Royal Shifters Series

Book 7: Chase

I could see the panic in Kara’s eyes last night when I told her she’d be spending the day with my mother. A part of me figured she’d try to run last night, but she didn’t. Even though our dinnertime felt like a step forward, I’m still skeptical. I’m not a fool to think she’s going to keep staying here willingly. One way or another, she’s going to try to escape; it’s in her blood to be in control. The bracelet is the only thing keeping her here. I believe her when she says she wants to get as far away from the Royal pack as she can. I’m not going to lie; the words stung, especially since I know she undoubtedly groups me in with them.

Kara is still in her bedroom moving around, so I take a quick shower and get dressed. Once in the kitchen, I make a pot of coffee and grab one of the apple cinnamon muffins Raina left for me. Footsteps bound down the stairs, and a few seconds later, Kara meanders in, dressed in a pair of jeans and a thin, cream-colored sweater with her bright blonde hair in soft waves down her back. She’s beautiful, almost ethereal. I’ve never seen her look like that before.

However, the stone wall surrounding her is partially back. I’m sure the wine last night helped loosen her up, but today, she’s guarded again. She sidles over and looks at the coffee, so I reach into the cabinet to grab her a cup.

“Thanks,” she says, taking it from me.

“And snag a muffin, too. You might want to before I eat them all.” That earns a small smile, and she takes one, leaving the last three on the plate.

Kara leans against the counter and takes a bite of her muffin. “These are really delicious. Usually, strawberry muffins are my favorite, but I think the apple cinnamon ones beat those.”

I take a bite of my muffin and smile. “I think Raina’s trying to send me a message.”

Kara’s brows furrow. “What do you mean?”

I finish off the muffin. “Every week, she bakes me a different flavor. She’s mentioned several times that having a bakery counter at the bistro could help expand our market.”

Eating another mouthful of the muffin, Kara nods. “She’s right. It could. With how well you’re doing right now, the bakery would only add to the appeal. I don’t see where you could go wrong.”

“Would you do it?” I ask.

She finishes off the muffin and meets my gaze. “I would. Channon Vineyards is my life. I’m always looking for ways to make it better. Trying new things is a risk, but you’re lucky enough to have a whole pack behind you. Sadly, I don’t have that luxury.”

She could if she wanted it, but I don’t think she’s ready to hear that. “All right,” I say, “I’ll talk to Raina while you’re gone today.” I’ve known a bakery would only bring in more business, but I haven’t had the chance to talk to Raina about it yet. However, I was curious to see what Kara would say.

Kara drinks the rest of her coffee and puts the cup in the dishwasher. I don’t know why but the gesture makes me smile. I can feel her walls slip now and again, which makes me believe I can take them down for good. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to do that. The bigger question is, why do I even want to take them down? I have no fucking clue. It’s just an urge inside of me I can’t shake.

Kara excuses herself to the door and glances at me over her shoulder. “Let me run upstairs for a quick second, and then I’ll be ready to go.”

I nod. “Sounds good.”

She disappears out the door, and my breath rushes out. I want to get closer to her; it’s like a magnet pulling me in her direction. Fighting it gets harder and harder each day.

A few minutes later, Kara barrels down the stairs, and I walk over to the front door to wait on her. The second we get outside, she shivers and mumbles the words, “Holy shit, it’s cold,” under her breath.

To a human, the weather is a little chilly, probably around fifty degrees. Sometimes I forget she’s been stripped of everything. “Do you need me to get you a jacket?”

Kara wraps her arms around her stomach and huffs. “Nope. I got this.”

Hard-headed as always. No shock there. “Okay,” I say, flourishing a hand toward my car, “let’s go.”

She gets in, and I turn on the heat as we head toward my parents’ house. A few minutes later, her teeth stop chattering. Feeling the cold is something I’ve never experienced. It must be strange being in her position, especially since she’s a royal and one of the strongest in the shifter world.

We’ve been on the road for a few minutes, and I can already smell the salty sea air. Kara glances out the window with a perplexed expression on her face.

“Everything okay?” I question.

She turns to me. “I’m surprised your parents don’t live in the mountains. We’re moving closer to the ocean. Shifters usually prefer the forest.”

“Usually,” I say, laughing. “But not my parents. They’re both over a hundred and fifty years old and not your typical wolves. My dad spends most of his time fishing, and my mother likes to help at the vineyard when she’s not out taking care of others.”

Kara studies me, narrowing her eyes curiously. “Interesting. What do you mean taking care of others?”

A small smile spreads across my face. “You’ll see.”

Another couple of minutes pass before we reach their street. It’s a narrow, paved road lined with trees that can barely fit two cars side by side. The trees will soon end, and once we get past them, the view of the ocean will be magnificent. When we pass the trees, and my parents’ small, yellow house appears, I glance over at Kara to see the expression on her face. Her eyes widen as they scan the horizon of nothing but the crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

“Breathtaking,” she whispers. “Did you live here as a kid?”

I pull up beside my parents’ truck and stare out at the water. The shoreline is below us at the bottom of the cliff, but I can hear the waves crashing against the rocks. “No, but I wish I did. My parents have the ocean in front of them and the mountains behind; the best of both worlds.” My parents didn’t buy the yellow cottage until I purchased the vineyard house from them. It’s where I’ve lived ever since I was born.

Kara opens her door. “I agree.”

We both get out of the car, and I laugh. “I’m shocked.”

She shuts her door and glares at me. “I’m not blind, Maheegan. I can’t deny beauty when I see it. But, trust me, a lot has changed in this world in the two hundred years I’ve lived in it. Visions like this,” she says, pointing out at the sea, “are rare.”

I walk around the front of my car to join her. “I really would like to hear some of your stories. Maybe at dinner tonight?”

Her heart stutters, and she looks away. “Maybe. The past brings up a lot of memories I’d like to forget.”

Before I can say anything else, my mother opens the side door of the house. “Hey,” she calls out, waving her hand excitedly in the air. Kara awkwardly waves back, and it takes all I have not to smile. “I’ll be right out,” my mother adds, waving once more before shutting the screen door.

Kara looks over at me. “I think that’s the friendliest encounter I’ve had with a member of your pack.”

I shrug. “You should’ve seen my mom when she was the alpha female. Very scary.”

“I heard that,” my mother yells from inside of the house.

Kara slaps a hand over her mouth and snickers. It’s the first time I’ve heard any sort of genuine contentment from her. “I’d be careful,” Kara warns with a smile and keeping her voice low, “it’s not smart to mess with an alpha female.”

I wink at her. “I’ll be sure to remember that.”

Kara stares back at the doorway. “You and your mother have the same color eyes.”

“We do. But I look like my father,” I state. “You’ll meet him soon. He loves to get his morning surf time in.”

Kara’s head jerks my way. “Surfing? Seriously?” Shaking her head, she laughs. “Your parents are not at all what I imagined.”

“Hopefully, that’s a good thing,” my mother interjects as she comes around behind us. She steps up beside me, giving me a side hug but keeping her focus on Kara.

Kara smiles a little unsurely, but she nods. “It is a good thing. I didn’t mean it any other way. It’s just I’m not used to hearing about wolves who surf or prefer to live by the ocean.”

My mother beams. “I never would’ve thought it either, but I wouldn’t trade it in for anything.”

I drape my arm over my mother’s shoulder. “Kara, this is my mother, Maureen.”

My mother extends her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Kara.”

Kara shakes her hand, and I can feel the nervousness surrounding her body. “Likewise.”

My mother peers up at me and pats my chest. “As much as I love you, I think it’s time for you to go. It’s girl time.”

Kara keeps her expression blank, but I know she’s terrified. It makes me wonder how much she kept hidden when she had her royal abilities. But, of course, royals can hide a lot more of their emotions, and since she can’t do that right now, I get a front-row seat to it all. It’s as if she’s an entirely different person.

“All right,” I say, backing away from them. “I’ll see you two later.”

My mother stands next to Kara, and they both watch me leave. I take one last look at Kara in my rearview mirror, silhouetted by the ocean behind her. I want her. I want her more than anything I’ve ever desired in my life. But, unfortunately, I can’t give in.