Dee's Hard Limits (19 page)

“Caster, release me. I’m just suggesting something. Do you really want all the women screaming and having a fit at her own gathering? I’m trying to think of our queen. This is all new to her.” She elbowed her mate and turned to glare at him when he released her hair.

“She does have a point. I’ll take into consideration what you have said, but Helena this isn’t going to be a quick fix
. Sephiroth
are highly advanced and can swing rides on energy to other planets. It’s one of the reasons we must be diligent about how we come and go from our world. It might not be perfect, but it’s ours.”

Once more he gazed round the room. “Helena, how would you like to help me? This room is so empty. It’s void of any feelings. I want Dee to feel at home here. Can I send some pictures to you and while we’re gone, you can see what you can do to make some changes?” He looked over his shoulder and she was smiling ear to ear.

“Sena and I would love to help. Just send them to my tablet and we’ll do the rest. We’ll even start setting up a couple of rooms for the children. Generic things for them. So they won’t feel so out of place.” Helena ran out of the room calling for Sena.

“You do know you’ve made her day right?” Caster laughed and followed after his wife.

“Thank you. I haven’t seen my mom so happy in a while.” Marquis appeared next to him. “Todd is waiting for us.”

“Then let’s go hunt. We have a runaway
meru
to catch and corral.” And boy would they rope her in. He smiled, thinking of the nice rope positions he would put their woman in. Talhrn, not one to waste time, was extremely happy they’d sought out and learned everything there was to please their Kitten.

Dee hid in the background and scanned her surroundings. She knew that it was only a matter of hours before her men found her, but before then she’d make sure Houston, Scot and Reva were okay. Dee was also going to explain to their guardians she was there to take them home. She’d finally found a safe place where all three wouldn’t have to worry about Koti.

She’d already done a walk around. The Green Acres home in Ohio catered to shifters and it had been a perfect place for the three till she was ready. Looking down at herself, she clothed herself in jeans, sweater and her favorite boots.

“Damn. I don’t know why I’m so nervous,” she whispered and strolled towards the back of the grounds.

The children were all out back playing. As soon as Dee was within 200 yards, Houston lifted his head. His gaze landed on hers and he smiled. The two little ones next to him turned to see her and all three came running. Their squeals of delight had the warriors that guarded this home step out ready to strike, but seeing her, they nodded and dipped back into the woods.

“Momma Dee!” Reva screamed and threw herself at her, wrapping her arms around her legs. “I knew you would come. We’re going with you, aren’t we? You found us a home?” She looked up with such hope and love it brought tears to Dee’s eyes.

“Give her a chance to answer, Reva,” Houston hugged her from behind and little Scot scooted in next to Reva.

“Yep, I wouldn’t stop looking until I found one. Actually...” She pulled away and knelt in front of the children. “I have a mate, well three of them, and we’re going to live at their house. I’ve even told them about your shift, Houston. They’ll have a safe place for it too.” The three of them charged her again, hugging and kissing her till she landed on her ass laughing.

“Here, let me help you up,” the headmistress said, holding out her hand.

“Thanks, Leslie. How have my little ones been?” She placed her hand in the bear shifter’s hand and stood.

“They’ve been great. Too bad some of the other children couldn’t behave like them.” They moved towards the entrance of the home.

“So, it’s true you have found your mates?” She held open the door for them. With Reva holding her one hand and Scot the other, Houston ran in front of them, listening to every word.

“Yes, but I’m afraid they aren’t from around here and we’ll have to move away. But when things settle down, I’ll make sure we all come back for a visit. The haven you proved for these children is priceless and I’m sure my men will also help out anyway to secure this place. They’ll be joining me here in few. I thought we could all have lunch together so the children could say goodbye to their friends.”

Houston was nodding and pumped his fist in the air. “I promised my friend I’d let him have my tablet when I left. If that is okay with you that way we can write to each other. I have the computer you gave me last visit,” he asked.

“I don’t see why not, but we’ll have to ask Talhrn if it’s okay to set up the connection. We don’t want to give away the location of this place.” Houston ran into the boy’s room and grabbed a bag from underneath his bed.

“Is that the pictures we found?” She sat on his bed and he nodded.

“I didn’t want to take them out. I was too afraid I’d lose them,” she opened her arms and hugged him. “Are you ready for the shift?”

He took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m scared. What if I can’t fly?” Houston crawled up onto her lap.

“I’ll tell you a little secret. One of my mates can fly, so maybe he’ll help you when its time.” She whispered in his ear and he jerked back looking at her. She nodded. “Now get your other suitcases. We’ll pack up and whatever we don’t take, we’ll leave here for the other children. Leslie, would you get me the papers so I can sign them out?”

Before she could say a word, alarms sounded. “Damn! Stay in here with the children,” Leslie yelled over the alarm.

She nodded and got up, lifting the single bed against the window. “Houston, Scot push that dresser over here,” she ordered. “
Talhrn, we need you.”

The four of them covered the windows as Leslie pushed a few other children into the room. “Everyone listen to Dee.”

She threw open the connecting door and more kids filled into the cramped room.

“Houston, have the kids sit against the walls. Reva, get the girls into the closet.” She tried to remain calm, but the thought of her father finding this place had tears in her eyes.

“There is no need. It was a false alarm. I’m afraid Jax, the new guy, got nervous when he noticed your men coming down the road,” one of the old warriors said, peeking into the room.

The headmistress swung around and glared at him. “Well, start training your men better. Do you know the hell I’m going to have tonight with the nightmares,” she yelled and stepped back when Talhrn came into view.

At 6’8”, Talhrn was a man not to be messed with. His gaze found hers and he was not happy. A small hand tugged on her arm and she looked down to see Reva. “Is he going to be our new Dad?”

The other children were whisked out of the room followed by Leslie. She mouthed. “See you at lunch.” Dee nodded as Marquis, Todd and Talhrn came into the room.

“Come here, Houston, Scot.” She started to push the desk out of the way, but Marquis did it for her as Todd pulled the bed down and the three children crawled up onto the bed once it was in its place.

Sitting in the middle of the bed, Dee smiled at her children. When she’d promise to take care of the children, Dee was petrified they would end up as Hope had, but now with her men in the same room with them, she wasn’t as worried.

“This is Houston, Scot and Reva. Houston is the oldest and these two are twins. Marquis is over there by the other bed, Todd by the door and this is Talhrn,” Dee said as he knelt in front of them and smiled at all of them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Are you ready to come to your new home?” he asked, knowing she’d already informed them.

“Mom Dee said we could stay for lunch. I want to say goodbye to my friends,” Houston said and stood up cocking his head to the side. “Are you the one who can fly?”

Talhrn stood and picked up Houston, holding him. “Not to worry. The three of us can fly, we’ll be there for you and I have the perfect place for you to shift. Now, why don’t we get you packed so we’re not late for lunch?” The boy wiggled down out of his arms and took the one bag, handing it to Talhrn.

“Scot, get your bag too, it’s in the closet.” Both boys ran around the room.

She looked down at Reva. “Why don’t we go and get your things, sweetie,” Dee asked, taking Reva’s hand and standing.

“Marquis, would you like to come with us? Houston can bring you guys to her room when they’re done. But could you make sure they bring everything. Wait, Houston do you have that tablet?” She asked and he ran, grabbing it.

“Houston, would like to leave this here with his friend so they can talk back and forth? He has a laptop. I told him one of you would be able to help him?” She reached up and kissed Talhrn’s cheek.

“You know you’re in trouble. This nice act isn’t going to help. You will be punished,”
Talhrn ran his hand down her back to her ass and squeezed.

“Come on, Reva. Let’s get you all packed.” She slipped out of his arms and out the door. Marquis followed behind her.

“Mom Dee?” Reva whispered looking back.

“Yes, sweetie.” They rounded the corner and came face to face with what looked like her father, but she knew it wasn’t.”

After years and years of experience, Dee shoved Reva behind her and drew the knife in a matter of seconds. But she needn’t have worried. Marquis had the man in his arms and disappeared.

Todd appeared next to them. “Akaos is bringing more men. They’ll have to change the location of this home. Talhrn is with the boys. Let’s get you, little one, packed.” He reached down and threw Reva up in the air.

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Her room is up here.”

Packing Reva’s little things so reminded her of Hope that a few times she had to stop and take a deep breath. Soon Marquis reappeared with Talhrn and the boys.

***

“No, it wasn’t your father and the place is secure. We have added 20 warriors, and are talking with the men about changing the location of the orphanage,” Talhrn said and wrapped his arm around her waist, kissing the top of her head. His hearts couldn’t take much more today. When that man had appeared in front of her everything in him had stopped. No, she wouldn’t be leaving their home for some time.

“Lunch is ready, so let’s go.” He sent the bags to their home and also sent ideas to Helena for the children’s rooms. They followed Marquis down the hall while he walked with her and the kids. Todd followed behind with two other men who would be Dee’s personal guards when they weren’t around.

Walking around the home, Talhrn had been impressed. There had to be over 200 children ranging from infants to almost adults. Their security was impressive, but it still needed some work. Marquis and Akaos were going to work with the men on upgrading the property and the buildings. The one good thing they did have going for them was that their location always changed. Magic surrounded the home, even the forest and the grounds transferred to the new location when threatened. It took someone with magic to even notice the structure. If Dee hadn’t left the coordinates with Lacey, they would have been searching for a while.

Looking up at him, she smiled. “I’m sorry I left, but I couldn’t. No, I wouldn’t, leave them and I was too afraid you’d tell me no.”

The little boy dragged Dee towards a table when they stepped into the lunchroom. Kids laughed and talked all around them. He noticed the woman, Leslie, coming up to them with papers in her hands. “I can’t thank you enough for helping us with the security. These children mean so much to us. I just wish more people would come and help. Not enough people want to take in children that are not theirs.” She shook his hand and handed Dee the papers to sign.

“What happens with the children that are bordering on adulthood?” he asked sitting down at the empty table as the children ran around saying goodbye.

“Some of them will join the clans or packs that support us, but so many of them just take off on their own. All we can do is encourage them to seek out others that are the same.” The woman sighed and got up when two boys started to fight. “Excuse me for a minute.”

“What are you thinking?” Todd asked as he waved his hand to Akaos when he saw him coming through the door.

“I see you found your runaway bride. You, young lady, should have your butt spanked.” Akaos glared at Dee who looked up from the papers.

“He won’t spank you, will he?” Reva asked, coming up next to her and holding onto her.

“Reva, this is my new dad, and no he wouldn’t, but I’m afraid your new daddies would if I put myself in danger. But you don’t have to worry about that. What do you need?” Dee brushed her hair back and kissed her cheek.

“So is he going to be my grandpa?” Reva asked peeking at Akaos.

He laughed at Akaos’ frown. “Looks like you’re a grandpa, old man.” Talhrn slapped him on the back as he mumbled.

“Yes, Reva he’s married to my Mom. You have three new Grandfathers. Now, go on and say goodbye to your friends.” The little angel pulled at Dee until she got up.

“You have to meet Rosa and Emma. They’re cats too,” she pleaded.

Her big gold eyes turned to Talhrn. “Could there be more? We need Mom here,” Dee said and followed the little girl.

“I’m on it,” Akaos stated and disappeared from the room.

“Todd, I want the layout of Maya’s castle, and Marquis go grab Lacey. This will concern her too,” Talhrn ordered and followed Dee to where she knelt down next to two tiny girls. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

“
They just got her last month. Their mom was murdered. Emma is five and Rosa is six. I can smell the cat. I just don’t know what kind. Mom will though,”
She looked behind him and he knew Maya was there.

“Well, who are these two pretty kitties?” Maya knelt next to Dee and took their hands. “Ohh, you’re tigers. That is so cool. We have a little tiger in us too.” He turned to see Lacey coming with Leslie.

“Is there a boardroom where we can speak?” he asked and Leslie nodded.

“Follow me,” Leslie said, but watched as Lacey picked up one girl and Maya took the other, following them while Dee had Reva came up next to him. The little girl between them placed her little hand in his and smiled at him. Right then and there, his hearts seemed to flutter. The connection to this child was staggering.