At once, both of them relaxed. “Storm, you are hurt. You shouldn’t even be out walking around,” Nolan grumbled.

  “I’ve been taking it slow, plus I promised him I’d be there, and I wasn’t. He’s had so much happen to him. They beat him, Nolan. I saw the whip marks. He won’t tell me what happened yet, but I see so much pain in his little face.”

  Matty reached up and cupped her cheek. “You’ve bonded with him, haven’t you? Why is he different, Storm?”

  “He’s a bear shifter,” she said and sighed. “Yea. The first two nights I stayed with him. He reminded me of you, Matty. He wears his hair the same way, and now that I think of it, he has your eyes, Nolan.”

  Nolan swept her up in his arms. “We’ll come back and get your belongings, but for now, let’s go meet this boy who has captured your heart.”

  “I really do love him already. I didn’t want to say anything to him until they made sure he had no family.” She looked at Theo as they moved down into her warehouse. “Theo ran checks on all the children, and he didn’t find anyone. Now, I know there is a chance later on that the mother or father might show up, but we can’t leave him there wondering. He doesn’t even know any family. All he’s know is the prison they were in.”

  Theo nodded and opened the door for Nolan. “I’m afraid Alex was one of the bad cases of mistreatment we found. There were about fifteen children that seem to bear the brunt of the abuse when it came to children,” Theo snarled.

  “I can’t wait ‘til we wipe these assholes out,” Matty said, and Storm could see the worry on his face about his brother.

  She looked up at Nolan, who shook his head. “Nothing yet,” he whispered.

  Matty reached over and squeezed her leg. “Father is still looking. We have to take this slow.”

  “What’s going on?” Theo asked, glancing at Matty and Nolan.

  “Nothing right now, but as soon as we figure this out, believe me, we’ll contact you,” Matty said as the four of them moved down the street toward the old Norton Estate. “The children still at the old Norton Estate?” Matty asked, coming up to his car. The lights blinked as he opened the door for Nolan.

  “Yes, Topper and her sisters updated everything, and there are enough rooms, so the children don’t feel cramped. Everyone has been taking turns staying with the children, including Storm. You take care, little lady, and next time someone threatens you, I better hear about it.” Theo growled, and she nodded.

  “I’m sorry; I was just so afraid for Doc. Seeing what they did to so many people, including Mom.” She shivered. “Do you think Doc and my dad are okay?” She looked up at Nolan then at Theo.

  “Doc is a powerful man, and he didn’t go alone,” Theo said. “He took six of his best men, not to mention a few of Saxon’s. Let’s not forget that Flix does not seem like a pushover either. Believe me, these humans don’t have a chance.” Theo smiled at her before turning and moving down the main street.

  “Look at him. Ever since he found Gwen and her sister, he seems to be at peace. I haven’t had time to get over there, but I did send a box of baby things and a box of maternity clothes for her,” Storm said as Nolan helped her into the back seat, handing her the bag.

  Nolan jumped into the passenger side as Matty got into the driver’s side. “You really do too much Storm, and when did you volunteer to stay at the estate? Why didn’t I know about it?” Matty grumbled.

  Storm smiled, looking out the window. “If you will remember, we weren’t speaking much, Matty. I had to find something to do with my time. Plus, it gave me more time with Alex,” she told them.

  * * * *

  Nolan stood back and watched as Storm and Alex hugged each other. Yes, their woman had bonded with the child already. Tears rolled down both of their faces as Storm took off the scarf she had been wearing, showing Alex the wounds on her head.

  He had given her another hug almost squeezing her too hard when Nolan cleared his throat, and he stepped back.

  “Alex, these two men here with me are my mates. Do you know what that is?” she asked.

  Alex frowned and shook his head. “They’re big,” he leaned over and whispered to her.

  “Yes, they are, but they would never hurt you. You see, they are going to be my husbands. Matty has the black hair like you and Nolan has your eyes. See, they are both like you in some way.”

  Nolan and Matty knelt down and held out their hands to Alex. “We’ve heard a lot about you, little man. It would seem our woman would like for you to come home with us to live. How would you feel about that?” Nolan asked the child, not waiting for Storm to say anything since she had been hem-hawing all around the subject for the last thirty minutes, and Nolan could see she was getting tired.

  “Really? I’d come to live with you in a real home? It would be my home?” he asked, his eyes getting big and round.

  His gut twisted at Alex’s words, and it took him a few minutes to get himself together, but Matty had that covered.

  “Yes, you would. Right now, we are living with my parents, but we have our own section of the house. You will have your own room and lots and lots of family if you agree.”

  Storm placed her hand on Alex’s shoulder and just sat on the ground. “If your real parents show up, we know you would have to go with them, but for now, we want you forever if you want to come.”

  Alex frowned, staring at Storm. “You’re still sick, aren’t you? That’s why Nolan was carrying you.” Alex crawled into her lap, resting his head on her chest. “I want to come home with you. You need someone to take care of you,” Alex said, and Nolan stood, smiling.

  “I’ll be back; let me tell who is in charge that Alex is coming home with us. Matty, why don’t you go with Storm and Alex to gather his belongings. But, Storm, you do nothing, and when we get back, it is a nap for you after we settle Alex in.”

  Alex got up, helping Storm up. “You really don’t have to. I’ve spoken with Theo, and Lacey is staying tonight with Frost. They both know what’s going on, matter of fact.” She laughed as a small suitcase appeared on the floor along with a black teddy bear. “I got the bear for Alex after I saw him shift. It looks just like his bear, the black fur and all.”

  “We’ll have to take Alex to the pond. I know he’ll love that area and plenty of space for him to shift and run,” Matty said.

  “You know we can all go running with Alex,” Storm said, smiling as they made their way toward the front of the estate where Lacey stood with Frost, smiling.

  “We have something for you. Now, I wouldn’t give this little guy away, but Storm has been sneaking visits with him, and I know he is yours to love,” Lacey said, reaching around the counter to lift a big fluff ball out of a box.

  “Taz,” Storm squealed, and the little puppy barked and whined, wiggling his tail.

  “Frost has a twenty-five-pound bag of puppy chow outside on the step for you, plus dog dishes and such. He is now potty trained, so it’s going to be your job, young Alex, to look after Taz.”

  Matty moaned, and Nolan laughed as the little puppy squirmed almost falling out of Alex’s arms. “Matty, grab Storm. Little Alex, why don’t you let me hold the little furball ‘til we get into the car? Then, you can take care of him ‘til we get back to our quarters. He’s going to have to be introduced to my brothers’ animals, so they leave him alone. I’ve asked my brothers to meet us at our rooms,” Nolan said, taking the little puppy, getting his face all wet with puppy germs.

  Storm giggled, and Alex laughed, even inside his head, Alastar and Cahir were teasing him. “You owe me, little pixy,” Nolan mumbled as they all climbed into the car. Frost, putting the dog food and items in the trunk, turned to him.

  “Alex still has nightmares. We found out he had a little sister, and she was taken to another place about a year ago. There is much inside that little one that hasn’t come out yet, but he’s a good kid,” Frost said and shook his hand. “You, Matty, will be good for him. He’ll see that strong men don’t have to hurt children and women.”

  Chapter Seven

  “No! You can’t take her; she needs me. Leave her alone,” Alex cried and attacked the man who held him, trying to get to the little girl in the other man’s arms.

  The little girl had a scar on her cheek, and she was whimpering, calling for Alex.

  Alex was lifted and thrown across the room, his head hitting the concrete wall, but it didn’t stop him as he shifted, charging across the room toward those that held his sister. But the bite of the whip on his shoulders had him screaming out in pain as it next wrapped around his neck, holding him in place.

  Storm woke, sweating and hurting. She was alone in bed, but that was because she had fallen asleep needing a nap, but something wasn’t right. Throwing the covers back, Storm dressed herself before getting out of the bed, allowing the rush to her head to recede before standing.

  Something was wrong with Alex. The last she knew, he had fallen asleep as she had read him a story. Moving slowly, Storm opened their door, leaning against the doorframe. She blocked everything out, hearing the little whimpers coming from Alex’s new room.

  She rushed across the hall only to be swept up into Matty’s arms. “Easy, little pixy. Take a deep breath. You don’t want to go into there being upset. He needs us to be strong and steady,” he said.

  Nolan stepped in front of them, running his finger down her cheek. “Matty is right. We do this as a family, so Alex can see we are all there for him.” Nolan pushed into the room, seeing Alex now in the form of a bear all tangled in the bed sheets, snarling and ripping apart his pillow.

  Stay there, Storm, Nolan told her as Matty lowered her feet to the ground, his arm wrapped around her waist. Matty held her in place and placed a kiss on her neck.

  Be careful; they say it can be dangerous waking someone from their sleep. Plus, I’d hate to see his claws sink into you. I mean, after all, you two are the bloodsuckers around here, Storm tried to tease him all the while she wanted to pick up Alex and hold him.

  Nolan peeked over his shoulder and lifted his eyebrow at her. Really?

  Hey, I’m worried here. It was the best I could come up with at short notice and not clothe you in steel.”

  “We are all worried, little pixy,” Matty said into her ear as Nolan stepped in closer to Alex, calling to the boy softly, trying to wake him out of his nightmare.

  “I’m warning you right now I’m going to replace his pillow when he wakes enough. I don’t want him to feel guilty about tearing that up, and he will,” Storm whispered to Matty.

  “Of course, but nothing else since it’s obvious you have already clothed yourself.” Matty’s fangs scrapped her neck.

  “I had to hurry. Matty, have you ever heard of being in someone else’s dreams or nightmares?” Storm asked, looking up at Matty.

  “I’ve heard of it, but we’ll talk about it later.” He nodded toward the bed where Nolan was now running his hand through Alex’s fur. The bear seeming to settle down, Storm replaced all his bedding that had been torn up.

  Slowly, not to spook Alex, the bear, Matty and Storm moved up to the bed. As soon as Storm sat on the bed next to the little black bear, well not so little creature, as it carefully crawled into her lap.

  “I know, Alex. We’re all here, and we promise to find your little sister. I saw her, Alex. I can let everyone I know what she looks like, so they will find us when they rescue her.” She leaned down, rubbing her head on the bear’s, tears rolled down her cheeks onto his fur.

  Both Matty and Nolan ran their hands through the little bear’s fur, comforting him, allowing him to gather himself until he was ready to shift back to that of the little boy they knew. It didn’t take long until the eight-year-old was shivering, wrapping his arms around her neck and holding on.

  “She couldn’t see well. They beat her one time when I wasn’t there, hurt her bad. I have to find her.” Alex’s little growl was fierce.

  Nolan leaned over, covering the boy up with a blanket. “We’ll find her. You are very lucky this whole town has vowed to help find those that had been taken and hurt. We’ll be here for her, all of us,” Nolan said, lifting Alex up and standing him onto his feet. “Go hop in the shower, Alex. Dinner will be ready here in a little while, and you have a whole bunch of family to meet. I’ll take this little guy outside since it’s obvious he has to use the restroom, too.”

  Alex smiled at the puppy, reaching out and petting him. “He was afraid of my bear, wasn’t he?”

  “Your bear is twice his size, and you were not in a good mood. Any puppy would have stayed away, but that does not mean he doesn’t love you. Now, off with you, we have much to do tonight.”

  Nolan got up and turned to her. “I’ll take this little guy out, but Storm, no more magic. You’ve done enough today. Tonight, we are taking Alex to get fitted. I need you to tell me colors,” Nolan said, and she frowned.

  “I don’t understand? For the Halloween party? What is he going to go as?” Storm asked, smiling.

  Nolan shook his head, moving toward the door. “No, little pixy, for your wedding. We’re having it at the Halloween party.”

  “We’re what?” Storm yelled, jumping up. “Are you out of your mind?” Storm reached up and rubbed her bald head, shaking her head. “No. I want my own hair when I marry, Nolan.” She plopped down on the bed and stared down at her hands.

  She knew it was Nolan in front of her now, hearing the puppy in his arms. A finger to her chin a little pressure and Storm was looking into his dark eyes. “No matter if you are bald or have hair down to your ass, you are the most beautiful woman in the world to the both of us, Storm. We will marry Halloween night,” he cupped her cheek, holding her still as he lowered his head, covering her mouth with his.

  He was warm, tasted divine, and in a simple, gentle kiss, Nolan had claimed her right where she sat. The man didn’t have to do anything fancy as he lifted his head, placing a kiss on the top of her head. “Seeing you this way reminds Matty and me how close we came to losing the one thing that means everything to us. Our world... shit” Nolan growled and looked down.

  Storm fell back on the bed laughing so hard she had tears rolling down her cheeks, holding onto her stomach.

  Next to her, Matty smiled and leaned over her, placing a kiss on Storm’s cheek. “Good to hear you laughing, Storm. I missed the smile in your eyes. But Nolan is right even though he is covered in dog pee.”

  “Keep it up, you two, and I’ll get even. Come on, little guy, let’s make sure you are finished,” Nolan grumbled and spun around.

  “Nolan, if we are really going to do this on Halloween, my dress is going to be black and red,” she grinned when he stopped and looked over his shoulder.

  “What are you up to?” he asked before reaching for the door where Darla, Nava, and Elf stood with Charm. All four of them glanced down at the puppy then the spot on his clothes, smiling.

  “Don’t say a word. Darla, we are going to count on you to keep Storm from using her magic while she’s with you ladies,” Nolan grumbled and moved out of the room. That is when she heard the little girls laughing before they came running into the room.

  * * * *

  Nolan took a deep breath; rain was going to move in soon. He had always loved when it rained; it always washed away the scents of so-called civilized people. Nolan had stripped his ruined shirt off before coming out to the gardens.

  For living in the desert, Darla and Drake had created a world onto itself in the caverns. He had seen at least three different areas with different landscapes, each one more beautiful and different from the first.

  “I figured you’d be out here,” Alastar said, coming to stand next to him, his other brother Cahir on the other side of Nolan. “Heard puppy had an accident on you?”

  Nolan heard the teasing in Cahir’s voice, but he chose to ignore it. “Any word on Doc Lope and her father?”

  “They found a few of the members but not the ones that did any of the damage. Also, I’ve heard the royal physician has gone missing.” Alastar grinned.

  “What did you do? I don’t need trouble now with us getting married on Halloween night. I want Storm’s night to be perfect.” Nolan glanced at his brother, who was shaking his head.

  “It wasn’t me, even though they thought so, paying a visit to me just a few minutes ago. I told his royal highness that something was not right with that man. Even the beasts wanted to tear him apart. It took everything in me to control them. Plus, I don’t know why, but they have a thing for your woman. It would seem she made an impression on them when they were hunting a few weeks ago and came across Storm.”

  “Do you think we have to worry about the doc. I hate to say it, but even calling him Doc just does not sit right with me,” Nolan growled. “Did his scent remind you of something? I know I’ve smelled it before, but I can’t place it.”

  Alastar reached down and picked up Taz. “Maybe that is why the beasts have been acting up. Cahir, what do you think?”

  “The one room with all the blood and medical equipment in it. Where we found the dead man when we rescued Elf and the others,” he said.

  Nolan froze and turned to Cahir, who was never wrong when it came to scenting anything or anyone.

  He nodded. “I walked by...” his brother glanced around them, stiffing up. “We have company.”

  “Hello, gentlemen, was looking for my brother, have you seen him?” Ringo asked, coming toward them. He’d been in the gardens, and Nolan could kick himself for not realizing he was out there.

  “I’m right here,” Matty said, moving into the massive garden, joining him.

  “Mom told me you were getting married Halloween night; congrats. Was wondering if you needed any help planning. I’d love to help my little brother,” Ringo asked, and Nolan frowned, sensing a lie in those words.