Eventide of the Bear by Cherise Sinclair
She swallowed to clear her throat and whispered, “Thank you, Donal.”
A lean hand grasped hers, and she was pulled to her feet and steadied by…Calum. He studied her for a second. “Better. Go sit there, please.” He gestured to the porch stairs where Breanne sat. Three other shifters stood nearby—probably renters from the cabins.
“But—” She didn’t want to leave Ben and Ryder. Calum’s stern expression stopped her protest. “Yes, Cosantir.”
“Come here, cub.” As he took Minette from Ben, the cub didn’t say a word. “Benjamin, sit down before you fall.”
Ben looked as if he’d argue, then painfully lowered himself to sit beside Ryder.
With Breanne’s help, Emma settled onto the steps, and to her surprise, Calum placed Minette in her lap.
With a pleased sigh, Emma wrapped her arms around the cub. When Minette leaned into her, sucking her thumb and holding Emma’s braid, the world felt as if the Goddess had taken a broom to the disorder.
His face grim, Calum studied the cubling and Breanne, Ben and Ryder. “Explain what happened. Start with why I found the cub running across my parking lot.”
Emma rested her cheek against Minette’s. Thank the Mother the Cosantir had been there for Minette—even if he looked as if he was in an unhappy mood now.
Despite the healer working on his arm, Ryder tried to turn around. “It was—”
“Let the bard talk,” Donal snapped. “Busy here.” He turned Ryder’s arm to catch the light. Exposed muscles and white tendons glinted as blood streamed down the smooth skin.
Emma flinched. When Minette stirred, she turned to keep the child from seeing.
Growling under his breath, Ryder sat back.
To keep Ryder from losing his temper, Emma said hurriedly, “Ryder, Minette, and I were spending the night at the lodge. Minette was half-asleep with me on the couch. She didn’t want to be alone upstairs.”
Calum’s lips curved in a reassuring smile. “Jamie was the same at that age. I understand.”
“We heard shouting in the parking area.” Emma hesitated. Did she want to talk about Genevieve? To the Cosantir?
She’d paused too long.
Breanne stepped in. “A female—a pushy wolf who’d showed up at our last pack meeting—was yelling at a male who’d rented a cabin. I told them to quiet down, but she saw Emma and Minette and had herself a hissy fit.”
A hissy fit? Emma blinked. Interesting phrase—must be human. How would the term fit into a tune?
“Emma took Minette upstairs, and… Breanne continued with the events up to when she came out of the kitchen. “And I found Emma was gone.”
“Yeah, how did that happen?” Ryder growled. “I told you to stay inside.”
“I heard Minette scream. Of course I went out.” Emma tightened her arms around the child, reassured by her heavy, warm weight, by the tiny noises of a thumb being sucked. “And I’d do it again.”
Ryder’s harsh expression softened. “I’m sorry. The thought of losing either one of you is…”
Losing me? He put her in the same category as his beloved daughter? Tears filled Emma’s eyes as she smiled at him.
“Pretty good save for a male,” the healer said under his breath. He rose and moved to Ben.
“Continue, please,” Calum prodded.
She met his dark gaze. “The female ran out of the cabin, because…” The reason wasn’t important, right? How much had Calum heard about Genevieve and her accusations? “The hellhound charged her, but a male jumped in front of her.” Emma shuddered, knowing she’d never forget the savage way the creature ripped into the male. The shifter’s cries of agony. She swallowed. “The hellhound killed him. The female and the other male ran back into the cabin.”
Leaving us alone. Her own child.
Expressionless, the Cosantir followed her gaze to the silent, dark cabin. “Go on.”
“I-I didn’t know what to do. So I sent Minette toward the tavern.”
“And you ran toward the fucking hellhound—as bait. You think we didn’t figure that out?” Ben’s voice rose into a roar as he started to rise.
The healer yanked him back down. “Sit. Down.”
“Fuck!”
Donal chuckled. “Easy, Griz. You’re pissed at your crazy-brave female, not at me.”
“Sorry.” With a grumbling noise, Ben turned to Emma. “Sorry, darlin’. I got a problem with you being in danger.”
He cared. She knew he did, knew he’d risk his life for—oh, any Daonain—but his uncontrolled anger said he really did love her. Her lips trembled as she smiled at him so brightly that he blinked.
“Finish, please.” Calum recalled her to her task.
“Right,” she said. “Um… The hellhound charged me. Ryder came out of nowhere and attacked, saving me. Ben slammed into the creature, and then everyone attacked, and Alec killed it.”
“Your account will do for now.” Calum studied her. “Now tell me why the renter had a”—his lips twitched—“hissy fit. And why the female ran out of the cabin.”
He knew. He did. He was going to force her to tell everything. She sighed. Evasions were one thing, but she couldn’t lie to the Cosantir. “She’s Minette’s mother—a horrible, abusive mother who’s telling lies everywhere.”
“Thank you, Emma.” Calum’s gaze rested on Minette. “Alec, please call a meeting of the Daonain for tonight at the tavern.”
Emma’s breath caught. A meeting. Would he hand Minette over to her evil mother? Her gaze met Ryder’s, then Ben’s. Could they run?
When the Cosantir turned, the power of the God shimmered about him, muted by the glow of the porch light. “Benjamin, you are ordered to bring the cub, your littermate, and the bard to the meeting. All of them, cahir. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Cosantir,” Ben replied in a tight voice.
And that was that. No Daonain would go against a Cosantir’s direct orders.
A surge of rage shook her. Calum wasn’t supposed to be here. Why had he come back early? Only she knew. She’d messed up when Shay asked her about performing this summer. Vicki had undoubtedly told Alec…who’d called his littermate.
Emma curled around Minette and kissed the top of her head. She and her males would bring Minette to the meeting. But even if she had to defy the God Himself, she wouldn’t let Genevieve have this precious cubling.
“Done here.” Donal handed Ben one of the blankets and rose. “I want you all to eat something, drink at least three glasses of water—no alcohol—and go to bed for the day.” His brows drew together and he added, “The healing will make you sleepy. Do not try to do anything requiring concentration or alertness. Am I heard?”
He knew. Emma felt her muscles sag, felt the weariness pulling at her body and mind. He was warning them that they’d risk Minette’s life if they tried to drive today.
“You are heard, healer. Thank you for your care.” The wind whipped at the blanket as Ben pulled it around him. “Cosantir, will you need me?”
“No, cahir.” Calum tilted his head. “Shamus and Zebulon and Alec will finish the rest of the patrol tonight. Can you get your family home?”
Family. The look on Ben’s face matched what was in Emma’s heart. “Yes, Cosantir. I’ll take my family home.”
Chapter Thirty
‡
THEY’D TAKEN TURNS showering, so someone could stay with Minette in the kitchen. Now clean and aching in every muscle, Ryder had Minette on his lap. His emotions hammered at him, impossible to control.
There was delight as his cub chattered about her night, her words flowing as if she’d stored them up to use all at once.
There was rage as she told him about being scared and how dark the trail to the tavern had been. He felt as if he had a noose around his neck at the thought of losing his little kitten.
He’d thought love was an on-off emotion, not one that expanded to fill the universe.
Sensing she’d lost his attention, Minette twisted in his arms, to
“Right, kitten.” The kitchen was brightening as the morning sun streamed in the windows. He caught Ben’s glance. What the fuck were they supposed to do now?
Ben’s face was pale. The deepened lines bracketing his mouth showed the strain of the night, of being hurt, of the healing that had drawn on both the patient and the healer’s reserves.
“We’re clean and hydrated as the healer ordered. Let’s get our li’l females to bed.” He put his arm around Emma, lifting her off the chair.
“You’re the only two people in the world who call me little,” The light in Emma’s amber eyes said she didn’t mind at all.
“Keep telling you, bard, to males like us, you’re the perfect size,” Ryder said.
Ben shot him a grin.
“Pretty Emma,” Minette chimed in.
“Aren’t you just the ego-stoking group?” Emma leaned forward to kiss Minette’s cheek as Ryder rose.
His cub was already falling asleep by the time he made it up the fucking, unending stairs. At the top, he waited for Ben and Emma. Neither was moving any faster.
Emma glanced at Ryder and Minette. “If you’re not planning to sleep next to her, do you mind if I do?”
Before he could answer, Ben tilted his head. “My bed’s big enough for three and a half.”
“Aye,” Ryder said, no thinking needed.
Emma’s mouth dropped open. “But—”
“It’s a big bed, darlin’,” Ben said. “We’ve been in it before, aye?”
“Well, true, but—”
Ryder studied her. She didn’t look unhappy at the thought as much as surprised, and he’d bet a breakfast bunny her mother’d never shared her bed with a cub. But with their animal heritage, most shifters reverted to needing tactile contact during stress…like cubs piling in a heap on their mother.
Emma’s shivering hadn’t stopped despite a hot shower. She needed them. He admitted the rest—they needed her just as much. “We’ll even let you sleep between us. No nightmares will get past us.”
She looked shocked he’d join Ben in ganging up on her. Then, with a soft accepting sigh, she showed her courage. “I want that. I want you both and Minette with me, so I can make sure you’re still alive each time I wake up.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
When they were all piled in the bed, males, female, and cub, Ryder gave a long, low, contented sigh. Minette was against his chest. Emma’s cinnamon scent drifted to him. He could hear his brother’s slow breathing.
Alive and together.
*
AS A GENTLE afternoon rain began, Ben woke and lay still, taking stock. The weariness was better. The aches in his shoulder, arm, and sides—gone. Thanks to the God’s gifts, cahirs had more resilience than most shifters.
He also hadn’t slept so deeply in years. Didn’t take a genius to know why. On his side, he faced the center of the bed, curled around a soft, lush body. Emma’s round ass was pressed against his groin, her back was against his chest, and he had his arm over her and Minette. Ryder was in the same position, facing the cub, his arm over both females.
For long, contented minutes, Ben soaked in the joy of having his female and cub in his arms. Of having his brother beside him to love and protect their small family. This was how it should be.
Last night had been…bad. If he lost his family now, he doubted he’d survive. His mouth tightened as he recalled his terror at hearing Minette was missing, seeing Emma on the ground, and Ryder fighting the hellhound.
His littermate had risked his life to save Emma, and afterward, charged in to help Ben. Emma would’ve sacrificed herself to save the cub. Could a male have any more worthy partners in life? Fuck, they made him proud.
He loved them. His littermate. Emma. Minette.
That needed to be shown. Made fact. If the Cosantir thought to take the cub, he’d face them all.
But a united front was merely a side benefit, he admitted. The step they’d take now was what his heart, not logic, demanded.
Emma’s breathing was slow and even, the flush of health in her cheeks. She’d recovered. His brother’s color had returned. Minette looked like any happy, sleeping cub. From the little twitches, she’d awaken soon.
Sliding out of bed, Ben headed for the phone to call Angie.
Fifteen minutes later, Angie showed up, her van filled with her grandchildren. A bouncing, talkative Minette was delighted to join them.
After waving the cub off, Ben trotted back up the stairs to find Emma and Ryder were awake.
“Who was at the door?” Emma’s voice was husky with sleep as she stood beside the bed.
“Angie and her grandchildren. They took Minette to join them for an afternoon of frosting cookies.” He shook his head. “She said something about the cookies having the shapes of shifters and OtherFolk.”
“Oh, I saw the cut-outs. The dwarf one was really cute. All beard and nose,” Emma said.
Ben winced, hoping Gramlor never saw the cookies. The dwarf wasn’t known for his sense of humor.
“I can imagine it now. Purple pixies and green salamanders with stripes.” Ryder grinned, and then lifted his eyebrows at Ben, asking silently why he’d sent the cub away.
“Almost dying last night made me think.” Why couldn’t his tongue be smoother? More persuasive? “I saw how easily I could have lost you two. How much I love you both.” He stepped closer to Emma, crowding her slightly to run a finger down her cheek. “Seeing you in danger sets my blood to boiling. I have a need to…feel…for myself that you’re alive.”
He knew his scent was changing, conveying his desire.
Emma’s mouth formed an “O.” But as Ben’s finger trailed down to the hollow of her neck, her scent took on the fragrance of arousal.
Ben glanced at Ryder, then at the bedside table.
Ryder hesitated before nodding. No further explanations were needed. This was what they wanted. What they’d planned to do all along. As always, since meeting as adults, he and Ben were running the trail, shoulder-to-shoulder, as littermates should.
Ben pulled Emma into his arms and kissed her, slowly and deeply, savoring the way her mouth softened, how she melted into him, how her arms came around his neck. Cinnamon and spice, and everything nice. Yes, this was the right time to make her theirs.
A drawer opened and closed.
He lifted his head and turned her to face Ryder. As Ryder’s arms came around her, Ben took one bracelet from his littermate’s outstretched hand.
Despite the anxiety welling within him, he smiled as Ryder took his time kissing Emma. When his littermate stepped back, their female was flushed, and her arousal scented the air. Nothing in the world could smell as sweet.
Now…if she agreed, they could celebrate properly.
She reached for them and frowned when they didn’t move. “What’s wrong?”
Ben glanced at Ryder and knelt.
Ryder’s shoulder was against his as he did the same.
Ben cleared his throat. “We love you, Emma. And you love us, don’t you?”
Her hands covered her mouth. “I still haven’t said it, have I? But…it’s so hard.” Yet even as her lips trembled, her eyes grew determined. Straightening her shoulders, their female gave them all that was her. “Yes. I love you both.”
She pulled in another breath. “I love you, Ben. I love you, Ryder.”
“She makes it sound as if her claws are being pulled out.” Although Ryder grinned, his voice rasped with emotion.
“Let’s see what she sounds like when she says yes to something else,” Ben said. He lifted his hand, the lifemating bracelet on his bear-sized palm. The silvery, moon-shaped discs ranged from the thinnest crescent to a full circle. “Emma Cavanaugh, we love you. We want you as our lifemate, to carry in our hearts and souls throughout this life and into the next.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Ryder lifted his hand, his lifem
Even as her tears spilled over and down her cheeks, she gave a hiccupped laugh.
“We’ll sing with you, make love to you, and…” Ben pulled in a slow breath. “And gift you with our cubs.”
Her eyes went solemn—she knew, she knew what offspring meant to him. Her smile appeared, turning her beauty into something shining. She held her arm out. “Yes. I say yes.”
Ours.
With careful fingers, Ben slid a bracelet on her left wrist.
Ryder’s eyes were moist as he did the same.
By the God, nothing in the world looked as beautiful as their bracelets on her arm. When Ryder rubbed a shoulder against his, Ben’s throat thickened. Family. They had a family.
Eventually, their female noticed the two other bracelets on the nightstand. The discs were larger. Magicked by a blademage to make them “elastic” during a trawsfur, these gleaming silver wires were much thicker. “Those are mine for you, aren’t they?”
When Ben nodded, she picked them up.
“Whatever happens tonight, we’ll be together.” Her soft golden-brown eyes were filled with love. “This is right.”
She put one on Ryder’s wrist, one on Ben’s, and marked them as her own. With a lilt in her clear voice, she added, “For as long as life shall last and long beyond, I’ll be your lifemate.”
*
THAT NIGHT, RYDER parked the SUV in the Wild Hunt parking lot. As the others got out, Ryder walked around the vehicle. Despite the full day of rest, weariness pulled at his bones and muscles, making him feel as if he was wading through waist-high wet snow.
Emma clasped his hand. “It’ll work out.”
“Sure it will.” Fuck, he was a liar.
“Ready?” Ben plucked Minette out of the backseat and handed her over as if he knew how much Ryder needed her in his arms.
“Hang on, kitten.” He jiggled his cub and pretended to drop her, just to hear her laugh. To hear her laugh. She had an infectious little-girl giggle, and all three adults grinned.