Page 9 of Ours

He looked to a worried Zack, who was now a step away from the trembling woman. Jake turned to Zack and indicated he was going to leave. Jake knew Zack was worried he’d terrified her enough to run. Maybe leaving would help as she would only have to contend with one of them. Jake also really needed to get to work.

Getting his stuff, he moved to the door and said in a load clear voice, “I will be back tonight, Little Red.”

Her eyes never left Zack’s, and she didn’t even acknowledge him as she tried to plaster herself into the wall. Sighing, Jake walked out of the room and house to his car. He saluted her brothers who glared at him from the lawn next door. Getting into his car, he dreaded the day ahead, knowing it was going to be one of the longest of his life.

****

Zack stared at the terrified woman before him as she tried to blend into the wall. Only a step away from her, he held his hands in the air. “Firebird, please don’t be afraid. I’m still the same man I was last night.”

A hysterical giggle escaped her. “Oh God, I slept with mythical beings.” Sandy touched the spot where her neck met her shoulder. “Am I going to turn into a bear now you two have bitten me?” She seemed to be coming back to herself as she looked around the room. “Hey, where is Jake?”

After slowly pulling her still trembling body to him, he hugged her tight. “He left a moment ago. Thought it would be better if only one of us was here. Not as overwhelming with only one of us to contend with, and he needed to get to work.”

She nodded and her shaking started to ease. After walking her back to the bed, Zack sat her on it, and they both moved to the middle and got comfy.

“No, you won’t become a bear or a shifter from a bite. You can only be born a shifter.”

She nodded again against his chest.

“We can only have children with the same species of shifter or our true mate. Shifters also live a little bit longer than humans and heal quicker.”

Sandy touched her neck again and snuggled into him. “Okay, good. Not that I don’t think turning into a bear would be cool, but I have enough stuff going on without having to worry about turning into a big hairy bear. If you didn’t bite me to turn me into a shifter, then why did you two bite me? Is it some kind of kink thing you do?”

He chuckled and kissed her head. “No, Firebird, that wasn’t for kink. That bite is our mate mark. It gives you extended life, makes you heal quicker, and it binds you to us forever.”

Screeching, Sandy pushed on his chest and crawled away. “You’re joking, right? I can’t be with two men.”

He raised his eyebrow, and she reached for a pillow and threw it at him. “No way. This was only for one night. A fantasy come true. A stupid one, I see now, but still…” He reached for her only for her to avoid him. She snarled, “You did just meet my family. Surely you understand why I couldn’t be with guys like you?” She didn’t let him answer as she hopped off the bed and paced.

“No, this can’t be happening. I’m not Susie. I couldn’t live with more than one man in my life. I was starting to get a life. I have my first big concert next weekend with no brothers following or being body guards. I’m not going to be like Susie who thinks she’s coming alone, but I know her men have tickets…” Her voice trailed off and her eyes got large as she turned to him. “Does Susie know?”

Zack nodded and waited for her reaction.

She sat on the edge of the bed and ran her fingers through her wild hair. “Is her child going to be like you?”

He nodded again. “Yes, she is my brother’s true mate, so their children will be shifters.”

She stared at him with her lips a tight line and eyebrows drawn together. “What do you want from me? I can’t be that mate thing you want. You need to leave. ”

“No, I don’t want to leave you after what you just saw.” He was worried. Zack wasn’t sure leaving and letting her mind run wild was such a good thing.

She fell back on the bed and put her hands over her face. “Please leave. Just give me some time. Everything has happened so quickly.”

Studying her, he knew he had to take off, but he didn’t want to go without her knowing he and Jake wouldn’t give up. “I’ll leave only if you promise to go on a date with Jake and me tonight.” He stood and waited for her answer.

Taking her hands from her face, she glared at him. “If I say yes, will you go and leave me alone?”

He grinned down at her. “Yes, I’m leaving now and I’ll be back at seven thirty.” He waited until she nodded.

“Fine, but make it six. I have work tomorrow.”

Smiling, Zack walked out of her room and knew his day was going to be a good one.

Chapter Four

Sandy stared in the mirror and told herself she was doing the right thing. “I will see them just one more time.” Saying it out loud didn’t seem to be helping. All day her brain had been in overdrive thinking of what she’d seen and what Jake and Zack had told her.

Not sure what to think of the fact that creatures from books and fairy tales existed, she’d tried not to think of what other crazy beings that she thought were fictional were real. The thing that she found the hardest to believe and seemed to only be sinking in now that she’d had the day to relax and think it all over, was that she’d lost her virginity to bear shifters.

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