Page 33 of Banishing Regrets

Twenty-One

Jane was standingat the entrance to Molly’s cave. She could see the helicopters in the distance waging war with the shifters on the ground. Selene had been flying high in the sky as a dragon until a few moments ago. Her daughter-in-law had looked amazing. Jane couldn’t believe how beautiful she was in dragon form. The most stunning mythological creature she’d ever seen. Not that she’d seen many.

A cold shiver ran over Jane’s skin. She knew what it meant. The shifters were in trouble. The war was becoming too much for them. She turned around and walked to the crib where her grandson slept soundly. The boy had a mental link to his parents that no one else understood. If he wasn’t awake with worry and bringing them to him, Jane needed to trust they were all right. Baby Heath protected the pack. Maybe he knew more than she did, but it didn’t ease the fear cascading through her body.

“I hate this.” Kingsley paced up and down.

He had Morocco, Emma and Scott’s son, in his arms. Lily lay on a couch nearby, her pregnant belly rounded with the child she was carrying, awaiting its imminent arrival.

“You have to trust they’ll be all right. Hunter is a strong fighter. It’s why he's the alpha of our pack. The others will look after him as well,” Lily reassured him.

“They’re all strong fighters.” Molly placed a bowl of stew in front of the very pregnant bear shifter. “They need strength on their side since they’re not trying to kill the humans.”

Hayden wrapped his arm around Molly. “That’s true. It takes great strength and courage to fight if you’re not willing to kill.” He looked at his mate. “I know Kas said we’re to stay here to protect the children, but I think I should help. Two dragons have to be better than one.”

“No, Kas wanted us to stay here for a reason. I trust his judgment. I’ve watched that boy grow from a babe to the man he is now. His brain is complex, but he knows what he’s doing. It’s better we do as he requested.”

Jane knew Molly was right. Even though the puma shifter now looked younger than Jane, she’d been born just after World War Two. Molly and Hayden had made many sacrifices in bringing the prophecy together, and Jessica had performed a spell to allow them to have a second chance at a life together.

The prophecy.

It had guided all their lives for so many years now. Her son and Selene had been destined to be together. She’d been fated to be the mother of the man who could help Selene control her powers. Heath had been destined to be Brayden’s father and to give his life to save his son all those years ago. However, Heath’s sacrifice was something the multi-shifters hadn’t foreseen, nor the heartbreak and pain it would cause her.

Finally, Jane had managed to find happiness again. She’d found a new man to love, one who’d waited all his life to be with her. The people waging this war wanted him, dead or alive. If the latter, they would torture him and Kas would accept it. He’d never hurt a human, not even in self defense—it wasn’t within him to do so. He was the most peace-loving and moral man she’d ever known. He saw the right in the world, even if everyone else had given up.

“I’m sure they’re all right.” Isobel placed her hand on Jane’s shoulder. “I know this sounds strange, but even when I wasn’t with Zain, I knew he was still alive and out there watching me at times. I know we humans have no specific powers, compared to the men we love, but I believe that being with them gives us a second sense. I know Zain is fighting hard. He’s getting tired, but he won’t stop. He’s determined to protect the humans from the shifters who want to kill them. I know he’ll come back to me, I can feel it in here.” Isobel, placed her hand on her chest. “Kas will be the same, and he’ll come back to you.”

Molly brought over two more bowls of stew and placed them on the table. “Jane, Isobel. You both need to eat. I made a vegetarian one for you, Isobel. It’s this one—sit here.” Molly patted one of the seats at the table.

Jane felt a soft chuckle leave her lips. This was Molly’s way of helping. Whenever she was worried, she made stew as if it would solve the world's problems.

Kingsley placed Morocco into a crib next to his sister, Zahara. Heath was in another crib, nearby. All three babies slept soundly, unaware of what was happening around them.

Jane sat down at the table. She had no appetite, whatsoever, but didn’t want to disappoint Molly. She dipped her spoon into the delicious smelling food and brought some to her mouth. It comforted her, but it also brought tears to her eyes.

What was she doing?

She was in the wrong place.

A memory from her youth surfaced.

“Jane, hurry up,” her mother called out to her. “Mommy is going to be late for work.”

Jane didn’t want her mother to go to work. They’d just gotten back from a family vacation in the Glacial National Park. It had been the most splendid place in the world. She loved every minute of it even though, at five years old, a lot of the walking had been difficult for her little legs. She wanted to go back there, not go to pre-school and the reality of her mom and dad working full time—she’d never get to see them.

“I’m coming,” she shouted to her mother. Jane grabbed the small rucksack from her bed. It was filled with her lunch: a sandwich, an apple, a chocolate bar, and a bottle of water. Her homework diary was in the bag as well. Pride of place, though, was a small stone she’d collected from the park. There was a fossil in it, and she was excited to show her teacher, even if she didn’t want to go back to pre-school. “I’m ready.”

She ran from her bedroom to where her mom was waiting at the front door.

“Good girl. How about, when we get home, we have ice-cream after dinner?”

“Yes please.” Jane clapped her hands excitedly.

Maybe today wasn’t going to be as bad as she thought.

Her mother dropped her at pre-school. She kissed her goodbye and disappeared into the distance. Jane felt a pang of sadness. It was broken when her teacher appeared.

“Jane, we missed you last week.” Miss Hope smiled at her. “Did you have a good time?”

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