The meal was huge and Kasey ate her fill, she couldn’t ever remember feeling so hungry before, then she remembered what Shallana had said about her needing to replace the energy she used when her gifts were active.  She had used her gifts several times today and she was sure Braedon would be surprised to hear about her day and all she had achieved.

She looked around the table and everyone was enjoying themselves, even Ewan seemed to be more comfortable.  She looked at Jacob and although he was smiling she saw concern in his eyes.  It had been a long morning and it was going to be a long afternoon, she finished off her food and started clearing off the table. 

Ewan seemed surprised and Gilbert wanted to stop her but Braedon stood and helped her, showing those there that this was what Kasey needed to do right then.  When everything was cleared away they sat around the table, Braedon pulled her onto his lap and she leaned into him needing the closeness.

“I hear you had an eventful day kitten,” Braedon asked as he rubbed a hand up and down her arm soothing her.

“Yeah, you could say that.  My gifts are growing and I’m still not entirely sure what they all are yet,” she sighed, “okay this is where we stand so far,” she looked around the table at the men she now trusted Braedon, Jacob, Eli, Daniel, Nate, Gilbert and now Ewan. She smiled.  

“I can read people by touch, although I’m not sure if that’s all people or just humans and Were’s… Shifters.  I have the gift of sight, a good thing to have, but a gift I can’t use at will and umm…” and here she deliberately watched Braedon, “I can shimmer from place to place like Ewan did when I first saw him.”

Braedon’s look of surprise brought a huge grin to her face, “I thought you’d like that one!  I haven’t gotten it down completely, but the way I’m going I’m guessing it won’t take long.  She looked at Jacob and Eli, “And I’m kind of… um… I’m telekinetic.”

“Which has already come in handy,” added Jacob.

“Kitten?”

‘Later Braedon okay, you promised you’d take me to see the boys at the surgery remember?”

Braedon smiled, “Yes a telekinetic ability would be very handy. Now come kitten, I promised you a visit to see Jaz and the boys.”

“A moment,” Gilbert said then disappeared into the kitchen before returning with two meals and a box of what she guessed was cookies to cheer the boys up.  Braedon took the two meals, one for Jaz and the other for Nicolas, who hadn’t left his sister’s side since the incident with the boys and Kasey carried the box of cookies.

Before they left Braedon spoke to Ewan, “It seems you are working well with Shallana and Kasey.  You are a welcome guest at the Compound and I would ask that you assist my men in preparing rooms for you and your brothers.   I’m sure they will all be here soon and I would like you all to be as comfortable as possible.”

He waited for Ewan to acknowledge what he’d said then turned to Jacob, “Rest my friend, we will talk later today.”

As they walked towards the surgery Kasey felt lighter, as if the stress and pressures of the morning had floated away.  When they got back to the house she would meet with Braedon and Jacob but until then she didn’t want to think about her gifts or her father or even of her brothers. 

Right now she wanted to visit with her future brother and sister in-law and see for herself that the young boys that had been hurt in the rock slide were doing alright.  She smiled softly to herself, her life had changed so much and not in any way she had ever imagined.

Kasey leaned into Braedon and he put his arm around her, “Life sure as hell is never going to be boring with you,” she grinned, “and I’m fine with that Brae, just so long as we stick together okay.”

“Okay!” he replied and they walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence. 

When they arrived at the surgery Jaz appeared out of a room towards the end of the hall.  She smiled but looked tired. “Hey Kasey, it’s good to see you. Braedon said you’d come visit this afternoon,” then she ushered them to the kitchen as she saw what they were carrying.

“Gilbert sent a meal for each of you; I’m assuming that Nicolas is still here?” Braedon said in a concerned voice.

Jaz sighed, “Yes I’ve told him several times to go and rest, but he doesn’t want to leave the boys.”

“How are the boys,” asked Kasey, “Braedon said they weren’t hurt too badly.”

“The boys are fine, but he’s feeling guilty for not preventing the accident all together.”  She looked at them both, “He needs to eat and get some rest.”

“So do you Jaz, now sit and eat, I’ll go get our brother and after he eats he will listen when I tell him to go home and rest.”

As Braedon went to get his brother, Kasey made a pot of tea and organised cups for Jaz and Nicolas, “Jaz,” she began, “when you are feeling better can you give me a check up?  With everything that’s happened, especially today I need to know if everything is working okay.”

“Are you going to tell me what happened today Kasey, or am I supposed to guess?”

Then Kasey did a remarkable thing, she closed her eyes and opened up her mind to Jaz, Braedon and Nicolas so that rather than having to explain everything that had happened, first to Jaz and then again to Nicolas they would all see from her memories at the same time.  She heard gasps of astonishment from all three and as they settled at the table Braedon took her hand and gave it a squeeze letting her know he was with her.

She opened her eyes and saw the shock on their faces, “Don’t tell me, I’m not supposed to be able to do that yet right?”

It was Nicolas that answered, “You truly are a wonder!  To my knowledge no mate has ever be able to do what you did period.  This must be part of your Fey gifts, the fact that you and Braedon will soon be mated has more than likely given you the ability to project your memories to us.  We are after all his family, his blood.”

“Okay, I just figured this would be easier than having to repeat it to each of you, you know?”

“Yes kitten, we know.  Now what was it you were saying to Jaz about a check up?”

Kasey wasn’t surprised that he had heard, in fact she was getting used to Were hearing, “Shallana told me that the more I use my gifts my more energy I will use, so I need to increase my intake to compensate.” 

She grinned at Jaz, “So I pretty much get to eat whatever I want!” a flash of chocolate cake and ice-cream went through Jaz’s mind and she laughed.

“How about first thing in the morning, I’ll be feeling a lot more human by then; right now I’m not sure I’d be able to concentrate long enough to get all the information I need.  As the Pack’s healer it’s important that I have records on all Pack members.”

“That’ll be fine Jaz; I’ll come down after breakfast if that’s okay?”

Jaz smiled softly at her soon to be sister-in-law, “How about you hold off on breakfast so I can do some blood tests and we can eat together?”  Kasey nodded her agreement.

She sensed that Braedon wanted to speak with his brother, tell him to snap out of it and go rest.  She also realised that Nicolas might be a little embarrassed if she were there hear it.  “Umm I’m gonna go see how the boys are doing while you finish eating okay.”  She held up the box of cookies and when Jaz nodded she left the room in search of the boys.

Kasey didn’t have to look too far; the boys were in a room a couple of doors down.  She knocked on the door before sticking her head in the door, a smile on her face, “Can I come in guys, I have cookies?”

“Yes!” they said in unison and they were soon sitting on the floor on big soft cushions as she opened the box for them to help themselves.

Kasey looked them over carefully, “How are you guys feeling?  You don’t look too bad considering a heap of rocks fell on you.”

One of the boys, Thomas answered her, “We’re fine really, just a few scratches and bruises, but Jaz wanted to make sure so she said we should get checked out.” He sighed and Kasey wasn’t surprised at what he said next.

“Nicolas,” he whispered “has been like a mother hen!  He’s been fussing over us like he’s our mother or something.”

Kasey smiled, “He blames himself for what happened to you.  He’s your trainer and ultimately responsible for your safety, I guess this was his way of trying to make up for what happened.”

“It wasn’t his fault,” began Tim, the smallest one of the group, “Nicolas can’t always be there to protect us and besides, how are we going to learn to duck if we aren’t put in situations like that.  We learnt a lot from what happened like to listen closer when we move through the bush.  If we’d been paying more attention, we might have heard the rocks shifting before they fell on us.”

Kasey looked at the others and they all nodded their agreement.  “I’m sure that’s something Nicolas would like to hear, because it shows that you really did learn from the experience.”  Then she grinned because she realised that he would have heard every word of their conversation.

“Okay, who wants more cookies?” she asked and when Aaron and Jack held their hands out she put the box down and ran her fingers over the scrapes and scratches on their palms.  They looked sore and Kasey wanted them gone.  She didn’t realise what she was doing, but dropped the hands and kissed each boy on the forehead saying as she did, “Heal quickly.”

To all their surprise the scrapes and scratches slowly began to vanish, leaving smooth undamaged skin.  The boys looked at her in surprise and she shrugged and held a finger to her mouth letting them know not to say anything.

She felt a little light headed and as calmly as she could manage lifted a cookie to her mouth and started munching away.  She realised she needed fuel, she hadn’t expended a great deal of energy, but she’d utilised a great deal that day already and she just knew Braedon would not be happy about it.

Kasey sat with the boys chatting and eating cookies until Jaz came in and told them they needed to rest.  They all got up and Kasey gave them a hug each before leaving them with Jaz to organise.

When she entered the kitchen she walked right in to Braedon’s arms, he didn’t say a word about what she’d done, but she could see in his eyes he would.  She looked around and noticed that Nicolas had gone.  “Braedon?”

“Nicolas heard what you and the boys said and realised that he was indeed fussing over them.”  He grinned, “He’s gone to bed kitten, he’ll be fine in the morning.”

Kasey smiled up at him, and he tugged her towards the door as he called out that they were leaving to his sister.  They walked down towards the stream and a bench where they sat and watched to water quietly.

Kasey sighed, she felt comfortable, at home… things felt ‘right’ in a way they never had before.  She leaned into Braedon and he held her closer.  “Kitten, we need to talk about your abilities and what just happened with the boys.”

She remained silent, instinctively knowing he had more to say, “I understand that this is all new to you and you want to explore and use your gifts, but you need to be cautious.  You can’t over do things.”

She could see the strain in his eyes and remembered what had happened in Sydney with Nate. “Braedon, each time I use my gifts I get more control over them.  I know you’re worried but, I can’t not use them.  I need to get a handle on them in case my father does come for me.”

She turned to him taking his face in her hands, “I just need to be careful is all.  I’ll make sure I have snacks with me in case I need to re-fuel okay?”

Braedon sighed; he knew she was right she had to utilize her gifts in order to gain control of them.  “You will be very careful kitten or I will wrap you in cotton wool and lock you in your room.” He grinned at her but she knew he was only half joking, so she did the only thing she could do, she kissed him long and slow inviting him in.  An invitation he gladly took and as he explored her mouth his hands holding her close he knew that soon, very soon she would be his.

The kiss ended all too soon for Braedon, he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman and he knew that once would never be enough, he knew that he would never have enough of her and he was fine with that knowledge.

Kasey was gasping for breath, her face flushed with arousal and need but he controlled his own need and led her back to the house where Jacob was waiting to meet with them.  When they got to the house she excused herself and went to her bathroom to splash some water on her face. 

Each day the bond between her and Braedon grew and each day the need she had to be his became stronger.  She sat on the side of her bed for a few minute to get her head on straight, no way could she go into a meeting with two Were’s all hyped up and needy, it would drive them both crazy and embarrass the hell out of her.

When she was ready she headed for Braedon’s office and smiled when she saw a tray on his desk with coffee and cake.  She poured herself a cup and sat on the edge of Braedon’s desk before picking up a slice. 

“Mm,” she murmured, “coffee and walnut, Gilbert sure knows how to cook.” She turned to Jacob and nodded, “How you doing Jake?”

He smiled and shook his head, “Thank you for what you did, I was so afraid Tally had been injured.” His breath caught, “I would never have forgiven myself if I’d hurt her.”

Braedon waited knowing that not only did his little mate need to deal with what had happened, but that Jacob needed to finally accept and take control of the situation. 

“I know I haven’t been part of the Pack for long and am still kind of an unofficial member, but Jacob that little girl has you wrapped around her little finger.”

Jacob moved forward on his seat resting his arms on his thighs.  “She has a way of melting my heart, she knows exactly how to…”

“Manipulate you?” she began.  “Jacob she’s your mate and you’re letting her walk all over you.”

He straightened up and would have denied what she’d said, but Braedon spoke, “Kasey is right, Tally only has to bat her eyes and you do what she wants.  I have spoken to you about this more than once Jacob as have several other Pack mates.  You will listen to my mate and do as she suggests.”  He didn’t make it an order, but Jacob knew better than to question what he’d been told to do.

“I’d say Talea pretty much knows she’s your mate Jacob and she’s using the bond that’s been developing between you to get what she wants.  You need to sit down with her parents and discuss the situation.  You need to be honest with them and with yourself.”

Kasey got off the desk and crouched down in front of her friend, “I have no doubt that Talea loves you, but she’s a child Jake and she needs limitations.  I’ll come with you if you want when you speak to Talea’s parents.  But you will speak with them; you need to put a few rules in place so Talea knows there are boundaries she can’t cross.”

Kasey saw the stress written across Jacob’s face and reached up putting her hand on his cheek.  “From what I’ve seen so far Talea has been allowed to do as she pleases where you are concerned and I’m fairly sure she’s used your name to get what she wants at times.  She needs to be a kid; she needs to learn that even though you are her future mate there are rules she has to abide by. 

She needs discipline Jake, she’s a child, but she’s also a Wolf and if she doesn’t learn to do what she’s told, she just might end up really getting herself hurt next time.”

Kasey saw pain in his eyes as did Braedon who got up and walked over to his friend placing a hand on his shoulder in support.  He looked at Kasey but remained silent.

“Talea is grounded for two days and then she is to come see me.  I want you to be there and talk to her, let her know that things are going to change.”

Jacob stood bringing Kasey with him, “You’re right sweet cheeks, I’ll speak with Tally’s parents.”  He smiled then, “Tally is a good kid, but your right, its past time to do something about how she is with me.  It screws with my head too much and I need to have a clear head if I am to remain in my position.”

“Always my friend, you will always be at my side.”  Braedon smiled at his friend, “I will always need your expertise and…” he grinned, “your humour!”

Jacob smiled at his friend and Alpha, “Thank you, thank you both; I’ll be here when Tally comes to see you and I will talk and she will listen.” Then he gave Kasey a kiss on the cheek, laughed at the growl Braedon tried not to make and left the room.

Kasey sat on the seat opposite Braedon’s desk, “I feel like I’m overstepping things here Braedon.  I mean I’m not really your mate yet… well not officially and…”

He cut her off, “The Pack has accepted you as my mate kitten, you had every right to do as you have.”

The next day Kasey spent most of the morning with Shallana and Ewan honing the gifts she knew of.  She practiced her ‘shimmering’ and all but scared the hell out of Braedon and Jacob when she suddenly appeared in front of them both.

Each time she utilised her gifts it seemed she gained more control over them, control and power.  She was becoming a great deal stronger and also somewhat wary of this strength.  She had taken to carrying a small backpack with little packages of dried fruit or crackers.  She had to keep her energy levels up and this meant having a regular intake of fuel… that is food.

Towards late afternoon Jacob came looking for her, she looked at him and he nodded indicating that he had indeed spoken with Talea’s parents.  She spoke to Ewan and Shellana before she approached Jacob.

“So… we good to go?”

He laughed, “Yes sweet cheeks we are good to go.” He placed an arm around her shoulder and led her back towards the main house.  “Tally has been told to be at the house by 4.00pm to speak with you, she doesn’t know that I will be there, but she is aware that I have spoken to her parents.”

Kasey wrapped an arm around his waist, “Okay, that gives us about twenty minutes.  How about I get Gerald to make us some coffee huh?”

Jacob kissed the top of her head, “You also know the way to my heart sweet cheeks,” then they continued on quietly until they got to the kitchen where they both grinned when they got a whiff of the coffee Gerald had already made.

They sat at the kitchen table and drank coffee and waited.  It didn’t take long and this time rather than come running in through the kitchen door Talea knocked on the front door.  They looked at each other and as Jacob went to get up she shook her head.  “We can use Braedon’s office; I’ll let her in okay.”

Jacob nodded and headed for the office leaving Kasey to lead his Tally there.  As she walked in she looked up in surprise to see Jacob waiting for her.  Kasey guided Tally to the set of couches sitting next to her so that Jacob would know he was to sit opposite.

“So,” began Kasey, “What do you have to say for yourself Talea?”

They both waited quietly for Talea to speak, her bottom lip quivered for a moment, but then she sat up straighter and looked Kasey in the eye for a moment letting her know she was ready to speak.

“I did what you said and thought about what happened… what almost happened and how sad and afraid Jacob looked.” 

Tears filled her eyes and Kasey could see that Jacob wanted to reach out to her.  She took the little girls hand and held it gently letting her know that she wasn’t alone and that she should continue.

Tally shook her head from side to side, “It was my fault, I shouldn’t have been there and especially I shouldn’t of come running to Jacob.  My mum and dad told me that if I had gotten hurt…” tears suddenly escaped her eyes and streamed down her little cheeks, “if I had gotten hurt my Jacob would blame himself.” 

She looked up at Jacob, “I’m sorry Jacob, I just wanted to be with you.  I know I should have gone to the house like Kasey said, but sometimes I miss you so much it hurts here…” she said and held her free hand over her heart.

“When you go away I cry all the time, because I can’t see you and we can’t talk mind to mind yet.”  She looked to Kasey then fear and shame written across her small face.  “Are you gonna stop me from seeing my Jacob?” she waited a moment.

“I promise to be good and do what you both tell me, just please don’t take him away from me.  It hurts!  I don’t want to cry myself to sleep every night like I did when he was in Sydney with Alpha.”

She shook her head as more and more tears came and Kasey could see that she was trying her best to stay in control, trying not to look like the little girl that she was.  Then it suddenly hit her!  Talea may well be a child, but she was growing into the bond she would eventually have with Jacob.  He was her mate and she had no right to keep them apart.

She looked at Jacob and he nodded, giving her the go ahead to do what she would.  He was surprised when Kasey pulled his little Tally onto her lap and cuddled her, stroking her hair and doing her best to sooth the child.

When the tears began to subside Jacob brought over a box of tissues for Tally.  She wiped her face and blew her nose tossing the used tissues in the bin nearby.  She seemed afraid to look at either of them, lowering her head and trying to gain control of her breathing.

Jacob moved over and sat on the coffee table in front of Kasey and Tally.  He put a finger under her chin and lifted her face.  He smiled softly, “My sweet little Tally, this is a very grownup thing you have just done.  It shows us both that you have truly realised the damage that could have been done because you couldn’t do as you were told.”

He sighed, “Tally you know I love you, I would do anything to make you happy, but we need to put some rules in place.  Rules you will keep or there will be big trouble is that understood?”

Tally nodded that she understood and Kasey had the thought that at that moment little Talea would have agreed to anything either of them said, just so long as she could spend time with her Jacob.

“Okay,” continued Jacob.  “I spoke with your parents and they agree that you need to be able to be a little girl, spend time with children your own age and well…” he sighed, “a little less time with me.”

He saw the look of horror on her face and reached out taking her from Kasey and sitting her on his lap so he could hold her.  “I said less time sweetie, not ‘no’ time.  In fact what we can do is plan special times together.  Sometimes we will have only a few hours together Tally, but other times we will have the entire day!  But the trick will be to enjoy the time we do have okay.”

Tally looked up into his eyes wiping a few tears aside before speaking, “How many times will I see you…” she stopped not sure how to better explain herself.

“You mean how often will we see each other?”  Tally nodded and Jacob thought for a moment.  “How about we get together and just hangout one day a week, but I come over for dinner one night and you come to the main house another night?”  He looked at Kasey and she nodded agreeing with what he’d said.

“What about when you go away?”

“If I am away I will call you Tally, maybe not every night, but as often as I can, what do you think?”

Talea seemed to realise she shouldn’t push things and after a huge sigh responded, “Okay Jacob and I’ll be good and not come looking for you, even when I hurt to see you.” Then she burst into tears, this time sobbing long and hard.

Kasey left them holding each other, she felt the loss of Braedon when he wasn’t near, she didn’t want to consider what finding your mate at such an early age would be like.  She went to the front porch and looked out over the land in front of her. 

She breathed in deeply wanting… needing to calm herself and get a grip on what had just happened.  She sent out her thoughts to Braedon and felt warmth and love in return, she had this, a means of contacting… touching her mate when he wasn’t with her. 

Kasey had no idea when Tally would be able to contact Jacob that way, but she hoped it would be sooner rather than later.  She turned and headed back inside, Tally was still sitting on Jacobs lap, but now there were no tears, he was telling her a story and she was snuggled in close to him listening intently.

“Umm,” she began, “I was wondering if it’s not too much trouble Jacob.” Both Jacob and Tally turned to face her, waiting for her to continue. “since you and Tally won’t be seeing each other every day, I was thinking that maybe Tally and I could spend a bit of time together too, we could do girl stuff and I could teach her how to make cookies.  What do you think?”

Tally jumped off Jacob’s lap and ran to Kasey arms held wide.  Kasey grabbed her and they both fell to the floor laughing and grinning.  “I’ll take that as a yes shall I?” and Tally nodded and hugged her again.

Kasey looked over at Jacob and saw a glint in his eyes, “Thank you!” he whispered to her and she nodded slightly before standing up and pulling Tally with her.

“You know I think Gerald made cookies this morning?”  Tally’s face lit up and she disappeared, heading for the kitchen where she’d find milk and freshly baked cookies.

Jacob came up behind her and gave her a hug and kissed the top of her head. “You just made Tally a very happy girl.” He sighed, “I had no idea things were so difficult for her, I mean I feel her loss when she isn’t near, but I didn’t think we had bonded enough that she would feel it as well.  You spending time with her will help and you know I think Tally will be good for you too sweet cheeks!” then he gave her a squeeze and went in search of coffee.