Children of the Moon: Book Four Read online

  “Coffee? India poured two mugs and gave one to each of them and they settled down to get some planning done on their move.

  “Seann and Imogen have made an offer on the old farm and it looks likely the current owners will counter a little higher, but it’s still well within your proposed budget, Imogen,” Nathaniel said. “The farmhouse will make a perfect Den and the courtyard is well hidden from the road by the tall pines that line the driveway.”

  Imogen grinned, she couldn’t wait to get into that big old rambling house and start putting her own stamp on it.

  “Garrett and I are going to buy the newer house next door,” India added.

  “And Liam and I are going to build on one of the vacant lots. We still have the cabin but we thought we could sell it to Bethany and Zac. They are too young and not financially stable enough to get a traditional mortgage so we will finance it for them. Sophia will live with them for a few years yet before she strikes out on her own so we will be helping her too.” Kandis explained and Bree thought that Kandis was doing a great job of coordinating everything, but she didn’t envy her at all.

  “Seann wanted to offer the existing cabin to you and Hope.” Imogen turned to Bree. “But I guess you have other plans now.” she looked between her and Nathaniel, not missing anything.

  “Nathaniel and I are also going to need a new home, but I’m sure Hope would be happy to move into the cabin for now,” she smiled. Yesterday she wanted nothing to do with him and today they were planning their life together. Such was life with shifter mates.

  “I have my townhouse that will be up for grabs after our house is built too. It’s fairly small, only two beds, two baths but I would close off the inside door to my offices and it may suit one of the younger couples.

  Kandis made a note of that too.

  They had several requests for vacant business property that had become available too and Kandis said her Dad would like to buy or rent one of the existing farm buildings for the pack’s construction business. Imogen and India had already earmarked one of the smaller buildings for ‘Wolverine’ their online clothing business, but it was pretty much being run by Stella and Maria since the babies had come along.

  “Five of the older teens got together and made an offer on the toy store and it looks like it may be accepted. The old man just wants to retire and his family doesn’t want it. They plan to run it between them as well as school and pack duties and Liam is graciously lending them some of the money.” Nathaniel grinned wondering if they knew how much they were taking on.

  Kandis had been making copious notes and put down her pen and stretched.

  “Bree, do you know when Hope is coming back? I need her and Rafe to take a trip over there and decide which building would be most suitable for the clinic. I also need you to have a look at the local schools. The high school will still have a human population, but it is dwindling and before long it will be mainly shifter teens.”

  “She is there at the moment with Rylee, I will send her a message. Rafe is still here in the compound, I will catch up with him tomorrow.”

  The others looked at each other and sensing something was going on she braced for the barrage of questions coming her way about her sister. But Kandis saved the day, asking her about schooling for the younger kids somewhere on the new property. They were too young to trust them in a mixed school and at the moment were all homeschooled, but Bree really wanted them to have a structured day like the older kids and they could still do that without them being in the general population.

  “There are quite a few of the larger farm buildings that might be suitable.” Imogen offered.

  “That would be ideal if Lachlan could convert one into several classrooms. We could have Bethany’s nursery there too so that all the little kids are in one place. I have had a few of the Moms volunteer their time already to help out so I will take them up on that and start getting some concrete plans together. Two of them have taught before so they just need to brush up on their teaching skills and we can definitely use them.” Bree said, but she was struggling to concentrate with Nathaniel's hand on her leg.

  Kandis looked down her list, ticking things off as she went.

  “There’s a huge barn in the field nearest to the farmhouse that Seann wants to have converted into a meeting place for the pack and the old dairy hasn’t been used in some time and will need a little work but the catering company has earmarked it for their business already. A large kitchen, storage and prep areas.” she read down the list.

  “I think we have already made fabulous inroads, thanks to Kandis.” Nathaniel smiled.

  “Oh, I almost forgot my Mom and two of her friends are interested in trying to buy the diner.” she grinned. “I never saw my Mom as a businesswoman but if that’s what she wants to do…”

  “Well, she can cook at least,” India added.

  “I still have a ton of things to do. Bree, let me know what Hope and Rafe have to say and I will follow up on some of the others. I think Liam and I will need to take another trip out there soon, there is still so much to do.” Kandis sighed and Bree knew she had been working day and night on this project and wouldn’t slow down, especially since Liam was gone with Seann and the others.

  “Nathaniel and I can go out there, Kandis. I want to have a look around anyway and choose where we want our new house to be. We can carry some of the burden for you, you don’t need to do all of this alone.

  “Honestly, that would be great, Bree. Can I make you a small list of things you could look at for me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “The new site plans for the entire mountainside and the farm should be ready to collect too,” Nate said, “The town plan will take a little longer as I have asked them to make detailed notes on who owns each property and their likely willingness to sell up.

  Bree grinned and turned back to Nathaniel.

  “I guess we are going on a trip.” she grinned and he smiled back, “First thing tomorrow.”

  A few days alone with her would be heavenly.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Nate

  Bree had a bag packed in less than fifteen minutes and Nate was well impressed. He was more excited than he had been as a rookie running with the pack after his first change and that had been almost fifty years ago.

  He threw a few things in a bag, most of his clothes were still in the townhome, so he could travel light this time. Bree was waiting for him on the porch and his heart skipped a beat when she turned the full wattage of her smile on him. She was wearing white shorts and a mint green cotton top that buttoned all the way down the back. Her short dark hair feathered around her face and even without a scrap of makeup on she was stunning.

  “Ready?” he held out his hand and she clasped it and they walked around to the side of the house and climbed into his car. She settled into the luxurious buttercream leather seat of his BMW and Nate wondered how practical his car was here in the compound. He bought it two years ago when Bree left and seemed to drop off the face of the earth. He had searched for weeks but he didn’t even know her last name and even wondered if Bree was even her real name when everything he tried turned up a big fat blank.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you, what is your full name?” he asked her as they drove out through the compound gates and she chuckled and took a moment before she answered.

  “Aubree,” she grinned, “Aubree Jane, but Hope always called me Bree and it stuck.

  “No wonder I couldn’t find you, Aubree Jane Donovan.”

  “I prefer Bree.” she smiled and he reached over and touched her face.

  He still couldn’t believe they had got here relatively easily, albeit two years after the fact but she seemed to have accepted his explanation about Renee and he would be forever grateful she was giving him a second chance.

  The journey was uneventful and they made good tome. They drove on past the larger stores in Bear Falls and instead stopped at the small grocery store a few doors down from Nate’s off
ice to pick up some supplies.

  “My freezer is full of steaks and chicken but we will need some fresh foods, milk and anything else you can think of. I always like to shop locally wherever possible, it helps keep the smaller businesses afloat.” he pulled a small cart from the line at the front door and they went inside to the cool interior of the brightly lit shop.

  “We will all have to do our bit if we want this venture to be successful here in… wait, I don’t even know what this town is called?” she turned to face him.

  “Haven, but the members of the town council have been considering changing it for the last few years. The only dissenters are probably going to be among the first to sell up and leave and I have an idea that before long it will be pack members only serving on the council. Then will have free reign to change the name to whatever we want to.”

  Bree picked up bananas, oranges and a large tub of strawberries and put them in the cart as Nate put a crate of lite beer and three bottles of wine beside the food. They added fresh bread, milk and butter and he pushed the cart toward the register.

  The teenage girl on the register flirted outrageously with him and he could feel Bree’s annoyance without looking at her and he suppressed a grin. She turned her back on them and tapped her foot impatiently as their groceries were packed in bags and by the time he paid and took his receipt, Bree was waiting by the door.

  “She is harmless and to be fair the last time I was in here, I was still a single man.”

  “Desperate is not an attractive look in a woman” she rolled her eyes and Nate grinned at her jealousy.

  They packed everything in the trunk and drove the short distance to Nate’s townhome further along the street. He opened the garage door and parked the BMW next to a shining silver Ford truck and a black SUV. The door closed behind them again and the overhead light popped on.

  She helped him carry the bags into a modern spacious kitchen with sleek white cabinets, stainless appliances and granite work surfaces. It was beautiful but very modern and he could tell by the expression on her face it was not what she would have chosen.

  “I bought this place when I left the pack and it’s not exactly my taste either, but it serves its purpose and it was ready to move in. The previous owner liked everything super modern but my tastes run a little more traditional.”

  He heard her sigh of relief.

  “It’s stunning but the thought of getting spaghetti sauce all over those pristine white cabinets makes me shudder.” she exaggerated by closing her eyes and shaking her shoulders.

  “It won’t be for long, darlin’ I would like to start building as soon as we choose a suitable plot on the mountain or the farm.”

  He showed her around the rest of his home and she was pleased to see that the living room was a little cozier with a large sectional in the middle, polished wooden floors and colorful pillows and rugs added warmth and a splash of color. The large flatscreen on the wall looked brand new and Nate admitted he rarely turned it on.

  “I prefer music, but I do like a good movie now and then.” He seemed to read her thoughts again and she was beginning to understand how in tune they seemed to be with each other.

  There were two bedrooms, each with its own large bathroom and although they were both clean and tidy with no sign that anyone slept in them, Nathaniel's scent was all over the one with the navy check comforter. The other was decorated in a similar style but there was no scent of human or wolf in here.

  “I am happy that the bathrooms are sleek and modern.” she grinned as she stepped inside the huge shower with the jetted walls and marble tile, running her hand across the smooth surface.

  “Make yourself at home, I’ll bring in your bag,” he said and she wandered around his house familiarizing herself.

  Nate didn’t mind that the townhome wasn’t to her taste, it wasn’t his either, but it was functional and right next door to his office. He had a cleaner come in once a week and she would sometimes cook for him too if he had guests. He had been artfully dodging the attention of some of the local women since he got here and he knew Bree would be a source of gossip around here for a little while at least. The sooner they could encourage the remaining townsfolk to sell up, the better it would be for everyone.

  He unpacked the groceries and put everything away and went in search of Bree. The door between the house and office was wide open and he found her in the small reception area. She was sitting on Anna’s desk, swinging her legs and watching the world go by.

  “It’s quite a busy little town,” she remarked as two young girls ran past the window shrieking with laughter.

  He unlocked the door on the other side of the small room and she jumped down to follow him through the hallway and into his private office.

  “This is where I spend most of my time but to be honest I can work from anywhere, I just needed a private space to bring clients to. I have been thinking about bringing someone else into the business on a part-time basis so that I can have more free time to help Kandis with the pack move.”

  “And more free time to spend with me.” she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the lips. “Show me the town, Nathaniel. I can’t wait to see our new home from home.”

  They walked across the street hand in hand to the diner where he had met Kandis and Liam for the first time. They would have lunch before they set off up the mountain to explore the area.

  Nate was glad to see that the waitress taking their order was the older woman who worked there and not the one who seemed to have the hots for him. He always did his best to ignore her and was grateful she wasn’t around because he knew Bree would be pissed if she blatantly flirted as she usually did. They slid into a booth overlooking the street.

  “What can I get you, sugar,” she asked Bree first and she ordered chicken strips with fries and a double side of onion rings.

  She raised her eyebrows but said nothing and turned to Nate who ordered fish and chips and they both ordered cokes.

  “Coming right up.” She tore the strip of paper from her pad and put it on the counter while she poured their drinks and carried them back to their table.

  They waited until she left and Nate filled her in on some of the townspeople she was likely to encounter on their trip. He told her he hadn’t gotten close to anyone but was quite friendly with most. It was the hazard of being a wolf and it was usual to keep people at arm’s length.

  “Why did you leave your pack?” she asked him and he took a sip before he answered.

  “There were a few people pissed at me for breaking off my engagement and Renee’s father is alpha, he wanted me to take over from him eventually. He was actually one of the few people who understood why I had to break it off, him and my sister. Most of my friends and family thought I should go through with the wedding anyway, but I couldn’t. It became uncomfortable for my family too, so I thought it best if I made a clean break and went off on my own. It was for the best.”

  “Because of me.” she said softly.

  “No, because it was the right thing to do, Bree. You just opened my eyes to how it should have been with the woman you are going to spend the rest of your life with and after that, I was never going to settle for anything less. Renee was fantastic about the whole thing and wished me well. I truly hope she finds her mate too.”

  The waitress brought their food and they tucked in.

  “I didn’t know you had a sister,” she said between mouthfuls.

  “I didn’t know you had a twin, I guess there is still quite a lot we don’t know about each other.” he smiled.

  “We have all the time in the world to find out, Nathaniel.”

  His heart squeezed tightly in his chest when she smiled at him like that and he knew he would be a sucker for this woman for the rest of his very long life.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Bree

  Nate backed the truck out of the garage and they drove all the way to the top of the mountain to meet Hope and Rylee. They were staying in Seann
’s cabin that would soon become Hope’s new home when Seann and Imogen eventually turned the farmhouse into the pack’s new Den.

  Hope was out on the porch before the truck came to a stop and Bree jumped out to envelop her sister in a bear hug. She looked a little better than the last time she saw her, more rested and the dark shadows beneath her eyes were gone. Nathaniel was still coming to terms with the fact that there was another woman on the planet who looked just like Bree but with longer, more colorful hair. There were tiny differences that only someone who was really familiar with them would notice. Bree had a tiny scar on her left temple, a remnant from her childhood and her eyes were just a shade lighter than her sisters. She was also about half an inch shorter than Hope and in their wolf form, the tip of Bree’s tail was white.

  “Hope, you remember Nathaniel,” she grinned and Hope hugged her sisters’ mate tightly before stepping back and ushering them both inside the cool interior of the cabin.

  Bree hugged the other woman who was inside the cabin and introduced her to Nate as Rylee Adair.

  “Rylee is Garrett’s sister,” she explained but Nate could see the resemblance straight away. She had the same unusual shade of pale green eyes as her brother.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Nate. Can I get anyone a cold drink?” she offered and Bree took a coke from her and settled onto the sofa with Nathaniel beside her.

  “We have two more people willing to sell up.” Hope ventured, “I know that’s not why we are here, but they approached us, word seems to travel quickly. I haven’t had time to speak to Kandis just yet, but their cabins are close to each other and it’s two more we can cross off the list. One of them is retiring and going to live with his daughter in Canada and the other is a younger woman who is getting married and moving to the city for work.”

  She handed him a sheet of paper with the details of the two cabins and he slipped it into his back pocket.

  “The more people who can help, the better.” Nate smiled. “Word does travel fast in a small town and people may jump on the bandwagon and sell directly to us, saving a fortune in real estate fees. We just need to be careful that they don’t think we are some sort of cult as some of the humans in town already think about the compound.”