“Not inviting the shifters to play?” Ethan was standing there looking curiously over Heinrich’s shoulder at the plans.

  “I don’t think you or Sinc or Kyle could keep up with us.” Heinrich laughed.

  “If we’re talking vamp speed, probably not, but Kyle’s a great player, and I’m a pretty fair goalie. Sinc is fast and competitive and then of course, we have Jackie.” He grinned.

  “You’re on, cougar.” Heinrich turned to Sasha and a look that said "suckers" passed between them.

  “I’ll watch.” Sinc was standing next to Ethan listening to the conversation. “Rob’s much better than me, and when he’s not around, maybe Bridgett can play, if she’s in town.” Heinrich snorted. “She’s a cheetah, so give her a chance.”

  “When the field is ready, we’ll have a little game.” Sasha’s eyes glinted with excitement as he stared at Ethan, probably fantasizing about giving him a few bruises or broken bones.

  “Sounds perfect.” Ethan met Sasha’s gaze without flinching, anxious to deliver a few injuries himself.

  “So what are the chances we can get you to wear one of those short cheerleader outfits?” Heinrich was eyeing Sinc appreciatively.

  She narrowed her eyes and snapped, “About as good as you getting a tan.” She turned around and walked out onto the patio. As she left, Heinrich shouted, “There are spray-on tans.” Ethan was clenching his fists again.

  I noticed Jackie follow her outside just before Aaron grabbed me in a head lock. “Thanks for the food, Cuz.” He let me go before I had to hurt him. “So what do you think of the plans?”

  “Looks great.“ We went over all the safety features with Ralph, then discussed some upgrades I wanted to make on the main house. “How’s Catherine and the pup? Aaron and Catherine had adopted a baby boy a week ago. Were females couldn’t carry a child because of the forced transition to wolf every month.

  “Right now she’s exhausted and cranky and Sammy is healthy and happy. When are you two going to start a family? It would be great for our kids to grow up together like we did.”

  “You know I can’t have a kid, Aaron. Plus, Jackie’s only seventeen and has made it very clear that she doesn’t want to be a mom.”

  “She’ll change her mind. If you don’t want to adopt, all you need to do is get your cheetah nephew to donate some sperm and then you’d have your own little Cuvier cheetah. Nothing to it.”

  “I haven’t spoken to my sister's family in one hundred years. They’ve written me off.”

  “They don’t know you. Show up with Jackie in tow and they’ll fall in love with her and learn to tolerate you.” I barked out a laugh. “When they see what you’ve done with your life, they’ll forget all the other shit that went down. That was all about Eleanor anyway.” I looked at him doubtfully. “Cathy and I’ll come too, with the baby. I’ll set it all up. A family reunion. Come on.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Think about what?” Jackie was back inside with her hand on my shoulder.

  "That maybe you should keep away from the kitchen now that you have Liam and Bridgett to cook." She giggled and whacked him again. Seeing them laugh reminded me of times I’d had with Aaron growing up. He was a wild spirit, sometimes getting into terrible trouble. I was the cool headed boring cousin, but also the one he called when he needed to be bailed out or rescued from whatever situation he "couldn’t help" getting involved in. When the tables were turned, and I was forced into Eleanor’s nest, he became my most faithful ally, the only member of my remaining family to support me.

  “I want him to pay a visit to his sister’s family. He hasn’t seen any of them for over a century, and that’s not an exaggeration. They’re mostly out in Louisiana.”

  She squeezed my arm affectionately and I kissed her cheek.“We’ll talk about it later, I promise. Right now I have more work to do.” I rounded up the shifters having already sent out a mental message to my nest to gather back at the table. I asked Sinc what she could tell us about her old pack, and although it was hard for her, she gave us quite a lot of useful information.

  Quentin was the Alpha pack leader and Katrina was his mate, the Alpha female. They ruled with a firm hand and the pack prospered financially under their leadership. Everyone knew their place and what was expected of them. Adopted children were raised to become members of the pack. If they chose not to be bitten at eighteen, then they left and kept their mouths shut about the pack, never to contact anyone there again. The pack provided them with start up money and a decent place to live but that was it.

  Because Sinc was a shapeshifter, they’d entrusted her to Rob, never making contact again. The others who'd left were humans, going back into a human world which was unaware of the existence of supernaturals. The pack wanted it kept that way, so they kept a close eye on anyone who left.

  Aaron found it odd that according to Sinc, only about fifty percent of the pack's adopted children chose to join as adults. He’d never had an eighteen year old refuse to be bitten.

  Sinc’s father, Jake, was the pack leader’s second. He was the enforcer, the toughest badass wolf of the bunch, completely loyal to his alpha. As tough as he was, he’d treated Sinc and her mom with great gentleness and affection. When she’d shifted unexpectedly, he’d petitioned his alpha to allow her to stay in the pack. He felt that she could still be useful, since shifters are much better at stealth and reconnaissance, and Sinc in particular excelled in those areas. Also she was extremely tech savvy and bright, which could be used to their advantage as well. Quentin said no and that was the end of the discussion. There was no debating an issue in the Los Altos pack. She was gone and on the island with Rob and Kyle the next day. Jake sent her money every month and paid for her house and her car, but was never allowed to contact her.

  As Sinc told us these things her face remained calm and her voice steady, yet we could see what it cost her. She’d been fifteen years old, happy and excited to turn wolf at sixteen with the rest of her friends. As a shifter she wasn’t good enough to remain a member of her pack, so she’d been kicked out, abandoned emotionally, if not financially. After her training on the island, Rob had kept her at his house along with Kyle until he felt they were ready to leave. She’d moved into the house provided by her parents, went to college, ending up with a masters in forensic science, working along with Kyle on cases that Garrett brought to them.

  The three teens who’d currently gone missing were human kids being raised by weres, all of them supposedly looking forward to the day they'd be old enough to undergo the painful process of becoming a werewolf and a full-fledged member of the Los Altos pack. They were twelve, thirteen and fifteen years old and were all boys.

  Sinc gave us a full description of the pack lands and the surrounding towns. I was reminded once again of how extraordinary her mind is, as she remembered minute details most of us would have forgotten long ago. When we finished discussing the case and I dismissed the others, I took Kyle and Sinc into my office for a long overdue talk, asking Rob to join us as well.

  I sat at my desk and they sat in the two chairs facing me, while Rob stood leaning against the window sill. I waited for them to start. I find that waiting quietly throws people off guard, making them blurt out things they might not have said otherwise when they’re made uncomfortable by the silence. So I waited and looked from one to the other.

  Kyle shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Garrett, you know we can handle ourselves on an assignment.” I waited, my full attention on him, and smiled inwardly as he turned to Sinc. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m really pissed off about Ethan, but I had no right to say what I said. I knew it would piss you off and I really wanted to—well, I guess I did want to punch you for hurting him. But I know it’s none of my business, so I apologize.”

  Sinc looked at Kyle, who was surprised to see a tear running down her cheek. “You know me as well as anyone does. You know I would have hurt him a lot worse later on. It’s okay if you want to punch me. I deserve it. I’m glad that Ethan has you and Jackie to help him out right now.” She wiped away another one.

  “Sinc, “ I spoke softly to let her know I wasn’t angry. “You have all of us behind you, no matter what crazy shit you pull. Even if I get angry enough to throw you off the team, it would be a temporary leave, just until you got your act back together. You have an incredible mind, Sinc. Let me in for a minute, so I can speak to you privately. She looked at me with narrowed eyes and then shrugged, so I sent to her, “I know you didn’t sleep with Sasha. You only made it seem like you did.” Her head jerked up and she looked at me with wide eyes. “No, Sasha didn’t say anything, and I won’t say anything to anyone. But listen to me. Don’t let what your parents did when you were a kid mess up your life now. And for the record, I’m only saying this because the work you did when you and Ethan were together was the best you’ve ever done. My motives are strictly professional.” She laughed as I broke the connection.

  Rob spoke up. “Both of you need to work out some way of communicating your anger other than going for each other’s throats. Sparring could work. Hunting together works well, too. You can wrestle and bite and claw at each other and heal up easily afterward.” This made them both grin. Although Kyle’s leopard was larger, Sinc’s snow leopard could sneak up on him easily and have the advantage of surprise.

  My tone was cold when I picked up the conversation, “But if you ever disrupt another meeting or an assignment with your ridiculous, childish behavior, I will put you both on probation without pay and send you to Maya for couple’s therapy.” They groaned. Kyle started to complain, so I gave him my best serious glare and he just mumbled something about hunting together being a good idea. “Go. I’ll be in touch regarding the Los Altos pack.” They practically ran each other down getting out of the room.

  I turned to Rob. “So tell me how our lion, Flynn, is doing.”

  He sat in the chair that Kyle had vacated. “Flynn’s only hope now, may be Jackie.”

  Chapter Fifty-four

  Bridgett: 1:00 AM Monday

  The meeting was over, Sasha and Heinrich were talking to Aaron and Ralph about the house, Kyle and Sinc were in Garrett’s office getting reamed, Jackie and Ethan were talking on the patio and I was cleaning up the mess with William helping me.

  “You could go look at the plans, I can handle this.”

  “I’d rather stay here.” He brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes. My hair needed help in the worst way. It was growing out so my light brown roots were showing and it had absolutely no style anymore. And that wasn’t all. My nails were cracked, the hole in my lip was closing up from not wearing the stud, (I’d taken it out after Kennet had beaten me), and we won’t even talk about my clothes, which were getting really small on me. Not that I was getting chubby, I was just finally eating right and working out, so I was gaining muscle and a couple of curves here and there.

  I looked at him sheepishly. “I’m a mess, I know.”

  “You’re fine. You’re starting to look healthy.” He laughed. “Me too, I guess.”

  I looked at his broad shoulders and his firm chest. I touched his bicep. “Yeah, you’re looking really healthy.” I must have sounded kind of flirty.

  “Sasha and Heinrich make me work out. I guess it’s paying off.” He grinned at me, proud of his body for maybe the first time ever.

  When we’d finished cleaning everything up, he grabbed my hand. “So, let’s go to a movie tomorrow night. Or I could take you to the mall to buy you some clothes and get your hair done. Not that you need to change anything, I like the way your clothes fit.” He looked me over and I blushed. “Garrett paid me for working the case so I want to buy you something.”

  “I have money that my dad left me, plus I’ll have rent money from the club, too. But I’d like to go with you to the mall and try on clothes and you can tell me what you like me in, If that’s not too boring for you. Guys don’t usually like that stuff. I’ll need to get clothes for Faerie too. I guess I should ask Liam tomorrow what I should get.”

  “Probably flowing chiffon gowns with lots of flowers in your hair.” He was laughing at me.

  “Huh. I wonder how they’d feel about a not so flowy leather dress.”

  “I’d totally love it.” I watched him imagining me wearing a tight leather dress and it made me a little warm. “Maybe a short, red one.”

  “I think we’re getting carried away. I’ll ask Liam.”

  “No matter what he says, I’m getting you the leather dress.” Whoa, his voice had dropped and was sounding really sexy. I think William was picking up some of Sasha’s habits, not that I minded too much. Where normally I hated going clothes shopping, this was one trip to the mall I was going to love.

  “C’mon Jet, if you’re not too tired, I’ll teach you how to play pool.” Jet had become his pet name for me. He said it was because I was a fast cheetah, but also 'cause it sounded like the end of my name. We ran downstairs and he showed me how to hold the cue and break the balls. Then he demonstrated some simple shots, setting them up for me and letting me try them again and again. He was really very patient and, like a perfect gentleman, ignored my curses when I missed yet another shot. Patience really isn’t one of my special qualities. Although to be honest, most of the time I missed because I was high on his scent and the feel of his breath on my neck as he leaned over me to show me how to aim the cue.

  Sasha and Heinrich came downstairs and immediately started in on William. Heinrich said, “Bridgett, if you want lessons you should ask me or Sasha. William can’t play for shit.”

  “We beat him every time.” Sasha piped in. He was instantly next to me, having pushed William out of the way, his arm around my waist. His sweet breath was on my neck and I couldn’t help but take in a deep lungful. He was very yummy, but not my flavor of choice.

  William hissed at him and shoved him away from me. Before Sasha could retaliate I said, "You've already messed up the lives of two shifters. Are you trying for three?"

  He leaned in a little closer and whispered. "I'll ignore that because you don't know all the facts." He picked up a cue, leaned over and pocketed a ball with ease. "If you want to learn to play pool from Will, that's fine. Just don't expect to ever beat anyone you play."

  "You're a bully, Sasha."

  He laughed at me. "Training is tomorrow at 7:00 PM. Don't eat too much for dinner. I don't want you losing it."

  Furious, I snapped back, "I'm done with your brand of training." I went to push him away, but he backed out of reach.

  He spoke with a patronizing tone. "You still haven't learned the hierarchy here in the house. I’m Garrett’s second, which puts me above you. Garrett tells me to train you and Will and then I tell you when the next session is. You two show up five minutes early ready to work. There's no further discussion.”

  “I can ask Garrett for another trainer." I crossed my arms.

  "You can do that." He nodded. "But he'll tell you that if you refuse to train with me, you won't ever be a part of the team."

  Will spoke up, pulling me closer. "Sash worked us hard, but he wasn't cruel. He didn't ask us to do more than we were capable of. We'll learn faster with him training us."

  I looked from Will back to Sasha. "So this is another one of those learn-to-suck-it-up-and-follow-orders circumstances." Sasha smiled and nodded, but I scowled back. "Fine. Tomorrow at 7:00 PM."

  Sasha and Heinrich were laughing at me. “Well that was much better than the last time."

  I crossed my arms over my chest and glowered at him. "But I'm still mad about Sinc and Ethan. They were in love. You've probably never been in love."

  "Not true. I have been in love, as surprising as that may seem. I was turned at twenty-five not twelve. But what about you Bridg? In your seventeen years have you ever been in love?" He teased.

  I looked at William who’d been willing to go up against Sasha, despite the fact that Sasha would do serious damage if it came to a fight. He’d stopped himself from taking my blood, given me his own blood to heal my wounds and told me he was crazy about me even though I had some serious flaws. He lifted his light blue eyes to look at me and smiled, his tiny dimple appearing like magic. They were all waiting for my answer.

  I looked back at Sasha and smiled, nodding. “Yes.” William pulled me next to him and wrapped his arm around my waist, then gently kissed my head.

  “Yeah? “ Sasha smiled. “That’s cool.” He winked at Will. “So how about a pool lesson from a master? I’ll behave like a perfect gentleman.” I giggled when Sasha bowed and even Will had to grudgingly admit that Sasha was a much better player. I spent the next hour hanging with the vamps downstairs, enjoying their company and my very first pool lesson.

  Chapter Fifty-five

  Jackie: 1:00 PM Monday

  I woke up feeling relaxed and at peace with the world. Well, at least the relaxed part was true since "plus tard" had been amazing. As far as being at peace, well, I was at peace whenever Garrett was around.

  Lately, I was throwing myself into his arms the moment he walked into the room, not wanting to spend even one second without feeling him next to me. Nights spent with Garrett happily banished all thoughts of Kennet and the horrors of those few days from my mind, but unfortunately, with the light, came more fragile feelings. While Garrett rested, I felt adrift and increasingly apprehensive. I hadn’t told him about my feelings, and I knew that I probably should, but I couldn't face talking about any of it.

  I lay in bed this morning and tried to remember every moment we’d shared over the last two days. I found that I was squirreling them away, cherishing each one, then locking them up in my heart—just in case. That ‘just in case’ seemed to pop into my mind at the oddest times, when Garrett wasn’t awake to smile at me, or to twine his fingers around mine, or sometimes even when he was right in the next room, but out of sight. I could never take our lives together for granted ever again, because a part of me seemed to have disappeared. That confident part that looked at the world in an almost cocky way, that believed that nothing really bad could ever happen to me as long as I had Garrett as my lifemate. I missed those mornings when I could look in the mirror and grin at whatever the day brought, good or bad.