Looking for Paradise

When Kayla finds her fiancé in bed with another woman, she does what any self-respecting woman would do. She leaves him. Let him have his tiny and trashy bunny-sex baby. Kayla didn't want him anyway. What she wants is a real man. One who can see her for her real worth. Instead, she lucks out and finds two. Alex and Ryder are looking for the sister of their alpha's mate. What they find is the woman of their dreams. Their mate. Ripe and ready for them. If only they can convince her she needs them as much as they need her before the mating heat takes the choice away from them all.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Looking For Paradise

Copyright © 2011 Tianna Xander

ISBN: 978-1-55487-903-8

Cover art by Martine Jardin

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by eXtasy Books

Look for us online at:

www.eXtasybooks.com

Looking for Paradise

By

Tianna Xander

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve About the Author

Chapter One

Kayla MacDonald ran from the only real home she'd ever known, carrying everything she owned in her small duffle bag. She left everything he'd given her. She had no right to it. Not really. It wasn't her that he loved, but the little bit of fluff he'd picked up at the strip bar three months ago.

She wanted to rant, to cry. She would have been happier if she could have screamed the roof down on his sleazy affair in their bed. Their bed! Instead, she packed her things and ran from the house as he tried to tell her how meaningless the sex was with his little bunny-sex baby. He actually called the little tramp that. She shuddered with distaste, finding it hard to believe there were women out there dumb enough to like that sort of thing. Pain knifed through her at the thought. It wasn't that he'd cheated so much as whom--or what--he had cheated with. The woman was tiny. Almost childlike. If she wouldn't have had those plastic boobs, she would have looked like a twelve year old. Five-foot-two, eyes of blue… God, she wanted to scream. When had she ever been that small? Kayla resisted the urge to look in the plate glass window of the shop she passed. At almost six-feet tall barefoot, she was anything but little. It didn't help that she was what her grandmother always referred to as pleasantly plump either. Kayla had never gotten smaller than a size fourteen. No matter how many diets she tried. She wasn't fat, but to guys like Edward Thornton Bradbury III, she was too big. It was too gauche to marry someone so tall, so--how had his mother put it--rawboned. Reaching up, she swiped the tears away with the back of her arm and kept walking. She had even left the car he bought for her. It was in her name and she would have been well within her rights to keep it, but she didn't want anything from him. Kayla wanted nothing to remind her how much of a pig he really was. What she didn't understand was why he dated her in the first place. She was an orphan, raised in the system since a man and his wife found her wandering on the side of the road. It was this couple who gave her a name. They swore she looked like an old friend by the name of MacDonald and the state let her keep it. The couple kept her, raised her for a while until the man's heart grew weak and the state deemed them too old and unfit to care for a young child. The first home was just one of many. Child Services moved her from one house to another when she grew too rough to trust with other children her age. They put her with older and older kids, judging her placement by her size instead of her age. It was a mistake. By the time she was fourteen, she knew enough to survive on her own. She ran the first chance she got and she had been running ever since. Edward was just another rest stop on the bumpy road of her life. She only wished it could have been more. For once in her life, she'd dared to dream. It was a mistake Kayla would never make again. Turning to walk down the road that led to the highway, she stuck her thumb out, hoping for a ride. She needed to get out of Carson as fast as she could and go somewhere where Edward would never find her. One thing was certain. When he realized she had taken his little black book filled with his illicit contacts, he'd be more than livid. He would be murderous. Literally. Hell, she hadn't even known the book existed. She frowned. And what the hell was it doing in my underwear drawer? The thought almost gave her pause as she realized one reason that it had been there. It looked as though Edward had planned to set her up only she left him before he could.

A car slowed and came to a stop just in front of her. Biting her lip, she wondered if she should go ahead and get in or hope she could disappear in the woods. Jogging up to the car, she looked into the small American-made compact. It was an older couple. "Do you need a lift, dear?" The woman smiled, her eyes kind. "How long have you been walking?" She reached back and unlocked the back door. "Get in. You can tell us while we drive. We're on our way East. We're driving to Virginia to see our newest grandson." Kayla got into the car and put the seatbelt on. "You're driving cross country?" They couldn't have surprised her more if they'd told her there was a dead body in the trunk. "We've always wanted to drive Route 66." The man grinned, his teeth, obviously false, slipped as he talked and gave his voice a weird lisp. "No one told us it was in ruins." He shrugged. "So we decided we'd drive anyway. There's lots of country to see in between and it's not like we have to be anywhere fast." "I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon and," the woman glanced at her husband. "Wally has always wanted to see the Great Salt Lake." Kayla's eyes widened. By the sound of it, they were about to embark on a very long and winding journey through America. "We've always wanted to see this great country of ours. Now we have a reason to do it. We're even going to Niagara Falls and New York. Wally's always wanted to see the Falls and I've always wanted to see the Statue of Liberty." She frowned. "Or was that the other way around, Wally? I've forgotten again." Wally patted her hand. "It's no matter, love. We'll see everything and satisfy all our wishes." Kayla stifled the urge to laugh. Instead, she pulled the damned book from her bag and looked at it. She didn't dare open it again. Whatever it had listed on the inside was something she was probably better off not knowing. Stuffing it back into her bag, she wondered where she should have the couple drop her off so she could mail it. "…There's plenty of room, so it wouldn't be any trouble." "And Kitty always cooks so much food for our trips, it spoils before we can eat it all." Kayla cleared her throat and alternately glanced at them. "Um…could you repeat that? I was kind of…um, daydreaming." "See, Wally? I told you the poor dear looked hungry. She's so hungry she can't even concentrate." She pointed to a sign as they passed. "There's a rest area in three miles. And look at that," Kitty said, pointing to a deer crossing sign. "Hmmph… I told you they have no business putting those signs up on the highway. The deer don't know any better. They just cross there and get hit."

Kayla covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. The couple was cute, even if they were strange. Glad for the chance to rest, she leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.

"Wake up, dear." Kayla sat up and blinked at Kitty who had spun around in her seat. "We've stopped for a potty break," the other woman whispered. She put her fingers to her lips. "Hush now. Wally doesn't like it when we talk about feminine needs. It embarrasses him." Wally, who had just returned from using the facilities himself, opened the door for Kitty and barked, "If ya have to use the toilet, Kitty, hurry up about it. The picnic tables are almost gone." Leaning down, he helped the old woman out, then opened the back door. He glanced at Kayla. "I'll get some food set out while you two are in there doing your business." Doing their business, huh? She pressed her lips together to keep from smiling and led the frail little old lady toward the bathroom. "My you're a big girl." Kitty looked up at her. "You're taller than Wally." She squinted. "How tall are you?" "Five-foot ten, ma'am." The older woman waved her hand. "Don't call me ma'am. You'll make me feel old. Call me Kitty." Kayla frowned. The woman was old. She had to be in her mid-sixties. "I'm sorry…Kitty." Kitty patted her arm. "That's okay. We young chicks have to stick together." "Um, yes," Kayla agreed, looking back to the car they just vacated. The license plate on the front caught her attention. It read, Old Fart, Married to a Young Chick. Kayla grinned. Wally had just hefted a large cooler out of the trunk and headed for the picnic area. He wasn't much larger than Kitty, but he carried the cooler with ease. She frowned after a minute. What was it about her that made her so big and others so damned small? "Don't worry about Wally, dear. That man is as strong as an ox. He still carries me to bed sometimes when he's in the mood." Kitty giggled and Kayla almost wretched. The last thing she wanted to think about was old people having sex. "Don't think because we're old that we don't still have sex. Of course we still have sex. How do you think the world got populated in the first place?"

Kayla wanted nothing better than to cover her ears and sing La la la la, but she didn't want to be rude. These people had picked her up and helped her when they didn't have to. The least she could do was show them respect no matter how strange they were.

After using the facilities, Kayla took the time to look at the map in the lobby of the rest area before Kitty joined her. "I think Wally is setting up a birthday lunch for me," Kitty whispered on their way to the picnic area. "I'm seventeen today." Huh? Kayla glanced at the older woman. Seventeen? She didn't think so. The older woman practically had stars in her eyes when she saw the lunch her husband had put together for them. Apparently, Wally had kept busy while they used the facilities and washed. By the time they were through, he had already draped a red and white checked tablecloth over a table and had just finished wiping the plastic cover down with some sort of disinfectant cloth. Three paper plates with disposable eating utensils sat waiting with three cans of diet cola. Her mouth watered at the sight of the food. Fried chicken, both potato and macaroni salads, pork and beans and cottage cheese all sat waiting for them. It was a veritable feast. "Tell her I'm seventeen, Wally," Kitty said as she sat down across from Kayla. Wally settled himself in front of the plate next to his wife's. Wally grinned. "Yup. She's technically seventeen years old. It's leap year. She has a birthday once every four years." That would mean Kitty was sixty-eight real years old. Kayla grinned at the older woman's attempt to feel young and keep humor about her. "Congratulations. I never would have guessed you were younger than me." Kitty giggled as she loaded Wally's plate with some of everything. When she was done, she reached for Kayla's. "Let me see that plate, dear. I know girls like you. You won't want to eat much because you're afraid it will be rude to take too much of our meal since you don't know us." Wally gave Kayla a smile and a wink. "Kitty knows best." Kitty loaded Kayla's plate as well, then took only a small amount for herself. "Don't worry about her, she never eats much of anything." Wally made a face. "You would think that after all these years, she would figure out that she's stuck with me and decide to actually eat something for a change."

"I just realized something," Kitty said, turning toward her. "We don't even know your name, dear." Kitty patted her hand, then turned her attention back to her plate. "My name is Kayla." "That's such a pretty name." The old woman looked at her husband. "That's what we should have named Maribeth, Wally." "Yes, dear," her husband agreed without looking up from his plate. "Where are you headed?" Kayla looked at Kitty for a moment and asked herself the same question. "I'm not sure," she finally said with a shrug. "I guess paradise is out of the question." She smiled as she said it, then forgot about looking for paradise. Instead, she concentrated on finishing her lunch. It was delicious and she didn't want to waste a bite.

Chapter Two

Ryder glanced over at his best friend and sighed. "We should head back to Paradise. Maybe they have found a few new leads." "Perhaps," Alex replied. "We could be fortunate and get new information." His accent, though not as thick as it used to be, still gave away his Eastern European origins. "The only way to know this, is to return to the pride and ask." Staring at the road stretched out in front of him, Ryder searched for a place to stop. His thoughts raced as he thought of the woman the alpha sent them to find. Alex was right. No one shared sensitive information over the phone. Their security was too easily breeched using technology. With most of the fanatical members of the Tudra still at large, none of them could risk the passing of information over phones they could not certify as secure. Phone tapping was one of the Tudra's many specialties. Ryder knew that because he, like most of the security in Paradise, had been one of the elite paramilitary force until just a few short years ago.

Gripping the wheel of the SUV tight in his hands, he glanced over at Alex. "I hate failing an assignment." What he hated worse was scenting the woman and having his body begin to work against him the way it was. "The woman should have been there." Ryder slapped the wheel. "What forces a woman to pick up and leave her home for no apparent reason?" He didn't like the man she'd been living with, but until yesterday, it had been none of his business. Until yesterday, she had been free to do as she pleased. However, the day before had been a turning point for all of them. "She is a woman." Alex shrugged. "Just because the things she does makes sense to her, it does not mean we will understand it. It is enough that she is happy with her decisions." "Don't start your she's-a-woman-therefore-she's-mysterious crap again, Alex. If you do, I swear I'll stop this truck, drag your ass out and beat you into the ground." And he would do all that just before leaving him lying on the side of the road. He would heal…eventually, but he'd hurt the whole while. "You talk a good game, don't you?" Alexander grinned. "However, I know you would never do such a thing." That's what he thought. "I'm glad you believe that." Ryder had mixed feelings about his friend and bond mate's way of thinking. Thanks to the ancient texts found beneath the alpha's ancestral home, Ryder and Alex knew destiny had bound them together and why. At least he had believed it before their trip west. Until recently, knowledge of such things, jealously guarded, was something only known to the elders of their clan. The younger generation of Paradise shifters had no idea that fate along with their genetics decreed they should have a triad mating. The war between the Tudra and Adam Greer's father as well as the previous generations put the twisted council in power and wiped out anyone who disagreed with their warped notion of how nature designed them. Cruel men with twisted minds took over in Paradise. They killed everyone who refused to conform to their new, perverse order with prejudice. The man who became alpha ordered the second male of every union murdered. "How long will it take us to return?" Alex asked as Ryder pulled off into a rest area. "Not nearly as long as it took to get out here. I'm not obeying any damned speed limits." Ryder grinned. "What's the good of having the power of suggestion over humans or to make ourselves virtually invisible if we aren't going to use it for something as important as finding our people?" Ryder steered into the parking area for smaller vehicles. "Too many of us left during the rule of the perverted council. It's up to us to let them know the true alpha is again in charge and everything is as it should be." He didn't add that they needed to find pride members before the members of the Tudra still at large found them and put them in camps, like so many they had found and destroyed over the last year. He didn't have to. Alex, like everyone else in Paradise, knew that all too well.

"I believe I said something similar on our way west." After stopping the SUV, Ryder jammed the gearshift into park. "I can't hear you." God, he hated it when Alex said, I told you so. Opening the door, Ryder removed his seatbelt and climbed out. He turned and bent to look back in at the source of his current irritation. "I'm going for a little run. You're welcome to join me, but I can't guarantee that I won't kick your ass while we're out there." Running as his other self was as necessary right now as sustenance. If he didn't go, he would lose control of his beast. The el calor, the mating heat, was upon him. He must release some of his pent-up energy or he would go mad and shift at the most inopportune moment. A shiver of anticipation shot up his spine. His cat knew he was about to allow it free rein and fought for supremacy. His bones ached with the need to shift shape and his gums practically itched. Nothing would take the edge off this discomfort until he made it to the woods and shifted into his cat. He had to go or he would lose his mind. Ever since they had found the woman's home and he had gotten the tiniest whiff of her fading scent, he felt on fire. It was as though he stood still while someone took a blowtorch to his insides. Why her scent didn't seem to affect his bond mate was a mystery. Everything he had heard over the last couple of years suggested they would both feel it if their ages were similar. Since they were both nearing two-hundred and seventy, he was certain if Alex and he truly did have a truebond, his friend would have shown some kind of discomfort. Since Alex showed no sign of distress, Ryder decided to hide his discomfort as long as he could. The last thing he wanted, or needed, was his best friend's pity. "Do you think the ancient texts could be wrong?" Alex fell in beside him as he made his way toward the nearest stand of trees. "I mean, what if we aren't bond mates after all?" "What do you mean? Of course we're mates." Even though he discounted his friend's question, that small seed of doubt lingered in his mind. It would explain many things. Alex sighed and continued with his thoughts on the matter, "The journals speak of blood exchanges making the males turebond mates. I think Adam said something about our blood changing our DNA just enough to make us like family." Ryder nodded. "Without a better way to say it, the exchanges made us blood brothers. It connects us in a way no one can explain." His beast itched to get out and walking to the trees was taking them too long. He felt like lashing out at someone or something. He held his beast in check, feeling as though he held onto his control by a thread. "We have both shared our blood with each other on numerous occasions during the war with the old council and their minions. According to those records found beneath the Alpha's home, we should be bond mates and drawn to the same woman."

"Will you get to the damned point already?" I need to stretch my legs." Ryder practically snarled at Alex. What he didn't say was the el calor was upon him and he needed to run off the extra energy it gave him or he would go mad. His beast urged him to put on a burst of speed and reach the tree line…now. However, he knew better. It was nearly noon. People filled the rest area. Some of them even had their lunches spread on picnic tables and sat enjoying the food they packed in with them. "My point is that you have shown no sign of upset since we left the woman's residence." Alex sighed. "Not once have you shown any sign of suffering since we were exposed to the woman's scent in her home, while I have been going mad with the need to find her, mount her and mate her." Alex began to trot toward the nearest outcropping of trees. They were closer now. Ryder began to run beside Alex and they picked up the pace. However, they didn't run fast enough to draw attention to themselves. Soon he would be able to shift into his beast and stretch his legs. He hoped an exhaustive run would put things back into perspective for a while and get his beast under control for at least a few more hours. It's gotten so bad, I can't even stand to be inside my own skin right now. Alex said through their mind link. My leopard wants out. He boils with rage because I will not allow him freedom. It's almost as though he paces inside me, waiting for me to release him so he may hunt his mate on his own terms. I must get him under control before I do something stupid. Ryder followed behind Alex. His beast needed the same freedom, the same stretching of feline muscle. He glanced at Alexander and grimaced. "It seems, old friend, that we have both been holding back. As weak as it was, her scent nearly drove me to my knees. You hid your discomfort so well, I was certain you were immune to this strange madness." Once they reached the woods, they found a secluded spot and disrobed. Hiding their clothes under a thick bush, they both heaved a sigh. Now they could change with no worries. With luck, this run would help them harness their cats and they could concentrate on finding their mate. Alex began his change first. Ryder watched as the other man's body began to hunch over. It was strange watching like this. He'd never taken the time before. Now, though, there was the possibility of discovery. They would change one at a time, while the other kept watch. With his own change upon him, his skin itching with the need to grow fur and his claws biting at the tips of his fingers, Ryder still stared as Alex changed. He felt everything as he watched it happen to his friend. His own body shifting even as he stared in fascination at his triad mate. Alex's muscles grew tighter, drawing him down. His arms and legs contorted and shortened into equally strong legs. Hands and feet became paws with razor-sharp claws. Fur sprouted over his body, covering him in a smooth, black coat like many of their kind. Darker rosettes swirled a strange pattern, the light hitting them, making them appear and disappear like a holographic image. Ryder knew his cat was almost an identical twin to Alexander's. Both were black as pitch and both were nearly the same size. He wouldn't have been surprised if someone were to mistake

the two cats as twins. Black leopards were rare in the wild. However, he and Alex were far from what people recognized as a normal wild cat. We are both fools to hide such a thing from one another. Alex curled his upper lip, showing his feline disgust. Ryder shook his head. No, old friend, we care about each other. I didn't want you to worry about me. I can only guess that you felt the same. Stretching, he dug his claws into the cool vegetation beneath his feet. At least changing gives us some relief from the heat. Alex sniffed around, walking in circles near a tree until he flushed out a terrified rabbit. I wish I were hungry. He looks like he'd be tasty cooked on a spit. Yes it does, Ryder agreed just before he took off after a deer he glimpsed in the distance. I don't know about you, but I plan to nip at that doe's ankles just for the hell of it. I bet I'll get to her first. You're on! They both took off at the same time. Ryder reveled in the ability to chase after the wildlife so abundant in the woods. We have a mate, Alex. Ryder was barely able to keep himself from growling with happiness. Yes, my old friend, we do. We merely need to find her. One thing was certain, if they ever came within yards of Kaylana Amina McWerty, she would never lose them again.

Chapter Three

The three of them had just finished packing the rest of the food away when Kayla spotted two gorgeous men walking from the woods. She couldn't help but stare. Tall, dark and handsome, they literally exuded masculinity. If there was such a thing as an alpha male hormone, those two had it in abundance. It was almost as though the very air rippled around them as they approached.

Kayla enjoyed watching them until they noticed her. It was almost as though the air at her back somehow informed them of her presence. Her throat went dry as their gazes met. What was it about these two that made her want to give up her distrust of men? She knew better than to trust anyone under the age of seventy right now. Anyone could work for Edward or be part of some law enforcement group he sent after her. Her guess was that the two were private detectives sent to take her back to California. It didn't matter who they were. She wasn't about to go anywhere with them. They continued to stare at her, making her feel like they were a couple of great jungle cats and she their prey. Her throat grew dry and she nervously licked her lips. Though it seemed impossible, the looks they gave her grew even more heated than before. They didn't change their pace and hurry toward her as she expected. In fact, it almost appeared as though they moved toward her in slow motion. Everything else fell away as she watched their steady approach. Shaking her head, she dismissed the idea that they were Edward's hired thugs. They were most likely just two hot men looking for a good time. Her nipples pebbled at the idea and she frowned. Her traitorous body may be willing, but her mind surely was not. "Come along, dear, if you still want to ride with us. It's time to go." Kitty waved to her from beside the car. How had they reached their car so quickly? She hadn't been standing here staring at those two men for so long, had she? Kayla shook her head. Apparently, she had. Her cheeks heated at Kitty's knowing look. She would never live this down. If she'd learned one lesson while riding with the older couple, it was that Kitty loved to talk about sex and make her blush. Wally opened the door for Kitty to sit down and after closing his wife's door, he opened the back door for Kayla before striding around the vehicle and climbing behind the wheel. For a while, Kayla fought the urge to look back at the two men as she followed the couple back to their car. The back of her neck actually itched. It was almost as though she could feel the two men's intense stares. Finally giving in to one last glance, Kayla hurried to the car. When the men started forward, she practically jumped into the back seat. Whatever it was those two wanted from her, she wasn't sure she was ready to give it to them. Visions of the three of them entwined together on a huge bed danced through her mind. What had come over her? Once they stared down the road, Kayla looked back to see if the men followed. The two just stood staring at her as though she was some lost relic and they were two desperate archaeologists. Sighing, she settled back in the seat. "I don't blame you for being disappointed." Kitty turned in her seat to smile back at her. "I thought they were both smitten with you." She got a dreamy look on her face and touched Wally's

shoulder. "It kind of reminds me when those two men offered me that job doing porno flicks. You remember that, Wally." "I've been trying to forget for the last forty years, sweetheart. Thank you for reminding me." Kayla stifled another laugh. It seemed she was always left wondering whether she should laugh at Kitty's outrageous remarks or not. Her eyes grew heavy and began to drift closed. She wanted to sleep, but couldn't. Her mind raced with the ideas of who the two men were. She wanted to believe they felt nothing more than a passing attraction. However, their stares were too intense for that. Way too intense. Resting her head on the back of the seat, Kayla closed her eyes. Who knew when she would get another chance to rest? She couldn't risk renting a hotel room. She would need to use her identification and perhaps a credit card. It was a risk she just wasn't willing to take. Who knew what Edward had told the authorities by now? She thought of the book stored in her bag. She had to get rid of it. Possession of it only cemented guilt on her part, even though she wasn't sure what the entries next to the names meant. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good if Edward didn't want to store it with his own things. "Why are you turning here, Wally?" "Because we're heading to Montana." He shook his head. "I don't know why, but I suddenly have a hankering to see big sky country." "I thought we were headed toward the Grand Canyon?" Kitty frowned, but otherwise showed no displeasure. "We were, but we can see it on the way back, can't we?" Kayla tuned out the words and let the drone of their voices carry her to sleep.

"Watch it, Wally, you almost hit the poor boy!" Kitty slapped her husband on the arm and peered over at him through narrowed eyes. "Do you need your prescription checked again? Maybe we should stop somewhere and get you an examination if you're going to pull off the road that way." She wasn't sure, but she could have sworn he replied, "I'm fine, but getting my head examined might not be a bad idea." Wally stopped the car on the side of the road and shoved the gearshift in park. "What did you say?" Kitty sounded outraged. "Nothing, dear. I was just hoping he didn't fall and hit his head."

Kayla smothered a laugh, then turned and looked out the back window. Fear clogged her throat as she saw the two men from the rest area. One of them was on his knees, changing a flat tire. How they had gotten in front of them? Right now, that didn't matter. All Kayla cared about was that she got another chance to feast her eyes on the two men. If she had to go back to Edward, or worse, serve time in jail, at least she would get an eyeful on the way. She watched the one changing the tire. Large muscles rippled beneath his tanned skin. It was obvious he visited a tanning salon regularly. Either that or they were from somewhere warm, like California. She would have thought them brothers by looking at them, but something told her they were just very close friends. Kayla felt her cheeks heat as she thought about what she would like to do with them. Heck, what she imagined just may make Kitty blush. Never had she wanted two men at the same time and she surely never entertained the idea of having sex with two men at the same time before today. Something about these two brought out something different within her…something wild. She hoped they weren't brothers. She couldn't continue her fantasy if they were. "Don't just sit there like a wart on a toad, Kayla," Kitty admonished. "Get the boys a cola out of the cooler." Kayla tried to pay attention to the older woman, she really did. Still, she couldn't help but wonder why didn't those men put their shirts back on? What's more, why did they take them off in the first place? It wasn't that warm outside. Still, even in the cool air, they both glistened with perspiration. Changing tires must be hard work. She fought the urge to fan herself then looked around curiously. When had it grown so warm in the car? Why couldn't she concentrate? It wasn't any wonder, with all of that tanned male flesh staring her in the face. It was as though they both sucked all of the oxygen out of the air and left nothing for the rest of them. Grabbing two colas from the oversized cooler sitting next to her on the seat, Kayla opened the door and stepped out. A cool breeze came from just in front of them and she could have sworn it carried their scents on it. At least something smelled very male and very delicious. Kayla stood staring at the two men and wondered if they would just grab her even with Wally standing there. She didn't expect the old man to protect her from these two huge men, but something told her he would try. Just the thought of the strangers harming the older man or woman made her bristle and a strange sound came from deep inside her chest. Kayla stopped short. The cans of cola nearly slipped from her grip. Something strange and wild grew inside her. It reared its head at the thought that anyone would think to harm this sweet old couple who had quickly become her friends. The noise came again, sounding suspiciously like a growl.

What in the world was wrong with her? Was she losing her mind? Why would she suddenly start growling at people like some sort of animal? No one said anything. Wally stared at her, his mouth open, his eyes wide. The strangers stared at her the same way they had at the rest area--like she was the be-all and end-all of their existence, which of course, was impossible. She didn't even know them. "Will you three stop staring at the poor girl?" Kitty waltzed up, took the cold cans from Kayla's numb fingers and handed them to the strangers. "She's upset enough without the three of you making her feel as though she's some sort of freak." "Yes, dear," Wally said automatically. Over the last few hours, Kayla found he said those words a lot. Kitty ruled their particular roost and her husband seemed to like it. Whatever his wife said was law as far as he was concerned. Kayla had figured that out almost immediately. Kitty drew herself up and stared down the three men with ease. It was truly something to see. It was hard to believe this feisty old woman dared to take on the three men with her diminutive and frail frame. She couldn't have been more than four feet ten inches and Kayla would bet dollars to donuts that Kitty didn't weigh much more than ninety pounds.

Chapter Four

Alex stood and stretched his legs. They ached in a way they hadn't in a long time. The two of them had been kneeling next to their flat for some time. It hadn't taken much to get in front of the older couple. The old man drove slow. Whether he did so because of his age or if they were just in no particular hurry didn't matter. With the speed limit sixty-five, it didn't take long to overtake and pass them when the man drove fifty miles per hour. The hardest part had been kneeling here next to the SUV as the air leaked out through the small hole in the valve stem so it would look like they had a flat. With no shoulder on the overpass, they had no way to pull off the road and knew the old man would stop to help, even if only to put a level of protection between them and the rest of the non-existent traffic.

"Thank you for stopping." He held out his hand to the old man first. "I'm Alex Minski." He gestured to Ryder who had taken the four-way lug wrench and began removing their flat. "This is Ryder Gray. We thank you for stopping." He'd forgotten what people of the old couple's generation thought of Russians and damned his accent and antiquated speech. Now the old man looked at him suspiciously. "Are you Russian, boy?" Alex nearly sighed. What would it matter if he said yes? The old man already knew the answer. "Yes, sir. I am. I defected years ago." He didn't want to say how many years ago. He'd left Russia so long ago he hadn't had to defect. He merely left. His job was over when the Czar met his end. There was nothing left to do but exit the country like the rest of the disgraced guard. Alex didn't want to tell the human he was the older of the two. Who, besides Ryder would believe him? "You had good sense then." "Of course." He bowed slightly. One thing he'd learned throughout the years was good manners never led a person awry and the older generation of humans rarely questioned him much once he displayed such impeccable behavior. "I'm Wally Drobny." The old man gestured behind him. "Those two are my wife, Kitty, and our new friend, Kayla." It was no surprise Kaylana still called herself that. It was her name…or at least it was a derivation of her name. Like her sister, Amenina, whoever renamed them after their parents' deaths, kept their new appellation as close to their real names as they could. It made things easier. Perhaps other shifters had sheltered them all. They could hope such was the case. With luck, at least one of them would know or remember their heritage. He didn't hold out much hope for it though. They had all been young when their parents died. It was obvious by the surprise on her face when she growled that Kaylana had no idea she was not only a shape-shifter, but also a daughter of one of the oldest and most noble houses in Paradise. "It's nice to meet you, sir." He shifted his attention back to the women. "Ladies." He gestured toward their SUV. "Again we thank you for stopping." Mr. Drobny waved his hand. "It's nothing. Begin as you intend to go on, I always say." He grinned. "In other words, I like to treat people as I would like them to treat me. I would hope someone, like you two, would stop to help an old bugger like myself." Alex tried not to stare at the girl who stood so still and beautiful she could have been a statue of Venus. Shorter than he and Ryder by a few inches, their mate had displayed great courage when she growled at them earlier. She may not remember her Leoparo blood, but her beast had. It was slowly making itself known. Suddenly in the presence of its mates, it would soon demand release. They had to get her away from the couple before she changed into her beast and gave them both heart attacks.

It wouldn't take long for the mating heat to affect her as well. Though they had found out through study of the ancient texts that the heat didn't affect the full-blooded females as quickly or as strongly as it did those who had diluted shifter blood or human mates. The heat attacked the fully human mates ruthlessly. The men barely had time for a fleeting courtship before they must claim their mates or go mad. None of them liked the fact that they must lie to their women, nor did they think it honorable in the least. However, telling untruths was the path of least resistance for males who must take a human to mate quickly before the human went mad and died under the influence of the el calor. At least he and Ryder had the luxury of courting Kaylana Amina McWerty. They had a little time before the heat drove them all mad. Being strong males in their prime helped a lot. He couldn't help but stare at their mate. Her light hair was nothing like her sister's auburn hair. Her sapphire-hued eyes were even different than Nina's. The only thing they held in common was the shape of their face and the way their noses turned up slightly at the end. She was taller than the alpha's woman as well. Nina stood a good two-inches shorter than Kaylana. Alex loved the fact that she could almost look him in the eye as they stood staring at each other. Either his interest excited her, or she was still upset about the growl that so obviously surprised her. He had wanted to laugh at her expression when she practically snarled at them. He didn't know why, but he would guess she'd been afraid they would harm the humans with her. It was good that she had the heart and courage to protect her friends. No male, alpha or beta wanted a weak mate. It was a well-known fact that strong mates bore strong young. His stomach muscles clenched as he stood staring at her. Tall, with shoulder-length blonde hair, she exuded femininity--even for a female as tall as she. Her full breasts accentuated the indentation at her waist. She wasn't thin by any means, but she wasn't large either. Not that it would have been an issue. Generally, as a rule, the Leoparo people liked meat on their mate's bones. Wider hips meant ease of delivery when they bred. A bit of fat meant their young would be fed well from the breast. Many males searched for years, hoping their mates were larger women to ensure they could take the frenzied mating of a male in his prime. They weren't easy on their women by a long shot. They loved and used their females well in bed. Now that it was common knowledge that a female may have more than one mate, males hoped even more fervently for a woman with a body strong enough to take them on. He dragged his attention back to the old man before someone took affront at his bad manners. Gentlemen didn't stare at ladies they had just met no matter what the circumstances. He could almost hear his grandmother drumming that lesson into him. The thought of his grandmother took him back to an older time and place. He wanted to let his cat scream at the memory of both of his grandmothers

lying in a pool of their own blood. They had attempted to protect the royal children and died for their effort. "Of course we would assist you if you needed it." "You don't have to sound like the man just pissed in your coffee, Alex. He was just making conversation." Ryder, finally finished changing the tire, wiped his hands on one of the shop towels they carried in the small toolbox in the rear compartment, then held out his hand. "It's good to meet you, sir." He glanced over at the women. Alex saw the flash of heat that flared in his friend's eyes before he could mask it. "Can we interest you in lunch at the next exit? It would be our treat. A way to return your kindness." The old man waved the invitation away. "Aw, we didn't do anything. We can have lunch with you, but Kitty and I will pay our own way." He didn't mention Kaylana and Alex wondered what their relationship with her was. Had they known her all her life, or had they just met? They seemed comfortable enough around each other and, of course, she had practically snarled at them to warn them off the humans. That suggested more than a passing acquaintance. Still though, females were a mysterious lot, no matter how much Ryder may hate to admit it. One thing was certain, mysterious or not, the young woman standing here before him belonged to he and Ryder just as irrevocably as they belonged to her. The three of them were bound together by heart, body and soul. Ryder and he merely needed to give her the time to realize it.

Chapter Five

Kayla stood still. She wanted to have lunch with the two men. She needed to know why she felt this strange pull toward them. She had never felt this way about anyone before. She thought she'd loved Edward, but what she had felt even for him was nothing compared to the strange heat curling in her belly.

Taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat. "I have no objection and," she paused to lick her lips, "I have money of my own. No one needs to buy me lunch. Perhaps we should just go Dutch?" That way she wouldn't owe these men anything and she'd be free to walk away, or ride away as the case were, with the Drobnys. She felt better now that she knew their last name. It seemed strange to think of the older couple by their first names. It was both strange and she felt somehow disrespectful. Both of the men took a moment to drain their cans of cola. Kayla's face heated as she watched their throats work. The muscles in the wide columns flexed as their Adam's apples bounced up and down while they swallowed. She did her best to keep her gaze above their necks. She refused to be caught staring at their bare chests. Why didn't they put their shirts back on? When they were through, they both reached out to hand the cans to her. "Thank you for the drink." They nodded to Mrs. Drobny and gave her a shallow bow. "Ladies, sir, we hope to see you at the next exit. We shall drive ahead to get a table." "How will we know where to meet you?" Alex grinned. "You'll know it when you see it." He started back to their vehicle before turning back. "Oh, and welcome to Montana. I hope you like it here." Kayla felt her eyes grow wide. Montana? They were already in Montana? How long had she been asleep? "How long did I sleep?" She turned her attention to Kitty…Mrs. Drobny. She was going to have a hard time changing the way she thought about them now. Both ways would seem uncomfortable. Why did they have to stop for those two? Why couldn't Mr. Drobny have just kept going when he saw them sitting on the side of the road. Who gave a crap if they sat there forever, waiting for help to arrive? She sighed. She would have cared, dammit. "You've been asleep for several hours. In fact, we even stopped a few times, but you wouldn't budge. You must have been exhausted." Kitty, Mrs. Drobny, glanced at her husband. "How long would you say she was asleep, Wally?" "At least sixteen hours." He helped his wife into the car and turned to open Kayla's door. "I'll bet you're starved and all of Kitty's good food is gone. We ate the rest of it at the last stop. It's a good thing we're meeting those two for lunch." Why Montana? Why weren't they heading East like they said at first? "Do you think you could drop me off at a post office?" She had to get rid of the book before she got caught with it and she couldn't keep imposing on the couple. They'd obviously slept in their car at a rest area because they couldn't wake her. She didn't blame them for not trusting her enough to leave her sleeping while they

rented a room. Kayla blamed herself for their discomfort. People their age had no business sleeping in vehicles on the road. It didn't matter that it was the first time in days that she'd been able to get any sleep. She hated living like this. Her life had never been what anyone could call normal, but she usually had a place to sleep. Not anymore, thanks to Edward, the jerk. Once back on the road, it didn't take long to reach the next exit. There was only one gas station and one restaurant. They stopped at the gas station first where Wally filled up. Afterward, they pulled into the restaurant parking lot. "Almost Paradise! What a wonderful name for a restaurant, especially with all of these beautiful gardens surrounding it. Well, dear, you said you wanted to go to Paradise." Kitty was practically jumping in her seat. "I guess we're almost there." It seemed that this was the closest Kayla would ever get to anywhere considered perfect. A sign that nearly blended in with the landscaping, advertised the restaurant was as close to paradise as the real thing. What that meant, Kayla didn't know. The dining room of the restaurant was mostly glass. Almost every table sat next to a window that showed off the establishment's beautiful gardens. The tables not near the windows surrounded huge, saltwater tanks filled with a veritable rainbow of fish. What appeared to be large, potted date palms and mauna loas, finished off the interior décor, setting off the hand-hewn tables and chairs. Several patrons drank tropical-looking drinks from coconut halves decorated with little pink umbrellas. It made her want to smile. Kayla stared in awe. They had at least named the place appropriately. This was almost paradise as far as she was concerned. Soft music with a Caribbean lilt complete with kettledrums came from the well-placed speakers that remained out of sight. The wait staff, dressed in large-print shirts and white pants or skirts, danced around the tables like a floorshow as they took and delivered orders. It was like nothing Kayla had ever seen before. The two men sat on a bench in front of the hostess podium and stood when they approached. "We decided to wait so you could choose your table since they weren't busy." Alex smiled at them. His gaze met Kayla's and made her blood begin to simmer. "Just the five of you today?" a waitress, whose nametag read Kimi, asked as she picked up a stack of menus. She smiled at the man introduced as Ryder and gave him a wink. "Did you have a nice trip?" Kayla felt herself bristle. She didn't know why. It wasn't as though she held any claim over the two men. Yet for some reason, the thought that the little waitress seemed attracted to the two

strangers bothered her for some reason. She almost wanted to growl again and that really bothered her. What in the world was going on? "Yes. It's just the five of us." Ryder placed a warm hand at the small of Kayla's back and the woman frowned, then turned away. "Follow me, please." She took a few steps before asking, "Booth or table. Window or tank?" Did her demeanor seem a little cold now? "Ma'am," Alexander touched Kitty's shoulder. "Would you care to choose the table?" Kitty looked up at her husband. "I think I would like a table near the gardens, but I'd also like to look at the fish." She bit her lip as though trying to decide. "Is there one where we can see both?" "Yes, Ma'am." The waitress gave the older woman a genuine smile, then turned to lead the way toward the back of the room. "Occasionally someone can't decide where they want to sit, but we do have a table or two that'll give you the best of both worlds." The waitress led them to the back wall with a view of the gardens on the side and a tank on the wall behind them. The corner table was private and seemed secluded because there wasn't a dinner crowd yet since it was only three in the afternoon. Kimi set their menus down on the table. "Here you are. Can I get you all anything to drink while you decide?" Kayla resisted the urge to heave a sigh when the woman finally left with their drink orders. Picking up her menu, she almost choked when she saw the prices. She couldn't afford to eat here and she refused to let the kind old couple pay her way. "Is something wrong?" Ryder eyed her speculatively. "Um…no. Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking I might just have a drink and an order of toast or something. I'm not feeling well." Kitty gave her a knowing look and whispered to the two men. "I think she can't afford the prices." She winked. "I think she might need help deciding what she wants because I know she's hungry. It's been over eighteen hours since her last meal." Kayla wanted to groan. There was nothing worse than someone airing your financial position in public. She looked around. Okay, so this wasn't public, but sitting at a table with four virtual strangers didn't make it private either. "We can afford to pay for her lunch." Alexander never even cracked his menu. How could he know? He glanced at Kayla's mortified expression and smiled. "Don't worry, sweetheart. The prices here are reasonable to us." He glanced at the Drobnys. "In fact, everyone's lunch is on me."

It was all Kayla could do to keep her mouth from falling open. Lunch for five could easily cost him over one hundred dollars. Not much was expensive as far as Edward was concerned. In fact, up until a few weeks ago, she wouldn't have batted an eye at paying similar prices for lunch, but now she had to watch her money. It wouldn't last forever. "We can't let you do that." Wally shook his head. Besides, we aren't hurting for money. Our son sends us plenty from his job in Virginia." Ryder shook his head. "I agree with Alex. You stopped to help when you didn't have to. You had no way of knowing if we would rob you or worse. A kindness deserves kindness in return. The meal and dessert is on us. In fact, we would be honored if you would take a day or two to stop by our town and stay in the local lodge as our gift to you. You see," he paused. "We have plenty of money and few friends such as yourself."

Chapter Six

What are you doing? Alexander asked. Don't you think they will think this strange? Ryder gave him a look. They won't if you help me give them a push into accepting our offer. They had to do something to get her to Paradise and he didn't think kidnapping her would go over well at all. The couple may accept, but we can't use a mental shove on our mate. She will feel it. She may not realize who and what she is, but she will know that we are doing something we should not be doing and she won't like it. Alex was right. Their females were nothing if not intuitive. She would figure them out in a heartbeat. Work on convincing the couple. I think she feels responsible for them. She fears us for some reason. I would like to meet the person who put that fear in our woman. As would I, old friend. The old woman looked to her husband before turning back to Ryder. "We couldn't possibly do that." She smiled. "We can stay, but we will pay our own way." She patted her husband's hand. "We have never taken charity and we don't intend to start now."

"It's not charity, ma'am. It's a repayment of a kindness." "Yes," Alex agreed. "We could have been anyone and still you stopped. One kindness deserves another." "Here you go." Kimi returned and set their glasses on the table. She threw her a narrow-eyed glare when she set Kaylana's drink down hard enough to slosh her cola over the edge of the glass. "Have you decided what you want to eat?" Ryder smiled at her. "We'll order for everyone, Kimi. You know what we want." He turned back to the table for a minute and studied the older couple. "I think Mr. Drobny would like the prime rib, medium and Mrs. Drobny looks like the type to like the steamed shrimp in garlic butter. Bring them both with a baked potato and sour cream." He paused, then turned to look at Kaylana. She was a mystery. Kitty gasped and leaned toward her husband. "He knew that's our favorite meal, dear." Ryder knew their mate wasn't a vegetarian. She couldn't be. She was Leoparo, a leopard shifter. She would crave meat just like the rest of them. Either way, it didn't mean he would know what her favorite things to eat were. Delving into her mind wasn't an option either. She would feel it. He glanced at Kimi and nodded toward his mate. "The lady will have a rib eye," he paused and tilted his head. If she didn't like it, she could always stop him. "Make it medium rare with a side salad, baked potato and sour cream." She probably wouldn't eat it all, but she needed to put some meat on her bones. She was too thin for his liking. "That's it, sweetheart?" He could tell Kimi took great pleasure in calling him that. He narrowed his eyes at her, clearly warning her off. She knew he had no interest in her. She knew Alex had no interest in her. "That's it for now." He looked at Kaylana and gave her a grin and a wink. "Though we reserve the right to ask for more later." He gave Alex a look. Go find out what the hell Kimi is playing at. I won't have her coming between us and our mate. Alex nodded and stood. "I'll be right back. I need to talk to the cook about a change in my order." Ryder watched Alex leave, then turned back to his companions. "Whether you accept our hospitality or not, please consider staying in Paradise for a few days." The old woman nearly bounced out of her seat. "Did you hear that, Kayla? He said Paradise. You said you wanted to go to Paradise." Kayla smiled at the woman. "I meant paradise more as a state of mind than a town, ma'am." "I know I told you to call me Kitty." The old woman narrowed her eyes playfully.

Grinning, Ryder reached out and took Kayla's hand. "It's settled then. If they won't be our guests at the lodge, we'll be happy to treat you." ****

"Do you…" Kayla cleared her throat. "Do you and Alex own the lodge?" Ryder laughed. "No ma'am. We know the owners though and you'll be doing us a favor by giving them business." Nice. He was making it seem like his paying for her to stay in the lodge was doing him a favor. Very slick. "But it wouldn't be me giving them business. It would be you. I'm sure you have your own house." He was probably just trying to hustle her into bed. It wouldn't be the first time a man tried to impress her with his money to get her between his sheets. He nodded. "Yes, Alex and I own a home on the outskirts of town. We have several acres." "Oh! You two own a house…how nice." Well, crap. If she were honest with herself, she'd admit she was attracted to the two men and had toyed with the idea of taking one or both of these men up on their offer, just for the hot sex they could provide if they were interested. She had no idea they were gay though. Kayla looked away. She felt like a fool. They were just being kind, not trying to get into her pants or take her to jail. They were just a kind, if gay, couple. She sighed. It figures. Like her best friend, Amanda, always said, any man worth having a relationship with was either gay or married. This just proved it. It was too bad Amanda wasn't here. She was probably worried sick about her. She should call her and let her know she was okay. Shoving thoughts of her friend into the back of her mind, Kayla studied the two men from behind lowered lashes. Maybe she should take them up on their offer. If their town was anything like the restaurant, it was something she had to see. "Okay. What the heck? I'll go and stay a few days," she said as Alex returned from his trip to the kitchen. "Wonderful!" Alex clapped his hands. "You will not regret it." He turned his wonderful, chocolate-brown gaze on her. The dimple in his right cheek grew deeper as he smiled. His short, dark hair looked good on him. It fit his Eastern European accent somehow. For some reason she could see him as some Russian secret agent or something. "You will love our home so much, you will never want to leave."

Kayla spotted Kimi on her way out with their lunch and pulled her hand out from under Ryder's. How had she forgotten he had taken her hand in his and what did his holding it mean? Was he bisexual? Her food was the last to come from the kitchen almost a full ten minutes later than everyone else's and it was cold. Alex and Ryder both scowled at the waitress when she finally brought Kayla her meal. "Is Luke or Noah about?" The waitress stiffened and nervously wiped her hands on her apron. "No. They've both gone to Mason for some supplies. Why?" "Have them call us when they return." Ryder's voice brooked no argument. He sounded like a drill sergeant or some sort of military commander used to getting his way. "Make no mistake, Kimi, I will contact them if they do not contact me. I would hate for them to reprimand you for failing to give them my message." Uh, oh. He left it unsaid that they would be reprimanding her for something. It was obvious the two men had a complaint about Kimi. For a minute, Kayla wondered if it had anything to do with Kimi's treatment of her. Kayla dropped the idea after a moment. Why would they care that she'd gotten a cold lunch and the woman wouldn't refill her glass without incessant prodding? "While you're here, take the lady's plate back to the kitchen and explain to Henri why we are returning what was once a perfectly good steak, cold and practically untouched." Kayla grabbed her plate. "It's fine. Really." The last thing she wanted was for this woman to spit in her next plate or something. It wasn't hard to tell the waitress didn't like her for some reason. If Kayla didn't know better, she would think the woman was jealous. Glancing at the men, Kayla couldn't blame Kimi for wanting to keep the two hotties for herself, but they weren't even on the market for women. It was a shame, and a waste as far as Kayla was concerned. "Never mind." Ryder stood and pulled Kayla's plate from her grasp. "I will take it to Henri myself and ask him to have your employers contact one of us." He paused to give her a look that practically screamed he didn't trust her. "And I will stay and wait for the replacement meal as well." Ouch! Ryder had just insulted the waitress who stared daggers at Kayla, by letting her know he didn't trust her. Kayla was glad she didn't have to worry now, but she also couldn't let him have his dinner get cold. At least not without a fight. She looked over at his bowl of soup and stood. "Wait. I'll take it. I can't let you go…Ryder. Your soup will get cold." He and Alex chuckled. "It's already cold. It's vichyssoise. It's my favorite dish. I order it every time I come here."

Vichyssoise? Yech. She'd never met anyone who liked cold potato soup before. It didn't even sound good. She wrinkled her nose at the thought. "Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. It's delicious." He grinned at her and winked. "My other favorite is the fruit soup." "Fruit soup?" What the heck was that? "It's pureed mango, apricots and strawberries chilled, then mixed with heavy cream before serving." "It sounds more like a smoothie to me." Ryder shrugged. "A smoothie is frozen. As far as my lunch goes, my soup is already cold, so don't worry. It can't get any colder." Kayla sighed and let him go. It would be silly to complain that his soup would get warm. ****

Bemused, Alex watched the emotions chase across Kayla's face. She was so beautiful, even when frustrated, that he considered himself a lucky man just to sit across the table from her. Her blonde hair practically glowed with platinum and gold highlights. Her blue eyes shone with intelligence and mirth. The tiny crease between her eyes as she stared down at the table endeared her to him and he wanted to kiss her there. His mouth practically watered at the thought of tasting her creamy skin. His nostrils flared at the scent of her slight arousal. He smiled to himself as he thought of her reaction to Ryder and himself. What would she do when she discovered they both wanted her--that they both needed her and would die without her? Alex sat facing her, his lunch forgotten. What did he care about a cold, medium cooked cheeseburger when total female perfection sat staring at him with such hunger and longing in her eyes? Taking a deep breath, he imagined what it would be like to strip her clothing from her lithe body as he kissed every inch of newly exposed skin. He wanted to know the color of the nipples that topped her perfectly rounded breasts, but most of all, Alex wanted to know what it would feel like to sink his cock deep inside her slick channel. "Are you ill, dear?" Mrs. Drobny reached across the table and felt his cheek. "My goodness! You're burning up." She looked over at her husband. "He's burning up, Wally. He should see a doctor."

Alex pulled away. "I'm fine. I have always had good circulation. It just seems as though I am warmer than most people." He reached out and touched Kaylana's fingers. "Doesn't my hand seem hot?" I knew he was hot before he touched me. For a moment, her mind connected with his and Alex heard her thoughts. Her face flushed a bright pink at the thought and he smiled. "What brings you to Montana?" Ryder asked upon returning with her plate, as an icebreaker no doubt. "It's not often we get tourists here at this time of year." Alex glanced at him. "We get tourists here?" The older couple laughed. "We're on our way cross country to see our new grandson and we thought it would be nice to drive Route 66," Mr. Drobny said with a frown. "Somewhere along the line we got off track and decided to come here." Kayla looked down at her clasped hands on the table and started to speak. The old man held up his hand. "We didn't come here because of you." He waved his hand. "I've always heard this was beautiful country. I wanted to see it." "I can understand that," Alex agreed with a nod. "I have been all over the world and the state of Montana is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been." He sighed. "This country is beautiful in many ways. From coast to coast it has many places that could put my old country to shame." "I noticed you said your old country," Kayla paused to take a sip of her drink. "You're a United States citizen now?" He nodded. "I am. I have been for several years." He had been a legal resident of this country for more years than she would believe, in fact. Ryder and he were almost finished with their meals when Kitty groaned and held her stomach. "Oh, my goodness, Wally," she said as she looked down at her half-eaten lunch. "I don't think I can eat all of this." "Don't worry, ma'am. Just eat what you can. Your room at the lodge will have a refrigerator and a microwave if you wish to take it with you, and if you don't, I'm sure the restaurant gets many people who can't eat everything on their plate." Alex knew that for a fact. Most humans couldn't eat the large portions served here. This was mainly a shifter diner. Like the Beat the Clock Diner in Paradise it was owned and operated by shifters. There had to be somewhere they could go on the outside to get something to eat where people wouldn't think they were strange for eating such large amounts. Being shifters, their metabolism was

much more active than the average human's. He heard there was a place just like it somewhere in Michigan just north of Detroit, but he'd never been there. "I don't know if I'll be able to eat all of this either." Ryder took a deep breath. She should be able to eat almost as much as we do. No wonder she's so thin. "It doesn't matter. Just eat what you can, sweetheart, and you can take the rest with you or leave it here. It doesn't matter either way. The lodge provides meals." ****

Kayla clasped her hands together as she looked through the window of the truck. She had no idea why she trusted these men enough to change vehicles. When Ryder suggested they drive the couple's vehicle into town because the road was treacherous, she almost refused. Why did they care so much about what happened to them? It couldn't be just her. She knew she didn't bring out the protective instincts in any man. She glanced over at Kitty. The older woman looked so small and frail. If Kitty were younger, Kayla may have been able to hate her, but then it would be hard to hate someone as sweet and kind as the older woman, no matter how dainty she was. "What's wrong?" Alex asked as he concentrated on the road. "Why do you ask?" Kayla glanced over at him, her head tilted to the side. He glanced at her before turning his attention back to the road. "You seem preoccupied and you've sighed four times in the last couple of minutes. Is something wrong?" Of course something was wrong. She was alone in a vehicle with a man she didn't know--a man with whom she would jump into bed with at the first opportunity, just because she was horny. The thought gave her pause. No. She wouldn't jump into bed with him or Ryder just because of that. There was more. Much more. She felt something more on a deeper level. Kayla wasn't naïve enough to think they felt anything for her, or that she felt anything for them for that matter. She couldn't explain it, but there was something deep inside her telling her that she could trust the two men. There was also something else. It was a strange heat that churned deep in her middle, drawing her to them for some reason. Every time she looked at one of them, something fluttered deep in her tummy. Her nipples hardened and tingled as though awaiting the warmth of their mouths. Never before had she ever lusted after two men the way she craved Ryder and Alex.

Just being alone in the truck with Alex was enough to drive her mad. It was as though her body reached out to him--like her skin felt him near her and wanted to draw closer just to bask in his presence. She'd never felt anything like it before in her life.

Chapter Seven

About fifteen minutes after he turned off the highway and onto a two-lane road that wasn't much better than a dirt track, Kayla began to feel a peculiar wrenching in the pit of her stomach. Her lungs began to ache and she started to feel even stranger than she had before. She looked through the window and watched as a thick fog rolled in. Alex slowed down with the loss of visibility. The thick tendrils of mist swirled around the truck like a living thing. Ghostly fingers crept over the hood and over the roof as they continued to move forward. Kayla brought her hands to her chest as she felt an unfamiliar pain in the vicinity of her heart. If she didn't know better, she would think she was having a heart attack. "We have to stop." "We can't stop, darlin'." Alex didn't take his gaze from the road. "This is the only way to get to Paradise." "Then I'm not sure I want to go." What kind of place could exist at the end of such a long road filled with the feeling of such fear and misery? "Something's out there. It…it waits for us. It's watching us." Kayla clamped a hand over her mouth. What was she saying? She didn't have a psychic bone in her body, yet here she was telling this man she could feel something evil in the mist that surrounded them. "Take a deep breath, Kaylana." He reached over to touch her hand for the briefest of moments. "Try to think of something else." "My name is Kayla." Her correction of his use of her name was automatic, but she frowned at a long, lost memory of someone else calling her that. Before she could examine it, it was gone. "I can't think of anything else." "Think of a pleasant memory perhaps."

She almost laughed at that. Kayla had so few of those. The only pleasant memories she had were of her childhood and the people she liked to think were her family before she got lost. Bittersweet memories flooded her mind. She played with three other girls at a beach. The sun shone down upon them, warming their arms and faces as they ran through the wet sand. The sound of children's laughter filled her head as she felt the sun's rays beating down on her. She ran across the beach, the sand alternately hot and dry, then cold and wet. Laughing, she looked behind her at a black puppy chasing them. Its pink tongue lolled out to the side as it bounded over the sand in its short, clumsy strides. A scream rent the air and she turned. Men had her mother and father. Run, children! Don't let them catch you! You know what to do. Run to Miss Myrtle. She will help you. When the four girls just stood and stared, mouths agape as more men approached them, their mother's voice grew stern in their heads. Go. Now! Don't make us feel the need to punish you. We've practiced this before. This is another exercise. You must find Miss Myrtle and we will come for you tonight. Something about the tone of their mother's voice kept them rooted to the spot until their father looked straight at them, his eyes filled with anger. Go now or I will spank you later. What if this was real and these men were the bad men we talked about? With the assurance that all was well and this was just another exercise, the four girls turned and fled. They knew where to go. They knew where to hide and above all, they knew if they didn't obey their father, he would spank them later, just as he said. It was too bad he had lied to them. Their parents had died that day and after they contacted Miss Myrtle, she lost everyone else she had ever loved--her sisters. ****

Ryder held the protective bubble around the old couple's car. With Alex's help, he was able to keep the creeping fog at bay. If the mist got within six feet of the vehicle, the humans would feel the horrible, wrenching fear imbedded deep into the thick mist. The fog was the only defense Paradise had against outsiders. Once, they only implemented the mist during times when they worshipped the old gods. Since the corrupt council took over, the mist had been a standard, keeping everyone out. The council members told people on the outside that the school no longer participated in sporting events due a loss of funds. They refused the surprising offer of help from the surrounding cities. They wanted no contact with humans. To them, humans were on the same scale as something disgusting they stepped in. Luckily they overthrew the perverted council and soon they would reopen the gates of Paradise to outsiders except on the Sabbats, which was as it should be.

Sighing, he continued to drive toward the city as his energy drained. He could feel Alex's vigor draining as well. They couldn't release the spell for the long winding drive on the steep mountain road. Their only option was to shield the car from the effects of the surrounding mist. Kaylana suffers. I wish she could have gone with you. Alex contacted him through their mental link. He only hoped Kayla wasn't attuned to their communication. As a shifter herself, she could very well hear their words if she knew what to listen for. As do I, old friend, but there is no room with the giant cooler in the backseat. Ryder glanced in the rearview mirror at Kitty. She seemed fine as she sat counting the stitches of the knitting she held. The old woman insisted the cooler stayed with her. It was most likely because she was playing matchmaker. He smiled to himself. If she only knew what they had planned for her little friend. Our mate seems lost in some sort of trance. The mist shouldn't affect her like this. She is one of us. Alex sounded worried. It surprised Ryder. Few things ever ruffled the feathers of the Russian--and that worried Ryder more than anything else ever could. She's one of us, yes, but no one has trained her to block out the effects of our spells. She would feel them just as much, or more than a human. It would also make sense to assume that she has never trained to protect herself or cast spells. The last thought made Ryder angry. The tudra assholes who killed the McWertys, did so to gain custody of the girls. Whoever controlled them would control the clan. It didn't hurt that they were female either. All the old council gave a shit about was gaining more females to use as brood mares. That the children would grow into women with the right to rule in Paradise would only have made them appear that much sweeter. Ryder glanced over at Wally who rested his head against the headrest, taking an obviously much-needed nap and smiled. It was a good thing that the power of persuasion was one of their gifts. Otherwise, the coupled probably would never have agreed to accompany them to Paradise and Kaylana would never have felt obligated to go with them to ensure the couple wasn't harmed. Not that she could stop them if they were of the mind to hurt the older couple. She would be hard-pressed to stop a tudra-trained male from doing anything. We'll be through this soon, thank the gods, and you can stop using all of your energy to help me keep this couple safe from having a heart attack. As soon as you can, reach out to her with your mind and attempt to soothe her. I'd imagine her nerves are shot by now. The sound of Alex's mirthless chuckle filled his mind. Hell, they've been shot for the last ten minutes. All the more reason to help her as soon as you can. Ryder's grip on the wheel tightened. It was his job to protect and serve. Where was he when the Tudra targeted her parents? As the assistant to the

security chief for the rightful alpha, he should have been more aware and less complacent about what the old council did during their reign. Stop berating yourself, Alex interrupted his thoughts. No one could have fought them alone. We had to wait to gather our forces. Perhaps, but knowing that didn't make him feel any better. ****

Kayla started to feel better almost as soon as they broke through the forest. She frowned at the dark ribbon of blacktop that wound its way down the mountainside and into town. She fought the urge to glance back at the forest behind them, wondering what it was about the fog that made her feel as though something stalked them through the mist. Houses, both big and small, dotted the landscape. They passed what looked like a dairy farm on the right where a large brown cow in the center of a fenced paddock gave birth. "Is this Paradise?" If it wasn't, it sure fit the description. The small town looked so clean and peaceful, it almost looked like something out of a fairytale. On the way down the mountainside and into the fertile-looking valley, they passed a big house with a large wooden black bear out front. The animal stood on its hind legs. It reached out with its paws, its mouth opened, showing a set of very large and lethal-looking teeth. "Oh, my goodness!" Alex chuckled. "Like that bear, huh? One of our people loves to carve them. She took lessons when her husband died and the process is therapeutic for her." He slowed the vehicle down at the bottom of the hill and made a turn toward the town proper. "She even does ice sculptures in the winter. They look beautiful in the front yards of the lucky recipients, especially with the colored lights she uses to emphasize their intricacy." Kayla could imagine how beautiful this town was when covered in snow. The multi-colored lights from holiday decorations would make this town seem even more magical as they reflected off the ice and snow, twinkling like millions of precious gems. Suddenly, Kayla's chest began to ache as they drove by a large, three-story house in the center of town. Her eyes burned with unshed tears as she imagined several little girls playing in the large gingerbread type playhouse in the back. The thought gave her pause. How did she know there was such a playhouse behind that home? She shook her head and brought her trembling hand to her mouth. It was her imagination, nothing else.

Another vision hit her. It was strange, as though she was one of the little girls. A big collie ran up to the children, taking turns at swiping the girls' faces with its large, wet tongue. The other girls in her vision were her sisters. She felt it and knew she was right. It was almost as though she had lived here with her parents and siblings, but knew there was no possibility that it was true. She wanted a family so bad, she grasped at straws to believe she once lived in this picture-perfect town with her family. She continued to stare as they drove past. That large house with its white siding and blue shutters seemed so familiar--so empty. "Something wrong?" Kayla shook her head, managing to keep her face averted. Tears filled her eyes and fell down her cheeks. She wanted to swipe them away, but didn't want Alex to know she was crying like an infant. "No. I'm fine." She continued to stare through the passenger window. "It's just that this place seems so…strange. It's…it's like I've been here before." Everything looked familiar--even the large three-story lodge. He parked in front of the main building. Made of stonework and thick-hewn wood, it looked like something out of a Dutch town. Gabled windows sported tulip-filled window boxes and the decorative and obviously hand-carved and painted trim gave it an authentic look that appeared straight from Holland. The sign near the entrance read Paradise Lodge and Kayla realized they had finally reached their destination as she daydreamed about her missing family. Alex was there, holding her door open for her before she even realized he left the vehicle. Either he moved super-fast or she had been really out of it. "Ready?" he asked as he held out his hand. "You will love the lodge. Everyone does." Kayla could believe that. She loved it already. She had never stayed in any hotel as rich in culture and ambiance as this lodge and she hadn't even made it through the front doors yet. She took his hand, accepting his help from the vehicle. Her legs were a bit stiff from sitting in a car for days and she wasn't sure she could stand on her own let alone walk. "I don't find that surprising in the least." Glass enclosed one end of the first floor, showing off a nice-sized pool, hot tub and, if she wasn't mistaken, a sauna. Kayla could almost feel the heat from the tub, or sauna enveloping her. The cool, late afternoon mountain breeze caused gooseflesh to cover her arms and she suddenly couldn't wait to climb into the inviting warmth of the steaming hot tub. This was starting to look more and more like her type of Paradise. Turning, she watched as Ryder helped the older couple from the car and led them to the entrance. Why had they decided to trust these two men? She glanced over at the car Ryder drove into the lot and shook her head. Whatever the reason, she only came here with them because she felt a

sense of loyalty to them. After all, they had picked her up off the street and fed her when they could have easily drove on by her, like countless people before them. One thing she noticed was that the couple seemed to attract strays and homeless people. No wonder Kitty made so much food when they went on trips. She gave a lot of it away at gas stations and rest areas. It was a wonder the two of them weren't broke with the older woman's need to feed everyone she met. Drawing her attention away from the older couple's car, Alex swept his arm toward the lodge. "Shall we?" Ryder must have called ahead because their rooms were ready for them and no one had to check in. It was a shame, really. Kayla wanted to know how much a room cost so she could pay for it herself. She didn't intend to accept any type of charity from anyone. She clutched her bag to her chest as she walked toward the elevator. She had to get rid of Edward's book. The sooner she got it back to him, the sooner she could breathe easy and not have to keep looking behind her wherever she went. "Is the post office far?" "No. It's not far at all, though it is closed for the day." Alex studied her for a moment before continuing, "It closes at four. The lodge has a postal center complete with a scale for sending packages." He checked his watch. "I think the truck picks up in about an hour. Would you like to make a stop at the office before going up to your room?" ****

"I do need to get this in the mail." Kaylana gripped her bag so tight, her knuckles turned white. Her expression also said she was close to desperate to rid herself of the item she had hidden in her bag. Whatever it was, it wasn't drugs, Alex would have smelled that a mile away. Turning, he led her toward the office. Perhaps if he was lucky, Merrick or Matt would be there. Convincing their mate to allow him to examine the package may prove difficult--if she allowed Kayla to post the package from the lodge at all. Alexander knew damn well the postal scale at the lodge was for business use. He also knew that whatever it was that Kaylana wanted to mail upset her enough to make her heart race. It also filled her with fear. The scent she emitted was faint, but he could smell it, just the same.

He had no idea what it was about the two alpha families in this clan, but for some reason, they could all naturally suppress their scents. Even with his nose, he wouldn't have been able to smell her fear had he not stood so close to her. Since he wasn't certain their new postmaster, one of the retired Army Rangers, would allow him to examine the article she intended to mail, he opted for the easier way out. As Sheriff of Paradise, Merrick, also one of the lodge owners, could allow him that privilege. Alex approached the open door, relieved to see Merrick sitting behind the desk, studying the computer monitor and sipping a cup of his mate's extraordinary coffee. Shifters and humans alike loved Gemma's special blend. He rapped lightly and asked, "Can we talk?" Merrick looked up. "Sure." Merrick stood, most likely in deference to the female in the room and gestured to the two chairs in front of the large desk. "Have a seat. Is there something I can do for you?" He glanced toward the sideboard where an insulated pot sat next to sugar and creamer. "Can I get you a cup of coffee?" "No, thank you. I'm fine," Kayla answered before he could glance in her direction. He, too, waved the coffee away. As much as he would love a cup, he needed to get his mate to drop the package with Merrick. At the very least, Alex wanted to see where she sent the damned thing. "I need to ask you a favor." "Just so you know," Kayla interjected. "He's asking for me. If you don't feel comfortable doing what he asks, it's not him you're turning down." In their world it was, but she didn't know that…yet. Alex smiled at Merrick. "As I said," he paused to glance her way. "I need to ask you a favor." He cast a meaningful glance at his mate. Merrick, being the smart man he was, understood immediately. "Anything. You know we owe you guys for coming to help our Gemma when she needed it." They didn't owe him anything, but the safety of one's mate was nothing to minimize. Alex nodded. "You know we all would have done the same for anyone in such circumstances." "Perhaps." Merrick steepled his fingers under his chin. "What can I do for you?" "First off, I would like you to meet my…new friend, Kaylana MacDonald." Alex deliberately used her real name so Merrick would understand exactly to whom he had just been introduced. "Kaylana, this is Merrick Hunter, Sheriff of Para--" "My name is Kayla," she interrupted. "I meant to tell you that before." She looked confused as though she couldn't understand how he could make such a mistake.

Alex bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Of course, Kayla. I apologize." He bowed slightly, then turned his attention back to Merrick. "Kayla has a package that she wants to mail. Desperately." He emphasized the last word, hoping to get his point across. After a one-shouldered shrug, Merrick smiled. "Why not? It's here and," he paused to check his watch. "The mail carrier will be here later to pick it up." He gave Kaylana and unreadable look. "Is there any reason you wouldn't want the Paradise postmark on it?" Kayla glanced at Alex before she looked away and shook her head. "No, sir. I won't be staying her long anyway." That's what she thought. Alex smiled at Merrick. The sheriff knew that he and Ryder would follow her wherever she ran off to and carry her back, kicking and screaming if they must. She was their mate. She belonged to them. Merrick barely stifled a grin and Alex wanted nothing more than to throttle the man. This shit isn't funny, dammit. Merrick pressed his lips together and narrowed his eyes at Alex. I never said it was. I merely thought that I would like to see her reaction when you don't let her leave. It wasn't that he wouldn't let her go. Neither he nor Ryder could keep her here against her will. If they did, they would be no better than the old council members who kept all Leoparo people here against their will. Still, their natures, their very genes wouldn't allow them to let her leave here without them. Kayla handed her package over to the sheriff. Her hands trembled so much she almost dropped it. Alex couldn't wait to get his hands on what looked like a small book or notepad wrapped in plain brown paper. "We can't send it out like this," Merrick said as he took it from her. "The paper tears off, then they have no idea where to send the item inside." Standing, he strode over to a large cabinet set against the far wall, opened a door and pulled out a small, flattened box. "This should be good enough." Merrick folded the box into shape, taped it and slid the book inside. "Anything else?" "No, sir. That's it." Kayla twisted her fingers together, obviously nervous. With a nod, Merrick sealed the package and handed it back to Kayla. "Address it, then I'll put it on the scale." He gave Alex a look. "Don't worry about the postage. It won't be much and you're a guest here." He didn't mention that she was sister to their alpha's mate and everyone in Paradise would be happy to see that she had finally returned home. Perhaps he intended to leave it up to her mates to tell her.

Take her up to her room and I'll check it out after you leave. Alex smiled, shook the sheriff's proffered hand and led Kayla from the room. "You might want to take Ms. MacDonald to meet Adam and his…wife. They will be happy to know you can talk to members of the opposite sex, after all." "I will." Just open the damned package and find out what it is that terrifies my mate." Merrick did nothing more than chuckle as they left.

Chapter Eight

Kayla followed Alex from the office with a frown. She couldn't help but think there was something else going on, but knew it was a crazy notion. Her overactive imagination had her thinking the two men were able to speak to each other without her knowledge. She could practically hear Alex tell the sheriff he wanted to know what she had just given him to mail and to where she mailed it. Reaching up, she rubbed her forehead. She was going mad. It was the only explanation. Why were these things happening? She wasn't psychic. She didn't hear people's thoughts either. Yet she felt something in that thick fog on the mountainside and she would swear she could hear these men's thoughts. What's more, she imagined she could hear them having complete conversations telepathically. Apparently living with Edward had driven her over the edge. Not only was she running scared, she was crazy. Sudden tears blurred her vision and she stumbled. Alex caught her to him. "Are you all right?" Stopping, he took her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Are you crying?" He frowned. "Have I offended you in any way? If I have, I apologize at once." Kayla smiled sadly. He couldn't help her. She wasn't sure anyone could. "It's not you." Reaching up, she smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from his shirt. "It's me. I…" She had to stop for a moment. Swallowing thickly, she continued, "It's nothing… something stupid, really. Forget about it."

Alex cupped her cheek, stroking her bottom lip with his thumb. "I do not like to see you cry." He took her hand in his. "For some reason, it hurts me." He pressed her palm to his chest, just above his heart. "Here." What could she say to that? Kayla bit her bottom lip, sucking into her mouth. When she did, his eyes darkened to the deepest mahogany. He pulled her tight against him. She could feel every hard muscle in his body, including the ridge of his cock pressing against her lower stomach. She looked up and up at him. She loved the fact that he was so much taller. He and Ryder both were well over six-feet tall. They made her feel small and feminine--something she hadn't felt in a long, long time. When Alex's eyes darkened even more, he pulled her tighter with a low growl and slanted his mouth over hers in a long, deep kiss. Delicious heat curled in her middle. Every nerve ending in her body came alive with awareness and she pressed closer into his embrace. White-hot energy seared her from the inside out when she opened for him and his tongue made contact with hers. Something grew deep within her. That wild thing that raised its ugly head when she growled at Ryder and Alex made itself known again. The heat increased, making her burn. Her skin felt as though it was on fire as his tongue continued his slow exploration. A slow burn began in her toes and worked its way up her body as he turned and pressed her back against the wall of the hallway. The photos on either side of her head rattled at the impact. Kayla didn't care. All she could think of was the sensation of his tongue delving deep into the recesses of her mouth. Kayla reached up and thrust her fingers through his inky hair. She tightened her fingers around the silky strands and held him tight. It had been a long time since she had kissed anyone like this. The passion in her last relationship had cooled a long time ago. This…this was everything she ever wanted, ever dreamed of in a kiss. Liquid heat pooled low and slid from her painfully empty channel, soaking her panties. "Ah…um…wow! That's some kiss. This is a lodge. Can I get you a room?" The amused female voice interrupted their kiss. It was probably a good thing, seeing as somehow Alex's hands went from both rubbing her back to one on her rear and the other on her breast. It was only a matter of moments before both of them lost their heads and stripped right here in the hallway. What the hell had come over her? Her face burned as she pressed her back harder against the wall. Why wouldn't the damned thing just open up and swallow her? "Oh, hi, Gemma!" Alex backed away from Kayla, but kept a hold of her by sliding the hand that had just been on her breast to her shoulder. "Ryder should have already gotten her a room. I think he must have been talking to Matt." Alex's glance bounced between them for a minute. "Gemma, I would like you to meet Kayla MacDonald. Kayla, this is Gemma. You just met one… The sheriff is her husband." Kayla nodded, still unable to make eye contact. "It's nice to meet you."

Gemma chuckled. "There's no need to be embarrassed. My men do that to me all of the time. I can't tell you how many times we've been caught in compromising positions in various places in the lodge. One of them is always wanting to cop a feel." "One of them?" Kayla actually heard her voice squeak. This woman lived with two men? Maybe she should talk to Gemma. After all, she'd done nothing but fantasize about the Alex and Ryder since she met them. What would it be like to live the kind of life Gemma lived? Kayla let herself dream for a moment before she brought herself back to reality. Who was she kidding? Even if she was willing to try a three-way relationship, and she wasn't saying she was, it didn't mean the men were. "Yes, you heard me right. I live here with two men and we are all in a relationship together." Gemma giggled, then glanced at Alex, her hands on her hips. "Okay, Sasha, why didn't you tell her Paradise is a place where triad relationships are the norm?" "Because we didn't want to scare her away." "I swear. Men underestimate women all the time. Don't you think?" Gemma hooked her arm around Kayla's and pulled her down the hallway toward the most delicious smell. "Let's talk about it in the kitchen. I've just served lunch. You're welcome to eat in the dining room with the others, but I won't talk about this in there. It's too embarrassing to talk about it to a full-fledged audience." Kayla stumbled after her, barely able to stay on her feet after Gemma dropped her bomb. What in the world had she gotten herself into? "Does everyone here have that type of--of…thing going on?" Gemma giggled again. "It's okay to say it, you know. The word is ménage." She pushed through a door at the end of the hall and led them into a large, immaculate kitchen. "The answer to your question is a bit difficult. Almost everyone had a triad until about twenty years ago. It was then that the perverted council took over. They murdered the second male in every triad. They said it was unnatural for one woman to have two men." She led the way to a table set for use. The plates even had food on them already. They were all hot and steaming and the food looked delicious. "Dig in. No one else is going to eat it. Just about everyone has their own house now and even though our people eat more than humans, we still can't eat it all. I cook enough for an army, which wasn't a problem when the Rangers were staying here." "I…uh…um…" Kayla had no idea what to say to that. Was the woman crazy or just eccentric? Whatever Gemma was, Kayla hoped she was on her medication. The woman obviously needed it. It was probably all of those kinky ménages going to her head.

An hour and a half later, Alex escorted Kayla to her room. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you before."

"Tell me what, that you're from a crazy, sexually deviant town or that you aren't quite human? Whatever the hell that means." Still in shock, Kayla didn't say more. Besides, what more was there to say? Even if she decided she wanted to make love with the two men, no one here would think anything of it. It was both strange and exhilarating. Kayla wanted to be angry with them, but knew she couldn't. She let Alex unlock her door and lead her into her room. A king-sized bed dominated one wall, while a dresser bearing a forty-two inch flat screen TV sat against the opposite wall. What was this place, some sort of dream world she made up in her delusional mind or did it really exist? How could there be a town where triad marriages were the norm and legal? What's more, apparently in Paradise, three-way relationships were encouraged. Spinning to face Alex, she demanded, "Where are the Drobnys?" She needed to know. If they got hurt because Ryder and Alex took a liking to her, she would never forgive herself. They were her only link to the real world and her sanity. "They're in their room. Most likely sleeping." Alex closed the door behind him and followed her to the bed. "You can talk to them in the morning. They are fine." He had a point. Kayla could tell they were tired and it was her fault. They would have stopped at a hotel long before they got here if it wasn't for her. "I suppose you're right." Sighing, she moved to sit on the bed. "If they're half as tired as I am, it's a wonder they were still moving under their own power." "You do look exhausted." Was that disappointment in his tone? Did he really come into her room thinking they would finish what they started in the hallway earlier? Kayla looked at him and tilted her head to the side. Did she really think they wouldn't? "I am very tired." Not tired enough to turn you down, big boy. Good grief! She needed sleep before she said that crap out loud. Kayla checked her watch. "I know it's only eight o'clock, but I really am beat." She was so tired, she didn't even move when someone knocked on the door. "I'll get that." Kayla nodded, unable to gather enough energy to care what he did. "Good. Thanks. Tell whoever it is, to just go away." Tomorrow she would work up a good mad about everything she found out about these two and this town. Tonight she just wanted to sleep.

Chapter Nine

"I heard you two were going at it in the hallway outside the office." Ryder said to Alex when he opened the door to Kayla's room. "Yeah." Alex glanced back over his shoulder and lowered his voice. "I think the heat is getting to her. I know it doesn't affect full shifter women like it does human women so either she's not who we thought, or it has something to do with her not knowing who and what she is." Ryder shrugged. "It could have something to do with that. After all, if she doesn't know what could happen, why would she try to control it?" "That makes sense." "Did you tell them to go 'way?" Kayla called from inside the room. "It's Ryder," Alex said in way of an answer. "Oh." She said nothing else. "Does that mean I can come in?" Ryder grinned. "She sounds exhausted. Perhaps we should do her a favor and help her bathe." "I have a feeling she would kill us both." Alex had a point. Their mate did have a temper. She proved that when she growled at them when they first met. Entering the room, Ryder stared at his mate. She was laying on the bed, her hair spilled out around her head. She was dead to the world. He hated to wake her, but he knew what the el calor would do to her if they didn't mate soon. They at least needed to be close to her and she was lying across the bed from side to side. They would have to move her at the least. "You get her top, I'll get her bottom," Alex said with a grin. "Why do you always get the fun part?" "Then you take her bottom half. It doesn't matter to me either way. I just want to get her naked and in the tub. I could tell she was stiff when I followed her in here. The car ride didn't do her any good." "I don't like this." Ryder shook his head. "I feel like we're about to molest her. She should be awake."

Alex pressed his lips together. "Then we need to wake her. She should not sleep this way and we cannot sleep with her while she lies across the bed like this." He shook his head and grinned. "Presumably, she didn't sleep with her ex-boyfriend much, if she can fall asleep across the bed like that without a thought." Alex glanced toward the bathroom. "Did you fill the hot tub and set the temperature?" "Of course I did. I said I would." He looked down at their mate. "I had hoped she would be awake for this though." "She will be." Alex knelt on the bed. "Kayla. Wake up, baby. It's time to wake up." He stroked her cheek with his fingers. Kayla batted at his hand. "Don't wanna." "Come on, sweetheart. It's time to get up. Wouldn't a nice, hot bath feel nice?" "Tired," she said on a sigh. Ryder knelt beside her, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a sitting position. "It's time to wake up. You need a bath to relax your aching muscles." She cracked open a bleary eye. "I am sore." Sighing, she tried to lie back down. "But I'm tired, too." She stayed still for a moment, then sighed. "I do want a bath." She sat up and looked around her, her brow furrowed. "How did I get here?" Alex chuckled. "You walked here with me." Kayla gave them both a narrow-eyed look. "And what are you two doing here?" Leaning back, she stretched and yawned. "We were hoping that you would allow us to help you with your bath." Ryder tried not to smile. Something told him she would turn them down if he did. She bit her lip and glanced toward the bathroom. "What would happen if I said yes? Would we just bathe together or would there be something more?" "I would hope that there would be something more, but we will not pressure you and we do not expect that you will accept us both at the same time this night." Ryder almost held his breath while he awaited her answer. He wanted her with everything in him and he knew they could get her to accept them both in her bed this night, though they would not take her at the same time. He didn't want to rush the triad mating. The truebond could wait a day or two. It could wait a week if they must, but he hoped it wouldn't take that long to convince her that they all belonged together here in Paradise. "Hell, why not?" she stood and pulled her shirt up over her head. "It's not like I haven't been thinking about it since we met. You two have got to be two of the hottest men I have ever seen in my life. I'd be crazy to turn you two down and I'm no dummy."

She tossed her top over to rest beside her bag, which sat on the floor next to the dresser. "Let's go before I change my mind. I like to think I'm brazen and full of courage, but that doesn't mean a thing." She strode into the bathroom while unbuttoning her jeans. He glanced at Alex who stood staring after her, his mouth open. "Did you see those perfect breasts?" Ryder sighed. "No, I didn't. I was too caught up watching her top land next to her bag." He shook his head. "I must be losing it." ****

Kayla stripped off her pants and climbed into the large tub before the men could follow her into the bathroom. The jets were already running and the heat was on to keep the water at a nice one-hundred and seventeen degrees. It was hot, but not too hot and the jets sent water swirling around her just right. Her muscles began to relax. She leaned back, rested her head against the side and closed her eyes. She didn't want to think about the two men who would follow her in here and disrobe before climbing into the tub with her. She didn't want to see them naked until it was too late. Water splashed as they entered the tub. They sat on either side of her, effectively blocking her in. Something told her that if she truly wanted out, they would let her go, but the action of their flanking her seemed symbolic somehow. As though it was a sign of their willingness to stay with her and protect her. She shook her head. What was she thinking? Of course it didn't mean anything. They were men, they wanted sex and the more they got, the happier they would be. That was it. The end. Gentle hands began to soap her up. Large fingers grazed her nipples, making them react and grow hard. It felt so good, she arched into it with a sigh. Alex cupped the back of her head, stopping her from banging it on the edge of the tub when Ryder bent and sucked one of her hard nipples into his mouth and Alex suckled the other. Kayla groaned. She wanted this, but she didn't want to seem easy. Something inside her drove her to these men. It made her want them both even though her mind told her it was wrong. What was it about these two and this place that made her want things she never dreamed of before? Another soapy hand skimmed down her body, the masculine fingers delving between her labia. They circled the hard bud of her clitoris and she jumped at the contact. It was hard to believe that these two gorgeous men wanted her. Her! Complete with her too-tall-and-thick frame that Edward shunned for his slutty bunny-sex baby.

Her body burned. It demanded release. With their tongues and teeth caressing her breasts and their hands skimming over her flesh, she could barely think about anything past sensation. Alex continued his exploration of her nether regions, his fingertips sliding over her clit. He grasped it between his thumb and forefinger and tugged gently. Electric shocks shot through her blood, sending tiny explosions rocking her body. Her hips bucked as he continued to squeeze and pull on the hard nub. Intense sensation pulsed within her as she peaked.

Chapter Ten

Alex stood and got out of the tub. Grabbing a towel, he held it up and waited for Ryder to lift their mate from the churning water. After they had her out and standing with Ryder's help, he toweled her dry, paying close attention to the tips of her breasts. Every time he skimmed the towel over the hypersensitive nubs, she shuddered and moaned. Ryder lifted her into his arms when she was thoroughly dry and carried her to the bed and set her on the thick duvet. "Would you like one of us to go, or can he stay and watch?" Alex could tell the idea of having an audience appealed to her. She laid back, her eyes went slumberous and the lids drooped. She licked her lips and began to pant. "I don't want either of you to go." How do you like that, Ryder? Our mate is a siren, tempting us with her succulent body. "Nothing could keep either of us from this room if you request our presence." It sounded cliché, but Alex didn't give a damn. He meant every word. Ryder rested his knee on the edge of the bed next to her and she moved over. Alex moved around to the other side of the large bed and lowered himself to the mattress on her other side. Her eyes glazed over with need as Ryder leaned forward and sucked her puckered nipple into his mouth. She gasped and writhed on the bed. Alex couldn't wait to taste her again. His mouth watered with the need to slide his tongue through her tight curls and taste the essence of her arousal. He inhaled deeply. She smelled delicious, like ripe fruit waiting for someone to pluck it.

Unable to wait any longer, he moved down and slowly settled himself between her legs. Starting at her ankles, he skimmed his hands up her legs to her knees. Grasping her behind her knees, he lifted and spread her legs until they rested over his shoulders. Kayla squeezed her eyes shut, her lovely skin flushed pink and she grasped Ryder's hair as he suckled the tip of one breast and plucked at the other with his forefinger and thumb. Alex had never seen a more lovely woman in his life. What could be more beautiful to him than his mate writhing in ecstasy beneath him as he and his triad mate pleasured her body? Her body trembled as he leaned forward and blew warm air over her mound. He could see her muscles clench in anticipation as he moved closer and closer to the prize awaiting him between her thighs. Her knuckles grew white and she gripped Ryder's hair tighter and tighter. Nothing could have prepared him for what he would feel for his mate. Emotions ran rampant through his body, through his blood as he stared down at the treasure before him. Again, he inhaled deeply, loving the scent of her so close to his waiting tongue. Skimming his hands up over her thighs, he reached her quivering sex and spread her plump nether lips with his thumbs. Slowly, he lowered his head and ran his tongue up the glistening pink flesh, then stopped to suckle her clit. Kayla moaned and lifted her hips. She opened her legs wider, giving him no doubt about what it was that she wanted from him. She squirmed as he fluttered his tongue against the small nerve-filled bud and tightened her legs around his shoulders. Had he been human, the force of her grip may have hurt, but he wasn't and his beast loved that it witnessed its mate's capitulation. It wasn't long before he could feel her entire being grow tense. Every muscle tightened with the onset of a pending orgasm. Quickly, he thrust first one, then two fingers deep inside her, pressing up against the bundle of nerves he knew would send her spiraling into another climax. Almost immediately her body stiffened and she arched her back off the bed with a scream. Again, Ryder swallowed her hoarse cries as Alex continued his assault on her nether regions. Her orgasm ripped through her as her channel clamped down on his fingers, gripping them tight. He couldn't wait to sink his cock deep into her tight sheath and fuck her hard. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself balls deep and revel in the feel of his mate's flesh gripping his shaft as he thrust in and out of her wet heat. She still kept her eyes squeezed tight, her breath coming in short pants and a light coating of perspiration glistened on her body. Ryder reached up, pushed the damp hair from her forehead and kissed the tip of her nose. "Ready?" he asked. "Yes." Her answer was little more than a whisper, but there was no fear, no hesitation. She wanted them at least as much as they wanted her.

Alex continued to massage her clit lightly. He wanted to keep her a bit off balance and her senses roiling. What better way to make sure she didn't suddenly decide to change her mind? Rising to his knees, Alex pressed himself slowly against her. He didn't want to harm her with the size of his cock. He worried for nothing. He slid home easily, her juices coating his shaft, easing the way. "Yes," she said on a moan as he thrust into her again and again. Her moans and cries of pleasure were enough to ratchet his desire higher. His balls grew tight against him as his own orgasm coiled deep within him, awaiting release. Ryder continued to suckle her breast as one hand skimmed over her rounded belly. He buried his fingers deep within her slick folds and fingered her clit. Again, Kayla came hard, her body arching off the bed. She wrapped her legs around Alex's waist and pulled him deep. The action was the breaking point for him and he came. Lightning flashed behind his closed eyes as he spilled his seed deep within his mate for the first time. Sweat poured off his forehead and ran down his face. Leaning back, he looked down at the woman who would complete him and smiled. "I hope I wasn't disappointing." ****

Kayla stared up at the man who had given her her first multiple orgasms and felt herself blush. "You were far from that." Her words came out sounding breathless. She could barely breathe. Stretching, she smiled at the two men and wondered what they thought of her. "I hope I wasn't disappointing. I've never…" Pausing, she waved her arm. "I've never done this kind of thing before. I'm sure you're used to women with more experience." "You are everything we could have hoped for." She blushed at Ryder's words, then ran the back of her hand over his still-hard shaft. "You're still hard." "I am." He grinned. I wondered how you would feel about me taking your ass." He reached beneath her to squeeze one of her cheeks. "Um…" What could she say? She knew they would want to take her at the same time sooner or later and it wasn't as though that was virgin territory anyway. Edward had wanted to drill there from time to time himself. "I don't mind."

Ryder frowned. "What do you mean, you don't mind? Do you want me to, or not? I don't want to force you into something you're not ready for, darlin'." Kayla shook her head. "Oh, that's not it. It's just that I've never really gotten off like that." "You've never been with me before either," Ryder said with a grin and a waggle of his brows. "No I haven't." Kayla couldn't help returning his grin. She didn't know what it was about these two men, but she felt as though she had known them forever. Something about them made her want to trust them. She wanted to stay here with them and be their wife like Gemma was to her two husbands. What was it about them that made her body burn so brightly for them both? Even now she still burned. The intensity lessened a bit after Alex made love to her, but there was still a strange heat, a burning, deep inside her that just wouldn't go away. It compelled her to make love with these two men. It drove her to do things that everyone told her was taboo. "Well?" Ryder just stared at her. One eyebrow rose slowly, making him look so sexy it hurt. "Let's give it a try." She smiled. "Besides, I have a feeling you're both going to want to be inside me at the same time before I know it." Ryder climbed off the bed and strode into the bathroom. "Get her astride you, Alex. I'll be back in a minute." Alex rolled onto his back and took her with him. She sat astride him, his semi-hard shaft still in her weeping channel. What would it feel like to take them both right here, right now? Could she do it? They weren't much bigger than Edward and he'd already breeched her back door, so to speak. Maybe she could have the entire ménage double penetration experience right here, right now. When Ryder returned, he carried a small bottle of oil with him. "I left this floating in the tub. It should be nice and warm." He grinned. "I didn't want you jumping out of your skin when I dumped it on your warm body." "Good. Cold oil is a real turn off." "Lean forward, honey. I want to be able to see what I'm doing." Alex wrapped his fingers around her neck and pulled her down to him for a kiss. Liquid heat pooled low as his tongue breeched her lips and tangled with hers. Heat stole through her, igniting her passions once again. Her skin burned, feeling as though she would spontaneously combust. Then, when she thought she couldn't take another minute, Ryder pressed a greased finger into her back hole. Slowly, he worked it in and out, somehow matching the rhythm of Alex's tongue as it continued to thrust against hers and explore the dark recesses of her mouth.

When he'd managed to get three fingers deep inside her and scissored them back and forth, she knew it was only a matter of seconds before he pressed his thick cock deep inside her and by then, she wanted it more than she ever thought possible. "Are you ready for me?" Ryder's voice sounded strained. "Yes." She wriggled on Alex and felt his cock grow hard again beneath her. "Please, Ryder." "Here I come, baby. Just don't tense up. Bear down if you feel your body trying to fight it. Resisting will only make it more difficult and cause you pain." Kayla knew that from experience. Saying no to Edward wasn't something a woman could do--at least not one living in his house. The world fell away as Ryder pressed against her anus. He was a bit larger than she was used to and it hurt a bit, but not much. Perspiration glistened on Alex's skin as he lay beneath them both, her sex pressed against his hard shaft. Leaning up, he took a nipple into his mouth and sucked hard. Kayla gasped at the sensation and Ryder gave one last shove, burying himself deep in her ass. Leaning forward, he rained little kisses along her spine. "Are you all right?" Nodding, Kayla wriggled again. "Yes. Are you going to get busy or are you just lazy?" Chuckling, Ryder gave her cheek a light slap, then grasped her hips. "Lady, you're in for the ride of your life." And he wasn't kidding.

Chapter Eleven

"It's been two weeks since you brought her here. When did you two plan to tell her she has a sister living in Paradise?" Ryder sighed. "We've tried to tell her any number of times, but we just can't bring ourselves to do it. She misses her sisters. What if finding only one breaks her heart?"

"What if finding one gives her hope to find the others?" Nina, Adam Greer's mate and Kaylana's sister, stepped forward. "Believe me when I tell you she isn't going to leave if you tell her." She waved toward the window. "As the oldest, our parent's house belongs to her." She crossed her arms and scowled. "Besides, she has the right to know." "Here, honey," Nick, Nina's other mate, handed her a sleeping baby. "She's finally gone to sleep. Try to keep her that way, will you." He winked. "I want you rested for later." Nina turned a red-faced glare on him. "Selfish." She headed for the door. "I want to meet my sister." She gave both he and Alex a narrow-eyed look. "Today." "You heard your alpha female," Adam said with a growl. "Go get her sister and bring her back here."

"Shit!" Ryder punched the side of the brick house. Tiny cracks formed where his fist made contact with the wall and he snarled. "She's our mate. If we determine that something will hurt her, it is not their place to interfere." "I wish I could agree with you, old friend," Alex said with a sigh. Ryder spun around and glared at his companion. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" "It is their place. We are hurting their mate by keeping her from her sister and as Alpha, it is his place to make things right." Alex shrugged. "You know Adam always thinks of what is best for the many in Paradise. It would give everyone hope to see another McWerty return home." "Oh, my goodness! Just look at you, all grown up." Myrtle Connor's voice drifted over from the diner where they were supposed to meet Kayla. "I think you're confusing me with someone else, Ma'am." Ryder and Alex walked through the door just in time to see Mrs. Connor standing before the table where their mate sat waiting. "I'd know your scent anywhere, Kaylana McWerty." The old woman giggled and clapped her hands. "I've been keeping your house clean for years." Myrtle grimaced. "Though I had to hire some men to fix the roof and make repairs." She held up her hand. "Don't worry. I've kept records. All your money is accounted for. And your sisters." She looked at the floor. "So far it's only been you and Amenina that have returned. I hope your other sisters find their way home soon." "Nina?" Kayla stood so fast her chair slid across the floor and tipped over. "You know Nina?" "Of course I do. Everyone does. She's mated to our alpha and beta." Myrtle snorted. "They're a match made in heaven. They can't keep their hands off each other."

Reaching out, Myrtle gave a startled Kayla a hug and turned to leave. "Be sure to stop by and say hello to Aunt Myrtle once in a while." The old woman smiled through her happy tears and looked as though the sun shone for her in Kayla's return. "I've missed you so much," she said as she exited the diner. Kayla turned her confused gaze to Alex and Ryder. "What just happened?" Spinning around, she looked surprised to see her chair lying on its side over four feet away. "I think I might know that lady." "We believe you do." Alex sighed and held out his hand. "Lunch will have to wait. There is someone else you should meet." "Oh…okay. But before we go, I think you should know something." Biting her bottom lip, she looked like the cat that just broke into the dairy barn. "What?" he and Ryder said in unison. "When I first arrived there was a group of boys in here talking about how they wanted to come back later and take the L out of the sign again. Do they do that much? Cause you know if they take the L out of Beat the Clock¸ it will spell--" Ryder laughed. "The Gibson boys are at it again. They must have a collection of that letter by now. It's their favorite." "We know what it will spell." Alex chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "The question is what do we do about it?" "I think we should let them have their fun. It's harmless. They could be out knocking over liquor stores." She did have a point. Taking the L from the diner's sign was harmless enough. Besides, he and Ryder had other things to worry about--like how angry their mate was going to be with them when she found out they let her live in her home town for two weeks before telling her they knew who she was and where to find one of her sisters. ****

Kayla looked out through the front window of the diner to see the old woman walking up the street. What was with her anyway? Did she know her? She did remember a Myrtle from before. It would be nice to know someone other than Alex and Ryder. The Drobnys stayed on for two days then left to head east again. A few of the men left with them and escorted them to their son. Apparently, the men were going that way anyway. Her purse held the first correspondence from them.

Kitty had written her a long letter explaining their lengthy trip and their reunion with their son, daughter-in-law and new grandchild. Still, Kayla knew the possibilities of finding anyone from her childhood were slim. No one knew who she was or where she came from. It was as though her parents dropped her here from some unknown planet and left her to make her own way. Unshed tears burned her eyes at the thought. "We must take you to meet someone. We put it off because we were selfish and wanted to keep you to ourselves. We knew this would be difficult for everyone and we didn't want you to leave us," Ryder said as he grasped her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. "Please remember we love you. We want you to stay here with us." She knew that. As a matter of fact, she had moved in with the two of them as soon as the Drobnys left town. What she didn't understand was why they thought she was going to be mad at them. "Where are we going?" Wistfully, she looked over her shoulder at the diner. She was hungry. "Remember when you talked to Gemma and she told you of our Alpha?" "The man who is like your ruler?" She bit her lip. "I'm not sure I'm ready for this." "You'll have to be ready. He has ordered us to bring you to meet his mate." Fear shot through her at the implication. "Why? I haven't done anything." She stopped walking, and Alex tried to pull her along. Planting her feet firmly, she pulled away from him. "I haven't done anything." Why were they taking her there? Would he make her leave because she wasn't one of them? Would she have to leave her two lovers here and continue on by herself? Two weeks ago that wouldn't have bothered her, but today… Today she knew she loved the two men who dragged her toward the large house on the corner, the one almost as big as a city block--the house that they told her belonged to the Alpha of their clan. "It's not what you think, baby. He doesn't want to make you go. He wants to welcome you back home." "Welcome me back home?" Was she missing something here? She must be. That woman was positive they had met before and she did have an Aunt Myrtle… Anger began to build within her as she realized they knew who she was all along. "How long have you known who I am?" They each grabbed one of her arms, most likely so she wouldn't smack the crap out of them both.

"We've known since we saw you at the rest area. We had just come from your ex-boyfriend's house. Your scent was everywhere." At least that explained why it seemed like the air told them she was there. It also explained why they had pursued her so diligently. "So you came onto me just to get me here?" God, she was mad. She didn't know if she had ever been this angry before. She jerked free from their grasp and stomped down the sidewalk toward the Alpha's house. She didn't know why he wanted to meet her so badly, but she would walk in there, introduce herself and promptly tell them all to kiss her ass. She was getting out of here, at the first opportunity. Stomping up the porch steps, she strode to the door. Someone flung it open when she lifted her hand to knock. Stunned, she stood staring into the only familiar face she remembered from her past. "Mama?" The woman threw her arms around her and sobbed. "I'm Amenina. Oh, God, Kaylie, I missed you so much!" Kaylie? That name was the name her little sisters always called her. Kayla stepped back and took the woman who called herself Amenina by the arms. "You look just like I remember our mother looking." Nina smiled and bowed her head. "Thank you. I take that as a huge compliment. I've seen pictures of Mom." She wanted to deny that this woman could be one of the sisters she lost so long ago. She didn't want to lose them again. She didn't think she would survive it. But she couldn't deny it. Nina did look just like their mother and the house down the street was their house. Kayla turned to look at it. It was on the opposite side of the street and down about a block and a half. It was almost as large as the Alpha's home. "It's your house now, Kayla. You're the oldest. It belongs to you." Kayla shook her head. She couldn't stay here. She couldn't risk growing any more attached to these people than she already was. What if Edward sent someone for her? What if they got hurt because of her? She would never be able to live with herself. She took a deep breath. Good grief! She needed to get herself together. Either she wanted to stay or she didn't. She looked back at the two men she had fallen in love with--the two men who had lied to her for two weeks and pressed her lips together. As mad as she was at them, she couldn't put any of them in danger. Turning back to Nina, Kayla shook her head. "It's not my house. It belongs to you. You keep it or give it to someone else. I don't want it. Besides, I'm not staying here anyway." She felt the negative reaction from the two men at her back before either of them said a word.

"You can't leave us." It was Alex's voice. God, she loved that accent of his. Something about it just made her melt inside. "You can't make me stay." She turned to face them. "It's time for me to go. As much as I want to be angry at you for keeping this from me, I'm not. I'm leaving because I can't go through losing everyone and everything I love again." She walked over to the edge of the porch and leaned over the railing. "I didn't tell you this before, but I think my ex is going to come looking for me and he's not going to be happy. It's best if I just leave. I'll put everyone here in danger if I stay." She turned and glared at the men when they began to laugh. "What's so damned funny?" "You don't know the whole story, Kaylie," Nina said as she took Kayla's hand in hers and led her into the house. "We have a lot to tell you."

Chapter Twelve

Dearest Kayla, I truly never meant to hurt you. I don't know what came over me. I will love you until the day I die. I know what I did was unforgivable and I hold out the hope that you can forgive me one day. I also hope this letter finds you as I am having your car delivered to this town. Don't be afraid to accept it. Thank you for returning the book. It was very important to me. So important, that I put it in the one place I thought would be safe. I trusted you above all others with the list of my political contacts. I'm only sorry I abused your trust in return. My mother is happy. I am running for Congress and she wishes to groom a wife for me. If you have any thoughts of me in the future, please feel pity. Without you, I will most likely fall prey to my mother's coldhearted matchmaking schemes and marry a woman of her choosing. If you choose not to remember anything about your time here with me, I cannot blame you, but please remember one thing… I love you. Edward

Kayla carefully folded the letter and stuffed it back in the envelope. She didn't have to leave now. She could stay here and accept Alex and Ryder's proposal. The only problem with that was the fact that the trust was gone. How could she stay with them, mate with them if she didn't trust them? Tears filled her eyes as she, ironically, stuffed the letter into the back of her underwear drawer. A knock sounded on her front door as she exited her bedroom. Who could that be? She headed down the stairs with a frown. It was probably one of her men. She paused and gritted her teeth. She had to stop thinking of them as her men! Flinging the door open, she fully intended to give the two a piece of her mind. Instead of Alex and Ryder, Four men, obviously driving four different delivery trucks, bore down on her loaded with flowers. "Wait!" she held up her hand. You have the wrong house." One of the men paused and looked at the clipboard in his hand. "Are you Kayla MacDonald McWerty?" Damn! "Yes. Yes I am, but there has still been some sort of mistake." She gaped as a man carried in a huge teddy bear and set it on the floor in the foyer. The damned thing was bigger than she was! "You can't just leave this here." "Sure we can," said another driver. "Your name's on it. See?" He waved another clipboard in her face as the others continued to bring things in. Just as the deliverymen were finishing up, Alex and Ryder showed up on her porch, each of them holding a dozen roses. "We're sorry, Kayla. Please forgive us." They looked like hell. They were both dressed in formal wear, but their hair was plastered to their heads with sweat. "What's wrong with you two?" "We're suffering from the effects of the el calor. You do not feel it yet because you are young." Alex stepped forward and set his flowers on the table next to the door. "What is this…el calor?" "It is the mating heat. We both suffer it. We will all suffer it in time." Ryder placed his bouquet next to the one Alex just set down. "We came to say we are sorry and that we are leaving." He pulled at his collar. "Bull." She looked at their formal wear. "No one dresses like that to say goodbye."

"We did," Alex replied and they looked at each other. "You tell her." Ryder cleared his throat. "We have reached a pinnacle with the heat. We must mate with you willingly or we will take you against your will. Since you will not accept us, we must have someone put us down." Six men she hadn't noticed before crossed the street and looked at them with their arms crossed. The men didn't look nice at all. "Don't fear them," Ryder said after looking over his shoulder. "They're here for us, not you. They are here to be certain we do not harm you." Kayla could see their struggle. The beasts they told her about struggled to be free, to take her as their mate whether she liked it or not. "What will they do to you?" She asked the question even though she was certain she wouldn't like the answer. "They will put us out of our misery." Alex reached up to touch her just as his fingers turned to claws and she stepped back. Her stomach turned over at the thought of someone harming her men. Yes, dammit, they were her men. She leaned over to look past them with a glower. "Get the hell off my property. These two men are staying here with me." She grabbed them each by the arm and dragged them into her house. Pulling her blouse over her head, she started up the stairs. "I swear to God, if one of you turns into a cat in the middle of making love to me and ruins my mother's quilt, I'll kill you."

About the Author

Tianna Xander is an eclectic author of numerous paranormal, sci-fi, time travel romance erotica books. Gaining inspiration for her characters and dialogue through her family and her addiction to the internet, she never fails to amaze readers with each new book she creates. As a reading junkie herself,

Tianna has no problem reading whatever is available at the moment from romance novels, murder mysteries and encyclopedias to books on solar energy. Tianna's life wouldn't be complete without a happily ever after of her very own. She resides in Michigan with her husband, two children, three cats, two dogs and an intimidating bunny. Never one to fail to give credit where it's due, she commends her family for their constant support. After writing many books and receiving rave reviews, her family is just as proud of her. Always full of ideas, Tianna rarely puts the pen down, so readers can look forward to many more exciting stories in the future.