Shadows of the Ancients (24 page)

“That doesn’t matter.”

“How many?”

“Four.”

“Mmmhmm, guess how many times I’ve been stuck in the mud!”

“Let me guess,” her sarcasm laced voice was showing signs of strain. She was getting pissed with me. “None.”

“That’s right, none.”

“Well, that just goes to show you know nothing. When I get stuck, someone has to come rescue me,” she patted Jack’s leg, “and then I have to thank him for it.” Jack leaned over and kissed her like he was trying to rescue her right there in my back seat.

“Get a room!” I snipped back. Evan was laughing at me. “Seriously, you two better not stain my seats back there.”

When they came back up for air, Jack looked at the two of us, and asked, “so what are you two waiting for? It seems like you’re on track to be bound, why not just take the leap.”

Sierra actually punched him in the arm. “Her aunt. I told you what happened.” She looked up at me then in the rear view, “sorry, Jess. He’s a dumb man sometimes.”

“I forgot.” Jack said. Luckily, we were rolling up to the cabin then, so I was going to be able to get some air. I knew that unlike my Aunt, I had my parents’ blessing. That was at least more than she had. We did not, however, have the blessing of Evan’s family yet. Knowing that my family wouldn’t turn us away from the pack was a giant relief, but according to Evan we didn’t just have to worry about that with his family. We had to worry about physical harm coming to me, my family, or maybe all of us if we went against whatever they wanted. I had to hope that me being the white wolf would convince them that I could be with Evan.

Ashley’s mom, Evelyn was coming out the door of the cabin to greet us. “I’m so glad you could make it, Jessica.” She said as she came over and wrapped her arms around me in a warm hug.

“It’s been awhile, I missed you Mrs. Reynolds.”

“We missed you too, dear.” Ashley’s mom may not have been happy about Jack becoming a wolf, but she loved me. She thought I would be a good influence on her daughter. I wondered how she’d feel when she found out I’d gotten her baby girl turned into a wolf. I suddenly felt very guilty.

“Mom,” Jack called out from somewhere over my shoulder.

“Oh, Jack!” She ran to her son and threw her arms around him in a powerful, crushing hug. Now, I knew where Jack got it from. “I’ve missed you so much. You look the same.” She pulled back, scrutinizing him even further. “I can’t even tell. Are you sure you’re a… you know…” she cleared her throat and whispered like we wouldn’t be able to hear her. “wolf?”

“It’s not a dirty word, mom.” He whispered back at her, “and they can all hear you, even when you whisper.”

“Oh.” Mrs. Reynolds flushed, as her hand went up to her mouth. She was a stickler for manners, and she’d just been rude.

“It’s okay,” I said as I tossed my arm around her shoulders. “We won’t bite.”

“Jessica Marie, I’m afraid the influence went backwards, my daughter has tainted you!” She looked entirely serious for a minute and then she let a bubble of laughter slip out.

“Why, Mrs. Reynolds, I do not believe this… you just made a joke!” She gave me a quick hug again, before Jack drew her attention back.

“Mom, I need to introduce you to my mate, err, my wife, Sierra.”

“Oh, my manners are just inexcusable today.” Evelyn rushed over to the blond standing partially hidden behind Jack. I guess she was more nervous than she originally let on. “Hello, dear. It’s good to finally meet you. I don’t know why Jack has kept you hidden away from us all this time.” She reached around Jack and grabbed a very startled Sierra up in her arms, and hugged her tightly.

Ashley had finally gotten out of Evan’s car, and started on her way over to us when she was literally tackled to the ground by her other brother, Jeff. “Ashley-poo!”

“I really should have seen that coming!” Ashley grumbled from her place on the ground. Asriel didn’t look at all at ease. In fact, he looked as though he was about to snap on the newcomer. I caught his eye, and smiled at him to let him know it was okay.

“JEFF!” I yelled to defuse the situation.

“Sunshine? Is that you?”

“No one actually calls me sunshine, Jeff.” I grumbled.

“Oh, but I do, because you’re like a ray of friggin sunshine on our gloomy family!” He released Ashley and came over to me, picking me up in a hug that rivaled Jack’s and twirling me around. “When are you going to marry me, Sunshine?”

A growl rose up from Evan that took everyone by surprise, and earned a startled yelp from Ashley’s mom.

He leaned in conspiratorially, and whispered to me, “Oh never mind. I see tall, dark, and sexy over there already has a claim. You were the only woman I would have ever gone straight for, my family is going to be so disappointed.” He whispered teasingly, but he put me down before he could upset Evan any further.

Jack had walked over to Evan’s side, and threw his arm around him, walking him to the back of the Jeep. “I thought you were here in case I lost my shit. My brother’s a wise ass, but you don’t have to worry about him, he’s gay.” There was laughter in Jack’s voice, and I saw the tension fall out of Evan’s shoulders.

“Sorry,” he murmured.

“Don’t be. If you think you had to impress Jessica’s family, you haven’t seen anything yet. This is the family you’re going to get the third degree from. She’s the only wolf my parents ever really accepted, and I’m including myself in that. She’s a daughter to them.”

“Great, and I just growled at their son.”

“Yeah, good first impression!” Jack laughed as he clapped Evan on the back, and grabbed his and Sierra’s bags out of my Jeep. I left Jeff’s side, and went to get my own bag, but Evan already had it. I leaned up on my toes, and kissed him on those luscious full lips of his.

“My first impression of you was phenomenal. That’s all you have to worry about.”

“Well, look at that!” Jeff exclaimed. “The girl does like boys after all. I was seriously beginning to wonder, Jess.”

“Shoosh.” I yelled after him. “Where’s David?” I asked.

“Oh, he went to chop down some firewood for later, like the big strong man he thinks he is.” Evelyn teased.

“I’ll go help him.” Jack offered as he handed off his bags to his brother. “Why don’t you go do something with these for me?”

“Girls, I think a couple more introductions are in order,” Mrs. Reynolds saying looking back and forth between Ashley and me.

“Yes, ma’am.” I agreed. “Can we put our bags up and then do the introductions? I think it would be best if David were here too.”

“Of course, come on, I’ll show you to your rooms.” She thought about it for a minute, and then started worrying at the edges of her sweater with her fingertips. “Actually, I’m not sure at all about the sleeping arrangements now. Ashley didn’t tell me there would be extra guests.”

“Okay, we’ll drop the bags, and go find David.” I offered.

We put our bags down just inside the cabin’s front door, and wandered through until we ended up out on the back porch, watching David and Jack going at it in a competition to see who could chop through the most firewood.

“David, Jack, why don’t you hold off on your little competition, and come here. There are introductions to be made. And David, you haven’t met Jack’s lovely wife yet.” Sierra perked up at her mother in law saying she was lovely. I just rolled my eyes, and stood waiting while the two men approached the porch.

“Who are all these other people?” David said, eyeing Evan and Asriel.

“First,” Evelyn said, “this is Jack’s wife, Sierra.”

David held out his hand, and Sierra placed hers in it. He shook it, and smiled at her. “You are a pretty thing, aren’t you? Is my son treating you well?”

“He is,” she said almost shyly.

“Good. He better, and if he ever doesn’t you let me know, and I’ll throw a whopping on his tail. I raised my kids to do right by their spouses.” He smiled up at Evelyn then.

“Yes, sir.” Sierra said with a laugh.

“Jessica,” he came closer and brought me into a hug, “it’s been a while, girl. You still being good?” He asked me as he pulled away eyeing Evan.

“Yes, sir.” I answered. “This is Evan,” I offered by way of introduction. “He’s my… well, we’re going to be bound on the full moon.”

“That’s like your wolf marriage thing, right?” He asked, looking back over at Jack and Sierra.

“Yes, it is.”

David smiled then, “Well, welcome to the family then, boy.” He clapped his hand into Evan’s and shook it hard, judging Evan’s character by how he shook back. He must have liked what happened in that shake, because David grinned harder, then pulled Evan in close. “You hurt my girl, and you’ll deal with me, you hear?”

“Yes, sir.” Evan said as their hands parted. I had to hold in the laugh that wanted to bubble up. Tears were in my eyes. I knew Ashley’s parents loved and accepted me for who I was, but that just made me feel good. Well, it did for about five minutes, until David turned his sights on his daughter and Asi. I saw the fear in her eyes.

“Ashley,” he said, holding his arms out. She immediately flung herself forward to hug her dad. “You want to introduce me to your…” he stopped dead, backed up, and took a good hard look at his daughter, then he glanced at me, and Jack. “You want to tell me when this happened?”

“When what happened, dear?” Evelyn piped up.

“When our daughter became a wolf.” I was actually quite astounded that he realized, but then again, Ashley’s hugs had gotten a lot tighter, since she was learning her own strength.

“There was an accident a few days ago.” I offered, Ashley nodded her head, begging with her eyes that I be the one to tell the story. “A wolf, not from my pack, came to town, and he scratched Ashley. This wasn’t planned. We promised to tell you beforehand if she ever chose this. She didn’t get to choose. I’m sorry for that.”

David eyed Evan and Asriel wearily now. “They don’t look familiar, was it one of them?”

“No, it wasn’t. Asi actually helped Ashley through the transitioning. If it weren’t for him, she might not have made it.”

Evelyn’s startled yelp drew me up short. “She could have died?”

“I made sure she did not,” Asriel spoke for the first time. David glared at him, sizing him up.

“What kind of a name is Asi, anyway?”

Asriel smiled, “It is short for Asriel.” I love the way he pronounced his name, it was very regal sounding. Oz-ree il. “My mother named me after her great-grandfather. Legend says he was an angel brought down from heaven to save our people. He was not, but I think she hoped I would be.”

“Well, you most certainly are an angel for saving our baby’s life.” Evelyn interjected.

“Mom, he’s also my mate.” Ashley choked out, leaving her father’s arms, and going back to Asriel’s. David seemed to already have sensed this, and just nodded.

“What?” Evelyn sat in the deck chair behind her. “You’re married? Bonded? Whatever you wolf people do…” I didn’t take that the wrong way. Evelyn meant well.

“I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you all I’m gay.” Jeff blurted out. David just stood there looking at his son. Evelyn turned white as a sheet.

“My children are trying to kill me.” She looked at me then, “how are you the only one of my children who does it the right way?” I laughed, and went over to hug her.

“Oh, Momma Reynolds, when I’m your last hope, all is lost.” She swatted at me playfully, and I just continued hugging her, because she was most certainly not fully recovered from all the shocking news yet. She was shaking like a leaf in my arms.

David had walked over to Jeff while I was playfully bantering with Evelyn, and he put his arms around his son, and said, “we’ve always known, boy.” He looked at his wife then, and added, “we were just waiting on you to tell us.” Tears started streaming from Jeff’s face. It clearly was not the reaction he had anticipated. “Now that everyone has cleared the air, maybe we can get back to some normal family stuff.” He looked at Jack, “let’s get back to it, boy. I’m gonna have you beat in no time, werewolf strength or not, your skills are lacking.” Jack smiled and moved forward to join his father again. On his way by, he clapped Jeff on the back one good time in solidarity.

We spent the rest of the day with everyone catching up on each other’s lives while we prepared for the huge dinner Evelyn had planned. Even though both Jack and Ashley had dreaded his moment, no doubt Jeff too, it turned out to be an amazing day. They were all surprised by their parents, and I was reassured that there was still good to be had in the world. This was what pack life should have been like for me, but I missed out on a lot of the comradery, because I couldn’t shift into my wolf in front of them. I was lucky to have my half human pack to fall back on.

As the night waned on, and dinner wound down later, we all sat around the large fireplace talking. David was giving Asi and Evan the third degree about their intentions to stick around the area for a while. He reminded them that both himself and Evelyn were human, and how that wasn’t going to change before they died, so they were going to need to spend a lot of time with their daughters before that happened. Evan and I were seated on the floor, me sitting between his legs, in front of the fire, and he held me tight as he listened to David recount the night I had met his family. It brought tears to my eyes, knowing how much he cared for me from the start.

David’s story was interrupted when both Asriel and Evan’s phones started blaring loudly. “I’m so sorry,” Evan stated, as he jumped up and walked out of the room to answer the phone. He came back looking a little stricken, and leaned down to kiss me. “I have to go. Mikael is up to no good again,” he whispered to me. “I’m sorry, Asriel and I will have to go for a little while. I just opened a club in town, and there’s been an accident. Someone was hurt. We really need to be there when the authorities arrive.”

“Go, handle your business,” David told him. “If you need any assistance, give us a call and I’ll head out to assist. Technically, I’m on vacation right now though. We’ll see you both in the morning?”

“Yes, sir. We’ll be back as soon as we can. Thank you both for your hospitality.” He said as he clasped David’s hand, and smiled over at Evelyn.