Chapter Ten
The next couple weeks flew by so fast, Logan wondered where the time had gone. He’d always looked forward to his month-long sojourns with his cousins and every year he was reluctant to leave the peace and quiet of their little piece of the world. It was a place where he could be himself, shift if he wanted to, walk around naked if he wanted and not answer to a goddamn person.
This year, the impending return to his outside life filled him with a greater reluctance, because now he would have to share Zora with the rest of the world. If he had his way, it would just be the four of them out here in their wooded paradise forever.
On one of the last few days of their vacation, besides making love and being around Zora, he spent time foraging outside in his bear form. Logan thought better in this form. Though the last several days had been bliss, something wasn’t quite right. In the beginning when Zora had agreed to stay for the remainder of their time at the cabin, she’d been shy and hesitant in her interaction with them. But after the night when the four of them came together, they’d become a unit.
With Zora, he’d never laughed as loud, teased as much or let his guard down enough to not take things so seriously. He liked that he could talk to her about any topic from the profound to the mundane. He knew his cousins found joy in their time spent with Zora as well. It went beyond making love even though that was always a highlight. The woman oozed sex when she walked into a room. Just the scent of her freshly cleaned skin was enough to make his cock rock hard. Everything seemed so much better with Zora around.
But in their final days at the cabin, something wasn’t right. He could feel her pulling away from them again, closing herself off as if she intended to go her separate way when they left here. He didn’t like it one little bit. He’d be damned if he let her walk away from them after they’d waited so long for her to come into their lives. Something was wrong and he intended to find out what it was.
He headed back to the cabin and shifted into his two-legged form. Logan walked inside to see his cousins in a deep conversation. Zora was not in sight. “Where’s Zora?”
“Taking a nap. She had a busy morning.” Heath’s tone was even but his expression said it all.
“You two rode her hard, huh? No matter. I’ll get my time with her later. What were you two talking about?” He asked, grabbing the pair of jeans he had thrown over the couch.
“Actually, we were talking about Zora. Not sure if you’ve noticed it, but she’s seemed a little distant these last couple days.”
Logan nodded. “Guess we’re all on the same page, because I was just thinking about the same thing and for the life of me, I can’t figure what that’s all about.”
“Yeah, she seemed happy to be here with us, but now it feels like she’s holding a part of herself away from us. It’s like she’s shut down,” Heath added.
Gavin nodded. “That’s pretty much what I noticed too. The only time she actually lets down her guard is when we’re intimate, and even then there’s a slight disconnect that wasn’t there before. Maybe she thinks this is simply a vacation fling?”
Logan raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. “How the hell could she possibly think that when we’ve explained to her how much she means to us?”
“It could have something to do with someone from her past. I know we agreed we wouldn’t intrude on her thoughts without permission, but like you guys, I’ve felt her pull away in the last few days. It’s frustrating as hell.” Heath pounded his fist into his palm.
“So are you going to tell us what you found out or leave us guessing?” Logan demanded.
“I didn’t delve too deeply, but I believe she’s frightened. Someone from her past has hurt her and she still carries the pain with her.”
“Maybe it’s her parents. She’s estranged from them. So maybe she still has some unresolved issues there,” Gavin theorized.
Heath shook his head. “No, that’s not it. I think she’s at peace with the idea of her parents’ lack of affection. It’s something else. A man. Someone she may have been in a relationship with. I believe he hurt her.”
Logan’s blood boiled at the thought that someone could hurt their woman to the point where she would still carry the woundsGood point. Consider deleting “years later” and it’ll work. . If he found the fucker responsible, he’d rip him apart and eat his entrails. “Who was it?” he bit out between clenched teeth.
“I’m not sure. But I intend to find out,” Heath answered.
Logan had no desire to pussyfoot around the issue. He wanted to know now. “So do I.” He pushed away from the table and strode out of the room.
“Where are you going?” Gavin was on his feet in an instant.
“To get answers.”
“Let her rest,” Gavin and Heath said at the same time.
Logan wasn’t going to be put off. “She can rest later.”
His cousins stood up as well, but they all stopped in their tracks once they caught a familiar scent. Leaning against the doorframe was Zora.
“No point in coming to get me, I couldn’t sleep. I heard the tail end of your conversation.” She seemed a bit distracted, worried even, and Logan’s protective instinct kicked in.
He closed the short distance between them and pulled her into his arms. He loved the way she melted against his body, the perfect fit. Dropping a kiss on the crown of her head, Logan whispered, “Babe, you’ve got to tell us what’s going on with you. You’ve been shutting yourself off from us and I don’t like it one bit. We don’t like it. Whatever problem you have is also ours.”
She raised her head to look up at him, the worry in that deep brown gaze evident. “It’s… Never mind. It’s nothing really.”
Heath walked over to them. “It is something if it’s bothering you and causing this disconnect between us. Everything was perfect these past weeks, but the past few days, you’ve been pulling away from us. Don’t you think we deserve to know what’s going on?”
Gavin joined them, standing on the other side of Logan. “Yes. We love you, Zora. Of course, whatever it is that’s on your mind is important to us.”
A gasp tumbled from her luscious lips, her eyes widening as her gaze swept across Logan’s and his cousins’ faces. “Y-you love me?”
Logan furrowed his brows together. He was a fan of action rather than words, but he knew enough about women to realize Zora needed that vocal confirmation. “Of course we do,” he growled. “We loved you from the moment we found you.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. “I love you with all my heart.”
Her eyes watered as they locked with his. “You mean it, don’t you?”
Heath, not one to be left out, took hold of Zora’s arm and gently pulled her from Logan’s grasp. “These words aren’t spoken lightly, Zora. We love you. You’re our onida, our mate and to us that means forever. If we don’t say it often, it’s because what we feel for you goes beyond just a simple word. What we have is so fierce and so deep, once we claimed you, you bonded to us. We are all one. And if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll admit it too. Did you think once our time together at our little getaway was through, we’d be over?”
“I wasn’t sure what to think,” she answered. “I really didn’t want to think beyond these past weeks with you because for once, I wanted to let go and enjoy being free.”
“So how do you feel now, Zora?” Gavin asked softly.
“I…”
She wanted to say the words but she couldn’t get them out. The last time she’d told a man she loved him, he’d used it as a weapon. Deep down she knew her bears’ feelings were sincere, but the fear still ran deep.
“Zora, do you trust us?” Heath gently demanded.
Even though fear kept her from saying the thing she most wanted to, she was able to nod. She did trust them and knew they wouldn’t hurt her the way Dale had. They were right, she at least owed them some explanation as to why she’d grown distant toward them the past couple days. It wasn’t to hurt them, it was a defense mechanism for her.
With a heavy sigh, she pulled away from the comfort of Heath’s arms. “I think you guys need to have a seat.” She gestured to the kitchen table.
Once her men, she chuckled at how easily that phrased popped in her mind, were seated, she sat down too. Zora took a moment to figure out where to begin. Thankfully Gavin, Logan and Heath were patient and remained silent, not pressing her until she was ready to speak.
She hesitated a moment to take a deep breath. “I’ve told you guys about my childhood, right?”
Each man nodded silently and then waited for her to continue.
“My parents weren’t the affectionate types. I don’t ever remember being held or comforted by them or even receiving a kind word when I did something right. I can’t even recall them being affectionate with each other. It’s like there was a huge void in our family. Our house was absent of life. I can’t quite put it into words, but something was definitely missing. I felt it from the time I realized how much I needed their love. So that was on top of them being extremely strict with me. Besides that, I’d get the feeling my father hated me. He’d stare at me sometimes when he didn’t think I noticed, and there was such dislike in that look, I would stay in my room when I could.
“They were glad to see the back of me when I went off to school. As you can imagine, I basically lost my mind with all the freedom I suddenly had. I was away from my parents’ censure and I drank and experimented with drugs, and…I’m not proud to admit it, but basically I hooked up with a lot of different guys because that kind of attention was new to me. And when I say hook up, I don’t necessarily mean going all the way, but I did plenty of other things with these men and a couple of women. It wasn’t until I had a one-night stand with a guy who battered my reputation that I realized those guys didn’t care about me. They were just using me. I’d nearly thrown away a great opportunity I’d been given because I was trying to make up for all the things I’d missed out on when I was in high school.” She paused to catch her breath and to gauge their reaction to what she’d just revealed.
Zora was relieved to see the patience and compassion in their eyes, no judgment whatsoever and she appreciated that. It gave her the fortitude to continue.
“This does have a point.” She laughed nervously.
Gavin gave her a reassuring smile. “Take your time, sweetheart. Whatever happened in your past is exactly that, the past. Anything you tell us won’t be held against you.”
It felt good to know she could share her darkest secrets with them. Zora returned a brief smile of her own. “Thank you. Anyway, I started to get my act together. I was going to my classes and seeing tutors to catch up on everything I’d fallen behind on. I was on track once again and that’s when I met Dale. After my episode with so many random guys, I was a little hesitant to give him a chance. He had a reputation for throwing great parties and being a ladies’ man, so of course I handled his advances with caution. I think my initial rejection of him was probably what made him pursue me. In hindsight, I believe if I had given in to him the first time he asked me out on a date, he’d have been done with me right away. But I made him work for it. A good looking guy with his money and connections wasn’t used to that.
“One thing I can say for sure, Dale was definitely a charmer. He wore me down after several weeks and I’m not going to lie, I was flattered by his attention. Here was a guy who seemed to have it all together, and he wanted to date me. He’d tell me I was beautiful and say the things no man had ever told me before. I started to develop feelings for him so I agreed to go out with him. Almost immediately, we began to date exclusively. In the beginning, things were great. He would wine and dine me, shower me with gifts and compliments. And I lapped it all up. I was so starved for love and I thought that’s what he was giving me, so of course, I believed I loved him too. I’m not exactly sure when, but things began to change. It happened subtly at first, with little digs about what I wore and about my appearance. Dale subtly implied I wasn’t worthy of him and I was lucky he’d lowered himself to even date me.”
“That son of a bitch!” Logan interrupted with a pound of his fist to the table.
Zora jumped at the sudden movement.
“Sorry,” Logan mumbled.
“It’s okay,” she returned with a sigh. Zora absently twirled one of her locks around her finger as she continued. “It wasn’t long before I discovered Dale was cheating, but when I tried to break it off with him, he made it seem like I was the one to blame. By this time, I was so conditioned by him to believe everything he told me about myself. After all, my own parents didn’t love me. That was something he threw in my face, by the way, one of the secrets I’d shared with him when I believed I could trust him.” She paused, closing her eyes against the pain that resurfaced when she remembered the cruelty of his words.
Gavin reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze. Heath took the other one and Logan stroked the back of her arm. She smiled at them in turn, thankful for their support.
“Over the next year he made me feel like I was nothing and I would never get any better. After a while, I couldn’t take anymore. I tried to break things off with him again. That’s when Dale got physical. I was so ashamed at first, I blamed myself. I had no one to tell because I was no longer in contact with the few friends I’d managed to make in college. Dale had made sure of that. He’d isolated me from everyone. I didn’t feel comfortable going to any of my professors or the authorities. My academic career was almost caput anyway. I was on academic probation for the second time and I knew I couldn’t turn to my parents either. Besides, Dale had family connections and money. No one would believe me if I told them that he abused me. I even contemplated suicide for a while, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“I think my moment of clarity came when I walked in on Dale having sex with another woman and he laughed at me. He told me I was pathetic and to get out until he was ready to talk to me again. He and the girl treated me as if I were less than nothing. He’d cheated before, but I’d never caught him in the act so blatantly. This time around, something in me just snapped. I literally couldn’t take it anymore. I told him we were done for good. He stopped laughing at me then, in fact his demeanor changed with a snap and he got really nasty. I walked away, but he followed me. When he tried to grab me, for the first time I fought back. I pushed him away with all my might and ran. I didn’t look back.
“I was really through with him and meant it. I wouldn’t let him sweet talk or bully me into getting back with him. By now, I realized I didn’t want to remain at college, but I wasn’t sure where I could go. I’d had a little money saved away from my work study job. I figured I could get a job somewhere and find a room to rent. Dale apparently wasn’t through with me yet. He stalked me and made obscene phone calls. He showed up at my job and sent me harassing emails. Finally, I’d had enough. I agreed to meet him to talk. I was hoping if I told him to leave me alone, he would.
“I know it sounds crazy, but I was tired of being scared of him, and I wanted to face him and tell him to leave me alone. We’d agreed to meet at a coffee shop. I arrived there first and waited for him at a table by the window. I saw him when he approached the shop, and immediately I knew something was up. Now mind you, he’s a guy who takes pride in his appearance, but he looked unkempt. His clothes were askew and his eyes were bloodshot. He walked into the shop, spotted me and stopped. He just stared at me for several seconds and I could feel my heart sink because my gut was telling me he didn’t come to listen. He was up to something. I don’t know if it was divine intervention or what, but the barista dropped some dishes. I was so startled, I slid from my chair and that’s when Dale pulled out a gun and opened fire. A bullet whooshed by my head. And I know with absolute certainty had that person behind me not dropped those dishes, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Logan suddenly pushed away from the table, knocking his chair over. “Mother fucker! Where the hell is he now? I’m going to fucking kill him.”
Zora could see the bear in his eyes. With a quick glance, she noted Gavin and Heath, though not as vocal as their cousin about what she’d just shared, were every bit as angry as he was.
“Please.” Zora stood and placed her hand on Logan’s shoulder to calm him down. “Let me finish. There’s still a little bit left I need to tell you. You guys have to understand where I’m coming from. I promise I’ll answer all your questions when I’m finished.”
Logan’s nostrils flared and Zora could feel his pulse racing beneath her touch. Finally, he nodded and sat back down with crossed arms.
Zora took her seat and continued. “Even though he missed me, he hit another patron, a woman coming out of the bathroom. Thank goodness she survived, but at that moment, pandemonium broke out in the shop. I think Dale probably would have taken more shots at me had it not been for a couple of rugby players who tackled him to the ground. And the whole time he was on the ground struggling as the men tried to restrain him, he yelled at me that I’d never be rid of him. He said no matter how far I go, he’d find me. I was horrified. The incident was in the papers and made the news. Even as the police took him away, he was still yelling. He’d snapped. I didn’t realize how unhinged he really was until then, but I should have seen the signs. There were little clues to his mental instability from the beginning, but I ignored them.” Zora wrapped her arms around her body, shuddering as she recalled the day that was still deeply etched in her mind.
“Despite it being one of the most horrific experiences of my life, a couple good things came out of it. Dale was locked up, even though his family connections got him a lighter sentence than he deserved. And that incident gave me to the courage to reach out to my nana who incidentally saw the coverage on television. Reconnecting with her again was a lifesaver. For the first time in my life, I felt unconditional love. I was an active part of the community and I adored living in Covington.
“I even went on a few dates, but it never developed into anything serious because I was scared—scared to love and risk my heart again. I was afraid someone would expose my insecurities like Dale had and throw them back in my face. But I was content to be alone and live happily alongside Nana. The rest I told you about, her illness and having to sell most of our assets to cover medical expenses. What I didn’t tell you was shortly after she passed, I started getting strange phone calls from a voice I couldn’t recognize, but one who would say things that only Dale would know. I think he’s been released and found out where I was. That’s why I had to get out of town. I couldn’t bear another incident like the one in the coffee shop. I couldn’t put my friends in danger.”
“So that’s why you’re on the run?” Gavin asked gently.
Zora shrugged. “I wouldn’t call it on the run exactly, but I didn’t want Dale polluting the good memories I had in Covington by showing up. Like I told you before, I was on my way to my cousin’s and had it not been for the accident, I’d probably be there now.”
“Well, something good did come out of the accident. We found you.” Gavin smiled at her.
Zora’s heart fluttered as she stared at each man. Seeing their looks of concern and understanding gave her the courage to say, “I’m glad I met you guys. I stayed because my heart told me to give you a chance even though my head told me otherwise. I’m glad I listened to my heart. Even though you guys told me I was your mate, part of me believed you guys just wanted a playmate for the month. But you treated me in a way Dale and even some of the guys I dated never had. I realize…I…I love you. I never felt this strongly or deeply for anyone and it’s killing me that this vacation is nearly over because what then? Knowing that Dale is on the loose, I can’t put you three at jeopardy. I couldn’t handle it if something happened to you. I think if the three of you were to die, I would die too.”
“Say that again,” Heath said softly.
Zora bit her bottom lip. It had taken her so much to finally admit what she’d been holding back, but for them, if they needed her to repeat the story, she would. “I said knowing that Dale—”
“No, not that part,” Logan interrupted.
Zora frowned. “Which part?”
“The part where you said you love us.” Gavin stood up.
She ran her tongue over her lips as her men eyed her with a predatory lust that made her pussy throb. “I love you. I love all three of you. With all my heart. I never thought I could love anyone this way because I didn’t think anyone could love me and—”
She didn’t get a chance to finish before Logan pulled her in his arms and covered her mouth with his. Zora didn’t think to resist as she melted into him, returning his kiss with enthusiasm, their tongues mating frantically. Her panties got damp as he ground his cock against the juncture of her thighs.
“Save some for us.” Gavin chuckled, pulling Zora out of Logan’s arms to give her a smoldering lip lock of his own.
Just as she became lost in her kiss with Gavin, she was whirled around and pulled into Heath’s arms. They took turns hugging and kissing her until she was breathless.
Zora had to pull away to catch her breath. “Guys.” She chuckled. “Take it easy.”
“Never,” Logan growled. “Besides, if you think we’re going to let you get away from us now that we found you, you’ve got another think coming to you, lady.”
“He’s right, Zora. We’ll work out this Dale situation together,” Heath reassured her. “We’re not going to let some twerp scare us. He thought he could push you around because he’s a weak son of a bitch. But now, he’ll be dealing with three men.”
“And we’re not your run of the mill guys, you have to admit. We can more than handle him,” Gavin pointed out.
Her men were out of the ordinary, but who knew what Dale had in his arsenal. “You guys aren’t impervious to bullets. You admitted yourselves some of your ancestors were killed off by overzealous hunters.”
“Zora, you’re worrying way too much. We can take care of ourselves,” Heath assured her.
“But he’s crazy,” she argued, still worried about putting them in harm’s way.
Gavin caught her face between his hands. “Zora, you belong to us now, and we protect what is ours. Trust us. Can you do that for us, sweetheart?” He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose.
She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. Though it was difficult to give her trust, the looks in their eyes told her what she needed to know. “Yes, I do trust you.”
“Good, then allow us to handle Dale.” Without warning, Gavin scooped her up in his arms, catching Zora off guard.
“Where are you taking me?” She giggled.
Gavin nuzzled her neck. “As if you need to ask.”
Logan and Heath followed close behind and Zora knew she wouldn’t be getting much sleep that night.