CHAPTER 14

CASSIE

We’d been in Zambia for just over a week. It was like I’d been on a roller coaster ever since I’d stepped off the plane. I’d never in a million years expected my mate to be on the other side of the world, nor had I expected to be pregnant so quickly.

My head was spinning, and the human side of me was having a hard time coming to grips with it all. My bear, on the other hand? That hussy was happy as a lark. As far as she was concerned, we’d hit the jackpot, and other than the speed that he’d knocked me up with, I had to agree with her.

I loved that he was free with his affection, never having me far from his side. He was also a lot of fun; he didn’t take himself seriously and got on with Sam, Drake, and Miah. Even my dad, once he’d gotten over the shock of me being mated and pregnant within a short amount of time, admitted that he liked him.

Luca had also taken Miah aside. They’d had a long conversation, but as both had come back from the conversation looking relaxed, I’d left them to it, assuming it had something to do with Luca’s friend Renee.

Once our mating was complete, Hannah was determined that we see and do most of the tourist things. We’d seen the famed Victoria Falls and spent most of the day walking along it. We’d been on a booze cruise and watched the most beautiful sunset as we drifted slowly down the river, watching as animals came down to the river to take a drink; we’d seen elephants, various antelope, baboons, and monkeys. Many different species of birds flitted down to drink before flying away. We’d even seen a fish eagle swoop down and scoop a fish right out of the river.

While I’d been in awe to see some of the wildlife, neither my bear nor I were happy about the number of crocodiles that we sensed in the water. The hippos didn’t bother us as much, but the crocodiles were another story. I don’t think I was the only one who breathed a sigh of relief when we set foot back on land. The only ones that didn’t seem perturbed about them were Anton and Luca, even Hannah wasn’t keen on them, but then she’d explained that she grew up in the city, whereas Anton and Luca lived in a remote area in the middle of the bush, a three-hour drive from the nearest town.

Today we were packing up and leaving the camp we’d been staying in since I’d arrived, and we were going to travel for most of the day to see one of the biggest man-made lakes in the world. Who’d have thought that this little-known country had so many hidden gems?

The only blight on the whole experience so far was the worry we had about my cousin, Cally, and the stuff that was going on with her in our hometown. Although my friend Dragon was in contact with her and assured me that it was in hand and that I wasn’t to worry about anything, I’d try, but it was hard, and I knew Dad was feeling just as helpless as me. While he’d been my sole carer since birth, Cally had come to us in her teens. She’d not had a good childhood and while she wasn’t a blood relative, she was still family. Cally had ended up with us when her stepmother, my aunt, had gone to prison. With nowhere for Cally to go but into the system, my dad had stepped up when his sister had asked him to.

We loved Cally, and as close as we were, I knew that she always felt like she was on the outskirts of our family. The only comfort I had was that Dad had trained both of us to fight and shoot, so she wasn’t helpless. I’d feel better once I could speak to her, though.

Zipping up my bag, I turned as Luca came into the tent. He’d been helping with the loading.

A smile graced my face as I took in the way he was watching me.

“If we had time, I’d have you bend over for me like that again, baby,” he growled, licking his lips, his eyes heated as he advanced towards me.

Laughing, I held up my hand and pressed it on his broad chest, “How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough to get turned on watching you sway that arse while you were packing.” Gripping my hand gently, he removed it from his chest and pulled me slowly towards him. Tunnelling his fingers into my hair, he tilts my head to the side so that he can see my claiming mark.

It's something he’s taken to doing as if he has to ensure it’s still showing. Pressing his lips to it, he kisses it before moving his way up my neck, leaving a trail of soft kisses up my neck until he gets to my mouth. Once there, he wastes no time in devouring my lips in a passionate kiss like he’s not kissed them in days. Since we’d been mated his need for me and my need for him hadn’t diminished. If anything, it seemed to have gotten stronger.

Even when we’d shifted and gone for a run, his animal had been protective of my bear, leaning in close, nudging her out of the way of things that would have hurt her like a snake that had come across our path; he’d made sure she was safe. And she’d let him, happy to let him take the lead. It was confusing because she’d always been hardheaded and that she was happy to have him tell her what to do confused the hell out of me. He’d been bigger than I expected in his animal form, standing nearly as tall as my bear.

He was all muscle, though, and he was strong. I’d found that out when, one night, we’d come across Anton and Hannah walking. Anton had been shifted but Hannah hadn’t; she’d been walking next to Anton, one hand curled in his fur at the nape of his neck.

Anton had turned when he’d heard us, and he’d chittered something, and Luca had answered. Anton carefully nudged Hannah away with his snout. She’d rolled her eyes but moved to sit down on the ground, arms wrapped around her knees. Similarly, Luca had nudged me towards Hannah. I’d lumbered over wondering what was going on.

“You may as well come and get comfortable,” Hannah said, patting the ground next to her. “The two of them are going to be a while. If you want to change, I’ve got a spare shirt of Anton’s here. It’s clean so only smells of laundry.”

At her words, I’d shifted because I wanted to ask what was going on once the fighting started. Taking the shirt from Hannah, I slipped it on, tucking it under my butt as I sat down next to her.

“What the hell is going on?” I demanded.

Hannah wiped her hand across her cheeks, and it was then that I noticed the tears clinging to her lashes. “It’s my fault,” she whispered.

Not liking the sadness in her voice, I wrapped my arm around her as we watched our mates going at it hammer and tongs. I’d quickly realised they weren’t fighting to hurt but rather to tire each other out.

Tightening my arm around the younger woman in a one-armed hug, I asked, “Why is it your fault? To me, it looks like two males who need to let off some steam.”

“Yeah, but it’s because of me that Anton feels like he has to. I’m not quite strong enough to go through a pregnancy, but I’m getting stronger, and the closer I get, the harder it is for him to put off our mating. This is the only way he gets tired out. Drake and Sam have been fighting him every night, as well as your dad, but they just can’t keep going for long enough. Not like Luca can.

“It would probably be easier if I could sleep somewhere else, but the nightmares are still bad. The only time I get any rest is when Anton holds me. It’s so unfair. I hate my family for doing this to us,” she sobs against me. Luckily, Anton and Luca were too busy fighting to pay us any attention.

“Oh, sweetheart, this is not your fault. Anton’s doing what every good mate should do and is giving you time. If you need Luca to beat the snot out of him every night, he’ll do it and if that’s not enough, we’ll get all of us to take turns until you’re ready. Tell me about your tiger. Why is she hiding?”

I’d heard some of it from Luca, but it was a totally different story coming from Hannah. It gave me a better understanding of what we were dealing with. Once she was done, she was exhausted, laying heavily against me and our males were nearly done wearing each other out too by the looks of it.

I’d have to think on it as I didn’t know what plants I’d be able to find here, but I had a feeling that I could help. Human drugs weren’t good for our animals, but I’d mastered the art of herbalism and complementary medicine long ago, thanks to my grandmother.

Luca and Anton had limped their way to us, sides heaving in exhaustion. It had been the one night that Luca hadn’t made love to me. The next night I’d arranged for Luca, Drake, Sam, my dad, and me to tag team Anton, that way we weren’t exhausted, but he was.

I’d not mentioned anything to anyone, but I was studying up on a tea that I thought would help Hannah. Her animal hadn’t disappeared completely, but she did seem to have taken a back seat in the healing process. From what I understood, the only time Hannah had changed was when Anton had spent the night away from her and she’d done it without realising it. Seemed the mate call was strong even if they weren’t fully bonded.

Luca and I were pulled out of our kiss when my dad shouted, “We’re rolling out in five minutes, people. Get your asses out here.”

“Fuck me, baby,” Luca groaned, rolling his forehead against mine. “I think your dad has a sixth sense about when my hands are on you.”

Snickering at his aggravation, I say, “Or he knows that anytime you have me close, you have your hands on me.”

“I’m always going to want my hands on you. I warned you about this,” Luca chuckles, pressing one last hard kiss to my lips before he steps back and picks my case off the bed.

“Come on, let’s get out of here before I throw you on the bed,” he rumbles grumpily.

Laughing, I walk past him to the opening of the tent, jumping when his hand connects with my ass.

“Hey,” I mutter, still laughing as I rub a hand over the area.

“That’s what you get for laughing at my pain,” Luca smirks over his shoulder at me as he walks past toward the two four-by-fours that are parked under the trees in the shade. It’s early, not even five o’clock in the morning, but I can already tell it’s going to be a hot day.

Stopping by my dad, who’s eyeing Luca like he wants to kill him, I wrap my arms around him, breaking his stare as I give him a hug, “Morning, Dad.”

“Morning, darling. How are you feeling?”

“I’m good, Dad. I’m happy.”

Dad’s eyes soften as they roam over my face. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but he seems pleased with whatever he sees because he relaxes. Pressing a kiss to my forehead before he turns and walks us towards the vehicles.

“Morning, everyone,” I call cheerfully, getting various replies back in return.

“Let’s get moving, people,” Dad bellows out. Those of us that have served under him jump to. Anton and Luca look amused.

“Can you imagine when he meets the Chief?” Anton says to Luca with a chuckle. He’s smiling, but we can all see the strain in his face, from the tired dark circles under his eyes to the lines of strain bracketing his mouth.

“Fuck,” Luca rubs his hands over his face, “I’m not sure if we’re ready for that.”

We’ve all heard about the Chief, and while we’re laughing, I can see that Luca is worried about Anton.

Decision made, I open my bag and pull out a piece of paper with a list of herbs and plants that I need. I’m not sure if we can get all of them, but I need to try.

Walking over to Anton, I hand it to him; he takes it and reads it with a puzzled look before lifting his eyes to me in confusion.

“I can help Hannah. It’s a tea and those are the herbs and plants I’ll need. I’m not sure if I can get them all here or if you have something similar I can use.”

Luca had come up behind me and his hand settled on one shoulder drawing me back against him.

“Really? You can help?” Anton asks.

Nodding, I tell him, “Human medicine seriously messes with our animals. I’ve questioned Hannah but she didn’t know what they gave her. This tea won’t do her any harm, but it may just be what she needs to expel the rest of what they gave her. I’m warning you now she may get ill from it for a while until her body has got rid of all the poison. Because that’s what it is to her animal. It’s poison.”

Anton looks at Luca and hands him the list to read. “The only one I can think of who may know about these plants would be Annie. I’ll go and call her now.”

With that, Luca walks off, going to the small hill as it’s the only place where there is signal here in the campground.

Hannah had joined us while we’d been talking, leaning up against Anton, looking even more fragile this morning than what she usually did. This whole thing was taking a toll on both of them.

Anton wrapped his free arm around me, and Hannah wrapped her arms around both of us, hugging me to both of them.

“Thank you,” Anton whispers. Hannah just nods, agreeing, “What he said.”

“You’re welcome,” I reply. Hoping against hope that the tea works. Luca hurries back to us and starts speaking as soon as he’s close.

“Annie says she knows what all these are and where to get them. She’s kicking herself for not thinking of it. Kyle and Lottie are going to bring them to us. They’ll meet us tomorrow at the house we’ll be staying at in Kariba. And Jett was with her; he’s dying to talk to both Hannah and Cassie,” Luca rolls his eyes with that last comment.

“I warned you, didn’t I,” Anton grins, looking happier than he did a minute ago. “Let’s get loaded up and on the way. Baby girl, front or back?”

“I’ll get in the back with Miah. Cassie, do you mind if your dad rides with us?” Hannah asks shyly.

I’d noticed that ever since we’d arrived, she’d gravitated towards Dad if Anton, Luca, or Miah weren’t around. It made sense she felt safe with them and something in her knew that Dad would protect her no matter what. Not that either Drake or Sam would hurt her, but until she had her tiger back, she’d not feel safe as she couldn’t shift to protect herself.

“You’re welcome to him,” I grinned at her, “And I’m sure Luca will be happy about it too.”

Hannah laughed but called out to Dad, “Gus, you’re riding with us.”

Dad waved and smiled at her, “I’ll be there soon, darling girl.”

This further cemented the knowledge that Anton was a good man and that he had firm control over his animal. Not many would be able to handle so many unmated men around their mate when they weren’t fully mated yet. He knew who made Hannah feel safe, and he was happy to surround her with them, even if it was hard for him. To be fair to Hannah, she knew this and was never far from his side, and I’m sure this helped both of them.

It didn’t take long for us all to load up after that and get on the road for another long trip.

Nightfall was approaching when we got to where we were staying. I’d never been so glad to see the back of a vehicle in my life and wanted to cry when I thought that we’d have to do the same journey back in the next few days.

“Are you doing okay, baby?” Luca asked, opening my door.

“I’m exhausted; you must be too after driving that road.”

Luca grimaced, “Yeah, they aren’t the best. Come on, let’s get you inside. You can have a shower and then get into bed. I’ll bring you something to eat. Anton’s just settling Hannah.”

Looking over to the other vehicle, I watched as Anton takes a sleeping Hannah from the back of the car and carries her into the house we’ve rented for the week.

Luca helps me down and I groan as I stretch, trying to shake out all the muscles that had been protesting for a while at being cramped while we were travelling.

Following Anton and Hannah inside, I take the bedroom next to theirs, happy to see it has an ensuite bathroom. Thirty minutes later, I’ve showered and pulled on a T-shirt of Luca’s, and I’m snuggled up in bed. That’s the last thing I remember until I’m woken up by the sun and strange voices the next morning.