53- Takes A Thief

53- Takes A Thief
~Later That Month~

~Hannah’s Point of View~

I make a face and stare at my hand, then shake it and throw it like I’m Spiderman trying to make a web. At long last, the full moon has arrived. And not that I haven’t wanted to believe the Goddess, I definitely have. I mean she’s already been huge with the mind-linking thing. It’s literally been invaluable, more than I could have ever imagined.

“And you’re totally sure the shift won’t hurt the baby,” Parker asked Jake, for the fifth time.

Getting annoyed, I fall into a camping chair.

“I know it seems like it would hurt the baby, but shifting for she-wolves is perfectly safe for the first three months. The last two months it’s better to err on the side of caution and the wolf understands that,” Jake says.

They keep talking but it fades out. A lull practically pings in the back of my mind like someone is trying to mind-link me. Someone who doesn’t normally. If it’s a signal my body is familiar with, it comes right through.

I wait a minute, but there’s nothing.

“Why do you look possessed? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you make faces like that,” Oscar says, from somewhere in front of me.

The feeling is literally driving me nuts!

It’s supposed to, I hear, and jerk my head around.

The voice is a bit too perky for my liking. I’m exhausted after a long day working in the gardens, I probably overdid it.

Well whose fault is that, the voice says.

That time I practically fly to my feet.

“Shut up you brat! Don’t you know who you’re talking to,” I shout, putting my hands on my hips.

How dare someone try and provoke me! I’ll show them! I’ll tear their--

Your own head? Jeez, I really got the short end of the stick on this, the voice continues.

I quickly cover my mouth when it finally dawns on me. Rafe stands in front of me, his eyes full of worry, but I ignore him.

Yeahhh look who is late to the party, the voice says, as I feel a wash of heat roll over me. My hips move oddly and my back jolts in a very inhumane way. I cry out in pain.

Suddenly I’m on the ground, and I literally feel the shift under my skin. When my lycan turns it’s just like an extension of me. Though I guess the first time it hurt like a bitch, it’s a lot easier now.

So this… won’t be pretty.

My cries of pain soon fade and I feel a different kind of haze fall over my eyes. There are far too many people around me and I immediately hate it, which is unlike me. I know that. Only my closest family is out here with me.

You’re not in control anymore, human! Time to be freeeee, the voice says, though now it’s much louder and I’m not sure how to answer it.

My thighs sting with a sharp pain and I try to move my hand to protectively hold my belly, but it’s not there. I blink rapidly then… I can’t anymore. I can’t make my eyes do what I want!

Wow you don’t listen. I’m in control now! It’s Vivian’s time, the voice says, as my body shakes.

My head whips around and I realize I'm on four legs. A deep breath courses through my lungs and it’s delightful. It’s crisp and fresh and smells like Parker. A cold nose nudges mine and before I can get a good look at him, my feet are moving.

Paws, paws are moving apparently cause the wind is blowing in my face!

With my lycan I’m still in control for the most part, unless it smells blood then all bets are off. But right now? I can’t do shit!

Well, well, well. Get used to it! Vivvy is ready to… Ohh? Who is this fine male on my tail huh? Ohh you’re already marked and knocked up?? What the hell?! I didn’t agree to this! What if he’s a slob? What if he’s awful, Vivian whines.

I mentally make a face and try to think at her with what little bit of my brain I seem to be able to control. If we’re going to share this body we need to clear the air on some things!

Fated mates smart ass! Not much choice there, I say, irritated.

Goddess help me! I got stuck with a snotty little brat for a wolf!

Ohh hey there handsome, Vivian coos, when Rafe’s wolf Cruz tries to nuzzle her.

It’s the distraction she definitely needs because I’m already exhausted. Over the next two hours or so, I completely check out. I mean I pay attention to what’s happening, I feel the wolf’s movements. I feel her excitement, her cautious mannerisms. But we’re so different, so unbelievably different!

Both my mates help her get a rabbit and she eats it like a complete pig, but I suppose it is her first meal.

When it’s obvious that the night is over, and everyone is shifting back, Vivian of course doesn’t want to. So we sit and watch others dress, watch my mom and Frederick carrying on excitedly about their experiences along with a couple of other lycans.

Soo which one is the daddy huh? When do I get some alone time with that gray tease hmm? Ohh wait until I get my claws on him, Vivian giggles.

I sigh, it’s about all I’m capable of since I’m not running the show.

“Come on girl, I know you have to be tired. You’re such a beauty aren’t you baby? Look at those caramel colored paws! Ohh you were so good tonight,” Parker coos, as he rubs our ears.

Having absolutely zero shame, the wolf jerks onto her side and bears her belly. Of course Parker falls right into the trap and gives her rubs.

Enough of this!! You need to take a nap, I huff, irritated. I try to mind-link my mates but she’s still too much in control of our brain.

You’ve had your time! You’re just jealous they like me better, she snaps back.

You’re not even supposed to be here, I shout, not knowing what else to say. It isn’t untrue even if it’s what I literally always wanted. But not like this, not her!

Probably twenty minutes goes by and I see Rafe’s face light up as if he has an idea. When he comes back, he has Frederick in tow. I’m not sure what he’ll do but--

AHHHH! OH SHIT!! RUN!! SAVE YOURSELF!!! RUN, Vivian shouts, getting to her feet and fleeing.

I snicker because if all it takes to scare her shitless is Frederick’s lycan face… wait until she sees ours! I shifted in a mirror a couple weeks back and it was utterly terrifying!!

Shift back! I can handle him, I say, trying to persuade her.

What are you going to do, lowly human huh?? I can run us to safety, she boasts.

Just as she says that, big hands come around our body and lift us off the ground. Frederick turns Vivian’s face to his like she’s a little lap dog he’s going to kiss. He shakes his head then gives a slight nod. I have to admit even now his distorted large head is scary, but the male couldn’t be more of a gentle giant. She doesn’t know that though.

Beast!! Ohh holy shit!! It’s a BEAST, she shouts.

You’re not outrunning a lycan! Now shift back, I insist.

She allows herself to go limp in his arms because she’s also realizing she is exhausted. It doesn’t take me all too long to shift back since I’ve gotten the hang of it from my lycan. Though it still hurts and I’m crazy grateful when Parker shows up with a robe.

“She didn’t want to give it up huh,” he laughs, kissing my forehead.

“She’s a brat!! Ohh Parker she’s awful!! She’s exactly the opposite of everything I hoped for,” I say, breaking into a pathetic sob.

Damn pregnancy hormones!!

“Aww baby it’s okay. We’ll set her straight, don't worry,” he coos. He then picks me up bridal style and carries me all the way back to bed.

We decided we’re definitely going to live permanently in the cabin, especially since it holds so many good memories. But if we’re expanding the family, it needs more room. So while the guys work to basically double its size, we’re in Rafe’s old room in the packhouse.

And though I wasn’t thrilled about it whatsoever, Oscar and Oliver are in the room right next to Scarlett. Yep.

Before I know it, my incredible mates have bathed me, fed me fruit and massaged my feet. I never would have imagined that Rafe especially was so damn ready and willing to wait on me hand and foot, but I’m not complaining.

Normal she-wolves are pregnant somewhere between five to six months, less usually if they are having multiples. But according to the lycans, I’ll probably go something more like six to seven months and that just seems ridiculous!

“Baby? Don’t you want to…” is that last thing I hear before I cuddle up to Parker and find sleep.

“Hmm,” I yawn, stretching. The soft feel of the sheets is amazing against my skin. I roll over and reach for a warm body, but finding none I pop my eyes open. When I turn to look for the second one, I come up empty again.

Weird. They don’t both normally leave me in the morning. I turn to look at the clock on the wall and realize it's closer to lunch.

I shrug and take my time getting up and dressed. When I finally I make it to the dining area, nobody is there. I help myself to various things and basically stuff my face.

You up baby? We’re still desperately trying to get that damn trunk open. It’s really pissing us all off at this point. Seth wants to blow it up but I’m not down for that. I hope you got a good night’s sleep, Rafe says, over mind-link.

I feel a lull in the back of my brain that is likely the wolf and I have to pray she stays asleep for awhile. Goddess that whiny little voice!!

Hmm, the trunk. I’d nearly forgotten about it with everything going on. Getting used to the fact that I am helping to run the pack. Inducting new members in and trying to get everyone situated while still getting to know my own family. And the other lycans.

I shove what’s left of my bowl aside and tap my lips. Many years ago I remember Isaac taking me to a break in where a trunk was involved. I was small enough to crawl up the side of a building and then hoist myself into a window so I could go open the door for him. Literally the only reason he dragged me along.

How could I have forgotten??

I slam my fists down on the table and get up. It’s a pin tumbler lock, very rare to use for a trunk and even more tricky. I make my way to the toolshed and throw things around until I find some things that’ll do. Then, I head to the dentist. Yep, the teeth guy!

When I’ve gotten all the items I think I’ll need, I make my way to where at least five males stand around the trunk. Pax turns to look at me and takes me in.

“Uhm, trying out a new look there Luna,” he questions, pointing at my mask.

“I’ll give you a root canal if you make fun of me,” I say, mostly teasing.

Literally everyone looks at me in question, but they all get out of my way. I perch myself on the stool where Seth had been sitting as the trunk is a good four feet tall. No way am I about to break my back hunched over this thing that probably doesn’t even have anything in it. Well, it has to if it takes two males to move it.

I set my first piece in and angle the light from my mask just so. It’s hella bright, and perfect. Lycan eyes don’t hurt either. A minute later I hear the first click and practically do a jump. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

It’s probably ten minutes before I finally get the click that I’ve longed to hear. Suddenly everyone crowds me as they try to lift the lid. It must weigh ten pounds on it’s own.

“Babe! That was incredible,” Parker shouts, rubbing my shoulder.

“It just takes a thief,” I say, grinning as I raise the mask.

Phew! What’s with all the smells out here? Goddess! Whatever is in that luggage reeks, Vivian whines.

Sure enough, the waft of something old and dead seems to hit my nose, and I quickly turn and lose everything I just ate.