by V. Vaughn
What Julie did was criminal. Surely if they’d lock Mom and me in a room because they thought we might be hunters, Jean Luc would do much more for a known kidnapper. “But she stole your baby!”
“Jean Luc said she’d be punished, but she’s not who I’m concerned about.” Fresh tears fill her eyes. “I hurt Henri, and I’m not sure he’ll ever be able to forgive me.”
I ask, “Did you find out for sure if you’re true mates?”
She hiccups, and I say, “Mom, he’ll forgive you.” I wonder, now that she knows he never got over her, if she’s experiencing different guilt. Maybe the idea she kept him from the family he was supposed to have is eating her up. I ask, “You can’t forgive yourself, can you?”
“Why should I, Kelsey?” She sniffs as tears roll down her face. “You had a father I didn’t let you know, and Caitlyn never knew her real mother. I ruined our family by not telling Henri.”
I grab her arm, and notice how fragile her bones feel in my grip as I say, “Stop. You did what you thought was right at the time. You sacrificed your love for him so that he wouldn’t leave the clan. It was an honorable thing to do. You didn’t know anything about being true mates.”
Mom blows her nose on a tissue and says, “It was stupid.” Her gaze is intense as her eyes flash while she says, “Lying is never the right choice.”
I think about how she was angry with my decision to come here and wouldn’t tell me why. Perhaps she should have told me what I was, but again she was trying to protect me from something she thought would hurt me. I sigh, “Maybe not, Mom. But you aren’t an evil person. Your decisions were made with the best of intentions.”
I get up off the couch, and the water I heated up is still hot when I check it. Liquid splashes into two mugs as I prepare tea. I try to imagine what my father must be dealing with right now. Not only is he married to a woman who lied to him for decades, he found out about a daughter he didn’t know existed, and his true mate has returned to his life.
I have a strong urge to fix things for my mother, and wonder if I can help Henri understand how good and kind she is. I ask, “Does Henri want to meet me?”
“Of course he does. Even though we both discovered shocking truths tonight, he made it very clear he’d like to get to know you, Kelsey.”
I sit on the couch and hand my mother her drink. She holds it in both hands and blows on it as I ask, “Can we meet my sister?”
Mom closes her eyes for a moment before she says, “Your sister ran away at the age of twelve and they suspect she’s the hunter who looks just like you.”
I have a twin who wants to destroy us. Bile rises in my throat as I recall meeting the boy in the gas station that looked like me, and I recall the Ouellette warriors who were so sure I was someone named Caitlyn.
Mom sips her tea and says, “I need to give Henri time to figure out what he wants to do.”
My heart aches for my mother and Henri. “I guess this means you’re going home.”
“I have to,” Mom says, “It’s the end of the school year and my vacation days have been used up.”
“I think you should come back for the summer.”
“We’ll see,” says Mom. I’m not sure how divorce works in the Ouellette clan, but I can’t help fostering the hope that somehow things will work out for my mother and Henri. Then she could stay forever. But considering everything she just told me, I think a lot of wounds are going to need to heal first. And I wonder if the power of true mate love is enough.
7
Tally
When I knock on Jean Luc and Izzy’s door, Grace lets me in. She has a pencil stuck in the loose bun of her wild hair. I greet her and say, “Izzy tells me you’re in full grandmother mode helping her decorate the nursery.”
“I am. Come see what we’ve got so far.” She leads me into the living room where a loose-leaf notebook is open to a page of fabric swatches. She says, “I can’t believe how excited I am about these babies.”
“Well, seems to me you’ve got the best deal in town. You get to take them when you want and give them back when you’ve had enough.” I pause for a second before I add, “Huh. Maybe I don’t want to get married after all. I could just borrow Izzy’s kids.”
Grace says, “No way. We need a bunch of little witches and warlocks terrorizing the clan. I’m sure it’s written in the rules someplace that it has to happen.”
I smile at the kind woman. “Okay, point taken. But we’re going to have to find me a man for that to be.” I sigh as Marcel’s face flashes in my mind. I push my sadness away and ask, “Is Jean Luc around? I need to talk to him.”
“He’s on the porch grilling his famous root beer chicken.”
I glance out the glass of the French doors and chuckle. “He thinks everything he makes is famous.”
“Tell me about it. Go torture him for a bit for me.”
“Gladly.” I walk over and grab the salt grinder on the counter and wink at Grace before I head out to the deck.
A cool breeze blows off the ocean as Jean Luc greets me. “Hey, it’s my favorite witch. Come taste this.”
I have the grinder behind my back, and I walk over to him as he holds out a container of sauce. I stick my finger in it and lick the sticky liquid. The sweet tangy flavor is good, and doesn’t really need a thing, but I can’t help teasing Jean Luc. I say, “Not bad.” I present the shaker and say, “But it could use a little salt.”
He snatches it out of my hand, but his eyes dance with laughter as he says, “You never quit, do you?”
“Nope.” I gaze out over the water. It’s a deep teal-blue today like the color of Jean Luc’s eyes. I ask, “Are you going to tell me about Henri?”
“You heard already?”
“I can sense something’s wrong.” I grin at him because it was good old-fashioned talking that got me my information, and I decide to tell him the truth. “And I spoke with Xavier.”
Jean Luc explains the tricky situation, and when he’s done I blow out a big breath before I say, “And I thought my love life was complicated. Let me know what I can do.”
“I will when I figure it out,” says Jean Luc. A soft breeze blows his hair, and I notice the wrinkles on his forehead from time, and perhaps the magnitude of his position as alpha too. “If there weren’t children involved it would be easy for me to cast Julie out of the clan, but I can’t take a mother away from her kids.”
“Maybe so, but how can anyone trust her? Especially Henri.”
Jean Luc’s brow furrows. “And that’s why I’m letting him call the shots on what we do with Julie.” He sighs. “It’s not going to be an easy decision for him.”
“I bet.” We’re standing by the railing, and I pick at a splinter of wood for a moment before I say, “I need to talk to you about the portal thing.”
“What about it?”
A tiny shiver runs through me as I recall how kissing Marcel almost sucked me into another time, and would have left me stranded where nobody would know how to get me out. I say, “Marcel gave me a back rub the day after Izzy started training me last week, and I find it hard to believe that the portal existed then, because our closeness should have opened it.”
Jean Luc glances at me before he walks over to lift the grill cover, and cedar-scented smoke wafts my way. “Should I ask what kind of back rub this was?”
I roll my eyes. “It was innocent. Jace was right there watching the whole thing. You know, like a good little bodyguard.” I’m a touch sarcastic because being guarded so hunters can’t get to me is growing old. “My point is, this is recent. I think Tokala had a hand in it.” Tokala is the medicine man for the Veilleux clan in Maine. The Veilleux used to be known as evil until their alpha, Victor Veilleux, died and his half-human daughter took over. She’s turning things around, but there are definitely members of the old regime that haven’t stepped in line.
“What do you want to do about that?”
“I need to go talk to Kimi and Bella in Maine.” The two women are also clan wit
ches for the Northeast Kingdom, which is comprised of four clans. It’s my hope we can figure out a way to reverse the spell on Marcel, or at the very least come up with a plan of rescue if I should get trapped in a time warp. I say, “While I can avoid Marcel, once whomever created the spell finds out it didn’t work, they could easily activate it for other people close to me.”
“Like Izzy.”
“Exactly. I know you’re going to want me to have an entourage for the trip, so I came to tell you I’d like to go as soon as possible and figure out who I’m taking with me.”
Flames leap up and sizzle as he pours sauce on his chicken and asks, “Who would you like to take?”
“Good question.” Izzy would be my first choice, because I’d love a road trip with my bestie, but neither Jean Luc nor I want her to be away from the safety of the clan knowing hunters have her on their hit list. I ask, “Would Xavier be enough?”
He frowns. “No. Take Jace too.”
I groan, and he squints his eyes at me. I hold up my hands. “The guy is such a stick in the mud. Seriously, he needs to get laid or something.”
“He goes.”
“Fine.” I let out a dramatic sigh. I try to imagine Jace hanging out with my witch crew, and I smile to myself. The Robichaux witch, Bella won’t be able to resist teasing Jace with her magic.
I chuckle and Jean Luc squints at me as he asks, “What are you plotting?”
“It’s nothing, I was just thinking about road tripping with two sexy warriors.”
“Tally. No tricks. Jace and Xavier are for your protection.”
“I know. I’ll be good.” But Bella won’t be. I change the subject. “So when were you going to tell me about the half intern and Val?”
“Seems to me I don’t have to tell you anything. You already know it all.” A piece of chicken thuds on a platter as he begins to remove the meat from the grill.
“Well,” I say, “I don’t know if you plan to let them bond since they’re true mates.”
“I will. Now that we know a half can be changed, there’s no reason not to.” The grill cover clunks when he closes it, and he turns off the gas before grabbing the food to go inside.
I open the door and hold it for him as I ask, “You know the process is painful and requires the half be restrained, right?”
“Are you asking me if I’d like you to oversee the change?”
Izzy is in the kitchen, and her eyes widen in question as I say, “I’m telling you I think you should.” I glance at Izzy. “And the prima should probably be there too. The girl is going to be terrified.”
“What are we talking about?” asks Izzy.
“Changing Kelsey to a werebear when she’s ready.” I say.
“Ah,” says Izzy. “Yes. I think me being there is a good idea.” She takes the chicken platter from Jean Luc.
I decide to ask about the process when I get to Maine. Kimi’s clan has experience with changing halves, and the more I know the better. Jean Luc says to us, “When Val comes to me with the request, I’ll let you two take over.”
Silverware rattles as Grace sets the table, and I notice she put enough plates down for me too. Izzy says, “Looks like I need to make a phone call to Annie.”
Annie is Izzy’s sister-in-law, and the prima of Izzy’s old clan, the De Roziers. She also has experience with what halves go through when they change, and will be a valuable resource. I say, “I’ll find out what I can when I go to Maine too.” I smile at Jean Luc. “Don’t you worry about a thing. The women in your life have it covered. Now where’s that famous chicken, because I’m starved.”
He chuckles and says, “I have no idea why I even try.” But he knows I’m joking, because the truth is Jean Luc keeps the members of this clan safe, and I know if I’m ever in danger, he’ll be the first one jumping in to save me.
8
Izzy
For the most part, werebear don’t use doctors, but we do have them for major incidents, like delivering babies. I have my first appointment with my obstetrician today. When the nurse put me on the scale I discovered I’ve lost weight, which can’t be good considering I’m pregnant with triplets. Paper crinkles under my bottom as I fidget while sitting on the examining table. I glance up as the doctor knocks quickly and enters.
Tiny lines form around her eyes as she smiles at me. “Hello, Prima. I’m Dr. Lewis.”
I’ve never gotten used to strangers referring to my clan status so I say, “You can call me Izzy.”
She sits on a stool, and wheels rumble over the floor as she rolls toward me. She has a chart in her hand, and the paper rustles as she lifts a page. “Looking good,” she says. “Hmm. There’s a note here that you’ve lost weight.” She glances up at me. “What do you usually weigh?”
I tell her, and she frowns. “I see. For a woman of your height and this far along, you should be heavier. Have you been experiencing morning sickness?”
My palms get clammy as I begin to worry there’s something wrong with the babies. I say, “No. I had a little in the beginning, but I have a good appetite now.”
Dr. Lewis must sense my unease because she pats my thigh and says, “No need to worry. This isn’t uncommon. Most women like it when I tell them to add more fat and protein into their diet.”
I smile in relief. “I do like to eat.”
A pen scratches as she writes on a notepad. “I’m going to have the nurse print off a sheet of foods for you to load up on. Triplets need a lot of calories, so add two snacks to your usual three meals a day.” She hands me the note. “And you should probably make the alpha get you ice cream every night.” She winks. “He’s got a vested interest in what you’re carrying around.”
I grin at her kindness. “I’ll tell him it’s doctor’s orders.”
She chuckles. “You do that.” She stands and adds, “It was nice meeting you Izzy, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call.”
“Thank you, Dr. Lewis.”
On my way home, I stop at the grocery store to pick up a few things on the doctor’s list, and the bags thud on the counter when I bring them into the kitchen. An avocado is rough in my hand as I squeeze to check if it’s ripe, and Jean Luc’s voice sounds in my head. “I’m coming home for lunch. Is my wife free?”
“Always for you. I’ll even cook.”
“Lucky me,” says Jean Luc. His happiness glows in my head. “Be right there.”
I pull out the panini maker for grilled sandwiches. Grace is at her library board luncheon, and I wonder if Jean Luc is coming home for more than food. The pantry door snicks open, and cans clunk on the shelf as I put them away. I notice the protein powder I brought home from the gym. Marcel is sponsored by the company, and he gave the trainers at Jake’s gym a case of the stuff since they sent him more than he could ever use. I put it in Tally’s breakfast shakes to help her build muscle mass, but I know it’s also loaded in calories. I pull it down to set on the counter so I’ll remember to make myself a smoothie for my afternoon snack.
My husband arrives home just as I’m building the sandwiches. He comes behind me to wrap his arms around my waist and place his hands on my belly. “How did the appointment go?”
“I’m underweight and need to eat more, but everything else is good.”
Jean Luc nuzzles my neck and sighs. “I talked to Henri this morning.”
“Oh?” So that’s why he came home. The clamshell griller squeaks as I close it on the sandwiches, and I turn to him. “How did things go with Julie?”
“He confronted her earlier today about lying to Rachel and stealing Caitlyn from her mother. Julie is under the impression that since Henri was Caitlyn’s biological father, she didn’t do anything wrong.”
I huff. “Right. That woman is a piece of work.”
“Yeah.” Jean Luc’s eyes flash with his bear. “Anyway, Henri told her he’s divorcing her.”
“Wow. Good for him.”
“It gets better,” he says. “He told her she could live in
the guest house until she decides where to move to, and that he’s taking custody of the kids.”
“She must have been spitting mad.”
Jean Luc shrugs as a small grin forms on his face. “She shifted and ran off she was so angry.”
“Nice.” I don’t hide my pleasure, but it fades when I think about my husband’s best friend. “How’s Henri doing?”
“I think he’s still in shock.” Jean Luc walks over to the fridge to open it up. “I had to tell him we’re looking for Caitlyn as a suspected hunter and we’ll be bringing her in for questioning.”
“What did he say?”
A can of seltzer pops as Jean Luc opens it and says, “He understood and asked if he could see her when we do.”
I think about what would make a girl raised by werebear want to become a hunter. “Don’t you wonder what made Caitlyn hate us so much?”
“I do. And the fact she ran away at the age when her friends were starting to shift makes me curious if she thought something was wrong with her when she couldn’t.”
“I suppose, and Julie couldn’t tell her she was a half without admitting the girl wasn’t hers. But some kids have a harder time than others, wouldn’t Henri have known she was struggling?”
“She may have discussed it with her mother instead.” He sighs. “It’s just a theory. We won’t really know what happened until we talk to her.”
I imagine what it would be like to learn you’re not the species you grew up with, and wonder when she figured it out. A tiny shudder runs through me as I contemplate what Julie might have told Caitlyn if she expressed her concerns. I’m well-versed in evil mothers, considering mine took the cake when it came to inappropriate advice.
Jean Luc says, “I’ve talked to the council and we’ll meet tonight to determine how to punish Julie. While we’ll do DNA testing to be positive, I think there’s enough evidence to prove Caitlyn was Rachel’s daughter.”
As prima I sit on the council with Jean Luc, Grace, Henri, René and a few others. Although tonight Henri won’t be there since he’s involved in the issue we’ll discuss. I say, “Rachel is going to stay for a few more days. Is it bad that I want her and Henri to get back together right away?”