by Dold, V. A.
John was discretely trying to look around, but she saw him craning his neck down the hall.
“Would you like a tour, John? When you came for the wedding you didn’t have the chance to stay with us. Flying in one day and out the next will not be allowed again.” She had her hands on her hips and was giving them her best mind your mother expression.
“Sure, that would be great.” She almost laughed as he tried to sound uninterested. John was always the curious one.
She loved the flowing and yet sectioned off home Cade had built. On a day-to-day basis, the family lived in one half of the house, and when company visited there was a complete wing just for them.
As you came in through the front door, off to the right was a small formal sitting room, and then you stepped into the great room. From here you could go left into the master suites or right into the formal dining room, kitchen, laundry room, extra bathroom, and a bedroom which would one day be a nursery.
As she stood and waited for the men to join her, she gestured toward the master suite. “Right through there is our master bedroom. No need for you boys to go in there.” The boys rolled their eyes at their mother. She led the group into the center area of the house, which she considered the heart of the home.
“As you can see, we have a full chef’s kitchen with informal seating. To the left is a formal dining room. To the right down the hall are the laundry room and a spare bedroom. Feel free to make yourself at home, grab some food or a drink, anything you need.” They passed through the kitchen and into an area that marked the start of the separate wing located behind the garage and beyond.
“Cade, you have a great place here,” John said.
“Yeah. Man, did you have this built custom?” Thomas asked.
“Actually I did design the entire layout and then had an architect draw up plans.”
Anna got the group moving again, and they stepped into a large, long room running the length of the three car garage. Thomas and John looked at each other and grinned. They stood in a recreation room complete with wet bar and pool table. There was even a sitting area with leather couches and La-Z-Boy chairs facing a 60-inch flat screen hung over a wood burning fireplace. Oh, yeah, they were going to have some fun. You had to pass through the recreation room to get to the actual guest wing of the house. Behind Anna’s back, the boys high-fived each other and Cade chuckled.
She put her hands on her hips, looked at her sons and said, “We have three bedrooms back here. One of them is a complete guest suite with its own living room. You two can figure out who gets which room on your own. Leave me out of the battle.” She saw the gleam in their eyes as they tried to figure out how they could finagle the private guest suite.
She stepped through the door and gestured to the left and to the right. “There are two identical bedrooms with a walkthrough bathroom shared in between. Beyond that is the guest suite with full bath, bedroom and living room. Figure out which room you’re taking and then you should probably go back to Isaac’s and get your luggage before it gets too late. Come here and give your mom another hug. I still can’t believe you’re both here.” She gave them both quick hugs and then left them to figure out their rooms.
Back in the great room, she wrapped her arms around Cade’s waist and smiled up at him. “Have I told you lately what a wonderful man you are?”
“Why, I’m not sure you have. Perhaps you can show me and tell me.” He had a mischievous, crooked smile and a sparkle in his eyes.
She slid her arms up around his neck and pulled his lips down to hers in a passionate kiss. She could never kiss him only once. They were still wrapped in a tight embrace when Thomas and John came out of the guest wing to head out of the house.
“That is so wrong. Get a room!” Thomas yelled as they went out the door.
John blushed and looked away.
In no time, they returned loaded down with luggage and went to the guest wing to unpack. Since it was already late, they said a quick goodnight to their mother and Cade and headed off to bed.
She decided to treat the boys to a full breakfast the next morning. She woke Cade with the delicious smells of freshly brewed coffee and bacon frying, grinning to herself. It worked every time.
He wrapped his arms around her, nuzzled her neck and kissed her bare shoulder. Bonjour, ma belle mate, mon amour.
She leaned back and laid her head against Cade’s shoulder smiling to herself while she continued flipping the bacon. Good morning yourself, my sexy wolf.
Cade’s chest rumbled against her back, a sure sign both man and beast were content.
She had just finished chopping fresh vegetables, grating the cheese, and she was cracking eggs for the veggie omelets when both of the boys came stumbling out of the guest wing. John was brushing his sleep-rumpled hair out of his eyes and Thomas was scratching the back of his neck.
“Smells so good,” John said through a yawn.
Thomas growled, “Coffee.”
“I take it that means you would like a cup of coffee, Thomas?” Anna said in irritation at his rude demand.
Thomas decided it may be safest to rephrase himself. “Mom, the coffee smells great. May I have a cup?”
“Why, yes. I can get that for you,” she said with humor in her voice and a smile. Thomas was always grumpy in the morning.
While the men enjoyed their coffee, she quickly made up four omelets and they sat down to breakfast.
“Man, that was great, Mom. I miss your cooking,” John said.
“Yeah, we can’t find women back home who can cook like you, Mom.” Thomas added.
“You boys can both move on down here. We’ll help you find good women,” Cade volunteered.
Anna’s face lit up at the thought of even the slightest possibility her sons would move closer. She knew her boys, and if she brought up the subject of them moving to Louisiana, the first thing they would do is put on the brakes. With them, she had to make them think moving was their idea. The wheels in her mind were already turning.
“Do you two have plans for the day?” Anna asked.
“Since we are so close to New Orleans and the French Quarter, we thought we would go into town for the day,” Thomas said.
“I think my brother, Stefan, is heading into town in about an hour if you’d like to catch a ride with him. I know he plans to be there all day.”
“Perfect. We’d better get cleaned up. Does he live close by?” John asked.
“Actually most of us have houses scattered around the plantation. Stefan’s house is about ten acres to the west. I’ll give him a call and make sure he stops by and picks you up.”
About an hour later everyone was dressed, buffed and polished, ready for the day. Those boys sure did clean up well, she thought. Look out New Orleans girls, you are about to get your hearts broken by the boys from Denver.
Stefan knocked once and then let himself into the front door. “Hello in the house,” which was Stefan’s normal greeting when he came to visit.
Cade made the introductions. “Stefan, you remember Thomas and John, Anna’s sons from Denver.” The men each stepped forward in turn and shook hands, greeted each other the way men do with slapping backs and bumping fists. With no further fanfare, they headed out the door to enjoy the day.
Cade had work to do in his home office and Anna decided to start preparing for Thanksgiving. Everyone would be busy until at least dinnertime.
Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and that meant she had a lot to do.
Thomas and John returned a little earlier than she had planned. She was still busy in the kitchen and really needed them occupied and out from underfoot. Babe, would you show the boys around and keep them busy for an hour or so until I’m finished?
Anything you need, mon amour.
“Why don’t I show you boys around the plantation while your mom finishes up?” he asked as he gave her a little conspiratorial wink.
“That would be great. Do you have any fishing gear, Cade? Maybe tomorrow we could
wet a line.” Thomas loved to fish and sadly got little opportunity to enjoy it back home.
“I have a variety of fresh water and salt water gear. Whatever is your pleasure?” Cade’s excitement over Thomas’s shared his love of fishing had him looking like a little boy, he hadn’t had a fishing buddy since Simon joined the Marines.
“Great, we’ll get changed into jeans for the tour and take a look at the gear,” Thomas said
Once the men returned from their tour, dinner was served. The boys were in heaven, pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy. They basically ate in silence except for the occasional moan of appreciation coming from Thomas and John.
“I know I taught you two to cook when I was raising you. What is with the ‘I haven’t eaten a good meal in forever’ act?” she asked.
“Oh, we know how to cook, we just don’t,” John said
“I told you, cher, restaurants are essential to the survival of a single man.”
“Exactly,” both boys said together.
They all laughed and helped clear the table.
The evening went by too fast for Anna’s liking. She cherished every minute with her boys. Dinner was eaten, and the kitchen cleaned.
Chapter 19
Thomas and John were exhausted and had already gone to bed. This was the perfect time for a quick run to relax after cooking all day.
The property was beautiful with tall old-growth trees with lovely Spanish moss hanging from the branches, some hanging to the ground. In some areas of the property, the trees were so thick even a wolf barely got through. In other areas, they were spread out like a sprawling lawn with a tree here and a tree there.
Anna’s favorite time to run the property was when there was a heavy, gray fog. The murkiness gave everything an air of mystery and made playing hide and seek much more fun.
You had to be careful running the woods even as a wolf. In the New Orleans area, the trees tend to have a heavy root system running above the ground, and you can easily catch a paw or trip. She knew this from experience, spraining a paw was something she didn’t care to endure again.
The Le Beau plantation, held by Isaac, was set to be handed down from generation to generation. It was lush with a variety of areas to enjoy. There was the riverfront with aged trees hanging their branches until they dipped into the water with its cool breezes. There was also the heavily wooded area and the bayou with its gators, nutria and all the multitudes of birds and wildlife the habitat supports.
The original plantation house which Isaac and Emma lived in was closer to the river portion of the property to take advantage of the cooling effects for the house in the heat of summer.
Barely out of the house and still on the porch, Cade shifted, swished his tail at her then bounded into the night. She was still new to the whole shifting thing and the effort took a little more concentration and a lot more time for her to get it right. Sometimes she was able to poof all the clothes off and then got stuck standing naked with only part of her body shifted. Other times she would achieve the entire wolf form but still be wearing some of her human clothes. Dang it! I’m going to get good at this if it kills me. This time the change took her a minute or so, but she was actually able to accomplish the move correctly! Score!!!
She was in the process of congratulating herself and Cade was jumping circles around her in his wolf form when they heard a strangled noise coming from the front screen door. Thomas and John had come out of their rooms where she thought they were sleeping and watched their mother change into a wolf in front of their eyes.
He sighed and nudged her wolf in the side with his muzzle. Come on, cher, no run tonight. We have other matters to handle now.
He walked to the bottom of the stairs leading to the porch and pointedly stared the young men in the eye, then shifted back to human form. His change at their feet had them stumbling back a step, gasping. “Come on boys, let’s give your mother a little privacy to shift back. She’s still learning and the process requires a little effort.”
The men settled into the great room and waited for her to join them. No one said a word, they stared at Cade like he was an alien. John kept craning his neck to view Cade from different angles like he might spot some fur sprouting.
Anna, anytime.
Sorry, but the shock and pressure is giving me a little trouble. I almost got it. She walked through the door and stood in front of her sons with her hands on her hips like only a mother can do.
She looked each of them directly in the eye. “Come on, let’s hear it. Hit me with your questions.” She waved her hand toward herself indicating, bring it on.
She saw Cade suppressing a grin as he watched her dealing with her adult boys. You are poetry in motion and, damn, I’m never going to get myself into a situation where you look at me like that.
She turned and gave him a glare.
“What the hell was that?!” John pointed in the direction of the porch.
“Damn, Mom, are you a freaking werewolf!!?” Thomas exclaimed.
She glared at them and then the ‘mom pointed finger’ came into action. “Watch your language and DO NOT take that tone with me.”
The familiar interaction from their mother worked some kind of magic on the boys. They calmed a bit and began what would be a long information gathering session.
John and Thomas glanced at each other. “Are we shifters and you never told us?” Thomas asked.
“No, you are one hundred percent normal human. Before you freak out, let me explain what you saw.” She sat next to Cade and took a breath preparing herself for the best plan of action and explanation.
“I’m not a werewolf, I’m a shifter, which is different. From what I understand, werewolves as you see in movies and read about in books come from tales told by people who accidentally see a shifter who has gone rogue.”
She held up her hand like a stop sign as they geared up to shoot questions at her.
“Let me say up front there was no violent attack or biting to make a shifter like in the werewolf movies.” She wanted to reassure her sons shifters were not a bad thing.
For the next two hours, Anna and Cade answered the scores of questions from the boys.
“You mentioned a rogue shifter, what causes them to go bad?” Thomas asked.
“Having a combined soul is the main reason a shifter would go rogue. If his or her mate is killed, they also lose half of their soul which has been fused together by magic. The rending of a soul is horrible and often impossible to withstand for the mate left behind. Usually the other mate will die as well. On occasion a shifter will go a bit nuts and let his wolf take over in a rage. This normally occurs due to the death of their mate when they fail to follow them in death. They can’t be brought back from the edge and saved. They’re killed to protect the shifters’ secrecy and humans from harm.”
“So, Mom, can we be shifters too?” John’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“There are two ways to become a shifter. The main way is to mate with your other half who was born a shifter. The other way, which is extremely rare, is to petition the goddess for conversion. She is the one who originally created the shifters, and on rare occasions she’ll bless a human with shifting abilities and make them one. If you were to decide to try to be a shifter, Emma would request that of the great Luna.”
“Let me get this straight. Cade turned you into a shifter.” Thomas gave Cade a glare.
“Yes, he did. But only after I said I wanted him to, so put that attitude away.”
John was still bursting with questions. “Are shifters like immortal kind of things? I mean, do you only live to be normal human age, or what?”
Cade joined in again. “Shifters live to be around fourteen hundred years old. At maturity, a shifter appears to be around twenty five to thirty years old and they remain that way until they are about nine hundred years old, and then they begin to very slowly age again. So in reality, your mother looks like she is in her twenties. I’m using magic to make her appear
as you would expect her to.”
“So what do you really look like, Mom?” John asked.
Cade cocked an eyebrow and she was in her twenties right before their eyes.
“WHOA!” they both exclaimed.
She let out a giggle. “I know, right?”
Thomas leaned forward. “Geez, Mom, you look hot.”
“Ewwww.” John punched him in the arm.
“Not like that, you idiot. I just mean she is a very attractive woman.”
Cade smiled. “I couldn’t agree more.” His eyes started to glow as he allowed steamy thoughts to race through his mind.
“As long as I have you all grossed out, John, I might as well tell you in my case the conversion to shifter made me physically younger and I can have children again.”
“Oh, man, Mom. TMI.” John blushed and covered his face with his hands, shaking his head back and forth like he might be able to dispel the unwelcome knowledge.
“All right, boys, enough questions for tonight. Write down anything you think of and we can answer you tomorrow.” She was already standing and yawning, ready for the night to end.
Epilogue
The family gathered at Cade and Anna’s house. As Anna scanned the room she noted what everyone was wearing, once dinner was prepared she would need to change her clothes. Thomas and John were in blue jeans and short-sleeved shirts. They were used to Denver winters, and to them this was absolutely balmy. Stefan was dressed in blue jeans, a button down white shirt and a leather jacket. Cade also wore blue jeans, but he had on a black button-down dress shirt and loafers. As always, Marcus was dressed a little bit more formal than the rest of them, he did like his fashion. Marcus came in dress pants and a crisp, white designer shirt. Simon was curled up on the couch in his wolf form. With Anna’s help he now only spent about half his time in wolf form.
“You’re all looking so handsome today,” Anna said entering the room. She knew any reference to Cade’s brothers being handsome would push his buttons. He was just too easy and she couldn’t help herself.