Julia sat on the swing and patted the seat beside her. Lykos jumps up and sits beside her putting his head on her lap. She gently pushes against the floor to get the swing in motion.
"Mmm this is nice out here isn't it boy? Nice and quiet, don't have to worry about rushing anywhere," Julia murmurs to Lykos.
She closes her eyes and enjoys the quiet of the day. The only sounds she could hear was the birds chirping in the trees and the cattle in the pasture lowing in the distance. Before long she hears a car pull up and stop at the gate. Her eyes open and she sees a young woman with red hair get out of the car. Soon the young woman walks up the walk to the front door and knocks on it; Rose answers the door and with a squeal of happiness she pulls the woman into a hug.
"Loki Nikki is here come out and say hi," Rose calls back into the house.
He pokes his head out and smiles seeing the young woman. Not hesitating he pulls her into a hug holding her tight pulling a squeal from her lips and she smacks his shoulder to get him to let go. They all three walk into the house talking.
Julia feels tears prick at her eyes and wipes her cheeks before anyone can see. She takes a deep breath and makes a plan to leave that night. Lykos growls and nuzzles her to comfort her.
"It's ok boy, I should've known better. Should've known not to let my guard down around them," Julia murmured her head dropping and looking towards the woods.
Inside the house Nick and Loki's smiles dropped as they heard her words.
'Oh no she thinks she's not wanted. She doesn't know Nikki is our cousin, tell ma now before she leaves' Nick and Loki nod as they share the same thought.
Nick goes over to his mom and places a hand on her shoulder "Ma we may have a situation."
Rose looks confused then smells the salt from the tears on Julia's face. 'She needs comfort and the truth Nikola. This can't be held back from her, or your claim won't hold'.
Nick nods and looks over at Loki who's talking to Nikki still. The guys know not to interrupt her. She suddenly stops talking when she notices the flowers.
"Wow Rose, James must've really screwed up with all these flowers," Nikki said with a wink.
"Umm Nikki that isn't what's.."
"It has to be, you guys don't have mates let alone a woman you're interested in. You're too much of a ladies man to be stuck with...a..."
The sound of feet came from the porch with a broken sob following. All four of the men curse and move to stand on the porch to catch her scent.
"Rose what's going on?" Nikki asks her
"I'm sure you didn't notice the young woman on the porch when you arrived, but she is their mate. The flowers were from the boys as an apology and a courting gesture," Rose explains.
"Oh dear. I hope she returns," Nikki replies.
On the road....
Julia is walking towards town rubbing her arms from the chill when a car pulls up beside her. A head sticks out the window.
"Need a ride?" the young woman asks
"Sure, but do you have room for my wolf?" Julia asks
"He's a cutie, sure he can ride up front with us. What's your name, mine's Beth," the young woman offered.
"My name is Julia and thank you," Julia gets in and Lykos climbs up after her, " This little guy is Lykos. I've had him since he was a pup."
"He is so adorable and so well trained," Beth says with a smile and pets Lykos who licks her cheek, "So what or should I say who are you running from?"
Julia sighs and explains what has happened. She expects her to laugh at her and to her astonishment she doesn't laugh at her. Instead, Beth turns the car around and heads back the way she came.
"Why are we headed back?" Julia asks as she notices where they're headed
"Sweetie there's a reason those boys are always around you. Besides if I wouldn't have brought you back, they sure would've found you before dark. They have great senses of smell," Beth replies with a grin as she sees the guys walking on the road.
"Thank god you found her," Bucky runs up to the car, "Hey Beth!"
Julia cringes into the corner of the car as yet again she's second in these guys' lives. Lykos growls at Bucky who back away.
"Hi Buck. Ooh looks like someone doesn't like you," Beth replied with a grin, "Steve said he was going to meet me here has he arrived yet?"
"No, but Nikki has," Bucky says scratching the back of his head, "We'll meet you back at the house."
The guys all took off towards the house in a blur.
Julia buries her head in Lykos' fur drying her tears. Her shoulders shake as her sobs overcome her. Before long they pull back up to the house and a blonde-haired man is on the porch holding a white puppy who's whimpering. Beth waves out the window after she parks the car. She gets out and the pup jumps out of the blonde man's arms to race to her.
"Syna don't be naughty," Beth says and picks her up cuddling her.
"Sorry doll, she missed you," the blonde man says walking towards her with a smile.
"It's ok," Beth smiles and places a tender kiss on his lips.
"Get a room!" Bucky yells with a grin
"Don't make me get out the whistle you moron," Beth replies chuckling.
While this is going on Julia looks up and gets out of the car slowly making her way back to the house, Lykos on her heels. He sees the pup and stops looking at the puppy. The puppy yips in excitement and begins to play with Lykos.
"Looks like Lykos has a new friend and I guess I should leave him here. At least he's happy out here," Julia says as she sits on the porch swing.
Beth growls "Ok that's it you boys need to tell Julia what the hell is going on."
"What do you mean Beth?" Julia asks
"Ask those morons who can't stop licking their lips whenever they take a sniff around you, hmm?" Beth says
"I thought they liked my perfume."
"Do you wear perfume?"
Julia shakes her head in denial "No I don't wear perfume."
"Then why would they be sniffing your neck?" Beth asks
"Maybe they just are weird."
While the girls are talking the guys are arguing again. Pedro takes the first swing and the guys have started to howl and hiss as they fight.
"WILL YOU GUYS KNOCK IT OFF!" Beth yells
"Boys what have I said about fighting?" Rose yells as she steps out on the porch
Nikki sees the fighting and smiles "Oh boy and by the way Julia I forgot to tell you I'm their cousin. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
"Please stop fighting," Julia begs quietly, "Sorry I misunderstood too."
The guys keep going and Beth sighs.
"You might want to watch what happens next," Steve says.
Beth pulls out a silver whistle and blows. Julia looks confused when she doesn't hear a noise, but what she sees makes her eyes widen.
YOU ARE READING
Quadruple Checkmate
RomanceA young woman finds herself in a predicament. She is mated to four brothers, but they aren't your ordinary men. They are each from the supernatural world. Will she accept them all as they are or run away once she sees their dark side?
