Rebecca’s Wolves(46)

“Give the spirits a chance.” Melinda patted Rebecca’s knee. “Go for your run around here today. Try to stay positive.”

Rebecca met her eyes. “Is your mother a shaman too?”

Melinda flinched, much like her brother had at lunch.

“She was.”

“I’m so sorry. Miles hasn’t mentioned her. I didn’t know she had passed.”

“I don’t know that, either. But she’s gone either way. Left when we were three. I have no memory of her.”

“Oh, Melinda. That’s horrible.”

Melinda shrugged. “It is what it is. Mimi is a fantastic grandmother. She raised us as if we were her own. And we both love her to pieces. We owe her our lives.”

“And your father?” As long as Melinda was being open, it seemed as good a time as any to ask one more question.

“No idea who he is. And Grandma hasn’t offered a word.”

“Do you think she knows?”

“I’m not sure. We used to ask questions when we were younger. She always remained tight-lipped about the subject, ignoring our requests for information. Eventually we stopped nagging her.”

“Jeez. That’s rough.” Rebecca felt terrible for these twins who never knew their parents.

Melinda shrugged again. “We never knew any different. This is the life we’ve always lived. It’s not as though we lost something since we can’t remember either of them.”

She stood and started to walk away, and then she turned back. “Don’t be too hard on Griffen and Miles. I know it’s difficult for you to fully understand the bond between you three, but trust me when I say you’re the light in their darkness. Everything they do will be with the best of intentions to ensure you’re safe and happy. In time, you’ll see what I mean.”

And then she was gone, silently slipping back into the house a second before Miles and Griffen emerged.

•●•

Miles eyed his woman speculatively, unsure what sort of mood he might expect. When his sister insisted on speaking with Rebecca alone for a few minutes, he’d been leery, but Rebecca didn’t appear any worse for wear. She smiled up at him and Griffen as they stepped onto the porch.

“Let’s go home, love.” He leaned over her huddled form and kissed the top of her head, his hand curling around her neck.

She looked so small wadded up like that, vulnerable.

When he stroked his other hand down her arm and threaded his fingers with the back of hers, she lifted her gaze. “Okay.”

She noticeably didn’t flinch at the way he’d said “home.” His place was hers now. His home wasn’t large, however. In fact it was rather small for three people. And way too small to add children, but it would do for now. It might take a while for her to fully grasp that reality, and perhaps he was being cocky assuming his mates would move into his space, but deep down he knew that’s how the cards would fall in the end.

Call it intuition or a premonition. He just knew.

They were quiet as they climbed into the cab of his truck. Miles felt like he was walking on eggshells.

Rebecca looked calmer, but how was she feeling inside? He didn’t want to witness an explosion of nerves if he could avoid it. His grandmother said to give her time, so that seemed the best policy.

Moments after they started driving, her phone rang, and she fished it out of her pocket, her shoulder leaning into Miles, making him long for more of her touch.

“It’s Sharon,” she muttered. “Hey, Sharon,” she answered.

There was a long pause. Miles could hear the faint voice of the woman on the other end of the line—Griffen’s sister.

Rebecca stiffened beside him. Her hand flew out to grab the dash as though she were bracing herself.

A glance in her direction told him she was white as a sheet.

“What? Wait. Slow down… Sharon, start over… No… Stop… I can’t understand what you’re saying…”

Something was terribly wrong.

Miles pulled the truck over to the side of the road to give her his full attention.

Griffen had his hand on her back. He turned sideways, his brow furrowed. “Baby?”

Rebecca continued to stammer. “Are you sure it was my unit?” Her eyes were wide as she stared out the front windshield. She started shaking her head. She was pale by nature, but as the seconds passed, she grew whiter.

“Right… No… Okay… I see… Yes… Call me if you find out anything else. Thanks, Sharon.” She ended the call, and the phone dropped into her lap. Her face remained forward, unseeing.

“Rebecca? Love?” Miles eased his hand down her back below Griffen’s.