Laying Claim to the Soul (20 page)

Tabby stared down at the bump in her stomach. The cool wind blowing against her face. She sighed as she stared down the drive to the resort. People, beings, were coming in from all over the place.

For the past few months, her men had kept her busy planning her wedding. That night seeing her abuse her mother had suffered at the hands of her brother had been too much for her and for Melody. With Melody’s hand in hers, she turned and smiled at her best friend and sister. “Well, do you believe we only have two days to go till our wedding?”

Melody laughed. “I’m glad we had the two months, because I’ve never worked so hard on that dance. I tell you what some of those bends were, well wow and our dresses! I hate to say it, but our men won’t know what hit them at the reception. We’re lucky this resort is a BDSM one and the staff won’t blush at all that will be going on.”

Tabby lifted her phone up and stared at the screen, nothing. “Have you heard anything from Shannon? She promised us she’d be here. I hope that ass she lives with stays home. I’d hate to rip his head off his body.” Tabby growled and instantly Wol-itelm and Chax appeared next to her, ready to kill anyone, while Hoyt came running.

“What? Are you hurt? Did someone say something?” Chax said looking around, seeing no one.

“Sorry, I’m just getting worried. Shannon should have been here by now. You sure you can’t see her at all?” Tabby asked and Wol-itelm relaxed wrapping his arms around her.

“I’m sorry baby, but for whatever reason, I can’t find her. I’ve tried and I have to tell you I don’t like it. Even Cywdyn-qua tried and has had no luck. Either your friend is a ghost or she is seriously covering her whereabouts, and for a human, that should be impossible,” Wol-itelm stated.

Tabatha glanced over her shoulder at him. “Are you worried about her? She’s one of my best friends. We went to college together. I used to talk to her almost every week, but ever since all this stuff started happening, it’s like she has disappeared. I’m surprised I even got hold of her last month and even that was through Melody’s old phone. No, something is up with her and I bet it’s that ass she’s married to,” she snapped.

“I see one mark on her body I’ll rip him apart, I swear it,” she growled her teeth changing the sign of the shift coming on her.

“Relax pet, we’ll take care of her, I promise, and you will not be attacking anyone.” He rested his hand over her belly. “These two don’t’ nee their mother attacking someone now.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not promising anything Wol-itelm, but I’ll try.” Tabby turned around and looked up at him. “So who gets to stay with me and Melody at the hotel the night before our wedding?” she asked and Hoyt growled.

“We’re already mated, this is nonsense,” he grumbled and Shane agreed, glaring at Melody who laughed.

“You two told us we could have a human wedding, well we are. Are you having a bachelor party tonight?” Melody asked.

“Yes, but you’re having a party too. You still haven’t told us what you girls are going to be doing?” Shane asked.

“That is none of your business. Just like your party is none of our business,” Wol-itelm’s mom said coming up the drive. “Ladies, your friend Shannon is here. I saw a woman driving up the drive with two children in the car and a man walking behind the car yelling. He was kind of crude. I actually had the urge to roast his ass. I thought you might want to come down and greet her.”

“Finally! Was she hurt? I’ll kill him,” Tabby growled and squirmed out of Wol-itelm’s arms.

“Both of her children are there I don’t know if the man is with her, but he didn’t like her at all. The hate coming off that man.” Ivyflame frowned. “The man was really, how do you say it, ‘a piece of work.’”

“I’m glad some of the women will be helping with the children and the hotel staff has been great making sure they are tucked in the back of the hotel so they won’t see anything.”

“You know the more I think about it this, it couldn’t have been a better wedding present. I get to gut the man and I won’t have to worry about him beating and terrorizing those two little kids.” She lifted her hand and now it had sharp claws. “I’ve been practicing. Just one swipe,” she said, and Wol-itelm’s mom laughed.

“Son, you have a vicious woman here,” Earning a growl behind her.

“Pet, you promised, plus you just stopped the morning sickness. Do we really want to tempt it?” Wol-itelm nipped her shoulder from behind. “We’ll take care of him.”

“Fine. I expect you three to have a nice long chat with him. It wouldn’t do me any good since he thinks woman are nothing but things to have sex with.”

“I’d hope that weasel would come. No man has the right to put his hands on a woman and abuse them.” Chax cupped her cheek. “We came too close to that one time, and it won’t happen again.” His words filled with pain and regret.

“Shhh. It’s over, all three of us were at fault.” Tabatha kissed his chin before moving to Melody’s side as they went up the steps to the resort. Stepping inside the hotel, there was Shannon and her children clinging to her hand, but staring around the hotel. Off to the side was her husband, glaring at her.

“Shannon,” Tabby whispered, but her friend heard her and glanced at her. The snarls from the men had her hiding the smile.

“If you will excuse me, My Pet, I have a man to fry,” Wol-itelm said and moved away from her, straight towards Shannon’s husband. Shannon and the children watched him pick up her husband and drag him out of the hotel screaming.

“What is going to happen to him?” Shannon asked, hugging her friend hard.

“You will not have to worry about that piece of shit again,” Melody said, hugging her next and cupping the side of her face that was swollen. Obviously he had just struck her in the car. “No more Shannon, you’ve put up with too much.”

“Melody is right. You and the children will stay here and start fresh. I swear I was just talking about you before I was informed you were coming. I take it the cast is from him too?” Shannon nodded to her arm looking towards the doors.

“You shouldn’t have to worry about this. I’m sorry to bring it to your door. This is your time.” She stepped back and pulled her children forward. “You remember Cheyenne and Rudy?” Shannon put her arms around her children. “Haven’t they gotten huge? I swear I can’t keep up with the clothes, they grow so fast.” She glanced behind her.

“Shannon, I would like you to meet Chax and Hoyt, my other man is the one you just saw taking your man out of the hotel. He’ll join us when he’s finished.” Shannon reached over with her good hand and tried to shake Chax’s hand, but he gently pulled her into a big hug.

“You are part of the family. Tabatha has talked of you a lot. Welcome home,” he said and stepped back allowing Hoyt to hug her.

“We have a cabin all set up for you and the children back home. You will not want for anything until we get you settled,” Hoyt said in that dominant voice he used when he wanted something done and there was to be no question what so ever.

Shannon’s eyebrow rose as she glanced at her and Tabatha laughed. “I told you to expect it. You are part of the family, our sister, and as such, well, sorry you get bossed around too.”

“It is a pleasure to meet all of you,” Shannon said after meeting Shane and Wol-itelm’s family also. “You have wonderful ladies there, make sure you take good care of them.” Shannon’s gaze connected to each of her men which surprised her. Seems their friend had finally grown a pair of balls.

“
I think we found the source of power. Tabatha did you know she was this powerful?”
Wol-itelm asked coming into the hotel and moving to her side.

“
She told me once that she believed something wasn’t right with her. Shannon has dreams of other worlds, she knows when certain things are going to happen, and she can move some small things with her mind. But Draco, she wouldn’t hurt anyone unless they threatened her children.”

“Shannon, this is my other mate, Wol-itelm,” Tabby leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You know that place you told me about? I think I believe you. He’s not from here,” she told her best friend.

Slowly, Shannon held out her hand, but the look her friend gave Wol-itelm had her laughing so hard Tabby had tears rolling down her cheeks. “Damn, and here I thought I was going to have a talk with you. You have changed my friend and we have much to talk about, but first we are going to get you settled.” After, Wol-itelm took her hand and kissed the palm.

“Rest assured that thing that followed you will not be bothering you again and here, this is yours.” Wol-itelm glanced to the left and smiled. “I delivered him to a nice planet nearby. I hear he is deathly afraid of snakes.”

For the first time in years, Shannon did a belly roll laugh. Tears of gratitude and relief rolled down her cheeks. She stepped up to Wol-itelm and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him.

Tabby guided her friend towards the elevator. “I’ve put you in a room close to where Melody and I will be staying the night before our wedding.” She laughed, hearing Hoyt’s growl. “Seems my soon to-be- husband does not like to be separated, not even for one night.”

Shannon smile and nodded. “You are very lucky, my friend. Hold on to them. I’m afraid my life will never have any sort of peace. Tell me Wol-itelm, are the grounds protected? I mean with all of your family and others from all over coming there has to be some kind of protection here. I felt something driving up the mountain.”

Wol-itelm bowed his head. “You have a great gift and you are right. Can I ask where you are from and how you ended up on Earth?”

“Wol-itelm!” Tabby slapped him. “You will not grill my friend!”

“It’s okay, Tabby.” Shannon said, looking at her two children. “I was born here, but I don’t think I was supposed to be. I’m remembering more things, and if what I’m remembering is real, it’s not pretty. I’ve protected my children, my mother, and sister as best I can.” She tilted her head to the side and smiled.

“I’m sure you’ve seen the protection around Tabby and Melody also?” Shannon asked and Tabby frowned.

“What are you talking about? Protection?” She asked as the elevator opened and Melody and she led their best friend down the hall.

“Yes, both her father and I have noticed. All of us, thank you. Any protection is welcome considering what has been happening.” Wol-itelm stopped and glanced down at her. “Problems, Little Pet?” he asked and she poked his stomach.

“All of you go! I want some alone time with my friend who is going to start explaining what the hell is going on, sorry.” Tabby glanced at the kids. “But go! We’ll all be down for dinner in about two hours.”

Wol-itelm leaned down nose to nose with her. “You are very lucky I love you woman, but don’t think that cute butt isn’t going to get some attention later.” Her man said biting her nose and tugging on the back of the collar. “You are mine, it’s time to start remembering it.” Wol-itelm glanced down at the little children.

“Maybe after dinner the little ones would like to meet a real live dragon?” he asked, earning gasps from them both. He had just won over Shannon’s children and for that Tabby sighed.

“You, my gecko, are amazing. Not go, all of you.” Tabby kissed his cheek, but Hoyt wasn’t having it and yanked her against her body.

“Mine,” he covered her mouth, his tongue slid inside her assaulting hers. If there were tickets for kissing, Hoyt would have gotten one for assault with a deadly skill. She moaned and he pulled away. “Now be good.” He nodded to Shannon and the children before he turned to leave. That is when Tabby saw the new guards and she rolled her eyes.

Of course all three of her men would have to show the guards what was theirs. Chax laughed and turned her towards the door, swatting her butt. “Go have your chat.”

She rubbed her butt and stuck her tongue out at him and he stared till Tabby rushed inside and slammed the door, knowing he was debating on taking her right there. “GO AWAY!”

“The door won’t help you, little one!” Chax laughed, moving away from the door. “Protect them or life is over,” he said outside and she sighed, leaning her forehead on the door. Knowing her life would never be dull.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Pulling away from the door, Tabby turned and made her way into the large suite. Shannon had a big smile on her face looking at the room. “Wow, all this is for us?” she asked and Melody snorted.

“Rudy, Cheyenne, there is a bedroom right down the hall for you two and we have a Xbox live hooked up with all sorts of games for you. Why don’t you go have some fun? Oh, and each of you have a bag filled with goodies for ya there, too.”

Tabby laughed as both kids ran for the back room without saying a word. Their little squeals came a few seconds later when Cheyenne came in showing Shannon the DS and bag of goodies. “There is a bottle of juice in there. Can we have some?” she asked.

“Yes, the drinks are there for you two, so help yourself,” Tabby said curling up on the couch. “Sit and start explaining what is going on?”

Shannon kissed her daughter’s head. “Go play for a while so I can talk with my friends.”

Cheyenne nodded and ran back to the room, as Shannon came over and sat on the other end of the couch while Melody took the chair across from them after giving them each a bottle of juice.

“Before I begin, I need you two to promise me something.” Shannon asked and Tabby frowned.

“You know I would do anything for you and so would Melody, now spill it,” Tabby said taking drink of her juice.

“I’m going to die soon, here. I hate to say it and it’s your guy’s special day. I don’t think it will happen till after the wedding, but I can’t tell. Anyway, I want your promise: One that you will look after the kids. Keep them away while this crap is going down. Two,” she held up her hand stopping Tabatha from saying anything.

“No this has to be said. Two, when it happens, just make sure no one touches me. I don’t know how, but I’m positive I’ll come back. I know it sounds weird, but ever since these dreams, things have been happening.” She waved and her cast disappeared. “He broke it a week ago and it’s healed already. I can do little things like this now.”