Chapter 2 #2
He and Bryn had been close, once.
But now?
Now he had to think of his love. The last time they’d moved, the fear in her eyes, the way she swore she’d kill herself before ever going back to Faegan…
I’m sorry, but it has to be this way.
Surely Callum, a Prime Alpha, could hold his own against whoever Faegan sent and keep her safe. Besides, if Faegan wanted to incur the wrath of a powerful Prime Alpha wolf, then maybe Callum would do them all a favor by killing Faegan, making the point moot.
At least, that’s what Donnel would keep telling himself.
“This will probably be the last time I see you,” she finally said.
“At least for several decades. Callum is away arranging things. I don’t even know where we’re moving yet.
He didn’t tell me, and he didn’t want me to travel until everything’s ready.
He said he’s heard disturbing rumors about Faegan. ”
Good, that means the leak can be blamed on whoever Callum talked with.
“I’ve heard rumors as well, Bryn. Which is another reason I’d like to see you one last time. We’re also moving. I don’t know where yet, either.” At least that much was the truth. “But I have to tie up loose business ends in the city before I leave.”
“How is she doing?”
Donnel had finally told Bryn, when he helped her escape, what had happened that horrible night Faegan had claimed Hyacinth as his mate. Meaning she’d been willing to broker the agreement to rescue Hyacinth from his clutches.
“She’s still frail in many ways. She’s much better now than in the beginning after we escaped.”
“Yes, well, we all suffered under that bastard’s thumb, didn’t we?” Bryn darkly noted. “Where do you want to meet, and when?”
He named a hotel he’d stayed at before. A moment later, it was done.
He called the number Faegan gave him, and the man who answered the phone had an odd accent Donnel couldn’t quite place. Whoever he was spoke English natively, but he was trying to sound American and failing miserably. “That was fast.”
“I’ve arranged it,” he said. “Next Wednesday. Cleveland, Ohio. That’s all the information you get for now. I will call back on the day of with the exact location and time. Have your people ready to move immediately, because you won’t have much time.”
He hung up and grabbed his valise and overcoat to head downstairs and check out.
While they could all travel to Idaho and seek shelter with the Targhees, he knew Charles Bleacke would go to war if his compound was invaded. That was the last thing Donnel wanted to be caught in the middle of.
Not to mention his conscience ached enough. He certainly didn’t want to be the reason a war broke out.
Worse, if he were seen as being a traitor to the Targhees, it would be his hide on the line. And possibly his mate’s.
He didn’t value his own skin, but he would kill or die to protect his mate. She’d suffered enough in her life because he couldn’t protect her before.
Like hell would he not move heaven and earth to protect her now.
“Well, you look… huge,” Donnel said.
Bryn smiled across the table at him. “I feel huge.”
“When are you due?”
“Soon.” He didn’t blame her for her cageyness. They were eating lunch at a restaurant across the street from the hotel. He hadn’t called the information in yet because he knew as soon as he did…
Well, that would be the last time he ever saw his sister. One way or another.
He hated himself for the betrayal, but it couldn’t be helped.
“Callum let you come by yourself?”
“He doesn’t know I came at all. I’ll be home tonight before he calls to check in.”
He really hoped she was lying, and that he was out there, watching them now.
If not?
Well, he’d lived with guilt for a long time. It wasn’t like it was a new emotion to him.
“I miss you,” he said.
“I’ve missed you, too. I wonder if Hamish truly died in the war?” she mused.
“Impossible to say for certain. I’ve never located any trace of him. I lied to Faegan and said I didn’t tip Hamish off, but I did. Least I could do, to help him get free when I was stuck there.”
“He’s smarter than us, then,” she said. “If he is alive.”
Another silence, then they both started to talk at the same time. “No, you go,” Donnel insisted.
She sighed. “I meant it that this will be the last time we see each other again. Until our pup is an adult, at least. Or any others we might have. That’s not Callum’s fault,” she quickly added.
“It’s mine. I can’t risk him finding us, and I want my children to have as normal a life as we can provide them.
I want them to have a large network of friends and a childhood completely unlike ours.
I’ve put off having a family for as long as I can tolerate. I will have my happiness.”
“I don’t blame you.”
She leaned in and dropped her voice. “Why should I continue to put my happiness on hold for his evil idiocy?”
“Again, I don’t blame you.”
“I thought we were shed of him when Callum did”—she waved her hand—“that business for him and you. And still, we waited, watched, listened for rumors. Moving every time there was even a hint of something. I’m tired of waiting and watching and listening.
The only way for us to finally have a life is to completely sever ties to our old one. ”
“Can’t Callum’s family help you?”
“We don’t know who we can trust,” she said.
“Other than Badger, of course. But he doesn’t want to drag Badger into this.
Callum’s afraid that if we turn to the Targhees, Faegan may start a war with them.
Callum would prefer to leave them out of it completely unless it’s our last resort.
The risk of utter carnage is far too great.
And while we know we can trust Badger, who knows if there’s anyone in their pack who might betray us? Threats can come from anywhere.”
Well, she’s not wrong there. “I really hope this works out for you,” he said.
“I know you’ve pledged to the Targhees,” she said. It surprised him that she possessed that intel. “I don’t blame you. I know they’re good people.”
“We have little contact with them,” Donnel admitted.
“We pledged more so that we would be ignored. I felt it best that we affiliate ourselves with the largest pack instead of them realizing we’re in the States after the fact and asking a lot of uncomfortable questions.
Plus, once we eventually need new IDs, we can turn to them for help.
They believe we were refugees from the war.
Like you, I don’t wish to deeply enmesh ourselves with them and risk fallout. ”
“One day, I’ll send word through them to pass on to you how to contact me.”
He sadly smiled. “I do wish you peace and prosperity.”
“Thank you.”
“Come back to my room and have a last toast with me?”
She looked reluctant at first, but then smiled and nodded. “Sure. Why not? I have a little time.”
He’d just paid their bill when she let out a soft cry and stopped, frozen in place.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Horrified, she looked up at him. “It’s early! It’s too early!”
That’s when he realized her water had broken. “We need to get you to the hospital.”
“No!” She grabbed his hand. “Back to your room.”
“Why?”
“I can’t have this baby in a hospital! He might find me!”
“But it’s—”
Her hand squeezed, nearly cracking bone. “Please!”
“What about Callum? How do I contact him?”
She gasped for breath. “I don’t know! I don’t even know where he is, but this baby is coming right now!”
Hating himself, he helped her back across the street, into the elevator, and to his room.
There, two hours later, she delivered a baby girl in the bathtub.
Apparently, Bryn had been preparing for a home birth since she learned she was pregnant and managed to talk him through it, including tying off the umbilical cord with thread from a sewing kit in her purse before cutting it.
After helping her clean up, he moved her to the bed, where she exhaustedly smiled as she watched the baby nurse. “I can’t believe she’s here already. Callum will be so upset he wasn’t here, bless him.” Some of her Welsh accent bled through in her exhaustion.
“When is he due back?”
“Not for three more days.”
“And you have no idea where he is?”
Tears welled in her eyes, and she shook her head. “He said he wanted me to focus only on the baby.”
“And not be able to tell me?”
She tearfully laughed. “He hasn’t been pleased that I send you our number. But he hasn’t outright forbidden me from giving it to you.” Her smile faded. “I told him that after this move, he can Prime me to not tell you, if he wishes.”
“Ah.” He stared at the baby, who looked so much like Bryn did when she was born. “That is understandable, given the circumstances. What are you naming her?”
She caressed the baby’s cheek. “We still haven’t decided.
We’d narrowed it down to three boy names and three girl names.
” Another tearful laugh. “I guess she just made that decision easier. I’ll wait until he’s home.
We have a doctor ready to create us a birth certificate once we give him the details. ”
“I need to go buy things for her,” he said.
She shook her head. “That’s all right. We have things at home.”
“You can’t go taking her out wrapped in hotel sheets and towels. Plus, I should buy a dress or something for you as well. Yours is ruined. How far are you away from home? I’m guessing it’s at least a couple of hours, isn’t it?”
She tearfully laughed. “I suppose so. I hadn’t thought about all of that. Would you mind?”
“I don’t mind at all. It’s the least I can do, and you can consider it a baby present.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back soon.”
It took him an hour to purchase everything he needed and return to the room. Part of him hoped she wouldn’t be there when he returned, but she was.
“I even brought you some food and soda,” he said. “You need to regain your strength.”
She looked exhausted, understandably. “He will be panicked when I’m not home.”