Rocky (Tales of the Were) by Bianca D'Arc Read Free Book Online Page B

lieutenants, though he never thought much about his placement within the community. He was the only grizzly shifter in the territory, the only one he knew of in the region now that Tony was dead.
    Both Tony and Maggie’s parents were gone as well, and Rocky’s folks had long since moved to the coastal woodlands. They were enjoying their semi-retirement, though he had a feeling once they knew they had grandcubs, they’d be here like a shot. Which reminded him, he had to call today and let them know what had happened. He’d be in big trouble with his mother if she found out through the shifter grapevine.
    He went out to greet the work crew, taking his cell phone with him. He’d place the call as soon as he got a moment.
     
    Work on the first small addition to his house was well underway before he had a chance to phone his folks, but he knew he could put it off no longer. Rocky walked a short distance from the house and the new construction and hit the button. Leaning against a tree for support, he waited for someone to answer. He should’ve known it would be his mother. She always seemed to know when he was calling.
    “Hi, mom, it’s me.”
    “Rocco? Sweetheart, how are you?”
    Even after all these years on his own, his mother’s voice still made him homesick for those early days when she’d baked his favorite cookies and fussed over him and Tony after school. If it wasn’t his mom, it was Tony’s, since the boys were never far apart as they grew.
    “I have news. Can you get Dad to pick up the extension? I think you both should hear all this at once.”
    “I hope it’s nothing bad. Are you all right, son?” He heard her moving through the house as she spoke. Probably looking for his dad.
    He heard a click and knew his dad was on the line even before he had a chance to answer his mother’s question.
    “The news is mixed, but I think overall you’ll be happy. First, Maggie’s here. Did you know she was pregnant? She had the babies last night. Twins. Twin boys.”
    “Oh, sweet blessed Lady. Where’s Tony? We haven’t heard from him in so long, but I didn’t worry because he had Maggie.” His mother’s voice broke his heart. He hated to have to tell her this. Tony had been like a second son to her.
    “He’s gone, Mom. A mage was hunting him and killed him about eight months ago according to Maggie. She’s been on the run from the same people ever since. Tony made her promise she’d come to me when the time came for her to have the babies.”
    “Twins?” That was his father’s gruff voice.
    “Yes, Dad. The next Lords, if their appearance at the sabbat is anything to go by. They’re already shifting. They’ve got so much of Tony in them. So much of his magic.” Rocky had to swallow hard to keep his voice from cracking.
    “You claimed them.” His dad’s voice was certain. It wasn’t a question.
    “Yes. They’re your grandsons now.”
    He heard his mother sniffle and knew there were tears running down her face. His dad would probably have his arm around her, offering silent comfort. He hated to have to tell them all this over the phone, but they needed to know.
    “We’ll be on the first flight we can arrange,” his father said in a firm voice.
    “Actually, Dad, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. We’ve been up against the Venifucus before in recent months.”
    “ Venifucus ?” His mother’s shocked whisper reached through the phone line to twist his heart.
    Word had gone out from the Lords to all shifters in their domain a few months ago about the reappearance of the organization most had thought long gone. The Venifucus were a collection of regular people and magic users intent on bringing back an evil the likes of which this realm had not seen in centuries.
    Elspeth, the one known as Destroyer of Worlds, had been banished to a forgotten realm by the combined efforts of many different kinds of magical folk the last time the Venifucus had been confronted. Now they were back, and