Ten
Aubree
We’ve been laying on the rug in front of the fire, under a warm blanket for a while now, just basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking talking about what changes I might expect. I’ve been drawing lazy circles over the skin of his abdomen wondering how things are going to change for us. “Everything will work out Aubree, I promise, just as it should.” Cole sits up, and I grab him to pull him back down to me, but he slips out of my grasp. “Where are you going?”
“Not far my love,” Cole says and kisses my forehead then moves toward the fireplace to add another log to the fire. I sit up, letting the blanket pool around my waist as I watch my man. How is this my life? I never would have imagined my life would turn out this way. I run my fingers over the pendant at my neck and realize it has brought me the best luck imaginable.
“Cover up,” He says quickly snapping me out of my thoughts, and only seconds before I hear the back door open and the sound of his brother’s voices. Cole stands in front of me to block me from their view. “Go outside and wait for me to call you in.”
“What? Why? You asked us to follow up on that thing and to let you know what we found out. Well, we’re here.” Slate says sounding irritated.
“Go the fuck outside,” Cole says in a far angrier tone than I’ve ever heard him use.
“Slate,” Gabe says in a hushed voice.
I peak around him to see them both staring at my bra that has made it across the room somehow. “Could you boys give us a minute?” I ask in a calming tone.
“Sure thing Aubree. Let’s go, Slate.” Gabe pulls Slate by the shirt, and they head back toward the door. Slate grumbles under his breath, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. What is with him? Gabe seems so easy going, but Slate has always been upset whenever he’s been around me.
Once the door is closed, I stand and place the palm of my hand on Cole’s back. “Easy love, things are changing, and they will need to get used to it,” I say feeling the anger emanating off him in waves.
When he turns, I realize he’s still naked. “We’ve been shifting in front of each other for years. Nudity isn’t as big a deal to shifters since it’s more common.”
“How’d you know what I was thinking?”
“The same way I know how much you love me.” He says, placing his hand over my heart. “Feel how much I love you, Aubree, how much of my heart you own.” I don’t need to touch him to know. We are mates, I felt it the entire time we laid there in each other's arms. “I can feel your emotions in the same way that I feel my own. I’ll never be able to know exactly what you’re thinking, but I’ll know how you’re feeling.”
I reach up on my tiptoes, but I’m still not tall enough to reach so he bends down so I can brush my lips against his. “I love you too, Cole.”
After we’re dressed Cole walks out, the anger he was feeling a few minutes ago gone, to get his brothers, but when he comes in Ruby is with them, and she doesn’t look happy to be here. “We need to talk y'all.”
Her face brightens immediately when she sees my claiming mark. “Wait a gosh darn minute. Are you two mated?”
“Yep,” I say excitedly as Cole pulls me into his side and wraps his arm around my middle.
Her eyes twinkle, and I know that her mind is working a million miles a minute. “Have you shifted yet?”
“No, but my teeth changed to help me leave his claiming mark.”
“This is so cool. I’ve never met anyone who has transitioned before. Promise me you’ll let me be there the first time you change.”
“Ruby, take it easy. This is going to be a big deal, and I want Aubree as calm as possible, so it goes well. When she’s ready, we’ll all go on a run together. How’s that sound?”
She nods at Cole, and I’m finally seeing what he was talking about when it comes to him and his siblings. He’s not only the oldest, but he’s their alpha. I guess he’s my alpha now too.
“Sorry Aubree, I just got excited. It’s only been these three for so long. It’s going to be awesome to have you in the family now.” She says hugging me tightly.
“The wolves are back,” Slate says, standing against one of the walls with his arms crossed at his chest.
Cole’s easy smile is replaced with a snarl. I lace my hand with his. “Who are the wolves?”
“They killed my father and made it look like an animal attack. Then they left town. We haven’t seen or had any other involvement with them since.”
“It doesn’t make sense. Why hit town to kill our father and leave?” Gabe asks shaking his head.
“We followed them from Aubree’s Jeep into the forest. From there we trailed them a few miles in before the trail split up in several directions. Slate and I followed one, but it just went in circles. They’re messing with us Cole.” Slate says.
“You need to go and talk to Luke Hart and let him know what’s going on. He needs to be aware of this too.” Ruby adds in.
I’m about to ask, but Cole already knows. I love this being mated thing, it’s so convenient. “Luke Hart is the alpha of the mountain lion pride here in Havenwood. We’re not exactly on speaking terms though.”
“Why not?”
“Because they’re lions and we’re bears. The lions like to keep to themselves, plus they were here first. They seem to think we’re encroaching on their land.” Gabe shrugs, answering my question.
“I have a feeling this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better big brother. We’re going to need some help.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Gabe, come with me?”
“Of course, whatever you need. You know that.” He says smiling genuinely.
“Welcome to the family, sis,” Ruby says handing out shots of whiskey to everyone. “Welcome.” They all say before we drink.