand and slide my arm around his waist as I lean against him. Our connection is at full throttle as my skin tingles. “And the guilt is eating me up.”
A low growl comes from Val as he stops and turns to face me. He tugs me in close by my hips, and his erection is a hard rod between us. “I understand.” He slides his hands up the sides of my body and brushes against my breasts as he moves up to my shoulders. My nipples harden to pebbles at the sensation of his touch. He says, “My guilt is weighing heavy on my mind too. I don’t like leaving things unfinished.”
“Oh dear.” My breathing gets shallow as my core clenches with heat that makes my juices flow. “We should fix this.”
Val’s chest heaves as he takes a deep breath. I think he’s inhaling my scent, and when he groans it reverberates through my body as if he can caress me with his voice. Apparently he can, because I wobble a bit in reaction. I croak out, “Your apartment. Now.”
Val grabs my hand and tugs me along as he walks quickly toward our building. We scramble up the stairs, and he makes quick work of unlocking his door. Once we get inside Val lets out a growl and throws me over his shoulder. I yelp as he carries me to his bedroom and tosses me down on the bed. The springs squeak as I bounce, and I gaze up at him to see something flash in his eyes as he says, “I wish I had you all night, because once is not going to be nearly enough.”
I lean up on my elbows. “It’s better than nothing. Now hurry up and get naked.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Val grins as he tugs his shirt over his head, and I sigh when he reveals his well-defined chest. A dusting of red hair forms a trail below his navel, and when his belt buckle rattles, I lick my lips in anticipation of his manhood. He stares at me while he drags his pants down, and I let out a whoosh of air when his cock springs free. Bright-red curls nestle at the base, and I say, “My god, you’re glorious.”
Val crawls onto the bed and slides his hands under my shirt. “So are you.” I lift my arms over my head so he can remove my shirt, and I arch up when he reaches behind my back to unhook my bra. Cool air dances across
my bare breasts, and the way Val looks at me makes me feel like a beauty queen. I’ve never felt more beautiful in my life. Val cups my full breast in his hands as he lowers his mouth to me. Shocks of pleasure race straight to my core as he suckles my nipple, and I begin to squirm as he pays rapt attention to my sensitive nub.
The button of my pants is warm in my fingers as I work at removing more clothing. I pant out, “I need to feel more of you.”
Val grabs my hands to stop me. “You will.” He hooks his fingers under my panties and pulls everything off at once. Once I’m completely bare he gazes at me with hunger and says, “My god, you’re perfect.”
His hands are hot on my thighs as he lifts my legs up to spread me open. I tremble as he places his mouth on me. The sensation of his tongue laving me is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. The cotton of his comforter is thick in my hands as I clench it between my fingers and begin to moan. This man knows what he’s doing, and I begin to rock into his mouth as he makes me crazy with the need to come. Val lifts up and inserts two fingers into me as he says, “You taste so sweet.” He does something with his fingers, and it’s as if he found a magic button, because I finch as hot passion shoots through me. A small cry escapes my lips. He smiles at my pleasure before he returns to his oral ministrations, and I manage to rocket to the moon within seconds.
I let out a breath of air and say, “Val.”
He crawls over me and leans down as he whispers, “I know, baby. Now let me make you feel that again.” He kisses me, and when his tongue enters my mouth the taste of me is a heady flavor that makes my insides tremble for more. I realize my appetite for him will never be fully sated. The idea we’ll continue to feel this way for each other forever makes me happier than I’ve ever been.
I reach down and grip his cock. It’s thick and pulses in my hand as I stroke him. My core quivers with the need to wrap around him, and I say, “Fill me, my love. Mark me as yours.”