by Jane Jamison
“Of course you deserve them. You’re an amazing person. Besides, after what you’ve been through—” Maddie abruptly closed her mouth when Stella shot her a warning look. “Sorry. I know. No bringing up the past.”
“I’m glad you like them.”
“What’s not to like? They treat you right, so that’s all that matters to me.”
“They treat me like a queen. I have absolutely no complaints.”
She and Stella had always been very open with each other, able to talk about any subject. Yet now she found herself hesitant about discussing the touchy subject of sex. But curiosity won out. “So, I’ve got to ask. How does the ménage thing work? I mean, do you consider all three of them your”—she added air quotes—“mates? Do you like one guy more than the other two? Do you share a bed all together, or do they have specific nights that they can get with you?”
Stella let out a low whistle. “Damn. When did you turn into a cat?”
“A cat? What does that mean?”
“Nothing. It’s just a saying around here. It means you’re really curious.”
“Who wouldn’t be? The sister I remember was a one-man kind of girl. Now you’re living with three men.”
Stella’s grin was one of the widest Maddie had ever seen her sister make. “Okay, let me see if I can answer your questions. First of all, no, I don’t like one man more than the other two. I love all three of them equally. This may be difficult to understand, but I see them as a unit. If one of them was missing, I’d still love the other men, but there’d be a hole left. They’re three parts to our four-part puzzle. All the pieces are unique, but all the pieces are needed to make the puzzle complete.”
“I can see how that would work.” Maddie could not only understand it but found that she longed for the same thing.
“As for the bed situation, we all sleep in the same bedroom and in the same custom-made bed made to hold four people. To get really personal, sometimes we all have sex together, and at other times, it’s one or two of them.”
“So there are times when one or more of them aren’t in the mood?”
Impossibly, Stella’s smile grew wider. “Truthfully, they’re always in the mood. Which brings up one thing I wanted to ask.”
“What?” Maddie leaned against the headboard. Although she was happy for her sister, she couldn’t fight a feeling of jealousy. If only she had what her sister had.
Suddenly, her mind took a left turn back to the Wolf’s Den. Shawna had been so sure about the Lark men. And after how strongly they’d come on to her, she had to wonder. Could she find happiness with the Larks? She bit her lip, excitement bubbling over.
“Maddie, did you hear me?”
She jerked back to the here and now. “Sorry. I zoned out. I guess I’m more tired than I thought.”
“Are you thinking about the Larks?”
She gaped at Stella. “How’d you know?”
“Shawna texted me while you were yakking with my men. She said they were hot on your trail.”
“On my trail? What am I? A fox?”
Stella sat up. “Well, yeah, you are, in one respect.”
“Thanks, but I think Shawna made more out of their saying hello to me than she should have.”
“Shawna’s not one to exaggerate. The fact that they came over to your table says a lot. As men around here go, they don’t go after women much. They’re holding out for the one who’s supposed to be their mate.”
“Wow. Talk about jumping to conclusions. They were just being friendly. You and Shawna shouldn’t make more out of it than it was.” She squirmed in her seat, suddenly warm between the legs. What if her sister and Shawna were right? Wouldn’t that be a good thing? Or would they complicate her life?
Still, having three men love her the way Stella’s men loved her would be a nice complication to have.
“Well, just in case, you should know something.”
“If you’re going to tell me they’re married, I’m going to be ticked off that you didn’t tell me sooner.” She cringed, realizing how she sounded. Again, she’d said something to bring up the past. “You know what I mean.”
“I do.”
The words were spoken softly, yet it was Stella suddenly averting her gaze that made Maddie nervous. “What is it? Shawna said they were good guys. Was she wrong?”
“No, no. They’re really good men.” The corners of her mouth quirked upward. “Not as great as my men, but still really good. It’s just that there’s something about Fate you should know.”
“So it’s not just about the Lark men, but about the entire town?”
Stella became serious. Too damn serious. “Most of the folks around here leave it to a woman’s mate to tell her about the people here, but I feel like it’s my responsibility to tell you. You’re going to find out sooner rather than later, anyway, if what Shawna said about the Lark men is right.”
“You’re starting to scare me.” What could an entire town have in common? “Just spit it out.”
“I’m not trying to scare you. I’m trying to warn you.”
“Warn me? What’s wrong with the people here?” She laughed, trying to ease the tension stiffening her neck. “Are they zombies? Serial killers? Children of the corn?”
“Not exactly.”
She’d expected Stella to laugh along with her. Instead, it was far too obvious that her sister didn’t find the situation funny. “Will you please just tell me?”
Stella met her gaze, the strange bits of amber sparkling in her eyes. “You’ve only been in Fate for a few hours, but have you noticed anything different about the folks here?”
“Different?” She gave it some thought. “Yeah, I guess. I mean they definitely like to stare a lot, but I figured that was just a small-town thing of checking out the stranger in town.”
“Yeah, they do that, but I want you to remember that everyone here is friendly. Sometimes it takes a little time for them to warm up to new people in town, but once they get to know you, they’ll stand behind you and be there whenever you need them. Even if they’re from a different pack or pride, in times of need, we come together.”
“Pack or pride? What’s that mean?” The excitement of earlier had changed into frayed nerves. She was already worn out from all that had already gone on. Could she handle any more?
Stella took her hand, her grip hard. Maddie glanced down. The gesture was one that Stella did whenever she had to deliver bad news.
“Maddie, people in Fate are different. Very different.” She paused and bit her lower lip. “They’re not all human.”
Stunned, Maddie could only stare at her sister. Surely, she’d laugh and say it was all a joke.
“Maddie, I know it’s a tough thing to believe, but I’m telling you the God’s honest truth.”
“The people in Fate aren’t human. Funny, they sure as hell looked human.” Especially the Lark men. Great-looking humans, too.
“I said they’re not all human. They’re part something else, too.”
She wasn’t getting the joke. Stella didn’t joke much, but when she did, the joke was usually pretty good. This joke, however, was anything but funny.
“What are they, sis? Blood-sucking vampires?”
“A few of them are, yes. But most of them are either werewolves or werecats.”
An uneasy silence fell between them. Then Maddie couldn’t hold it in any longer. Relieved that it actually was a joke, she burst out laughing. “For shit’s sake, sis, what a load of crap. You really had me going for a minute. Kind of even scared me. But if that was supposed to be a joke, it wasn’t very funny. Stupid, sure, but not funny.”
“I’m not trying to be funny. I’m as serious as a heart attack.”
How far was Stella willing to take her game? And why? For now, she’d play along. “Okay, let’s say you’re telling me the truth. So who do you know who’s a werewolf? Shawna?”
“No. Shawna’s a werecat, but she’s as good as gold.” Stella’s gaze hadn�
�t shifted from hers. “Maddie, my men are werewolves.”
“Okay, let me get this straight. You’re telling me that Mike, Danny, and Alex are werewolves. That you’re living with three werewolves. Come on, sis, cut it out. The joke’s not funny at all.”
“It’s not a joke. I love three werewolves, and they love me.”
Maddie tried hard to laugh it off, yet she realized suddenly that her sister wasn’t kidding. She knew it in her gut. “I don’t know why you’re making this stuff up, but what’s next, sis? Are you going to tell me that you’re a werewolf, too? Because I know you’re as human as I am.”
“Not anymore I’m not.”
Something squeezed inside Maddie’s chest.
Aw, shit. She believes what she’s saying. Which means it’s either true—which is crazy just to consider it—or she’s gone insane.
The last thing she wanted to believe was that her sister was crazy. But she couldn’t believe the other. Who could? Another option hit her. Was her sister trying to exact some kind of strange revenge because she hadn’t really fully forgiven her?
She had to call her bluff. If she did, Stella would laugh and finally admit that it really was a stupid joke she’d taken too far. After all, there was no way her sister was a werewolf. Werewolves didn’t exist.
“Okay. You’re a werewolf. So I’m guessing that your men bit you and changed you? Is that how it happened?”
“Yes. Please, Maddie, you have to believe me.”
“And as a werewolf, you can change from human to wolf when the full moon comes out?”
“Actually, the full-moon thing is a myth. Werewolves can change anytime they want to. Day or night.”
“Well, that’s convenient, isn’t it?”
“Maddie, I’m telling you the truth. Maybe I should’ve let the Lark men tell you. If, that is, they turn out to be your mates. It’s just that I know how they are.”
“And how are they?” How long would she encourage her sister to keep going?
“They’re more impetuous than most werewolves. I’ve heard them say that, as soon as they find the woman they’re drawn to, they plan on moving fast. From the way Shawna said they acted around you, I’m thinking they have.”
“And they’re werewolves, too? Do they have big teeth, the better to bite me with?”
“Damn it, Maddie, for once in your life, listen to me.”
“Sis, there’s only one way I’m going to believe this nonsense.” She arched her eyebrow.
“You want to see me change, don’t you?”
“Damn straight. Right here, right now.” She’d called her bluff. Now it was Stella’s choice to put up or shut up.
“Okay. I will. But you’ve got to promise me you won’t freak out and run. Even when we’re in our animal forms, we still know who people are. I wouldn’t hurt you as a wolf any more than I’d hurt you as a human. I’m still your sister no matter what form I’m in. Remember that.”
“Yeah. Sure. You bet. Just show me.”
Stella slipped off the bed and moved several feet away. “Please remember to stay calm.”
Despite her conviction that her sister was pulling her leg, Maddie held her breath, anticipation catching the air in her throat. Yet when Stella started taking off her clothes, she had to speak up. “Um, why are you getting undressed?”
Stella opened her eyes, and Maddie would’ve sworn that the amber had filled even more of her sister’s green eyes. She glanced at the overhead light. Surely, it was trick lighting, but then why hadn’t her eyes held amber from the moment they’d come into the room?
“I don’t want to tear my clothes when my body changes.” She smiled, but there was a tremor shaking her lips. “Shifting is hell on clothes.”
“I’ll bet.” Her voice came out weak, fearful.
Stella dropped her T-shirt to the floor then started undoing her jeans. She’d just slid the zipper down when a knock came at the door.
“Yes?” asked Maddie.
Mike Lennox stuck his head around the edge of the door. “Hey, we wanted to see if everything was all right in here.” His gaze locked onto Stella. “What’s going on?”
“I told her.”
Maddie wished she’d been watching Mike for a reaction. By the time she’d shifted her gaze back to him, he’d had time to hide any surprise he might have shown. Instead, his features had hardened.
“Stella, we need to talk.”
“Why? She was about to show me…something.”
“Stella.” His tone proved that it was a demand, not a request.
“Mike, she has to know. You know how the Lark brothers can be.”
Maddie studied him, noting the amber in his eyes. What caused it?
“Stella.”
Stella snatched up her T-shirt. “I’m sorry, Maddie, but I’ll have to show you another time.”
This is a bunch of bull. A joke gone way too far.
“Sure. No problem, sis.”
Stella strode toward Mike then abruptly turned around. “Look at the eyes, Maddie. They’ll have amber in their eyes.”
“Damn it, Stella, it’s not your place.”
“Okay, okay. I’m going.” Stella hurried out of the room.
Mike gave Maddie a quick a nod. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.” His eyes lost some of the amber color. “Sharing our home is one thing, but there are other things we won’t share. Like I said to Stella, it’s not our place.”
He wasn’t joking. In fact, his tone made what he said sound more like a threat. Should she confront him? “Thanks, Mike. I appreciate it. I promise I won’t outstay my welcome. I know she was fooling around.”
“Yeah. Sure. That’s right. Sleep tight.” He closed the door behind him.
She’d sleep tight, all right, but should she leave in the morning? Or was Stella in need of someone from the outside? Were the Lennox men treating her as well as she’d said they were?
If they’re not, they’re going to have to deal with me. This time she wouldn’t let her sister down.
She laughed, trying to force herself into a lighter mood. Werewolves. Imagine.
* * * *
Brandon checked the caller ID. Why was Stella calling him? Was Maddie all right? “This is Brandon.”
“Brandon, it’s Stella, Maddie’s sister?”
He chuckled even as the worry slid into him. “Yeah, I know. What’s up, Stella?” Please don’t tell me Maddie left town already.
“I’m sorry, Brandon, but I messed up. But Maddie has a right to know. I just thought, since I’m a werewolf, that I should tell her.”
“You told her what you are?” Brandon came to a dead stop halfway back to the house from the barn. He and his brothers had just finished washing a couple of the horses and were eager to head over to the B&B. Thanks to Shawna, they knew Maddie was there helping her sister do her work.
“I told her about me.” She paused. “About everyone.”
“What? Why? Did she catch you shifting?” Granted, Stella was Maddie’s sister, but it was their place as her mates to tell her that they were werewolves.
“Like I said, I thought she had the right to know. Believe me, Mike gave me hell about it. Still, I didn’t want her to go through any surprises like I did.”
“What’s going on?” asked Braxton.
Brandon waved him off. “Did you shift for her or not?”
“I was going to, but Mike stopped me.”
He closed his eyes, trying to keep his anger in check. “So she hasn’t seen anyone in their wolf form yet. Damn it, Stella, you shouldn’t have said anything.”
“I’m sorry.”
“We want her as our mate. I think we made that pretty clear at the Wolf’s Den. At least to Shawna.”
“I know. She told me.”
“Then you should’ve left it to us, her future mates, to tell her.” Criticizing her again wouldn’t help, but he couldn’t hold back.
“I’m her sister.”
Stella was new to th
e pack and didn’t know all the rules yet. It would take years for her to learn everything she needed to know. But one of the biggest rules was that the mates of a human female were supposed to be the ones to tell her what they were. More, to show her what they were.
“What’s done is done.” Yet he had to hold back a growl.
“You’re still going to need to tell her. She didn’t believe me.”
“Only because Mike kept you from shifting.”
“True. I’m sorry, Brandon.”
He craned his neck around, getting rid of the tension. “It’s okay. But don’t tell her anything else. And for sure as hell, don’t shift. You let us tell her in our own time. Trust me. She’s going to find out about us real soon, especially now that you’ve spilled the beans.”
“Okay. Just don’t come on too strong. You might scare her off.”
“I didn’t get that impression at all. In fact, I think it’ll take a whole lot more to scare her off.” He ended the call, irritated enough not to say good-bye. “Let’s get cleaned up and over to the B&B. We’ve got a mate to claim.”
* * * *
Maddie spent most of the day with Stella, helping out at the B&B. Although she could tell Shawna was dying to ask her a dozen or more questions, the woman managed to keep from getting too nosy. Once she and Stella were alone, she had to ask.
“Sis, can I ask you something?”
Stella motioned for her to tug on the other side of the fitted sheet. “Of course you can. What’s up?” Yet she kept her gaze down, avoiding Maddie’s look.
“Are the Lennox men, one or all of them, abusing you?”
Stella released her end of the sheet, letting it fly toward Maddie. Her mouth dropped open. “Where in the world would you get an idea like that?”
“When you were playing that stupid joke last night, and then Mike showed up, I could see he was angry. About what, I’m not sure. Still, it kind of made me leery of him.”
Stella snagged her side of the bedsheet again. “Maddie, my men are great. They’d never hurt me. Not verbally or physically. You don’t have to worry.”