Page 49 of Prey

Ethan stands and walks over to me, and right before he lunges for me, I see a smirk light across his face. I screech and turn to the side just narrowly avoiding him. Running to Kadi, I launch myself into his arms.

“Save me!” I yell at him. He grabs me and turns me to face Ethan. Traitor. He’s holding me for Ethan to catch me easier so I decide to fight fire with, well, electricity, and zap them both. Kadi immediately lets go of me.

“Ouch! That hurt way more than I thought it was going to,” he says with a laugh, rubbing his abs.

Now Ethan is the one cracking up. “Yeah, try being wet when she does that but take the power of it up about five notches.”

Kadi whips his head towards me and I shrug. “It’s not like you didn’t watch me do it. You didn’t say anything then.” I flip my hair behind me and turn back towards the sink.

They both snicker and I finish clearing the plates so we can go to Grams’. At least now I know how to get them when they gang up on me. Having two mates is going to have its good sides and its bad. Two against one isn’t always going to be fair. But, I can just zap them when they get out of line. No biggie.

Chapter twenty-six

Homecomings & Battle Plans

SHASTA

The ride to Grams’ was good. I had a warm fuzzy feeling the whole way. I’m feeling more secure in my relationships withmy mates. Having my dad back is also a relief, even if the circumstances aren’t ideal. We pull up just as Grams is pulling in, the van from the healing center right behind them.

My mom jumps out and immediately runs to the back of the van to help them with my dad. There are two shifters lifting him out on a stretcher and they carry him up the porch stairs where Ethan holds the door for them.

We climb the stairs to my parents’ bedroom and they get him settled in the bed. My mom fusses over the blankets and gets him all tucked in. Dad looks exhausted. I can’t blame him, he’s been through more than one person should ever have to go through in their lives.

Kadi is walking the orderlies back out when Grams comes in with a tray of food. It’s loaded down with goodies. Mostly cold stuff from the fridge since we just got here but I’m sure she will cook him a feast later. It suddenly hits me that this is the first meal he’s had in a long time. Tears instantly form in my eyes. I feel Ethan step up behind me and rub my back.

My father scoots himself to a sitting position with the help of my mom, eyes wide. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat all that. It’s been a very long time since I've had more than a bit of bread or water. The bare minimum to be able to keep me alive. I honestly would be dead if not for Shiva.” He looks directly at me at those words and I nod.

“He told us. He’s come to me a couple of times today actually. Once before we got to you and once while we were there. I’m also in possession of my powers, as well as the wand and medallion,” I say, lifting my arm and flicking one of my gauges.

His eyes widen as he realizes I have fused them both with my body already.

“How do you feel? That’s a lot of power to take on at once, and I know they did something to the letter they forced me to write.”

“It’s been…weird? I feel such a deep well of power. Undoing the wards around the hardware store was so easy it made me think it was a trap, but turns out I’m just that powerful now. I barely used any energy getting you out of there. I’ve always been strong, but now? I can’t feel the bottom of my power.” I shiver at those last words.

He hums and nods. “I can help you, once I’m feeling a little better. I don’t have a drop of magic right now from being in that cell. It had wards blocking any and all magic from being accessed or used inside of it.” He looks at my mother, face solemn. “That’s how they ‘broke’ the mate bond and made everyone believe I was really dead. Once they figured out that I didn’t have access to the powers they needed, they decided to torture me until they could eventually get to you. They knew that they would need me to get you to come out. I see now you have been handling things with the help of your mates. Though I will say, Winnie saw more than one mate, not who, and I didn’t think gang members would be your mates.”

I wince and the guys growl behind me. Kadi had come back in while my dad was speaking. Dad holds up a hand and says, “Don’t get upset. As a father, I only want the best for my daughter. But you can’t blame me for being surprised that the leaders of a motorcycle club, who aren’t exactly on the up and up, are her mates.”

I sigh. He’s right of course, but still. “Dad…” I begin, but Ethan puts a hand on my arm and steps forward.

“I realize that we aren’t ideal. And I won’t disrespect you by pretending that everything has been roses, because it hasn’t. I was an asshole to your daughter at first. I’m ashamed of myself and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to her. But don’t ever think that we won’t protect her with our very lives, because I would die for her right now for no other reason than that she gets to live. I know Kadi feels the same way. I’m sorrywe aren’t what you thought we would be, but fate doesn’t choose wrong.”

I’m…shook. To hear Ethan, of all people, say these words has me floored. Then, I feel a rush of love for these two. They both whip their heads toward me. I can only nod at the question on their faces. Well shit. That happened a lot faster than I thought it would. Doesn’t mean I have to say it out loud yet though.

Grams smiles at me from the chair she is sitting in. “Amir. They had a bit of a rough start, but I can tell you, these boys love her and would do anything for her. You can’t come back in when she’s an adult and have issues with the mates fate chose for her. You have your own things to work through right now and those are plenty enough to worry about.”

Dad hangs his head. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Shasta. Honestly? I don’t want to deal with my own bullshit right now. But trying to get high and mighty about things that don’t concern me isn’t the way to go either. I’m sorry guys.”

They both nod. It isn’t going to be easy to deal with the things he needs to do. I guess now is as good a time as any though. “Speaking of.” I hand him the card for Brigid. “Jessa gave me this before I left and said this is who she suggests that you talk to. It can be on your time, but they say that she is a genius at helping people.”

He takes the card and looks at it, eyes widening. “Brigid is still around?”

Wait, what? “What do you mean?” I ask incredulously. Does he actually know her?

“Brigid is the earthly embodiment of the actual Goddess Brigid. Though not many know that. Most people just think she’s descended from her. She’s also not fully Brigid either which does make it complicated. Basically she split her soul. But I will go. I promise. I want to be proactive in getting better, it’s just going to take some time. I’ve barely hung onto my sanity all these years.Only the thought of getting back to you and your mother has kept me going.”

My mom sobs and bites her knuckle as she watches my dad struggle with his words and emotions. They both have a lot to work through.

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