Surge’s brow was deeply furrowed. “I’ve never seen your mate before now. I’ve certainly never chased her through the forest.”
Jayce shook his head. “We know that. We have no idea what the visions mean, but there must be a reason we’re all gathered here.” He looked around as if he might spot something in the trees or farther in the distance.
Suddenly the hairs on his arms stood on end, and he gripped the fur on the back of his mate’s neck firmly, feeling the need to remind her not to move. It bothered him that she’d had two visions of being in the forest without him. If the visions were futuristic in nature, would he have the power to stop them from happening by forbidding her from stepping even one foot away from him? But the visions could not be from the future if the reason for them was to compel Sienna to transition. She’d already done so now.
Sienna stepped closer to the edge of the porch, tipped her head back, and howled louder than the previous two times. It was a distressed howl that every animal for a great distance would hear.
The trees seemed to blow back and forth as if being whipped around in a wind tunnel. As if the branches also knew something and commiserated with Sienna.
Did she, though? Know something?
She jerked her head back and forth as though scanning the area. Her ears stood up.
Everyone else looked around, too.
“I don’t see anything out of the ordinary,” Amber said.
“I don’t hear anything,” Molly agreed.
“And I don’t scent anything.” Rylee sighed as though she joined the others in feeling frustrated that none of them could sense whatever had Sienna’s hackles up. Danger?
Sienna bared her teeth, growling, the tone unnerving. Could she see or sense something? She wasn’t looking at the bears, so it didn’t seem she found them to be a threat.
Jayce stroked her head. “Let’s go inside so you can shift back, get dressed, and then tell us what you know.”
She tipped her snout back and looked at him before jerking her attention to the mountains around them. After scanning the area, she howled again. So loud. Filled with warning and distress. But for what reason? They were all standing here. Did she sense some sort of danger?
Finally, she turned and trotted into the house.
As soon as Jayce shut the door, she rushed into the bedroom. He followed her and didn’t even have to encourage her to shift back. She did so on her own.
Sienna was panting, frantically looking around. “I need clothes.”
Jayce swooped her up and carried her into the nursery. He grabbed a pair of panties and helped her into them before adding a simple navy cotton dress. When she was presentable, he lifted her onto a hip and carried her back outside.
Chapter Eleven
Sienna was trembling from head to toe. She felt so awkward in her Daddy’s arms, but she didn’t want him to put her down. She held on to him tightly.
When they stepped back outside, she was overwhelmed. It had been easier to face everyone when she’d been in wolf form. She hadn’t needed to specifically look at them or talk to anyone. Now…
Jayce rubbed her back. “I’ve got you, Baby girl.”
His words comforted her, but he didn’t understand how introverted she was. He’d never seen her around other people. She wasn’t her usual self with him. Perhaps the bond itself drew her out of her shell. Whatever it was, she trusted him and didn’t feel the same level of nervous shyness when she was alone with him.
The only people Sienna had ever seen before today were Amber and Rylee. She’d never even spoken to Rylee before. Amber she’d at least met with several times in the last week leading up to Amber’s ceremony.
Amber gave her a little wave and smiled. “It’s good to see you. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m sorry you’re having to come out and face all of us on the same day as your mating ceremony.”
Sienna tried to return the smile, gripping her Daddy’s neck with her fingertips. Wasn’t she hurting him? If so, he gave no indication.
Rylee spoke next. “I’m sorry we weren’t acquainted in the valley, but welcome to the mountains.”
The third woman leaned into her mate. “I’m Molly. Nice to meet you.”
Jayce continued to rub her back, calming her as much as possible. What she really wanted to do was go back inside, pop that pacifier in her mouth, and bury herself under the covers somewhere.
Daddy nodded toward the bears. “Would you two mind shifting again for a minute so Sienna can be certain Surge is the bear she saw in her vision?”
