Adrenaline surges in me, and I tense, preparing to protect myself. “Yes.” As we make our way to Donna’s car, my senses are on high alert. I’m afraid danger lurks in this man. I add, “I hope you know how car seats work, because these suckers are tricky.”

  He places a hand on my arm to stop me, and I’m about to make an offensive move when his touch makes my body tingle and relax. “Ten grandchildren. I’m a pro.”

  Oh my God. He’s the man in my dreams. Relief washes over me, and as if fog has lifted, my purpose becomes clear. I know this man isn’t dangerous. Between the two of us, we manage to get everything loaded into his truck and, within a mile, turn onto a road that appears to not have been plowed at all this season.

  We descend a steep hill through woodlands, and Tokala says, “Good thing I packed the chains. I might need them to get back out.” His voice barely registers, because I’m focused on the deja vu I feel as the trees thin out. I recall why when I remember the first time I came to this cottage. Only I remember it a vast meadow. Now I realize it’s a lake and wonder how I could have possibly been so confused, considering I walked right beside it.

  The cabin is off to the left, and we turn in that direction on a road that is barely visible. “You must know this by heart,” I remark, “because I wouldn’t be sure I was going the right way.”

  Tokala says, “Wouldn’t matter so long as you made it to the cottage.”

  I suppose he’s right. I turn around to check on the babies in the back. They’re all asleep and have no idea what an adventure they’re on. When I face forward again, I notice Patricia exiting the house to greet us. She’s bundled up and must have been watching so she could help get the children inside.

  When we stop, Patricia barely takes notice of me and Tokala, and she pounces on the back door to get to the babies before my seatbelt clicks open. She coos when she removes one, and I realize this is the first time she’s seen her grandchildren. I say, “That one is Justin. Jason is in the blue, and Jackson is wearing green.”

  The walkway to the cottage has been shoveled, and each adult carries a child into the house. I bring the diaper bag as well, and it thuds on the wooden floor when I drop it. A sense of completion makes me sigh. My mission was successful. I take in the cottage as the uneasy feeling comes over me again, and I frown.

  Patricia nods in my direction and turns to Tokala. “Is she...?”

  He mumbles, but I hear the words, “She’s got a strong will.”

  What? The same relaxing warmth I felt before returns when Tokala takes my hands. “Come. You need some tea and a cozy fire.”

  I follow him and sit down, suddenly exhausted from the day’s events. The sensation of floating above the couch is relaxing, and I’m almost asleep when Patricia hands me a warm mug. She says, “Drink this and then you can nap. You did well today, Taylor. Thank you.”

  27

  Chapter 7

  Lily

  I’m engrossed in a romance novel when Victor’s voice brings me back to reality. “Darling, I have the best news. I’ll tell you all about it in the car, because you need to get ready quickly.”

  “What is it?” My e-reader clatters on the coffee table, and I swing my feet around to the floor.

  “My mother has arranged to get the babies to us today, but we need to go to her.” Victor lifts me up by my hands and gives me a kiss my body wants even though my head is reluctant.

  Patricia. I knew her absence wouldn’t be a permanent thing. Victor downgraded her to a small lake cabin he owns, and I ask, “Are we going to the cottage?”

  “Yes. So dress appropriately. The road isn’t always clear, and we may need to hike in.”

  Oh, God. “Sierra?”

  “She’s fine.” Victor lifts my chin with a finger. His eyes look truthful. “I asked about her. The fact I care is a testament to you, darling. You make me a better person.”

  I give my husband a smile, but my mind races with the news. Patricia kidnapped the children, but she didn’t kill Sierra. Victor releases me to leave, and I say, “I’ll be up in a minute.”

  I bet good money Tokala has a spell in mind to keep them from Sierra forever. Fear for her grips my heart. After what my husband did to Sierra to bring those babies into the world, she sure doesn’t deserve to have them stolen, too. But what can I do to fix this?

  The rattle of dishes in the kitchen offers the answer. Carol. Paper rustles as I grab a sheet of stationery and scratch out a note to Francoise, the manager at the Cat’s Meow. “Please contact Annie right away and tell her the shipment is at the cabin on Silver Lake.” I’m sure Annie must know the Veilleux have a cabin there, and she’ll understand what I’m trying to say.

  Victor is upstairs, and I have to hurry, or he’ll wonder what I’m doing. I take a deep breath to hide my panic as I walk to the kitchen. “Carol, I need you to do me a favor. This note should be delivered to Francoise at the Cat’s Meow right away. Can you do that for me as soon as we leave, please?”

  Carol wipes her hands on a tea towel. “Of course, Miss Lily.” She takes the sealed envelope from me, and I have no doubt she’s curious. Fortunately she’s well trained, too, and she doesn’t ask questions.

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.” The moment I’m out of sight, I jog to my room to get dressed.

  Victor is pulling on wool socks and grins at me. “We’re getting an early Christmas present. Won’t it be lovely to have babies for the holiday?”

  I paste on my smile. “It will.” I search my mind for something deliriously trivial to say. “I’ll have to get them stockings. And presents. Oh goodness, I’m not prepared for this.”

  Victor walks over to me as I pull on jeans and takes me by my shoulders. “Darling Lily, they’re babies. They’ll never know.” He brushes his lips with mine.

  “Yes. But I will.” I shake my head. “No matter. I’ll deal with it all when we get back.”

  Victor chuckles. “I’m sure you will. You were born for this.”

  The words I was told in Colorado that convinced me I should come to Maine sound in my head. “You are destined to save a clan.” I think to myself, Oh, Victor, you have no idea what I was born to do.

  When I get to the garage, our black, oversized truck is already running. I climb up into a warm cab. I’ve barely shut the door before the gears clunk into reverse. “A bit excited, are we?” I offer up a chuckle.

  Victor’s face gleams with the joy of a boy on Christmas morning. “Partially. But the truth is, I’m not sure if we can trust my mother. I was quite cruel to her when I cut her off, and she might be up to something.”

  “True. But even though she’s not my favorite person, she does want what’s best for the clan. Surely she hasn’t got evil intentions for the Veilleux heir.”

  Victor’s large hand lands on my thigh, and I jump a little. “You do ground me, my darling. Of course you’re right. Even so, the sooner we get those babies while she’s feeling charitable, the better.”

  While my husband is in a hurry, I want to buy the Le Roux time to stop something that most likely will be irreversible. “We should probably get diapers and formula. Have you asked Patricia if there’s anything we need?”

  Victor squeezes my leg before he removes his hand. “Always the planner. I’ll ask, but I think she’s probably fine.”

  I give him a minute to speak telepathically with Patricia. A storm has begun, and the soft thud of the windshield wipers beats a steady tempo. I gaze out at the snow-covered pine trees. The world looks dismal without any warm color to counter the white, black, and dark green. Before I realize what I’m doing, I sigh.

  “Lily, are you having second thoughts about this?” Victor reaches for my hand and pulls it into his lap. “Talk to me. What’s bothering you?”

  “No. Gosh, no. I’m thrilled to become a mother. I—” I shift my body so I’m almost facing him and take a chance. “Poor Sierra. You really don’t intend for her never to see her children again, do you?”

  Victor’s brow knits, and then he relaxes. “She can have more. The children are Veilleux and rightfully ours.”

  His callous words make me snap. “They’re not puppies! They’re her flesh and blood.” I stop because I’m not sure how my outburst will be taken. “I’m sorry. I’m not thinking. It just touches me on a motherly level, imagining what it would be like if someone took my children away.”

  My husband takes a moment before he answers. “You’re right. I know how distraught I am over not being with them. I’ll arrange visitation rights.”

  Visitation rights. My stomach churns, and while he seems sincere, I wonder if he’s just placating me, because I can’t tell where the lies end and the truth begins. I imagine what we’re about to do. I don’t know if I can live with stealing another woman’s children, even if my husband is the father. I sure hope Annie gets my message in time. I say, “Thank you. You always do the right thing.”

  “That’s because you’re my voice of reason.”

  I reach over and touch his arm. “Yes, and you’re mine.” I cross my fingers on my right hand and slide them under my leg as if the small action can actually work. “I’m sure everything will happen the way it’s supposed to.”

  We’ve slowed down, and the blinker ticks to indicate a right turn. The road becomes more difficult to navigate, and Victor puts both hands on the wheel. Growing up in Colorado, I’ve done my fair share of driving in snowstorms, but I know better than to offer my help. Besides, maybe we’ll get lucky and slide into a ditch that could delay us for a bit. An idea comes to me.

  I place my hand high on Victor’s thigh. “You know, once we have three babies in the house, we may not get as much one-on-one time.” My husband opens his legs, and I slide my hand closer to his crotch. I whisper, “I can be quick if you want to pull over.”

  Ever since I learned the evil truth about Victor, my head isn’t into our lovemaking. But being true mates is a wonderful disguise, because my body can’t help itself. Lust builds in my core as I rub my hand over rough denim, and my husband lets out a low growl. “Hold on. I know just the place.”

  The metal of his button is warm in my fingers when I release it, and I work the zipper down slowly. His lower abdomen is flexing as desire heats up and his erection hardens. My voice is husky when I say, “Don’t crash.” My seat belt retracts quickly when I unhook it, and the metal thuds against the door.

  I lean over his lap and release his cock. Moisture oozes out the tip, and I swipe my tongue over it to taste his salty essence. I’m rewarded with a hiss. “Oh, God.” The truck bumps over to the side, and I sit up to wait for him to park in what I guess is a private drive to a summer residence. Hope flickers as I pray we’ll be stuck.

  His seat hums as he moves it back as far as it will go, and I ask, “I take it that’s a yes?”

  Victor grabs my hips and yanks me underneath him as he lies on top of me to take my mouth in a kiss that tells me all I need to know. The weight of him is heavy, and I squirm underneath his body, realizing how easily he could overpower me if he wanted to. I shake the panic that’s building and tug at his flannel shirt to reach under and scrape my nails lightly along his back.

  My mate’s hand is under my bra, and he pinches my nipple as I arch up, begging for more. I reach down and unfasten my jeans so I can wiggle them down. “God, I want you, Victor. I need you so bad.”

  He rises up on his knees to help me pull my pants below my knees before we work on his. Our boots keep us from removing our jeans completely, but it doesn’t stop Victor from thrusting into me. “So warm and wet, darling.” He settles himself all the way in and sighs as he holds still. “This is heaven.”

  This is hell. My thoughts turn to Sierra and imagine this is what it must have been like for her, too. Her body wanted my husband while her mind didn’t. I want to focus on getting Victor to come as quickly as I can, because I don’t want to think about my new reality. But I need this to last to give Annie time. I recall the first few weeks of marriage and how our passion was a symbol of true love. How blind I was. Now it seems to be a horrible twist of fate.

  I squeeze my eyes shut and try to block out my thoughts to focus on the physical pleasure. My husband roars out his release as tears escape my eyes and roll down my face. Victor leans down and kisses them off my skin. “My darling, don’t cry. Today will never change this for us. Our life is only going to get better. You’ll see.”

  No, my darling. Everything is about to get worse. Much worse.

  28

  Chapter 8

  Sierra

  This can’t be happening. My skin pricks with the urge to shift so I can run. But I wouldn’t know where to start. My children are gone! I brace myself with my hand on the ceiling handle of Carly’s Hummer as she takes a corner too fast. Taylor was a spy for the Veilleux?

  Ashton’s voice speaks in my head. “I’ll save them, Sierra. I promise.”

  “Oh, Ash. I know you will. Stay safe.”

  Carly says, “We’ll find them. I’ll die before I let Victor steal your babies away from you.”

  I speak barely loud enough to hear, because I’m afraid if I say, it the words might come true. “Could he do that? It’s not like he’d just disappear and leave his clan behind.” The image of a jet plane and a Caribbean island come to mind. “Would he?”

  “No. But Tokala—”

  Oh shit. Magic. Now the tears come, and I don’t bother to hold them back. “But you could fix it. You and Kimi, right?”

  “Yes. I’m sure we could fix it, if it comes to that. But I’d rather not find out.” Carly takes another corner so fast that the Hummer bounces sideways across the road.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I’m taking you home where you’ll be safe.”

  “Home?” I shake my head. “Oh no. I’m not going to sit and wait for someone to save the day.” Carly glances over at me, and I growl. “No fucking way.”

  She nods and turns her focus back to the road. “Fine. Annie just got a message from Lily, and she’s positive Taylor took your children to a remote cabin the Veilleux own. It’s on a lake, and—”

  “Wait. We’re trusting Lily now?” My hands clench into fists, and my breathing is barely keeping me from shifting.

  “Yes. Annie does, and that means so do I.” Carly’s voice is dangerously close to being alpha, and I almost wish she would order me so I’d feel the confidence of following my leader. She continues, “You, Annie, and I are going to drive as close as we can undetected so there’s a car nearby once we get the babies.”

  I snap at her. “We’re fucking werebear, and we’re going to use a car?”

  She reaches over and places a hand on my arm. “The triplets can’t survive being carried by a bear for miles in this storm.”

  “Oh. Shit.” I’m losing it. God, I want Ashton to hold me and tell me everything’s going to be all right. But I know he’s out there running the rescue mission, and he can’t deal with his needy wife. “Okay, go on.”

  Carly slides us around the corner to her driveway, and the bark of a tree whizzes by my window as we just miss it. “Ashton, Brady, and the team are going to get into the building and remove the babies.”

  “And what do we do?”

  “Well. Annie was going to stay with the car because I need to go along with Kimi in case—” She pauses. “You know.” She slams the car into park but leaves it running as she gets out.

  I jog behind her to the house. “Yeah, in case Tokala puts the hex on my children so they will combust or something if they come near me.”

  Annie opens the door and pulls me into a big hug as Carly ducks by her. “Sierra, I’m so sorry. We’re going to fix this.”

  Everyone keeps saying that. I bite my lip to keep from crying and nod. A model-gorgeous girl is in the living room behind her, and I guess it’s Tristan’s sister, Isabelle. Her blue eyes are huge in porcelain skin framed by straight hair that is more white than blond. She watches us as Annie releases me and turns to her to say, “This is Isabelle. She’s going to stay with you in case Victor has plans for you, too.”

  Isabelle sticks out her hand, and I notice how much bigger it is than mine. She says, “I kick ass and like it.” She squeezes me hard enough that my bones grind together.

  “I don’t doubt that for a second, but I’m not staying.”

  Carly has returned and tosses me a backpack. “Sierra’s coming with us and will stay with the car.” I open my mouth, and Carly glares at me. I shut up before I get alpha ordered, because I don’t intend to sit this one out. She continues speaking to Annie. “That way you can join me and watch my back so we don’t have to call someone from the team.”

  Isabelle says, “I’m coming, too. I’ll stay with Sierra.”

  Carly is already walking toward the door and says, “Fine. Let’s go.”

  Annie has gone to the kitchen and comes running back to throw a half-zipped bag at Isabelle, who catches it in one hand as if it’s a ball instead of a heavy pack. When we get to the Hummer, I scramble into the back and let Annie sit up front to navigate.

  Annie gives Carly directions and turns to me to say, “I got a call from Francoise at the Cat’s Meow. Quite clever of Lily, by the way.” Annie grabs onto the headrest to steady herself as Carly swerves around a car to pass it. “Francois is a wholesale contact she acquired for us, and he would have no reason to know that Lily and I aren’t still working together. The note said that the shipment was at the lake house.”

  Carly slides the Hummer back into our lane, narrowly missing the oncoming car that’s blaring its horn. Isabelle mutters next to me, “Black bear are crazy.”

  Annie doesn’t even turn around to see what’s happening but continues. “It wasn’t hard for me to figure out that she meant the babies are at the Veilleux’s summer cottage on Silver Lake.”