He raised his head and sniffed the air. If he wasn’t mistaken, there were no humans for miles. They had privacy, and they planned to enjoy it.
Reaching the pool, Jax and Davy jumped straight in, their bears ducking under the water, before resurfacing, snouts just above the surface as they took in air and treaded water, going around and around in circles. Ronni and Fleur joined them, and a great deal of splashing ensued.
Cal tapped Teagan on the shoulder, and she followed him around to the edge of the pool. Putting his head down, he picked up the trail he needed to follow. It was awkward, and narrow, but he’d been this way many times. Slipping and sliding over sharp rocks, Cal led Teagan behind the waterfall.
There he shifted back into his human form and Teagan did the same. “I wanted to show you this.”
Teagan turned around, and gasped. The wall of water came thundering down from above them, filling the pool with white foam, which sprayed up into the air. The angle of the sun overhead was perfect, making the droplets appear as a rainbow.
“This has always been a magical place for me. My brothers and sisters played up here as kids. And I wanted to share it with you.” He grinned at the sound of the others playing in the water, the shouts and screams of family and friends enjoying themselves. “I want to share everything with you.”
“I love you, Cal.” She held her ring out in front of her. “I can’t believe I’m engaged.”
“You won’t be for much longer.” Cal pulled her to him, and kissed her lips. “I want us to be married as soon as possible. I want the whole world to know you are my wife.”
She laid her head on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart. “I’m so blessed to have all of this.”
She was thinking of her mom, he could tell by the way she breathed, long and slow, a slight shudder at the end. “Hey, this is a day for happiness. Tomorrow we figure out how to change your mom’s life for the better. Maybe if we give her something to think about that’s outside of her. Outside of her thoughts of your dad.”
“That’s a great idea.” Teagan put her hand on her stomach. “And if we do have a child…”
“When.”
“When we have a child. Maybe that will give her something to love. She missed out on me growing up, I hope she won’t miss out again.”
“We can hope.” He took her hand. “Now, let’s go do some bear dunking.”
“Bear dunking?” Teagan asked.
“Oh, yeah. It’s a game, the last bear to not get dunked, wins.”
He took her back out into the open air. Before he shifted into his bear, Cal called out, “Let the bear dunking begin.”
And it did, they played and laughed, and played some more, until late afternoon, when they all returned back to Walt’s house for food. It was a wonderful day. A day that made him certain this was where he was supposed to be. Cal would never leave Bear Creek again. No job, no promotion, would ever be worth it.
Chapter Seventeen – Teagan
Teagan let herself out of Cal’s house. She wasn’t ever going to get used to calling it her house, no matter how many times he told her what’s mine is yours. Perhaps they would be better to buy a place together, a fresh start.
She stopped, and looked at the view below her. It was amazing. The town was spread out below them and she could just make out Carter’s house, a small green jewel, surrounded by a wall. OK, so perhaps she would be better to suck it up and get used to the idea of this being hers too. They had everything they needed to be happy here, including a trail leading from the backyard up into the lower slopes, where the forest dipped down low, making it easy for a bear to slip into the wilds unnoticed.
Going to her car, she decided to let things slide, and if she still couldn’t come around to the idea, she would tackle it later on. For now, she wanted to enjoy being who she was.
Who was she? That question had rumbled around in her head for years. Now, after getting to know her mom a little better, it was becoming clearer. She was Teagan. She was unique, and knowing what blood was in your veins did not change any of that.
This final realization had made her relationship with her mom easier. Teagan had detached herself from the outcome, and accepted she was not going to meet her father.
Driving to Carter’s house, she switched on the radio and sang her heart out, badly, to every song, whether she knew it or not. Nothing was going to stop her, nothing was going to hold her back.
Pulling up at the gates, she tapped the security code in and the gates opened. Still singing, she drove toward the house, and parked next to Caroline’s car. Getting out, she glanced around; everyone else must be out. Caroline had invited Teagan over. It would be great to catch up with Caroline, they hadn’t had time to talk since she before she had gone on the promotional tour with Carter.
Taking the steps two at a time, she put her hand up to knock on the door to let Caroline know she was here. It was open.
Not open in the sense it wasn’t locked, but in the sense it had not caught the catch. Unusual, since baby Danny was starting to crawl.
Holding the doorknob with one hand, she knocked with the other. “Hey, Caroline. It’s me.” Teagan opened the door and went in, then she shut it securely. There was no answer.
Walking across the hallway to the stairs, she stood at the bottom and called up. “Are you up there?”
Silence. Or was there? Teagan stood and listened. Had she heard footsteps?
There was no way she was going to go tramping upstairs to take a look, not unless she was sure the rest of the house was empty. Heading to the kitchen, she checked the other rooms. Empty.
“Caroline,” she called, her voice quieter now. The kitchen was empty too. Maybe they were outside.
The hair prickled on the back of her neck and she turned around, getting the sense there was someone behind her. There wasn’t. Teagan stood still, hardly breathing as she listened to the house. She had stayed here so often lately, with Carter and Caroline being away doing movie stuff, that she had grown used to its creaks and groans.
“Hey, sorry. We were in the garden.” Caroline opened the back door and came inside, baby in arms. “Are you OK?”
“Yeah.” Teagan frowned. “Is everyone else out?”
“Everyone else? Do you mean Carter?” Caroline asked, putting some fresh herbs on the counter. Sage and tarragon, by the scents that reached Teagan.
“Yes. There’s no one else in the house?”
Caroline’s eyes narrowed, focusing in on Teagan. “No.” She spoke in a hushed voice. “Why?”
Teagan shook her head. “I don’t know exactly. But…”
Caroline shifted Danny in her arms and handed him to Teagan. “Stay here.”
“Caroline, it might be nothing.”
“Or it might be something.” Caroline left the room, casting a glance over her shoulder. “If you need to get out of the house, go straight over to Will’s place. OK? Don’t think about me, just get yourself and Danny out of here.”
Teagan nodded, holding Danny close, inhaling his scent and taking comfort from him. Resting him on one hip, she pulled her phone out. If there was someone in the house, she did not want Caroline getting hurt. She dialed Cal’s number.
“Hi, are you OK?” Cal asked when he picked up. They both knew calls were frowned on when he was on duty.
“I’m with Caroline, at her house.” She paused. Caroline was going to door to door downstairs, checking each one and then closing them securely.
“I know, you said you were going over there. Does she have news about your dad? Is it bad news?” Cal asked. She could hear his footsteps as he walked around at the station.
“I don’t know, we haven’t spoken about anything yet.” Teagan closed her eyes, and straightened out her thoughts. “I think there is someone else in the house.”
Cal hesitated before answering. “What do you mean, someone else in the house?”
“When I arrived, the front door was ajar. And I thought I heard someone u
pstairs, but Caroline was in the garden.” She paused for breath. “She’s gone to investigate.”
“It might be nothing. An overactive imagination,” Cal offered.
“I know.” Teagan let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, I should not have bothered you.” A crash from upstairs made her jump. “Shit.” Danny giggled. “Sorry, no swearing.”
“Teagan, tell me what is going on?” Cal’s voice rose in pitch as he sensed her panic. “Teagan?”
“There’s someone here.” Teagan held Danny close. “I have to go.”
“No, Teagan, honey, you stay on the phone.” Teagan could hear the sound of running boots, and a door opening. “I have to go. My mate is in trouble.”
“Cal. What’s wrong?” a voice Teagan didn’t know came over the phone.
“There’s someone in Carter Eden’s house,” Cal said. “Call Sheriff Brad, get him to meet me there.”
“Of course, you go.”
“Cal. Cal.” Teagan hissed into the phone. “Don’t put yourself in danger.”
“Teagan, if anyone hurts you, I will kill them. I mean it.” The familiar sound of his truck door opening and then slamming shut reached her. “I need to put the phone on the seat. But I am not hanging up.”
His engine burst into life, Teagan took the time to walk to the edge of the kitchen, and peer out, listening for any noise. There was none. She took another step out into the hallway, hating to leave Caroline to deal with an intruder alone. As she stood and looked up, a shadow appeared from above, and then the sound of footsteps on the stairs, coming closer.
Teagan ducked back in the kitchen, but not before she caught a glimpse of a man she did not know, running down the stairs, stealthily. He stopped, and listened. Teagan held her breath and prayed Danny wouldn’t make a sound.
Satisfied, the intruder headed for the door. But out of nowhere, Caroline crashed through the front door, her knee coming into contact with the guy’s back, and sending him sprawling to the floor with a grunt. Caroline did not hesitate; she jumped on him, pulling her hand back and smashing it into the guy’s chin. He went limp.
“Caroline, are you OK?” Teagan asked, rushing forward. “I called for backup.”
“I think I have it under control.” Caroline sounded breathless. “He tried to shut me in the bathroom. But this is my house. I know how to get out.” She wiped the sweat off her face.
“You climbed out a window?”
Caroline nodded. “It’s what I was trained to do.”
“Who is he?” Teagan asked. She often forgot who Caroline had been once. A trained soldier who could look after herself.
“I don’t know. A deranged fan, maybe.”
“One of Carter’s fans?” Teagan sounded shocked.
“I don’t know.” Caroline shrugged, and then turned the man over. “He looks a little old to be a fan of Carter’s. And the wrong sex.”
Teagan came closer. The man was in his late fifties, the lines on his face the only giveaway, since his blond hair hid any gray. As she looked at him, there was something familiar. “I’ve seen him somewhere before.”
“Where?” Caroline asked, her knee on his chest, her hands holding his above his head.
“I don’t know.” Teagan frowned. He looked so familiar, the curve of his jaw perhaps? The way his nose tipped up at the end… “Me!”
Caroline looked down at the man on the floor, and then back at Teagan. “He’s Alder Sampson?”
“Or whatever his name is.” Teagan began to tremble. “Why is he here, in your house?”
“Because I’ve been asking questions,” Caroline said. “That’s why I invited you over. I hit a wall. A big, strong confidential files wall.”
“Who is he?” Teagan asked.
“Let’s find out.” Caroline moved, taking her weight off the man under her. “You can open your eyes now, I know you are awake.”
The man on the floor cracked his eyes open. They rested on Caroline for a second, before flicking to Teagan. He was assessing them, finding the weakest link. Teagan’s arm tightened protectively around Danny.
“Caroline, why don’t you take Danny?” Teagan nodded at Caroline. “And leave me to have a heart to heart with my father.”
Alder’s eyes focused on Teagan, his mouth opening as if he were going to speak, and then it clamped shut.
“You didn’t know?” Caroline said to Alder.
He shook his head. “No. I…”
“That’s because you didn’t hang around long enough to find out my mom was pregnant.”
“Your mom? What’s her name?” Alder asked.
“Wow. You really are a piece of work. And to think she’s been pining for you all these years.” Teagan’s anger bubbled up inside her. Slapping him across the face and making him see sense was so very tempting.
“Sarah…” Alder sat up, just as the front door flew open once more, and Cal and Brad stormed in.
“It’s OK, fellas, I handled it,” Caroline told them.
“Are you OK, Teagan?” Cal asked, coming to her side.
“Yes.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I am.”
“Here, let me take Danny and leave you and your father to talk. Boys, let’s go to the kitchen. Alder, you hurt Teagan, in any way, I will string you up by your balls.” Caroline looked at Danny. “I dread to think what the first words out of your mouth are going to be.”
“I can stay if you want, Teagan.” Cal hugged her briefly.
“I’ll be OK.” She kissed him, but could not take her eyes off the man on the floor. “I’ll be OK.”
“I know you will.” Cal slipped away from her side, turning once to Alder and saying, “I’ll string you up by more than your balls.”
Alder waited for them to go before saying, “You have protective friends.”
“I do.” Teagan nodded, and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Perhaps we should have this conversation with your mom too?” Alder asked.
“No,” Teagan said adamantly. “She’s only just pulling her life back together. I am not telling her any of this. Not unless you plan to stay around.”
“Pulling her life back together?” Alder stood up, his body lithe, belying his age. “What happened to her?”
“You happened to her.”
“That was … eighteen years ago.”
“Nearer twenty,” Teagan corrected.
“And it’s taken her this long to get over me?” Alder asked incredulously. If his words had come out as smug, Teagan would have been the one stringing him up. But they didn’t.
“She formed a special attachment to you.”
His face paled. “She’s a shifter.”
“You knew about us, and you still left?”
“She never said. We had a very brief relationship. One of the reasons I walked away was her obsession. I did it for her own good…” He ran his hands through his hair, looking down at the floor.
“She was your mate.” If he knew about shifters, surely, he knew about fated mates.
He shook his head. “No. She would have said.”
“Did she know that you knew? About shifters.”
“I didn’t know. Not then. I was undercover in Africa when I first came across men who could change into lions. That was some years later.” He stared at Teagan incredulously. “Are you sure I’m her mate?”
“Oh, I’m sure. She fell apart when you left. Turned to drink… Gave up her child.”
“Oh, Christ. I am so sorry,” Adler said. “I had no idea. I was working deep undercover when I met her. Your mom worked in a bar. We hit it off, I couldn’t resist her. But then she got so intense, and I was scared for her. Scared the people I was after might hurt her. So I broke it off.”
“And broke her heart. And her soul.” And yet Teagan could not find a way to blame him. Not now, not if what he said was the truth. “Why are you here?”
“Here?” Alder looked around as if he had forgotten where here was.
“Yes, you broke into the hou
se.”
“I was told someone was looking into my past. A soldier. I traced her here. I wanted to know why she was asking questions about a man who didn’t exist.”
“Because my mom told me your name.”
He nodded. “It all makes sense.” He took a step toward Teagan. “I want to make this right.”
“There is no making it right,” Teagan hissed loudly, but then she let go of her anger toward him. He was as much a victim in all this as anyone else. “I need to know what your intentions are.”
“My intentions?” He gave a short laugh. “My intentions are to get to know my daughter, if she wants to get to know me. And Sarah. I want to be the man I should have been. If I would have known.”
“You would have stayed?” Teagan asked.
“I can’t tell you that. All I know is when I walked through that door, I was a lonely man. And now I have a family.”
“Promise me you won’t hurt Sarah anymore. If you meet her, you have to accept what you are to each other. Otherwise walk away and she never needs to know I found you.”
“I’m her mate. I know what that means. I have seen what happens when someone loses their mate. I would not sentence anyone to that sadness.”
Teagan looked at the man before her, the man who had been missing from her life. He seemed genuine. Could she let him into her life? Could she let him into Sarah’s life and accept the consequences if he left again?
Epilogue
“When we get married, who is going to give you away?” Cal asked.
Teagan looked across to where Alder Sampson, real name Vic Travis, sat on a picnic blanket, with Sarah sitting between his thighs. They looked like two young lovers, a sight that made Teagan’s heart sing. At last she had a family. Or two.
Dave and Hatty were down by the creek with their new foster child, Raven. They were helping her catch small fish in a net. Teagan remembered them teaching her the exact same thing. Long summer days of trawling the rivers, catching fish and putting them into a jelly jar, and watching their tails flash in the light.
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