Shifters Forever Worlds Epic Collection Volume 3

by Elle Thorne

  He reminds me of someone from long ago.

  Tears came to Camden’s eyes. She realized then that she never really bothered to connect to Avala. She treated her more like a dress to put on to wear once in a while. She never treated her like an individual. Like a part of herself.

  I’m sorry. So very sorry.

  Tears streamed down her face.

  I understand if you have to go, if being around Tyler is too painful. I wish I could keep you here.

  She wished she had a second chance.

  He reminds me of my best friend. From when I was younger. From when I was made of flesh and blood.

  That really started the waterworks in earnest. Now the tears were free flowing from Camden’s eyes.

  If it’s your will, I won’t beg you or try to stop you. But do you think maybe you should give being friends with Tyler a chance?

  I will think on it.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Well?” Griz looked Tyler up and down. He was holding little Larsen, who thought it was funny to make little sparks fly off his fingertips, and then watch them float to the ground.

  Evidently, Trista and Tessa thought so too, because they giggled and tried to catch the sparks.

  Tyler nodded. “I think it will be okay.”

  “You trust her?” Griz asked.

  With my life. My heart. My soul. But Tyler couldn’t say that. Not yet. Maybe one day? “I think she’ll do right by the girls.”

  “Okay, then. So, what’s next?” Griz said.

  Tyler studied Larsen, then turned to Braden and Dakotah. “What do you plan to do about the elemental in him?”

  Dakotah heaved a sigh. “We’re going to let the Order help us. But he needs to be a year, at least.”

  He thought of the twins, and how they’d had occasional tantrums, and when they were mad at their nannies, had taken it out on them. “Could dangerous things happen to him? I mean could he do things that endanger others?”

  “He could,” Braden said. “He’s had a few close calls. He took out the engine of my truck one day.”

  Dakotah grimaced. “Bad case of diaper rash.”

  “Remember when he was teething?” Braden added.

  “Oh, Lord, yes.” Dakotah laughed. “We had to replace the microwave twice that week.”

  Tyler liked how easygoing they were about his elemental, though if he’d hurt anyone, that’d have been another matter. He wondered if his father and the girls’ mother had dealt with that stuff—teething, diaper rash, tornadoes, earthquakes. He was thankful he’d entered their lives after the teething and diaper stages, but still, he could see how the girls wreaked havoc.

  And he’d need some help to get those elementals under control. And that help would have to come in the form of Camden and Eden.

  Griz was looking at him with a strange expression on his face.

  “What?” Tyler asked.

  “I said, what’s next?” Griz frowned.

  Tyler rubbed his jaw, ran his hands through his hair. “I might head that way.” It wouldn’t be quick though. He couldn’t shift. Not just yet.

  “Okay,” Griz said, still frowning.

  Tyler hated what he had to say next, but he knew that the final decision was not in Camden’s hands. So, no matter how much he trusted her, there was always the possibility that the council might not comply. “Maybe you can stay here with the girls. For now.”

  Tessa and Trista glanced up from their antics and frowned. “You’re leaving?” they asked in unison.

  “I’ll be back,” Tyler promised. I hope. Unless the council decided to restrain him? Arrest him? Was that even possible if they didn’t have cause? Then again, maybe they’d consider his hiding the girls to be cause.

  He gave Tessa and Trista a hug. “Behave,” he cautioned them, then added, “No tornadoes, earthquakes, none of that.”

  “We don’t do that!” Tessa exclaimed.

  “Ever,” Trista added. “Uncle Griz doesn’t allow it.”

  “Oh, thanks for making me look like I’m unable to manage you two.” Tyler kissed their plump cheeks and grew choked up at the idea that someone would ever take them away from him and Sean.

  Over my dead body.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Camden stepped through the front door of Grant and Chelsea’s home. The foyer was empty, but it didn’t take long for Eden to make an appearance, a frown and a concerned look on her face.

  “What took you so long,” Eden asked. “Where’ve you been?”

  “I had to look into something.” Immediately, Camden felt bad for leaving Eden out. “Edie—” Her childhood nickname for her twin. “—I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” Eden hugged her. “I know I haven’t always been as forthcoming as I could be.”

  Does she mean with her bear thing? Camden wondered.

  “What did I miss?”

  “Oh, Laken’s about ready to deliver. Let’s go.” Eden took Camden’s hand and pulled.

  Camden remained still, not allowing Eden to pull her. “I can’t.”

  “What do you mean you can’t?”

  She couldn’t tell Eden that if she went to see Laken and the baby was born, she was afraid Avala would perform the leap and leave her forever, without ever giving her the chance to work things out.

  Eden tugged again. “Come on. Let’s go. She needs the moral support and the distraction. She’s been asking about you, anyway. Everyone’s worried about you, the girls, all that.”

  “No.” Camden pulled her hand free of Eden’s. “I’m not going.”

  Eden’s brows drew downward into a vee. She shook her head. “I’m confused.”

  Camden. Avala’s voice.

  Yes?

  Why are you not going?

  Seriously? Camden couldn’t believe Avala. You don’t know why I’m not going?

  Is it because of the leap?

  Tears came to Camden’s eyes and she turned from Eden so she couldn’t see the sadness that dwelled on her face. Camden studied the forest.

  It is. I don’t want you to go. Please.

  Why? Avala asked.

  Camden sucked air in. I need you. And she did. She needed her elemental. She needed Avala as she needed her panther. It would be like losing a part of herself. Please stay, she begged Avala. Please stay a while. Please.

  In her mind, Camden could sense Avala’s struggle. Her battle with her feelings about Camden.

  It’s not Tyler, so much, is it? Camden had to know.

  It’s more what I have with you. Or rather, what I don’t have.

  It took all of Camden’s strength not to burst into tears for having made her elemental feel like she was only needed when it came time to deal with the Order’s business.

  Give me a chance to make it up. I swear to you. I need this chance.

  She needed it like she needed her panther, the very air she breathed. She needed Avala like she needed Tyler, and this was something she was just now starting to admit to herself.

  I will, Avala said.

  Camden wished she could see her. Wished she could give her a hug. Thank you.

  Let’s go see Laken and her baby.

  Let’s, Camden agreed.

  Wiping her tears away, Camden took Eden’s hand. “It’s time to go see Laken.”

  Eden gave her a weird look. “Ohhhhkay.”

  “I’ll explain later,” Camden said. Maybe.

  They took the steps two at a time, and just before they could walk in the semi-open door, Laken’s voice came, “Is that Camden?”

  “I’m here.” Camden stepped through the door, pushing it open slightly.

  Laken’s face was red and sweating from the exertion, but the smile on her face was wide. “So glad you made it.” She put her hands out to Camden and Eden. “You two remind me of my sisters.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I miss them.”

  “They’re on the way, babe.” Ky stepped forward, mouthing the words, thank you, to Cam and Eden.

  Camden nodd
ed.

  “Mikhail and Miriam are on the way too,” he added.

  “Good.” Laken began to pant again.

  Mae was at the head of the bed with a cool washcloth that she used to wipe Laken’s face.

  Doc stood at the foot. “Almost there.”

  “Want us to leave?” Camden asked. Because, truth be told, she couldn’t do that whole public birthing thing that Laken seemed to have no problem with.

  “No, I’m good.” She paused. “Well, except that prosthesis is itching.”

  “Want me to take it off,” Mae asked.

  “No. Not now. I think it’s easier with it on, keeps my legs where I need them.”

  “Here we go.”

  And seconds later, there it went.

  One final cry from Laken, and then it seemed the room’s essence changed.

  At the same moment, Camden felt a stirring within.

  Still with me? she asked Avala.

  Of course, Avala responded.

  Camden felt a sense of peace and joy.

  That peace was shattered with the loud wail of a baby.

  “What’s his name?” Doc asked Laken.

  Laken looked at Ky.

  Ky nodded.

  “Mikhail Jacob Romanoff.”

  Doc’s face registered shock. “After me?”

  Mae grinned.

  “Naturally,” Ky answered.

  “Did I hear someone call my name?” Came a loud male voice from just outside the door.

  “Mikhail!” Laken exclaimed while Mae arranged her sheets.

  Doc was cleaning the baby off and swaddling him.

  “Come in!” Ky announced.

  A large man and an attractive full-figured curvy woman stepped into the room.

  “My uncle, Mikhail and my aunt, Miriam.” Ky hugged the newcomers. “You didn’t hear your name,” he told his uncle. “You heard my son’s name.”

  Mikhail froze and was speechless.

  And Camden had a feeling this larger-than-life man was rarely without speech.

  He cleared his throat, visibly overcome by emotion.

  Miriam stepped forward and kissed Laken on the forehead. Then hugged Ky again. “We’re so honored.”

  “Yes,” Mikhail assented, looking over Doc’s shoulder at the baby. He turned to Laken. “How are you, dearest?”

  “I feel like I’m finally not toting a watermelon in my abdomen,” she said with a laugh. “And maybe a little tired.”

  “Let’s give Laken and Ky some time with the baby.”

  They all filed out, leaving the new family alone.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Much later, though Camden couldn’t have said how long, she was in the boardroom and Ky had come down to join them.

  All the council members were assembled.

  As were all the guests.

  Everyone.

  Except a notable few.

  Laken and little Mikhail Jacob were resting.

  Griz and the twins were not there.

  And both Mikhail and Doc still sported a redness of pride in the cheeks and a certain straight-backed carriage at the honor of having the baby named after them.

  Tyler had arrived.

  The look he’d given Camden made her heart soar and at the same time, broke her heart, because she feared that if the council didn’t see things the way they were, there’d be no consoling Tyler, the twins, Griz, or even herself.

  They’d allowed Avala to speak, and Camden had relinquished her body to her elemental, staying in the background.

  Avala told them Camden had brought no charges.

  The council had agreed to see that fact.

  Then one of the members rose—Camden still couldn’t have said which one, she’d still not bothered to learn their names. To Camden, they were the enemy. She hated to think of them this way, but they were the ones doling out misery to two little girls and two men who loved them very much.

  It pained Camden not to be able to tell the council that Sean and Tyler were their older brothers. But this was not her secret to reveal. She had no right to redeem this situation. Not in this way, not by disclosing their mysteries.

  She took a deep breath and returned to the forefront as Avala stepped back. She studied the face of the standing member for any sign of what she was thinking.

  The one standing spoke. “I appreciate that the explanation of how this came to light. But that isn’t the issue. The issue is the anomaly of the situation. It’s scandalous to have two men—bachelors—in charge of two little girls.”

  Camden opened her mouth to rant at how ass-backward that thinking was.

  She never got a chance to speak.

  Mikhail Romanoff raised his hand, palm out. “If I may.”

  All turned to him.

  It was evident from the looks of their faces that every single one had high regard for Mikhail Romanoff. The man was a recognized leader in the shifter community.

  It also occurred to Camden how small a role she played with the shifter community at large. She lived in her own little world where shifters met elementals, and that was all she dealt with. She had no clue about the politics, the power struggles, the wars they’d spoken of.

  The standing council member took her seat. “Please do.”

  “The council today is not the same council that was in effect when Bear Canyon Valley was under siege from their enemies. When Bear Canyon Valley asked for help, that council had abstained. They’d turned a blind eye to a slaughter. It would stand to reason that is why Larsen del Cruz—we know him as Griz—has no faith that the best interest of these two little girls will be taken into account.”

  There were murmurs between several of the council members.

  “How can you speak for Larsen del Cruz when he is not here to confirm what you are saying?” This came from one of the male council members, and his voice was weak and tremulous as he clearly realized he was messing with the wrong shifter.

  Ky snorted and glared at the shifter. “You question my father’s integrity?”

  Camden’s panther picked up the scent of anger and rising testosterone in the room. She hoped things would not resort to a physical altercation.

  “He speaks for me,” Griz said from the doorway.

  A collective gasp came from the room. Each of his hands clasped the tiny hand of a twin. “I hope that things will remain civil while the girls are with us.” His tone carried a warning. Then he added, “Their elementals could be far more lethal, and much quicker than any shifter could think of being.”

  “Acknowledged,” Mikhail said.

  Others nodded and murmured their agreement.

  “Welcome, Larsen.” Mikhail gave Griz a shoulder hug, then bent down to greet the little ones.

  Camden couldn’t hear his hushed voice as he spoke to Tessa and Trista, but it clearly thrilled the twins, as they giggled and hugged Mikhail.

  “There is one thing, and one thing only, that matters here. And that is the wellbeing of these two little precious ones.”

  “Yes,” Miriam supported her husband. “Completely agreed.”

  Tyler cleared his throat. “I’ve decided not to fight the decisions of the council. I’ve spoken to my brother. We both agree on the assignment of the girls to Camden Brazos.”

  Camden gasped and looked at Tyler’s face.

  Think fast, think fast.

  Easier said than done.

  How the hell can I think at all when he looks at me with that expression in his eyes?

  But think fast she did, thanks to the help of her shifter and Avala.

  It was as if the words that came from Camden’s lips were the collective decision of the trio.

  “I’ll accept the council’s decision on the grounds that this matter be revisited.”

  “Agreed,” Ky said before anyone else could respond.

  The council members snapped their head in his direction, then slowly nodded their heads in unison.

  “You tell us when you’d like the matte
r readdressed,” Ky added. “I’m sure we could do this remotely, even. There’s no need for another road trip.”

  This time the council members really agreed, heads bobbing in extremes.

  Clearly, this isn’t to their liking as much as their homes in New York. Camden bit back the smile of amusement. She’d become rather fond of this place. Not to mention the shifter that lived here.

  “Another thing,” Camden said. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to take the girls from the only home they’ve known in some time. I’d like to stay in the area.”

  When Tyler’s eyes lit up, she knew they were on the same track. She’d done exactly what he’d been thinking.

  Would have been a lot easier if he’d said something to me so I could have known his game plan, for Pete’s sake.

  True enough, she could have messed that one up badly.

  Thank you, she said to Avala and her panther. I couldn’t have come to this without you.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The council members had left.

  Tyler had breathed a huge sigh of relief.

  They were sitting in lawn chairs outside Grant and Chelsea’s home with a large fire pit fully loaded and crackling in the middle of the area.

  There was Mikhail and Miriam Romanoff.

  Sean had returned from the trip and neither of the twins could get enough of him, so every few moments in between playing, they’d come back and give Sean a hug.

  Then as though wanting to be fair, they’d give Tyler a hug. Then they’d pass by Camden and Eden and drop a quick kiss on their cheeks.

  Then back to roasting marshmallows, and chasing bugs, and picking up sticks, and whatever caught their attention at that moment.

  Also in attendance were Braden, Dakota, and little Larsen, sitting on his momma’s lap, creating his little sparks.

  Tyler prayed he wouldn’t start a forest fire before they could figure out how to get his elemental under control.

  Man, this elemental shit was complicated.

  But he didn’t say that out loud. How could he? He was in love with a woman who had an elemental in her. And he’d become friendly with that entity.

  Also, there were Camden and Eden. Eden, sitting quietly next to Camden as though she had a lot on her mind.