by Harms, C. A.
I know right then and there that I like this girl. Lily is going to be a part of my life now, because she is an important part of Taryn’s. But not only that, I genuinely like her.
“I’ll see who I can find.”
Taryn
“You’re pregnant!” Lily screeches. “Oh my god!” She throws her arms around me, hugging me tight. “Girl you work fast.”
Of course, I can’t tell her that I can hear thoughts, but I’m learning to work around that. “I know this is all so sudden, but I knew there was something between us the moment we met. I hope you can be happy for me.”
“Girl, I’m eighty percent happy and about twenty percent jealous.” Lily sets down her wine glass and pulls me into a hug. “I’ve never seen you look this happy or content. This place has done wonders for you. Maybe I need to make the move to this small town in Montana.”
I love her to death, but she’d go insane in a small town like this. She loves the big city life, but hell, I thought I loved the big city life too. “That would be amazing, but you don’t want a small town life.”
“Maybe if I had a big hunk of man like yours I might consider it.” She sits back down and grabs her glass of wine. “When are you going to tell your parents about Merick and the baby?”
“Soon. I hope they’ll be as happy for me as you are.” I’m afraid my parents will be on the first plane here and try to take me home to Illinois.
“Of course they will. You’ve found a man who clearly adores you. He seems normal and makes good money because I mean look at this place.” Lily waves her hand all around. She turns her head and shouts. “Big man. We require sustenance.”
I shake my head. “God, I’ve missed you.” Lily gives me a cheeky grin.
My pulse begins to race when Merick comes walking into the kitchen. He comes right to me, bending his head to kiss me deeply. I slide my fingers into his hair as I open my mouth to his seeking tongue.
“Jesus, get a room. No wonder she’s pregnant already.”
I pull away from Merick laughing. “Control yourself, big man.”
He smiles arching a brow questioningly. “Big man?”
I grab onto his sides and smile. My stomach growls loudly, making my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. I swear lately all I do is eat.
“My baby is hungry. You guys go sit and relax.”
Lily wraps her arm around my waist and we head into the living room and snuggle up in front of the fire catching up on all the things I would normally share with my best friend—her life in the city, all her failed dates, and yes, the man in the next room that is more than I could have ever bargained for.
Merick lifts Lily’s suitcase out of the back of his truck. My bestie has to head home two days early due to an emergency at her office. I hate that our visit was cut short but now that she’s been here, I’m sure she’ll be back.
Lily pulls me into a hug. “I love you girl. Take care of yourself.” “That hunk of a man will take care of you for sure.” That last part she doesn’t say out loud but I’m glad the two of them got along so well.
She didn’t get to meet Rowan. We were supposed to meet her for lunch tomorrow but since Lily is leaving that obviously isn’t going to happen.
I squeeze her tight. My eyes begin to burn with unshed tears. “I love you too. Come back soon okay? This baby is going to need to know their Aunt Lily.” I kiss her cheek and she kisses mine before I back away.
Merick steps forward and gives her a quick hug. “Our home is open to you whenever you want to come.”
“Thanks big man. I may take you up on that. Next time I request you have some hot men for me to meet. If I have to listen to you guys boning all night, then at least offer me my own party favors to play with.”
On that note, my friend struts into the airport like she’s stepping onto the runway during fashion week.
It’s not until we’re on the way home that I begin to cry.
My wonderful mate grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. “I meant what I said. She can stay anytime.”
“Thank you. And thank you for being such a wonderful host. She had a great time.” I let out a contented sigh and lean my head back and watch the passing scenery. A flutter in my belly causes me to freeze. “Oh my god. I think I felt the baby move? Is that even possible?”
I look at Merick and he reaches out placing a hand on my lower belly. “Uh...I don’t see why it couldn’t happen because we don’t know how long your pregnancy will be, other than it’ll be shorter than a normal pregnancy.” He’s quiet for a minute. “Can you hear the baby?”
“I don’t know.” I close my eyes and listen closely for any sign that my baby can communicate with me, but the only thing I can hear is Merick softly singing to the radio. “I can’t hear anything, but you.”
I grab his hand from my stomach and bring it up to my lips, kissing the palm. We decide to get some lunch on the way home. The moment we walk into the Celestial Cafe everyone seems to stop talking.
Of course, that doesn’t stop me from hearing their thoughts.
“That’s her.”
“I wish Merick was mine. She shows up and the town hunk is immediately attached to her?”
“That baby she’s carrying is powerful, I can feel it.”
I remember what Marissa taught me about blocking out the voices. When we’re seated, I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and block it all out. When the whispers stop,I open my eyes.
Merick brushes my hair back. “You okay?” He leans forward kissing my forehead.
I look into his eyes and feel nothing but love from him. “I’m good, I promise.” I lean forward and kiss his lips.
“Ahem...can I take your order?” We break apart and find Amber, Amelia’s sister, standing by our table with a huge grin on her face. “Hey guys. Taryn, you look so pretty.”
“Thank you. Can I get some Earl Gray tea?”
Amber nods, and then looks at Merick. “I’ll take a bottle of Bud. What’s the special today?”
“Homemade potato soup, topped with bacon and shredded cheddar cheese served in fresh baked bread bowls.”
My stomach growls, “Oh my god, I’d love that please and can I have a side salad with ranch dressing.”
Merick chuckles before ordering himself a burger and fries. Amber leaves us and I smile at my man. “This baby makes me hungry constantly, but I’ve barely gained any weight. Is that a shifter thing?” I say that last part quietly.
He nods. “We have high metabolisms so we need lots of fuel. The baby is part shifter, which is probably causing your own body’s metabolism to increase. As long as you’re getting enough to eat, I don’t care how big you get. I want you and our baby to be healthy. That’s all I care about.”
Amber brings our drinks. I add cream and sugar to my tea. I moan after the first sip and then sit my cup down. “I’m going to tell my parents about you tomorrow. I’m sorry I waited,” I tell him quietly.
“Baby, I knew you’d tell them when you’re ready. This is a lot to take in.”
Amber brings our food and I won’t lie, I pig out. Every bite is like heaven in my mouth. Merick watches me and I should feel embarrassed, but this is his fault, therefore I’m not going to be. Once we finish eating, he pays the bill, leaving Amber a hefty tip.
He helps me into his truck and we make the trek back home. The moment we pull into the driveway he starts cursing a blue streak. “Baby, be prepared.”
“Prepared for what?” I ask. I don’t see anything when he puts the truck into park.
“My dad’s here.”
Merick
I can sense him, even before I have visual confirmation. It's what he does, he lingers, he appears out of nowhere like it's supposed to be some dramatic arrival. I love my father, truly I do, but his presence isn’t always wanted. Our elders, they aren’t always the best of company. Most are still bitter of their ending and trying to live vicariously through the younger pack members. As if, leading us to the triumphant existence t
hey have imagined will somehow erase the fact that they failed.
What they need to come to terms with is that their arrogance is what led them to the devastating end. If I know anything without a doubt it is that I have no intentions of repeating history.
“Should I be worried?” Taryn steps out of the cab and I pull her in close. I don’t want her to be afraid, but I also don’t want her to feel too relaxed either.
“No,” I say, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead I began leading her toward the front door. He has come for confirmation.”
“Confirmation?”
“Of your pregnancy,” I feel her grow tense at my side. “The legacy of our people, the rebirth of the world that was nearly lost. It all lies in the hands of our baby’s conception. We are the ones that open up the realm for all those wrongs to be righted.”
It is a burden, one I wish I did not hold. But what I did know was that Taryn and my child, or any child we create, will be protected by an army.
“Son,” he steps out of the shadows and I hear Taryn gasp.
He looks rested, more so than the last time I saw him.
Instantly I notice the way he looks over Taryn, pausing at her midsection and the tip of his mouth curls into a smile. I chance a glance at her and see that she too has noticed. Only she has a perplexed look on her face, and I wonder what it is he must be thinking. She has to be able to read his thoughts.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” I look away from Taryn just as my father does the same and we are once again staring at one another. “I’ve heard so many things, and I thought since my son has yet to invite me to meet the one he has chosen as his mate, I’d come and meet her myself.”
“You’ve known of her since the first day I’d found her, in fact I think you knew of her before that.” No need to play games, I vowed to always be honest. Taryn can handle it, I refuse to have secrets.
“True,” he nods, keeping his gaze on me which I am thankful for. “You’re mother was the one to tell me. She had a gift for seeing what was coming. She pictured Taryn long before she ever shared those visions.”
At the mention of my mother his hardened look softened. She always had that effect on him, even long after she was gone she is still able to calm him.
“Shall we go inside?” For the first time since he appeared I noticed a smile on his face. “I’d very much like to get the chance to know my future daughter-in-law and mother of my grandchild.”
Before I can answer, Taryn speaks up surprising us both. “I’d like that too.”
Stepping out of my hold she moves closer to the door, which is also closer to my father and shows no fear. He is not a small man, he holds the unapproachable look that most avoid, but not my girl. She showed no hesitation.
“Once she is at the door and uses her own key to unlock it, she pushes it open and steps inside. “Maybe we can whip up something for dessert, I’ve got a sweet tooth.”
My father chuckles and I am astounded. I don’t remember the last time I heard him laugh. Humor was never high on my father's list of reactions. Always so serious and stern. “She reminds me of your mother,” again his smile is wide and surprising. “So fearless, and kind.”
I was young when my mother was taken from us, but one thing I do remember is her smile. It was infectious, and beautiful. He is right, my mother was kind, so loving and generous. It's one of the things I have the easiest time remembering because very rarely was she anything other than joyful.
My father steps inside and follows Taryn as we walk toward the kitchen. I’ll admit I am waiting for the ball to drop, but part of me hopes that I’m being foolish. Maybe he truly does want to know her. I pray I am right and that there is no ulterior motive. Because if it comes down to choosing, it will be Taryn and my child. It will always be them.
Later, while lying next to Taryn in bed I listen to the soft sounds of her even breathing. Unsure if she is sleeping or not, I refrain from saying anything. So many things I am curious about, replaying the entire night with my father over and over.
He was different. The way he was with Taryn, genuinely interested in her and her family. They got into an in depth conversation about her ability to hear thoughts and again I wondered what my father was thinking.
“There was only silence,” my body goes rigid in the darkness. “I couldn’t sense anything. No thoughts, no feelings, there was nothing at all. Only silence.”
Was she talking about my father?
“Yes,” again Taryn’s voice echoes through the dark room and I turn toward her. “I tried so hard to hear what he was thinking. At first, I wanted to know what he thought of me. Then it was more what he thought of us and the baby.” I reach out and place my hand over her stomach, closing my eyes as I listen to her continue. “Then when he started to talk about your mom, honestly I wanted to get a small glimpse of the love he held for her. I could feel it, in the way he spoke of her, but to actually visualize it through his eyes, I wanted that for even if only for a second. But no matter how hard I tried I kept coming up empty. All I could hear throughout the entire night was you.”
“He’s immune to your powers?” I found myself wondering if it was a special gift of his or if it was the same for all the elders.
“I know you haven’t talked much of him, but I have to ask, is he something I should worry about?”
“Worry, no,” sliding in closer I kiss her temple and hug her to my body. “Observing yes, my father has always had a hidden agenda. He isn’t the type to show kindness. I’m not saying he would do anything to hurt us because family to my father is everything, but he does get tunnel vision. He can honestly become a little obsessive. So, like I said, be on alert, and when he is near, make sure I’m around too.”
Taryn doesn’t say anything, only curls closer into me and we lay together silently in the darkness. When I feel the weight of her body grow heavier, I know that she is truly asleep and I am alone with my thoughts.
I truly hope the motives of my father are innocent. Because if they are not, he and I are going to clash. The worst part about it is Taryn can’t even give me any insight. She was to become my secret weapon against figuring out my father, only now I am at this alone.
Taryn
Merick chases our daughter around the backyard. Her dark hair flies behind her as her giggle floats through the air.
Our baby sleeps peacefully in my arms as I watch Merick and our little girl. My heart feels so full and I feel at peace. A whistle pulls my attention to the yard and suddenly Merick flies back, landing on the ground behind us. Red spreads across his shirt.
“Merick!” I scream and run into the yard getting down on my knees next to him.
“Momma?” I look at my daughter and see blood seeping through the fingers she’s got clutched over her chest. She collapses on top of her dad.
“No…no, god no.” I tip my head back and a high pitched scream leaves my lips.
“Taryn? Taryn, baby wake up.”
I fly up in bed, my arms flying out to ward off the invisible evil that took my mate and child. Tears leak from my eyes when the sleepy fog leaves my mind.
“Baby are you okay?” Merick whispers softly. “It was just a dream. You’re safe, our baby is safe.”
I let him hold me as I cry, throat aching sobs. “It felt so real,” I whisper. “S-Someone shot you and s-s-shot our daughter.”
“A daughter, huh?” Merick kisses my sweat covered forehead. “Last time it was a son.”
This is the only other dream I’ve had like this, but they feel so real—from the fear, to the despair. Every time I wake up it takes me a while to come out of the fog. All I know is I hate them, and I pray for them to stop.
“Tell me about the dream, baby.” He situates us so I’m draped over part of his side, with my head on his chest.
When he places his hand on the tiny beginnings of a baby bump I feel safe and relaxed to tell him the dream from start to finish. “I was sitting on the porch with our new baby in my
arms while you chased our daughter around the yard. She had this long dark hair that was flying behind her as she ran, giggling as you chased her.” Nausea pools in my belly.
“There was this whistling sound and then you flew back and landed hard on the ground. I ran to you as the blood stained your shirt.” Tears burn my eyes. “Our daughter called to me with her hands clamped over her chest. B-Blood was seeping between her fingers. I tilted my head back and screamed.”
He kisses my forehead and hugs me tightly to his chest. “Fuck, baby. I’m so sorry, but it was only a dream.”
I want to argue with him and tell him, no. This dream, just like the last one, felt more like a warning. I know our child is the key to restoring things the way they were before, but there is something out there that’s going to try and stop the baby from being born.
Merick hugs me close, letting his warmth seep into me, and he begins to softly hum. The combination is exactly what I need to fall into a dreamless sleep.
“Hey Mom, Hey Dad. How are you guys?” I’m in Merick’s office in front of his monitors doing a video chat. I thought it would be better to tell them face to face that I’ve met someone, fallen in love, and am having his baby, sort of in person—or at least face to face.
“Oh honey, we’re great. How are you? You look beautiful, by the way. Montana really suits you.” Mom smiles widely.
“Thanks Mom. Hey Daddy, how are you?” My dad is looking at me thoughtfully and I try to open up and hear his thoughts, but I can’t. Maybe because we’re not near each other.
“I’m good. John says you haven’t called him about restocking groceries or anything. Do you need me to get a hold of him? Are you at the cabin?” He, of course, would notice the background doesn’t match the cabin. I can see the skeptical look in his eyes and know already that he knows I am not.
