Chapter Twelve #3
It wasn’t shocking news, but it was enough that I was speechless. What else did I not know about myself?
My feet carried me to the living room, Lucien walking behind me as if he was ready for me to collapse at any point. “Hey, Mel, you—,” my dad stopped talking when he looked over at me. “What’s wrong?”
“Lucien, please go outside for a moment,” I muttered under my breath so only he could hear.
It was a little early in the relationship for family drama.
I waited until the door closed behind him before turning my full attention to my father.
“Was mom a witch? Don’t try to lie. Just give me an explanation as to why you never told me, please. ”
Realizing the situation, he turned the television off and faced me.
“Yes, she was. She came from a place that refused to accept you since you were only half witch. She made me promise to give you her necklace to protect you and hide any powers you might have inherited. She wanted a normal life for you.”
A witch. He knew all along.
I felt like I needed to sit, but my feet refused to budge or buckle. Left with the only option to stand, I leaned against the frame of the entryway.
“We have no secrets, dad. We promised that to each other long ago and I have come clean about everything. Good or bad, you knew it all.”
“You broke that promise before I did, Melinda Marie,” he snapped.
Shooting to his feet, he pointed outside to where Lucien was.
“You’ve known about his world long before today.
I no longer have to act. Your boyfriend out there is more than that.
My joy for your happiness was real, but that doesn’t mean I’m on fully board. ”
“How do you know what he is?”
“Your mom told me everything about Shadowhaven. She wasn’t the only one from that place that had escaped to this town. Small towns such as ours have always turned into a safe haven for those with shadow blood.”
Lucien knocked on the door then, interrupting any response. “Then perhaps now that everything has been aired out, I could come back inside? There is still a killer on the loose.”
“My rule still stands. With the addition of no Shadowhaven talk in this house. If any rules are broken then you will be grounded,” my dad informed me, giving Lucien an extra pointed stare.
Lucien wasn’t affected by this change in attitude towards him, almost like he was used to it.
“You are trekking on dangerous ground, Lucien. Careful what you expose her to. She may have a foot in both worlds, but I won’t let you take my daughter from me. ”
“I will leave the decision in her hands when that time comes. For now, we only want to find who killed Agatha and Jeremy. Do you know who it could be?”
Dad pursed his lips as he thought about it. “I know there’s a hunter in town, but beyond that no one has stepped out of line to be under scrutiny.”
“Your townies believe our Mel is the one killing people,” Lucien revealed. My dad’s face went dark, and I didn’t miss how his fists tightened at his side at the news. “I feel the same way, sir. Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done until the real killer is found.”
“That curfew was put into place recently so you should start heading home,” dad spoke softly. I watched his distant expression, realizing he was too wrapped in his own thoughts to really focus on what was going on. He patted Lucien on the shoulder as he passed. “Keep my daughter safe.”
“With my life,” Lucien vowed. He walked outside first, giving me time with my dad before we left. In his distracted state, my dad didn’t see the kiss Lucien placed on my head as he passed by.
Probably for the best, I thought to myself.
“Stay with him tonight, Mel. I’m going fishing in the morning with Henry and don’t want you alone. Let me know when you get there safely.”
“Are you okay? You’ve been spaced since Lucien told you what the town thinks. I don’t want to leave you alone—.”
He pulled me into a hug, startling me into silence as I felt a sort of desperation in his hug. He almost seemed like he didn’t want to let go of me, but eventually did after a while. When I tilted my head to look up at him, I noticed his cheeks were wet from tears.
I opened my mouth to say something, but he just turned around and went back to his show without another word. The sudden display of emotion from my mostly stoic father made me nervous, but I was forced to push it away as I went outside.
Lucien was there, leaning against the post outside, moonlight giving his hair a more ethereal appearance. The air rushed out of my lungs at the sight of his beauty.
Was this man really my mate?
“Let’s go,” I sighed heavily before reaching my arms out to him. He looked at them before looking at me. “I’m not walking so you can carry me.”
“Demanding, aren’t we?” he teased with a step in my direction.
I dropped my arms to cross them over my chest, brow raised.
“I guess I can drive my truck then and waste that gas.” Leaving him no time to respond, I began walking to my car with purpose.
I made it all of three steps in its direction before two arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me off the ground.
I began giggling as Lucien's breath tickled my neck and his arms tightened around me.
“You little minx,” he growled playfully.
“What happened to fighting urges?” I questioned in a matching tone.
His lips brushed my neck, eliciting a soft gasp from me. He inhaled my scent before placing a gentle kiss there. “I’m still holding back, but fighting destiny is exhausting. Now that we know you have shadow blood, I won’t have to be as careful with you.”
“Does that mean you won’t be as cold towards me when fighting these urges?” I inquired, twisting in his arms so we were facing each other. His honey eyes beheld mine, softening at my question. He reached his hand to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing over it gently.
“It was a momentary lapse in judgment. I didn’t grow up in a household that reflected mates in a good light.
” He paused, struggling. I didn’t say anything letting him open at his own pace.
“My parents were forced into a marriage and after birthing my sister and I. My father found his mate. He showered her with such affection that it drove my mother to take her own life.”
His voice broke ever so slightly at the end. I could tell he loved his mother dearly and the pain of her disappearance from his life was still there. I covered the hand cupping my face, squeezing it softly. His lips curved slightly and he continued.
“The day we put her ashes in the vault, I swore I would never fall in love and even consulted a seer for help. Then, you came along and were everything I despised. An outspoken mundane who was not of my world. I watched you to find something to make me hate you. I needed to because I would leave this place. But I could find nothing to hate. You are perfect. Even with your stubbornness and outspoken nature, you are everything I’d secretly hoped you’d be. ”
“You really do have a way with words, don’t you?” I chuckled to mask my flustered state. “I’m in trouble if that’s going to be an ongoing thing.”
“Perhaps I’d like that,” he mused. He used the hand holding my face to pull it closer to his, causing our lips to meet. I smiled against his, relishing the tingling feeling of them on mine.
He had become a drug to me that I was fully content with never quitting.
I enjoyed the moments like this, but a part of me was curious how he would be without having to hold himself back.
The thought made my cheeks warm with the heat of arousal he ignited within me.
Without breaking the kiss, Lucien swept me up and sped off to Agatha’s.