The Power Within

Chapter Twelve

I rubbed the spot where his lips had been. I had a sudden urge to clean my cheek. I am going insane. Why am I so confused about Mica? Yesterday, on our date, I had a blast. And I couldn't keep my hands off him. Now, today, it's the complete opposite. I wanted to be sure. Mica seemed so confident that I was his mate. Maybe I could talk to Louisa. She is mated to Luke, she might be able to help. 

"Hey, Gabby, could I have Louisa's number, or better yet, could you show me where she lives? I have a few things I would like to talk to her about." I rinsed out my coffee cup, and set it down inside the sink.

I turned around in time to see Gabby nod. "Sure thing, dear. I think she is at home today. We can head over there now, if you want?"

"Yeah, that would be great. Thank you so much." 

"Kiley-Ann, I am going to make a few phone calls, see if I can find out what Malcom is doing." Dad said to me as I slipped my black, ankle boots on. 

"That sounds good to me, Daddy-en. I won't be long. You two stay here, and I will be back soon." I kissed Dad's cheek, hugged Mom, and kissed her cheek too. 

"Oh," Gabby turned towards my parents, "Mia is still here, she should be awake soon, would you let her know where I went, please?"

"Of course." My mom answered. 

Gabby grabbed her keys and headed out the door. I sent my mom and dad a small wave and followed.

The drive to Louisa's house was quick and quiet. Gabby pulled up into a short drive-way. The house was an average ranch home with a small front porch, but it had a beautiful garden in the front yard. I stepped out of the car, and saw a small fountain leading into a koi pond. There were red, yellow, and pink tulips all over the place, along with ferns, and rose bushes. I inhaled the sweet fragrance of the tulips and smiled. 

"Hey, cupcake! Hey, mom!" 

I looked towards the front door, and there stood Louisa. She had a pair of pink pajama pants with red hearts all over them, and a white tank top on. Her short blond hair was stinking out in a few places, but her green eyes were warm and smiling when I met her gaze. I smiled back at her.

"Hey, Louisa. Sorry to barge in on you so early in the morning." I walked up to her as I spoke.

She waved her hand at my statement, "Pfft, this ain't early." She huffed at me. "It's already 7:30 am, I've been up since 5."  Louisa slung her arm around my shoulders and led me inside. "Come on in, cupcake."

I walked into a big living room and kitchen space. The kitchen space was all along the left wall, and made the L shape along part of the back wall. The cabinets were bright white, and the countertop was black.  The living room had a big couch, and a couple of recliners, all in a dark brown fabric. The walls were painted a light blue, and there were framed pictures all over the walls. I stepped up to get a closer look. There were pictures of Louisa standing next to a tall man with jet black hair, and bright blue eyes. That must be her mate, Luke. There were wedding photos of just the couple, and then group photos. I saw a picture of the entire family on another wall. The background was of Gabby's house. I recognized Gabby, Mica, Louisa, and Mia. The other two people must be Carla, and Leo. Gabby told me that Carla was her middle daughter, and out on an adventure. I am not sure what that meant. I stared at Leo in the photograph. He was tall, and big. His arms were the size of my legs!  His blond hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. His eyes were light blue. Everyone in the picture looked so happy. 

"That picture was taken only a month before he died." Louisa's voice startled me. She let out a small chuckle, and patted my shoulder. "Didn't mean to scare you, cupcake." 

"I guess I'm a little jumpy." I took a seat on the couch, and wrapped my arms around my middle.

Louisa sat down next me and angled her body towards mine. She threw an arm on the back of the couch, and patted my arm with her other hand. "Hey, what's going on? You seem upset. I know we just met, like yesterday, but you can talk to me. I have been told I am one awesome listener."

I stared into her green eyes. I wanted to trust her. I wanted to be able to talk to someone. Louisa was almost the same age as me, and a shifter. She pulled me from my truck before she knew who I was. I wanted a friend, someone I could talk to, about anything.

Louisa tapped my arm, bringing me out of my thoughts, "hey, come here, I want to show you something." She stood up and disappeared down the hallway. I sighed and got up to follow her. I followed her to a bedroom. The bedroom had been transformed into a small library. There were bookshelves lining every wall. The big window was framed by two wing back chairs. There was even an electric fireplace. Louisa flipped a switch and the flames started to dance behind the glass. She sat down in one of the chairs, and patted the seat of the one in front of her.  

"This room is amazing." I told her as I sat down in the other chair. 

Louisa let out a big breath. "Yup, this is my get-away-room. I come in here whenever I need the quiet to help me think. The smell of books can solve any problem. So, tell me, what's the problem?"

I leaned my head back against the chair. "How did you know Luke was your mate?" 

Louisa lifted one of her eyebrows and gave a quick laugh. "Um, well, when we were kids, Luke was always around. He and Mica were inseparable. They did everything together. So, naturally, I had a major crush on him. Then, when I was 12, I shifted for the first time." She laughed at the memory. "I was so excited, I came running in to tell everyone. Of course, Luke was at our house, like always, and when I came running in the house, I smelled this amazing smell. Once I figured out it was coming from him, I went up to him, and looked into eyes, and I knew." She shook her head, and laughed. "Yeah, he grabbed my shoulders and said to me, 'I know you're my mate.' He kissed my cheek and then went to tell my parents that he and I were mates." 

 "Wow." I stared out the window. That is one amazing story. She just knew?! Why can't I just know? Mica seems to know. Maybe I should just trust him. 

"Why did you ask about Luke and I? Could it have something to do with Mica saying he is your mate?"

I glanced back at Louisa, and nodded. "Yeah. I am just so confused. He says he is, but I just don't feel the same things he feels."

"Huh." Louisa drummed her fingers against her thigh. "You don't feel the tingles when you guys touch?"

I shook my head, "Nope. and sometimes he smells nice, and then other times, he smells disgusting to me."

"Hmm..." Louisa ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know, cupcake. Have you told Mica all of this?"

"Oh yeah. He knows. He thinks the mate-bond works differently for me because I am the three-form shifter."

"That could be it." Louisa got up out of her chair and went to one of the bookshelves. She scanned three rows of books until she grabbed one. She brought it over and handed it to me.

I took it from her. The book was old. The front cover was so faded I couldn't read the title. I opened it up. "The mate-bond and its power." I read aloud. "I have this same book!" I exclaimed. I looked up at Louisa to see her smile at me. 

"Good, then you know what it says." I nodded at her words. She continued, "Personally, I would love it if you were my brother's mate. You need to be sure, though. Maybe the book can help. I think the three-form shifter mate-bond is mentioned in there. I haven't read the whole book, so I can't be sure."

I closed the cover and hugged the book to my chest. "Thank you so much. I was actually wishing I had my copy to read through. There is a whole section devoted to three-from shifters and their mate-bonds. My real mom left it for me before she died." I laid the book on my lap. I met Louisa's stare. "Thanks again, for everything." 

"You're welcome, cupcake. Now, get outta my house, I've got to get to work." She jerked her thumb towards the door. She chuckled when she saw my mouth open in shock. I rolled my eyes at her, and shook my head. I followed her back out to the living room. Gabby was sitting on the couch. She stood when she saw us. 

Gabby looked at the book in my hands, and then up to my face, "Are you ready to get back to the house, dear?" 

I smiled, "yes, thank you so much for bringing me over here."

Gabby gave her daughter a hug and asked, "Will you be over for dinner tonight?"

"Yup. Right after work."

Gabby gave a slight nod and headed to the door. "We will see you later then. Have a good day at work, dear."

"Thanks mom, love you." Louisa said with a smile.

"Love you too." Gabby replied. She walked out the front door, leaving it open for me.

"Thanks, again, Louisa, " I said as I walked to the open door. "I really do appreciate you lending me the book," I met her green eyes, "And for being a good friend." She grinned from ear to ear at my words. 

"Anytime, cupcake. Anytime." She said. 

I smiled at her, and closed her front door. Gabby started her car after I slid into the front seat. 

"Was Louisa able to help, dear?" She asked me, after she backed out of the drive-way.

I looked at the book sitting on my lap. "Yeah, she was a big help. Thanks, again, Gabby, for driving me."

She patted my knee. "You're welcome, dear. 

The car ride was silent after that. It only took a few minutes until we were back at Gabby's. I saw my parents sitting on the swing on the front porch. It was a beautiful sunny morning, still a little chilly, but beautiful. I sat down in the wicker seat next to the swing. 

"Hello, my parents." I said, cheerfully. Having my mom and dad near always made me feel better.

My dad chuckled at my tone. "Someone is a better mood." 

I shrugged. "A little bit. I am still worried about Malcom. Did you get ahold of anyone?"

"Yes, I did. I called Robert and Abigale. They said Malcom is in the states. Their contact told them he flew into New York late last night. Abigale said the contact told her that it was a sudden, unplanned trip." Robert and Abigale are both shifters. Ben met Robert when he was stationed over in Lebanon in the early '80s. Robert is a fellow former Marine. Robert saved Ben's life, and they have been best friends ever since. Abigale is Robert's shifter-mate. She was a nurse who treated both Robert and Ben when they came home. They have been helping my dad and keeping him informed about Malcom since that day Ben found me. I've only met them twice. 

"Daddy-en, do you really think we are safe here?" I asked him. I put the book on the floor by the chair. I brought my legs up and wrapped my arms around them. 

He sighed. "I think so, Kiley-Ann. I don't like that he is here in the states, though. I don't like that at all. And you're sure the flowers that your friend found are from him?" 

"Yeah, he signed the card with his initials, M.W." 

The three of us sat quietly for a while, before Gabby came out and joined us. She sat in the wicker chair next to mine. "I know you're worried, dear. I am sure that everything will work out. I hope you know you can trust us." 

I wanted to believe that. It was exhausting to be on guard every minute of every day. I hated second guessing the motives of the people around me. I felt terrible for believing new people in my life could be potential enemies. 

"Can I ask you something personal, dear?" I turned my head to look at Gabby.

"You can ask me anything. Whether or not I answer is another matter." I told her.

She let out a small laugh, but then her face turned serious when she asked, "why do you keep saying you aren't sure about Mica being your mate?"

I owed her the truth. Mica was her son. "I don't feel the tingles or jolts when we touch, and sometimes he smells really good to me, but then there are times when his smell makes me want to plug my nose. I just don't understand why I keep getting mixed signals."

She pointed to the book, "so, is the book supposed to help?"

I unfolded my legs and grabbed the book. "Yeah, this book is about the mate-bond. I have a copy at my apartment. It has a whole section that talks about three-form shifters' mate-bond."

"Good. That's good. I hope it helps. I wanted to say that Mica does seem a little different since you've been here. His father's death really upset him. Leo's death changed all of us. Mica has been quiet and withdrawn since that day. Yesterday was the first time in a long time that I saw him smile." Gabby grabbed my hand. "I really believe that you are his mate."

She got up and went inside the house when it was clear that I had nothing to respond to that.