Destiny's Path (18 page)

“Easy for you to say.” Steven was clearly pissed. “You didn’t spend two years restoring it from the ground up.”

“Point taken.” Flynn chuckled. “You two go on up to the house. It’s late, so you both can bunk there. Dillon, show ‘em where, will ya?”

“Okay. And you guys can tell me what it’s like to get shot,” Dillon said with glee.

“Fair enough, pup.” Steven chuckled, ruffling Dillon’s hair as they walked toward the house.

Mikeal was slow to follow as he turned to Roan. “I’m sorry, Roan. We should have done more.”

“ Coming here instead of chasing after Jenna was the right call,” Roan assured the man.

“Exactly. Chasing her could have been a trap,” Flynn added.

Mikeal nodded stiffly, then followed Dillon and Steven back to the house.

“Sooner or later, she’ll show up here, if she hasn’t already. She’ll want to end what she started.” Gabe looked at Sasha.

“Which is why Flynn will be taking the women back to the house while the three of us scout around the area,” Roan directed. “I want
both
of them found.”

“Wait, Roan.” Sasha spoke up. “Jenna wants me so she can try to kill me. And apparently her mother is willing and able to help. This is my fight. I can’t ask you to risk yourselves.”

“I know, Sasha, but it’s more than your fight now. Rhonda shooting one of my guards guaranteed that. No, this is now a Pack matter. And as Alpha of this Pack, overall safety falls to me, so it’s my risk to take. Then there’s the matter of yours and Flynn’s unborn daughter. She’s our future. I won’t jeopardize that. Do you understand?”

She let out a breath, knowing he was right. “Yeah, I get it.” Then she padded over to him and bumped his muzzle. “I’m really sorry for all this, Roan. Somehow I feel like this is entirely my fault.”

He rubbed her head with his, trying to comfort her.

Oh, but for a twist of fate, Roan could have been her True Mate. Well, that was an odd thought. Although not unfounded.

“Don’t blame yourself, my dear. This confrontation has been a long time coming and way overdue to my thinking.” He sighed, and then his eyes started to glow again. “She has brought us to this for the last time. I will end it as I should have done long ago. No mercy for those who endanger my Pack and threaten their future,” he snarled, his fur standing on end with anger and power.

Sasha could feel his power, smell his anger. His eyes were so bright with emotion that looking at them almost hurt. Then they dimmed, and he said something she had been thinking earlier. “You are my brother’s True Mate but could have been mine if not for a twist of fate. I don’t begrudge him his happiness, but before I knew that I also have a True Mate, I did envy him a bit. Still do in a way,” he admitted sheepishly.

“Roan…” Flynn began as he came to their side.

“No, brother, this must be said. My honor expects no less,” Roan replied formally. It was almost like a final confession, the way he was carrying on, Sasha thought.

Flynn nodded for him to continue. Sasha, of course, remained quiet.

“You’re a fine Lupa, Sasha, and will make a great Alpha. And I would be lying if I said I haven’t thought about how great we could be together, but it wasn’t meant to be. You and my brother belong together. And he’s very fortunate for not only having you, but soon to have a daughter as well.”

She didn’t know what to say. She had no idea he felt like this. But then, she had been so wrapped up in her own problems, trying to sort out her new life, that she missed the signs. It made her feel sad on the one hand because Roan was such a gorgeous man with so much to offer, but she was also glad he had a True Mate somewhere. He wasn’t going to be alone for long.

“It’s odd, but I feel like she’s not only your daughter, but mine as well.” Roan looked at them strangely.

“Of course she is, brother. We shared a womb, and we share a soul. How could it be otherwise?”

Roan looked at Flynn with purpose. “This has to end, Flynn. The child must be born. Our future depends on her.”

“And you’ll be there to witness her arrival. A second father to our child,” Flynn said.

Roan bowed his head with respect. “I would be honored.”

Sasha walked up to Roan and licked his muzzle with affection and thanks. “I’m going to have to search the Pack high and low for this True Mate of yours. Got to make sure she’s worthy of you. My brother deserves the best.”

“When you find her, I’m sure she will be.” He chuckled, but the humor seemed strained. “In the meantime, I want you, Angel, and Mother safe. If one of my guards can get shot, then you three are definite targets.”

“And since Rhonda has always held a special animosity for me, I think shooting me would be a bonus,” Charlie added.

“A Lupus with a gun.” Gabe shook his head in disbelief. “What are we coming to?”

“Not us, Gabe. Two Lupa’s without honor that have nothing to lose,” Angel replied.

“Two rogue Lupa’s,” Robert said sadly.

“Two
armed
rogue Lupas,” Roan reiterated. “And will be dealt with as such.”

“Just be careful, whatever you do,” Sasha told them.

“Don’t worry, my dear. As long as we know you three are safe, we can concentrate on the job at hand,” Roan assured.

“And wait till we’re at the house before you three change back. If Jenna and Rhonda are already here, then the three of you look enough alike in the dark that neither of them will know which is which,” Flynn advised as they made ready to leave.

“Good idea,” Roan agreed. “And keep to the shadows as well. As for us, I want you two to scout the surrounding area. If anything smells out of order, tell Flynn,” he instructed Gabe and Robert.

“Flynn? What about you?” Gabe asked.

“I’m going to Jenna’s house. Maybe something there will give me a clue as to what she and Rhonda are plotting. I also want to know which direction they’re driving. Could help to know where they’re going if they aren’t already here.”

“Just be careful, Roan. I have four children, and I want to keep it that way,” Charlie warned.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll be watchful,” Roan promised, going over and licking Charlie’s muzzle.

“Hmph. It’s not you I’m worried about.”

Angel and Robert kissed goodbye, wolf-style, and told each other to be careful. Sasha told Gabe to watch out for unexpected gunshots.

“Don’t worry. I have a True Mate waiting for me now. I won’t be taking any unnecessary risks.” He gave her a wolfish grin.

Then they were all off to their appointed destinations. Roan went east through the forest; Gabe and Robert split up to cover more ground to the west, Gabe toward the stables and Robert toward the outer pastures. The rest of them went to the house, staying to the shadows like Roan advised. Flynn didn’t change back either. He led them to the back door naked. Not that he had much choice. Apparently the Lupus couldn’t change forms with their clothes on. She had absently noticed a pile back in the clearing after their run.

Nothing happened along the way, nor did they smell or see anything out of the ordinary, thank goodness. The last thing she wanted was to get shot. Like she hadn’t enough on her plate as it was.

After they all went through the back door, Flynn led them to the den. It was a nice room. Mauve carpet and matching comfy furniture. Lots of plants and books. Sasha liked it. Had a warm, lived-in feel to it.

“Go ahead and change while I run upstairs for your clothes,” Flynn told them. “I’m also going to check all the locks on the doors and windows. After that, I’ll check on Mikeal and see how his shoulder is doing.” He reached down, gave Sasha a tender rub on the ear, and then was gone.

Turning toward Charlie and Angel, Sasha noted watching them change back was just as beautiful as Flynn’s change. There were differences though. Seemed everyone had their own color patterns when changing back, almost like an aura. Flynn’s was a greenish blue, like the ocean, Charlie’s a warm red with orange flashes, and Angel’s a vibrant blue and purple. Made Sasha wonder what hers was going to look like. Then a really serious question hit her.

“Uh, ladies, problem here. How do I change back?” Charlie and Angel stood before her, naked and on two legs.

She should have been embarrassed about seeing two women naked, her Southern upbringing again, but her thoughts were more on how to get two legged again herself.

Charlie and Angel looked at her with stunned amusement. She certainly didn’t find this amusing.

“Flynn never explained how to change back?” Angel asked with a grin.

“At the time, we were too busy trying to prepare me and trying not to think about if I would die. Then it started, and anything more was forgotten.” She felt kind of strange standing on all fours in the den while Charlie and Angel weren’t.

“Well, that’s understandable. You’ve had a very busy three days.” Charlie nodded. “But don’t worry—now that you’ve undergone your First Transformation, changing back and forth will be easy. Just focus on which form you want, four or two legs, then picture that in your mind and concentrate. You’ll feel a warm glow start in your center, then spread out as everything changes. No pain, just soothing warmth. After you’ve changed, you feel great, energized. But some also feel a bit sad because being on four legs means freedom. Going back to two legs makes some feel confined in a way.” She shrugged, trying to explain.

“Okay, so I focus on my two-legged form. No pain, just warm energy.” She closed her eyes to concentrate better.

At first, nothing happened. She was picturing in her mind what she looked like with two legs but didn’t feel any kind of warmth. It sort of scared her that nothing was happening, so she made her mental self walk with those two legs. That seemed to do the trick, because a pleasant warmth started in her stomach, expanding throughout her body. She even saw a bright white glow behind her closed eyelids. Way cool, she thought.

After she opened her eyes, she noticed two things. She was taller and she was naked. It had worked. Whew!

“That was quite a light show.” Angel smiled broadly.

“Light show?” she asked, wondering where Flynn was with those clothes.

From what she had learned so far, the Lupus didn’t view casual nudity the same as humans did. Especially the same as most Southerners did. Casual nudity to a southerner is like part of the seven deadly sins. Right up there with adultery, stealing, lying, and marrying Yankees. It was just not done. Which was why she felt a bit uncomfortable standing in front of others like that? Hard to change a lifetime of values in a few days. She was trying, though.

“Yeah. I was almost blinded by it,” Angel replied.

Sasha glanced at Charlie, who had a speculative look on her face.

“What? Something wrong?” She was starting to feel like a bug under the microscope.

“Only the most powerful Alphas can glow that brightly. And you have yet to gain the position.” Then she started to laugh. “Oh, my daughter, you are so what this Pack needs right now.”

“And in more ways than one,
Granny
,” Angel snickered, laughing along with her mother.

“Oh my goodness, yes!” She exclaimed. “A baby! It’s been so long since I’ve held a baby in my arms.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask about that,” Sasha said, wanting to clear up a few things. “Just how long has it been since a child was born?”

She saw a great sadness pass between the two women.

“Before or after Dillon was born?” Charlie asked.

“Both.”

“Before, it had been close to eighty years since a child had been born.”

Sasha blinked in shock. Eighty years and not one child.

“And no children have been born since Dillon.” She sighed sadly. “A true miracle he was. Although considering what we just witnessed, well…”

Yes, Dillon would have to be born for Diona’s soul to be reborn. Quite confusing when one thought of all the ramifications of that. Sasha didn’t. She had more than enough to think about.

“So let me get this straight. In almost a hundred years, before and after Dillon, not one Mated couple has conceived.”

Both women nodded sadly.

“Wow.” She sat down abruptly.

“It’s the prophecy and our worst nightmares come to life,” Angel replied as both women also sat.

Nightmare was right. Having a child was the culmination of some couples’ love. Being denied that gift had to be devastating. But Sasha still needed to understand a few things. Like how is it that her being able to have children would give hope to the others. Flynn, fortunately, walked back in with their clothes just as she asked that question. He had on jeans and a t-shirt. Of course, naked was better. Later, she promised herself.

“Flynn, you could probably answer that better than us,” Charlie said as Flynn handed out their clothes.

Flynn looked Sasha up and down before she got dressed, a slow smile curving his lips. Oh yeah, later, she smiled in return. Another all-nighter. Whoohoo!

She put her clothes on before she could embarrass herself any further. Too late for Flynn, though. You really can’t hide a bulge like that.

“It’s a wonder she isn’t pregnant now.” Angel laughed. “Especially with looks like that.”

Sasha’s face flamed as she sat down again.
Blushing sucks
, she grumbled to herself.

“Hey, don’t be embarrassed. Robert still looks at me like that, and we’ve been together for sixty years,” Angel declared.

Sixty years and no child. Though probably not for lack of trying, if the secret smile she was wearing was any indication. Still, it had to be hard.

Flynn came over and kissed her then nuzzled her hair and whispered in her ear as he sat down beside her. “Mmm, I’ll have you naked again. Real soon.” Though not soon enough, to her way of thinking.

His hot breath blew in her ear, and she shivered. Oh yeah, soon, he thought as he gathered her into his arms.

“Sorry I wasn’t here to help with your changing back. But I see you made it through just fine.”

“Charlie and Angel helped.” She snuggled deeper into his embrace.

“We only pointed you in the right direction. The rest was all you,” Charlie replied.

“That’s right. You can’t make yourself glow that brightly. Only a true Alpha with power can do that. “.

“She has the Alpha glow?” Flynn asked.

“Bright enough to light up a city block.”

Flynn hugged her again. “That’s great, sweetheart.”