BK 3 - Chapter 43 - Safe House
Mindy couldn't believe how many people Cat gathered when she said she would get the family ready. Besides the actual members of her family, she was taking some of the people they had rescued as well. Mario insisted on going too. Wesley ended up getting three large SUV's to take them all.
Mindy noticed Saxon and Melanie acting like they were even more in love than usual. They couldn't keep their hands off each where they sat in the seat in front of her and Wesley.
"They marked each other last night," Wesley whispered to her. Mindy felt her cheeks heat up when the couple looked at her.
"Wesley said you've accepted him and are ready to be marked," Melanie said, smiling at Mindy.
"I think the shifter thing is incredible, and I can't wait to be one of you. I just need to get my head sorted out first." Mindy said as Melanie reached back and took her hand.
"I get it. Take your time, and don't rush anything. Trust me, Wesley isn't going anywhere." Melanie winked at her.
The rest of the trip was quiet. Mindy looked out the window as they drove to an area she wasn't familiar with. There were enormous houses with gates. She saw Trey push buttons on a keypad when they pulled up to one of the gates.
"This is a safe house?" Mindy asked in disbelief, looking at the massive house.
"Not technically. This is Valerie and Roger's home. When I tried to move them to a safe house, they said no place was safer than their house. So they moved the twins and the kids from the group home here. I still have men around, making sure no one gets onto the property." Wesley answered her.
"Wow. I guess this would be the safest place. With the gates and a couple werelions for added protection. I can't imagine anyone would dare try to come onto this property." Mindy said as they came to a stop.
As they exited the vehicles, she saw two teenagers who she knew immediately were the twins. Jelena looked exactly like Cat with long black hair and blue eyes. While Grant was the spitting image of Trey. Behind them stood an older couple, who Mindy assumed were Valerie and Roger. They looked to be in their sixties. Cat ran over to the twins pulling them into her arms.
"Oh, my babies. I'm so glad you're safe." Mindy could see their embarrassment, being treated like kids in front of everyone, but they hugged her just as tight. Trey hugged them when Cat let them go.
"I'm proud of you both." He said as they beamed up at him with pride.
"They were amazing. The kids are at school, why don't you all come inside? We set up a buffet for breakfast." Mindy walked into the house feeling out of place. She felt Melanie take her hand.
"Don't worry. They have a large home, but their hearts are even bigger. I grew up here just as much as I did in my house. Valerie is my mom's aunt, but we always called them grandma and grandpa." Melanie could feel Mindy's weariness coming off her in waves. She knew this was all still overwhelming for her, but she also thought Valerie was the perfect person for her to talk to.
"Mommy, what if these people don't like me and Alex?" Lisa asked nervously, looking around the large house. She was still cautious around strangers. Melanie leaned down and picked her up while Saxon put Alex on his shoulders.
"They will love you," Melanie answered her. When they got inside, there were three tables of food set up. Everyone dug in quickly, but Melanie could feel the cub's unease. She took them over to where Valerie and Roger were standing with her parents. Valerie hugged Melanie and Saxon while Lisa stared at them, uncertain.
"Who is this lovely lady?" Valerie asked, smiling at the little lioness when Melanie put her down.
"This is Lisa and Alex; they're mine and Saxon's children," Melanie answered. She knew Valerie and Roger already knew about the cubs from her parents. They grinned down at them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. We love having more grandchildren. Would you like to come with us so we can get you some food before the others eat it all?" Valerie asked, holding her hands out to the cubs. Lisa studied the couple for a minute and then nodded.
"Okay, but you're not going to try and take us from our mommy and daddy, are you?" Lisa questioned through narrowed eyes. Valerie and Roger had been helping with the group homes since the beginning and were used to children who weren't trusting of strangers. Roger squatted down in front of the cubs and shook his head.
"We would never take you from them. Your mommy and daddy are our grandkids, just like you are now. We'll protect you with our lives and make sure no one hurts you." Lisa wrapped her little arms around Roger, and Alex did the same.
"Okay, grandpa, you can take us to get some food," Lisa answered. Roger held the cub's hands, leading them over to the tables of food.
"They're precious," Valerie said with a smile, watching her husband.
"They really are. I want to leave them here with you and Roger while we finish what we started. I'm worried they may not want to because I was kidnapped twice, and they now fear being away from us." Melanie said quietly, watching Lisa and Alex pick out more food than either of them could ever eat in a day.
"We would love to have them. Janel asked us to keep Jade, too, so maybe we can ask them to help care for her. I can tell Lisa is quite independent, much like you were at her age. They may be more willing if we can make it seem like we're asking for their help and not babysitting them." Valerie said.
"You're right. You've picked up on her quickly. She can be feisty, but it's her protective nature. Alex is quieter, but he's just as protective of her. All they had for the first five years of their life was each other. I know they're happy to have a family now, but they're both still cautious." Melanie said as they watched Roger and the cubs eat.
"That's understandable. I'm glad you found them when you did." Valerie started walking toward Lisa and Alex to ask them if they could help her when she was stopped by Wesley.
"Hi, Valerie." He said, giving her a light hug. She noticed the young woman nervously standing at his side.
"You certainly don't visit enough, young man." She said, kissing his cheek.
"I'm sorry; I'll do better, I promise. This is my mate Mindy. We were hoping she could spend some time with you. I'll let her go into the details, but she's had a rough couple of days." Wesley replied as Valerie smiled warmly at Mindy.
"Of course, we can talk, but I have a feeling this is something that's going to take longer than a day. Mindy, dear, would you mind staying with us while they all do their crime-fighting? I could use the extra help with the kids, and we will have Jade and hopefully the cubs as well." Valerie could see the apprehension on Mindy's face.
"I guess that would be better. I'm not gifted like any of them, and I don't want to be in the way." Mindy said softly, even though her heart was already hurting thinking of being away from Wesley. He put his arm around her shoulders.
"Don't worry; we won't be gone long." He said. He didn't want to leave Mindy behind, but he also didn't want to lead her to danger. Staying there would be the safest option.
They headed over to sit at the table where the cubs were entertaining Roger. After a short conversation, Valerie was able to convince Lisa and Alex that she needed their help to care for Jade. They told Melanie and Saxon they would stay behind as long as they could call them whenever they wanted.
After a few hours, the group prepared to leave. Everyone said their goodbyes to the little ones. Mindy was fighting tears when Wesley kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly. They hadn't had a real kiss yet, but she wasn't sure she was ready. His phone started ringing, and he pulled it out, noticing it was one of his men.
"Hello?" Wesley answered.
"We're at the location you gave us in Oregon where that rich prick has shifters. It's worse than we thought. He has several buildings full of shifters. This is more than just a collection. I don't know what he's planning, but you need to get here now." Wesley felt a knot forming in his stomach. What the hell was that asshole doing with so many shifters?
"We're on our way." He said as he hung up. Looking toward the others, he nodded.
"We need to leave now. We're going to Oregon."
