Page 124 of Not Your Ordinary Shifter

The father was trying to sell his daughter because she was gifted.

Keeley and Danielle had always been protective of their kind—the psychics. Children like Hayden, Gabriel, and Natalie had double the protection they needed. Jace included, after they’d discovered the extent of what he could do. Leave it to his mate to build those barriers to keep others from finding the psychic kids. Call it a psychic dampener or an umbrella or whatever they wanted to call it, Window Rock wasn’t just safe for shifters, itwas also a place where children and adults just like Keeley and Danielle could find solace.

Hence the ten-year promise he made to Keeley.

Now that he thought about it, she’d had him right where she wanted him, too. Knotted in her hot as fuck pussy, clenching around him while she laid out her plan of action. Although he might jest about when he learned what she wanted to do... A plan Danielle had also helped construct; Kalkin knew his mate was on to something.

He’d always supported Vigilante and the orphanage. Both had served the pack/pride and surrounding communities well. However, what PRA—Psychic Retrieve Agency—could do to help kids with abilities, would set Window Rock up as being a mecca for all those who needed to feel safe. They even had a person in mind to run the operations.

“The Novikovs are settling in,” Keeley said, changing the subject. “Luka found his mate.”

Kalkin grunted. “Johnathan. I know.”

“You’re so fucking cocky,” Keeley laughed. “I swear every time a pack member finds their mate, your precognition gets stronger.”

“Or,” he said, brushing his lips across her temple, “the longer I have you as my mate, the strong my mojo gets.”

Keeley stared at him for a minute, narrowing her eyes. “Makes sense, especially since we’re all connected. However, you’re great at reading people. Maybe you should be a cop or something.”

Again, with the jokes. Kalkin patted her hip. “You just keep pushing your luck.”

“What can I say?” She shrugged. “I push your buttons. We argue then we have crazy, wild, make-up sex. I’m not seeing the issue, mate.”

Neither was he. The fact she understood what she did to him, made her even more tempting as a mate. “Never change, sweet cheeks.”

“Hadn’t planned on it, grumpy.” She kissed him then. “Looks like we have another huge gathering.”

“We do.” Over the years, the number of families who came to Window Rock to build a life, outweighed those who left. With the second pack/pride growing with dragons and lions—and a few tigers no one talked about—he could honestly say, this was the biggest Window Rock had ever been. Even one of those big box stores was moving closer to help supplement the need their community had.

“Good evening, Sheriff Raferty,” Mr. Novikov said. “My wife, she made an apple pie for your family and a pot of mushroom and potato soup.”

Keeley’s eyes lit up. “I love soups. We’ll have to exchange recipes.”

“Wonderful,” Mr. Novikov said. “I will leave dishes at table where orphanage booth is.”

“Perfect,” Keeley said. “I’m heading that way now.” She touched the dhole’s shoulder. “Please have fun tonight. Don’t worry about anyone finding you or worse, harming you, here. You’re safe. Tonight, should be able learning your new pack and embracing a new life.”

He nodded. “We have been excited to participate. Ilariy was invited to trick or treat with Willow and their friends. We realized we were wrong. He has flourished since he started going to school. How can we deny him a new life?”

“I like the sound of that,” Kalkin stated. “Our children will inherit this land. We have to make sure what we leave for them, is better than we had.”

“Da,” Mr. Novikov gave a solemn nod. “Ilariy will never know fear again.”

Luka followed behind Johnathan as they strolled along the sidewalk, taking in the different booths and stands lining the middle of town. So far, he’d had two samples of warm pumpkin bread, a cup of hard cider, two apple crisp donuts, and a vegan fall kabob. All the food was quite tasty. Food had always been sparce for them. So, being in a small community like Window Rock, enjoying a meal when there was plenty to eat... He worried he’d gain weight, which wasn’t a bad thing.

“You look pleased with yourself,” Johnathan said, handing him a cup of hot chocolate with a kick of spice. “What are you thinking about?”

Luka smirked, taking the cup from him. The red, bruised mark on Johnathan’s neck peeked out from the color of his flannel. Two hours ago, he’d been so excited and aroused, he fucked his mate at the door of their apartment and bit him hard enough to draw blood. Ended up stuck there too while the knot locked them together. Just the memory, got him hard and ready. “How gorgeous you were when you came in my palm.”

Lust blew Johnathan’s pupils. His blue-grey eyes glittered with excitement. A light shade of pink tinged his cheeks while his lips parted on a silent gasp. The first whiff of sage and desert flora smacked Luka in the chest. On the second, deeper inhale, he wanted to drag his mate to a darkened corner and fuck him again. It took all his willpower to stay in the moment and not fireman carry his mate home.

“There are children here,” Johnathan snapped, keeping his voice low. “Don’t go saying things that’ll get us into trouble.”

He didn’t have an ounce of embarrassment. “It’s the truth. Besides, don’t we run soon? I can’t wait to strip you naked and chase a hare through the desert.”

His mate pressed his finger to Luka’s chest. “When you say things like that, I won’t be held responsible for what comes next.”

“I like a good challenge.” Luka winked at him. “Until then, we should eat. Snack food won’t be enough to keep us nourished while we run.”

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