Chapter 27
Jesse pulled up the lane slowly, hoping that Blair had gotten the message, and few would be there when they pulled in. “This is Blair and Kobie’s clan.”
“And they’re tigers?”
“Yeah. Calum and his mate are here, they’re jaguars. “
“Everyone’s animal gets along when they’re out?”
“They do.” He grinned, recalling a few instances over the years, “for the most part.”
“They probably have better control of theirs than I do of Minn.”
“You’ll learn, there are many elders and experts that will be able to help you, Leah.”
“I look forward to that. I think.”
He parked as far from the house as he could.
“How-how many people live here?”
“Uh, I’m not sure now, a few have come back, around fifteen I think, including guards.”
“Guards?” Her eyes went huge.
Turning off the van, he closed his eyes, knowing he didn’t word that right. Turning, he looked at her, she looked so scared. “Kobie’s clan got away from Tomas, and some of them made their way back. One of Tomas’ men wants them, so we have Alliance guards here to help keep watch.”
“Are all of our kind affected because of that Tomas person?” Her voice was shaking.
“For now.” Reaching over, he took her hand in his. “We’re getting closer to ending what he’s doing.”
“I always thought,” she squeezed his hand, “I thought we were the few that suffered, my mom,” she swallowed and shook her head, “but it’s all of our kind, isn’t it?”
He nodded slowly, lifting her hand and kissing the back of it. “We’re going to end it, Leah, I promise.”
Thera stuck her head between the seats and bumped their hands.
Leah looked out the window, “she wants out.”
Jesse glanced toward the house, Blair and Calum stood there. Most likely making the others stay inside because of Thera. Turning in his seat, he looked at the leopard. “No biting. You don’t want to deal with those two if you hurt one of theirs.”
Thera gave her head a shake.
He didn’t know if it was a yes or she was shaking him off, but he got out and opened the door. Thera jumped down and lifted her head to scent the air. He heard the other door close and turned to see Leah basically forcing her feet to move. Trusting the cat to behave, he rushed over and took her hand. She squeezed it so hard, he knew she was really struggling. “They’re friends.” He told her quietly. “They’d never do anything to hurt you.” Leaning down, he made sure she looked at him, “you’re safe here.”
She nodded but didn’t look convinced. “I don’t know if I can stay.” She whispered it, her voice vibrating.
“I’m right here.” He glanced over to see Blair and Calum stood where they had been, knowing that it was best they come to them. “Come on, one step at a time.” He wrapped his arm around her, still holding her shaking hand.
He didn’t want to drag her, but it felt like he was. Thera walked on the other side of her, with cautious steps. Jesse glanced at Calum to see he was watching the leopard as well. He’d know probably before anyone if Thera was going to do something regrettable.
“Jesse, how was the trip?” Blair smiled at him but still made no move to come closer.
“Long.” Jesse gave him a quick look and then turned so he could see Leah’s face. “Calum, Blair, this is Leah.” He didn’t like her breathing. She held her hand against her chest. “It’s okay.” He whispered.
“Hello,” she finally rasped out.
Pulling her closer, he wanted her to feel like he was surrounding her, keeping her safe.
“Leah.” Calum inclined his head, but his body was still tense.
“And this,” Jesse motioned to the leopard that wasn’t as relaxed as he’d like her to be. She was hunched down, ready to spring at any moment, “is Thera.” Her ears flicked back at the mention of her name.
“I’m sorry.”
He glanced at Leah to see she had that glossed-over look in her eyes, she was staring at the ground. “It’s okay.” He told her and he knew she was too overwhelmed to stay at the front. He looked to Calum, who was watching her carefully now as well. When the woman he held stopped shaking, he knew Leah was where she felt safe.
Evanna leaned over and put her head on his shoulder for a few seconds and then straightened so it was necessary for him to keep his arm around her. “Thera, behave.” She said in that deep brisk voice he knew well. With a short huff of air, she turned to look at Calum and Blair, “Sorry about that, Leah has a hard time with strangers.”
“Calum, Blair, this is Evanna.” Jesse said as if he hadn’t just introduced Leah.
“Evanna,” Calum said without pause.
“Glad you’re here,” Blair said. “We put the trailer back there, so you’d have some privacy.” He motioned to the back of the yard.
“Thanks.” Jesse looked at him. “Does it come equipped with a shower?”
Blair grinned, “yeah it does and two beds with soft mattresses.”
Jesse let his shoulders relax. “A shower, coffee, something to eat that doesn’t come in a wrapper, and then I will probably sleep for twenty-four hours straight.”
He glanced down to see Evanna was looking at the house.
“This is huge.” She said with awe “Doesn’t feel big enough sometimes,” Blair grinned.
“Your whole clan lives in that?” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tie for her hair.
“For now.” Blair tucked his hands in his pockets, “we’re going to be building some smaller homes around the property so some of the couples have their own space.”
“I’m pretty good with a hammer, let me know if I can do anything while we’re here.” Evanna turned and walked toward the back of the house.
Shaelan came out the door.
Jesse was surprised when Thera ran over to her.
“Aren’t you gorgeous,” She bent down and rubbed her hand along Thera’s jaw.
“You must be Shaelan.” Evanna turned around and came back over. She held out her hand, “Evanna.”
Shaelan took her hand, “I’m so glad you’re finally here.” She motioned to the other side of the yard, “come on, I’ll show you the trailer.”
Jesse, Blair, and Calum watched them walk away.
“You look like you haven’t slept in a week.”
Jesse turned back to Calum, “I don’t think I have really.” He rubbed his hand over his eyes and blew out a breath. “I was hoping Leah would be able to stay at the front.”
Calum clapped him on the shoulder, “it might be easier if she just observes the coming and goings around here for a while, to make her more comfortable.”
Blair gave him a surprised look.
Calum shrugged, “who do you think Shae runs every thought by?”
Jesse shook his head, “just going to grab some bags from the van. And someone needs to unload those crates of vegetables.” Going back over, he opened the door and pulled out the three bags of clothes and other items Leah had bought. Once Evanna realized she was in that fluffy skirt, she was going to want something more of her style to put on.
“Vegetables?” Blair raised an eyebrow at him.
“She wasn’t leaving food behind to spoil.”
Blair grinned, “food is good.” He looked around the yard, “I’ll go grab some help and get that done.” He looked in the van, “what about the other boxes?”
“Leave them here for now. At some point, I have to go through the clan paperwork and see what is what.”
Blair nodded, “yeah clan paperwork is something I never thought I’d have to care about.”
Jesse chuckled, “Alpha looks good on you though.”
“Everything looks good on me,” Blair smirked and walked away.
Evanna stepped out of the small bathroom, water droplets still rolling down her neck. “That,” she motioned behind her, “was pretty amazing.” She smiled, “and nothing like getting washed from a basin.”
Jesse nodded his head slowly, “a hot shower cures almost anything.”
She gave him a blank look, “I don’t know about that, but I’ve never felt this clean.” She jerked on the collar of the bathrobe and then looked at the skirt in her hand. “Why did she have to buy fluffy stuff?”
Getting up, Jesse reached past her to pull the bag out of the cupboard. “She picked these for you.” He motioned to the bag on the floor, “boots too.”
Evanna’s eyes went wide, “boots?” Squatting down, she opened the bag and pulled them out. “These are amazing.” She glanced up at him and then looked at the bag, “tell me there are jeans in that bag.”
Unable not to grin, he held out the bag, “two pairs and a few different tops.” He left out how good they looked on their body. Leah hadn’t liked the feel of them, but she knew Evanna would.
Hugging the boots, she stood up and grabbed the bag. “Now I’m excited.” Squeezing by him, she went to the back of the trailer. “Be right back.”
Jesse glanced out the open door to see Thera laying there. Daisie was sitting beside her chattering away. He stepped out.
“She’s so pretty and so much better than a dog.” She nodded, “and she’s not afraid of us and our cats.”
Going over, he squatted down beside them. “I agree, cats are better than dogs,” he winked, “our kind of cats.” He rubbed his hand down the back of Thera’s neck. “So, how have you been while I was gone?”
“My dad’s back, so mom is much happier.” She looked over at the house, “he still has to get better, but I’m so happy he’s home.”
Jesse still hadn’t had time to get caught up on everything he’d missed, he looked at the trailer, he wasn’t comfortable leaving Leah, or even Evanna on her own just yet. “I look forward to talking to him.”
Daisie’s expression changed to serious, “you should talk to Blair too,” she lifted her chin, “he’s our new Alpha and I’m a princess.”
Jesse laughed softly, “I heard, congratulations.”
“You’re a princess?” Evanna came outside.
Jesse stood slowly, freshly showered in clothes that weren’t patched together, she was breathtaking. She’d pulled her hair up, but damp tendrils fell around her face. “Those fit good.” He cleared his throat, “the boots, they look like they fit good.” He blinked, not even sure where this bumbling twit had come from.
“I love them.” She put her one foot out and moved it back and forth.
He forced his eyes to move away from her face and look down at the hiking boots she wore. Unable to think of anything that wasn’t stupid to say, he settled for nodding and then smiling at her.
“Yes, I’m a princess, sort of.” Daisie stood up.
Evanna glanced at him for clarification.
“Blair selected her family to be the clan’s second family.”
Evanna looked back at Daisie, “that’s an important position. I’m sure you’ll do it well.”
Daisie glowed with praise. “I have to go. I have my reading class soon.” She bounced past them, “I’ll see you on my next break.”
They both watched her skip away.
“Are there a lot of kids here?” Evanna stood close to him, not touching him, but close enough he could smell the fresh scent of the shampoo she’d used.
“None as young as Daisie, but there are a few teen girls here.”
“I’ll have to meet everyone that lives here.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “If I don’t check them out, Leah may never surface again.” Her tone was quiet, remorseful.
“We can do that. I tried to have it so she only met two when we got here,” he rubbed his hand over his jaw and glanced at the house, “I’m not sure what happened.”
Evanna touched his arm, “it’s nothing you did. She just can’t handle meeting people.”
Placing his hand over hers, he held it there, “she did fine in the stores.”
“She didn’t have to speak to them, did she?”
He shook his head.
“She can see others, just not talk to them.” Clearing her throat, she pulled her hand from his. “Is the rest of our stuff in here or the van? I need to check the journal.” She grinned, “see what she was up to that she stayed out for two days without incident.”
Jesse motioned to the van, “I’ll go grab the rest of the stuff.” He watched her look around, “you can wander around if you want, just no going for runs alone.”
Turning back, she looked at him, “Minn seems okay right now. Why not alone though?”
“There’s been a few incidents with trying to take members of this clan.” He didn’t want to go into too much detail about it.
Her eyebrows raised, “same people that took mine?”
Jesse nodded.
She was quiet for a second, “okay, I’ll keep Minn locked down.”
Walking backward, so he wouldn’t go back over to her, “Just shout if you want to go for a run, there are plenty of women here that do often.” There were men too, but none of them would be going for a run with her, not as long as he was around.
“Great. Okay.”