Lucian
We’re sitting at the diner in town, talking about what our next move is going to be, when Kelsey walks in with some guy I’ve never seen before on her arm.
“Guys look at the door,” I say.
“Damn.”
“Is it just me or is anyone else getting the sense of dèjá vu?” Max whispers.
“I’m surprised she would even show her face in this town again. She’s not welcome.”
“Until we officially take over, we don’t have a say, Graydon.” He grunts. “It’s not that I don’t agree with you because I do.”
“You’re being awfully quiet over there, angel.” We look at her awaiting her answer.
It takes a second, but I see her face slowly morph. Shock was there at first, but her eyes narrow, rage and anger taking over. I feel her body tense next to mine, and if she wasn’t sandwiched between me and Graydon, I have no doubt that she would be out of her seat and in Kelsey’s face. I know the last time she ran into her, Kelsey tucked her tail and ran. I wonder if she is going to do to the same now? I realize that the diner is quiet, everyone is staring at the door.
“Let me out Graydon,” Callie growls.
He grunts again. “Not happening.”
“Graydon James, you let me out now!” she yells. Everyone in the diner turns and looks at her and then back at Kelsey, who is now making her way over to our table. She stops directly in front of us.
“What the hell do you want? You should have known better than to show your face around here again. And who the fuck is that?” Graydon bellows.
The guy with her pushes her behind him. He wouldn’t stand a chance against us. Kelsey steps around him, placing a hand on his arm.
“I didn’t come here to start anything. I promise.”
“Then why are you here?” Callie snaps.
“I came here to apologize.”
“Why? You have to know we would never accept it,” Graydon states. “And you have yet to answer my last question, who is this?”
“This is Liam, my mate.”
I inhale trying to place what kind of shifter he is, but I can’t get a read on him.
Callie, can you smell what kind of shifter he is? She inhales. She turns, wide eyes on me.
He isn’t.
Let the others know.
“Well, well, well. It looks like the tides have turned,” Max says.
“Does he know?” I question.
“About shifters? Yes. He knows what I am, what most of the town is. He came in with the last wave of people that are here to train.”
“Why would they send a human?”
“Because, I was raised by shifters. The family that adopted me believes in her, in you all. I’m here to fight with them. They’re my family.”
Callie and Graydon snort. I swear she’s acts more and more like him.
“Does he know you tried to kill me? Does he know you tried to take my mates from me? Does he know who and what I am… what we are?” Callie’s voice raises with each question. She is standing, leaning over Graydon getting as close to Kelsey as he will let her.
Kelsey ducks her head. “Yes. I told him everything. He’s my mate. I wouldn’t…” she shakes her head, “... I couldn’t lie to him.”
“You’ve said what you needed. I think it’s time for you to leave,” Zeke says.
“Look she came here to apologize, there’s no need to be assholes about it,” Liam says.
Callie laughs and not her normal one. This one is filled with menace.
“I have every right to be an asshole. She is the one that held me by my throat choking me to death. She is the one who locked me in a barn and set it on fire. All because, I have what she wanted… them and a crown. I know I’m not the only one she has wronged, so forgive me if I don’t believe a thing that comes from her mouth. And, I especially don’t believe this nice act she’s putting on. Just wait, you’ll see the real her sooner or later.”
Liam sighs. “Come on babe, you said what you needed. No need to stick around where you’re not wanted.”
“There is one more thing. I just want to say that I’m on your side, and when the time comes, I’ll be there fighting with you.” Kelsey and Liam turn and leave.
“Does anyone believe her?”
“Hell no.”
“Not a chance.”
“Nope.”
You okay, baby?
No. I thought I was getting over what she did, but every time I see her, it comes right back.
It will for a while, but eventually it won’t be so fresh.
I know you’re right, but today is not that day.
And that is fine. You know we’ll be here to help you.
I know.
On a different topic, I wanted to invite you over to my place this weekend.
And what would we do?
I’m not sure. We can study or do some training or just hang out.
I’ll be there.
I smile. I can’t wait to spend some more alone time with her.
Callyn
Seeing Kelsey rattled me more than I liked to admit. Luckily, we’re on our way to the gym tonight. “I can take out my frustrations, with myself, and my anger for Kelsey out on that mat.” Lucian reaches across the console and laces his fingers with mine.
“Kelsey will get what’s coming to her. People like her always do.”
“I know.” I sigh. “Does is make me a bad person if I want that to happen sooner rather than later?”
“Hell no,” Max says as he pokes his head between the driver and passenger seats. “We’re all thinking it.”
The gym parking lot is packed. “How many people were supposed to be here tonight because this seems like more than normal.”
“There were ten people coming in tonight. This is the last of the new people.”
“I think the latest attack might have something to do with this. I honestly don’t think people believed us, but Amos finally showed his hand, and now, they’re seeing that it’s real.”
“Go around back and park. There should be a spot next to my dad’s car.”
Lucian does as Graydon says. We get out of the car and use the back entrance of the gym. I am floored by the amount of people that have crammed themselves in here.
“Oh, thank God.”
I hear Cat’s voice, but I don’t see her at first. I follow the sound of grunts and humph to see her elbowing her way through the throng of people. I smile and shake my head. As soon as Cat reaches where we are standing, she takes my hand and starts pulling me toward the women's locker room. The guys start to follow us, but Cat stops them.
“Not you guys, just Callie. You’ll find out in a little bit anyways, but I need to talk to Callie alone first.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Girrrlll, wait until I tell you. I’m still trying to process it.”
“Okay, you’re starting to scare me.”
“Man, I’m scared myself.” Cat quickly walks through the locker room making sure no one is in here with us. She pulls me over to the bench, tugging me down so that I am sitting next to her.
“Why all the secrecy?”
“Because beside you and the guys, I don’t want anyone knowing yet. Hell, I don’t even know what I’m going to about it. I still have to tell my parents too.”
“You have piqued my interest. I need you to tell me, like now.”
She takes a deep breath. “My mates are here.”
“OH MY GOD,” I yell. “Cat that’s awesome. You found your mate. Well, another one. I’m so happy for you. Wait, why are freaking out then?”
“Because dip shit, you’re not listening to me. I said mates, as in more than one.”
“Oh. Oh shit.”
“Yeah.”
“So how many are we talking here?”
“Three.”
“Tell me everything. What do they look like? What are their names? Can I meet them? Actually, I need to meet them.”
There is a knock on the door followed by a deep masculine voice.
“Come on out Kitty Cat. You know you can’t hide from us.”
“Jesus, Stephan is just as fucking annoying as Max. No offense.”
I wave her off. “None taken.”
“Who the hell is in there with you?” a gravelly voice asks.
I look at Cat and raise my eyebrow. She sighs. “Ivan.”
“I told you she was talking to someone in there.”
“Screw this.” The locker room door burst open and in walks three good looking guys, not as good looking as my guys, but I may be bias. Their shoes squeak as the close the distance between us. The one in the middle is taller than the other two. He’s easily six three with short cropped black hair and these piercing silver eyes. The guy on his right is color of milk chocolate with brown eyes so dark they almost look black. His hair is styled in waves that go to a low fade. The last guy looks Mediterranean with his olive skin. His dark brown hair is styled in a mohawk, but it’s his eyes that capture your attention. Such a stark blue against his skin tone.
CALLIE!
All four of my guys yell. I don’t get a chance to answer because they come busting through the door. The second my guys see Cat’s mates they have them pinned up against the lockers, hands around their throats.
“Let them go. They weren’t coming in here for me.”
“Who were they after? Cat? I won’t let you hurt her either,” Graydon says.
“They aren’t going to hurt her. They’re her mates.” All of my guys turn and look at me. I smile and nod my head.
“Aww Kitty Cat, why didn’t you tell us?”
“Don’t you call her that,” Stephan warns.
Max just smiles. “I get dibs on the nickname. I called her that before you came along, which was what, five minutes ago.”
Stephan growls. “I’ll kick your ass. Just try me.”
“You won’t win that fight Stephan,” Cat says.
“You don’t know that.”
“Actually, I do. Let me introduce you. Stephan, Ivan, Josh, this is Callyn, Graydon, Zeke, Max, and Lucian.” She points to each of us respectively. “This is the Alpha Queen and her mates.”
“Shit,” Josh says.
My guys let them go. There was a round of sorries from them.
“It’s fine. No one was hurt.” They bend down on one knee, bowing to me. I sigh. “Please stand, there is no need to do that. Why do people feel the need to bend and bow? It weirds me out, and I never know how to react to it.”
“It’s a sign of respect and loyalty,” Lucian answers. “If they didn’t do that, I would question their motives.”
I get that, I really do; it’s just weird to me. “Okay, I’ll find a way to deal with my awkwardness about it.” I turn to look at Cat and see that she is standing in front of her mates. “You look good with them standing behind you.” I give her a wink, and she rolls her eyes. “I do have to say one thing to you boys.” I stand up on the bench to get eye level with Cat’s mates. Graydon’s hands go to my waist, keeping me steady. I fold my arms over my chest and scowl as I look at each of them in their eyes. “If you hurt her, I will end you. Do you understand?”
They all nod, but I’ll bet it’s because my mates are standing behind me more than likely glaring at them.
“Oh my God, you’re acting like Graydon. It’s bad enough Ivan is showing signs of being the grumpy overprotective one. I don’t know if I can handle three of you acting this way.”
“I love you, and you’re my best friend. I feel obligated to make that statement.” I get down and stand in front of Cat. I lean in close and talk as soft as I can. “How are you really doing? Are you thinking about Elijah?” She nods her head. I figured as much.
“I feel guilty. I wished this would happen, but now that it has, I don’t know how to deal with it.”
“Talk to them; they’ll help you. You know Elijah would want you to be happy.”
“I know. This makes me miss him.”
“That’s perfectly fine. You know I’m here if you need anything.”
“I know. Thank you.”
“Do they know about the other thing?”
She sighs. “No, but I’ll tell them now.”
As much as we tried to keep our voices down, we know all the guys heard. Damn shifter hearing. Cat clears her throat and turns to face her guys.
“I’m the Alpha Queen’s prophetess. I sometimes have visions of the future, of events that are going to happen.”
Stephan grins. “So, Kitty Cat, did you have any visions of us?” he asks as he wiggles his eyebrows up and down.
“No, but it would have been nice,” she grumbles.
“Not a fan of surprises?”
“No.”
“As entertaining as all of this is, what the hell are we going to do with all those people out there? And it's getting crowded in here,” Graydon states.
“Let’s split them up by taking half of them outside. As much as I don’t like the idea, we’re going to have to split up too, so we can keep an eye out on all these people,” Lucian states.
“My dad is here; he’ll help but we could use more.”
“I know that we just got here, but we’ll help you keep track of everyone,” Josh says.
“And why would we trust you to do that? We don’t know anything about you.” Graydon crosses his arms and glares at them.
“We’re Cat’s mates. We aren’t going anywhere, even after the war is over. Our mate is here, and here is where we’re going to be.”
“You might as well get use to us. Our mate is the prophetess to yours, and they’re best friends. We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other,” Ivan states, matching Graydon’s scowl.
“Whatever. Let’s get out of here; we’re wasting time and if any of you,” he points to Ivan, Josh, and Stephan, “do anything to backstab us, Cat’s mate or not, I’ll hurt you.”
“Fair enough.”
I roll my eyes.
Cat nudges me with her elbow. “Let’s get out of here; I can’t take all this testosterone.”
“Let’s see how long it’ll take them to realize that we’re no longer in there.”
The answer was not long.