by V. Vaughn
Jean Luc shakes his head as he walks over and embraces me. “No. I remember what they were like together. Everyone thought it was crazy for a human and a werebear to be so in love.”
“And now we know why.” Melted cheese sizzles behind me, and I break away from Jean Luc to attend to our lunch. As I place the food on plates, I think about Tally and Marcel. Their attraction to each other seems more intense than usual too, almost as if they were true mates. I wonder...
My knife taps on the plate as I cut a sandwich, and when I hand it to Jean Luc I say, “You know, it wasn’t that long ago we were sure humans couldn’t become werebear.” Jean Luc raises his eyebrows at me as I join him at the table. “Who’s to say witches can’t become one too?” I sit and grin because I know my next words will tease my husband, “Or turn a werebear into a witch.”
I lift my sandwich and take a bite as Jean Luc tilts his head at me. He smiles back. “If you think I’d give up my best warrior to the witches you’ve lost your mind.”
I smirk at him and say, “I’d love to see Tally get the man she wants. You of all people know true mate love can conquer all.”
Jean Luc lets out a small huff. I smile to myself, because stranger things have happened.
9
Nadia
Abby says, “I can’t believe you and René. You know I’m totally happy for you, but I have to admit I’m a little jealous.” She’s sitting on my coffee table cross-legged with a bottle of wine next to her as she drinks out of a glass. My two bags of things are packed and set by the door as I wait for René to come get me. It only took me a few hours at the gym this morning before I realized moving in with René the day after we met wasn’t crazy at all. This is how the true mate thing works, and when your mind and heart know it’s right, there’s nothing that matters more.
Cans rattle as I clear food out of my cabinets to put in a cardboard box for my friend. “I get it,” I say. “I’ve seen enough true mate attraction to understand the cross between wanting to gag over the way they stare at each other to wishing it were me.”
I think back to when I first moved to Maine and had to watch my ex-husband fall over himself every time his true mate was around. Of course I took my jealousy a bit too far and attacked the poor girl. Trying to encourage Abby, I say, “I know you’ve heard this a million times, but it does just come along and surprise you. You never know when your true mate will show up.”
“Well I sure hope I don’t have to wait as long as René did. He’s kind of old you know.”
I chuckle. “Don’t worry, everything still works.”
She waggles her eyebrows at me as she asks, “Yeah?”
My insides twinge at the recollection of how physical we are. “He’s got the sex drive of a nineteen-year old.”
“Damn.” Abby slurps more wine. “I might have to start trolling the senior center.”
You should probably stop getting drunk every night. “You could come train at the gym with me. I bet there are a lot of guys there you’ve never met.”
She waves her hand at me as she splashes more pinot grigio into her glass. “Naw. You can do the fighting thing, I’m fine wining and dining clients who want to purchase big boats.”
I recall she had a client who was interested in purchasing multiple custom boats, and I ask, “How did the rich prospect go? Did you hook the big fish?”
“Not yet.” She holds up her fingers in a pinching motion. “But he’s this close.” I sink down on the couch across from her with my drink and notice the bottle is already empty. Abby says, “Can you imagine having so much money that you’d build a custom boat for each of your three sons?”
When I think about some of the people I met when I was a model I can. But I shake my head. “It does seem crazy. But hey, if you’ve got the money to spend, businesses like Ouellette Yachts are probably thrilled to earn it.”
“No joke. The commission I’ll get is going to be sweet.” She glances around my apartment, which is similar to hers, and says, “Maybe I’ll buy a house. Waiting around for my true mate to come take me away from this is getting old.”
“You should.” I think about how much I’ve gone through in the last few years. If I’d been waiting around for a true mate I’d be dead. I say, “I’ve learned that you have to live the life you have right now.” I take a sip of my wine and let the slightly tart flavor sit on my tongue.
“I suppose you’re right. Was near extinction as horrible as I imagine?” asks Abby.
I nod as I recall huddling with Sven in a cave wondering where our next meal would come from. That time of my life seems so long ago right now, and its not something I want to talk about so I say, “It sucked.” I stand up. “René will be here any minute, and I should wash our glasses for the next person to get this apartment.”
Abby stands and says, “I guess this means goodbye. I’m going to miss having you around to talk to.”
“I’m not going far, and you’re welcome to visit any time.” I embrace her quickly before she grabs the box from my counter. “We’ll have to do a girl’s night.”
After Abby leaves, I glance around and think about how it was only last week when Sven and I joked about me finding my true mate in Canada. I smile to myself as I think about René. I’ll have to let Sven know I did, because I think he’ll be happy for me. While my ex-husband broke my heart, he’s still one of the kindest men I know.
Water rushes as I clean out the wine glasses, and as I’m putting them away René’s knock raps lightly. My heart flips with a joy I never imagined I’d feel as I make my way to the door. He lifts me up in a tight hug, and I kiss him before he sets me down again. He says, “I feel like I’m seventeen with my first love. Besides not being able to stop watching you at the gym today, I think I watched the clock instead of getting anything done tonight once you’d left.”
René lifts my bags and leads the way out of my apartment. I say, “I know what you mean. I can’t stop thinking about you either.” As I turn the key, the lock clicks, and I pat the door once lightly before turning to leave. I’m on to bigger and better things now.
When we get in René’s truck, my stomach growls. One glass of wine and a handful of crackers wasn’t enough to tide me over until dinner. He chuckles and asks, “Are you always hungry?”
“Sometimes it feels that way.”
He glances over at me as he places his hand on mine. “I’m sorry, that was insensitive considering the history of your clan.”
“It’s fine. I know you’re teasing. But it’s true that I’m hungry all the time. Working out hard again and needing to gain weight means I can’t seem to get enough calories.”
“I’ve got something that can help. Marcel gave me a can of protein powder designed for muscle mass last week, and I think you should try it.”
I recall Isabelle suggesting the same thing to me. She has Tally using it too. I ask, “Is this the magic elixir that Isabelle was telling me about?”
“That’s the stuff.” He squeezes my fingers as his voice lowers. “I have a feeling you’re going to need some tonight.”
The cotton of his sweatpants is rough under my hand as I slide it up his thigh and dangerously close to his crotch. “You’re pretty insatiable for an old guy.”
He lets out a low growl as he shifts in his seat. “I was wondering when that would come up. Does it bother you?”
I unhook my seatbelt to slide up next to him and nibble at his neck. Salty sweat from his workout teases my tongue, and I whisper. “With age comes wisdom, and baby, I like what you know.”
René turns the truck onto his dirt road too sharply, and it fishtails a little before he straightens out. He says, “Hold that thought, we’re almost home.” My stomach growls again, and he says, “I think we should feed you first.”
“That’s probably a good idea if you want me to be able to keep up with you.”
“One calorie-laden pasta dinner coming up.”
René drops my bags in the bedroom before he pu
ts me to work cleaning the shrimp he got at the fish market. Paper-thin shells are slippery in my fingers as I peel them off, and I smile as he turns on music to play softly. He asks, “Would you like a glass of wine while we cook?”
“Yes, please.”
The aroma of garlic fills the room as it sizzles in a pan of butter. A glass clinks on the counter next to me, and I take a break from the shrimp to take a sip. I watch René add ingredients for a cream sauce. I’m so in love with the man that even the way his fingers look as his hands move is sexy to me. I say, “I feel like the luckiest girl in the world right now.”
He glances at me, and I notice how his deep blue eyes sparkle. “No luckier than I am.” René asks, “How do you feel about big families?”
“Are you trying to ask how many children I want?”
“That’s a good question too, but I was referring to the fact I have two brothers, three sisters, countless cousins, and parents that can’t wait to meet you.”
“Already?”
He chuckles. “You’re going to find out that nothing is secret for long with the Pelletiers.”
“Ah, then I think the right answer is I love them.” I recall being a small child with a house full of people. But all of my family is gone now, and I miss them. I add, “As for children. How about as many as we can handle?”
“I like how you think.” René comes to me and says, “Taste.”
He holds out a spoon, and I savor the creamy cheese-flavored sauce he feeds me. “Oh, my god. Heaven.”
“Yeah?” He leans in and kisses me. When he pulls away he licks his lips and winks at me. “Now it is.”
I sigh at his sappy line. “I love you so much, René.”
He smiles back, “I love you too, Nadia.”
My heart is full of joy, and now I know what it’s like to believe in something forever. Tears fill my eyes as my emotions overwhelm me. I’m finally loved.
10
Kelsey
My mother was still asleep when I left for work this morning. I have a feeling she tossed and turned most of the night, like she has every night since she told Henri about me. I was as quiet as possible getting ready for work so she could rest. Today I meet my father, and I’m not sure how I’m going to get through my morning as I worry if it will go well.
I’m working in sales this week with Abby, a girl who lives in my apartment building. She’s been civil enough to me when I see her, but the offer for dinner she made when we first met hasn’t been brought up again. I heard she’s got a chip on her shoulder about humans dating werebear, and I think it’s true, even if I am a half. And she definitely knows I am. She also knows Val and I are true mates, because it would be impossible not as quickly as news travels in this clan.
My low heels click as I walk down the hall to the sales office. I hadn’t planned on wearing nice clothes for my job, since I thought I would be working exclusively in the construction phase. So when I found out I’d need them, Mom and I went shopping. The doorknob is cool in my hand as I pause to take a deep breath before entering. When Abby glances up from her desk, I pour on the charm with the hope I can make her like me. “Good morning, Abby. I love your blouse, the color makes your eyes look so pretty.”
“Thank you,” she says, and I think her icy exterior melts a bit. “We’ve got an important client coming in this morning.” She licks her lips before she says, “Cross your fingers, because this is our fourth meeting, and he’s so close to signing a three-boat deal.”
“Wow. Three?”
She nods. “He’s giving them to his sons.”
I raise my eyebrows at the idea of being that rich, but I don’t say anything because I’m trying to stay professional.
Abby says, “Yeah. So here’s the thing, the sons are coming with their father today, and I’m really nervous.”
“How can I help?”
“Be your usual friendly self and anticipate their every need. While I go over the specifics I’d like you to watch them as if you’re their personal servant. If they need a pen, give them one. Keep their coffee or water filled. Hell, rub their feet if you think they’d like it.” She laughs dryly. “God I hope I don’t screw this up.”
“You won’t. He wouldn’t be bringing his sons if he weren’t serious.”
“That’s what I think too.” She lets out a small sigh. “Sorry about this. I’m supposed to be teaching you, and here I am making you give me a pep talk.”
“Hey, you are teaching me something. I’m excited to watch you close a big deal and see how sales happen.”
Now a genuine smile turns up her mouth, and I think I’m growing on her. Abby says, “Okay then. Let’s do this.” She stands up and leads me to the showroom where we’ll meet the men.
Our meeting goes well. One of the sons is completely taken with Abby, and fortunately the father found it amusing when she blushed repeatedly at his son’s desire to keep touching her and attend to her every need. They left with a handshake promise that the project is a deal.
I’m meeting my father at the reception desk for lunch, and I leave Abby to make my way down the hall. While most of my childhood I never cared that I didn’t have a father, it would be a lie to say I haven’t thought about meeting him. My stomach flips with nerves as I approach, and I notice the man I think is Henri. His hair is a chestnut shade of red like mine, and when he turns to smile at me I discover he has eyes the same unusual teal blue I have too. He says, “Hi, Kelsey, I’m Henri.”
I shake the hand he holds out, “Hi.” I know his warmth is because he’s a werebear, but it spreads though me as if he’s open to a relationship with his daughter, and my nervousness fades.
A brown paper bag rustles as he lifts it up. “I thought we could sit near the dock to eat. I brought lobster rolls.”
“That sounds great.” Henri leads me out the door into the sunshine. I say, “It turned out to be a nice day.” The temperature is warmer than I expected, so I don’t bother to zip up my coat.
Henri asks, “How do you like working here?”
“I love it. Jean Luc is a great boss.”
“That he is. I work in design.”
“You work here?” I recall the day I toured the facility and am sure I didn’t meet Henri.
“I have an office at home,” he says. The ocean spreads out before us as we make our way down the path to the dock. Boats bounce in the waves as white clouds move across the sky. He says, “I guess boat building must be in your genes.”
“It must be.” I glance at him to say, “I’m awfully glad you aren’t in waste management.”
Henri burst out laughing. “If I were, we’d be the best darn garbage collectors this side of the border. Jean Luc says you’ve found your calling.”
“Really?” Heat rushes to my face at the compliment. We’ve reached the dock and make our way over to the picnic tables set out for people to use during nice weather. A few other employees are already here and Henri nods at some of them in a greeting before we sit.
Henri says, “I hear you found your true mate. Val Pierce is it?” Two bottles of lemonade thud on the table as he removes them from the bag.
The metal top pops as I remove it from my drink, and I smile as I think about my boyfriend. “Yes. I don’t know if Mom told you, but I only just found out I’m a half.” I pause. “Actually, no. I’m three-quarters.” I grin at the realization. “How cool is that?” A thought occurs to me. “Hey, do you think I might be able to shift with that much werebear in me?”
Henri grins at me as he hands me my sandwich. “I don’t know. You can certainly try.”
His face falls, and it hits me he’s probably thinking about my sister. “I’m sorry. I’m probably reminding you of Caitlyn, and I bet you miss her. Do we look a lot alike?” I ask.
He nods, “You do. But don’t be sorry. Today is about me wanting to get to know my daughter Kelsey.” Paper tears as he unwraps his lobster roll, and he asks, “What is your favorite part of the boatbuilding process?”
> “Oh gosh, I love so many stages, but----” I pause as if I’m not going to reveal the truth but of course I do. “I’m not trying to be a suck up, but designing the boats fascinates me.” I shrug as I glance at the sailboats moored in the distance. “There’s something beautiful about the lines and the way they can make a boat say elegant, or functional. Do you know what I mean?”
“I understand completely,” He says. I bite into my sandwich and savor the flavor of the sweet lobster meat as Henri smiles. “I believe you’re scheduled to work with me next week. Make sure you bring me your designs that first day.”
I think about my sketchbook I have tucked away. I never expected to share them, because I’m years away from being in a position to design. I say, “I don’t know about that. I mean, I hardly know enough to be good at --”
“Stop. We all start somewhere, and I’d really like to see them.”
“Okay.” I take another bite of my lunch, and after I swallow I ask, “These are so good, where did you get them?”
“Chez Henri.”
I frown. “You own a restaurant?”
He grins at me. “No. But I have a few traps, and made these from the lobsters I catch.”
“Nice. Lobsterman by day and boat designer by night?”
He chuckles. “Something like that. I go out early in the mornings because I like to be on the water. Checking the traps gives me an excuse.”
I say, “I bet it’s peaceful. I’d enjoy that too.”
He sips his drink and asks, “Would you like to come with me sometime?”
“I’d love it.”
We make plans for me to join him on my next day off, and our conversation turns to the merits of different boat designs. When it’s time for me to return to work Henri walks me back, and my insecurities about meeting my father are long gone. I can’t contain my happiness and I walk down the hall to the sales office with a bounce in my step.