Real Love

by Sophie Martin

  “Hey.” Jack squeezed the boy’s shoulder. Brian looked close to tears. Jack couldn’t imagine how hard the situation must have been for the kid. Being fourteen years old and responsible for finding a solution to you sister’s deteriorating health, having your father not believe you… Yes, Brian was an extraordinarily strong boy. “It’s gonna be fine, Brian. You’ll meet the alpha, see that he’s a good man, and join the pack. Your sister will get better, and the life will go to normal again.”

  “I really hope so, sir. I really, really do.” Then the boy pulled himself together, and with his face betraying his determination, he said. “I’ll speak to my dad and let you know what he said tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Jack nodded. They said their goodbyes and Brian left. Jack watched him go and sighed. He was glad this problem was finally going to be resolved. Now if he only could straighten up his own life…

  * * * *

  “Hey, whatcha doooooing?” A sudden question startled Jack and he pressed a hand to his rapidly beating heart.

  “Gods, Ross, you scared the life out of me.” Jack turned to the owlcat who sat on the garden fence in his owl form. “And what’s with the weird voice?”

  “I’ve been watching Phineas and Ferb again,” Ross said and turned into a cat, then proceeded to leap down and approach Jack. “So, what are you doing?”

  “I was just about to leave. I’m going to pick up the two witch kids for the meeting with Jason.”

  “Huh.” Ross swished his tail and looked up at Jack. “Can I tag along? I’m bored out of my mind.”

  “I’m not taking you in the car without your harness. I value my life. Your brother nearly scalped me the last time I gave you a ride without it.”

  “Ha!” Ross exclaimed, showing off his teeth in a Cheshire-cat grin. “That’s why I brought a spare set to Jason’s the other day. He put it in the hallway closet I think.”

  “Fine, let me grab it then, and we need to be gone. I don’t want to be late to meet Brian’s dad. The man’s leaving for work in half an hour.” Jack hurried about getting the special cat seatbelt set and plugging it in the car. Ross’s brother was honestly overprotective, but Jack guessed it was to be expected.

  Ross was an owlcat—a double shifter who could change from cat to owl form, but not human. He had lived a very sheltered life, his whole family treating him like spun glass. Finally, Ross had had enough of it and rebelled. Last Halloween he had gone against his brother’s wishes and came to warn Jason’s pack about an upcoming attack he had discovered. It worked out fine, and soon both Ross and his brother had joined the pack. Ever since, Ross had become a permanent fixture in their lives. The owlcat was the closest with Toby, but he befriended all the men in the alpha’s house. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. Tyler had a very particular relationship with the owlcat. They were more frenemies than anything else.

  Jack finally got the seatbelt attached and Ross in it. Quickly, he jumped in the car and started it. Jack was about to meet Brian’s father for the first time. He had wondered about the man. Brian had said his mother had put a love spell on her husband and kept him under it all throughout their marriage. Jack couldn’t imagine such a thing. He wouldn’t want to be married to someone who was with him only because of a spell.

  Jack sighed and parked his car on a quiet street on the edge of town. On their way here Ross had chatted about TV shows and other non-important things, making Jack relax, so he didn’t understand what was making him so tense all of a sudden. He was here to meet a parent of his student and take the kid and his sister to a volunteer event in the local shelter. He had nothing to fear. He was going to introduce himself, have a short, reassuring chat with the father, and take Brian to the meeting with Jason. Despite telling himself everything was fine, Jack had an odd feeling that something profound was about to happen.

  Jack was no seer. He had no magic in his blood. He was a simple cuberow shifter and history teacher. He shouldn’t have uneasy feelings not supported by his animal half. Repeating it in his head didn’t stop the tension or the tightening of his muscles.

  Jack exited the car, leaving Ross still buckled up in the front seat, and went to knock on Brian’s door.

  “Just a second!” his student’s voice called from inside. There was a shuffling sound before the door finally opened.

  Brian looked like he always did, brown skin, brown eyes, and long dreadlocks. He wore black jeans and a heavy-metal band T-shirt.

  “Hello, Mr. Robinson, please come in,” Brian invited him. Jack followed him to the kitchen listening to the kid’s talking. “Dad will be down in a minute. He’s helping Ruby to get ready. She’s not feeling very well today, and Dad even wanted to cancel the whole thing, but we convinced him otherwise.”

  “I see,” Jack said, voicing his thoughts carefully. “Hopefully, some fresh air and contact with animals will do your sister good.” They exchanged meaningful looks and Brian nodded.

  “I certainly hope so. Oh, that’s Dad,” he said when they heard heavy steps on the stairs.

  “Brian, Ruby is almost ready. Is your teacher here, yet?” At the sound of a deep male voice, Jack’s heart started to pound, and his cuberow whimpered in his mind. What the hell was going on? But as the man entered the kitchen where they waited, Jack had his answer. He couldn’t believe what he saw. The man lifted his green eyes at Jack, and they widened in shock.

  “Jack? Jack Robinson? Is that really you?”

  Jack couldn’t answer. His voice froze in his throat, and his head spun with dizziness. It couldn’t be. Impossible. Yet his eyes didn’t lie.

  “Lucas Cartwright as I live and breathe,” Jack finally forced himself to say. It was him. The same dirty-blond hair, sea-green eyes that used to be laughing but now only looked tired. The same short but muscular built, with more muscles to it to account for the years that had passed since they’ve last seen each other. It was definitely Lucas Cartwright, the man who broke Jack’s heart, the one who was supposed to be his soulmate but left him to marry a woman.

  Chapter Four

  “Jack Robinson, I can hardly believe it.” Lucas’s smile was genuine as was his surprise. Jack forced himself to smile and shook Lucas’s hand. “So, you’re the history teacher Brian is always gushing about. Small world, huh?”

  “Yeah, you could say that.” Jack chuckled nervously, drinking in the sight of his first true love. Lucas was changed, that much was true. Not much was left of the young man Jack had been in love with. But the changes were mostly for the better. Lucas was, as Jack had already noticed, more muscular. His hair, which used to be cropped short, was now slightly longer and bleached by the sun. Lucas’s face was what changed the most. A few laugh lines indicated that the fun-loving boy Jack knew was still there, but mostly Lucas just looked tired. Jack imagined it was to be expected. Suddenly becoming a single parent and dealing with his daughter’s mysterious illness was bound to exhaust anyone.

  “You two know each other?” Brian’s perplexed and slightly suspicious tone brought Jack back from his reverence. Jack turned to the boy and sniffed furtively. The kid was anxious and worried. Jack smiled at him reassuringly.

  “Your dad and I knew each other while at the university. I guess it was before he met your mother.” Brian’s face lightened, and the worried scent eased. Jack understood. It was a strange coincidence. He’d be worried something else was going on, too.

  “Yeah, you’re right. I met Ariana during holiday just before finishing uni,” Lucas said and then addressed Brian. “And we didn’t just know each other. We were together.” Lucas smiled at Jack, and Jack could feel his stomach churning. Why was the man telling his son this? Past was better left where it belonged, in the past. No point dragging it out.

  “Together?” Brian’s brows drew into a frown, and Jack couldn’t believe he didn’t see the resemblance before. Sure, the skin colour was different, but still. Brian’s stubbornness, his worry over his sister, his exasperated expressions whenever he spoke about his
father… It was all so very much like the young Lucas Jack once knew. Typical Cartwright.

  “Yes.” Lucas grinned at his son and waggled his brows, and Jack could feel his heart squeezing painfully. That was the teasing youth he’d once known. “Together. You know, like a couple?” Brian sputtered, and Lucas laughed.

  “Dad, stop it!” Brian exclaimed, and suddenly he was just a teenager embarrassed by his father instead of a person feeling responsible for his family. Jack smiled fondly. The boy was cute like that.

  “What? It’s true. You knew I was bi, son. Why is it so hard to believe I used to date Jack?” Brian narrowed his eyes at that and suddenly smiled evilly.

  “Well, because Mr. Robinson is sooo out of your league, obviously!” The teenager grinned, looking so very much like Lucas it was eerie.

  “Ouch!” Lucas held a hand to his heart as if hurt. “Okay, I guess I deserved it for teasing you.” Lucas smiled at his son, and it was painfully obvious to Jack that, despite his faults, the man loved his children very much.

  “Daddy, I’m ready now,” spoke a quiet voice from behind Lucas. The man turned to the young girl. Jack took his first look at her and knew they were just in time to help her. Ruby was thin. Her skin had an ashen pallor to it instead of the healthy glow Brian’s had. She resembled her brother in the shape of her face and nose. But her eyes were more almond-shaped and her lips fuller than her brother’s. She looked tired, her skin drawn tight, her lips pinched, and eyes narrowed as if she was fighting a headache.

  “Hey, Ruby,” Brian spoke, going to take her hand and leading her to Jack. “This is Mr. Robinson, the teacher I told you about?” Jack couldn’t miss the caring tone of Brian’s voice. The girl looked up at her brother, and something passed between them. It was the kind of silent conversation one only read about. The girl must have understood whatever her brother was trying to convey because she looked at Jack and smiled.

  “Hello, Mr. Robinson.” The girl smiled at him shyly, and Jack could feel his heart melt.

  “Hello, it’s nice to meet you, Ruby. Are you ready to go meet some cats and dogs?”

  “Yes.” Her face brightened. “I always wanted a dog, but Mum said I couldn’t have one until I learned to call a familiar.”

  “I see,” Jack said, and when he saw Lucas opened his mouth to say something, he interrupted him by asking Ruby, “And did your mother have a familiar?” Ruby frowned in thought.

  “No, her magic wasn’t strong enough, but she said mine was.”

  “Well, then I don’t think it was very fair of her. I don’t know about familiars, but maybe ask your dad if he’d allow you to have a dog?” Jack had a feeling that Lucas would. He had always been an animal-lover. Jack was surprised the family didn’t have a battalion of pets already.

  “We can definitely discuss it another time,” Lucas said, smiling at Jack gratefully. “But now it’s time to go or I’ll be late for work.”

  “You’re right, of course,” Jack agreed. “We should be going if we are to be there on time.”

  “Oh, is there a particular time the event starts? I thought it was going to be an open day?”

  “It is, but I spoke with a friend who works there to save a spot of dog-walking for Brian and Ruby. Apparently, it’s a hot commodity.”

  “Well then, don’t let me stop you.” Lucas smiled and crouched before Ruby. “Be careful, princess. If you feel worse, tell Mr. Robinson immediately, and he’ll call me, okay?”

  “Yes, Daddy.” Ruby smiled at him, and Lucas hugged her.

  “Okay then, off you go.” Lucas got up and swatted at Ruby to get her going. She laughed but moved, Brian following silently behind her. Jack went to follow, but Lucas grabbed his arm.

  “I appreciate you doing this,” Lucas said. “I understand, from what Brian told me, that you’re aware of the situation?”

  “Yes, I know about Ruby’s condition and that they think their mother was a witch. Brian told me all about it.”

  Lucas sighed and shook his head as they followed the kids outside.

  “I don’t know how you managed to gain his trust, but I’m grateful. God knows I don’t know how to deal with him. It’s nice to know he’s got someone to turn to when he needs it.” Jack shot Lucas a quick glance and answered.

  “Brian is a good kid, simply a bit lost right now.” Lucas only smiled tiredly as they reached the car. Jack unlocked it and let the kids in the back.

  “You’ve got a cat, Mr. Robinson?” Ruby asked as she waited for Lucas to put her backpack in the boot. Jack startled. He’d completely forgotten about Ross.

  “Um, not exactly, no. Ross isn’t my cat.”

  “He isn’t?” Ruby’s voice was curious.

  “No…” Jack trailed off and saw the dirty look the owlcat was giving him. “No, he’s not. He’s more of a nuisance who likes to pester my friends and me all the time.” Jack grinned at the shifter who gave a snort.

  “Watch it!” Ross hissed, and Jack saw Ruby’s eyes widen. Jack glanced at Lucas, saw he was still busy in the back, and hadn’t noticed anything amiss.

  “I’ll explain in a minute,” Jack whispered to the girl, and she nodded.

  “There, all done. You can get in now, Ruby,” Lucas announced, and she nodded before climbing in and fastening seatbelt. “Okay…” Lucas looked his kids over one last time and instructed, “Be good and listen to Mr. Robinson, guys. Have fun.” The kids mumbled their agreement and Lucas shut the car door. “I really appreciate you doing this, Jack. I hope we can find some time to meet and catch up.”

  Jack felt his heart lurch, but he didn’t show it. Smiling politely, he said.

  “I certainly hope so. It was good to see you again, Lucas.”

  “You too, Jack, you too.”

  Desperate to escape the awkwardness, Jack stepped around the car and got into the driver’s seat. With one last wave to Lucas, Jack pulled out of the parking space and onto the street. The kids were quiet for a whole minute before the questions started, and Jack smiled.

  “Mr. Robinson?” Ruby asked hesitantly, and Jack smiled to her in the mirror.

  “Yes, Ruby?”

  “Are you really a shape-shifter like Brian said?”

  “Yes, I am. I turn into a cuberow, an Abyssinian wolf.”

  “What’s an Abyssinian wolf?” Her tone was still careful but curious.

  “Well, it’s something like a wolf but smaller and with reddish pelt. I guess we can look a bit like foxes.”

  “Oh.” There was a long pause and then she asked, “Whose voice was it that I heard?”

  “That would be me,” Ross said, and the kids gasped with surprise.

  “What… Are you a shifter as well?” Ruby finally asked.

  “Of a kind,” Ross agreed. “But I don’t turn into a human. I’m an owlcat. I switch from cat to owl and back.”

  “Oh.” Another long silence. “Are we really going to meet the alpha and he’ll help me get well again?” Jack looked at the girl in the mirror once again. She was way too serious for her age.

  “Yes, Ruby. The alpha is sorry you had to suffer so much. If we knew about you earlier, we could have helped you one way or another. Unfortunately, this thing that is causing you to feel unwell is something that cannot be changed. It is a founding rule of paranormal society. It is meant to protect us all from being discovered by humans.”

  “I understand,” Ruby said, sounding much older than her twelve years. “Brian told me all about it. I only wish Mother taught us more of this stuff. She was only interested in teaching me about magic. She never even told us about other kinds of paranormals.”

  “Well, don’t feel bad about it. I discovered that many paranormals have no idea about this stuff. Take the alpha’s mate for example. Tyler is clueless for a tiger-shifter. He nearly broke one of the most important paranormal rules because he didn’t know about it.”

  “Tyler is the alpha’s friend?” Ruby asked, startling a laugh out of Jack.

  “Oh, I see how you th
ought so. Tyler is the alpha’s friend, I guess, but he’s also more. Tyler and Toby are alpha Jason’s soulmates. Kind of like his husbands but without the possibility of divorce.”

  “Oh.” Ruby frowned, and Jack thought to explain it further.

  “I know we say ‘mate’ to friends or sometimes even friendly strangers in this country, but paranormals have shortened soulmate to ‘mate’ for as long as recorded history. I guess it is helpful that if a human hears you say the word ‘mate’ they won’t suspect anything amiss.”

  “That makes sense, I guess. But it must be confusing as well,” Ruby remarked. “If you call your friends ‘mates’ and then call your husband the same.”

  “You’re right, of course,” Jack admitted. “That’s why paranormals avoid calling other people ‘mate.’ They try to use this term for their soulmates only. Take our pack-mates for example. Dominic thought he was human for most of his life, his cousin, Joel, is human. Being best friends, they used to call each other ‘mate.’ Then they met their soulmates, and gradually, the term ‘mate’ became reserved for their lovers only.”

  Ruby hummed thoughtfully, and Jack smiled. It seemed that the girl was as sharp as her brother. Before they could discuss anything further, they saw the sign for the shelter. It was on the outskirts of town, on the opposite side from Cartwrights’ house.

  “Well, here we are,” Jack said as he pulled the car into an empty parking space. He exited the car and so did the kids. Jack opened the door to the passenger seat and asked Ross, “Are you coming?”

  “Nah, I think I’m gonna fly home,” Ross said. Jack nodded and started unbuckling the owlcat. As soon as he was free, Ross jumped out of the car. He scanned their surroundings, and seeing there was nobody else around, he quickly turned into his owl form. The children gasped, and Jack grimaced, the process still unsettling. Ross chuckled, turned back to Brian and Ruby, and said, “It was nice to meet you, little witches. I hope you join the pack and we’ll see each other again soon.” Brian and Ruby waved at Ross who turned to Jack. “I’ll see you soon, dog. Give my regards to the crazy tiger.” Jack rolled his eyes and Ross chuckled, jumping up and flying away. Jack sighed, shook his head, and turned back to the kids. They looked at him with wide eyes. Jack sniffed. They were anxious. Not surprising. Smiling at them with reassurance, he led them to the shelter’s entrance.