THREE MONTHS LATER
ASH POV
I stare out the window as I watch the boys play on the swing set. I grin as they fly up in the air and Abel leaps off the swing. He lands nimbly on his feet then dances around in a circle. I laugh and he turns to the window when he hears me. He pumps his fist in the air then turns back to his brothers. They've all grown these last two months. I wish I could share how much Abel has opened up. How much Ainle has connected with us. I blink and fight not to think of them. It's just us now. I lost them and it was my own fault. I rub my stomach as I look back to the boys. I'd forgotten how fast Were children grow. Caine and Abel look like their about ten or eleven now with long gangly legs. But Ainle looks like he's about thirteen. I honestly can't say how normal that is. I haven't got anyone to ask about it. I don't think they're supposed to grow that quickly but I try not to worry about it.
I stand, grimacing as my head starts to pound. Riki has been slamming hard into the block I'd set up in my mind ever since I left Con and Liam. Shit, a tear slides down my cheek but I quickly brush it away. I know better than to even think their names.
My shoulders slump as I walk out the door into the yard absently rubbing my belly. All three boys stop swinging and come over to me. Caine frowns and grabs my hand. I look down at him and smile softly.
"Momma? Did you think about Da and Daddy again?" I sigh and nod as Abel and Ainle walk to my other side and hug me. I laugh softly.
"Let's go into town and get some ice cream." Abel and Ainle cheer but Caine just looks at me with a sad look in his eyes.
CONLAN POV
"GET UP!" I jerk and sit up looking around as I rub at my eyes. I look over and see Liam, in wolf form, glaring at me, from his cage. I must have fallen asleep here again. I look up to see Coner staring down at me. Before I can say anything he punches me in the jaw. I stiffen and rub a hand over my beard. I've been down here or in the library since Liam went feral. Especially since he wasn't acting feral anymore. He was acting like a wolf. I watch Liam stand up out of the corner of my eye. He was growling at Conlan as he crouched low in the floor, his ears flat. I look back to Coner, who's shaking with rage.
"My daughter is crying herself to sleep every night and what are you two doing? Nothing!" I frown and glance over at Liam. His ears are perked up and it's almost as if he's listening to what Conlan's saying.
"CONLAN!" I stand and glare at Coner. It's only been a week or so. Ash'll come back. We need her. She knows that.
"What Coner? I told you Ash is probably getting the boys away for awhile. She'll be back in a few days. It hasn't been that long." Coner's fists ball up as he growls at me. I raise a brow. Coner never gets upset like this. When he speaks, he speaks slowly enuciating each word as if I'm a child.
"Ash has been gone for three months." I stare at him as I rub at the ache in my chest. It hasn't been that long. Has it? "No one has heard from her or seen her. We can't find her. Smell her or anything else." He pauses and jerks his head to Liam as Liam growls at him. He opens the cage as I yell for him to stop but he ignores me.
"And you. I know your in there. I can feel it Liam. So I'll give you something to get you back. Conlan is the reason your mate is out there alone and unprotected." He steps away from the cage, leaving the door open. I hear a snarl as Liam leaps out and comes straight for me.
ASH POV
I have perfected the art of going into town. I shift to a plain looking girl with gaunt features while the boys dress in hoodies, keeping their heads down. Not that it matters because they have grown so much no one would recognize them. Caine has also honed a new ability that allows him to hide our scent so we're in the green. I smile as they order their icecream and we sit down to eat it. I'm picking at my banana split when the door dings and I look up and freeze. All three of the boys stiffen at the look on my face. They glance over as two men walk over to the counter. One of them leans over and shows something to the cashier.
"I was wonderin is ye've seen the lass in the picture?" His voice rolls over me like warm honey and I can't fight back my gasp. The two men turn to look at me as I push myself further into the booth against the wall. I can't seem decided if I'm happy, angry, or scared. The boys leap up and stand in front of me as the two men look closer at me. Their gazes slide over me as I start to shake. I feel it when I lose control and shift into my real form. Biting my lip I slide to the end of the booth. Ainle and Abel are behind Caine so they hold their hands out to help me out of the booth. The girl behind the counter is staring at me in shock as the two men fall to thier knees. Their eyes on my bulging stomach. I blink back tears as I nod to Caine and the three of them move to the side. I stare down at the two men, fighting back sorrow.
"Con, Liam. Glad to know you aren't dead. That's one last less thing Con can't blame on me." And I turn my back on them and walk out. The boys following me. We get a block before they catch up. I want to run to them and leap into their arms. Except I've been alone for three months and they hadn't come after me. I know I'm not the soft shy girl they knew anymore. I don't have any give left inside me. I have to fight not to hit them or kiss them. I'm so screwed up. Abel clutches my hand as I look them over. Con's all scruffy and has two black eyes and fresh claw marks on his chest. Liam looks gaunt and pale. I don't think either one of them has been sleeping. Well, good neither have I.
"What?" They flinch at my tone. I growl then turn and head back to the house. Everyone follows me as we walk back to the house. I unlock the door and walk in, the boys following me. Con and Liam stop at the door staring at me.
"Are you coming in?" Con recovers first.
"You've been staying two blocks from the club the whole time?" I laugh bitterly.
"Yep. Jarek would never guess I stayed this close to you and I would know if you were looking for me. Which you haven't been." Ainle places a hand on my back and I smile as I ruffle his hair. I start to speak as my stomach churns. I gasp, gagging.
"Shit." The boys spring into action leading me to the bathroom. I forget about Con and Liam as I throw up a very lovely banana split. As my stomach settles I lay my head on my arm as hands rubs my back. I don't even try to fight the tears as they spring up in my eyes. It helps that they don't give me stupid excuses on why they haven't been looking for me. They seem to know I'm going to need their actions to speak for them and not their words. I groan as the second wave hits and I throw up again. When I'm done I hold my hands up and warm calloused finger wrap around me and pull me to my feet. I don't look at them as I walk to the sink and brush my teeth but I can't stop the tears from leaking out of my eyes.
After I'm done I walk back to the kitchen to see that Caine has poured me a glass of iced tea and Abel has set out some crackers. Ainle pulls out my chair and I sit down. I look at the boys.
"Go play Halo. I'll be fine." They frown but I roll my eyes and they nod and leave. I hear Ainle mutter something as they walk down the hallway. I hear Abel chuckle then I hear a thunk.
"Caine quit shoving your brother." I hear him speak as they walk into the game room.
"How does she do that? It's so creepy." I laugh as I give my typical answer.
"Because I have eyes in the back of my head." The boys chuckle as I hear the game come on. I look at Liam and Con. Con's rubbing his chest and I know it's from being so close to me. I take a bite of my crackers before I speak.
"Tell me..." And the alarm goes off. Cursing I reach under the table and pull Liam's sword from the holster under the table as the boys run from the back room. Abel and Ainle come with swords and Caine has a gun. I keep my back to the cabinets as I look at Caine. He glances at his watch and points to the kitchen sink and holds up three fingers. Liam and Con are standing on either side of me. They follow when I move so I'm in front of the table at an angle from the sink. I hold out my sword as Caine points to the sink. There's a shimmering in the air and a figure appears as Caine cocks his gun. I notice immediately who it is but I don't lower my sword as Kade raises his hands in the air.
"Damn. I'm just following Liam and Conlan don't kill me." I tilt my head.
"What are you most afraid of Kade?" Kade grimaces.
"Really Ash? Why that? Couldn't you ask if I'm boxers or briefs?" Caine steps closer and Kade's eyes widen.
"Fine...fine...blood. I hate the sight of blood. I pass out." I lower the sword as Caine uncocks the gun, checks to make sure there isn't a bullet in the chamber, then takes out the clip. I turn and slide the sword back in the holster under the table top. Liam raises a brow and I just shrug.
"Kade tell Riki we're good and I'll talk to her tomorrow. Oh, have you mated with Saki yet?" He stares at me.
"You've been in hiding three months. How do you know that?" I glance over at Con before I answer. "I know a lot of things that I shouldn't. I've always been a stalker ask Riki. And don't think I don't know your avoiding the question." He shrugs and disappears, leaving me to scowl at him. He never answers personal questions. Asshole. I'd ask Riki tomorrow. Suddenly everything hits me all at once and tears start to fall down my cheeks. Caine puts his arm around me and leans so he can whisper in my ear.
"Go take a nap momma. They'll be here when you wake up." I sigh and nod before kissing him on the cheek. Then I walk down the hall to the bedroom. I don't even bother turning on the lights before I lay down on the bed and fall asleep.
CAINE POV
I slide my hands into my pockets as I walk over to the table and sit back down at the table. Con and Liam smile at me and sit back down as Ainle and Abel follow mom down the hallway, presumably to put up their weapons. I sit the broken down gun on the table and look to Da and Daddy.
"You look like shit." I tense when I realize what I've said and glance back at Momma's closed door. When it doesn't open I relax in the chair as Daddy laughs. I cut my eyes at him and smile.
"She doesn't hate you. She's scared." I narrow my eyes as I stare at Daddy. "You should have come sooner." Con nods and starts to speak as Ainle and Abel sit down on either side of me. Both of them cross their arms and glare at Da and Daddy. I grin and bump shoulder with Ainle.
"Chill dudes. They get it. Don't worry Momma will definitely make them work for it." They both relax at that and glance to Da. I blink back tears as Abel starts to cry softly. I rub his back not saying anything. We are ten after all. Tears are okay. Suddenly Da and Daddy stand and striding over pull us into a hug. I bury my face in Daddy's shoulder in an effort to hide the tears. Hope is a great thing. Maybe Momma could be happy again.
ASH POV
I wake up to shouts and roars of laughter. When I hear two deep masculine laughs I shiver and walk into the bathroom. Turning on the water I take off my clothes and step into the water. I don't know why I have the urge to shave my legs okay I do know why but I'm not admitting it. Groaning I quickly shave my legs and finish washing myself off. I slide on my robe and towel dry my hair. I'm brushing it as I walk back into the bedroom. I freeze when I see Liam and Con sitting on the bed in their boxers. Sighing I walk to the dresser and pull out one of Liam's shirts that I'd taken with me when I left. Fine I'd taken one of Con's too but I wasn't telling. Not yet. Feeling their eyes burning into me I drop the towel and pull on the shirt. They both groan as I open another drawer and pull on a pair of panties. I fight back a smile as I turn around.
"We're not having sex." Liam smiles and Con smirks and Con speaks.
"We just want to sleep. We figured you could get used to my touch." I raise a brow.
"Let me kiss the boys a kiss goodnight first." Their eyes don't leave me as I walk out and go across to the boys room. I'd tried to get them in separate rooms but they refused. Said they slept easier when they were together. So I had made the extra room a game room and let it go. They all turned their heads to me when I open the door. Abel and Ainle are on the bunk beds while Caine is on the twin in the corner. I walk over a toy man on the floor as I grin at Ainle who's playing his DSi. He smiles back and turns the DSi off as I kiss his cheek then Abel's. Abel grumbles about cooties and pulls the blanket over his head. I ruffle his hair before going over to Caine and kissing his cheek. He closes the book he's reading and looks at me.
"Momma, give them a chance." I laugh.
"Baby when a man screws up this bad they have to work to get it back or they won't know what they did wrong. Will they?" Caine grins as Ainle pipes in.
"Like when you stole that candy bar and momma made you take it back. Then she made you clean out the toilet." I giggle and walk back to the door as Abel says his two cents.
"I bet they won't have to clean out the fridge." My babies are so smart. Knew just how to make me laugh. As I shut the door I spoke on more time.
"They might." They should feel privileged that I don't beat the crap out of them.
They're talking softly when I walk back in the room. I look from one of them to the other and see Con's chest is still bleeding. He must not me eating right if he hasn't healed more than that yet.
"Liam, go take a shower while a bandage up Con." They both smile as I push my hair behind my ear.
"What?"
"Ye said our names." I fight a smile but fail.
"Stop doing twin speak and hurry up so we can watch a movie. I'm not tired just yet." Liam heads for the bath but stops in the doorway and drops his boxers. I stare at his butt a second fighting off the urge to walk over there and bite it. I blush and hurry into the kitchen. I reach under the counter and pull out the first aid kit. Con sits on the table not saying anything at first. As I put Neosporine on his chest he clears his throat. I look up at him and freeze at the aching in his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize how much time had passed. I was so busy worrying over Liam that I...I should never have said those things to you." I drop my eyes as I go back to dabbing at his chest.
"I knew you were upset. I should have talked to you. But then I left and I thought you'd follow me. When you didn't....I couldn't...I thought you hated me." A tear falls from my eyes as Con lifts my chin up. He leans down and I let him. He pauses inches from my lips, waiting. I lean forward the last few inches and moan as the taste of him explodes in my mouth. I press closer but make sure I'm careful of his chest. He pulls back and slides his tongue over my lips before letting me go.
"This doesn't mean I forgive you yet." He smirks and pushes my hair behind my ear.
"I look forward to making you loving me again." I place my hand on his cheek when his eyes go bleak.
"I never stopped you dork." He chuckles and grins again.
"In that case could you doctor my other wound." I raise a brow a he stands and drops his boxers. I look down at his d1ck standing fully erect before looking back up at him. He grins and turns around so I can see his a$$. I quickly cover my mouth and try to stifle the laughter. He has a large bite mark on his a$$, I assumed from a wolf.
"What happened?"
"When Coner told me what he said to ye and opened the cage door I leaped out and bit 'im on his arse and clawed 'im up a bit. Then I was suddenly me again so I shifted and punched 'im in his eye. Coner did the other eye. I'm sorry I bit ye lass. I think yer blood is what helped me to retain a little of meself." I look at him and can't fight it anymore. Sobbing I rush over and throw my arms around him as I bury my face in his chest.
"I thought you were dead. I thought..." I sob louder as Con comes up behind us and wraps his arms around me, sandwiching me in the middle. I inhale his scent then look up at him. He leans down and presses his lips to mine. I want to climb inside him and never leave but I can't. So I kiss him and pour all those emotions into it. He moans and places a hand on my cheek. I pull back as I feel something growing in my chest. And just like that our bond is back. I look over my shoulder to see him grinning like an idiot. He nods and I lay my head back on Liam's chest.
"Let's go watch a movie. We can talk about groveling tomorrow." They both laugh as Liam scoops me up and we head to bed.