HIDDEN (Hidden Trilogy Book 1) (18 page)

“I’ll know if you do.”  Tanner said warningly before he turned abruptly and ran back to the waiting pack of kids.  I glanced at Cade, trying to hide my grin, unsuccessfully.

“I think you’re a bad influence.”  Cade teased softly. 

“I’m good for your pack.  You need someone to keep you on your toes.”  I replied as we moved to join the kids. 

“You’re a part of this pack too and I don’t need any of the pack challenging me.”

“Tanner’s like, six.  It’s admirable that he’s looking out for others.”

“Yes, it is.”  He paused before adding, “So you think a six year old looking out for you is more acceptable than what I do?”

“You are overprotective, verging on dictation, and borderline caveman.”  I gave him a look before adding, “Tanner is sweet in his protectiveness.”  I grinned. 

“Burn, man,” Brody said from behind us.  I glanced back and just noticed that he and Cassie were joining us in our game of tag.  “Little Tanner’s winning over the ladies more than you.”  Cade scowled but didn’t get a chance to answer as Tanner, who’d turned wolf pup, nipped Cade’s pant leg and jumped back, playfully wagging his tail in the air. 

“You’re it.”  I grinned as we all scattered.  We played for a good half hour before I was too tired and dropped off to the side to catch my breath.  Of course, everyone else was in tiptop shape and kept playing.  Brody and Hunter’s parents walked by me on their way to the McCoy house.  I’d only met them a few times but they were friendly, for the most part. 

Brody’s parents, Garret and Janine, smiled as they passed me.  They ran one of the businesses in town along with others from the pack.  Hunter’s mother, Kristi, worked at the elementary school and nodded at me as she passed.  Hunter’s father, Reith, gave me a steady gaze on his way by.  He was never very open with me and always seemed to be keeping a watchful eye trained in my direction.  I’d learned that Reith was one of the older pack Enforcers.  I watched as each of them made their way to the front porch of the McCoy house.  The mothers went inside as Garret, Reith, Liam, and Darren, Cade’s Uncle, stood on the porch and seemed to start a deep conversation by the look on their faces.  I’d met Darren a few times and he seemed like a nice guy.  He reminded me a lot of Liam, which made sense seeing as they were brothers. 

My curiosity got the better of me about their deep conversation and I stood up and circled around to the other side of the kids’ tag zone and sat down closer to the porch.  Remember when I said my hearing was improving?  Well, I wasn’t about to waste a talent like that when the group of four men seemed to be discussing something pretty serious.  I zoned out the noise in front of me to focus on the one conversation behind me. 

“You have to acknowledge that her knowing about us is a threat.”  Reith said in a soft demanding tone. 

“A threat to whom?”  Garret countered.  “The girl is hardly going to go blabbing to the other kids in school.  They would laugh at her faster than they would believe anything she said about shifters.” 

“Humans can’t know about us.”  Reith insisted.  “She’s a danger to our pack.  What happens when the High Council finds out?”

“She’s not human.”  Liam replied evenly.  “We know that.  She doesn’t smell like a human.”

“She doesn’t smell like a shifter either.”  Reith growled. 

“I haven’t been around her as much as you since I’ve been away on pack business,” Darren commented, “But I can tell you her scent does resemble a shifter.  I just don’t know if what I’m scenting is hers or a result of her spending so much time with your kids.” 

“She’s not a wolf.”  Reith argued.  “We’d know one of our own.” 

“But she doesn’t smell like any other shifter.”  Garret countered. 

“Have you had any luck finding information on her?”  Darren asked, I assumed to Liam. 

“No.”  Liam answered.  “Any of the wolves we trust to talk to have never heard of a human, for all intent and purposes, not smelling like a human.” 

“Did they have any theories?”  Garret asked. 

“Some.  But we would have to contact other shifters to learn more.”

“You can’t do that.”  Reith protested.  “We don’t associate with them.”

“I know.”  Liam sighed.  “Which makes finding answers even more difficult.”  There was a pause in the conversation before Liam asked, “You all heard about the shifter that the kids ran into today?”  They must have nodded because Liam continued.  “She was adamant that Kendra didn’t shift.  But smelled just like us.”

“Again, it’s probably just because she spends all her time with your kids.”  Darren argued. 

“Perhaps.”  Liam responded.  I was jarred from listening to any more to the conversation when Tanner ran into me, back in his human form.  He sat down beside me. 

“Why can’t you shift?”  He asked bluntly.  After spending some time with him, I found out this was his usual line of questioning.  Tanner liked to get to the point, quickly. 

“I’m not a shifter.”  I replied. 

“Who says?”  He asked.  I shrugged. 

“Everyone, I guess.” 

“But you’re not human.”  He pointed out.

“Guess not.” 

“So, what are you?”

“Not a clue.” 

“Huh.”  He paused before asking, “Are you going to be Cade’s mate?”  I almost choked before I managed to come up with a reply.

“Why would you ask that?”

“Because he likes you.  Like,
really
likes you.”

“Oh, well.”  I hedged as I bit my lip. 

“Do you like him?”  He looked up at me.

“Of course I like him.  He’s a great friend.” 

“If you like him you should be his mate.”

“You should love someone before you decide something like that.”  I hedged. 

“Oh, yeah.  Mom and Dad say they love me all the time.  Have you told Cade you love him?”

“Umm…no.”

“Why not?” 

“Tanner, sometimes things don’t always go the way we want to.  Even if I did love Cade, we could never be together.  I’m not a wolf.  I couldn’t be his mate.”

“If you were a wolf, would be his mate?”

“Boy, you are full of questions aren’t you?”  I smiled weakly trying to get him off the subject.  He shrugged. 

“Mom says I ask too many questions.  I just like knowing how things work.”

“Don’t worry.  You have your entire life to figure that one out.”  I ruffled his hair lightly as he tried to dodge me. 

“Hey, you want to play again?  Before we have to go in for supper?”  He asked eagerly as he rose to his feet.  I laughed. 
Change of subject?  Mission accomplished.
 

“Sure.  I’m game.”  I followed him back into the chaos, our conversation and the one I overheard faded to the background, but not completely forgotten.  What if I was a wolf?  Then Cade and I would have a chance, his pack wouldn’t be in danger, and I wouldn’t be in limbo wondering why my parents left me for no reason.  Okay, that last one I still might not know, but at least I’d be two for three.  I sighed at the thought of how simpler things would have been if I was a wolf. 
If only.
 

Christmas finally came and I was a little nervous about my presents.  Nicole and Steve weren’t real close with their families so we stayed home through the holidays.  They each liked my presents to them and I was ecstatic to receive my own tablet where I could manipulate drawings and sketches.  One step closer to my dreams. 

My friends decided our Christmas would be held out to the McCoy house since everyone was already there, except me.  I had packed up my gifts to each of them and Cassie and I were on our way to her house.  Things with Cade had smoothed out.  He was still keeping his distance, as was I, but we were back on speaking terms.  That unexplainable pull was still there, which made it even harder to maintain some distance.  Cade was still adamant about my safety and checking up on me, from what Cassie told me, but he never pushed anything with me.  This softer side of Cade was wearing me down.  I didn’t know how much longer I would be able to hold up against our relationship turning into something more than friends. 

When we stopped in front of the McCoy house where everyone congregated, I looked around at all the smiling faces, noticing that Cade was absent, and asked what was going on.  Just then, the sound of an engine caught my attention.  I turned and a slow smile spread across my face as Cade drove around the end of the garage…in my car.  My newly restored, in working order, sexy, sleek, mouthwateringly beautiful car.  Cade pulled up beside my frozen frame and was smiling as he stepped out and rounded the hood.

“Oh my God!”  I exclaimed.  Without thinking, I launched myself at him and he caught me around the middle.  I couldn’t hold back my joy as I gave him a big hug which he happily returned.  He reluctantly set me down as my eyes wandered back and forth over the purring car.  “This is so cool.”  I breathed.  I turned and looked at everyone gathered.  “Thank you so much for all your help.”  I went around to each and every one of them and gave them a hug too. 

“Do you want to drive it?”  Cade asked as I turned back toward the running car.

“Hell Yes!”  I exclaimed and ran around to the driver’s side.  He laughed and slid in the passenger side. 

“We’ll be back shortly.”  Cade yelled as I started off.

“But what about my presents?”  Brody called.  I just laughed as we disappeared down the lane. 

We made it out to the highway and I turned away from town.  I wanted this baby out on the open road.  We cruised along for a while, neither one of us spoke, just enjoyed the ride.  Finally, Cade turned his head toward me.

“I take it you like it?”  He grinned. 

“Like it?”  I said shaking my head.  “I LOVE it.”  I grinned at him in return before returning my eyes to the road. 

“Good.”

“I guess this means I can drive myself to school.”  I commented.  There was a long pause before Cade responded. 

“We could drop one of us off at your place to ride with you to school.”

“You do realize that school is literally five minutes from my house, right?”

“Yeah.”  He sighed. 

“I can manage the drive myself.  I’ll just meet you guys at school.”

“What about when you come out to our house?  Is that going to change?”

“Well, I can drive myself now so it will save you guys the trip both ways.”

“So you’ll still come out even though the car is done?”

“Of course.”  I replied, and then thought more about it.  “Unless you don’t want me to.” 

“What?  No, that’s not what I’m saying.  I want you to come out and hang with us.” 

“So what was with the question?”

“I just didn’t know if you wanted to come out.  If there wasn’t a reason anymore.”

“You’re all still my friends.  I want to keep hanging out with you.”  I pointed out.  He sighed.  I glanced at him to see a sad look on his face.  “What’s wrong?”

“Kendra, don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t see you as my friend.”  He paused before adding, “You’re more than that to me.”

“Cade, I told you-“

“I know what you said.  And I’ve had a lot of time to think about it.  But I don’t see myself ever…caring…for someone as much as I do you.”  Cade admitted.  My heart skipped a beat then was off to the races. 

“But your lifemate-“

“Is some unknown wolf out there that I may or may not ever meet.”  Cade finished.  “I’d rather celebrate and be happy with what I have now, then be miserable waiting for something that might not ever happen.”

“Cassie said lifemates aren’t rare.”

“I know.  We all know.  But,” He paused before continuing, “You know yourself that you’re not fully human.  Who’s to say we can’t form some kind of bond ourselves?”  My eyes widened at his statement, and he rushed to continue. “I’m not saying we get married or anything like that.  Let’s just, let things happen and see where it goes.”  He looked to me and almost pleaded, “Just give us a chance.” 

I looked back to the road and tried to clear the lump in my throat.  I wanted to give us a chance. 
So…bad.
  Cade was my kryptonite.  If I was honest with myself, the last couple of months were hell.  I wanted to be close to him.  I needed to see his smile.  Hear his laugh.  Know he was happy.  I sighed internally as the last wall crumbled around my resistance.  Was I a fool for giving in?  Probably. 
But what a way to go.
 

“Okay.”  I breathed. 

“Okay?”  He asked, surprised.  I laughed and nodded.  A huge grin spread across his face.  “Pull over.”

“What?” 

“I said pull over.”  I did as he asked and looked to him in confusion.  “Step out and come over to my side.”  He instructed as he slide out of the car.  Still confused, I did as he asked.  I rounded the car and stood beside him. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing.  Absolutely nothing.”  He grinned as he suddenly wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off the ground.  I gave a startled yelp as he swung me around in circles.  Finally he set me down and gripped my head between his hands.  “Thank you,” he breathed as he gazed into my eyes.  “You won’t regret it.”  He leaned down and lightly touched his lips to my own.  I was so shocked I didn’t get a chance to respond before he pulled away. 

“Come on,” he pulled the passenger side door open and waited for me.  “They are clamoring for us to get back for presents.  Well, mostly Brody.”  He said with a tap to his temple. 

“That’s your seat.”  I pointed, although my head still reeled from his kiss. 
Did Cade really just kiss me?

“I’m not letting you drive right now.”

“Why?”  I asked.  He swooped down and kissed me again.  I closed my eyes and savored the feeling. 

“Because of that.”  I opened my eyes to see him smirking.  “Kissed senseless.”

“Am not.”  I disputed as I scowled and placed my hands on my hips.  He just laughed. 

“Get in.”  I rolled my eyes and decided it would be quicker if I just let him drive.  I slid in and he closed the door after me.  He rounded the car and folded himself into the driver’s seat.  Before he made an illegal U-turn in the middle of the road, he clasped his hand around mine and flashed me a beaming smile. 

He must have done some wolfy mind speak because when we returned it was to a mixture of happiness from Cassie, Bree, and Brody, unease from Liam and Mica, and barely masked hostility from Hunter.  Cade parked the car next to Cassie’s and we both walked up to the group hand in hand. 

“So, unknown factor of what she is, aside, huh?”  Brody asked the obvious question.

“We’ll deal with that when we need to.”  Cade replied as he pulled me into his side. 

“What about what the pack needs?”  Hunter asked, eyes narrowed.  I looked between Hunter and Cade.

“What do you mean?”  I asked.

“You can’t shift.  You can’t lead our pack beside Cade when he steps up to be Alpha.”

“Hunter, we’ll deal with that later.”  Cade bit out. 

“We still have to figure out what Kendra is.”  Liam’s voice rose over the trace growls between the two. 

“Let’s take one day at a time for now.”  Mica added with a stern look at Hunter.  He backed down but not before he threw one more glare in my direction. 

“Should we go inside?”  Cassie suggested as she turned for the house.  The rest of us followed and Cade gave me a reassuring squeeze around the waist.  Mica and Liam disappeared into the house as our group took over the den downstairs.  Cassie had already brought my box of presents inside.  We sat down on the couch in our usual places.  Unfortunately, Hunter still glared in my direction.  That was one intense look I really didn’t appreciate directed my way. 

“Hunter, stop glaring at me.”  I demanded heatedly.  “Cade and I don’t know where this is going any more than you do.  It could all end tomorrow for all I know.”  Cade growled softly beside me. 

“It might not too.”  Hunter commented gruffly. 

“What’s the worst that could happen if I stay with Cade?”

“Our pack will look weak with a human, or whatever you are, mated to our future Alpha.”

“Back up a step.”   I said with a raised hand.  “We aren’t mated.  Nor are we talking about anything that serious.  Both of us recognized that we are uncomfortable being away from each other.  I’m happy with him.  He’s happy with me.  Can’t that be enough for now?”  I asked.  I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Bree stood up and Hunter’s eyes snapped to her.  She made her way over to Hunter, sat beside him, and picked up his hand.  The weirdest part?  Hunter didn’t object,
at all.

“Hunter,” Bree said softly.  “Let them have this.  For now.  Things will get complicated enough after graduation.”  Hunter’s eyes soften slightly at Bree’s touch and then he looked to us.

“For now.”  He nodded.  Bree made to stand but Hunter pulled on her hand to keep her seated by him.  A slight blush came over Bree’s face but she didn’t object. 
Hmm…wonder what that was about?
 

“Who’s up for presents?” Brody broke the tension around the room.  I turned my attention back to the others and gave a weak smile. 
What happens after graduation?
  I didn’t have time to ponder that thought, and no one seemed inclined to answer me, as we proceeded to pass out presents.  My gifts to Brody and, begrudgingly, Hunter were pretty generic.  Brody was always listening to music so I bought him a gift card to download more. 

My gift to Hunter I was starting to rethink but he was already opening it.  He was into weapons and sharp objects so I purchased a standard hunting knife that Steve recommended.  He seemed to like it as he ran his fingers across it.  He grudgingly thanked me for the present. 

Cassie and Bree were a little harder to buy for.  Since Cassie was more of a fashionista, I bought a gift card to her favorite store and a stylish woven hat to go with it.  She was ecstatic and started planning out the next shopping spree.  Brody groaned. 

For Bree, I consulted Cassie to see if Bree could use anything in her healing lessons.  Apparently geodes were good for centering her abilities so I bought a few varieties that I thought were pretty if nothing else.  She seemed more than happy with her gift. 

Cade was probably the hardest of all.  Even though things were strained between us for a while, I’d always planned on giving him a present.  It just took me a while to figure out what that would be.  I had decided on a drawing I’d been working on for a couple weeks.  It was of the group, minus me, in wolf form playing near the waterfall.  Cassie, Bree, and Brody looked like they were playing tag in the middle with Hunter watching over them.  Cade was looking out from the picture, standing guard.  This was the first time I showed the picture to anyone, so I was a little nervous.  I watched as he slowly unwrapped the picture and just stared at it. 
Uh oh.
 

“I’m sorry.”  I blurted as I reached for the drawing.  “I thought you’d like it.”  He held up his hand to halt my reach while his eyes never left the image.  The others focused on us at my words and they all drew closer to Cade to peer over his shoulder. 

“Oh wow.”  Bree breathed.  “It’s beautiful.”

“You did that?”  Brody asked, awed. 

“That’s our waterfall.”  Cassie said, studying the picture.  “Wait a minute.  That reminds me when we were there.  Before school started.”

“Cade looks like he’s waiting for something.”  Brody commented. 

“Yeah, he was really distracted that day.”  Cassie added.  “He kept looking back towards town.”

“Wasn’t that the day before we met Kendra?”  Bree asked curiously.

“I just wanted something of you guys together.”  I said a little unnerved that I seemed to draw something that actually happened. 

“It was the day before.”  Hunter grumbled.  “I remember watching you three play tag.”

“Why didn’t you join in?”  I asked, and could have cringed at the glare leveled my way. 

“I was keeping watch.”  Hunter growled. 

“Oh.”  I added and looked away. 
Never poke a sleeping bear…wolf…whatever.
 

“Did someone tell you about that day, Kendra?  So you could draw it?”  Cassie asked, finally looking up at me.