Page 52 of Claimed

“It could. I think we should find out as much as possible about Cherry.”

“I think we’re better off searching for Dr. J.”

I turn to Bain in surprise. “Dr. J? Why?”

“Are you kidding?” he asks, his hands clenching into fists at his side. “That man tortured our mate. He needs to die.”

“I agree, but we don’t know how to find him,” I say, glancing at Gage, wondering if that’s changed. He shakes his head, confirming as much as we both turn to Bain in question.

“We are in a town full of supernaturals,” he explains. “I bet there’s a damn good chance someone here knows something about Dr. J or the facility. If we can figure out who this doctor is, maybe we can find where he lives.”

“That’s a bit of a long shot,” Gage says with a frown.

Bain shrugs. “I can’t sit here and do nothing, knowing he’s out there somewhere. Chase and I are going to ask Cody if he knows of anyone with information.”

“Cody?” I ask. “The wolf shifter from the diner?” He nods and I contemplate that for a moment. He seemed safe enough. He said he doesn't have a pack here, and I know Bain could take him in a fight if necessary.

“Okay,” I say with a nod. “Let’s go into town today. Bain, you can talk to Cody and see if there’s a lead there, and we’ll take Cherry to see Erica. If she shifts, it might help Erica open up to her.”

They both agree and we all head down the hall to our bedrooms to shower. I relay our plans through the bond to the twins, who tell us Cherry has woken in her wolf form and they are getting her breakfast.

One huge benefit of Cherry having multiple mates is that it gives us the opportunity to take care of her the way she deserves. There’s always at least one of us available to be with her at any given time, letting the others take care of other shit, like security, planning, cooking, or jerking off in the shower to the thought of her.

I never would have guessed that a situation like this could work, one woman and five men, but I have to admit, I love being able to keep my found family together, for my four brothers and me to have one common goal in mind: taking care of our mate.

As we walk down the sidewalk on Main Street, I still find it remarkable that all these supernaturals can exist here, without fear of discovery. On the other side of the street is a small park where several young fox shifters run around their mother’s legs, playing a game of tag. Mere paces away, a giant brown bear slumbers under a large oak tree.

Chase, seeing the same thing as me, snorts in amusement. “Is he homeless or something?”

“Maybe he doesn’t have a yard or a good place to lie outside at home,” Hunter suggests.

“It could be he feels safe here, in the middle of town,” Gage comments. “After all, who’s gonna mess with a bear shifter? Especially in a place so visible.”

Whatever his reasons, it’s nice that he could do that. I glance down at Cherry walking along beside me, her head on a permanent swivel as she takes everything in. It’s hard not to notice the differences in her since we got here. Not only is her shape filling out to a much healthier size, but she looks alert and happy. Her tail swooshes back and forth as she walks between Chase and me, her nose sniffing curiously.

I take a deep breath, enjoying the feeling this new town brings, and that’s when I smell it. The unmistakable scent of lavender and soap. I stop dead in my tracks and hear Bain let out a small growl of warning.

A few steps ahead, where Pine Street intersects with Main, she steps around the corner, a look of surprise on her face. She freezes at the sight of us.

“Maddox, Chase!” she says in surprise.

“Juliet,” I all but growl. “What are you doing here?” In my town.

“We’re moving here,” she says, glancing at the man whose arm she’s hanging off. Somehow, I was so preoccupied with the fact that she’s here that I didn’t even notice him.

“Is this the dickhead alpha who was gonna take over his daddy's pack or something?” Chase asks through the bond.

“Yes,” Gage answers. “Ezra from the Black Oak Pack.”

“Ezra,” I say with a tiny nod in greeting. “I thought you were taking over your father’s pack out West?”

“We decided this place would be better,” Juliet says, clinging to his arm and not letting him talk. It doesn’t seem to bother him, though. He just smiles at her in amusement before his eyes move over us.

“That’s a shame,” Chase mumbles, knowing she’ll hear him. Her lips press together in displeasure as she glances at our less than amused faces at finding her here until her eyes land on Cherry. A small smile pulls at her lips.

“Oh, you brought your pet with you! How cute!” she says condescendingly. I let my fingers stroke through Cherry’s fur as Chase laughs.

“You might want to remember she almost bit you last time you talked shit around her.”