Page 8 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

We walked away before we changed our minds.

We could hear great distances, well over a mile away, so we didn’t move away that far, but we did them the courtesy of not focusing on their words.

Plus, they whispered to reduce that chance.

It took concentration to separate individual voices when multiple voices were talking at the same time.

In our case, we could speak telepathically, so there was no danger of them overhearing us.

“Do you think they’ll do it?” Keir asked.

“I think they will. If they have no destination or family they’re meeting, why chance going that far for what might be only a rumor?” Nico stated.

“Some people can be hardheaded when it comes to things like this. They might go anyway,” Brax pointed out. He was right.

“What’ll you do, Fen, if they want to continue and Akiva wants to go with them?” Gunnar asked.

“I would like to say I’ll let her, but I’m not sure I can.

Ripper is fighting to get out. He’s adamant she’s our mate and that we must make her ours, even if we have to persuade her.

I can’t do that, hundreds of miles or more apart, which leaves me being someone worse than Hadar.

I don’t want to do that to her or myself. I guess, I’m fucked if she leaves.”

“Did you get any sense of how she was feeling, or her bear? You were touching her,” Brax asked.

“I noticed her bear was agitated. I reassured her they were in no danger and asked what her bear’s name was, but she didn’t answer. You notice she didn’t tell us where she’s from, only that she’s not coming from California. It’s good to be cautious, but what if it’s more than that?” I asked.

“It might be, and if it is, we can help her deal with whatever it is. However, I saw you holding her, and she wasn’t fighting to escape. I could even smell her pheromone spike. I think she’s attracted to you.” Nico smirked.

“I’m looking for more than sex. I want a mate,” I snapped.

“Are you saying she’s the one because she’s the first bear you’ve encountered who isn’t mated in decades? If so, that doesn’t mean she’s yours,” Banner cautioned.

“True, she is the first unmated one, but it’s more than a desire to have sex, though that’s there in spades, too. It’s also more than her physical beauty. I can’t explain it, but I know she’s meant to be mine.”

“That’s the correct answer. I felt the same for Cerys.

I was stupid and fought it for months because she was human.

If I had given in to what Nightstalker and I both wanted, I could be holding my children within a month.

If Ripper is adamant, and your gut tells you she’s the one, listen,” Brax advised.

There were a few more encouragements from the others before a whistle pierced the air.

Glancing back at Asa’s bunch, I saw Bruce gesturing to us to come back.

We made our way to them. As we did, I found and kept my gaze on Akiva.

She blushed, but she didn’t look away. I forced myself to take the lead and listen to what they decided or needed answers to.

“Asa, are there any questions we can answer?” I asked.

He asked, “If we come to Needles and find we don’t like it, are we free to leave?”

“Absolutely. You’re not prisoners. We want to help protect you, not make you our captives,” Brax assured him.

“How many of our kind are there, besides the seven of you?” Trevor inquired.

“There are ten others,” Keir told him.

“What kind of shifters are they?” Orion asked.

“There are four bears, a cheval mallet, a mated Kitsune fox pair, and a panther couple and their child,” Banner answered.

“So, you’re the only wolf,” Camila said with a smile at Brax.

We’d all seen how she and her cousin Juliette were eyeing him. Not that we blamed them. When you ran into others of your kind, you always hoped they were unmated and a possible match.

“I am until my mate delivers our twins. Then there will be three of us,” Brax corrected.

“Don’t you mean four of you?” Thea asked as I saw Juliette and Camila’s faces fall in disappointment.

“No, three. My mate, Cerys, is human. She’s one of the Precious Ones that was spoken of.”

Astonishment and even disbelief appeared on their faces.

“So they’re real?” Leah asked.

“Very much so. Everything we and Apollo told you is true. We had no clue about them or the threat from Pytho and his Knights until I mated with Cerys and she became pregnant,” Brax explained.

“You chose to take a human as your mate, knowing you’d never be able to have children?” Camila asked incredulously.

“Yes, I did.”

“Why?” Orion asked.

“Because I love her and can never see anyone else being my mate other than her, even if she hadn’t been able to have my children. Now, what else can we answer for you?”

It was his way of getting them back on task and off Cerys. If someone got insulting, he’d express himself harshly.

There were a few random ones, but nothing major. When those ran out, I asked the most important one. “What’s it to be? Do we get you transportation to Needles? Or assist you on your way to Arkansas or Tennessee?”

I chose to stare at Akiva as I asked. She’d remained silent. Hadar, surprisingly, hadn’t said a word, though he wore a mulish expression.

Asa swept his gaze over his people. I watched as they nodded.

Hadar didn’t do anything. I was so relieved when I saw Akiva nod.

It was as if a huge weight was lifted off me.

Glancing at the sky, I noted the sun was beginning to go down.

It will be dark soon. I didn’t want to leave them here.

That meant we’d either have to stay, or at least a few of us, and let the others return and find us transportation.

Even squeezing five into each of our trucks, we’d never be able to get them all back.

The other option was to take a few with us in the vehicles and bring their belongings, the children, and possibly the women back in the trucks, while the men, along with some of my friends, would transform and make their way through the desert to the safety of our land.

We each had homes and large pieces of property outside Needles.

Both options were presented to them. It was quickly decided that we’d go with the latter one.

We decided to take them to Brax’s house.

From there, we’d divide and escort them to our various homes, where they would stay with us until morning.

Tomorrow we’ll make more final arrangements.

We hadn’t thought of a long-term plan to house those who chose to come to Needles.

We’d be better prepared next time, because we had no doubt it would happen more than once or twice.

They followed us back to where we left our trucks.

After loading their belongings and the children into our trucks, I came up to Akiva.

I carefully placed my hand on her back. I wanted to see if she’d shrug off my touch or in some other way show she didn’t want me touching her.

She appeared startled, but Akiva didn’t pull away or tell me to drop my hand.

“Ride up front with me,” I said. I didn’t make it a question.

“Oh, uh, okay. Sure. Let me make sure the others are good to go.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

She walked off slowly. I caught her casting a look over her shoulder at me.

I hadn’t whispered, though I didn’t shout it either.

Movement snagged my attention. Hadar was standing with his brother and father.

The men would strip and take off after we did.

They’d be there long before us. As shifters who might need to shift without prior notice, they always wore a small pack.

They could store their clothing in it and carry it strapped to their animal forms. Otherwise, it got expensive buying clothing all the time.

He glared at me. I lifted my chin and returned it. He was the one to look away.

Within five minutes, we were ready to leave.

Final goodbyes were said. Akiva was in the front with me.

We had Leah and the kids in my truck. Asa had chosen to ride with the women.

I think it was to be sure we didn’t run off with them.

He was in the truck with Brax, Juliette, and Camila.

Brax had rolled his eyes at us when they demanded to be with him. Keir had Mia and Thea in his.

We set out after waving to Nico, Gunnar, Banner, and Royal, who would guide the men to Brax’s place.

Unless we could shave off some time, it would be a three-hour drive back.

That meant it would be after nine o’clock when we got there.

Brax called ahead to warn Cerys when to expect him and that we’d have fifteen guests.

If I knew her and Twyla, they’d have it all organized and a hot meal ready.

This bunch hadn’t had much in the way of food with them. They were in for a treat.

We made great time and shaved thirty minutes off the three hours.

It helped that we had a sheriff running point.

Even though it was his personal truck, Brax had it outfitted with lights.

We fell in behind him and sailed along. Our reflexes were quicker and our eyesight keener than humans’, so driving at high speeds wasn’t as dangerous for us.

When we arrived, the lights were on all over his house.

Brax contacted Cerys telepathically when we were still miles away to inform her of our updated ETA.

It was still amazing to us that they could do that.

A few of Asa’s group stood outside, including his sons, Banner, and Nico, when we pulled in.

When we came to a stop, Adir ran to my truck to get his wife and kids.

He couldn’t hide his relief at seeing them.

The others came to assist their loved ones out of the trucks.

Brax made a beeline for Cerys and Twyla when they walked out on the porch.

The way he hugged and kissed Cerys, no one could doubt how much they loved each other.

“You weren’t kidding. She is human and pregnant. I can sense the babies,” Akiva whispered to me.

Her comment about sensing the babies surprised me. None of us could. Brax was attempting to connect with them, but at only three months along, we weren’t sure if it was possible. Regardless, he talked to them psychically and aloud.

“You can sense them? How? What do you feel?” I asked curiously.

“You can’t?” she asked in surprise.

“No, we’ve tried.”

She concentrated. I noted Brax’s head lift. He and Cerys were staring our way. They’d heard her comment. Akiva’s expression went from frowning in concentration to a smile. She chuckled. “It’s because they want to surprise their parents. They don’t want them knowing what they are.”

I heard the gasp, then Brax was practically running to us. If he hadn’t, Cerys would’ve left him behind. She was smiling.

“Hello, I’m Cerys. I’m Brax’s mate. I couldn’t help but overhear what you said. Can you truly sense them?” she asked excitedly.

“Whoa, hang on a second. Cerys, this is Akiva.” I made the introduction while chuckling.

“I’m sorry. How rude of me. Welcome to our home. Forgive me. We’ve been trying to reach them, but we’ve gotten nothing. We were concerned,” Cerys explained.

“No apology necessary. I’d be anxious as well. They’re both highly developed with strong telepathic abilities. You’re three months along, correct?” Akiva asked. There was no way she knew that. None of us had said anything about it.

“I am. Oh my God, they’re there, Brax,” she whispered as tears filled her eyes.

“ Astéri mou , my star, we knew they were there. They’ve made their mamá sick for weeks,” Brax teased her.

Cerys elbowed him. “I know that. You know what I mean. You said we should be able to connect. I thought something was wrong. I never thought they’d be preventing it.”

“Neither did any of us. You must be powerful to do what we can’t,” Brax said to Akiva. There was speculation in his tone.

She shrugged. “Not overly so, I don’t believe. Maybe I was just lucky.”

“How do you know how far along I am?” Cerys asked.

“They told me. They have already started to develop very distinct personalities. And I had to promise not to reveal what they are to you. They assured me that they’ll start communicating soon. They wanted to be able to hide from you what they are first,” Akiva informed them.

Cerys buried her face in Brax’s shirt and sobbed.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Akiva exclaimed in alarm. She pressed a hand on Cerys’s back. Both women gasped. Cerys’s head lifted, and she held Akiva’s gaze with hers.

“What’s wrong?” Brax asked at the same time I asked Akiva.

They didn’t answer immediately, which made both of us more anxious. Finally, Akiva lowered her hand. Both women were smiling.

“Honey, calm down. Nothing is wrong. It’s wonderful. When Akiva touched me, I saw and somehow heard the conversation with the babies, minus the gender reveal part.”

“Can you do that for me?” Brax asked excitedly.

“I don’t know. I never intended to do it with Cerys. It just happened. But I’ll gladly try.”

Brax held out his arm. There was no immediate reaction when she placed her hand on it.

I watched Akiva close her eyes, and her brow wrinkled.

Moments later, my friend gasped, and I watched him get the same expression of wonder that Cerys had.

When Akiva was done and dropped her hand, Brax hugged Cerys close as he thanked the woman at my side.

“Thank you, Akiva. I don’t know how you did it, but we appreciate it. I guess we’ve neglected our other guests enough. Come, let’s get you fed. If I know my woman and her grandmother, there’s food,” he told Akiva.

“You know that no one would come back to nothing to eat. I’d never do that,” Twyla said as she came up to us. She smiled at Akiva and held out her hand.

“Hello, I’m Twyla. I’m Cerys’s grandmother. You must be Akiva. Asa mentioned you. You have to be exhausted and hungry. Come inside and eat. Then we’ll tell you what we’ve figured out for sleeping arrangements. After that, you can get to your home for the night and have a hot shower.”

Akiva moaned, which stiffened my cock. It sounded as if she was experiencing intense pleasure. If she sounded like this during sex, I’d be hard-pressed to hold back. I could easily picture her in the throes of passion, naked on my bed.

“Thank you, ma’am. I would love both. I hadn’t realized how hungry and tired I was until you mentioned it.”

I was left alone to walk into the house because Twyla kidnapped my companion and led her to the door.

The others were either already inside or making their way into the house.

The smells hit my nose. I hadn’t been concentrating on them.

My stomach growled in appreciation. Another feast was in store for us.