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Tears blurred her vision as her knees began to
tremble. Everything was about to be a total mess and it would be her fault.
Ha! She’d come here to fix things and only made them worse. Typical Presley
Goult. She cleared her throat, trying to get rid of the thick lump of emotions
as she blinked.

“There’s something you need to know,” Her voice was
cracking with fear and sadness as invisible hands gripped her lungs. She felt
sick. She was going to throw up. She was going to pass out. She was going to
do a million things at once because she wasn’t sure she could handle his
reaction. It was so different when she assumed he
wanted
to have this
baby as much as she did. But how could he want it if he didn’t know about it?
She was so stupid sometimes.

And that was it. Lorcan was reading her thoughts and
she hadn’t even stopped to think about that; ironic.

His mouth fell open as he stared at her, not even
blinking as he took a step back. “You’re pregnant?” He asked softly.

A tear slid down her cheek as she hugged her arms
around herself, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Oh, this was
going to be a disaster.

“I’m so sorry,” She finally managed to say after a few
seconds of contemplation. “I…I should’ve told you sooner,” She nodded. “I
should’ve been on birth control, but things have been so crazy and so much has
happened. I didn’t know how to tell you or when the right time would be to say
it. Your mom said I should tell you, but I didn’t know how to tell you and I’m
sorry!” She threw her hands up in the air, turning away from him as she smacked
her palm against her forehead rather loudly. “And now you don’t even want it
and I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

When he didn’t say anything, Presley’s nerves only got
the better of her. She stepped towards the entrance of the garage, gazing out
at the bright sunlight. Oh, how cruel the world was to shine so beautifully
when her heart was clouding over with a storm of pain. Fresh tears were
building up, ready to fall as she sniffled.

“I am
so
sorry,” She sobbed. “I was just so
happy that it could actually happen…and that it’s okay. It’s a baby that will
survive in my body and I just…wanted this to be perfect and I’m stupid, and I’m
so sorry I didn’t tell you.”

She buried her face into her hands, trying to prepare
herself for whatever he had to say.

She was surprised to feel herself being whirled
around. Strong hands pried hers away from her face and she didn’t have it in
her to hide the tears that were falling so freely.

“My mom knows?” Lorcan whispered.

Oh great. Just another reason for him to be mad at
her. She sobbed and sputtered, nodding her head quickly. “Yes. Yes, she
does. I’m so sorry. She found out at the same time Louisa did and I-”

“Louisa knows?!” He asked.

“Yes!” She wailed, burying her face against his chest.
“And Natalie knows, too, because female ursithropes pick up on it faster and if
it wasn’t for her detecting the heartbeat at the hospital, we’d still be
Breslin’s prisoners. She saved us because of our baby, and I’m an awful person
and I’m sorry!”

That was it. She broke and there wasn’t any turning
back. She wasn’t just crying over the baby. She was crying over
everything
.
The dam she’d worked so hard on keeping up self-destructed and she was left as
a sobbing mess against his chest. She really was sorry; for not telling him;
for keeping those thoughts from him; for pushing him into something he wasn’t
ready for. Urseth, she was a terrible ursithrope. Who let somebody like her
be an empath?!

“Presley, look at me,” Lorcan demanded gently as he
framed her face between his hands. “Please. Open your eyes and look at me.”

Once she’d gotten a decent grip on her emotions -which
wasn’t very decent at all-she lifted her eyes to gaze at him. She was gasping
for air, hiccupping and trembling as she forced herself to look him directly in
the eyes.

He didn’t seem mad, but then again, she wasn’t sure
what emotions were coming from him at the moment. Hers were too strong, too
erratic to decipher.

“I
love
you,” Lorcan stated firmly, moving his
thumbs beneath her eyes to catch the tears. “You are
my
mate, Pretz.
Do you understand what that means?”

“It..it means,” She hiccupped. “That we’re together
forever, no matter what.”

Lorcan nodded. “Together forever, no matter what,” He
repeated. “You are mine as I am yours. You complete me, forever and for
always.”

“Forever and for always,” She sobbed, trying to suck
more air into her lungs.

“Please don’t cry,” He pleaded, leaning in to kiss at a
tear as it slid down her cheek. “Baby, I love you so much. I have always
loved you. There’s no need to cry, Presley. You’re pregnant with my cub and I
couldn’t be happier about that.”

She pulled back, staring at him in wide eyed
wonderment. “You couldn’t?”

A big smile made itself known on his face as he shook
his head. “I couldn’t,” He said reassuringly. “I was just talking about the
future, you know? I didn’t…..know that the future was actually now. Do you
really think I wouldn’t be happy over hearing this? My god, Presley, you’re
pregnant! We’re going to have a baby.”

She let out a small yelp of surprise when he picked her
up from the ground, twirling her around in the confined space of the garage
before his mouth found hers. He kissed her deeply, heatedly, and so
passionately that Presley was afraid her heart was going to explode. She’d
gotten upset over
nothing
.

He finally pulled back after a moment, his arms locked
tight around her waist as he gazed up at her.

“You’re giving me a baby,” He whispered in awe. “You’re
giving me the chance to be a father.”

Presley was so overwhelmed by the happiness she
suddenly felt, that everything else ceased to matter. Her sadness was quickly
forgotten; Dimitri’s anguish was forgotten; and her worries of Breslin Connor
coming back were pushed to the deepest corner of her mind as Lorcan’s mouth
found hers again.

Before she knew it, she found herself pressed against
the wall and Lorcan’s strong body was pinning her in place. She squirmed
against him, her legs locking around his waist as he attacked her neck with
hungry kisses.

“I’m going to be a father,” He laughed, nipping at the
sensitive flesh of her throat. She whimpered softly, allowing her nails to
bite into his shoulder.

“Yes,” She gasped. “I think that’s how it works….”

She heard the material of her blouse being ripped as
Lorcan’s scorching hands found her breasts, squeezing gently.

“So that’s why they feel different,” He growled,
sucking at her pulse point.

She threw her head back, moaning. “Yes.”

Her mind shut down on her as Lorcan celebrated the news
of their baby in his own way. She gave herself to him, right there in the
garage, without fear of what the future held for them.

He was truly the only one for her. Forever and for
always.

Twenty Three

I
f people didn’t get a hold on their feelings
soon, Louisa was going to go insane. She decided that getting away from the
Bamey house for a few moments was the best thing she could do. While Beau
decided to teach the younger ursithropes how to shoot properly with a bow and
arrow, she made her way into town with Davey Berdine in hopes of finding some
nicely scented bath oils and a new hair brush.

“You’ll like it here,” The old man offered as he placed
her bags into the truck. “Kadenburg is a real nice place to raise a family,
too. Sometimes I regret moving off like I did.”

Louisa gave him a small smile as she nodded, slipping
back into the passenger seat of the truck. She was silent as he got in,
buckling his seatbelt before turning the key in the ignition. He did seem like
a really nice man, and she enjoyed the company. He was one of the elders, as
she understood it, and he reminded her of her grandfather.

They were only a few miles down the road when he
decided to pick up the conversation again.

“I know you and your cousin have been through a lot,
Louisa, and I have to say, I’m impressed with how strong you seem to be,” He
glanced at her, smiling. “You’ll make a fine wife for a lucky ursithrope
someday.”

“Thank you,” She replied meekly, glancing out the
window as she watched the scenery blur by. “I’m not really in a hurry.”

“That’s understandable,” Davey nodded. “You’ve been
through a lot, little lady. You just have to trust me when I say it’s always
darkest before the dawn.”

She nodded, biting her lower lip. She hated feeling
awkward around people, but she didn’t know how to talk about what had happened
in China. She didn’t know how to express the feelings hidden so deep in her
heart. It was easy to talk about everyone else’s problems and help them work
through it….but she had a difficult time in practicing what she preached.

“Once this storm has blown over, I really think you and
Beau should consider moving back,” Davey added. “I think I might bring my
family back around, too.”

“You may?” She asked thoughtfully. “Do you think that
is something they would want?”

“It’s what every ursithrope wants,” He chuckled.
“Kadenburg is our home, rightfully, and I think we should all live closer
together. Even after Breslin is dead and gone, we’ll still have others who
will try to come in and try the same thing. It never ends, but the important
thing is that we fight against them together. We’ll always prevail as long as
we stand united.”

She knew he was right about that. Perhaps that’s the
mistake her village made. They had been so confident they could take on
anything that came their way, but none of them were prepared for Breslin’s
attack…..

She was lost in those horrible memories again, and it
wasn’t long before she realized the vehicle had stopped. She blinked, pulling
herself back into reality as she turned her head to stare at Davey.

“What is it?” She asked softly.

“I thought I saw something,” He frowned, shaking his
head. “It’s probably just my old mind playing tricks on me. Can you do me a
favor?”

“Of course,” Louisa nodded.

“Can you tell me what you’re feeling right about now?”

She knew what that meant. Ever since she’d told
everyone about her gifts, they wanted her to use her empathetic powers to sense
what was around them. It was the least she could do…..

Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the air around
her. She could feel Davey’s apprehension, but there was something else, too.

“I feel….fear,” She whispered. “Someone is really
scared. I think they might be hurt. Over there,” She pointed towards the
woods, frowning. “He’s over there.”

“He?” Davey squinted, trying to get a better look from
where he was sitting. “Do you know what ‘he’ is?”

Louisa released a soft breath, carefully rolling the
window down before she inhaled the cool air, allowing it to circulate through
her as her brows furrowed.

“He’s…..partially an ursithrope?” She replied in an
unsure tone.

“Partially?” Davey grunted. “The hell do you mean,
‘partially’?”

It was true. She was just as confused about it as he
was. She pushed open the passenger side door and stepped out, trying to zone
in on the male’s scent again.

“He’s not fully ursithrope,” She explained in that same
gentle voice. Though it should’ve bothered her, she was not afraid of what she
felt. He was terrified, whoever he was, and she felt an overwhelming need to
help him.

“That ain’t possible,” Davey said as he slammed his
door and rounded the truck, standing beside of her. “Are you sure that’s what
you smell?”

“Yes,” She glanced at him. “Don’t you smell it, too?”

The old man was silent as he inhaled deeply, his chest
puffing out as he took in the maximum capacity of air his lungs would allow.
He coughed and frowned. “Dagone, I think you’re right.”

Of course I’m right,
Louisa rolled her eyes.
“We should check on him. He’s hurt. He may need our help.”

“We ought to call Richard first,” Davey replied. “You
got one of those cellular phones, by chance?”

Louisa shook her head slowly. “No,” She replied.
“I’ve never needed one of those before.”

“Well, shoot,” Davey huffed. “Get back in the truck.
We can come back for him in a bit.”

Ridiculous! She rolled her eyes again, hurrying
towards the woods as Davey called after her.

“Don’t do that, Louisa! He might be dangerous. Ah
hell, Girl…”

Her heartbeat quickened as her shoes stepped off the
pavement and onto the hundreds of dead leaves that lined the side of the road.
She most certainly wasn’t thinking this through, but whoever he was, no matter
what kind of being he was, he needed her help.

She carefully stepped over fallen limbs and rocks,
making her way deeper into the woods as the large trees blocked the sunlight
from her view. It was creepily darker and the distant sound of Davey’s voice
seemed to be getting further and further away.

Maybe he was right,
she thought, curling her
fingers into her palms as her eyes searched the area. She didn’t see him, but
she could feel him. He was very close and he was hesitant about approaching
her.

“It’s all right,” She called out. “I’m not going to
hurt you. I want to help you.”

Chills crawled down her spine when she heard the low
growl sounding from nearby. She whirled around, her eyes darting past the trees
as she tried to find any sign of movement.

“Don’t be frightened,” She squeaked. “I know you’re
hurt. Let me help you. Please?”

A twig snapped and she turned around to face the other
direction. A few branches were swaying from the tree before her. He’d just
been there, but now where was he?

“It’s okay!” She called out, her chest rising and
falling with quick breaths. “I promise you’re safe now. Please just come ou-”

She shrieked in surprise when she felt herself tumbling
to the ground. Something heavy pinned her against the leaves and she quickly
rolled over to meet piercing blue eyes, wide and terrified, staring right at
her.

“Oh my gosh,” She panted, leaving her hands at her
sides as she licked her lips. “Um….hi?”

He was very handsome. She noticed it straight away.
And he was
young
. He had to be around her age. His brows were furrowed
as he searched her face. He was uncertain, which she could understand. He
leaned down, allowing the tip of his nose to graze against her cheek as he
sniffed.

“Uh…..” She blinked, staring up at the treetops as a
shiver made its presence known beneath her skin. His nose traced over her
throat before he pulled back and their gazes connected once more. “I’m
Louisa,” She whispered.

He frowned, quickly standing up. He clutched his side
and growled again, lowering his head.

“You’re hurt,” She pushed herself up from the ground,
taking a step towards him. “What happened to you?”

He didn’t reply as he lifted his eyes to stare at her
again. Another growl sounded from him before he took a step away from her.

“No, don’t go!” She pleaded, reaching her hand out
towards him. “Please. Let me help you. I know a lot has been going on around
here lately, and I can promise that I will do you no harm. I am like you.”

To prove her point, she willed her eyes to glow. She
knew they would shimmer like liquid gold, and hopefully it would prove to him
that she was on his side. Even if he was only part ursithrope –even if that
was impossible-she would help him. Something in her very soul was begging to
fix whatever was broken inside of him.

His growling turned into whimpering as he staggered
back, resting against the tree behind himself. He was incredibly thin; sickly
thin. It looked as if he hadn’t eaten in days. The dark circles beneath his
glowing blue eyes told her he needed rest, and plenty of it. What had happened
to him?

“Louisa!” Davey called out. She could hear the sound
of leaves crunching beneath heavy boots as the old man came into view.
“Louisa, is everything ok—Oh my god.”

Louisa turned her head to stare at him, noting the look
of surprise on his face.

The elder ursithrope quickly approached them, his eyes
widening in surprise. “Greg. You’re alive.”

–––––––-

Did he make a mistake? Sometimes that’s what it felt
like. For the past few days, he’d been torturing himself with the questions
and thoughts of ‘what if’? But he knew this was better; it had to be better.
Dimitri didn’t need an added complication of Rutley and his stupidly confused
feelings on top of everything else.

What an idiot he was. God, how could he be kissed by
his dead best friend’s boyfriend and
like
it? It was all so wrong. He
was disgusted with himself. Why did life have to be this hard?

It was never this difficult in Florida. At least when
he was having guy issues then, it was because his boyfriend –ex boyfriend-cheated on him with some thirty something bartender from the local club. That
was so much easier to deal with than what was happening right now.

“Jesus H. Christ,” He muttered, tilting his head back
to take another swig of the beer he’d been nursing for nearly an hour. He was
trying to slow down the pace. Being on beer number twelve for the day probably
wasn’t healthy or smart, but damn it, he didn’t want to think or feel anything.

Liam would hate me so much right now.
It was a
thought he’d had often since leaving the Bamey house.
His mom hates me.
His dad probably hates me. Lorcan definitely hates me….I hate me.

He was depressed, angry, and
lonely. That was never a good combination for anybody, but it was especially
bad for Rutley because he’d been holed up in a hotel room outside of Gatlinburg
for the last seventy-two hours, debating on what to do.

On one hand, he could go back to Kadenburg and face the
music; or on the other hand, he could run far, far away. The latter was
sounding more and more appealing by the second.

“Arizona might be nice,” He thought aloud, taking
another drink. The bitter liquid ran down his throat, hitting his booze filled
stomach as he made a small face. He was going to pay for it later, but for
now, he didn’t care. He just didn’t want to think. He thought too much and he
thought often. Most of his thoughts were about his dead best friend’s
boyfriend and what a sucky best friend he’d become.

“I wasn’t even there for his funeral,” Rutley muttered,
flinging the beer bottle across the room. He gained some satisfaction from
hearing it smash against the wall, but within only a few seconds, he was felt
nothing but remorse and self-loathing.

“I kissed his boyfriend,” He added while shaking his
head. “I tasered my dad for trying to do his job….which is also my job, yet I
can’t even seem to do that right,” He sighed, burying his face into his hands.
He was tired. He needed to sleep, yet it didn’t come easily. Every time he
managed to drift off, he would see Dimitri’s face. It was becoming a real
problem for him.

“I can’t like him.” He whispered. “It’s wrong. We
don’t even know each other.”

It didn’t matter how many times he told himself such
things, he just couldn’t make his heart accept it. He knew what he felt for
Dimitri was wrong on so many levels, but it felt so right.

“Liam loved him,” He said aloud as he stretched across
the floor to grab another bottle of beer. “And he loved Liam. There’s no room
in that equation for me. I’m a fucking idiot.”

His head fell back against the wall as he downed the
bottle within a matter of seconds. He needed the alcohol to stay in his
system. He needed to remain numb and incapable of piecing thoughts together.
If he allowed himself to be sober for one second, it would a second of agony in
which he missed a man he could never have. Life was a cruel mistress.