Chapter Thirteen

  Nava watched as her man, Saxon, talked with her daughter. She had a daughter and had lost six years of watching her grow. But she was determined to enjoy every second with her little girl.

  “So, you see, you’ll have two sets of grandparents. Drake and Darla and my folks, which will be here next week.” Saxon’s gaze swung to hers.

  “What? I’m not ready for that. What if they don’t like me?” Nava said, lowering her fork of food as the food in her stomach seemed to flip around.

  “It’s the next step since I intend to make you my mate soon,” Saxon said, giving her a heated look. Her body burned, and her nipples hardened under the shirt she wore. Dampness gathered between her legs, and Nava knew her face had turned a pink color.

  “Stop that,” she whispered and broke his gaze, noticing Doc Lope coming into the kitchen. Nava grabbed her glass of wine and took a sip, knowing that Saxon had asked the doctor to come to make sure everything was okay with Ana.

  “Doc Lope, thank you for coming. I know you are very busy this night,” Nava said and nodded to the chair. “Please, sit and join us. We have plenty of food.”

  The doctor pulled out the chair, turning it around, straddling it. “I hear Ana is your natural daughter. We have a mess down there. You are very lucky you found her. The records are scattered all over the place. What can I do for you, Saxon? You know Ana is well; I’ve already seen to her.”

  Saxon sighed. “I’d like you to shift and tell us what she is? I want to make sure we know everything, so we can make sure she is exposed to her other half.”

  To say Nava was surprised was an understatement. She hadn’t even thought of that. “Do you think her natural father is someone different, too?” Nava looked from Lope to her daughter, who was stuffing her face with ice cream, which she had chocolate all over her. “Oh my, you like your chocolate, don’t you,” she teased and dipped her napkin in the water, wiping away some of the big spots on her cheek.

  “It’s my favorite,” she said, keeping her gaze on the doctor. “Am I sick?”

  “No, sweetie, your daddy Saxon wants to make sure we know what you are made up of. You know like, bugs, worms, snakes, and such,” Nava teased, tapping her nose.

  The little girl giggled and watched as Doc Lope stood and shifted right there, turning into the large wolf. Ana squealed with delight and jumped off the chair, going toward the doctor. “Can I pet him?” she asked, looking from Nava to Saxon.

  Saxon laughed. “I think he’d like that.”

  Ana put her hand out, touching the big wolf as he came over, rubbing his head against her tummy, making her laugh. “He’s so soft. This is the Mr. Lope? He’s a wolf, really? Do you think I could do this?” The questions rolled out of her mouth as she pet the doctor.

  “That is what we are trying to figure out. Your daddy Saxon can shift, also, but he’s big...” Nava said, making Saxon choke on the sip of his beer, glaring at her.

  “That was not nice,” he growled.

  “Well, you are,” she giggled as Ana crawled back on her chair as Doc Lope shifted, frowning as he stared at Ana. “What? Is something wrong?”

  The doctor shook his head and glanced at Saxon. “I need a word with you in private.” He glanced up and smiled at her. “She’s definitely like her momma, but she also has wolf genes in her. When she becomes of age, she’ll be able to shift, but already her wolf is there sleeping, which is strange in itself. It might have to do with the fact that you are the Phoenix. I’ve heard when one mates with another species, their children are early at all that they do.”

  “Hmm, then, I guess we’ll need to find the alpha or whoever is the leader of the wolves here, right?” she asked, looking from Saxon to the doctor.

  Saxon smiled. “We already have him standing here. Doc Lop is the alpha here,” Saxon stood. “I’ll be right back.”

  “You’ll tell me everything,” she asked, glancing at Ana and back to him.

  “Yes, now, finish your food. Ana is already done with her ice cream while you are still working on your dinner.” Saxon pointed to her plate.

  Nava smiled. “And if I don’t?” she asked, earning a growl from him.

  “Woman, you are playing here, and I don’t know how long the other half of me can hold off before claiming you,” he said, moving toward the doors that led out of the kitchen.

  “Maybe I don’t want to wait,” she whispered, looking down at her food. The man had been by her side for the last three days, and Nava had to admit the thought of him leaving her scared the shit of her. Already, he had a big place in her heart, and she didn’t know how, but Nava loved the big ox.

  “Momma,” Ana placed her hand on her arm. “Do you think we can go exploring?”

  “Sure, why not. Even I haven’t seen the whole house.” She grabbed a roll and stood to take her daughter’s hand. “Let’s start with the tunnels; we were going to explore them earlier but had to come rescue a cute little girl,” Nava told her as the moved out of the kitchen, knowing Saxon would be able to find them when he was done with his so-called chat.

  “Wait for me. I don’t want you roaming around alone with Drake’s men all around,” Saxon said.

  “We’ll be fine until you are done,” Nava said, lifting Ana up so she could touch one of the pretty stones in the wall. “It’s like a kaleidoscope, don’t you think?”

  “What’s a kaleidoscope?” Ana questioned as they moved down the tunnel.

  “It’s a whole bunch of colors mixed together. I’ll get you a toy that shows you what I’m talking about later. But we’re kind of in a tunnel that has its own kaleidoscope,” Nava informed her, frowning and scanning around. Something was off; she felt as if someone was watching her. “Ana. I think we need to go back and wait for your daddy. I know he’d love to show us places I’ve never been to,” she said, turning around to head back when two men stepped in front of them.

  “Um, Saxon, right now might be the right time to do the appearance thing,” Nava sent as the men’s gazes sent a shiver down her spine as she pushed Ana behind her. “Can I help you?” Nava asked.

  “It seems you’ve been replaced, my dear. Our leader now has his two daughters, he won’t even miss you,” the one with pink hair said, stepping forward. “But I’m sure that my brother and I could show you some fine places.” He peaked around her, trying to get a look at her daughter, and that is when the fire rose.

  “Back off, dick head,” Nava growled as fire spark around her.

  “Easy, baby,” Saxon said, coming around the men with Doc Lope, Drake, Matty, and Ringo. “Why don’t we finish that walk?” Saxon growled and bared his teeth at the men. “They are lucky to be Drake’s men. Your father can handle this, but if there is a next time...” Saxon growled at them who had the good grace to step back.

  “We were going to just have some fun. We meant no harm,” the other one said, looking at his brother. “I told you this was a bad idea, dick head.” He slapped his brother’s pink head.

  Drake ignored the men for a second, smiling down at Ana. “I happen to know there is a pool-well ponewith a slide down that tunnel,” he said, earning a squeal from Ana.

  “Can we go, please?” Ana asked, forgetting everything else.

  “I don’t see why not.” Saxon swung Ana up in his arms and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Doc, we’ll talk tomorrow,” Saxon said, leading them away from the confrontation that was about to come.

  Nava patted Saxon’s arm. “I need to say something to Drake.” She spun around and walked up to Drake’s side. He glanced down at her.

  “What’s wrong, daughter?” Drake asked.

  “The man with the pink hair, he’s the one who had the mouth. The other didn’t do anything; he actually looked a little terrified, just thought you would like to know. I really didn’t like the way the pink prick looked at Ana.” A small amount of smoke came out of her mouth. “If they are into children, I’d be looking into their family to see what the hell is going on because they had to learn it somewhere.” She glanced at the man in question. “No one looks at my child wrong.” She hissed, allowing a little stream of fire to come out at the pink-haired man, who jumped out of the way, falling to the ground.

  “Wow, didn’t know my sister was a bad ass,” Matty said, winking at her. “Go on, little fire, we’ll find out what’s going one, I promise, because no one messes with my niece.” He snapped, stepping toward the man in question.

  “Have fun,” she said, not caring what happened to the man. Maybe that was wrong, but she was tired of people taking shots at her and her family. No one would hurt her daughter again if she had anything to say about it.

  “Our daughter,” Saxon said as she joined him. “Let’s go swimming, shall we?”

  “Yes, let’s go swimming, and then, you can tell me what the good doc had to say,” she said, earning a snort from him.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “You know we need swimsuits,” Saxon’s little fire said, drawing his attention back to her and Ana. Right now, the young men that had threatened his woman were dealing with a furious Drake. Their parents now under the scrutiny of Drake and the elders. If it was one thing, any species caught touching or harming a child would be put down immediately. Already the one with the pink hair had sealed his death, the other, Drake was still considering after draining him halfway.

  As if on cue, Storm came to the rescue as she stepped from the tunnel into the hidden pond. Ana squealed with delight, Saxon couldn’t tell if it was from her new swimsuit or the pond itself. “Ana, do you know how to swim?” he asked the little girl who shook her head.

  “I want you to promise to stay by the shore, sweetie,” Saxon said, lowering the little girl to the sandy ground as some floaty things appeared around her arms and waist. “It might be shallow, but I want you close.” He ruffled her hair and watched her take off toward the water as a blanket appeared at the shore edge for them.

  “Thank you, Storm, but you can join us if you would like,” Nava said. “I’m sure Ana would love to meet her soon-to-be aunt,” Nava said as Storm dressed his woman in the hottest bathing suit he’d seen. “Nice, I like,” Nava said and looked over her shoulder at him. “Now, I do believe you need a suit, too.”

  Saxon knew as soon as Nava said that he needed a swimsuit he was in trouble. Sure enough, hearing Ana’s squeal of laughter before he even looked down, he knew she was laughing at him.

  “Oh my, please, tell me his, umm, thing isn’t in the trunk,” Nava whispered to Storm, giggling her head off.

  He looked down to see the elephant trunks he had on and moaned. Sure enough, his cock was now encased in the elephant truck. “Really? We have a little one here, Storm.” Saxon shook his head as the trunks changed but still had the picture of the elephant.

  His little fire smiled and moved to the water with Storm, sitting part in the water and on the sand, watching Ana play. Saxon scanned around the natural pond, it was a small one compared to a few of them in the area. He knew this one was fed by the Haven River. Soon, he’d have to take his mate to the healing pools, hot springs for some alone time.

  “Do I need to call in help?” Saxon asked as Matty moved to his side, his gaze on Storm.

  “No. Dad and Ringo are handling this. He wants us to concentrate on our mates.” Matty snorted. “Mom said she wants lots of grandbabies to keep Ana company. Told to start crawling if I have to.”

  Saxon smiled as Ana came running over to him, looking from Matty to him. “Are you going to come in?” Her little hand slid into his big one, trying to pull him toward the water. “Who’s that?” she asked Saxon.

  He leaned down and lifted up his wet little girl into his arms. “That would be your Uncle Matty.” He told her, but already, she had turned her attention onto something else, his chest, staring at the picture of his demon tattooed on his chest.

  “Is this you?” she asked and shivered.

  “It’s my other form, but you have nothing to worry about. He or we would never harm you; my other side would protect you as I would your mommy. You are our daughter, Ana.” Her gaze lifted to his, and he swore someone had punched him in the gut when he noticed the tears there.

  “You promise?” she asked, her voice nothing but a whisper.

  Without thinking, Saxon shifted, making sure he was clothed properly, wanting his little girl to meet his other half. “I promise, no, both of us do, my little princess,” he said, rubbing his cheek against hers, making her giggled.

  She reached up, placing her hands on his cheeks, staring at him, and Saxon swore he could already see the flames in her eyes. “You are pink! My favorite color,” Ana said.

  “Red, Ana. I’m red,” he grumbled as Storm and Nava laughed, coming up to join them.

  “I agree with Ana. You’re pink, and I think you look pretty,” Nava teased, taking Ana out of his arms and making a run for the water.

  “I do believe that is a reason to attack, don’t you?” Saxon growled to Matty, heading after the woman and Ana, making her squeal and laugh as Matty and he chased the girls in the water. For two hours, the four of them playing with little Ana, until she was falling asleep in Nava’s arms.

  “I think it’s time to put this little one to bed,” Nava said, placing a kiss on her cheek.

  Saxon stood and stretched before reaching down and taking Ana into his arms. She didn’t even wake up as he held her, helping Nava up. Both Storm and Matty moved with them out of the little cove and into the tunnels. “I think our little princess here will always remember this day. It’s the first day she could be a child,” Saxon said.

  “And she’ll have many, many more if I have anything to say about it.” Nava frowned and looked away but not before he had spotted the tear running down her cheek.

  “What’s wrong, little fire?” he said, pulling her close to him.

  “What if Ana wasn’t the only child? There could be others out there that we wouldn’t even know about.” Nava looked up at him. “Can you really accept me and the possibility that there might be more children out there?” She shook her head. “Hell, it’s even too much for me to accept, let alone you.”

  Saxon stopped and turned fully to his little fire. “Look at me, Nava,” he growled and waited. Slowly, she lifted her head, looking up at him. “These past few days have taught me one thing. No matter if there were a hundred children out there, I’m not leaving.” He looked around him. “There is no heart, no heat without you in my life. You are the fire, my light; never will anything, anyone stop me from loving you, being at your side.”

  Nava snorted. “I don’t think I could have a hundred babies out there. You don’t think I do, do you?” she squeaked.

  Matty reached over and squeezed Nava’s arm. “Talk to Mom, Nava. I think you and Elf should speak with her because if I’m not mistaken, I think the three of you are in the same position, but with mom, her children could be my age and older.”

  Nava gasped and put her hand on her heart. “Their damn dicks need to be chopped off and ground up to feed to the damn sharks. Who does this to you would think in this time and age...” she shook her head. “You’re right. Maybe the three of us can start to dig deeper into computers and see what we can find. Set up a website or something for others to reach us because you know that this one place isn’t the only facility they have.”

  “You know I have an empty office on the side of my building. You guys could set up an office there away from home,” Storm offered. “It happens to be close to the sheriff’s office, too.”

  They all started to walk again. “I like that idea. Thank you, Storm, I’ll speak with Darla and Elf about it tomorrow. It might give Elf something to focus on to help. We do need to start looking for our own place though. I can’t keep taking from Darla and Drake. They have done enough for us,” she said.

  “You will be going nowhere right now,” Drake growled as Darla and he met them when they stepped into the kitchen a few minutes later. “I mean it, Nava, this is your home now; as you have seen, there is plenty of room, and it’s safe. You can even redecorate the west wing. Hell, Darla has a whole shop of furniture.”

  “Drake, I know that I picked out some, but really. You have other sons and now two little ones. Saxon and I will need our own place eventually anyway if things keep moving along the way Saxon hopes it will,” Nava said.

  “May I make a suggestion?” Darla asked. “How about the caretaker’s old place? It’s connected to the house but separate. It would give Nava and Saxon their privacy, but still offer the security of our grounds. I mean, the house has over six bedrooms, and it just needs fixing up.”

  Drake nodded. “I never thought of that, and it’s been just sitting there empty. Why don’t we show it to you two tomorrow? Darla had a few things added to the room next to yours for Ana, that way she won’t be so scared. Elf and her children are settling in. So, you two, go spend some quiet time, and we’ll see you in the morning,” Drake ordered, leaning over and placing a kiss on the top of Nava’s head. “We have much to discuss, Nava, but it’s been a tiring day, night.” Drake met Saxon’s gaze and nodded to him. “Tomorrow we all need to sit down and talk.”

  “Why do I get the feeling something has happened?” Saxon said as Ana moved in his arms, a little whimper coming from her had him reaching up and rubbing her back.

  “Tomorrow. Matty, Storm, follow us, please, I would have a word with you both before your mother and I turn in,” Drake said, turning around, moving toward the north wing of their home as Darla, Storm, and Matty each said good night, following Drake.

  Nava looked up at him. “I feel like it’s been months, not days. So, what bad news do you think he’s going to lay on us tomorrow?” Nava asked, moving toward her wing of rooms.

  “Who knows if it’s bad news. There is no sense in thinking the worse,” Saxon said, but in his gut, he knew something was about to happen that would affect all of them.