Called by the Bear 7-9 (12 page)

L
ily

R
unning
into Annie at the clothing store today was bittersweet. I should have guessed it might happen when we were both on neutral ground, and I’m glad it did. It was wonderful to see my friend again, but the information she gave me only confirmed my recent fears. My husband is evil. He held Sierra hostage to make her bear his children, and once she managed to escape, he rushed me into marriage.

When I arrived home from my shopping trip I was informed that Victor was bringing Tokala, our medicine man, to go over the custody spell he plans to cast in order to keep Victor’s children safe under the Le Roux care. Funny, but I’m beginning to think it’s the Veilleux that are the threat. Waiting in my study, I slam the teapot down a little too hard on the tray, causing the china to rattle.

My relationship with Victor is surrounded by deceit, and I have too many unanswered questions. The biggest is why did he need Sierra to be the mother of his children when he knew I was his true mate and would have gladly taken on the job? Is there something about her heritage that makes her a better mother for the next Veilleux heir? I lift my cup to my lips and blow on the steaming liquid.

Hot tea warms my mouth before I swallow it, and it occurs to me that maybe Sierra is of Veilleux descent, making the bloodline cleaner. I get up to go to the window and gaze out at the twinkling white lights strung among the trees that line our long driveway. I remember thinking they would look like my stairway to heaven when I returned home from evening events. But now they remind me of how easily I was fooled by the glamorous exterior of my new life and the charming deception of my true mate.

The headlights of the town car bounce along in the distance, and I mentally prepare myself to act as a loving prima. While I can’t change the situation, I can certainly make sure my husband’s children are safe under my care.

I make my way to Victor’s den to ensure everything is ready for our meeting. A cool draft from the basement door makes me wrap my arms around myself as I walk by, and I frown, wondering if it’s still locked. I tried to go down earlier in the month to find holiday decorations but couldn’t get through. The decorations appeared soon afterward, and I wonder if maybe there’s something down there I shouldn’t see. The antique brass knob is cold in my hand when I twist it to no avail. There’s a deadbolt keeping it shut, and my mind returns to imagining horrible things.

I press my ear to the wooden door to listen as if maybe someone is being kept prisoner. Carol’s feet tap toward the hall, and I pull away before I’m caught and scurry to the den. I’m losing my mind! Victor couldn’t possibly be keeping someone here against their will without me knowing it. I turn as Carol enters the room, asking, “Is there anything else I need to get for you?”

The heavy front door opens with a groan as I answer, “Everything looks great, thank you.”

Victor’s voice booms down the hallway when he sees me step out of the den. “There she is, my lovely wife. Come, darling, meet an old family friend. This is Tokala.”

The Native American is dwarfed by the massive build of my husband, but when he takes my hand, the strength in his grip is anything but small. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Veilleux.” He smiles at me with a gaze that makes me feel as if I’m wearing a flimsy outfit and sharing too much.

Can he read my mind?
I give my thoughts a quick shake, because I’m getting paranoid. I say, “Please, call me Lily.”

I lead the men into Victor’s den and offer them drinks. I pour the usual whiskey for Victor and sparkling water for Tokala and myself. I have no intention of being the least bit off my game around my husband.

Tokala eases back into an overstuffed chair and sets his drink down. He asks, “Lily, how are you adjusting to being the prima?”

“Fine I think. I’m enjoying the volunteer work quite a bit.” I turn to Victor. “What do you think? How am I doing?”

Victor seats himself next to me on the couch and places a hand on my knee. I fight the urge to pull away. “She’s doing more than fine. The clan loves her.”

Tokala nods the slightest bit and steeples his fingers over his mouth as he watches us, and I suddenly feel as if I’m in a therapist’s office ready to share my shameful secrets. I lean against Victor as if the physical contact will show Tokala that I love my husband. “That’s sweet of you to say. But the Veilleux are welcoming, and it’s been quite easy.”

The old man leans forward and says, “Let’s talk about the spell. Shall we?”

I sit a little straighter as the ice in Victor’s glass rattles when he takes a drink. He sighs in pleasure and then says, “Yes. I don’t suppose there’s a chance we can spell the Le Roux right out of the mix, is there?” My husband’s laugh rumbles low in his throat, and I offer a smile at his humor.

Tokala’s eyes are on me, and it’s clear he’s studying my reaction. He says, “No, and it’s not in the best interest of those children. They should know their birth mother.” His brown eyes are almost black, and something about his voice makes me think he knows more than he should. He turns his gaze to Victor. “After all, the spirits decided Sierra should bear your heir, so we must abide by their choice.”

Victor says, “Very well. What do we need to do to prepare for the ceremony?”

The medicine man walks us through the procedure and explains that the children’s time will be split evenly between the two families. He states that if any harm comes to the either prime or the prima or Sierra or Ashton, the alpha abilities of the next heir of both clans will be thrown to the spirits to come back and land wherever the powers that be decide.

Victor stands and moves with the grace of a panther as he pours himself another drink. He says, “That’s quite sobering news. Anyone else need something stronger than water?”

I think it’s quite clever and ask, “If there wasn’t a Veilleux heir, what would happen to the clan?”

“After the prime and prima died, it would dissolve, and members would have to petition another clan for acceptance.”

Victor hands me a whiskey I didn’t ask for. “Need this now?”

I say, “Thank you.” I ask Tokala, “What happens if the alpha dies before the heir is determined?”

Tokala winks at me as if we share a private joke, and I fight the flush rising to my cheeks, because he can’t know I’ve entertained the thought of killing my husband. “The prima runs the clan. I’ve heard she can even take on alpha tendencies if necessary.”

His answer makes me uncomfortable, so I get back on the subject of custody. “So it seems we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place with the children, aren’t we?”

“For now.” Tokala grins at us, and Victor lets out a belly laugh that makes me jump.

I watch the men chuckle and wait for them to explain what’s so funny. When my husband recovers, he dabs at his eyes with a handkerchief and says to me, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat, my darling.”

I glance at Tokala, and he nods as his eyes bore into me like a warning. His gaze doesn’t leave mine as he says, “Never underestimate the element of surprise.”

S
ierra

I
think
I might be alone for the first time since I gave birth last month. Taylor came over this morning and offered to babysit, since she can’t train anyone to fight while she recovers from her recent concussion. I called Donna in just to be safe and left the two able women with my kids. The coffee machine at Ink It gurgles as it fills my mug, and the lock of the front door clicks open as Carly enters the tattoo parlor.

With the holiday coming, our calendar is clear of appointments, but we decided to take walk-ins today. Most likely we’ll hang out and talk about our babies while we enjoy the chance to sit without anyone needing our attention.

We’d moved on to our children when Annie bursts in the door, followed by a nearly nude man.

Her face is flushed from the cold. “Please tell me you have sweats big enough for this—this—” She huffs in a fit of anger. “Person. Bear.” Annie’s curls bounce wildly as she turns to look at him. “Whatever he is!”

The guy is even bigger than the Le Roux men and has hair so blond it’s almost white. But his icy blue eyes capture your attention. They twinkle with amusement as he holds Annie’s hat over his groin.

Carly says, “Ian probably has something.”

She glances at me, and I don’t want to leave before finding out what’s going on. This guy has clearly got Annie flustered, and I’m sure it’s good. But I know Carly will alpha order me if she has to, so I tilt my head toward Kick It and say, “Right this way.”

Annie lets out a noise of disgust as I lead the guy away. He says, “I’m Tristan De Rozier, and apparently I’ve upset Miss Annie.”

I lead him into Ian’s office and turn to face him. I can’t help but scan his body with my gaze. “I’m Sierra and married with children, so don’t take this as a come-on, but I guess you’ve probably upset her in all the right ways.”

He breaks into a grin that displays a mouthful of white teeth. “I’m sure I do. She may not know it yet, but I’m her true mate.”

I snort. “Could you puff your chest out any farther? You’re such a man.” I toss a pair of sweat pants at Tristan. “Thank God, though. She needs you more than you could even know.”

He throws the hat at me and steps into the pants without an ounce of modesty. Annie stomps her way around the corner toward us with Carly, and she says, “Please tell me you found something.”

I hand Tristan a Kick It T-shirt and notice the sweats are tight over his massive thighs and… attributes. I wink at him just before she gets to us. “He’s covered, but you should probably get him back to your place and let him run wild.”

Annie glares at me, and I think she wants to stamp her foot. “You are no help at all.” She turns to Tristan and sweeps her hand toward Carly. “This is Carly Le Roux, the prima.”

He reaches for Carly’s fingers. “It’s a pleasure.”

He kisses the top of her hand, and she says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Tristan. We’re thrilled to have you.”

Annie rolls her eyes and says to him, “Come on. Hopefully your sister is waiting at home with your things.”

Tristan raises his eyebrows at me as I cover my mouth with my hand in an effort to hide my snicker. He says, “I’ve got my orders. Nice to meet you, Sierra.” He turns to Carly. “Mrs. Le Roux.”

As they walk out, I speak in Carly’s mind.
“True mate.”

Her laugh rings loud and clear before she says,
“That explains a lot. This should be entertaining.”

Carly goes over to the coffee station to make herself a cup and says, “I just realized we should have gone gift shopping today.”

“I did all my shopping online. No way do I want to deal with the crowds.” I grab candy-cane coffee creamer from the mini fridge and splash some in my mug.

“Good point. I only need the stocking stuffers for Brady, but I can get them tomorrow.” We wander back to Ink It. “I have something kind of cool to tell you.”

The aroma of mint wafts up as I sip my coffee, and she says, “I’m kind of a witch.”

“Kind of? Aren’t you either one or not?”

“Well, I prefer to call myself gifted, and yeah. I am one.” She walks over to the couch to take a seat.

“That is pretty cool.” I move to the chair opposite Carly. “What can you do?”

Carly nods her head toward the books on the table between us. “Watch.”

I’m expecting a small fire or something, because she doesn’t do anything but stare at the albums. Then I notice one rise above the pile and hover in the air. “Whoa.”

It drops with a thump. “Neat, huh?”

“Can you fly one of your babies in the air to you in the middle of the night?”

Carly chuckles with me and says, “I haven’t tried that yet. Right now I’m torturing Brady and Annie by clearing the table instead.”

“I can just imagine. Break anything yet?”

“No. But by the way Annie freaks out so easily, I’m tempted.”

As we laugh, someone pushes open the front door of the shop, and I glance over to see a dark-haired girl enter. “Hi there. Are you here for a tattoo?”

Carly asks, “Tori, right?” She pats the space next to her on the couch.

“Yes.” The visitor’s zipper hums as she unzips her jacket and joins Carly on the sofa. She glances quickly at Carly’s wrist and points. “I’m here for one of those.”

I scoot to perch on the edge of the chair. She’s one of us, and I’m anxious to induct her into my crazy sisterhood. “Do you know why?”

Tori’s eyes are big as she says, “I’m not sure.”

Carly asks, “You have a dream with this in it, don’t you?”

“Yes. And it has a bear, too, so I thought it was a sign I should come to Orono. You know, because the university’s team is the Black Bears.” She slips out of her coat. “But the dream didn’t go away.”

Of course not. She’s been called, and Donna’s going to do what she can to get this girl hitched and pregnant by next summer.

I ask, “What does your guy look like?”

Tori’s cheeks get pink with a flush. “Um. He’s huge.” She covers her face with her hands. “I mean, like, tall and—”

I interrupt her. “I’m sure he’s big all over.” I chuckle.

“Oh, God. That’s not what I meant to say.”

Carly grins at Tori and says, “Sierra and I used to get the same kind of dream. She’s just teasing you.”

“So you’ve been having this dream since last spring?” I ask.

“Yeah, and I can’t fight it any longer. I need to get that tattoo before I go crazy.”

Carly says, “Okay, but I have to warn you. The dreams don’t stop until you also meet the guy.”

“Oh.” Tori bites her lip as she drops her gaze.

Poor thing is too shy to ask what she wants to know, so I help her out. “They’re just as hot as in the dreams. Promise.”

Tori frowns as she glances at me. “Why am I dreaming about him?”

“You’ve been called. Think of it as kind of like cosmic matchmaking. But don’t worry. If you end up not liking the guy, you don’t have to date him.”

“So how do I meet him?”

I wink at Carly. “We can help you out with that. But first, let’s give you a tattoo.”