TIA'S MATE (Shifters of the Bulgarian Bloodline Book 1)

by Dalia Wright

  Tears wet Hannah’s lashes. “It is,” she agreed, “but I can’t remain here either without the church or my family disagreeing. I have to go back. I have a train ticket that leaves here in four days. I just wanted to say goodbye.”

  “Wait.”

  A hand curled itself around her elbow gently. Hannah’s heart slammed into her ribcage as she looked up into Mason’s eyes, reading the emotions there.

  “I know what it would mean for you to stay here,” he said, quietly, “but I think you and I both know that your heart is not in Lancaster. It’s here in Colorado. If you leave, you’re only going to shrink away in misery because you’re unhappy being there.”

  Her heart continued to pound.

  “So, what are you proposing then?”

  “I guess I’m asking you to stay here,” Mason said, and taking a deep breath, cupped her cheek in his hand. “I’m asking you to stay here with me. That’s all I’m asking for you to do because I’ve honestly never felt this way about someone before.”

  Mason’s eyes threatened to burn holes into Hannah’s as she chewed on her bottom lip, her heart torn between wanting to lean into his embrace, and taking her train ticket back to her quiet farm in Lancaster.

  “If I stay here with you,” she said, “I will have nowhere to go. My family will not let me stay with them if I tell them that I wish to stay here with you.”

  “You will stay with me, then. It might be a bit fast, but my door is always open for you to stay with me.”

  Hannah studied his face for a moment, but found no hint of hesitation in him. One question formed in her mind.

  “Why me?”

  His thumb traced the curve of her cheek bone. “I just feel that you and I are meant to be together. I know that sounds a bit brash and crazy, but ever since I saw you with your sister, Miriam, that day you arrived back home, I’ve felt it. And I can’t shake it no matter how hard I try to tell myself that it would push you to pick your faith and family over someone like me. I’m not a perfect man by any means, but I can promise that I’m not the type of person to fall out of love either.”

  All the remaining doubt festering in Hannah’s heart lifted away. In a short amount of time, she had grown to care for Mason in a lot of ways she never had before for another person. That sentiment alone spoke volumes to Hannah as she reached up to cup Mason’s wrist gently.

  “It won’t be easy,” Hannah whispered, “but I think you are here for a reason. I’ll stay here with you if you want me.”

  The corner of Mason’s lips curled upwards.

  “I do,” he said. “I do want you.”

  This time, it was Hannah who stood up on her toes to place a kiss on Mason’s lips. This time, she felt her heart soar above the overcast skies, and the lingering darkness surrounding her soul finally lifted away.

  Chapter Ten

  One year later

  Hannah wiped at her sweaty brow while staring down at her newly planted garden with a pleased smile. The hot June sun bore down on her shoulders as she tugged her gardening gloves off. Soon, they would have a blooming garden to pick from, and the sound of bumble bees buzzing through the small backyard.

  Dusting off the knees of her pants, Hannah stood from her kneeling position to take in the beautiful summer afternoon. The skies above were cloudless, and almost a bright turquoise color. A faint breeze that smelled of freshly-cut grass filled Hannah’s nose when she breathed in deeply.

  It was truly a beautiful day that had been blessed to them.

  “Everything looks amazing back here.”

  Hannah turned around as Mason stepped onto the back porch with a glass of lemonade in one hand. He handed her the sweaty glass with a smile.

  “Do you think so?” Hannah asked.

  Her eyes slipped closed in bliss at the refreshing taste of freshly squeezed lemons and sugar. It was the only drink that could satisfy her constant thirst lately.

  “I think so,” he replied. “The girls will absolutely love it.”

  A strong hand gently rested on the swell of Hannah’s belly. Twenty weeks into the pregnancy, they both had been delivered surprising, but wonderful news— two heartbeats belonging to two beautiful and healthy baby girls. Discovering the pregnancy had been an even bigger surprise after a few months of Hannah leaving the church and her community to be with Mason. After years of hoping, of praying, and trying, there had been no sign of a baby. Now, they were halfway through a pregnancy that both she and Mason cherished dearly.

  Hannah reached up to gently play with the silver band of Mason’s wedding ring. Her own ring glinted in the sunlight, a modest gold band with a diamond.

  “They will love the garden,” she replied, absently. “I just wish there was a way I could share it with my family. My Ma would be happy.”

  There had been sadness in both her parents’ and sister’s eyes when she told them of her intention to leave the church, their faith, and also her marriage to Wayne. They had let her go quietly, but a wordless understanding had passed between them. They were still devoted to their vows and to their faith while Hannah was turning away from it. Their lives were different now, and they were not angry about her leaving after Hannah explained to them about her unhappiness.

  In a way, Hannah was grateful that her parents hadn’t encouraged her to pray harder about it. She had prayed hard for years, and after feeling her twin girls kick happily within her belly for the first time, she knew that she had made the right decision. Some days, her mind wandered to Wayne. He had never replied to her letter explaining her intentions of leaving, but Hannah liked to imagine his understanding of her decision. They were both free now to find someone that they both truly loved.

  “I wish that you could, too,” Mason said, rubbing her stomach with a small smile. “Maybe once the twins are here we can send them a letter as an announcement. Would they be okay with that?”

  Hannah thought about it for a moment. “I think they would like that. They still speak with me on occasion whenever we are in town, but it’s not the same. I can see it in my Ma’s eyes whenever she looks in my direction that she longs to hear about the twins.”

  “We’ll send a letter with pictures, then,” Mason said.

  He helped pick up the gardening tools Hannah had scattered throughout the yard. Their three-bedroom house still smelled of fresh paint and soapy carpets. They both had taken the time to also paint the girls’ rooms a bright pink with their own separate cribs, but Hannah knew they would spend little time in the cribs.

  She paused in front of the room that would be Miriam’s room once she was born. The shower in the bathroom down the hall turned on, and Hannah took advantage of the quiet to fold a few more outfits that they had picked up from the store earlier that morning. Once she was down, Hannah opened up one of the dresser drawers to pull out a quilted blanket. Her maemm had no idea at the time that Hannah had taken one of Miriam’s blankets from the linen closet. She pressed the fabric up to her nose, inhaling the familiar scent of soap and a faint trace of burning wood. It still smelled like Miriam’s flowery scent that had always clung to her.

  “I miss you, Miriam,” Hannah whispered. “I wish you were here to see the twins. I wish you were here to be proud of it all.”

  Hannah placed the blanket on the edge of the crib, straightening it out for a moment before closing the bedroom door. She placed a hand on her belly, and after a feeling an enthusiastic kick to the hand, went to the other room to also do the same thing. Except this time, she pulled out the blanket that Hannah had knitted herself in Lancaster for baby Ruth.

  She placed it on the crib as well before looking out the window at the bright afternoon. Gott had blessed them still, Hannah thought with a smile. He had blessed them with two baby girls who would bring an unlimited amount of joy to her world. They were truly a miracle — Miriam and Ruth.

  The End

  Forced into Royalty

  By: Elaine Young

  Chapter 1

  “No!” Margaret
couldn’t help but to protest when her father, Duke George of Nottingham, told her the news. Margaret never argued with her father, but she couldn’t believe what he was saying.

  “Margaret,” George continued patiently, “you know that Duke William of Sandringham and I have been close friends since childhood. His father always wanted our two estates to combine, but the only way is through marriage, so it could never be done before. And now, his father just passed away, and made it very clear in his will that his inheritance will only go to William if you and William’s son Robert are to be married.”

  Margaret felt tears rolling down her cheeks already. Robert, although he was a wealthy duke in a long line of well-respected dukes, was undeniably also an infamous rake, known for his womanizing, drinking, and gambling ways.

  “Now, Margaret, don’t be dramatic,” said George. “Gaining the inheritance and combining estates is the best possible outcome for all of us. It will bring both of our families a lot of wealth and prosperity. I know it, William knows it, I’m sure Robert knows it, and your mother knows it,” he said, looking across the room to where his wife, Duchess Elizabeth, sat. “Your siblings, as well as William’s other children, are all too young to be married. You and Robert are the only ones of age, so it must be you. And I don’t want to hear any more arguments or complaints.” With that, George stood up and left the room.

  Elizabeth walked across the room to take George’s abandoned seat, placing a hand on Margaret’s back consolingly. “You may not care for Robert now,” she said to her daughter, “but you will in time. I had never even met your father before we were engaged, and that worked out just fine.”

  “I’d rather not know Robert, or anything about him!” Margaret exclaimed. “It’s worse having grown up knowing him and how awful he is.”

  “Oh Margaret, you’re exaggerating. Yes, Robert has been a little troublesome in the past, but I’m sure he’s growing out of it,” replied Elizabeth. “Besides, you’re grown now and you still don’t have a boyfriend or any other prospects for marriage. You must be married soon, it’s only proper. This seems to be perfect timing and definitely best for both families. You and Robert will learn to love each other.”

  As Elizabeth exited the room, Margaret couldn’t help but to cringe. She knew she could never love Robert. But her mother was right that she didn’t have any other suitors. All of the sons of her parents’ friends, although they were royalty, seemed so boring and downright unintelligent to Margaret. She had spent countless balls and parties turning down the advances and invitations of these men, until they stopped trying to even talk to her.

  Still, Margaret had secretly always held onto the hope that one day, she would find her true love. She believed that there had to be the perfect man for her out there somewhere, a man who was not only handsome and cultured but also witty and fun, and someone whom she could talk to for hours.

  But now, she feared that her dream would never become a reality. She was going to have to marry the unbearable Robert, and there was nothing she could do about it.

  Chapter 2

  The next day, Margaret traveled with her father to William’s estate to visit with William and Robert. “William and I need to work out the details of combining the two estates,” George explained to Margaret on the carriage ride over, “and it will give you and Robert a chance to talk and get to know each other.”

  Margaret sighed, her arms crossed against her chest. There was nothing she wanted less than to get to know Robert. She already knew all she needed to, between the stories of Robert’s many girlfriends and personally witnessing Robert’s rude behavior and drunken antics at parties. Even as a child, Robert had always been a constant troublemaker. It had been bad enough having to spend time around him every once in a while since their parents were close friends; Margaret couldn’t even imagine having to spend every day with Robert.

  When they arrived at William’s estate, Margaret reluctantly followed George up the pathway to the beautiful mansion. They were greeted at the door by a maid, and then brought into a large sitting room. William and Robert soon entered, William smiling warmly and Robert scowling.

  “George, Margaret, how nice to see you, and under very exciting circumstances,” William said in greeting. “George, I have all the paperwork in my study as well as a notary who can help us sign all the documents. If you’ll follow me, we can leave Robert and Margaret here.”

  As their fathers left them alone, Margaret expected Robert to sit down, but he remained standing. Margaret looked at him, his tall stature, his slightly messy brown hair, and his piercing green eyes. Robert could almost be attractive, but there was something off about him. He stood with a slouch, his eyes slightly squinted and his face still in a scowl. He looked hungover or maybe even still drunk from the night before.

  “Don’t look so excited to see me,” said Margaret sarcastically.

  “Oh please,” said Robert, “I’m no happier than you are about this arrangement. I’ve been trying to talk my father out of it since I found out, but he won’t change his mind.” He finally sat down, slumping down into a chair exhaustedly.

  “My father won’t change his mind either,” sighed Margaret.

  “Well it doesn’t make too much difference for you,” Robert said, meeting her eyes for the first time.

  “What do you mean?” Margaret asked angrily. “Of course it makes a difference. I don’t want to marry you!”

  “Lovely,” Robert sneered back at her. “What I meant was that at least you don’t have a boyfriend, as far as I know. Meanwhile, I have plenty of other ladies I’m interested in. I like living my life the way I want, and marriage is going to put a damper on that.”

  “Oh, you mean you like sleeping around with loose women and being reckless with your drinking and gambling?” Margaret spat back, getting angrier now. “I’m so sorry that all your wonderful plans are ruined!”

  “They don’t have to be ruined,” Robert said, surprisingly calmly. “At least, not completely ruined. Even though there’s no way out of this marriage right now,” he explained, “we can try to find some way out of it later, once our parents get the inheritance like they want and combine the estates. After they have that, they won’t even care too much about us being married.”

  “Yes, they will,” argued Margaret. “It’s not proper for a married couple to separate, not in our society. You know this.”

  “I don’t care about what’s proper,” said Robert. “I care about living the way I want, and that doesn’t include marriage.”

  Although Margaret hated to agree with Robert, she knew her happiness was far more important than doing what was proper and staying in an awful marriage. “Alright,” she said. “So we go through with the marriage to please our parents, but then after some time we separate.”

  “Exactly,” said Robert, nodding.

  “But it could be some time until that can happen,” said Margaret. “When it comes to matters like estates and inheritance, all the paperwork and documentation will take a while. It could be a few years,” she groaned.

  “We’ll just have to get through it; we have no choice,” said Robert. He looked at her, scowling again, “but that doesn’t mean we have to like each other.”

  “Of course not,” Margaret scowled back. “I would never like you. Nobody in their right mind would ever like you!”

  “You’re not exactly anyone’s cup of tea, either,” said Robert. “You think you’re too good for everyone. That’s why you’ll end up alone.”

  “Better alone than with a rake like you!” exclaimed Margaret. She’d had enough, and stormed out of the house to sit in the garden until her father came outside, ready to leave.

  “Why are you out here alone?” George asked her. “You should be talking to your soon-to-be husband.”

  “We talked,” Margaret said. “We’ll get married, like you want us to. But I don’t have to be happy about it.”

  “Your feelings will change, Margaret. William assured me that
he’ll keep a closer watch over Robert to make sure he stays out of trouble as your engagement becomes public.”

  Margaret nodded, not wanting to displease her father, but inside she felt sick. Although she was glad she and Robert had discussed separating eventually, she didn’t know how she would be able to put up with him until then.

  Chapter 3

  Over the course of the next few months, Margaret and her family visited Robert and his family frequently so that their parents could work out the details of the inheritance and, much to Margaret’s dismay, the wedding. She usually tried to keep her distance from Robert, but sometimes couldn’t help but to argue with him and throw insults back and forth. Margaret was usually a calm person, but there was just something about Robert that always made her angry, between his scowl and his squinting green eyes and his reckless attitude.

  “You know, I feel kind of sorry for your parents,” she said to him one day when they unfortunately found themselves alone together. “You’re a grown man, and your father still has to keep an eye on you to keep you out of trouble. He told my father so. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  “I feel sorry for your parents,” Robert retorted, “for having such a miserable shrew as a daughter.”

  “At least I’m not a good-for-nothing rake like you!” Margaret exclaimed back. “You’ve brought nothing but shame to your family!”

  Robert scowled back at Margaret, but she was surprised to see a change in his eyes. If she didn’t know better, she would think he looked a little hurt.

  Margaret stomped out of the room after their argument, and stayed away from him for the rest of her family’s visit. But on the carriage ride home, she felt somewhat bad about her comment. She still agreed with what she had said, but wondered if perhaps she had gone too far. She silently promised herself that from then on, she would take the high road and refrain from insulting Robert, no matter how angry he made her.

  This turned out to be much easier than Margaret thought, because on her family’s next few visits, she hardly even saw Robert. He would appear in the sitting room with his parents, but once the mothers and fathers parted ways to discuss the wedding and inheritance, Robert would disappear, probably off to his room, Margaret figured. This was perfectly fine with her, and she spent the visits sneaking books out into the garden and passing the time reading.