“I don’t know.” He touched her cheek, and she leaned her face to the side into his fingers, breathing heavily. “Shit. Your pheromones…” He released her and stepped back. “I’ll shower,” he said without removing his gaze from hers. “You should shift. See if you can reach your sister.”
She nodded. “Not sure why anyone would be shifted at this time of day in order to get their attention, but I’ll try.”
“True. But you never know. And it’s the only way we’ll be able to reach anyone tonight. Eventually they’ll realize we’re missing and shift intentionally to try to make contact.” He stepped around her, careful not to touch her again.
She almost grinned at his intent. “Too bad we can’t at least reach close family members without shifting.”
“Yeah. But that won’t be for long.” He grinned.
He was right. As soon as they mated, the two of them and whoever else was destined to mate with them would be able to communicate telepathically even in human form. It was the way of mates. It didn’t extend to parents or siblings. Those close family members were created by some higher being to communicate by mind only when both parties were shifted. It made perfect sense—usually. But today it was a pain in the ass.
Zach stepped into the bathroom and shut the door.
With a deep breath, Laurie released her towel and draped it over the back of a chair. She arranged her clothes to dry over the chairs also. And then she closed her eyes and let the change wash through her. Seconds later she stood on all fours in wolf form, immediately feeling livelier than she had in her exhausted human state.
Being a shifter had its perks. Any injury would heal at a far quicker pace in wolf form. And even exhaustion and muscle pains from skiing all morning would ease after a few hours in her lupine form.
Laurie padded across the floor and lay on a small rug next to the bed. She was surprised to instantly have the attention of her sister Melinda.
“Laurie? You okay?”
“Hey. I just shifted to attempt to reach you. Surprised to find you in wolf form though.”
“I had a feeling…”
Laurie chuckled into Melinda’s head. “How shocking. What sort of feeling?”
“More like an intuition that you needed me.”
“And right you are, though nothing dire.”
“What’s going on?”
“A crazy storm came out of nowhere in the mountains. It’s snowing very hard and accumulating fast. I managed to go flailing off the path into the woods and lost my skis. Zach and I are holed up in a cabin on the mountain.”
“Jeez. I’m sorry. But at least you’re safe.”
“Yes. Can you have Trace call his parents and tell him where we are?”
“I can do one better. Trace is home this afternoon. I’ll have him shift and talk to Zach.”
“That’d be great. Give Zach a few minutes to finish in the shower, and then I’ll have him shift.”
There was a pause in their communication, and then Melinda added, “He’s your mate, isn’t he?”
Laurie wasn’t surprised. Melinda was intuitive. And even from a distance she would pick up on this development. Not to mention how extremely not surprising this situation was. “Yeah.”
Melinda giggled into her head. “And the other man?”
“No idea yet.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah. That’s my thought. It’s gonna be a long night.”
“Well, it is unusual, but there’s no rule that says you can’t enjoy yourselves while you wait. On the flip side, there’s no evidence to suggest what domino effect that might cause.”
“Yeah, like shutting out the other person by consummating the mating without him. I’ve thought of that. What do you think?”
“I think Fate will create the perfect storm for whatever She intends. If you aren’t meant to have sex until your third is located, then you won’t be able to. Life will get in the way and thwart all attempts.”
“Don’t tell Cooper and Sawyer yet. If you do, they’ll run from Rebecca’s house and never come back to town. They intended to stay through the end of the week.” Laurie knew her brothers—Melinda and Miles’s other half siblings—had no desire to mate yet. If they caught wind of this third claiming that involved yet another member of the Masters family and the Bartel-Hamilton family, they would bolt.
Melinda laughed again. “I’m sure you’re right. I’ll enjoy them for a few more days before I let them go. What about you? You knew this would happen on some level, didn’t you? Had you already planned to stay?”
“Yeah. I sensed it.”
“Is that why you went to the resort today? Because you wanted to test your theory with Zach?”
“Sort of. I did want to learn to ski too.” Laurie hesitated and then addressed another pressing issue with her sister. “Melinda, I didn’t careen off the slope for no reason. I saw something.”
“What was it?”
“Like a black cloud or something, but low to the ground right in front of me. It seemed to block my passage. As if someone had started a fire just inside the tree line and was burning something horrific.”
Melinda waited for her to finish. “You may have more powers than you thought.”
“How so?”
“The black smoky substance that coalesces into a form is part of our culture. It’s believed to be a Native American spirit guide of sorts. And it’s been spotted with increasing frequency in the area. Or perhaps there’s more than one. We can’t be sure.
“For many years the aura was only seen on rare occasions high in the mountains, and only by members of our tribe. Many have come to Mimi after such sightings. But last year the spirits seem to have gotten agitated. It was such a spirit that led me to counsel Miles and Griffen’s mate, Rebecca, not to compete in her upcoming Spartan race in Cambridge. That was the day of the earthquake a year and a half ago. It’s possible Rebecca’s life was saved by not competing.
“In addition, the same strange spirits made their presence known this past summer when my mate Keegan was overseeing the inspection of the casino site near Sojourn. Again I felt pressured to warn my mates of upcoming doom regarding that site.
“It’s impossible to say what the spirits are trying to communicate with us, but make no mistake, they are doing so. Did you say you were high on the mountain when you saw the aura?”
“Yes. Not at the top, mind you, but halfway.”
“They’re coming down. I saw one at a similar elevation last summer. And I’ve also seen them lower, including inside the house.”
“Jeez. What do you think it all means?”
“No idea. But I think the land is disturbed. I’m worried about the future implications of that earthquake. Why did the spirits fight so hard to keep that casino from being built? They won. The design was trashed. It’s been six months. Apparently they’re back.”
Laurie shivered, drawing her paws in close and setting her head on her front paws. “Why would one of them make themselves known to me?”
“We may never know. But we need to be cognizant of our surroundings. Mimi has never stopped sensing unrest. Neither have I. The entire area seems to be in a perpetual state of agitation. Perhaps it’s weather related. A warning? I just don’t know.”
“I have skills with weather.” Laurie closed her eyes and pictured herself tilting her face to the sky earlier when she suddenly knew it was about to storm. Hard.
“You mean you can sense a change in weather?”
“Yes. Frequently. Can you?”
“Sometimes. But maybe not to your degree. You knew this storm was coming?”
“I did. But fat lot of good that did since I got like two seconds’ warning. It’s not as though I could have told people not to ascend the mountain on the lift. How is that helpful?”
“Never know. But I’m thinking your powers are swirling just beneath the surface, waiting for a chance to be unleashed now that you’re here. I bet your mating will double the process. Perha
ps Fate lined you up intentionally to mate with two men in this area. Keep you from leaving.”
“Why would I be destined to mate with a white man from Cambridge?”
“Perhaps your other mate is Native American…”
Laurie pondered that idea. The perfect storm, so to speak. She herself was half white—on her father’s side—and half Native American—her mother’s side.
“Stay alert. We’ll talk more tomorrow when you get back down the mountain.”
The bathroom door opened, and a very naked Zach walked out.
Laurie rolled onto her side and stared up at him, unable to keep her tongue from wagging. She started to pant. Even in her lupine form, she could appreciate the man’s physique. He was amazing. So fucking sexy. His cock stood at attention, and he did nothing to conceal it.
With a sly grin, Zach dropped onto all fours and shifted. As soon as he was done, he crept toward her and nuzzled her neck. “Lord, you’re amazing. Even in wolf form, you take my breath away.”
She couldn’t respond. Her mind was stuck on the vision of him standing above her completely naked. Tease.
Melinda interrupted her thoughts. “Having Trace shift now. Think about what I’ve communicated.”
“I will.”
“’K. Later.”
Zach lowered himself beside her and set a paw on her jaw. He stared into her eyes while he spoke to his brother, communicating much the same things she had.
All that mattered was for someone to call his mother, Carlie, or his father, and let them know the two of them were safe. She didn’t even know his father’s name yet.
After a brief conversation, Zach returned his attention to her, nuzzled her neck, and then lay down next to her, staring into her eyes. “We should stay shifted a while,” he communicated. “You’re safer with your fur on. I might be able to keep my paws to myself, but it’s doubtful I could do the same with my hands. Are you warm enough?”
“Yes.” She was calmer and relaxed in her wolf form. She wasn’t the least bit opposed to his idea. He was right. And after the visual of his cock before he shifted…
After several minutes, Zach picked up his head and then hauled himself immediately to sitting. His gaze zoned past her, unseeing.
She went on alert, her ears perking up. He had to be communicating with someone, but whoever it was blocked her out of the chat. As did Zach.
Finally, he glanced down at her, and she would swear he rolled his eyes even in wolf form. It was cute. If wolves could smile, she did so.
“We’re going to have company.”
“Really? Who? Should we shift?”
“Yeah. We should put some clothes on for this.” He hung his head and plodded to the small bathroom, nosing the door shut when he entered.
She took that as a sign she should shift and put her clothes on while he undoubtedly did the same in the bathroom. Without hesitating, she resumed her human form, grabbed her clothes from the chair, and reluctantly stuffed herself back into them.
The tight-fitting pants and turtleneck she’d borrowed from Melinda were damp, but not too wet. She didn’t bother with her bra and panties. Nevertheless, she would have rather stayed in wolf form.
Zach emerged from the bathroom in similar attire, except he hadn’t bothered to put a shirt on.
She licked her lips, unable to blink at the sight of his bare chest again. “You want to tell me who’s coming and how they’re getting here?”
“Corbin Archers. He’s Native American and a deputy on the reservation in Sojourn. He’s been moonlighting for us on the slopes. He was above the upper lodge when the snow started, so he skied to the lodge and has been helping ensure everyone gets safely down the mountain.” Zach lowered himself onto the love seat and reached out a hand to her.
She ambled his way and took a seat next to him, their bodies aligning and touching all down the one side. Immediately, she inhaled a sharp breath. It was taxing being in the same small space with him. Touching him was downright cruel. Every cell in her body jumped to attention. “Go on. You sound a little pissed.”
Zach set his elbows on his knees and lowered his face to the ground. “Not pissed. Just surprised.”
“About what?”
“My mom called Corbin, who volunteered to bring you a spare pair of skis and a few provisions.”
“Sounds…like…a…nice…guy.” What was she missing? “Oh.” Her spine went straight. Fate had her ways…
“Yeah. Oh.”
She reached out and threaded her fingers in his thick brown hair, something she’d wanted to do from the second she met him that morning. “Please tell me you like Corbin.” What a coincidence. A Native American man just happens to be bringing us some supplies. Why am I not shocked?
He tilted his face her way and smiled slowly. “Corbin’s a great guy. You’ll love him.”
“You, Zach. Do you like him?”
“I do.” He sat straighter, dislodging her grip on his hair. He wrapped both of his hands around hers and set his forehead against hers. “I’m just surprised. All this wondering. Waiting. I was picturing a stranger for some reason.”
“We can’t know for sure…” Though she had to admit, it was kind of destined. What were the chances Corbin wasn’t their third? Slim to none. “If this is our path, we’ll handle it.”
“We will.”
“At least it isn’t that Brock guy you don’t care for.” She grinned.
“True. I’m grateful for that. What are you? Glass-half-full girl?” He smiled back.
“Maybe…” A knock sounded at the door. Laurie jerked. “That was fast.”
Zach pulled himself to standing and took three strides to reach the door. The snow was coming down so hard outside, it was a wonder the snow-covered man on the tiny porch had been able to find them.
She stood and stepped closer, wiping her palms on her thighs. He was completely covered in gear. The only thing she could ascertain at first was his height. Tall. Almost as tall as Zach, and Zach seemed to be about six feet.
Corbin had already stabbed two pairs of skis into the ground next to Zach’s—his and the spare pair he brought her. He also wore a large backpack. Amazing how he’d managed all that without losing his balance in the storm. But she imagined anyone who lived and skied in the area all their life would have far more skills than she could ever hope for.
“Come in, Archers.” Zach stepped back.
Corbin shook an immense amount of snow off his body before stepping gingerly into the cabin.
She knew he was trying not to soak the place.
He tugged off his gloves, dropped them inside the door, and then pushed the door shut. His goggles came next, and then his face mask. When he lifted his head, he took a visible deep breath, opened his mouth to speak, and then stopped dead.
His eyes widened. He shut his lips, seeming to hold his breath. Slowly his eyes closed and his shoulders slumped. “Shit.”
“Yeah.” Zach reached for the straps of the backpack Corbin wore and slid it off his back.
Laurie’s chest pounded. She rubbed her hands together and glanced back and forth between the men. “Okay, now, this is getting a little disconcerting. I don’t feel all warm and fuzzy.”
Clearly, and not surprisingly, this man was her other mate. It would help if he behaved a little less than displeased.
Zach set the backpack on the floor, reached out a hand, and tugged her into his side. He kissed her forehead. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”
Corbin lifted his face. His lips were pursed. He blinked. “Fuck me.” For long moments, he stared at her.
She returned the gesture, taking in his nearly black hair, brown eyes that were the lightest shade she’d ever seen, and his perfectly chiseled, square face. He was clean shaven and equally as sexy as Zach in his own way.
And she was an ogre apparently. She held her breath, waiting for him to speak again.
“Corbin, this is Laurie.” Zach squeezed her around the shoulders. “Lau
rie Hamilton. She’s…”
“Melinda’s sister. I know.” He turned toward the door, breaking eye contact, and set his forehead against the wood a bit harder than necessary. “Did you know?”
“About you? No. But we suspected when Trace said you were bringing us supplies.”
Corbin turned back around and leaned against the door. “Trace failed to mention this detail.”
“I’m sure he did.”
He met her gaze again. He still hadn’t spoken to her or fully acknowledged the situation directly. “I was supposed to go on a date tonight,” he said to the room at large. “Veronica. I’ve been seeing her for about a month.”
She didn’t get the feeling he was speaking to her at all, even though his gaze roamed up and down her frame. He was simply talking in order to work out this new crazy in his head.
“Sorry,” Zach mumbled. “I think you’re stuck on this mountain with us. And I think you might need to break things off with Veronica. ASAP. Is she a shifter?”
“No.”
Zach groaned. “Always difficult. Bummer.”
Corbin closed his eyes again and dipped his head to the floor. He breathed deeply.
Laurie knew it was a shock. She couldn’t blame him. At least when she got up this morning, she’d known this was a possibility. Hell, Zach had too. Corbin was blindsided. Still… If he didn’t show some sign of humanity to her soon, she would stray from reasonable to hurt. It was fast approaching.
She watched as his chest rose and fell. He unzipped his jacket and dropped it to the floor on his gloves. He leaned down and unhooked his boots slowly, as though stalling for more time.
She wished she were inside his head, watching him process the inevitable.
As he tugged off first one boot and then the other, she marveled at the size of his muscular arms. He wore only a white thermal now, and his arms bulged as if the shirt were too small. Probably they didn’t make shirts large enough to accommodate his bulk. At least not sexy ones for skiing.
Continuing the silence, he unzipped his ski pants and shrugged them off too, leaving him in similar attire to both Zach and herself. His cock bulged behind the material of his tight thermal pants.
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