Free Laura's Secret by Lucy Kelly Page A

two guests, Ben and Tom, left early this morning. I do not detect any distress. Per security protocol you must remove the alert status or remain silent and I will contact the police and rescue.”
    “Stand down from security alert using my voice recognition. I’ll be down in the office within four hours to revise the security protocol,” Laura said, pushing the blanket away and preparing to hoist herself into her chair.
    It was close to an hour later when Laura wheeled her way into the kitchen. Mara took two plates out of the warmer and brought them to the table. She was speaking into the cell phone propped under her chin. Holding up the coffee carafe, she lifted an eyebrow at Laura. At Laura’s nod, she pulled down a mug from the rack on the wall and filled it for her. Then after filling her own mug, she put cream and sugar on the table. She finished her call just as she sat down.
    “Thank you for cooking breakfast,” Laura said.
    “You’re welcome, dig in. I feel a need to feed you, you’re too thin,” she answered, taking a bite of her mound of eggs. Laura found that she was hungrier than normal for her and wondered if it was connected to whatever was happening with her body. She felt different this morning. The bizarre dream she’d had the night before, all the things her mother had told her, it was weird but she was wondering if there was some truth there…
    “I meant to ask you. The bathroom I used this morning was well stocked and arranged, it seems too much for a woman who just moved in yesterday. Who are you planning to have stay with you?” Mara asked.
    “I have my dad and six brothers remember? I told the designer to do the guest suites with them in mind. There’s also additional guest rooms if need be for other visitors. We actually didn’t get to that part of the story last night,” she said, finishing the eggs and digging in to the sausage. Laura gave a passing thought to Lola, her designer. She had offered Lola the position of housekeeper when Lola had enquired. Oh well, maybe she hadn’t been as ready to settle down as she’d said. The room was quiet while they both ate their meals.
    “So, did the Alpha decide what he’s going to do about me?” she asked. Laura couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. She knew humans weren’t supposed to know about shifters.
    Mara knew this was going to be an important conversation, she couldn’t blow it. “Only humans mated to weres or other supernatural beings can be allowed to know about us. Last night, I went through your laundry and bagged up strips of your clothing.” She pointed to the pile of envelopes on the counter.
    “We’re sending those all over the country. We want to see if you have a true mate amongst the shifters. Chances are good because fate generally plays a part in these things. If you’re meant to be here you’ll have a shifter mate,” Mara explained.
    Laura didn’t know what to say. Without even trying, she’d eaten all the food on her plate, which was unusual for her. Taking a deep breath, she sat back in her chair and picked up her coffee.
    “Huh…that’s strange. I had a really bizarre dream last night. I dreamed of my mom, and I haven’t dreamed about her in a long time. She said I would have an Alpha mate and he was a bear. I have to say I’m feeling a little confused. I’m a planner and ever since last night, it’s like I got on some wild ride at an amusement park. I don’t know which way is up anymore. You say you’re sending out my clothing? What does that mean exactly? Is having a mate like in all the paranormal romances? Or something else?”
    Maggie interrupted before Mara could try to answer that.
    “Four vehicles have stopped at the garage and twelve visitors are heading up the path, including guest, Marshall. Estimated time of arrival of visitors is five point two minutes. What are your orders? Visual coming up on wall monitor now. Do I need to repel or welcome visitors?” she asked as the