Surprise Mating by Jana Leigh

however, Kiki could sense the presence of more than one magical creature, as well as the ward pushing them back.
    Thomas closed his eyes and searched out with his senses and then turned and looked to the left and smiled.  “ Breitney?”
    Kiki stiffened.  Just when he was going to say something smartass , a woman appeared out of thin air.  She walked toward Thomas with a sway in her hips and all Kiki could think of was ‘cat fight’ if the bitch touched her mate.  When she stopped in front of them the woman looked up, smiled, and said, “Cousin, it has been too long.”
    Thomas laughed and said , “Yes it has, and what the hell are you doing all the way up here? Last I heard, you and the others were in the west, hiding in the mountains.”
    Breitney smiled and nodded.  “ Mom and dad brought us up here when we heard the Drekinn moved, we wanted to be able to help if needed.  We were trying to find out if you were okay, but there is not much information coming out of the city right now.  The Prentiss has it locked up tighter than a tick.  Well come on, bring your mate, and let’s get you settled.”
    Thomas laughed and Kiki froze and whispered, “ How did she know?”
    “ I can smell Thomas all over you, cousin, welcome to the family.”  The woman laughed and led them through the barrier that surrounded the small town.  When they passed through Kiki grinned, at least they weren’t going to have to sleep on the ground tonight.  There were about fifteen homes and two other buildings in the area.
    “ We all came here over the last few months and made camp.  There was word the Drekinn would be here soon.  I am assuming because you are here, that it means the rumors are true, since you worked with them,” Thomas’s cousin said and led them to one of the larger buildings that Kiki assumed was a meeting hall of some sorts. 
    Kiki shook his head.  I t looked like the people here were working hard to be prepared if something happened.  There were various weapons and other things set by the door when they walked in. 
    A large man sat in the front of the room in a nice , cozy chair and he smiled when they entered.  “We have been waiting for you all,” he boomed and stood up.
    Thomas and Kiki looked confused but continued into the room until they were in front of the man.  “ I am Fretride, and Alpha of the Montana Pack,” he said and shook their hands.
    Thomas i ntroduced both of them and the man grinned bigger.  “Like I really needed to know your names, son, they are posted from the east coast to the west coast, on wanted posters.  It isn’t hard to figure that you are part of the Drekinn,” the older man said.
    “ Oh!  Did they get my good side?” Kiki blurted out and looked around at the pictures laying on the tables. 
    “ Don’t know about that, but if we wanted to make some good money, we could turn you over right now and live happily ever after,” the man said smoothly and Thomas and Kiki froze in place.  “HAHA, not that we would, just saying.”
    Thomas looked at his cousin who was shaking her head, “ Please, ignore them.  No, but it is getting bad out there if you are a shifter, or magical.  The Prentiss will have you bagged and tagged before you know it.  They said if you step out of line that you will be taken to one of the work camps.  Owen was taken last month according to mom.”
    Owen was one of his loud mouth cousins who Thomas would not normally care too much about , but he was family even though he was an idiot.  The last time he saw Owen, he was trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey by one of the females he had dated and cheated on.
    “ Where is he?” Thomas asked quietly, wanting to punch something.  Kiki could feel the anger radiating off him as he stood beside his mate.  Someone slipped in behind them and the older man waved. 
    “ Come over here, Giovanni, let me introduce you to two of the most wanted,” the old man said.  “Giovanni Castrella is