Jessica’s Wolves(39)

Kara gasped, and Lindsey gave a short little sob, but Jess didn’t stop. “Shouts rang out and saved my life. A neighbor happened to be walking his dog nearby when he heard the gunfire. ‘You can’t do that here. You have to have a permit to shoot the wildlife. Get out of here.’ Without the interference of Mr. Gregor, I wouldn’t be here today.

“The assailants jumped into their car and sped away, tires squealing on the gravel. My neighbor came to the door then and pounded on it to see if anyone was home. The only reason he didn’t leave me there frozen in my spot was because he glimpsed me through the window.

“Eventually, I opened the door to him, and he called the police. I was catatonic. He waited and waited with me, as did the police, but of course, my parents never returned. No one ever knew why. Late that night I entered the foster care system. I could hear the adults around me talking, mumbling about where my parents had gone, why they hadn’t returned, but it was as though their voices came to me from under water. I was so far removed mentally by then I thought I might actually drown under that water.” Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked them back to finish the story.

“And I wished I had. For years I lived with that pain. That secret. I didn’t speak at all for a long time. As though I’d gone mute. After all, what was I going to say? Those dead wolves were my parents?

“Eventually, I got lucky. The second foster family I lived with dragged me from my shell enough to get me through high school and into college. It made me nervous, staying in the area. I’d always thought I’d run halfway across the country first chance I got. But I had a scholarship, and then I met you two…

“And that’s where I got lucky again, meeting you girls and developing the best friendships a person could ever have.” Now Jessica did wipe her cheeks with the backs of her hands. She was full-out crying. Her chest heaved with the sobs while she caught her breath.

Both women scrambled around the coffee table and flanked their friend. A giant group hug ensued, filled with kind words and tears.

“Oh, honey. We are so sorry.” Kara finally pulled back, leaving Jess hiccupping.

Lindsey soothed her hand over Jessica’s hair. “I wish you would have told us. We would have been there for you. Always.”

“I know, but it was tough. I’d hoped for no one to ever find out. And then you two both met and mated with wolves. Four of them!” She gave a half chuckle. “What were the chances of all the roommates in the world I’d get assigned to women who would get claimed by my own kind? It must have been a sign.”

“You spent the night with Charles and Reese, didn’t you?” Kara questioned. “I mean, obviously you did. I was in the house. It seemed a little too coincidental they both stayed to help ‘cut some extra firewood for the pregnant lady.’ But I didn’t want to interfere.”

“Oh, God. Really?” Lindsey hadn’t realized what had occurred here last night. “Did they claim you?” Her face lit up, and she pressed her palms together, her face a mixture of tears and sadness and excitement. She grinned, her eyes wide and her cheeks covered with red splotches.

“Well, not exactly. I wasn’t ready.”

“When did you…?” Kara didn’t finish.

“Friday. They came to pick up Miranda from school because Tessa was already at home with a sick Jeremy. As soon as they walked into the nurse’s office, I knew even before I turned around.”

“Oh … then … ohh…” Realization dawned on Kara’s face. She too had a weird look. Her eyes still watered with unshed tears, but her mouth curved into a smile.

“So, yesterday when you got here for the party and they were here…” Lindsey started.

“Yeah, that wasn’t pleasant. I thought I could do it. I really did. But no. And apparently I’m ovulating, so that increases my need to be claimed, and all hell broke loose inside my body.”

“So does everyone know? Well, except for us uninformed humans?” Kara giggled.

“Probably, but only because Nancy is so astute. That woman can smell a rat from a mile away I bet.”

“What are you waiting for?” Kara asked. “If you know the way of wolves, then what sort of convincing do you need to mate with Charles and Reese?”

“I’m scared.” Jess looked down and wadded her hands into balls in her lap. “I spent twelve years promising myself I would never shift into wolf form. If I never shifted, then no one would know I was a wolf and… It’s silly really, but I was a child. I don’t want to get shot. Wolves get shot by hunters.”