by S. K. Yule
She sat at her table sipping a hot cup of coffee while Puss ate breakfast at her feet. It was Monday, and she hadn’t seen Lorent since Thanksgiving.
Their lessons were to continue this afternoon, and while she was looking forward to seeing him, a part of her was hesitant about their meeting. Would 108
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she be able to convince him to talk to her? She had a plan, but there was no guarantee it would work.
She sighed and got up to pour the remaining coffee in her cup down the sink, washed it and set it in the strainer on the counter to dry.
“Well, Puss, you have a good day, and be a good kitty.” She bent and gave the cat a gentle rub before gathering up her things and heading for the door. After pulling on her coat, she buttoned up before stepping outside and closing the door behind her.
She took a deep breath of the cold air and tilted her face up toward the sky. She barely felt the soft white flakes when they landed on her cheeks, but the light caresses of each brought a smile to her face. She sighed again. No time to dawdle. She had several errands to run before she was due to meet Lorent.
Fifteen minutes later, she was fortunate enough to find all of the women, with the exception of Sherry and Shannon, gathered at Rindy and Brent’s cabin. After exchanging hellos, she was seated at the wooden table in the kitchen and was now drinking another cup of coffee with the girls.
“Is Sherry doing okay?” Melony asked.
“Yes. She’s been a bit tired and trying to take it easy since she’s getting closer to her due date,” Janine answered and then frowned.
Melony thought it seemed Janine was worried about her sister, but she didn’t want to pry. She hoped nothing serious was going on, as Sherry’s son would be the first baby born at Sanctuary. She understood what he would mean to Sherry and Piers, but also he’d mark a new beginning for the encampment. He represented what everyone had worked so hard for: a new family, a new bloodline that would uphold and protect the laws of the lycans and play an integral part in assuring their future survival.
She supposed that more than likely created extra strain on an already anxious first-time expectant mother.
“Do you think it would be all right if I stopped by for a quick visit after I’m done here?” Melony sipped at her coffee, making a mental note to ask Rindy what kind it was. It was some of the best she’d ever drunk.
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“I think she would like that very much. Your visit might take a bit of pressure off Piers as well, let him get out of the cabin for a while. She’s been making him dust and vacuum since he’s forbade her to do any cleaning until after she has the baby.” Janine laughed. “Can you imagine Piers with a vacuum?”
Everyone chuckled, and Melony found the image quite amusing. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe men should take their turn cleaning—after all, it wasn’t a woman’s job just because she was a woman—but the thought of Piers with a vacuum was just funny. Melony started laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Karen asked before taking a bite of thick toast slathered in what appeared to be peach preserves.
“I was just imagining Piers in an apron, holding a duster in one hand and trying to vacuum with the other.” Melony gave a sly smile. “A pink apron.”
“Oh my! That is an amusing picture for the brain,” Rindy snorted.
“Although I will tell you, while I do most of the cleaning most of the time, Brent has scrubbed a toilet or two.”
“Wow. How did you get him to do that?” Karen stopped midbite to ask.
“I threatened bodily harm first. When that didn’t work, I threatened no sex.” Rindy raised a brow and looked around before saying, “After two days of marathon sex, and Brent’s quite convincing speech on how no sex is not, and never will be, a possibility, he kissed me, got up, and went and scrubbed the toilet.”
“Oh my goodness! I wonder if that would work on Anthony?” Karen whispered before a sly grin crossed her lips. “And really, does it matter if it works or not if I end up getting two days of marathon sex?”
“I just threaten to kick Knox’s ass when he doesn’t help.” Rose stared off into space for a moment before a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
“Then he gets turned on by my threats, we have marathon sex, and I forget what we were discussing and end up doing it myself anyway.”
Melony laughed until tears streamed down her face. After sharing a few more stories and drinking another cup of coffee—she was going to be wired for her first self-defense lesson—she set up some times to do some haircuts.
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She stood and walked to the sink to place her empty cup in the bottom.
“I have to get going if I’m going to have time to stop by Sherry’s before meeting Lorent for our lesson.”
“I’ll walk with you part of the way. I’m heading back to my cabin, and it’s on the way.” Rose got up and placed her empty cup in the sink as well.
“See you all!” Melony called after she took her coat from the hook by the front door and buttoned it up.
Janine, Rindy, and Karen all said good-bye to Rose and Melony before the two headed outside.
“What do you think Brent will end up doing to Reid and Reilly for that practical joke they played on him on Thanksgiving?”
“Oh, nothing too horrible, but I have no doubt he’ll make them suffer.”
Rose smiled at Melony after giving her a wink.
“I really like it here, Aunt Rose.”
“I’m glad. So how are things going with Lorent?”
Melony contemplated telling Rose what had happened with Lorent and Shannon. “About the same. I haven’t seen him since Thanksgiving.”
“Really?” Rose frowned.
“We had a bit of a disagreement.”
“So what you’re really saying is he did something that pissed you off?”
“I guess, but it’s no big deal. I really had no reason to be upset in the first place.”
“Melony, let me give you some advice. Since I don’t get the impression that you are someone who normally gets jealous or easily upset with others—
especially after the way you’ve handled Shannon’s snarkiness—I have to assume that whatever Lorent did to irritate you was more than just a little disagreement. But I have to say that Lorent doesn’t strike me as the type to do anything intentional to upset you.”
“No, I don’t believe it was intentional.” She was beginning to think she’d overreacted to the whole Lorent-Shannon thing anyway, especially after the dream.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is when you’ve only had yourself to rely on, suddenly find your life turned upside down, and smack dab in the middle 111
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is a guy that you find yourself attracted to in a way you’ve never been interested in a man before, it’s confusing and frightening. But it’s also exciting and tempting as hell.”
“Is that what happened with you and Uncle Knox?”
Rose nodded. “I hated him when I first met him. I hated lycans period,”
she laughed. “But even through the hatred, my heart knew better.”
“Thank you,” Melony murmured as Rose and Knox’s cabin came into view.
Rose made her way to the front door, but turned back to Melony before she went inside. “Follow your heart, and you’ll be fine.”
“I’ll try.” Melony shuffled on toward Sherry’s cabin mulling over what Rose had told her.
She didn’t get the impression Rose was encouraging her feelings for Lorent, but instead supporting her in whatever she decided to do. It was nice to have someone who she could talk to and trust, someone who she felt would be there for her through thick and thin.
* * * *
Rose watched Melony from the window for a moment as she walked away. She was cert
ain she understood why Melony and Lorent had such a sudden chemistry, when Lorent had showed no interest in any other woman before—not even the gorgeous Shannon, who threw herself at him on a near-daily basis. Melony was Lorent’s mate. She scowled. Of course, she couldn’t be certain, but her woman’s intuition told her it was the truth, and her instincts were rarely wrong.
She hadn’t told Knox her suspicions yet, not because she was worried that he’d go ballistic on Lorent, but until Lorent admitted Melony was his mate, she was worried about outside interference screwing up the progress Melony seemed to be making with him. Lorent seemed content since Melony’s arrival. There was a lighter air around him now—kind of like the weight of the world he usually carried on his shoulders had been lessened.
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And he’d been a completely different person at Thanksgiving. He’d still been laid-back and quieter than everyone else—he probably always would be—but he’d interacted, had even laughed, and genuinely seemed to have enjoyed himself.
She sighed. Yes, she’d kept her suspicions from Knox, but maybe it was time to tell him. Melony and Lorent would need all of the support they could get once the truth came out, and Knox needed prior knowledge so he had time to get used to the idea. He’d keep the information between the two of them—she’d kick his ass if he didn’t—but he was her mate, and she was having enough trouble keeping her other secret from him.
She smiled. That secret she’d keep a tiny while longer. It wouldn’t harm anyone, and she wanted to tell him at just the right time.
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Chapter Fifteen
Sherry sipped on a cup of tea as she sat in a chair across from Melony.
“It will be heaven to have my hair done, Melony. Do you think you could do it soon?”
“Yes. My supplies are supposed to be in by the end of the week.
Whenever they get picked up, I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you.” Sherry smiled and rubbed her belly. “He’s quite the kicker today.”
“Do you know what you are going to name him yet?” Melony smiled as Sherry’s face lit up at her question.
“I have a few ideas, but Piers and I can’t seem to agree on anything yet. I think we will both be happy just as long as he’s healthy.”
Melony could have sworn a fleeting moment of worry crossed Sherry’s features before she set her cup down and straightened in her chair. She figured it was a mere case of nerves. After all, she was getting close to her due date, and it was her first baby. She had to assume that, although a joyful situation, having a baby had to be a trying time for a new mother. Pregnancy messed with hormones, emotions, and the body to the point where she couldn’t imagine it not being stressful at times.
“I have a favor to ask of you.” Sherry watched Melony expectantly.
Maybe there was another reason for the fleeting moment of worry. She didn’t know why, but she had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what Sherry was about to ask of her. “What is it?”
“Piers refuses to take me to town. Says the roads are too rough right now and I’m too far along in my pregnancy to be jostled around so much. But I want to get him something special for Christmas, and if I send anyone else, I know he’ll end up finding out. I want it to be a surprise.”
“Oh! I can pick something up for you. I’m sure Knox or Rose would take me into town.” That wasn’t such a bad favor, although the relief she felt was short-lived with Sherry’s next words.
“No. I want to go myself, and I was hoping you could take me.” Sherry gave her an innocent, pleading smile, one that could rival an angel’s.
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“Ohhhh. Well, I’m not sure that would be a good idea.” Holy hell. She’d be skinned alive if she took Sherry to town. By Knox, Rose, but mostly Piers, and she liked her skin.
“Please, Melony. You’re the only one I can ask that I know I can count on to keep it secret. If I tell Janine, she’ll tell Raze, and he’ll tell Piers. If I tell Rose, she’ll tell Knox, and he’ll tell Piers, and—well, do you get what I’m saying? If I ask any of the other girls to take me, it will get back to Piers.”
“I really want to help, but Sherry, I’m not sure it’s a good idea. I mean, if we got caught . . .” Melony’s nerves got the better of her, and she chewed on her lower lip.
Sherry frowned, and tears glistened in her eyes. She sat back with a big sigh, and her shoulders slumped. “I don’t understand why it’s such a big deal.
I mean, I’m not sick. I’m pregnant. I simply wanted to get Piers something special, something that showed him how much I love him and how happy I am that we are having a baby together.” She sniffed. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have asked you to help me.”
Melony scowled at the floor. Damn. She hated when people cried. And seriously, what was the big deal about letting Sherry ride into town? Sherry was right. She wasn’t sick. She was pregnant. Lots of pregnant women did more than ride around on a bumpy road. And getting Piers a gift seemed to be extremely important to her. If she drove real slow and planned it carefully, they might be able to pull off the trip to town without anyone finding out.
“Listen. If I do this—”
Sherry sprang forward and grasped Melony’s hands between her fingers.
“You’ll take me? You really will?” She hugged Melony tight. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“Now wait. If we do this, we have to plan it out carefully, and make it fast.”
“The best time to go is a week from this coming Sunday. There is a meeting planned for that day, and everyone will be attending. There are normally two meetings a month to discuss security, new reformants, and maintenance on the property, but there is only one this month because of 115
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Christmas. Everyone will be tied up for several hours that day. We can slip away and be back before anyone misses us.”
“Isn’t the closest town a couple hours away?”
“Less than that. I know a shortcut. We can be there and back within three or four hours, probably less because I already know what I want to get Piers. All I have to do is run in and right back out.”
“I doubt you will be running anywhere.” Melony raised a brow and looked at Sherry’s protruding belly.
Sherry giggled. “True, but I’ll hurry. Thank you so much, Melony.”
Melony stood. “Thank me once we are back and no one is the wiser about our trip, because if you get me in trouble, I’m not going to be happy.”
“I won’t. We’ll be fine.”
Melony wasn’t as confident as Sherry, but she couldn’t really turn back at this point. Sherry seemed so much happier now. She couldn’t agree to take her and then take it back.
“I have to go. I’m going to be late for my meeting with Lorent if I don’t get going. I enjoyed visiting with you.”
Sherry walked, or rather waddled, her to the door, where she gave her a quick hug before Melony continued on to the Learning Center.
Ten minutes and a thousand worries later, the Learning Center was in sight. Why had she agreed to take Sherry to town? What the hell was wrong with her? It had been Sherry’s tears. Those had been the death of her logic.
She’d just wanted to make her friend feel better. She sighed, and decided it would be better to accept it for what it was. It was a simple trip to town, and she was blowing it out of proportion, worrying over nothing. They’d get there, get back, and that was that. At least she hoped.
* * * *
When Melony arrived for their lesson, Lorent was surprised that she no longer seemed angry with him. She hadn’t brought up what happened Thanksgiving night. Maybe she’d thought about it and finally realized that there had been nothing going on between him and Shannon. Hell, how could 116
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anything go on between him and anyone other than Melony? He didn’t want anyone but her. Yeah, but she doesn’t know that, you idiot.
He looked at her closer and noticed she seemed a bit preoccupied. Maybe she was still angry at him, but he didn’t get that feeling. Something was distracting her, because he was now preparing, for the fourth time, to show her how to break a front choke hold.
“When I grab your throat, tuck your chin under my hold, if possible, to force some space between my hands and your neck.” He placed his fingers around her delicate throat, she tucked her chin, and he was pleased at the way she worked her chin under his fingers. “Good. Now bend your legs just a little, and turn to the side.” She did that part perfectly as well, and he smiled in encouragement.
“Bring your arm up, over, and down on my forearms as hard as you can, then swing up at my temple with your elbow.” This was the part where it fell apart each time.
She followed his instructions to a tee, but seemed to lose heart at breaking the hold and hitting him.
“I can’t hit you.”
Did she not understand that if she didn’t get these moves down, it could possibly mean her life down the road?
“Yes, you can.”
She tried to back away, but this time he refused to release his hold on her throat as he had each time before. He didn’t hurt her, but he had to make her understand why she needed to learn self-defense properly.
Her chocolate eyes sparked at him when he didn’t release her. “Let me go,” she said through tight lips.
“Make me.”
“Stop it, Lorent.” Her teeth were clenched now.
“No.”
“I’m getting angry. Let me go.”
She tried to twist away from him, but he kept his grip firm enough to keep her imprisoned, yet gentle enough that he wouldn’t leave marks on her skin.
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“Good. I want you to get angry. Now slam your arm down across my forearms and crack me a good one in the temple.”
