“Uh, would you believe I flipped a coin?” I laugh weakly.
“You trusted Fate to bring you here?” He asks curiously, “Surely, that’s unusual for you?”
“Sure, Fate. Luck. The Power of the Penny In My Cup Holder. Whatever you want to call it. It obviously has a sense of humor because here I am with a bunch of bikers who seem to be keen on keeping hostages, and have a fetish for crystals”. Fuck my life.
“I’m sorry to ask this and I know it’s so rude. I really do apologize for that, but we need to know. It’s for your safety and ours. What are you? I can’t get a read on you so we really must ask.”
Earl is staring at me oh-so-very seriously and I barely swallow an incredulous laugh.
Instead, I eyeball him and purse my lips. WHAT am I? Rude.
“I’m a Sagittarius. I know, I know, I don’t give off that vibe. But Gemini is my ascending house. You understand.”
He stares at me blankly, “No, no, I mean what—”
“Am I? Seriously? You’re sticking with that question, my dude? Do you frequently encounter women and ask them what they are? What are you, mister?”
All four of them share a look that freaks me out a bit, but they don’t answer.
“We are the Sea Lion Motorcycle Club. We are tasked with protecting this community. There are mystical and supernatural elements at play here that are not found elsewhere. Your necklace is one of those elements, and we promise we can explain it later but... for now, could you maybe see fit to stay with us for a few days? We’ll keep you safe. It will be like a beach vacation! Think of it as a full-service hotel. No drama. No expectations. Just stay with us for a few days while we figure everything out.”
That’s...unexpected. But the idea is oddly appealing.
I can give you at least 179 reasons why staying here, in the home of complete strangers who basically kidnapped me and are really into my crystal jewelry, is probably a bad idea.
Yet. I don’t say no.
My brain says no. My brain is busy outlining all the different scenarios where this can go wrong. Frankly, my brain might start bringing in charts and graphs. That bossy organ wants it known that it is 100% not interested in anything other than getting the fuck out of here.
But I don’t move.
I actually consider his offer.
My van is broken. I’m in a strange town. These guys are weird, and a little bit scary, but they seem to be highly motivated by ensuring my safety.
I could do it. I kind of want to do it. Or Darren. I also want to do Darren. That factors heavily into this.
“Can I get cleaned up, maybe take a nap and think about it?” I ask.
The one next to me, Bryan I think, lets out a sigh of relief.
“Of course you can, honey. Let me show you to where you can nap. We’ll get your things out of your van for you. Take as long as you need.”
Yawning, I stand to follow him.
When Trevor reaches out to touch my shoulder, the electric shock runs through me again, causing me to grimace and lean away from him.
Definitely nap time. 100%. Naps now, decisions later.
CHAPTER EIGHT: TREVOR
DARREN AND BRYAN MOVE Ronnie into the largest room at the Clubhouse—Earl’s.
It’s a sign of respect. As leader of our pod and President of the MC, Earl has the largest room and, ergo, the best option to give to our mate. We don’t do Alpha/Beta in any formal way in our organization, but it still is intrinsic. It’s the shifter way. We balance each other out. There are leaders and followers. He just happens to be a leader. Our leader.
Ronnie’s peaceful when she sleeps. Her brown hair has streaks of aquamarine hidden in the under layers. A little rebellion that is only visible when she chooses to show you. Her body makes me salivate. She’s all warmth and soft curves that I find myself longing to lose myself in.
She is our Mate.
I feel it. We all do.
The Matestone is back around her neck. It’s glowing a bright blue. Darren told me it had only been a faint glow this morning. The only shifters she’s touched, that I am aware of, since it was activated have been members of the Pod, Chuck, and then Glenda.
This type of reaction is unusual. Fated pods were something of a legend in my home colony back in Australia. Matestones were thought to be a myth. They were the kind of folktales you'd tell the kids to make them think the world was a better, brighter place. I never expected I would actually meet one, much less be a part of one.
The stories all vary slightly but one thing is always consistent: once activated, the stone will glow, and it will shine bright until the Mate chooses her Pod. Some say that once a Mate claims her Pod, the stone explodes. Others say it binds them all together somehow. I don’t know what to believe anymore.
Up until today, I had resigned myself to never having a Mate. Shit, I was even at peace with it.
Looking at this woman lying so peacefully in this bed, I dare to let myself hope that maybe she will choose us.
She probably won’t.
This is probably another cruel trick in the long list of fate’s jokes at our expense, but that hope stays flickering in the deepest recesses of my heart.
I’m still watching her when I hear someone join me. Darren comes up behind me and places his hand on my shoulder.
“She’s going to be ours. I can feel it.” he vows. “Fate wouldn’t be so cruel as to bring the perfect woman for us right to our doorstep only to have someone else take her.”
I look down at her with such longing that, for now, I hope he’s right. She pulls at the very
