by Jules Tyler
“When Brady and I were young, I used to come up here camping with my grandpa every summer. We were the best of friends, and thinking back on it now, even at a young age, I knew I loved him. But being young, you just think they’re your best friend in the whole world and leave it at that. After my grandpa passed, I went into the foster system. By the time Brady’s grandpa found out, it was too late and there was no way for them to find me because they weren’t family.”
Stella’s eyes glossed over with emotion as she recalled the events of the past, and already Jasmine could feel her heart racing, even though she was sure this wasn’t the part of the story Tyson wanted her to hear. Hold it together. We can’t be crying when we haven’t heard the whole story yet. Damn hormones.
“I ended up in Seattle. I was running a bar up there and was damn good at it. I didn’t typically date the patrons, but there was this one guy who came in dressed to the nine and was chatting me up. When he asked me out to dinner, I didn’t see any harm in it. I was a hardworking woman, and it had been a while since I let someone have a taste of this forbidden fruit. One date lead to more, and slowly, I let him into my life. But just as quickly as it started, it should have ended. Alaric started acting strange, possessive and controlling, to the point he would growl at my male bar patrons when they approached for drinks. We’d fight, he’d promise to get better, and for some reason, I stayed.
“After one particular night when he was exceptionally outrageous, I finally got the gumption to stick to my guns and leave him. He wasn’t having any of it though, and whatever control he had of the rage inside of him snapped. I watched in frozen fear as man turned to bear, and then I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in the hospital in a private suite with my lower abdomen looking like hamburger meat. He told the doctors I’d been attacked by a stray dog, and don’t ask me why they believed him. I still question if he bought them off to this day. He paid for plastic surgeries to help get rid of some of the external scarring, but nothing they did could fix the damage he did to me, inside or out.” Stella paused, gesturing to the faded silver scars on her slightly swollen belly.
Jasmine felt the color draining from her face. It was very illegal for shifters to attack a human, especially in animal form. It was punishable by death.
“They told me because of the extensive damage to my pelvic area, I would never carry children. The only thing I wanted in this world was to be a mother. I thought I would be a kick ass mom. But he stole that away from me. My entire future crumbled around me, and my heart was broken. That’s putting it lightly too. When you get the news that you’ll never have a child, and it’s the one thing you want in the world, you go through so many emotions. I didn’t handle the news well at all. The day they finally discharged me, I ran. I packed everything I could carry into my car, withdrew everything from my checking and savings account, and ran. I headed back to the last place in this world I felt safe.”
“Silver Creek,” she murmured, locking eyes with Stella.
Stella nodded. “Silver Creek. Because I changed so much, Mama Ally didn’t even bat an eye at me, and I didn’t bring it to her attention either. I sold my car in Garden Valley for cash and bought my ride up the mountain on the back of a snowmobile. I had enough to pay for an extended rental in Cabin D for the rest of the winter season. I could’ve hid up here all winter without anyone ever knowing I was here, and then Brady happened. My pipe cracked under the sink, and Brady came to patch it up. When we realized who the other was, we instantly reconnected. Like whatever remained of our childhood bond was smoldering embers, and someone fanned the flames back to life.
“I came back to my safe place, my sanctuary, and I found more than I ever hoped for. But Mama Ally had to remind me that I was stronger than my injuries. I was stronger than the damage Alaric inflicted on me. And if I wanted to truly be happy, I had to embrace the beast within, be the dragon, and take what I wanted. So I did.”
“Weren’t you afraid of him finding you again?”
Stella’s lips pressed together in a firm line as she took a deep breath. “Yes, I was. But I couldn’t let fear run my life either.”
“Did you ever get closure from what happened to you?”
“He got what was coming to him. He abducted Mama Ally and me on a shopping trip to Boise. Brady and the guys had to come to our rescue. Brady took care of the rest,” Stella said grimly.
Jasmine opted not to press further about how that ended. Having grown up with shifters, she knew how these sorts of things could turn out, and having seen how Brady was with Stella, she’d put money on how it ended.
“Did you feel better when you knew he wasn’t going to be a threat anymore?” Jasmine asked.
“At first, it was like a really bad dream. I still get flashbacks and nightmares, but then I wake up to Brady holding me to his chest and I feel everything scary about what I’m feeling fade away.”
Jasmine remembered how it felt when she woke up from her nightmare and Tyson was there to comfort her. She felt safe for the first time in a long time. There was just something about him. He comforted her without expecting anything in return.
Feeling empowered by Stella sharing her story, she decided to fill Stella in on everything she could remember about her situation. At first, Jasmine was worried Stella might send her away because if someone was truly coming after her, that meant that Silver Creek wasn’t as safe as it should be. But the more she talked, the stronger she felt in her decision to tell her everything. Stella sat quietly, looking deep in thought while Jasmine shared with her.
Once she was done, Stella mulled over the information in silence before finally speaking. “So let me get this straight. You were most likely drugged by a crazy dude who wants your cubs. You held it together in silence with nothing but a few clips of memories from that night running through your head until the photo and shit showed up on your door. And when you finally opted for help, you ran here to Jesse seeking refuge, all the while thinking you could keep this secret from him. Not to mention, you found your mate and you’re fighting the call because you’re trying to keep Tyson safe, too?”
Jasmine nodded nervously in agreement before Stella spoke again, her expression softening as she did so. “Girl, you are so strong in so many more ways than you think you are. But I’m going to say something about all of this and I want you to hear me out, alright?”
Again Jasmine nodded as Stella said, “You’re broken, Jasmine. You’re sitting in a position where someone hurt you in a way that you’ll never forget—and you think it’s your fault, even though it’s not. You’ve lost your truth. You’ve lost your strength in the place where it counts most, your heart. You think you can protect everyone by running, when in reality, you’re going to hurt yourself, and the others in your wake. I want to help you. Now, I’m not saying this shit is gonna be easy. It’s gonna be hard as fuck, but I’m willing to help you dig your heels in and find your strength again. Because that’s what you need and what these babies you’re carrying deserve.
“If I can come out the other side of the shit show I was in, so can you. So now you have to ask yourself, are you willing to risk it all and fight? Or are you gonna give up and lose everything?”
Jasmine felt like Stella had beaten every word into her. Her heart was racing in her ears, and the babies had gone completely still, as though they were agreeing with everything Stella was saying.
“You won’t be safe here if I stay.” Jasmine choked around the emotion in her voice.
“Darlin’, look around you. We have a panther, two bears, a wolf, an owl, and Mama Ally. You’re the safest you can be here in these mountains with us, and we’re safest if we stick together. That’s what family does. I didn’t realize it until I found my way back to Brady again, but it’s true. Family stands strong together. Now let us protect you, damn it,” Stella said firmly as she stood up and crossed to Jasmine’s side.
She gave her hand to Stella so she could help pull her to her feet. The words Stella said were swi
rling through her mind like a tornado. She didn’t have to run. She could stay. She didn’t want everyone to fight for—because of—her, but they would. Deep inside her, she knew they would and she wouldn’t have to ask. Everyone would just do it.
“What about Tyson?” Jasmine asked quietly as she locked eyes with Stella.
“Well, he’s your mate, isn’t he? Don’t you think you should talk that out with him?”
Chapter 15
Tyson paced through his cabin. He already checked his emails and done everything work related he could to keep his mind off of Jasmine, but the instinct to be at her side, protecting her, was driving him mad. Mama Ally’s only rule for living up here was there was to be zero shifting in the camp during the day. That meant his normal stress reliever was out of the question. His wolf was scratching at the surface. He didn’t want to be this far away from Jasmine, not after everything they talked about this morning.
Trudging back to his computer, he pulled open his email and started typing one to the only person he knew could help him get some control over this situation.
Hey Alicia-
You told me once upon a time that if I ever needed your help, you would be there for me. It’s time for me to call in that favor. I’ll explain more when you get here, but I need you to bring as much equipment as you’ve got on hand up here to Silver Creek.
I know it’s not exactly convenient, given the timing, but I need you. Bring the family if you want.
Thanks,
Tyson
Tyson sat back in his office chair, feeling like he was going to rip his skin off from how anxious he was feeling. After a few moments passed, his computer dinged, alerting him to a new email in his inbox. Seeing that Alicia replied, he quickly opened it.
Hey Tyson-
I’ll be there. See you by dinner.
Thanks,
Alicia
Making a note to offer up some babysitting time to show his gratitude to Alicia and Duke, Tyson turned off his computer and shut the door to his office. Knowing Alicia was on her way with the things he needed to install a proper security system, Tyson began to feel a little more at ease. Moving to the living room, he spied Jasmine walking toward the cabin steps, her eyes trained on something by the door in confusion.
Quickly, Tyson padded over to the door and pulled it open, spying a bouquet of flowers lying on the porch with a white card attached to it.
“I take it those aren’t from you,” Jasmine said, worry lacing through her words.
Tyson’s lips pressed into a firm line, clenching his jaw in anger as he shook his head at her. Who the fuck was leaving flowers on his doorstep? Plucking the card from the bouquet, Tyson opened the enveloped.
You can run from me, bitch, but you can’t hide.
Adrenaline and anger dumped into his system in a toxic mixture. He was seeing red. The asshole from her past was here and he was watching them. Tyson was ready to punch something, anything really. Tyson could feel himself teeter on the edge of shifting, but he struggled to keep it together for Jasmine’s sake. She was too close, and if he shifted right now, he could hurt her. He needed to find this fucker and rip him a new asshole. He was out for blood, and his wolf was demanding it.
A soft, warm touch against his cheek brought him back into the moment. He found himself still standing on the porch, but now Jasmine’s hand was caressing him. Rubbing his face against the palm of her hand as he fought for control, he could feel the anger tucking itself away. He would need to tussle with one of the guys later after a good run. There was no way he was going to be calm enough to handle anything else tonight if he didn’t.
She pulled her hand away, and Tyson felt his skin immediately chill from the absence of her touch. Gently, she took the card from Tyson’s hands and held it in her own. The way she went white at the recognition of the handwriting confirmed what Tyson already knew. This guy had some major nuts to show up here and fuck with his mate.
Tyson watched as Jasmine’s eyes glazed over where she was standing, and she began to sway like she had the other day before she fainted. Wrapping his arms under her shoulders, he stooped and pulled the rest of her body into his arms. As he stood up straight again and carried her inside, he felt her body go slack. Yep, she passed out. He was beginning to think her episodes had nothing to do with the babies—and everything to do with her body not knowing how to respond to the overwhelming emotions she was experiencing while going through this. Tyson needed answers about this asshole and why this guy was going to such great lengths to cow Jasmine into a corner. None of this was adding up. Who goes out of their way to hunt down a shifter like Jasmine, knock them up, disappear, only to resurface at the end of the pregnancy? He was thanking the Fates that he called in Alicia when he did. They were going to need her help more than he previously thought.
Gingerly, Tyson laid Jasmine down on the bed and tugged off her shoes before crawling in next to her. Positioning himself into a comfortable position, he stroked her hair while he waited for her to come to. It only took a moment or two more before her eyes fluttered open and locked with his own.
Smiling down at her, he murmured, “You’ve really gotta stop doing that.”
Her cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment. “I don’t understand why it keeps happening to me. Thank you for laying me on the bed instead of in the dirt.”
He winked at her. “I was prepared this time.”
She laughed. “Oh, is that so?”
Tyson loved making her laugh. It gave him a sense of accomplishment every time she expressed herself in a happy manner after he did or said something.
“What’s the cheesy grin for?” she asked as she propped herself up on her elbows.
“Oh nothing. I just like listening to you laugh.”
“I sound like a dying donkey!”
“Who told you that?”
“Jesse did,” Jasmine admitted.
Tyson grinned and said, “Good, now you’ve given me an excuse to kick your brother’s ass later.”
“Make sure to go for his knees before he shifts. He loves it when that happens.”
“Now why didn’t I think of that?” He flopped back on the bed next to her.
The chemistry between them was undeniable and trying to be her friend was killing him. He craved her skin against his. Those soft curves, her kissable pink lips, her very full and perky tits. Hell, he even wanted to run his hands over her naked, swollen belly. He’d never been turned on by a pregnant woman the way he was turned on by Jasmine. Tyson could only assume the way he was feeling came with the territory of hearing the call.
Trying to change the subject and get his mind off of how good it would feel to be inside of her right now, he asked, “So how did the talk with Stella go?”
“Better than I thought it would. Her story is definitely a rough one, but it’s kind of cool to think of how her bond with Brady healed her internal damage, and now they’re having kids.”
“Stella still doesn’t quite believe that what happened.”
“Yeah, I figured as much because she didn’t mention it. Although I think deep down she knows she’s having babies right now because the Fates willed it so. She’s been through hell and back, so she deserved to get her happy ending.”
“Yeah, she did.” So do you, he thought to himself before continuing. “What else happened? You were out there for a while.”
“I told her everything,” Jasmine admitted softly, not quite making eye contact with him.
“Everything? As in everything, everything?” Tyson asked, trying to keep the excitement he felt buried, not wanting her to see it..
“Yes, everything. She wants to help me.”
“So do I.”
“I know you do. I didn’t think I was going to want to make things work with you as badly as I do right now. It’s like once I told Stella everything and talked to you this morning, someone flicked the switch on in my brain that makes me want a mate. Now—well, all I can think about is how badly I want you to
kiss me.”
Tyson waited for this moment for what felt like eternity, and now that he was being given the chance, he could feel himself freezing up. This whole time, she was so adamant that she just wanted them to be friends, and now she was saying something totally different. He was trying to decide if she was was truly ready to see where this was going to go.
Pushing herself up into a sitting position, Jasmine leaned back against the headboard, balled Tyson’s shirt up in her fists and pulled him to her. Taking this as the green light, Tyson slid his hand along the side of Jasmine’s cheek and guided her mouth to his. As their lips touched, the fire that was inside of him blazed to life. It was like what he had been feeling before was a small blaze started with a little bit of lighter fluid—and now someone poured a gallon of gasoline on it instead. Their tongues found each other and tangled together as they deepening their kiss.
Tyson slid his hands over her pregnant belly to her breasts and cupped them in his hands, causing a small moan to escape from Jasmine’s mouth. The sound drove him wild as he worked her breasts in his hands, making her moan a little bit louder this time. The things it was doing to his cock was more intense than anything he’d ever felt. He was practically throbbing against his zipper, and if she made that delicious sound again, it would be his undoing.
He could feel her hand creeping down his chest towards his jeans and he wasn’t about to stop her. But something else sure did.
“Jasmine Grace Matthews, what the fuck are you doing?” Jesse’s voice boomed through Tyson’s cabin.
Tyson and Jasmine’s eyes flew wide open and they looked over at Jesse, who was turning several shades of purple. The rage that was in his eyes was something Tyson had never seen from his friend in all their years together. Before Tyson could process what was happening, he was being hauled out of the room and was thrown outside.