Page 35 of Pleasantly Undead in Dark River

Ghost was searching around the perimeter, although when his eyes caught on Nico, he lowered his head quickly in deference. That made Christopher eye Nico curiously. Yeah, nothing got past the little Alpha pup. Ghost, Brody’s mute snow leopard shifter best friend, signed quickly.

Brody cleared his throat. “Guys? I’d like you to meet my kids, Christopher, Carmen and Enit. Guys, this is my cousin Annie and my best friend Ghost.” He looked down at Carmen. “Ghost doesn’t speak either.”

A look passed between the huge, pale shifter and the tiny beta pup. Although Ghost seemed too stunned to do anything but look terrifying, he gave the pup a tiny finger wave.

“Kids?” Annie looked perplexed. She placed her hands on her hips and frowned. “Brody, what did you do?”

I waved my free hand, still holding on tightly to Carmen. “Uh, my fault actually.”

Annie frowned. “Well, I know you didn’t accidentally knock up some poor female wolf shifter.”

I snorted a laugh. “I’ll tell you guys all about it, but how about we go inside first?”

Annie nodded, then seemed to notice Nico. “Uh, sorry, Sir. Welcome again to Nîso,” she bowed formally, and Nico bowed back.

He grinned as he straightened. “No need for such formalities. I am the consort of your Alpha Mate, so I guess that kind of makes us family, correct?”

I nearly choked on my own tongue and even Tex chuckled softly behind me. Annie’s eyes went even wider, if that was possible. “Uh. Okay?” She motioned for us to go in, and I led the pups toward the front door. “I have a feeling I’m going to need vodka for this conversation.”

I laughed. She had no idea.

Tex tookthe kids out the back yard to stretch their legs, and Ghost hovered out of sight to watch them for threats. I wanted to pretend that there were no threats in Nîso but that was naive. There were people who hated that I was the Alpha Mate. People with vendettas against Brody himself. Then there were purists who believed that Nîso should be a place for shapeshifters only and not the two natured shifters like Ghost, Tex and the pups. Then there were just people who hated vamps in general and therefore wanted to kill me on principle. But I trusted Ghost implicitly. He’d pulled me from a burning wreck of a house, and if that doesn’t say loyalty, nothing does.

It was probably better he wasn’t here for this conversation. Brody had gone down to see the Elders, and Nico was reclining with deceptive ease in an armchair. The night animals were starting to roam, and I could hear Tex telling the kids to come back inside.

Apparently, the meeting with the Elders and these outsiders was happening at ten, out of respect for me and Nico. Well, at least they were getting off on the right foot.

“So, wait, you have how many lovers now?”

I’d told Annie about Lucius and she was literally worried for my mental capacity. I couldn’t help but laugh, and even Nico’s lips twitched. However, she’d passed that over almost immediately for the fact that I now had six, full time lovers. Yeah. When you said it like that, it did sound a bit nuts.

She downed the rest of her drink. “I don’t know if you’re a genius or absolutely insane. Six lovers. Think of all the orgies!” I could hear Ghost clearing his throat outside the doors. Yeah, shifter hearing was a thing.

Tex led the kids through the house and back into the room. They continued to eye Annie warily, coming to stand near us naturally. Annie, bless her, didn’t push. She smiled at them happily. “Have a good time? There's an awesome hot spring a little ways down. You should get Brody to take you.”

Tex cleared his throat, his cheeks going pink. Ah yeah, we’d totally had sex in that hot springs. This was awkward.

Nico stood, saving me from the weirdness. “We should be heading to the meeting,” he said softly. I nodded, giving the kids a soft smile. “I’ll be back soon. Tex is here if you need anything.”

Annie walked into the kitchen, searching through the cabinets. “I’ll stay and help Pup. Oh shit, can we still call him that now there's actual pups?”

I shrugged. “X calls him Snakelet, but I don’t think, uh, that would be appropriate.”

Tex’s face flamed even more, and his eyes promised me sweet, sweet retribution. Annie shook her head. “You guys are disgustingly sweet. I’m going to hard pass that endearment. Guess I’m just going to have to call you Tex,” she laughed. “What do you guys think of popcorn and movie night?” The kids already had heavy eyes and I doubted they’d make it through one movie, but they all seemed to perk up at the idea.

Christopher squeaked out, “Yes, please,” making Annie chuckle.

“My heart. You are just the sweetest little things.” She shooed me and Nico. “Go. Me and Tex have this under control.”

Ghost followed us to the door, before stopping to look over his shoulder. He signed something to Annie and she rolled her eyes. “I can walk home without you, Ghost.” He continued to sign furiously. “Fine, I’ll wait. You sure you aren’t a mother hen shifter?”

Enit giggled, making Annie smile even more. They were streaming Disney movies even before we were down the driveway, I could hear the distinctive intro music. We walked toward the Meeting House, Ghost a little behind us, watching the houses carefully for things that should not be there.

“Did Brody put you on babysitting duty?” Ghost gave me a small grin and a nod. I sighed. “He must realize I’m probably the most deadly thing in this town? Except Nico right now, I guess.”

Nico nuzzled my cheek. He watched Ghost sign. “He says that the outsiders are an unknown. Better to be safe.”

I sighed, but they were right. Still, I couldn’t help but needle Ghost. “So, have you asked her out yet? Annie, I mean.”

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