Page 8 of The Brave (Black Arrowhead #6)

H ope’s stunned reaction had me second-guessing whether telling her was the right move, especially given she suffered from anxiety attacks. The last thing I wanted was to trigger one, but after processing my statement, she squeezed my hand and encouraged me to continue.

Despite the rambunctious chatter in the other room, I managed to unearth my darkest secret. “Back when I was an impersonator in Breed clubs, I made a lot of money around the world. Men were generous, but they were also cruel and selfish. They didn’t see me as a person but as a commodity. One of them did this .” I touched the scar that ran across my forehead. “It changed the trajectory of my career. My performances were on the decline anyhow, but this setback didn’t help.”

“That must have been difficult. I’m sorry.” Hope looked at me in earnest. As someone who also carried scars, she must have understood what’s stolen when someone attacks you.

I stared at the tissue in my hand. “After that, clubs wouldn’t book me. I tried covering it with scarves and hats, but that wasn’t the Marilyn people wanted to see. But I still received offers for private performances. I had always turned those down in the past, but when the jobs dried up, those offers looked mighty tempting. So that’s what I did.” My face flushed as the memory overwhelmed me. “During one of those private bookings, the client scared me, and I shifted. When he collared my animal, I knew.”

Hope’s thick eyebrows drew together. “Knew what?”

“That it was a trap. Someone I once trusted betrayed me.” I took a calming breath. Revisiting my past wasn’t something I did, and saying it aloud proved harder than I first thought.

“Take your time,” Hope said softly.

After clearing my throat, I studied my pastel-pink nail polish. “Since my first change, something unexpected filled my family with fear.”

“Are you not a wolf?”

“I’m most definitely a wolf,” I said with a nervous chuckle. “In fact, I’m two.”

She gasped. “Two?”

“I have two wolf spirits living inside me, and when I shift, one of them comes out. Sometimes I know which one wants out the most, but they also shift back and forth between each other. They’re feisty.”

Hope sat back. “How much of your shift do you remember?”

“It’s never the same. I think the most I’ve ever stayed conscious is a couple of minutes. Usually I’m out right away.”

“Two wolves?” She laughed in disbelief. “I’m sorry to keep repeating myself, but I’ve never heard of such a thing. How is that possible?”

“I guess the same way it’s possible that we have one. My mother wondered if maybe she had been pregnant with twins and lost one of them early on, and I think that changed how she saw me—like I was a monster who had stolen the spirit animal of another child.”

“What a terrible thing to say. You know she’s wrong, don’t you?”

I shrugged.

“You said a client collared your wolf. What happened?”

“The client was a Vampire. I’d never dealt with Vampires before, but I should’ve known better. He took me to a secret lab. I don’t remember anything until Salem freed me. He’s the one who told me I’d been in captivity for five months.”

Hope touched one of her beaded bracelets while regarding me with sympathetic eyes. Would others view me the same, or would their gaze be darker, like the one my mother had given me?

“I didn’t know Salem,” I continued. “When I shifted, I woke up in the back of his car with two other girls. They knew what was happening, but I was going out of my mind. One minute I’m in a hotel, and the next I’m naked in a stranger’s car. Once we got to a safe location, he calmly explained everything. You know how Salem is. He worked for the lab but not directly with patients.”

“You mean hostages . I knew places like that existed, but hearing about it makes my stomach turn. Some of them want to create superbreeds; others want to turn all humans immortal. A former packmate of mine even suggested that those labs are the ones who concoct viruses and ways to kill off humans so Breed can take over the world. They’re evil.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

Wringing my hands, I continued. “I’m not sure if they kept me in wolf form on purpose or if my wolves had taken over to protect me. You can imagine my shock when Salem told me where I’d been and that I was with child. I didn’t believe him until I saw the medical records he’d stolen.”

“I’m so sorry for what you’ve gone through. You and your wolves were violated.” Hope clasped my hands in hers. “I understand that you’re afraid of telling the pack, but who else can you depend on if not us?”

“I’m afraid…”

“Yes?”

“I’m afraid they’ll treat me the way my mother did—like an outcast. You and Tak guide them, but you can’t control their opinions. If they see me as a monster, what if I keep the baby? Will they treat it differently? I couldn’t bear the thought.”

“Why would they treat an innocent child differently?”

“Because whether it’s born with normal traits or not, they won’t see it as natural.”

Hope scoffed. “Natural? Humans and even Breed do in vitro fertilization all the time. Or consult Relics for special treatment and medications.” She placed her hand on my stomach. “Your baby is not lesser than mine. But since you were violated, it’s your decision whether to tell the pack the truth about the labs. Tak will support me on this. They don’t ever have to know if you don’t want them to.”

When the door suddenly opened, I jumped in my seat.

Hope watched her mate stride into the room, and Tak was a mountain of a man.

He flashed a handsome smile. “How are my two favorite girls?”

Hope’s eyes widened at his bruised hand, the knuckles split and swollen. “Tak!”

“I showed that jackass how uncivilized I can get when a man strikes one of my pregnant packmates.” He flexed his fingers. “Melody said the roses are for Joy. Good to know Salem finally came to his senses.”

I arched my eyebrows. “Pardon me?”

“You two may not have been a real couple, but you’re a catch, and he’s an honorable man.”

“I don’t love Salem. Not like that.”

Tak flexed his right hand. “Love built on friendship and trust is a solid foundation.” Then it suddenly hit him. “Wait a minute. If they aren’t from Salem, who sent you roses?” His eyebrows slanted at a dangerous angle.

Hope stood and gripped his thick biceps. “Tak, sit down. Joy has something important to tell you.”

“I’m fine standing.”

“If you can’t be bothered to get down at the same eye level as your packmate, maybe you should just ask the pregnant lady to stand instead.” Hope coolly strutted off.

“I hear you, Duckie.” Tak sat down beside me. “That woman is my saving grace.”

Hope smiled at the doorway. “Spread the rumor.”

Tak twisted in my direction and lazily leaned against the sofa. “So what’s the latest shocking news? I’m assuming my packmates are competing to see who can send me to an early grave with all these surprises. You have my full and undivided attention.” He winked. “If there’s someone else I need to beat up, tell me now while I’m still in the mood.”

When I started telling my story, Tak realized it was more than just a heart-to-heart and led me to the back porch where we had more privacy. While the pack was preoccupied with the catered meal, we sat in the sunshine and I recounted everything I had revealed to Hope. My past, the truth about the baby, my worries about acceptance.

From his Adirondack chair, he put his feet up on a footstool and sat silently for a spell after I wrapped up my story.

Finally he said, “Having two animals is rare but not unheard of. My people believe a Shifter born with two spirit animals is a blessing from the spirit world. We had one in our tribe, but he died long before my time.”

A mockingbird landed on the railing and sang a tune before flitting away.

Tak removed his shirt and tossed it onto the deck. His brown skin glowed in the sunlight, the dark tones making the deep claw marks on his right shoulder stand out. “It’s a shame your mother couldn’t see through her own fears. We go through life seeking our parents’ approval, and some don’t deserve the unconditional love we give them. Her rejection made you resilient, did it not? More independent?”

I nodded.

“Her curse is our blessing. The spirits will teach us if we listen.” He stared off at Luna, who was grazing in the field. “I can’t wait to meet your wolves after you have the little one. What do you know about them?”

I played with a curl of my hair. “I named them. Usually I can feel their distinct personalities inside me—often at the same time. But when one of them wants out, she comes through stronger.”

He smiled. “What names did you give them?”

“I know it seems silly. Most people don’t name their animal, but it makes it easier for me. Gypsy’s the strong one. She’s the fighter.”

Tak nodded. “The one I need to watch out for. And the other?”

“Bess. She’s submissive. Gypsy’s the one that’ll chase foxes, whereas Bess is more likely to be snoozing in the wildflowers.”

“That’s interesting.” Tak stared pensively at the well. “Different.”

“How?”

“The man I told you about had twin wolves. They were the same. Both strong wolves. But you have a dominant and a submissive wolf.” He pinched his chin. “I wonder what my father would say about this. Opposites imply balance. Which one do you draw from the most?”

“I don’t know. I’ve had to be like Gypsy most of my life. Making decisions, taking charge of my career, making bold risks, moving to faraway cities. But sometimes I want to be like Bess and find a quiet place in the world where I can lie in the sun and not have to fight for my life.” I tried to suppress the tears but couldn’t, so I averted my gaze. “I wish I knew how those people hurt my wolves.”

Tak set his feet on the ground and shoved the footstool away. “Thank you for confiding in me, and I’m being generous with my words. You should automatically trust your Packmaster, and I want to be a leader who earns that trust.” Tak reached over and placed his hand gently on mine. “You’re safe with us. How the child came into the world isn’t important. You still have decisions to make, but now you’re not alone. I will always support you.” He held his fist over his heart. “My word is my bond.” He turned his gaze down to his cut knuckles, and I could tell he wanted to hunt down the people who had done this to me.

“You have a mate carrying a child,” I reminded him. “Now is not the time to go looking for trouble. It’s in the past.”

“Why were you afraid to tell me how the baby was conceived?”

My heart squeezed tighter as I thought about it. “At first I wasn’t even sure if the baby would carry to term. Salem warned me I could miscarry since we didn’t know much about it. If I do keep the baby, I’m afraid the pack will treat it differently.”

“That won’t happen.”

“How can you be so sure?”

He gave me a pointed look. “Because I won’t let that happen. But Hope was right. Whether you tell them or not, I’ll support your decision.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “What if I do give it up? Will anyone want a baby conceived that way?”

“All a childless couple cares about is having a child. Milly will know if there is medical information we should disclose.”

“What if, years down the road, some new defect or ability pops up? I just wouldn’t want this baby to go through what I did—to have parents who won’t accept them.”

“If you decide to give up the child, I’ll make sure that never happens.”

Catcher bounded toward us and trotted up the steps, panting and wagging his tail. After accepting Tak’s affectionate pat, he sat between my legs and rested his gigantic head on my belly.

I stared cautiously down at his hazel eyes and brown fur, wondering if he knew there was sometimes a little wolf inside me instead of a baby.

“He doesn’t even do that with Hope,” Tak remarked, his tone filled with curiosity. “And he knows she’s also carrying. Maybe he’s always known you and Salem weren’t mated and thinks you need a protector. Animals are more perceptive than we are.” Then he pinched his chin. “But why didn’t my wolf know about you and Salem? If he knew, he never conveyed those doubts to me.”

“Wolves don’t care about getting into everyone’s business like we do.”

Tak rocked with laughter. “You have a point.”

When I touched Catcher’s nose to nudge him away, he licked my fingers. As if sensing my discomfort with his proximity, he lay down at my feet. Not to sleep but to keep guard.

I spotted Krys’s wolf in the distance. His animal was one I avoided since he was aggressive around people. With a brown coat and crystal-blue eyes, Krys’s wolf had an unusual clawlike pattern of black lines marking one side of his body that made him easy to spot.

“Keep your distance from that one,” Tak warned me. “No sense in taking any chances. Krys is a good wolf but not without issues. He only tolerates me because I’m the alpha, but if you come up behind him and he’s not expecting it, he might snap.”

“Don’t you worry—I’ve been avoiding the wolves for that very reason. Except Catcher. I can’t seem to get rid of him.”

Catcher’s tail thumped once against the deck.

“It must be a relief to have all the secrets off your chest,” Tak said. “Secrets weigh you down like an anchor and drown you in fear. I once kept secrets from my family, and it only led to trouble. If you can’t trust people, you’ll always fear them. Talking to Hope and me is a start, but you still have work to do.”

“I fear people I love more than strangers. They’re the ones who betrayed me.”

Tak sighed as he watched Krys drinking from a bucket we left out for the wolves. “Your family cast you out, and I’m guessing they’re not the only ones who didn’t accept you. But don’t cut off your pack out of fear. You’re not expendable, and every single person under this roof loves and respects you. You don’t always hear the kind words they say about you. We’re your chosen family. I have a dreamcatcher we can hang by your bed to keep evil spirits away. In the spring, you and I will plant a tree together and say a prayer. I’d do it now, but winter is coming.”

“Why a tree?”

“Trees are a symbol of longevity and roots. That’s what a pack is—a tree of life. You’ve had a difficult journey, but you’re home now.”

“You know, you’re less scary than when we first met.”

Tak tossed back his head and laughed. “I had to make a good first impression. Otherwise you wouldn’t have taken me seriously. So…” He leaned toward me, his face stony. “Who sent the roses?”

“Mr. Rain.”

“Huh.”

“An odd gesture, if not excessive.”

“You think?” Tak rose to his feet. His imposing stature, along with the tattoo on the left side of his face, intimidated townsfolk.

Tattoos were popular among Packmasters because people could identify them on sight, but facial tattoos were rare. He and his wolf were larger than most, and they emitted a powerful aura that rippled through the air in waves whenever angered or exuding their authority. That alpha energy could either feel comforting or like a threat depending on the situation.

Right now, it was like an invisible hug.

Tak leaned against the railing and crossed his arms. “Who your wolf chooses is not for me to decide, but the same rules apply for everyone. Your chosen mate must meet my approval if he wants to live under my roof. When I picked Salem, I did that knowing you would help strengthen our pack. If you had been a cuckoo lady, we wouldn’t be talking.”

I chuckled softly.

“People who think an alpha’s job is easy should walk in my shoes. In my old tribe, if one of us chose a mate from another tribe, my father had to decide if that person would break harmony with our family. He also made tough decisions on when to let someone go who was causing problems. It’s not about someone’s personality but their intentions. A jackass can still be an asset to a pack. Just look at Krys.”

As if on cue, Krys’s wolf ran past the deck and barked once before disappearing.

“Your mate is your choice. Understand? But he’ll have to earn my respect in order to stay. I’m not a hotel. This is a family, and I take my family’s safety and happiness seriously. That doesn’t mean I’ll keep you apart from someone you love. You’ll still have the option to leave and find a new life together. I doubt a Vampire would want to join a pack.”

I scoffed and pushed myself up. “I’m hardly going to mate with a Vampire. That’s a preposterous idea.”

Tak swatted something on his arm and then flicked it off. “I like Atticus. He’s a generous man, but he wouldn’t be a good match for you.”

“Can we stop this conversation? The man sent me flowers; that’s all.”

Tak chortled. “Nine hundred flowers carries a different meaning from a dozen. But I’ll say this: If I find out he’s charmed you to further his seduction, I’ll sully his good name.”

“You won’t beat him up?”

He gripped the railing behind him and grinned. “There are better ways to piss off a man than with violence.”

I gestured to his bruised hand. “Is that what you really believe?”

He shrugged. “Sometimes you have to take a stand.” Tak approached and cupped my face in his hands. “No one, but no one , harms a pregnant woman in my pack.”

Feeling his protective energy swirl around me, I gripped his wrists. “Thank you. For listening, for understanding, for not tossing me out.”

His brown eyes bored into me as he lowered his arms. “How did your visit with the Relic go? Is everything okay with you and the baby?”

Without knowing what I planned to do, revealing what we saw on the ultrasound was premature. I still hadn’t had a chance to process it myself, and what if Tak viewed this as a bad omen? My own mother, whom I loved and trusted, had labeled me a monster, and that would haunt me forever.

“Milly said everything’s fine. In fact, she wanted me to go out more and have a good time. She thinks there’s too much stress around the house.”

“And is there?” Tak drew back.

“Well, to be honest, yes. Not the work; that keeps me distracted. I suppose it’s a number of things. The secrets, all the worries I have, the isolation. I’m not fond of smoky bars, but I’ve enjoyed my time out with the girls. Getting away once in a while refreshes me, so I wouldn’t mind a few trips to Austin to do a little shopping. The trouble is I have no money.”

He shook his head. “I don’t understand. You had money before.”

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “That was Salem’s money. Ask Mercy. I generated wealth during my career, but when we fled, I couldn’t risk contacting my accountant. Someone might have put a guard on him. I’m starting from scratch again with no real-world skills. The only thing I ever knew how to do was imitate someone else.” I strolled to the railing, wondering if he was disappointed in me.

“The pack will take care of you. We had this talk once before, remember? Everyone plays an important role whether they have a job or not. There’s work to be done on a large homestead. Hunting, fishing, clearing land, gardening, harvesting, laundry, organizing, cooking, building. And don’t forget pack roles such as teachers, healers, accountants, hunters, and those with specific gifts like Virgil with construction. With all of Lakota’s truck issues, we could use a mechanic if you want to learn,” he said with a chuckle. “You’ll find your way.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I’m always right. If you need money, what’s mine is yours.” Tak hitched up his tan cargo pants. “Is there any chance those people will find you?”

I shook my head. “They never saw my face. I’m sure they’ve started all over again with new victims.”

“Is that why you traveled so far to a house in the hills?”

“It’s easier to disappear in the country.” I tapped my fingernails on the railing. “Salem and I were careful. My secret storage locker was under an alias, so it was easy to safely ship my belongings down. If I’d been smart, I would’ve kept money in there.”

Most of my jewelry was fake and only for show. Occasionally, men had paid me in jewels—probably pieces that belonged to their wives—but I always sold them for things I wanted, such as expensive dinners, beautiful clothes, and traveling. The rest went into savings. My vintage outfits were the only items of value, but I couldn’t bring myself to part with them.

“The Relic was right,” he said. “Laughter is the best medicine. It’s good for the mind and the spirit, so do what makes you happy. Stress is poisonous for the body. Now go inside and eat some steak before those jackasses clean us out. My wolf needs to run. Make sure they save me some.”

Tak abruptly shifted, and I hopped back.

Instead of running off, his large animal advanced toward me. The left side of his face had grey fur, and there were also grey patches across his ebony coat. My heart thumped wildly in my chest. This was the closest he had been to me in wolf form since I could remember.

His animal touched his nose to my belly and sniffed. A groan settled deep in his throat before he raised his head and howled. Catcher jumped to his feet and joined in. A moment later, Krys howled in the distance.

Virgil swung open the door and walked out in only a pair of jeans. He had a large beignet in one hand and powdered sugar all over his face. “What the catastrophe is going on out here?”

Melody’s wolf bolted past him, knocking the beignet out of his hand. She raised her head and howled along with the pack. Archer stepped out next, and when he saw the pack singing, he shifted. His cream-colored wolf snatched the beignet and bolted as fast as his three legs would carry him.

“Come back with that!” Virgil ran and leaped off the steps, executing a midair twist—his signature move. His jeans flew off, and his wolf landed on his feet before chasing Archer across the lawn. Krys sprinted onto the scene, stole the pastry from Archer, and gobbled it down. Then their wolves chased each other, jumping playfully while asserting their dominance.

Cecilia poked her head out the door. “What’s going on out here? I thought we were about to make lunch as soon as Bear and Mercy got home.”

“A wolf karaoke.” I chuckled and captured her arm before leading us inside. “This means more food for us.”