The Snow Leopard's Love Read online

  “Mom.” Tears misted Belle’s eyes as she faced her mom. “Stop it. Those things belong in fairy tales, not real life.”

  “You’re wrong.” Flora stood up. “And your life would get a lot easier a lot faster if you don’t fight it. Take it from someone who knows.”

  Belle glanced at Flora and Elise before she looked at Aiden and Caleb. “You are all mates?”

  “We are,” Elise agreed.

  “And Rift is alone?” She patted her chest. “So he chose me, so he didn’t feel left out.”

  “Belle, you can try to explain this away just because you don’t want it to be real,” Rift told her gently. “It’s the truth.”

  “Whether I want it to be or not?” She raised her chin, defiance flashing in her eyes.

  I think we’ve discovered the one way to push our mate away, his snow leopard said.

  “You are my mate whether you want to be or not,” Rift agreed. “But, unlike me, you have a choice. You can walk away. You can leave and never think of me again.”

  “And you?” Belle asked.

  A sad smile flitted across his lips. He didn’t want her to feel obliged to be part of his life if that wasn’t what she wanted. Yet he wasn’t going to lie to her either. He suspected she’d heard enough lies for one lifetime.

  “You are the only woman for me. You are my mate and there’s nothing I can do to change that. I’ve waited my whole life for you. And only you.”

  “That’s crazy. Who would make a rule like that?” Belle asked.

  “It’s not a rule, it’s part of who we are,” Aiden chimed in.

  “And you’re okay with that?” Belle looked from one shifter to the others.

  “It’s hard, especially when you wait half your life to meet your mate.” Aiden reached across the table and took Flora’s hand. “But then, when you meet your mate for the first time, when you feel it in your heart.” He placed his hand over his chest. “Then you understand it’s worth the wait.”

  “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.” Belle edged her way out of the kitchen at the sound of her children laughing. “I’m sorry, Rift, but this isn’t something I want.”

  Rift nodded. He’d find a way to convince her but perhaps not today. “We should go.”

  Belle’s eyes widened with surprise, had she been calling his bluff? “That’s it?”

  Rift nodded. “Yes. On one condition.”

  “Of course there’s a condition,” Belle sneered.

  “I want to give you my cell phone number and if you need me, no matter what, I’ll come.” He locked eyes with her.

  We’ve already given the number to Katrina, his snow leopard said.

  I know, but if Belle takes it, then there’s hope that she’ll let us in one day. And like Aiden said, no matter how long it takes, it’ll be worth the wait.

  Chapter Five – Belle

  That was his condition. If she took his number, he’d leave.

  Belle gnawed on her bottom lip as she studied Rift. After all he’d said about mates, she was surprised he agreed to leave. She’d expected him to argue with her and make a strong case as to why she should let him stay in her life.

  Was she disappointed when he agreed to leave?

  “Okay.” She took her phone out of her back pocket and tapped the screen. “Give me your number.”

  Rift reeled off his phone number and she typed it into her phone and pressed send. His phone beeped. “You sent me a text.”

  “Don’t get excited. It’s a blank text so that you’ll have my number, too.” She added his number to her phone book and tapped save.

  “You want me to call you?” He looked confused as he stared at the small screen.

  “Not really. But, since we’re mates, I figured it was only fair.” She slid her phone back into her pocket. “This doesn’t mean I accept we’re mates.”

  “Then what does it mean?” Flora got up from the table and came toward her. “Are you playing games?”

  “No. That’s not who I am.” She nodded toward Rift’s phone. “But if we do share this connection...” Her forehead wrinkled. She wasn’t entirely sure why she’d texted him her number. Did she want him to call her?

  Was that it? She kept telling him she wasn’t interested when in fact she wanted him to pursue her. She wanted him to want her. She wanted to be wanted.

  After Landon, the father of her children, walked out on them, she’d convinced herself she wanted to be alone. She was stronger on her own, she could be everything her children needed and more if there was no man to distract her, no man to break her heart.

  Yet she loved being part of a family. Before her relationship with Landon broke down, they’d been happy. She’d been happy.

  Growing up she’d always felt like the odd one out because she didn’t have a father, unlike her friends. Sure, some of them might be from split families, but their dads were still around, still part of their lives.

  But Murray was gone. Dead.

  She hated that her children didn’t have a dad who was part of their lives. Landon might not be dead, but he might as well be. He’d only seen them a handful of times since he’d left. It was as if he’d forgotten about them. He’d moved on and found a new woman. A woman who had children of her own, children he’d become a father to.

  If Belle believed what Rift said about mates, her children could have a father again, they could be a family again.

  But Nathan had promised her mom he’d look after her and be part of her life. Nathan, who had no time for Belle. He’d only been interested in Katrina, taking advantage of her at every opportunity, aware of how much she craved his attention. Nathan, who had treated Belle as an inconvenience.

  Nathan, who was a shifter.

  If she let Rift into their lives, would he treat Jack and Rosie the same way Nathan had treated Belle?

  She wasn’t taking that chance. No way. Even if Rift said they were mates.

  “You feel it,” Flora stated. “But you’re afraid. Afraid to give in to it.”

  “I’m not afraid,” Belle replied but who was she kidding? Perhaps she was afraid of giving her heart, giving her love, to someone more than she was afraid of anything else. More than she was afraid that Katrina was right and there might be people from Reggie’s past who might be lurking in the shadows.

  “Then give Rift a chance,” her mom said.

  “Mom,” she warned.

  “What? Do you think I like seeing you alone? You have so much love to give, and you deserve the love of a shifter.” Her mom covered her mouth with her hands and sucked in a sobbing breath. “This is all my fault.”

  “What is your fault?” Belle asked, her frustration growing.

  “After everything that happened between me and your father and then Nathan, and you and Landon, you’re afraid to open your heart and let someone else in.” Katrina’s expression showed the guilt she shouldered.

  “Mom, can we let this go?” She closed her eyes for a second, it was as if they were all ganging up on her trying to pressure her into something she’d already told them she didn’t want.

  “Belle is right.” Rift beckoned to the others. “We should go. You need to finish up here and, unless you need our help, we’re just getting in the way.”

  He nodded at his friends, his jaw tense as he cast a lingering glance in Belle’s direction. So that was it, he was going to leave. Or perhaps he was playing hard to get. He probably figured she’d stop him before he left the house. Well, he was wrong. Whatever she felt for him wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real, they’d only just met.

  There wasn’t much Belle believed in and love at first sight would never make it onto the shortlist.

  Belle headed for the front door and pulled it open. She scanned the backyard checking, as she had from the moment they arrived here, that there was no one lurking close by. There was no one. As she turned around, she was met by Rift’s unfocused stare. He was scanning the area, too, only his senses went much farther than hers.
r />   As Elise walked past, she grabbed Belle’s hand. “I know this doesn’t seem real, it doesn’t seem possible, but you saw Rift shift. Is it too much of a reach to believe that mates are real, too?”

  Belle didn’t pull away as she took a deep breath. She could sense Rift, it was as if she could feel his body heat radiating out and surrounding her. “It’s not that I don’t believe it,” she replied. “But I need to focus on my children. I don’t need any distractions. I don’t want to be torn between them and a man.”

  “That’s never going to happen,” Elise answered. “Rift loves children. He would love and care for your children like they were his own.”

  “I don’t want to take that risk,” Belle answered and pulled her hand out of Elise’s.

  “Elise, it’s okay.” Rift touched the fae on the arm and she moved away, the others following as they headed for their truck.

  Rift hesitated and didn’t follow directly behind her. Instead, he lingered on the porch, his eyes downcast as he shuffled his feet. Belle looked away, staring at the neighboring house, not wanting to witness the pain in his eyes.

  “I’ll call you,” she finally said.

  Rift’s head jerked up and he searched her face. He was trying to figure out if she meant it. “No pressure. I promise.”

  She nodded. “I just need time to get my head around all of this.” She waved her hand at him but also encompassed Reggie’s house. “It’s been a rough few months. I hoped once we’d cleaned out the house that things would settle down. You know, go back to how they were before.”

  “I can understand that,” Rift replied.

  She nodded absently. “Then you show up and the more I’m around you...” She placed her hand on her heart. “The more a part of me says that this is how it’s supposed to be. Me and you.”

  “And that’s scary.” He sighed, his eyes fixed on hers. “I’m here for you and the children. Whatever you need. Just ask.”

  “That’s what scares me,” she blurted out her admission. “The children are my priority, and they always will be. I don’t want to be pulled in two directions. Not when they need me so much.”

  “I want to be part of their lives as much as I want to be a part of yours,” he assured her.

  “Then, I’ll call.” She crossed her arms over her body and took a step back toward the house.

  Rift watched her for one long moment before he turned away and headed for the truck. He passed through the broken gateway where less than an hour ago he’d stood, holding onto it for support.

  Did she do that to him? Had she literally made him go weak at the knees?

  Belle watched as he reached the truck and got inside. She didn’t move as he opened the door, took one last lingering look at her, and then climbed into the passenger seat.

  Only when the truck drove around the side of the house and disappeared from view did she move. Her steps short, unsure, as if she were walking away from the best thing that could ever happen to her.

  Yet the best thing that ever happened to her was inside the house. Jack and Rosie were giggling, their voices high with excitement.

  “What are you two up to?” Belle hurried inside. She wanted to get the rest of the stuff packed away so they could leave within the hour. Rift had assured her there was no one around, but the hairs on the back of her neck said otherwise.

  “Rosie is being a princess,” Jack told his mom as she entered the living room. “I said I’d make her a castle out of the boxes.”

  “We don’t have time for that.” Belle closed her eyes, she never usually snapped at the children. But the events of the day were wearing on her nerves.

  Jack moved to Rosie’s side and slipped his arm protectively around her shoulder. “We were just playing.”

  “I’m sorry. I just want to get home.” Belle crouched down and held out her hands. “I love you guys. I’m sorry I snapped.”

  Rosie pulled on Jack’s hand, after a moment’s hesitation, he followed his sister into a group hug. “We love you, too, Mommy.”

  “It’s gone quiet in here.” Katrina entered the living room and went to a half-empty box. “Is everything all right?”

  “We are just about to start packing the boxes.” She glanced up at her mom. “Not that there’s a lot left.”

  “Not much at all. No keepsakes, no photos.” Katrina sorted through a small stack of books, most of which she put in the box marked ‘thrift store.’ “I don’t think these were even his. Reggie was never a big reader.”

  “Let’s just get rid of it all.” Belle shuffled over to her mom under the watchful gaze of Rosie.

  “Good idea.” Katrina piled all the books into a box and then closed the flaps, her hands smoothing over the cardboard in a steady rhythm as if she were stroking it.

  “Mom?” Belle put her hand on her mom’s shoulder. “If you’d rather keep some of it...”

  “No. It just makes me sad, that’s all.” Katrina pressed her lips together as her bottom lip trembled.

  “I’ll start putting the boxes in the trunk. The landlord will be here in an hour. I want to be on the road as soon as he’s gone.” Belle picked up one of the boxes and carried it out to the car. “Kids, if there’s anything you can carry, bring it out.”

  “Okay,” Jack replied from the kitchen, where he and Rosie had gone. They were talking quietly together, Belle suspected they were secretly eating more cookies, but she let it slide.

  It had been a long day already and they had a long drive ahead of them. She’d planned to drop Reggie’s stuff off at the local thrift store, but since there wasn’t much, she’d take it all home and then get rid of it all.

  That way they could go through it all one more time to check if there was anything of value or anything sentimental her mom might want.

  An hour later, they were in the car driving away from the house. The landlord had gotten his keys back, although he’d argued he’d expected the house to be cleaned, too. Katrina had proceeded to give him a tour of the house, pointing out that there was no way that amount of dirt had accumulated in the last couple of months.

  When she’d questioned the amount of rent Reggie had paid and mentioned how the state of the house might have contributed to his poor health, the landlord had made a hasty exit.

  As she drove away from the house, she took one last look at the ramshackle building with some relief. Her mom was finally free of her brother who had caused her nothing but heartache.

  Their future lay ahead.

  Did that future include a certain snow leopard shifter?

  Chapter Six – Rift

  “How are you feeling?” Caleb turned to Rift who was staring out of the window as they drove away from his mate.

  “How do you think?” Rift didn’t look at his brother, he didn’t want to talk.

  “I’d feel as if I’d been kicked in the gut and then had my insides ripped out,” Caleb answered.

  “Is that helpful?” Elise asked her mate.

  “I’m trying to show Rift that I empathize with him.” Caleb leaned forward, he was seated on the other side of the passenger seat with Elise sandwiched between them. “But I believe things will find a way of working out.”

  “I agree,” Aiden said from the driver’s seat. “You and Belle are meant to be together. You’ve seen the same thing happen with four of your brothers. Do you think you’re that special? It won’t work out for you?”

  Rift turned from the window and chuckled. “Well, if you put it like that.”

  “He’s right,” Elise punched him lightly on the arm. “You aren’t anything special.”

  “Ouch!” He rubbed his arm even though it didn’t hurt.

  “I was helping take your mind off things,” Elise answered.

  “I know what else might take your mind off things.” Aiden looked at Rift in the rearview mirror. “Food.”

  “Ah, my bear shifter brother, always thinking of his stomach.” Rift leaned forward and patted Aiden on the shoulder. “You’re right,
though. It’s been a long drive and we should stop for food.”

  Rift’s snow leopard flicked his tail as he paced around in his head. He was agitated, his pent-up energy needed an outlet. If not, Rift thought his head would explode.

  Eat quickly and then let’s go for a run, his snow leopard suggested and flexed his claws.

  That’s a good idea, Rift agreed. As long as we find somewhere to eat close by. They were driving along the edge of a mountain range, with thick forests covering the lower slopes. We don’t exactly blend in if we stop in a town.

  I could pretend I’m an oversized cat, his snow leopard insisted.

  Rift didn’t even bother to reply, they both knew that wasn’t true. Even in the mountains, he didn’t exactly blend in. But the trees and undergrowth made it easier for him to hide.

  “There’s a truck stop ahead.” Aiden slowed the vehicle. “Shall we eat here?”

  “As long as the place is clean and it has a restroom then I’m okay with it,” Flora said.

  “Agreed,” Elise added. “I could do with a nice cold drink and something warm to eat.”

  “Are you turning into a bear shifter, too?” Rift joked.

  “I will never have that kind of an appetite,” Elise replied.

  “Hey, I don’t eat that much,” Caleb insisted.

  “You do,” Elise told her mate. “I sure hope when we have children that they don’t eat as much as you. I don’t know how Valerie kept you all fed when you were growing up.”

  “We were always raiding the kitchen,” Aiden admitted. “Valerie used to threaten that she’d put a padlock on the fridge to keep us out.”

  Rift chuckled at the memories before his expression faltered. He pictured Jack and Rosie, they looked like good kids and Belle obviously loved them a huge amount. What he wouldn’t give to be their father. What he wouldn’t give to have children of his own.

  Would that ever happen now?

  If Belle doesn’t call, what are we going to do? His snow leopard sat down and licked his large paws.

  I don’t know, Rift admitted. But Aiden is right, we’re nothing special, there’s no way fate would have decided that we would find our mate only for us to never see her again. There has to be a way. We just haven’t thought of it yet.