Bearing Secrets (12 page)

The last few weeks had gone by
without a hitch, and Ivy was settling into the Brown family with her mates.
Their work on the proposal and forum was making huge strides. Soon it would be
complete and they could launch the forum. The proposal would land on Ty and
Tabitha’s laps, and they’d be able to look it over and make a decision on how
to proceed.

For the first time in her
life, everything was falling into place. The only thing missing was the contact
from Chad. There was no call or even a text from him. The only difference from
when she arrived was she no longer had to worry what happened to him. He was
alive, living his life; he just didn’t want anything to do with her.

“Anyone home?” Ava called as
she opened the sliding glass door and entered.

“In here,” Ivy answered, glancing
up from the book that hadn’t really been holding her interest.

Ava appeared through the
archway wearing a warm smile.

“The boys are out fishing,”
Ivy told her. “They’ve demanded freshly caught salmon for dinner tonight.”

“Sounds like my sons.” Ava
raised the cake platter in her hands. “I come bearing gifts, chocolate mousse
cake with a chocolate chip coating around the sides, and shredded pieces of
white chocolate on the top.”

“Sounds delicious.”

“It’s so delicious it melts on
your tongue. Make sure you get some before the boys tear into it, or it will be
gone before you can bat an eyelash.”

“Why don’t you join me and
we’ll do that now?” Ivy set her book aside and stood.

“I’d be honored. You grab
drinks and I’ll cut.” Ava took the cake to the counter, while Ivy grabbed two
mugs and poured the coffee she knew her mother-in-law favored. “It’s nice to
have another woman on the island.”

“You have Bev too.”

“Bev and I can only stand each
other for short bouts. Put us in a room together for more than an hour and
we’re at each other’s throats.” She brought the plates to the table and sat.
“You, on the other hand…I couldn’t have asked for a better woman for my boys.
Turi and Trey have changed since you’ve come into their life.”

“What do you mean?” Ivy took a
bite of the cake, letting the smoothness glide over her tongue. “Oh, this is
heavenly.”

“Told you.” Ava smirked, her
tone a little cocky, and deservedly so. If there was one thing she could do
beyond anyone else, it was bake. “Trey’s been taking more of an interest in the
sleuth responsibilities, working alongside Turi, not against him. Even taking
over some of the duties himself, handling problems that might arise without
finding someone else. The forum is finally being started and they’re working
together on it. There’s a closeness to the twins I haven’t seen since they were
cubs.” She captured Ivy’s gaze and smiled, her eyes a little misty. “It’s all
because of you.”

“I can’t take all of the
credit.”

“Child, it’s your doing.” Ava
took another bite of the cake before setting her fork aside. “Those boys are
finally working together as a team instead of fighting each other at every
move.”

Ivy sat there silently, unsure
what to say to that. She had noticed changes in her men since she’d arrived.
Each having their own personalities but still finding a way to mesh together
allowing them to be the ultimate trio.

They had nearly finished the
slices of cake when Ava looked up at her. “Do you mind if I’m honest with you?”

“No.” She shook her head, her
heart beating a little faster, wondering what Ava thought she needed the extra
caution for.

“Growing up with two fathers,
I saw how they loved and cherished my mother, and when I came of age to find a
mate I sought out that same thing. I didn’t want one mate, I wanted two to
treasure me.”

“I was always told shifters
don’t have a choice in their mates.”

Ava shook her head. “They
don’t, but that didn’t stop me from trying to fight it. When Devon touched me,
his bear roared to life and the mating connection began, I fought it like
someone fights an untimely death. I didn’t want it. Devon was a great guy, but
he wasn’t the one I wanted. Somewhere out there I believed there were mates
searching for me as I searched for them. I had to be destined to have the same
relationship as my mother; after all, I witnessed firsthand the beauty of it.”

“I see the love you and Devon
share,” Ivy reasoned, because what she witnessed couldn’t be a facade.

“After I learned to accept I
wouldn’t get what I wanted…actually that wasn’t until after the torture of
denying a mate set in…then I was able to learn to love him. Devon is a
wonderful man, an amazing mate, and a great father. Now I wouldn’t change who I
ended up with, but back then there was some anger and hostility because I felt
like he denied me the same happiness my mother had.” She stared off into space,
sadness etched into her features as if she was remembering the pain of those
days.

“Why are you telling me this?”
Ivy cupped her coffee mug and watched the older woman over the rim.

“I want you to understand how
lucky you are. That there are going to be trials and tribulations, but in the
end you have two wonderful mates by your side. I’m not just saying that because
they’re my sons and I raised them, but because I know they will protect and
love you.” Ava reached across the table and laid her hand over Ivy’s. “The boys
can see you’re hurting now because of Chad, and they want to make it right.”

“There’s nothing they can do.
My brother is a stubborn pain in the ass. He won’t come around until he’s
ready…if he’s ever ready.” Her gaze drifted away and out the window to the
creek where her men were frolicking in bear form.

“It doesn’t stop them from
trying. If I know my boys, they’ll be overbearing, I just want you to remember
they’re trying to take your pain away, not add to it. They might go about it
the wrong way and I’m sure there will be times they’ll drive you crazy, but
they love you.”

Ivy watched the twins splashing
around just off the beach. “I was just the opposite. I searched for a mate,
never sure I would find one since I wasn’t a shifter, but I wanted what I saw
others had. I never realized some shifters mated with more than one, or that
I’d even want that.”

“Now?” Ava prodded.

Her lips curled up in a smile,
and a freedom paused through her. “Now I couldn’t picture my life without those
two. Sure the snoring and growling in their sleep gets a bit much, especially
when it’s in surround sound.” She laughed at her own joke, as she thought about
how safe it felt snuggled between them in bed, even if she had to listen to all
their noise.

“Image that with a house full
of male bears,” Ava joked.

“Thanks, now I have something
to look forward to when children come along.” Ivy laughed, sending a rush of
infectious giggles through both of them.

“Children?” Ava tried to gain
control of her giggles, but was failing miserably. “Will you be making me a
grandmother soon?”

“I don’t know about soon, but
I’ve always wanted children.”

Ava shot up from her chair and
rushed around the table. “I’m so happy.” She pulled her out of the chair and
wrapped her arms tight around Ivy. “Taber and Thorben tell me Kallie needs more
time to adjust before children are brought into it. After years of captivity, there
are things she’s making up for. I started applying pressure to Tad while they
were here, but he told me he and Milo agreed it would happen when it happened. What
kind of logic is that?”

“I take it you want lots of
little grandbabies,” Ivy joked as if Ava’s excitement wasn’t enough of a clue.

“Oh yes, lots of little
cubs—babies. Oh, hell I don’t care what they are. Bears, tigers, humans, they
could be monkeys for all I care. I just want lots of them, so I can spoil them
rotten.”

“I think your sons would have
an issue if I birthed monkeys,” she teased.

Talking about children sent an
exciting warmth through her. She was blissfully happy with her life, her mates,
and the idea of starting a family. The future for shifters had already proven
it was going to be a dangerous one, so she see could see no reason to wait. The
excitement of having children bloomed through her, and she smiled. She’d be
sure to speak with her men about the possibilities.

After an afternoon of
frolicking in the water, Trey felt better than he had in months. There was ease
between him and Turi they’d never had before, one that allowed them to spend a
day screwing around and fishing together. Now with a basket of freshly caught
salmon, they made their way back inside.

“You two better dry off before
you step one foot into this house.” Ivy threw towels at them as he opened the
door.

“Damn, she sounds just like
Mom,” Turi bitched before setting the basket aside and grabbing one of the
towels from Trey.

“Don’t give me that tone or
I’ll make sure you end up with blue balls until you’re so horny you’re humping
trees.” She stood there with her hands on her hips watching them as they dried
off.

“Are you enjoying the show, my
sweet angel? Does the water dripping off our naked bodies get you wet?” Trey
shook his hips, sending his erection bouncing.

“Oh, yes…but first of all, Turi
got a call from Taber.” As Turi leaned in giving her a quick kiss on the cheek
before moving past her to return the call, she looked at Trey. “You need to
clean those fish if you think I’m cooking them.”

“What about having it raw?”
Now dry, he tossed the towel over his shoulder and picked up the basket.

“I’m not a bear and unless
we’re doing sushi, it isn’t happening. I’ll make some for dinner and since you
caught enough for an army, once it’s clean you can put it in the smoker. Smoked
salmon is delicious with cream cheese, red onions, and capers or even a bagel.”

“Okay, angel. Let me grab my
jeans and I’ll clean these.” He set the basket back down, leaving it outside
since he figured she’d prefer he clean the fish at the outside station instead
of in the kitchen. “Then tonight I’ll show you just what this naked body can
do.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” She
wiggled her eyebrows and let her hand slide along the curve of his hip until
she could tease the hairs at the base of his groin.

“I saw Mom here a bit ago.” He
hoped she’d get that he was asking about the visit.

“She brought a cake, of which
you may have a slice
after
dinner. We were talking about you two,
children, mating, and life. I love your mother.”

“As she does, but I hope she
isn’t pressuring you into giving her grandchildren.”

“Why? Is it so wrong to want
children? Don’t you want any?”

The questions flew at him one
after another. “Yes, I want a few little ones of my own, but there’s no rush.”

“Why not? This world we live
in isn’t getting any better. Why not live life to the fullest and do everything
we’ve wanted, including having children?”

He wrapped his arms around
her. “There’s no reason I can think of. If you’re ready for children, then we
can work on that tonight.”

“Soon. Tonight I have other
plans.”

“That sounds naughty, and I
like it.” He lowered his head and claimed her lips; the lingering chocolate had
him slipping his tongue into her mouth. When he pulled away, she was
breathless. “You taste delicious.”

“You only want me for the
sweets your mother keeps using as an excuse to visit,” she teased, her hands
reaching around him to cup his butt cheeks. “Now get those fish cleaned, I want
some smoked salmon, and then you and Turi naked.”

“I’m already naked.”

“
Tonight
.” She shook
her head.

“So demanding, mate.” With one
last kiss, he let her go and went in search of a pair of jeans.

He padded through to what used
to be Turi’s master bedroom, but had now become theirs. It was amazing how
quickly things had changed. In a matter of weeks, he had fallen in love with
Ivy, and couldn’t picture his life without her by his side. How had he managed
before?

* * *

It was funny how one little
call could change everything in someone’s life. Knowing the news he had to
deliver wouldn’t make his mate happy, Turi slipped out the back door and headed
for Trey where he was cleaning fish. When he broke the news, Ivy was going to
need them both at her side.

“If you’ve come to help, your
timing is shitty. I’m just cleaning up. The fish for dinner is there and the
rest is in the smoker.” Trey nodded to the bowl.

“No, I’ve come to get you. We
need to tell Ivy about her brother.” Turi leaned against the counter, his gaze
on the house.

“What do you mean?”

“Chad left a letter for her,
and took off. Ty sent a team in search of him but there’s no trace. He’s
vanished.”

“You don’t think he’ll come
back here, do you?” Trey dried his hands on a towel and then tossed it on the
table.

“I don’t think he’s that
stupid, but we need to be on guard. Chad’s angry enough that he could believe
what he said about thinking it better if she was dead rather than with us. He
could come after her if he lets his tiger control him.”

“We won’t let harm come to
her.” Trey’s fists clenched. “I should have taught him a lesson when he was
here for how he treated her.”

“There’s nothing we can do
about that now. We need to focus on Ivy. After all she’s been through, this is
another blow, and that might be too much for her to handle now.”

“Naw.” Trey shook his head.
“Our mate is too tough to let this defeat her. She’s a strong woman and with us
by her side she can’t lose. Which reminds me, did she mention to you that she
wants to try for a family?”

“What?” Turi tore his gaze
away from the house and looked at his twin.

“Mom got to her while we were
fishing and somehow that led to her wanting to have a family. Not tonight,
though.” He grinned. “She said she has naughty plans in mind for tonight. But
soon.”

“Well, that should please
Mom.” The idea of having children both excited and terrified Turi, but he
didn’t let it show. “She’s wanted grandchildren since before any of us mated.”

“I’m sure Mom will be thrilled
when one of our mates is pregnant.” Trey grabbed the cleaned fish. “Tonight
we’ve got let her know about Chad. Let’s go get this over with.”

With a deep sense of dread,
Turi followed his brother, who was already heading back to the house. Nothing
was going to make this easier, especially not delaying. It was best to get it
over with and then be there to comfort her, a shoulder to cry on, someone to
vent to. Whatever way she needed them, they’d be there, holding her hand and
making sure she got through it intact. Mating was about more than just sex and
continuing their species, it was also about being there for each other, loving
each other even through the hardest times. That was what he planned to do for
Ivy.