An Offer She Can't Refuse

Lingering

SABRINA POV:

"Sabrina?!"

I could hear my name being called again, but it wasn't the lady's voice—it was Xander who was holding me in his lap as I came to.

The others were kneeling or crouched around us, waiting for me to rouse, I suppose. I felt so safe at that moment. I'd never felt like that in my life.

I didn't move. I barely opened my eyes, finding myself with my head resting on Xander's chest, one arm draped over his waist. I sighed in deeply, and shifted in his lap. I felt him again and this time he leaned in to me, nipping the shell of my ear with his lips.

"Be careful how you move that ass on my lap, Cupcake..."

I moaned, "You're so perverted..."

A chuckle from him startled me out of my little trance and I snapped my eyes open.

"What happened to me?"

"You passed out," Sebastian said.

"Well, why?"

"We should call Rayanne," Hudson said.

"Who's Rayanne?" I asked as Xander stood up, taking me with him, "I can walk."

Xander looked like he didn't want to let me go, though.

"Are you sure?"

"I think so," I said as he placed me on the ground, gently, "Thanks."

I looked around and back to where we came from, "Someone called my name."

"Who?" Quinn asked.

"I have no idea. It was a woman..." I shrugged, "I guess? It sounded feminine."

"What did the voice say?" Hudson asked.

I started to speak and then stopped.

"I'm not crazy," I said, "What the hell is going on? Are you guys spiking my food or something?"

I was scared to death and here I was—continuously passing out in the presence of the Quads.

"You don't need to be scared with us, Sabrina," Seb assured me.

"Yeah? Well, none of this started until I got here!"

"What did the voice say?" Xander asked, taking my hand, "Tell us."

I thought for a moment, "It said something like I would know who I was—or what I was—or I don't know! Something cryptic like that. I'm not crazy."

"No, you're not," Xander said.

"They wanted me to go to them," I panicked, "What does that mean?"

The Quads looked at each other as if I'd said something they were not ready to hear.

"What? What is it?" I asked, pulling away from Xander, "I'm not some plaything you guys can toss around for shits and giggles. I'm going home...and by home I mean back to the motel."

I turned on my heels and started walking off until Xander grabbed my arm whirling me around and pulling me into him.

"No, you're not going anywhere, Sabrina," He growled, "Do you think you're safer out there in this...condition? Whatever that is? We have the best doctors and nurses available, just ask Quinn."

Quinn stepped forward, "We do. I promise it's not us.."

"I don't trust any of you," I said, "I just want...I just need to go."

"Why?" Hudson asked.

"Why?! I'm scared, Hudson! For all I know you assholes are human traffickers or rapists or who knows what?!"

"You've never had this happen before?" Sebastian asked, eyeing me, "Ever?"

"I haven't..." I trailed off, "Well, I mean..."

"What, Sabrina? What is it?" Xander asked me, holding me closer now.

"I used to have dreams about someone coming after me when I was little. They said I wasn't..."

"Wasn't what..?"

"That I wasn't...me."

AUTHOR'S—THIRD PERSON POV

"Well, what in the actual fuckity f**k do we now?" Xander asked when they got Sabrina back to the house and in her room.

"I don't know, man..." Sebastian sighed, "She was so close, but that can't be who's calling her now. Not now. They know the rules, bro."

Xander nodded, "Even though the rules are archaic, she should be safe on the property. She should always be safe here and in this house. The barrier they put around this place can't be broken."

"Well, it can..." Quinn reminded them, "But no one from that side would want to hurt Sabrina. She can't leave. She'll die out there."

"Shut up!" Hudson yelled, "Our mate is not going to f*****g die!"

The desperation and fear in his voice startled even his brothers.

"Do you want her to hear you?" Sebastian asked, "Where's Mom and Dad?"

"Calling Rayanne," Xander said, "She'd better have something to give her."

"Rayanne the witch to save the day!" Hudson shook his head, "Maybe Xander's right. Maybe Sabrina is ready."

Even Q and Seb couldn't argue it. Something was happening to their little mate and they felt so helpless.

SABRINA POV

"What is wrong with me?" I asked the doctor when she walked in with the Quads and their parents.

"Have you fallen at all the last few days?"

"I don't have a concussion. I haven't hit my head."

"Stress can cause this, too. I know that these boys here are a little much at times and everything your aunt and uncle did to you," Rayanne said to me, checking my vitals again, "When you were a little girl, and this happened, what was going on?"

I thought about it and sighed.

"I don't know..." I lied.

"Sabrina..."

"Life. Life was happening. I didn't have an easy childhood, but my parents tried. My dad kept losing his job and we kept relocating."

"You aren't from Aurora?"

"Not originally. I'm from Maine..or at least that's what my birth certificate says."

Rayanne smiled at me, "I think you're under some stress, but you're not crazy."

"The voice always soothes me," I blurted out, "This one seemed...different."

Rayanne glimpsed the Quads as if they knew what I was talking about.

"I think some medicine will help,-"

"No, I don't really want medicine.."I said, "I like to be as coherent as possible."

"What about homeopathic?"

"Like weed?" Xander said, resulting in another smack in the head by Sebastian.

"No, just some crystals or teas or even essential oils?"

"I don't really know..."

"It's all natural."

I gave in and I'm not sure what she concocted for me, some type of lavender tea, but I was out the rest of the day and into the night. I got up to shower and brush my teeth. It was nearing midnight and I was still a little drowsy so I settled back into the bed and scrolled my phone.

I had a few messages from Tina and I answered her with a brief reply—not wanting to bog her down with my problems.

I had kissed Xander and was almost fingered by Sebastian. I was so ready to be with someone, but it was so strange. The way I felt with them was like I wanted all of them at the same time.

I guess it wasn't unnatural. They were good looking men and I was...well, available.

Some time passed and I rolled over, thunder rolling outside somewhere in the distance. I heard the howling again or the yelling—whatever the hell it was. I felt somewhat safe in the house and just remembered that Xander was adamant that it was stray dogs.

I got out of bed and stared out at the night. No one seemed to be up—or at least no light was on in the guest or employee houses. I could see the towering manor that was the Mueller's estate from my window and then I saw the lights in the forest.

"What is that?"

I could barely tell what they were, maybe flashlights? That would mean someone was either out there at this time of night or someone was trespassing.

"None of that seems good.." I shut the curtains and crawled back into the bed, tossing the covers over my head until I heard the sound again, "To hell with this!"

I jumped up and tossed my robe on, scurrying out of the room like a terrified child. I made my way to the next floor and was about to go to the Quad's wing when I noticed the game room light was on.

"Oh yes! Get that fucker, Jeff!"

Hudson was gaming and it made me giggle at how much enthusiasm he had at this time of night.

I peeked in and noticed he was settled onto the leather couch, game controller in one hand, earphones on and his lap top open in front of him. He was strikingly handsome and the quietest of the Quads.

"I'm going to be dying over and over again if you don't help me out with this boss, Jeff."

I didn't want to bother him, but I just needed to be near one of them.

I tiptoed into the room and he suddenly stopped. There's no way he heard me. I watched as he sniffed the air and then turned around quickly, dropping his remote. The smile that spread across his face was welcoming.

"Sabrina..." He took off his headphone and rushed towards me, "Are you OK?"

I smiled, "Yes, well, no.... I keep hearing those noises again and something is in your forest—or I'm just seeing things."

Hudson didn't even blink, "Wild dogs."

"Why don't you all call a shelter or rescue for this problem?"

The look on his face told me he couldn't go into anymore detail and I was too tired to argue.

"Can I stay in here with you?" I asked, "I am so sorry to bother you,-"

Hudson put his warm finger against my lips and I swear to the Heavens I'd never felt such an electric jolt rush through my body.

"You're not a bother so I don't want you talking that way," He said, "Come on. We've got some pillows and blankets if you don't mind me gaming?"

"I don't mind," I said, "Thank you."

AUTHOR'S—THIRD PERSON POV

Sabrina was out like a light once she settled down next to Hudson who couldn't concentrate on gaming.

She was asleep with her head at the end of the couch, her socked feet touching his legs.

"f**k me..." Hudson shook his head as he took her in. This is what they'd waited on for so long and to him Sabrina was perfect. He didn't care if he had to share her with his brothers, she was everything he'd ever wanted.

He tried to play his game, but he couldn't help it. He had to watch her sleep. She couldn't know the lights she saw out in the forest were his brothers looking for whatever spooked her—and she most definitely couldn't see them in their fur suits.

He was asked to stay at the manor in case she did get up and this time he was so happy he didn't argue with his older siblings about tagging along. He leaned his head back after shutting off the game and noticed Sabrina moving. She sat up, half-asleep and smiled at him, before turning and placing her head on his lap.

"Uh...um..." Hudson held his arms up before covering Sabrina with the blanket. He'd been with plenty of women, but this one was his mate—his eternal partner and he couldn't wait for her to become what she was destined to be.

"My mate..." He whispered, stroking her cheek as softly as he could, "I am going to fill your belly with so many pups..."

"Mmmmm," A low moan came from her as she slumbered, finally at some sort of peace.

A thump in the back of his head woke Hudson up.

"f*****g really, bro?"

Xander.

"She got scared and came in here," Hudson said, groggily, staring at his brothers who looked more exhausted than he did, "Don't look at me like that. I've blue balls and a boner that's been pushing into her ear for who knows how long! Did you find anything?"

Sebastian shook his head.

"No, but we could smell the Mueller's not far off and I think the veil is opening."

Hudson raised his eyebrows.

"That's not supposed to be happening..." He looked at Sabrina, "We need to call a meeting because I will not lose her. I can't."

Quinn nodded, "My bet is that her father had to keep moving because they were always coming after her."

Xander sighed, "We can't find much records of Hannah and Milo Brewster before Sabrina's birth."

"When did you go searching for that?" Hudson inquired.

"Earlier," Seb said, "Had Dad look up some stuff for us. Stuff that doesn't add up and you know what I mean."

"Someone's coming for her and it isn't just James and his burly ass," Hudson snarled, never feeling this sense of anger and hostility over anyone in his life.

"I will burn this whole f*****g place to the ground before they get their hands on our mate."