Chapter 27 #2
“You don’t need to, son. She’s not far away.”
“What does that mean?” I searched his eyes. This had been one big ruse he’d orchestrated. My stomach churned.
“Chelsea asked if she could see the best place in North Bend, somewhere special to you. So I told her.”
As I looked at my father, I noticed tears in his eyes. “You did?”
“Absolutely. I’m proud of you, son. Very proud.”
“You recognized her name. Didn’t you? You knew who she was.”
He held up his hands. “Scouts cannot tell a lie. I did.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because all your mother and I have ever wanted is for our kids to be happy. I could tell how incredible the two of you were.”
“Worth losing everything you worked for?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“If losing it meant gaining a daughter-in-law, you bet. Now go.”
“I will. And I’m getting her back no matter how much groveling is involved.”
“There’s one more thing you need to know. Chelsea was given an offer of her own. Something for you to think about.”
Ah, shit.
The reality hit me that I could really lose her forever. No. I would do everything in my power to keep that from happening.
* * *
Chelsea
I’d never seen anything so beautiful as the incredible waterfall in front of me.
However, it would mean nothing if I couldn’t share it with the man I loved. I’d waited in hopes that Cole would want to see me. That’s not why I’d made an investment in the area.
Well, maybe a little, but there was so much more to the reason why.
For the first time in my life, I felt as if I had control. Even if I had a huge decision to make. At least I had somewhere to go and far enough away from my father that he couldn’t bother me.
I glanced at my watch, finally realizing Cole wasn’t coming. Tears had already formed in my eyes and I’d fought them twice. Why bother any longer?
“Oh, Cole. I’m sorry.”
As I turned, I heard a noise, but not from a vehicle. A slow and easy growl coming from in the forest.
Maybe I should be frightened. Instead, I was smiling. I walked closer to a lovely pathway leading to the water, peering down.
Soon, a series of electric vibrations swept through me.
“Cole.”
“What are you sorry about?”
My stomach remained in knots. “You heard that.”
“I am a wolf.”
The tone in his voice allowed me to smile wistfully. Hopefully.
“I heard there’s some millionaire chick trying to rule the world. I think her name is Clementine.”
I cocked my head to the side. “And I heard there’s some guy named Roy who just bought a sawmill with his brothers.”
“Yeah, I heard that too. The funny thing is, I don’t know how he got the money.”
“Well, maybe he has a guardian angel.”
“Maybe so.” His voice was deep and as husky as I’d remembered, sending a shower of vibrations through every muscle, leading straight to my core. “No, not maybe. But I need to tell you something. An admittance really.”
“Okay.”
“Here’s the thing. I fell in love with this girl. I mean she’s a beautiful woman, so incredible that I haven’t been able to sleep or eat. Nothing matters but being with her, the gorgeous girl with sun-kissed ginger hair and eyes capable of burning a hole right through me.”
“Should I be jealous?”
He rubbed his jaw, cocking his head back and forth. “Maybe.”
“Why aren’t you with her?”
He didn’t look at me, instead studying the water as I’d been doing. “I fucked up. I didn’t trust her and it’s killing me. She was so honest with me and I didn’t believe her. I will never forgive myself.”
“Have you told her how you feel?” The trembling was getting worse.
“Do you think it would do any good?”
“Well, if she cares about you, which I think she does, then it’s worth a try.”
Cole was so handsome, very much everything I wanted. “What does she think about me?”
“You mean Roy? Well, she thinks he’s pretty special, very handsome, and completely arrogant.”
“Well, Roy has fallen madly, deeply in love with Clementine. So much so it hurts when he’s not with her.”
“Really?”
He finally turned toward me. “Oh, God, yes. I am so sorry, Chelsea. I cannot tell you how much so. I know you’ll likely never forgive me and I don’t blame you. No excuses. None. What you did for my parents and for members of this town is… too much. I will work every day of my life to pay you back.”
“Hmmm… Well, I would like payback, but not necessarily in cash.”
A slight smile curled on his upper lip. “Well, then what did you have in mind?”
“A pound of human flesh. Or furry flesh. Whichever.”
In seeing his face and the concern in his eyes, I laughed nervously. When he gathered me into his arms, sweeping me off my feet, I flung my arms over his shoulders.
“I’m never going to let you go,” he told me.
“You’d better not.”
His grin turned evil. “Be careful what you ask for.” As he captured my mouth, all the anger and worry, the fear and hatred I’d experienced faded away. There was only love and the joy of knowing that the future was going to be amazing.
The kiss was incredible, heated and full of passion. I tangled my fingers in his hair, my pulse racing. If this was what it would be like for the rest of our lives, I would highly recommend finding a shifter mate.
When he finally broke the kiss, we were both breathless.
“There’s just one thing. I need to tell you something. I had an offer,” I told him.
“Oh, yeah? So did I.”
“Do you want to go first?”
He put me down, keeping his arms wrapped around me. “Why don’t we do it together.”
“Okay. That’s fair.”
“On three.”
I nodded.
“One. Two. Three.”
“I was offered a spot on the Vancouver Kingpins.”
“I was offered a position with the Vancouver Ballet.”
“Vancouver?” I asked.
He laughed. “Yeah. You too?”
I nodded, entwining my hands together. “What about the sawmill?”
The gleam in his eyes was everything I’d remembered. “My father reminded me he and Mom aren’t going anywhere. They simply have peace of mind because of one special lady. What about your dad?”
“He’ll live. Plus, he’s not going to jail. An added benefit for releasing my trust fund.”
“A rich chick. I kind of like the sound of that.”
“You mean your mate.”
His growl was deep and possessive. “Never forget that, lady. You belong to me.”
“Well, I guess we have some decisions to make.” The feeling of having him in my arms was amazing. I was more emotional than I thought.
“I guess we do. However, not until I ravage every inch of your body.”
“I thought you’d never ask. However, when do I get to see you all furry?”
Cole pulled away, grinning like the imp I knew him to be. “When you learn how to be obedient.”
As he smacked my bottom twice, I realized something so important. Family was everything, more important than money or clout. Or any opportunity.
I was closer to Jagger than I’d ever been. As far as my parents, well, I had spoken to my mother a couple of times. She’d told me she was proud of me.
But family wasn’t only about blood, but about trust and honesty, integrity and support. Maybe I’d forgive my father one day, but for now, I was more than happy with my found family.
All that mattered to me was that I’d fallen in love with an incredible man. Whether shifter or not, he would make a great father and husband, but an even better best friend.
For life.
What more could a girl ask for?
* * *
Vancouver, Canada
One week later…
“This is an exciting night for Vancouver, John.” The announcer laughed as he glanced at his companion.
“You’re right, Brett. It’s exciting to have Cole ‘the Rebel’ Kendrick playing for the Kingpins. Have you seen this man play?”
“I have. He rivals the greatest players of all time. It should be exciting.”
“Especially since the team was also lucky enough to snag Jagger Black at the same time.”
“Yep. The Dynamic Duo. We are in for a treat this year,” John laughed. “And there’s the Jumbotron.”
“Ah, that’s Cole’s fiancée and his sister. Incidentally, I was told Chelsea Black is the newest principal dancer for the Vancouver Ballet.”
Brett hummed. “And Cole’s sister Samantha is currently dating Jagger Black.”
“Well, I guess it’s all in the family.”
“You’re right, John. As I said, what an exciting night.”
“Including for all shifters. It goes to show you it’s all about talent and has little to do with DNA.”
The End