by Alexis Davie
“And this is what you want?” Owen asked as he leaned in closer to Farrah.
“This is what I want, Owen. He is who I want,” Farrah answered honestly and with all the confidence in the world.
Owen’s jaw clenched, but he lowered his gaze. “If that’s what you truly want, I guess I am going to have to get used to him being around.”
“And it would be nice if the two of you didn’t try to kill each other. You need to let the past go and just look toward a better, more peaceful future” Farrah said, looking at both Pike and Owen.
“I only attack if I’m being attacked,” Pike pointed out.
Owen stood from the chair and rolled his eyes. “I’m going to get some coffee. Does anyone else want some?”
“That would be great,” Pike answered with a grateful smile and stood.
“I’m good. Thanks, Owen,” Farrah said.
Owen nodded quietly and left the room. There were a few seconds of silence between Farrah and Pike, but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all.
“I can’t believe you took an arrow for me,” Pike softly said as he walked toward the bed.
“You would have done the same for me, right?” she asked.
“In a heartbeat,” Pike nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in his. “But you could have died, and I would have never forgiven myself if that had happened. I never wanted to put you in danger, Farrah.”
“You didn’t. The danger just seemed to find me all on its own. You didn’t send Talon and Reed to...” Farrah gasped and looked at Pike with wide eyes. “Is Reed really dead?”
“Unfortunately, yes. The snare trap severed his spinal cord and he died almost instantly.”
Farrah shook her head. “I am so sorry. How is Talon doing?”
“He’s broken, to say the least. So am I. We knew him for such a long time, and he was a part of our family. It’s a great loss for all of us. He was a great guy and a fierce fighter.”
Farrah placed her hand over his and squeezed his hand in reassurance. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“Did you really mean what you said in front of your brother?” Pike asked. “About loving me and that I’m going to be in your lives for a long time?”
“I meant every word, Pike. Being away from you, and thinking that you didn’t want me, broke my heart, and it sounds so weird to say those things after only knowing you for a day, but,” she explained and paused for a moment, “with you it just feels right. Is this all making sense to you?”
“More than you will ever know,” Pike told her and lightly brushed her cheek, tucking a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. “When I was a kid, I had this friend. He was reckless and impulsive, but he was the best friend I ever had. We went scouting in the woods, much like last night, and he was killed. He was shot down by a hunter because of me. He wouldn’t have been there in the first place if I didn’t practically beg him to go.”
Farrah nodded sadly and noticed the self-loathing in his eyes. “It’s not your fault he got killed, Pike.”
“I felt it was, and I blamed myself for a long time. I had allowed my feelings to get in the way when I avenged his death, and I vowed to never allow my feelings to determine the choices I made. Which was why I shut down so easily when I let you go. Outwardly I looked fine—distant and cold—when in actual fact, I was torn apart and broken without you. I tried to forget about you, and the time we spent together, but I couldn’t. I wanted to protect you, because I thought your life would be better without me, despite me being miserable.”
“You were miserable without me?” she asked with a small smile.
“You know I was,” Pike pointed out and caressed her cheek slowly, his fingers skimming her skin. “I want you, Farrah, and I know it’s not the kind of life you wanted, or pictured for yourself, but it’s the life I was born into. If you don’t want to be a part of it, I understand.”
“Don't be ridiculous. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Even though I’m what I am, and there is danger lurking around every corner?” he asked.
Farrah placed her hand over his and nodded. “You’re supposed to be with me, and I am supposed to be with you. And that’s just the way it is.”
Pike smiled and lowered his gaze. “When I was walking through the woods before Owen and his buddies attacked us, I thought about everything and I realized something.”
“And what was that?” she asked.
“I felt torn for a reason,” Pike sighed and gazed into Farrah’s blue eyes. “My head says I should have never held you captive, but my heart says I should have never let you go.”
“I know the feeling, but luckily I’ve realized that my heart and my head can want the same things,” she whispered. “And that’s you, Pike.”
Pike grinned happily at her and cradled her face with his hands. “I love you, and I will never let any harm come to you for as long as I live.”
Farrah’s eyes twinkled as Pike leaned in closer to her, their lips touching in a tender and loving kiss, and her heart exploded with the love she had craved her entire lifetime.
Now she had it, and she was never letting go.
* * *
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About the Author
Alexis Davie captivates her readers with stories that intertwine reality with fantasy, to provide an exciting escape. Davie has always had an affinity for dragons, vampires, werewolves and, of course, romance. One can truly see her passions come to life through her written words.
When Davie is not writing, she hikes, practices yoga, and frequently travels with her son and husband to find the less-traveled paths. To help the voiceless, Davie also spends her time as a volunteer with animal rescues.