Chapter 17
Upon entering the kitchen, they found Jacey, Megan, London, and Gerard seated at the table, enjoying pikelets with jam and cream.
A large, bright yellow teapot sat in the middle of the table, along with a milk jug and a sugar bowl.
Everyone turned as one, and Maia’s steps faltered. Henry tugged her to an empty seat.
“You’ve met my stepdad, and you know Gerard and London,” Henry said. “Maia, this is Megan, dad’s wife.” He dropped into the seat beside Maia. “My stepmum.”
The blonde woman snorted. “London mentioned a new arrival, and I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Congratulations on your rugby contract. Your family must be proud of you.”
Maia’s answering smile suddenly didn’t fit her mouth. “I…um…don’t have any family left. My parents died years ago, and my sole remaining relative—an aunt—died last year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Megan said. “I was a rugby commentator, so I’m interested in your rugby career.”
“How did you and Henry meet?” Jacey asked.
“Dad,” Henry rumbled. “We met years ago. Maia went to school in Middlemarch.”
“Oh,” Megan said. “That’s nice.”
There was a long pause that turned a little uncomfortable, puzzling Maia. What had created this weird vibe? She cast about for something to say, but Gerard spoke first.
“Have you decided on a puppy name? You know Levi will take charge the moment he gets home from school. He’ll want to play with him or her.”
“Her,” Henry said. “She’s nervy and not up to rough play yet. That’s why Maia is staying with me. Someone attacked her, using this puppy as bait. For now, we decided it is best if Maia doesn’t stay alone.”
“You poor thing,” Megan said.
“Oh, Maia. That’s scary,” London said.
“Thanks for having me,” Maia said. “Since the attack, I’ve jumped at every noise, which isn’t conducive to recovery.”
“Would you like a cup of tea?” Gerard asked.
“Yes, please.” Maia caught silent communication between Gerard and Henry and thought Henry seemed grateful for the interruption.
Then she intercepted Jacey and Megan’s sly grins and understood.
They were ready to tease Henry, and Gerard had stepped in to divert them.
Given the older couple’s gleefulness, this was only a temporary cease-fire.
“You didn’t mention the puppy’s name,” London said.
“Because she doesn’t have one yet,” Maia said. “We’re waiting to see if she shows her personality.”
“You need a name that means white,” Jacey said. “Something like Bianca or Alba.”
“That’s not a bad idea, but Bianca might be difficult to shout quickly if she’s naughty.” London studied the pup, curled into a tight ball in a makeshift bed in a box. “Alba is easy to say. What do you think?”
“I like it,” Maia said.
“Alba it is then,” Henry said.
Maia accepted a cup of tea and a pikelet. After the kerfuffle with Samuel and at home, she and Henry had missed lunch. Emily’s cheese scone seemed a long time ago and hunger gnawed at her. London shunted the cream and jam toward her and refilled her own cup.
“Henry said your team sidelined you until you recover. I’m sorry to hear that, even though it’s the best thing,” London said. “You can’t fool around with head injuries.”
Maia slathered raspberry jam on her pikelet. “I need to recover fast. I’d hate to lose my contract.”
“When I first met Gerard and Henry, my sister’s ex was stalking her,” London said. “I know exactly how you feel, but you’re safe here. Nobody will get past our security.”
“Thanks,” Maia said simply. Losing her fitness was another worry. Every time she moved too fast, her head thumped. She could hardly train when she felt like that.
Megan seemed to read her mind. “I’ve been attending Isabella’s yoga class. We do gentle stretching, which might help with your fitness. The next class is a few days away on Thursday.”
“Thanks,” Maia said. “My friend, Bryce, swears by the stretching class he takes. He plays rugby for his local club.”
Henry listened to Maia, Megan, and London discuss training and stretching, a sense of buoyancy filling him. He enjoyed seeing her interaction with his family. His good humor evaporated when he heard the front door open, and seconds later, a blond wolf slunk into the room.
He nudged Jacey. “Levi is home. He needs to stay in two feet.”
Jacey was in motion before Maia noticed the new arrival, and Gerard, seeing the problem, went into diversion mode.
“What are you doing with the land that comes with your house?” he asked.
“Felix Mitchell is grazing it for me.”
Levi must’ve smelled the puppy because he gave a yip of excitement and shot past Jacey, avoiding Henry’s outstretched hand. The boy loved animals and helped Henry to train his security dogs. He was a natural.
“Oh,” Maia said. “Where did he come from?”
“Levi must be home and let out a pup,” Jacey said with admirable calm. He stepped forward, grabbed Levi by the ruff, and exited the kitchen with long strides, Henry on his heels.
Damn, this wasn’t how he’d wanted Maia to learn about his dual identity. They needed more time. He needed more time.
Jacey took Levi to the kennels before he set him down. Juno arrived, and the other dogs let out a friendly chorus of welcoming barks. Henry opened doors to allow them into the exercise area before he returned to Jacey and Levi.
“Shift,” Jacey said in a stern voice.
A tremor went through Levi as if he’d suddenly realized he’d messed up. Henry felt sympathy for the boy because he recalled the energy that had sizzled through him when he’d been younger. His enthusiasm sometimes meant he’d forgotten the rules.
“Levi,” Jacey said, a faint edge to his voice, but when he met Henry’s gaze, he winked.
Levi shifted, the process taking long minutes because he was a child, but finally, he stood pale and naked in front of his father.
“Where are your school clothes and your bag?” Jacey asked. “Your mother will be cross if you’ve lost them again.”
Levi shook his head, his blond curls bobbing while his blue eyes held a trace of pleading. “I left them by Henry’s car.”
“Did you test the air for strange scents before you ran inside?” Jacey asked.
Levi gave a solemn nod. “I smelled family and Henry’s lady and a puppy! Is the puppy for me to play with? Can we run together?”
Jacey’s brows rose, his gaze connecting with Henry’s. Humor lurked in his dad’s eyes. “Henry’s lady, huh? I got that scent, too. Wanna explain, son? Especially the bit about knowing Maia from years ago.”
Henry didn’t bother with evasion, but he did glance at Levi.
“Levi, why don’t you get dressed and take your bag inside? You can say hello to the puppy. Her name is Alba, and she might be frightened because someone was mean to her and she got hurt. She needs you to move slowly and talk softly until she trusts us,” Jacey said. “Can you do that?”
“Yes!” Levi bounced on his toes, his grin broad and his expression one of excitement.
Jacey’s hair might be gray now, but Henry saw the resemblance to Levi. “Go along now and remember to stay in two feet while Henry’s lady is staying with us. She doesn’t understand shifting, and we don’t want to scare her.”
“Okay!” Levi raced away, leaving silence apart from the odd yip or bark from the exercise paddock.
“What’s up?” Jacey asked.
“Maia has trouble. Someone graffitied her house and tried to enter. We think Juno scared them off. They’ve also attacked her, using the puppy to lure her outside.”
“She’s your mate.”
“Yes.” Henry closed his mouth, but he needed to tell Jacey what was happening with him and Maia. “I met Maia when she was a child on a school trip to visit the dogs.”
“Ah! You recognized she was your mate, and it scared you rigid. Now everything makes sense. I thought you were mourning Jenny, and you were, but Maia threw you a curveball.”
“She was a kid! Even now, there’s an age gap between us.”
“I haven’t seen her before. How is that?”
“She spent a few months in Middlemarch before she went to a boarding school in Auckland. She recently returned and purchased Beatrice Ramsay’s property.”
“Ah.”
“She told me she wants me,” Henry blurted.
“And knowing you, you tried to fight that. Can’t fight nature, son. I tell you this from experience.” He sobered. “Few shifters are lucky enough to have two mates. She seems like a nice girl. Treat this as a gift. You feel something for her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken on your scent.”
“But she’s still young. She should be traveling and exploring life. Living it instead of settling with me,” Henry said, the words painful even if they held the element of truth. She’d barely left university and had her entire life before her.
“Have you asked what she wants?”
“She says she wants me.” Even now, this bewildered him. Her certainty that they belonged together.
Henry was afraid. There! He’d admitted it. With someone intent on causing trouble for Maia, this situation tossed him back into the past—Jenny’s murder and the horrid aftermath of jail and depression.
“I worry about history repeating itself if the person harassing Maia has something worse in mind. I’m not strong enough to face that again.”
“Aw, son.” Jacey embraced him, sharing his strength and force of character.
“When your mother died, I thought my life over, but my responsibility for you pulled me through the dark times. Then I met Megan, and my life took another turn. Now, I have a larger family: two sons who make me incredibly proud. I have a mate who challenges and loves me despite my faults, and through your friendship with Gerard, I have a third son and a daughter. I feel exceptionally rich to have you all in my life. Your mother wouldn’t have wanted me to live my life alone.
She told me so before she died, even though it wasn’t something I wanted to hear.
London would tell you her sister wouldn’t want you to live in misery. You need to embrace this miracle.”
“And if something happens to Maia?” Henry asked in a hoarse voice. “How do I keep going?”