by Leilani Love
The crowd parted enough for the car to drive slowly up the road and Warrick’s heart stopped when he saw his new residence at the end of the road. It was a two-story colonial looking structure complete with a matching white picket fence. This would be his new home, and standing on the front porch was the woman he’d been dreaming about for the last forty years.
“Are you ready?” Damien asked Warrick, pulling him back to the present.
“Is she okay with this?” Warrick asked, realizing that asking her twin brother might not be the best thing. Unfortunately, Warrick really had no one else to talk to.
Warrick turned to look at Damien who was staring at his sister on the porch. “For years I thought the Fates had doomed me and Hope to live alone. If I learned anything from our childhood it was that they could kiss my ass.” Damien shot him an apologetic glance. “I still don’t know what their plans are, but for once I can admit I was totally wrong. You and my sister got a raw deal, and now you two need to figure out how you want to move forward.”
With that, Damien got out of the car leaving Warrick no choice but follow. As he stepped from the car the crowd let out a loud cheer. The number of people that had showed up to celebrate them moving into their home surprised Warrick. As he followed Damien through the fence to join Hope and Kassandra they were stopped constantly by the pack members who thanked them for the new chance.
Warrick stood at the bottom of the stairs and the crowd quieted, watching him and Hope. She had dressed in a white summer dress. Her honey blonde hair blowing in the soft breeze and amber eyes shining brightly. For a moment, he thought she was going to cry but she blinked back the tears with a smile saying, “Welcome home, Warrick.”
2
Hope greeted Warrick and waited perfectly still for him to join her. Everyone was silent and she saw a quick look of unease cross Warrick’s face before he finally took his first step up the stairs. The crowd erupted in loud cheers upon Warrick’s approach.
As she looked upon him, her breath caught in her throat. Warrick had shaved, but she knew from visiting him that he preferred a little stubble on his cheeks and kept his hair very clean and around his shoulders. She was thankful for the roar of the crowd because it drowned out the thumping of her rapid heartbeat. When he got to the top of the stairs, Warrick leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek before turning and facing the crowd. Along with Kassandra and Damien, they stood together presenting a united front, smiles plastered on their faces as they greeted their packs.
Kassandra had arranged for a barbecue to take place in the backyard. The four of them were expected to greet the oldest of each family on the porch while the rest went into the back. Hope knew the importance of this as she smiled politely at the first elder to greet her.
“We’re so glad to see the two of you together,” one of the elder females told her as she took her hand. “You and your family bring hope to us all,” she continued as she beamed up at Hope.
“With everyone’s hard work this town will be growing in no time. Thank you for blessing us with your visit,” Hope said, surprised when the elder woman gave her a motherly hug.
The guests all made a huge point of stressing how happy they were to finally see Warrick and her together, and telling Damien what a strong match he’d made with Kassandra. Kassandra stood between Hope and Damien. This was the first time that a wolf shifter had mated with a dragon shifter. With everything that had happened Damien wanted to make sure that everyone accepted her. So far, there had been no incidents but Damien often worried about his mate.
“Looks like it’s time we join everyone in back,” Damien said after he talked to the last elder. Hope watched as he laced his fingers with Kassandra’s and felt a stab of envy at how close the two had become.
“Are you ready?” Warrick asked looking down at her.
When she nodded, Warrick offered her his arm and she took it. The two of them following behind the other couple as they walked around the wraparound porch. Hope had to admit Kassandra had done a wonderful job of setting up the backyard. It was set up to be casual and Kassandra had even removed the backyard portion of the fence in order to use the property of the unfinished neighboring yards down to the open woods behind them.
As Hope and Kassandra took their seats, Damien and Warrick got up to get some food leaving them alone. “Warrick appears to be healing well,” Kassandra said giving her an encouraging look.
Hope nodded glancing over at Warrick. Hope still remembered that moment they’d found him chained to a table in a basement. For so long she thought he had betrayed her and her family, never knowing his brother had set the whole thing up and was using black magic to trick them all. Hope still felt the sharp sting of guilt realizing that for all those years she had been wrong and could have saved him. “The doctor finally gave him the okay to start training and help out with the building,” Hope said before meeting Kassandra’s knowing green eyes. “I think he would have started the moment he woke up if he could’ve found a way around Viktor or Damien.”
Kassandra laughed and Hope couldn’t help but smile. She liked her brother’s mate. Kassandra, affectionately called Kat because of the unique slant of her sea-green eyes, had long, light blonde hair and a curvy, muscular figure. Hope had heard the men talk in awe about how Kassandra had easily taken down a wolf guard when they’d rescued the packs from Gabriel, Warrick’s twin brother.
Kassandra was a dragon shifter, or a weredragon as they were often called. Much to Damien’s dismay Kassandra was one of the Dragon Elite guards who’d met him while on a mission for her king. Hope still laughed thinking about how Kassandra had drugged her brother the first day they met.
“Men make horrible patients,” Kassandra said with a teasing grin. “I’ve a feeling if your brother ever gets sick I’ll have to tie him to a bed and stuff a gag in his mouth.”
Hope laughed so loud the tables closest to them turned to look, which made her laugh harder.
“Should I ask what you two find so funny?” Damien asked as he put a plate down in front of Kassandra.
Kassandra gave him an innocent smile before saying “You know, girl stuff.”
Damien looked past them to Warrick who was setting their plates down and snorted. “You know that means they were talking about us.”
Warrick smiled a little as he took his seat before glancing at Hope. “Better to make her laugh than cry, right?”
“True,” Damien said before kissing Kassandra on the cheek. Hope noticed him whisper in Kassandra’s ear which caused her to blush. This made Hope look away, feeling as if she had been watching something private.
Hope looked down at her plate. She was surprised to see a nice filet mignon wrapped in bacon with a baked potato and corn on the cob. She knew Viktor was funding the barbecue; he was also helping to support the town until they could get back on their feet. Hope had no idea how they were ever going to pay him back. Gabriel had taken all the money that the pack had earned over the last forty years. Aithne, Viktor’s mate, was using Gabriel’s laptop and was trying to track down what he had done with the pack money. When she glanced at Warrick out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a slight flush on his cheek as he ate his food.
The rest of the night passed by too quickly for Hope and before she knew it, she was standing on the porch, waving goodbye to the guests with Warrick. Once the last guest had left, Damien kissed Hope on the cheek whispering in her ear, “If you want you can stay with me and Kassandra for a bit longer.”
Hope blushed knowing that Warrick’s increased hearing had probably allowed him to hear Damien. She shook her head whispering, “I’ll be fine.”
Damien gave her one last look and Hope turned to give Kassandra a hug goodbye. Kassandra returned the hug with a smile then turned to hug Warrick. “If you guys need anything, call,” Kassandra said before taking Damien’s hand. “Call us in the morning when you’re both awake. We can look over schedules and I can bring over donuts and coffee.”
�
��Thank you,” Warrick said giving her a smile. Both of them stood on the porch watching as they left.
Hope felt a moment of panic as she watched the red taillights of Damien’s truck leave down the main street. Clearing her throat, she looked up at Warrick and for a moment she thought he looked as panicked as she felt.
“You know you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to. No one would know if you chose to stay with your brother tonight,” Warrick said turning to look at her.
Hope felt like someone had punched her in the gut. She debated for a moment about getting in her car and taking her brother up on his offer. Lost in her own thought she almost missed how he stood in front of her. His body so tense she wondered if pushed, would he fall.
“My place is here with you,” Hope said simply while walking past him and into the house.
It took a few minutes for him to follow her, but she waited patiently. When he finally stepped into the living room she noticed him looking around and realized it was the first time he had seen the house. When Hope had asked him questions about furniture he didn’t really seem to care much so she tried to pick something neutral.
Hope had chosen mostly masculine colors and furniture she hoped he would find comfortable. The couches and chairs were a tan color and the wall had a built-in bookcase that also housed the big screen TV.
“Here let me give you the grand tour,” Hope said leading him from the living room toward the kitchen.
“I turned the smaller downstairs bedroom into a small office. The other I made into a guest room,” Hope said pointing to the two rooms at the end of the hall opposite the kitchen. She then led him into the kitchen which opened into the dining room and kitchen nook.
In the morning, this room would be filled with morning light. Hope had talked to Damien and he was going to put in a bench seat for her at the window. She loved to wake up early, sip coffee and read a book and that spot looked perfect.
“My mother used to love to make cookies every Saturday. They were always gone by Monday,” Warrick said as he looked around. “She would’ve loved this kitchen.”
Hope, for the first time since everyone had left, saw a hint of a smile on his lips. “I remember your mom’s cookies, when you two came to visit. Your mother was very nice.”
Warrick nodded and she felt a sense of grief coming from him. When she was little she was too consumed with her own grief to really understand that the fire she thought had killed both her parents had also killed his. Gabriel, in his quest for power, had not only killed her parents but theirs too, and then turned his back on his twin brother. Hope wondered if she would ever be able to understand what would drive someone to do that.
“My mother really liked you. I still remember her face when I showed up holding you in my arms that first day,” Warrick said, a smile tugging at his lips.
Hope blushed. She was so young when she’d met him but she remembered when his scent had hit her. She had taken off running and remembered hearing the sound of her nanny yelling as she followed. Damien seemed to understand and actually helped slow down the nanny so she could reach Warrick.
He cleared his throat and she felt her cheeks heat up more as her eyes met his. “Ready to see the upstairs?”
“Sure,” he replied following her as she walked up the stairs.
There were three bedrooms upstairs. The first one was set up as another guest bedroom. The second one was the room she had set up for him at his request. Hope had wanted to give him the master bedroom but he had refused, stating that he would prefer a smaller room. His room had a door that connected with the bathroom.
“I didn’t know what colors you liked so I asked Damien to help pick something out,” Hope said as they stepped into his room.
The room was the second largest and was big enough for a queen size bed. The furniture was made of cherry oak and she had picked a dark blue for the sheets. The room they had found him in had been so dark Hope had wanted to make sure this room was brighter, adding touches of color and a big window. After Viktor mentioned seeing Warrick read several books on history, Hope had gone to the store and bought him a bookshelf. She found books on different historical topics along with some fictional books by authors she knew her brother had liked.
“Thank you,” Warrick said as he looked around.
“My room is across the hall. If you ever need anything…” Hope said her voice trailing off. It didn’t feel right, him being in this room.
“I’ll be fine,” Warrick said as he went to the window to look outside.
“Okay, I’m going to take a shower and get ready for bed.”
“Good night,” Warrick said giving her a polite smile.
Hope nodded before walking out of his room to go to hers. This should be easier, he was her mate and she was his. Destined by the Fates to be together forever. If it wasn’t for Gabriel, by now they would have probably been married and had several grandkids running around to babysit. Instead, they were strangers. Hope had no idea how they were going to get over the past. Her only thought was that they had a second chance and she wanted to take it.
After a long hot shower, Hope curled up in her bed wondering how Warrick was doing across the hall. Kassandra had gone shopping with her when she’d bought the furniture for the room.
“King size bed, huh?” Kassandra had teased her when she had picked it out. “I take it you don’t plan on sleeping alone for too long.”
Hope had blushed as she touched the four-poster bed. “You know, as a kid I used to imagine that somehow it was a mistake and that somehow everything would work itself out. As an adult, I never…”
Kassandra touched her arm. “It’ll work out. You two both just need to get to know each other.” With that, Kassandra looped her arms in hers as she signaled for the salesperson to come and check them out. “Until then the two of us can get drinks whenever you want and we can talk about how stupid men are.”
Like his room, the furniture was cherry oak, but instead of blue she’d chosen dark forest greens. She bought enough furniture so that if and when he was ready he could easily move his stuff in. As she settled into the bed, she heard his door open and his footsteps as he walked down the hall to the stairs. Hope resisted the urge to follow him and see what he was doing. Instead, she closed her eyes and worked on slowing her breathing and quieting her mind so she could fall asleep.
3
This dream was different from the others. Warrick stood in the doorway and saw Hope walking toward him, her belly big and round with their child. A warm inviting smile on her lips as she walked over to him. As he stood in front of her, he put his hand on her belly. Then, while cupping her cheek, he dove in for a deep kiss.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asked.
A small laugh escaped her as she rubbed her belly. “Yeah, your son just decided he needed more room and we’re working out a deal about my lungs being in his way.”
He chuckled, putting his hand over hers. “Be nice to your mom little man. She’s the only one you get.”
She excused herself, walking toward the kitchen and the dream slowly shifted. The walls and the floor slowly started going up in flames that grew as she walked away from him. Warrick was calling and running after her, determined to save her but the hallway just seemed to continue to get longer.
Before he could reach her, his brother Gabriel stood before him. He was holding Hope in his arms with a large knife pointed at her belly. A sadistic smile on his face as he stood glaring at Warrick. Before everything had happened the two were identical. Now Warrick’s body was riddled with scars, including the long one on his cheek and he would forever walk with a small limp.
“I told you, the two of you would never be together big brother,” Gabriel said as he ran the knife along her belly. “You couldn’t save her when she was younger and there’s no way you can save her now.”
“No!” Warrick yelled as he lunged for his brother.
As his eyes flew open, he felt two soft hands on his arm an
d Hope’s muffled voice as she said his name. Warrick’s hands were wrapped around Hope’s small neck. Stunned, he immediately released her and a rush of guilt flooded his emotions. He sat up helpless as she struggled to regain her breath.
“Hope, I’m so sorry,” Warrick said as he started to reach for her. When she pulled back a little he felt even worse knowing he must have scared her. “Hope I…”
“It’s okay,” Hope said, her voice scratchy as she rubbed her neck. “I should’ve been careful. I knew you were having a bad dream.”
Every word Hope said got a little louder and he knew she was starting to catch her breath. “I shouldn’t be here. I…”
Hope put her hand on him and shook her head, “Warrick this is your home. It was an accident. I’m okay.” When he gave her a nervous look and she gave him a reassuring one in return. “I promise.”
They were both quiet and as his eyes adjusted to the dark he looked her over. Hope was in a white tank top; her nipples had hardened and were poking through the material. The shirt went to her waist and he couldn’t help but notice the curve of her shapely thigh as she sat on the edge of his bed.
“I’m sorry I woke you,” he finally managed to say as he looked away from her. His voice huskier than before.
“Can I ask what the nightmare was about?”
Warrick shook his head not sure what she would think about him dreaming about her pregnant. “Just Gabriel,” he muttered before finally looking up at her. “You should go back to bed. I’m okay now.”
He watched Hope bite her lip looking indecisive before she finally agreed. “Okay, try and get some sleep.”
Her voice was barely a whisper and Warrick watched as she stood up. Her shirt did nothing to hide her lower body from his gaze and the white panties she wore teased him. When she turned, he had to bite back a moan because they were cut to reveal the bottom half of her shapely ass. Round and pert, he couldn’t take his eyes off it as she walked toward the door.
