Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Finally, she turned and trotted into the house.
As soon as Jayce shut the door, she rushed into the bedroom. He followed her and didn’t even have to encourage her to shift back. She did so on her own.
Sienna was panting, frantically looking around. “I need clothes.”
Jayce swooped her up and carried her into the nursery. He grabbed a pair of panties and helped her into them before adding a simple navy cotton dress. When she was presentable, he lifted her onto a hip and carried her back outside.
Chapter Eleven
Sienna was trembling from head to toe. She felt so awkward in her Daddy’s arms, but she didn’t want him to put her down. She held on to him tightly.
When they stepped back outside, she was overwhelmed. It had been easier to face everyone when she’d been in wolf form. She hadn’t needed to specifically look at them or talk to anyone. Now…
Jayce rubbed her back. “I’ve got you, Baby girl.”
His words comforted her, but he didn’t understand how introverted she was. He’d never seen her around other people. She wasn’t her usual self with him. Perhaps the bond itself drew her out of her shell. Whatever it was, she trusted him and didn’t feel the same level of nervous shyness when she was alone with him.
The only people Sienna had ever seen before today were Amber and Rylee. She’d never even spoken to Rylee before. Amber she’d at least met with several times in the last week leading up to Amber’s ceremony.
Amber gave her a little wave and smiled. “It’s good to see you. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m sorry you’re having to come out and face all of us on the same day as your mating ceremony.”
Sienna tried to return the smile, gripping her Daddy’s neck with her fingertips. Wasn’t she hurting him? If so, he gave no indication.
Rylee spoke next. “I’m sorry we weren’t acquainted in the valley, but welcome to the mountains.”
The third woman leaned into her mate. “I’m Molly. Nice to meet you.”
Jayce continued to rub her back, calming her as much as possible. What she really wanted to do was go back inside, pop that pacifier in her mouth, and bury herself under the covers somewhere.
Daddy nodded toward the bears. “Would you two mind shifting again for a minute so Sienna can be certain Surge is the bear she saw in her vision?”
“Of course,” they said in unison before stepping back into the clearing and shimmering into bear form. They both spun around a few times before shifting back and rejoining the group.
Sienna nodded. “It was him,” she whispered, pointing toward Surge.
“I’m sorry if I inadvertently frightened you, Little one,” Surge said. “I’m not aware of it. It wasn’t intentional. Apparently whatever you experienced is no longer in the future since you’ve now shifted. I’ve heard lore of our spirit side being able to act outside of our bodies. I’d like to think that if my spirit nudged you, there was no malice involved. Perhaps seeing me in person helps confirm that for you.”
Sienna leaned her cheek against Jayce’s shoulder. “Thank you. It does,” she murmured. She didn’t know how to explain that she hadn’t been specifically scared of him. It wasn’t that. She’d simply felt like he’d been warning her of something. And he was right. Now that she’d met him, she didn’t get a single sense that he would ever harm her. She was comforted by that thought. It would ease her mind if he appeared in future visions. Perhaps that explained why he’d felt compelled to come visit her this evening. The encounter calmed her nerves.
Jayce kissed the top of her head. “You sense something none of us can see, don’t you?”
“I think so,” she whispered. “I don’t know what it is. I can’t describe it.”
“I’m concerned it’s the lions,” Thorn stated, setting his hands on his hips.
“We all are,” Rylee’s mate agreed. “I’m Hayes, by the way.”
Hayes… She said the name in her mind to remember it.
“And I’m Gavin.” This was Molly’s mate.
“I’m Isaac.” He lifted Amber into his arms and propped her on one hip, imitating Jayce’s stance holding Sienna. Maybe he did so to make Sienna feel less awkward. She appreciated the effort.
“I can’t see them, though,” Amber added. “It’s so frustrating. If lions are in the area, why can’t any of us sense them?”
Rylee nodded. “I only scented the one lion one time.”
Surge sighed. “I suspect they are able to block all of us from detection. Apparently from sight, sound, and smell.”
Jayce adjusted Sienna in his grip. “It’s a reasonable assumption. Based on the visions Sienna has had so far, I suspect she will have more of them in the coming days. Hopefully they will shed light on what’s happening and provide some clarity.”
Thorn nodded. “Many from my community will be on patrol at all times.”