Chapter Thirty
Haven
“Stop looking at me like that.” Rylee adjusts the pillow under her head, smooths down the shirt I loaned her, and glares at me.
“Like what?” I grab the blanket at the end of the couch and cover her up.
“Like I’m going to die,” she grumbles.
“You almost did,” I hiss, tucking the fabric around her.
“As if,” she scoffs, pushing my hands away. “I wasn’t going to let some deranged pen pal take either of us out. My fox is tougher than anyone thinks.”
“Does it hurt? Is it healed?” I sit on my heels beside the couch.
“I got shot, of course it hurts.” She sighs. “Shit, sorry. I’m cranky after a near-death experience.”
“I don’t care if you're a raging bitch,” I growl. “I’m just glad you're awake to snip at me.”
“I must have lost a lot of blood,” she says, pressing her hand to her chest. “I’m weak.”
“Yes, you did,” I mumble, and she looks at me.
“You were scared,” she whispers.
“Terrified,” I say, blinking. “I lost it.”
“Haven.” She holds out her hand, wiggling her fingers, and I place my palm against hers. “I was scared, too. I heard what you said, and I couldn’t leave you. My animal saved me. It helped that I was shifted, and my fox could heal me. You know I’ve faced many injuries.”
“I know, but you shouldn’t have to,” I rasp.
“No shit. I’m done with getting beaten up and shot,” she says, squeezing my fingers. “My fox is pissed and ready to live wound-free. I hate that a human almost killed me. What the hell happened? Why was she here?”
“She wanted to be me.” I shake my head. “Now’s not the time. We can talk about it when you’re completely healed.”
“Well, you're fabulous. Why wouldn’t she?” She grins. “I’m sore, but a couple more days, and I’ll be good as new.”
“You can stay here,” I offer.
“I don’t think so,” she smirks, releasing my hand. “You have a bond to complete, and I have a snake who’s going to pamper me. Heath wants me close.”
“I get it.” I rub my hands up and down my thighs. “I’m nervous.”
“Listen, those four men are devoted to you,” she whispers. “They could have lost you today, and I’m sure they’re a bit touchy not being in the same room with you.”
“I couldn’t do anything until I knew you were safe. I also need to deal with my father, and process Jenica's death,” I say.
“I swore you told me her name was Jenny,” she mumbles, and then waves her hand.
“Doesn’t matter. Put everything out of your head, and concentrate on them.
This is your destiny, and I’ll be mad if you put it off because of me.
” She narrows her eyes. “I bet a jaguar named Hunter will have your father dealt with soon. Let him. You’ve done all you can. ”
“It would be nice to let him.” Hunter offered before, and I’m sure he would take pleasure in the task.
“Then do.” She rolls to her good side, facing me. “You aren’t alone anymore. They won’t leave you, cheat, or treat you like shit.”
“I always had you,” I whisper.
“Not always,” she reminds me. “For several years, you thought I left you on purpose, too. Now you know I would have done anything to come back to you, but at the time, it appeared that way. I know it hurts you. Today was a fluke. I have no plans to disappear again. Your mates won’t either.”
“I know,” I murmur, looking at the closed door. I’m hoping they aren’t listening. The noise in the kitchen should make it more difficult.
“Hey.” I look at her. “I’ll always be here for you. It’s time to decide your future. We have always been family, so nothing will change except our ability to shift together.” She smiles softly. “My fox would love to meet your animal.”
“It’s mind-blowing to think about it.” I shake my head. “Seeing it and doing it are vastly different.”
“Don’t be scared. It’s natural, and you're supposed to be a jaguar.”
“Will I be able to fly through the air, shifting mid-leap like you did?” I ask.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she snorts. “I’m just that badass.”
“Yes, you are.” She laughs, and it turns into a groan. “You need to rest.”
“I’m good.” She exhales harshly. “I’ll be able to get up in a few hours. Go find your mates.”
“I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“You aren’t.” She looks toward the door, and it opens. Heath and Juliana step into the room. “I smell the food. Go eat.”
“Alright.” I stand up. “I’ll come back after.” I lean over her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Her lips twitch, but the exhaustion falls over her face.
“We’ll make sure she rests,” Juliana says softly.
“Thanks.” I nod and move toward the door. Pausing over the threshold, I watch as Heath drags a chair next to the couch, pulls Juliana to his lap, and looks at Rylee tenderly. The deadly snake shifter loves her, and I know she will be cared for.
I shut the door softly and stand in the hallway.
The conversation flows from the kitchen.
There are vampires and shifters of every kind, joking and telling stories.
I’ve been going through the motions, accepting the reality I’m living in, yet I don’t think it’s really sunk in.
I’m going to be one of them. Being around them, I don’t think of them as a lion, vampire, or rabbit.
They are just people to me. Yes, they have something very special, but they have emotions, fears, and bad days just like everyone else.
I walk to the other end of the hallway under the stairs.
I’m not ready to join everyone yet. Brushing my hair back with both hands, I lean against the wall and stare down the hallway.
When I woke up today, the worst thing I thought would happen was that my mates would get hurt, and I tried to prepare for it.
I don’t even know what happened at the fight.
I assumed it went how they wanted it to, since they are back in one piece.
I need to check in with Lawson. Seeing Frank again couldn’t have been easy.
He walks out of my thoughts, a sweater draped over his arm, and a container in his hand. I watch him stride toward me and straighten.
“Come with me,” he says, and nods behind me. He moves to the right, and I see a doorway I didn’t notice before. Curious, I keep pace behind him as he presses his hand to a keypad and opens it. I’m shocked when the night air touches my face.
“I didn’t know this was here,” I say, and follow him outside.
“We wanted another way out of the house.” He grins.
“How did I not see this?” I gasp as the backyard is filled with light. They must be motion censored as little lights illuminate our path as we pass. I don’t know what time it is, but it’s dark beyond the rocky trail. “No way.” There is a gazebo made out of dark wood.
“Bane was the one who wanted it,” he chuckles, stopping at the entrance. “Go ahead.”
“It’s gorgeous.” I move past him and step inside. Half the space is walled in, and the other half is lattice. There is a bench that spans the wall.
“I thought you might enjoy some quiet,” he says, placing the container on the bench. “Here.” He holds out the sweater, and I slip my arm in, and turn. “It’s Remy’s, so it’s big enough to keep you warm.” Once I put my other arm in, I hold up my hands and roll the sleeves.
“Thank you.” Instead of buttoning it, I wrap it across my chest.
“Come here. You need to eat.” He sits down and opens the container.
“Lawson,” I breathe. I stand beside him, staring at the food. “It looks delicious.”
“Breeane is a good cook,” he grins charmingly. “Don’t tell Remy. He’ll get jealous.” He takes a fork out of his pocket. “Chicken Alfredo.” He slides the fork into the noodles and pulls a small water bottle out of his back pocket. I sit down before my knees give out.
“You thought of everything,” I whisper.
“It’s not a big deal.” He lifts a shoulder and leans against the wall, stretching his legs out and crossing his ankles.
“It is to me,” I say softly, and twirl the fork.
“I don’t understand what's wrong with human men,” he grumbles, and I smile before taking a bite. “If you care about someone, you cater to their needs. You didn’t eat, and the chaos was getting to you, so I solved the problem.”
“So simple.” I lick my lips. “I don’t understand human men either.”
“Good thing you have four shifter men.” He drops his head back, rolls toward me, and winks.
“Do you even realize how sexy you are?” I ask, and take another bite.
“How do I answer that?” he asks, lifting a brow.
“Probably shouldn’t,” I mumble as I chew.
He rolls his head forward and crosses his arms. We sit in silence as I enjoy the food.
This is perfect. This place is perfect. My experience with men is nothing like they have treated me.
It’s too good to be true. Is this how the rest of our lives will be?
Will they always be so attentive? Or will we settle into being mates, and the little things like this will become a thing of the past? I hope not.
I open the bottle and take a drink. The world is filled with so much noise; it’s nice to feel no pressure to talk.
I could sit for hours with Lawson, or any of them, and be comfortable.
They give me space. My father would go on and on, so I didn’t say much, but there came a point when I hated hearing his voice.
I was always doing something wrong. Brushing it off, I accepted that he would never approve of me or my decisions.
“Were you scared?” Lawson asks quietly.
“Yes,” I say just as quietly.
“Were you hoping we would come?” He studies his feet.
“I was,” I say honestly.
“I wish we had,” he says, focusing on my face.
“I know.” I smile tenderly. “Were you scared? Confronting Frank?”
“Yes,” he says gruffly.
“I wish I could have been there with you.”
“I know,” he says.
“Then we’re even.” I tilt my head. “I’m proud of you. It couldn’t have been easy.”
“I was afraid I would revert to that little boy who wanted to please him. Not because he was good, but because he was the only one I had.”
“You didn’t, though,” I assume.