Reed squeezed his brother’s shoulder, but didn’t say anything.
Josh rubbed circles into her wrist, infusing warmth from just his touch. She leaned into him once more and kissed his stubbled cheek. With a deep breath, she leaned forward and placed her free hand on Reed’s shoulder.
He gasped at the touch and looked over at her, warmth in his eyes.
“You’re hurt,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Let me help.”
Reed smiled. God how she loved that smile. “Okay.”
She used most of the power she had left and healed the wounds on Reed’s side and hands. It took more because she couldn’t put her hands directly over the wounds. But she didn’t want to wait any longer, not when she could still heal him.
Adam inhaled loudly beside her.
“You’re a healer,” Adam murmured, an odd mix of awe and resignation in his tone.
Confused, she glanced at Reed. But he only mouthed “later” and shook his head.
Okay, she could wait, but something was off.
But Hannah nodded and leaned back into Josh’s arms, sighing when he held her close, kissing her forehead and temples.
Goddess, he felt like heaven.
As the drive continued on, no one spoke, all too tired to expend the energy. Hours passed, and Hannah reflected on the kiss the three of them had shared in the cabin before their time was cut short by the angry mob of wolves.
The kiss felt right. Good. But could she live in a threesome? Ignoring the fact that people would scoff and call them names better left unsaid, could she deal with the emotional aspect? Having one man seemed too much for some women. The attachment, the overwhelming intensity, the sex… Everything added up to an emotional toll. But multiply that times two and it seemed astronomical.
But the benefits and feelings of two men with her made Hannah want to ignore her misgivings and jump in head first.
The car slowed down as they passed an ivy covered stone archway guarded by two people she could only assume were wolves by their energies. The two guards nodded at the Jeep, and Adam continued up the drive.
Magnificent large trees covered the land. Between the trees, dark green grass was interspersed with a covering snow. She hoped the empty spaces of land would be filled with beautiful flowers come spring time. She was immediately sucked into the Redwood den. She loved it. The energy surrounding her pulsated and tugged on her, calling her home.
This was it. The missing piece clicked into place, and she knew it. She’d never want to leave. She’d stay here with Josh and Reed forever if they’d let her.
The Redwoods called to her.
Adam wound along the road, passing homes hidden among the brush. Frankly, it was a beautiful den. They pulled up to a home, nestled beneath a canopy of two large trees with branches reaching up to the sky. It was a two-story, older looking home with fresh paint and shutters.
“This is my home,” Reed said simply.
Reed’s home. Could it be hers and Josh’s too?
Hannah shook her head. This was too much too soon. She tucked away those promising and somewhat nerve-wracking thoughts for later.
The front door to Reed’s home opened and people filed out.
“Oh Reed! The sentries called to tell us you were coming.” A short light brown haired woman with warm eyes ran to Reed and held him close.
“Hi, Mom. I’ve missed you,” Reed choked out, holding his mom and rubbing his cheek on her hair.
Brothers, sisters, or sisters-in law, and his parents came at him, hugging, patting, and crying, reassuring themselves Reed was actually with them. That he was home.
With such an out pouring of love, Hannah felt out of place.
Goddess, she missed her Mother.
How would it feel to be part of such a family, to never be alone? It was what she thought she wanted with Josh and Reed. But could they achieve it?
Josh came from behind and held her hand. The feelings of reassurance and hope slid through her as he squeezed it. He understood. He was alone, just as she was. But it seemed like he had been alone longer. Would he want to give that freedom up and be a family? Their connection and the pulsating thread knitted between their three souls flared.
Please, let this work. Please, let us be a family.
“Come on, everyone. Get inside and get warm. I’ll introduce everyone once we do.” Reed ushered his family in, then stood back to take Hannah’s hand and nod at Josh.
They walked into his home and found themselves in a cozy living room with a large L-shaped couch. She wanted to sink into the comfy cushions. Art covered the walls and framed pictures of family members dotted shelves layered with books. It looked like an artist’s home.
Hannah fell a little bit more in love with him right then.
Reed’s family talked above each other, eager to hear about his captivity. But they didn’t outright ask who Hannah and Josh were, though she could tell by their not-so-casual looks they wanted to.
“Hannah, Josh, this is my family.” Reed laughed under his breath. “From the top, this is my father, my Alpha, Edward. And my mother, Patricia.” Reed pointed to a couple holding hands but looked to be Reed’s age. Edward had darker hair, almost black, but still looked like Reed enough there was no mistaking the family resemblance.
Hannah waved.
What was she supposed to do in this situation? Talk about awkward.
“Over there is my eldest brother, Kade, and his wife, Melanie. She’s holding their son, Finn.” Kade looked a lot like Edward, only about an inch shorter and a soft blend of their mother’s features mixed in. Melanie was a short blond beauty, smiling and rocking baby Finn to sleep.
“Next to them on the couch are Jasper and his wife, Willow.” Jasper had even darker hair than Kade and seemed taller, about six and a half feet. Willow had light brown hair and had pixie features. She was slender except for one noticeable thing.
“And our soon-to-be baby.” Willow gave a radiant smile and held her protruding belly.
A tug of maternal instincts Hannah didn’t know she possessed startled her.
“I don’t think we can forget that, Willow. You’re a little hard to miss.” Reed laughed.
Jasper growled. “Watch what you say about my mate, dear brother.” But his eyes were filled with laughter when he said it.
Their family dynamics made her smile.
“You’ve already met Adam. So here are the twins, North and Maddox.” The twins looked like wiry versions of Jamensons but with dark blond hair that obviously had come from their mother. They were practically identical but for the large scar running down the side of Maddox’s face.
“And last, but not least, Cailin.” Reed gestured toward the most beautiful woman Hannah had ever seen. She had long indigo-black hair with blunt bangs, big, green Jamenson eyes and full lips.
These brothers had a hell of a thing on their hands if they were typical big brothers and wanted to protect her from men and the outside world. And from the Alpha energy she felt swirling around the room, she would place money on it.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet everyone.” Hannah’s voice was small. She didn’t know what else to say.
“Yes, nice to meet you. Reed, can we get someone to look at Hannah? We haven’t seen a doctor yet.” Josh asked.
“Of course, sorry, I’m being an idiot. North? Can you help?” Reed asked the twin who must have been the doctor.
“Sure, let me take a look. I’m not a healer, but still a doctor.” North stood and walked over to her, placing his hand on her arm in a comforting gesture.
Reed and Josh growled behind her at the touch. Talk about territorial, but she liked it. Who knew? Hannah noticed the looks passing between the family members but fought down the apology in her throat.
Were they judging her? She didn’t want to be a burden to this family and she honestly didn’t want to hurt Reed.
North walked back to the couch and opened his medical kit that he must have brought over when he heard Reed was home, and cleaned her visible scrapes and bruises. The lash marks on her stomach had healed overnight through the use of earth magic, thankfully.
“Son,” Edward interrupted, “why are you two undamaged, but not Hannah? Why would you allow her to be hurt in your place? Or is there something else going on I need to know about?” He quirked a brow, waiting for his answer.
Hannah felt a wash of an age-old power. Alpha. Edward apparently wanted answers. Now.
Reed looked at Hannah with a question in his eyes. She nodded.
“Hannah’s a healer. A witch.”
The people in the room fell into silence. Even baby Finn seemed to know this meant something. What, she wasn’t sure of. Yet. But Reed owed her answers. Both times he told someone she was a healer, they reacted strangely. Why?
Reed’s mother put her hands over her mouth, and then smiled a watery smile. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
Edward looked her up and down, assessing her with those beyond his years, wisdom-filled, green eyes. “Yes, Hannah, we have.”
Hannah looked around the room; eyes filled with awe stared back at her.
“What are you talking about? What do you mean you were waiting for me’?” Hannah asked, her voice rising in a squeak.
What is going on?
“You’re our Healer.” Edwards placed emphases on the word, as if it meant more than her normal abilities.
“What is that?”
“Hannah, I was going to explain. Take a seat, baby.” Reed looked at her and she knew something big was happening, but she still trusted him.
“Reed?”
“Every Pack has certain titles associated with the Alpha’s family. Dad is the Alpha, the one in charge. Kade is the Heir, the first son. So he’s in line to take over. Jasper is the Beta, meaning he deals with Pack business and takes care of us. Adam is the Enforcer; his job is to protect the Pack from outside forces. Maddox is the Omega; it’s his job to protect and soothe the emotions of the Pack. And lastly, there is the Healer, the one who Heals the Pack physically. We’ve been without one since the last war with the Centrals a century ago. But Hannah, with you here, we aren’t looking anymore. You’re our Healer, Hannah.” Reed held her hands, his eyes imploring her to believe. To accept.
“I don’t know, Reed. This is a lot to take in. I can’t think about this right now.” Hannah shook her head. It was all too much.
“It’s okay, don’t worry. We can talk about it later. God knows we need rest.” Reed leaned forward and kissed her forehead while Josh rubbed her back.
Reed told the story of his ordeal. Of Caym capturing him and putting him in the dungeon. Of meeting Hannah and not being able to help her. He didn’t share everything, like her torture. That was something that she had the right to choose to share. He told of the demon’s plans as he knew of, though that wasn’t much. He spoke about the compound and wards and everything they could possibly think of to help his Pack. Then he spoke of Josh and how he rescued them, but Reed didn’t mention Josh’s special abilities. That was Josh’s secret.
Josh.
“Crap. I almost forgot. My head’s too crazy. We need to have someone look at Josh’s arm.” Hannah turned towards him and reached for his arm.