Sacred Bond: Secrets of Stone Ridge

by Harms, C. A.

  Once we hang up I feel better...of course that is until the bedroom door opens and Merick steps inside. “I want to take a nap.” I tell him and roll over, wrapping myself around the pregnancy pillow that Rowan bought for me.

  I feel the bed dip and his body heat as he sits by my side. “I’m sorry,” he whispers, but I don’t respond. Merick tries to touch me but I scoot away. I know it’s childish, but I am so hurt right now and whatever he’s keeping from me has created this great divide between us.

  “Why can’t you tell me? Are you sleeping with someone else? Were you wrong about me being your mate?” God, those words feel like acid on my tongue.

  “Fuck no, I would never do that! You. Are. My. Mate.”

  I take a deep breath. “Who is Abigail?” I don’t miss the way his body freezes behind me. “You block your thoughts from me, but I’ve heard her name twice. Who is she?”

  He stands up and I wait for him to leave, but when I turn my head I find him standing next to the bed, scrubbing his hands over his face. “Before I tell you I want you to know that I didn’t tell you because I was trying to protect you. This isn’t easy to hear.”

  “Oh but ignoring me and making me feel like shit is so much better?” I climb out of bed, ignoring him trying to help. “What could possibly be bad enough for you to push me away enough where I’ve thought about going back to the cabin?”

  “Because your great great grandmother is the reason my mother is dead!” he roars.

  I step away from him until my back hits the wall. A buzzing sound starts in my ears and the next thing I know I am rushing through his room grabbing my suitcase out of the closet and begin grabbing my clothes, throwing them inside.

  “Taryn what are you doing?” he whispers from behind me.

  “I-I’m leaving before I get you killed.” I cover my mouth to muffle the sob that rips from my throat. “Every dream...vision I’ve had, you die. I can’t do that to you. I’d rather leave, knowing that you’ll live a long life then stay and watch you die because of me.”

  Merick turns me in his arms, hugging me close as I cry. “Baby you can’t leave me because if you do I’m already dead.” He tips my face up, kissing my lips. “Now let’s go downstairs and I’ll tell you everything.”

  I nod and let him lead me out of our room.

  Merick

  I’ve gone about this all wrong. I’ve ignored her and distanced myself so she couldn’t read the thoughts that have been consistently having. The pain that has been lingering inside of me daily since I heard the deep connection between her family and mine.

  My fear is that the wrong people find out what gift she holds, and history repeats itself, only this time they use my mate to destroy us all.

  I guide Taryn to the couch and ensure she is placed comfortably before I sit before her on the edge of the coffee table. Facing her, I notice the redness of her eyes and just how tired she appears.

  Guilt slams into me, knowing that I’ve inflicted this unsettled feeling in her.

  “I’ve failed,” I say. She looks up and our eyes lock. “I’ve been trying to keep this hidden for fear of hurting you and in the end I’ve hurt anyway.”

  Taryn doesn’t even attempt to argue with my words. She shouldn’t, they’re true.

  “I went to visit some old friends of my parents, Asta and Fiona.” I already understand that this explanation will be one of the hardest things I will ever have to share with Taryn. “Fiona and my mother were very close, like mother and daughter. They’d always been present in my life, and with them coming back into town, I wanted to meet with them before bringing you.”

  Taryn flinches as if she feels this is related to her and not them.

  “It’s not you, it's them. Asta can be very intimidating, much like my father. I wanted to feel them out, understand where their heads were in all this. There is still a lot of animosity and I hadn’t seen them since my mother's death.” Taryn’s eyes fill to the brim with unshed tears and I reach out to cover her hand with my own.

  “I don’t understand,” she whispers in an unsteady voice. “How is it possible that my great,” pausing she takes in a deep breath, “great grandmother had anything to do with what happened to your--,” she stops and looks away from me. Almost shameful.

  “I’ll explain but first I need you to understand that in no way are you responsible for any of this. I don’t hold you accountable for history.”

  “But I’m tied to it,” she says, the tears fall heavily. Her body trembles as she leans forward and covers her face with her hands.

  “She was forced.” Taryn’s body jerks in surprise and again she lifts her head looking directly at me. “She was gifted, much like you.” It kills me to see Taryn in this state, so lost and vulnerable. All I want is to protect her from any harm, physical or emotional, but this I can no longer avoid. Ignoring it has caused her the exact opposite of what I want. “Abigail had premonitions. She was able to see things before they happened. She was friends with my ancestors, and when the enemy found out how valuable her gifts were, they captured her.”

  Taryn covers her mouth with her hand.

  “They forced her to share information with them that led to destruction that took my mother among others.

  “No,” shaking her head in disbelief, she attempts to stand. “No, no,” she sobs. Wrapping her in my arms I stand before and allow her to fall apart. I remain strong, but on the inside, I am breaking too. Acceptance of our connection and how it runs much deeper than either of us were actually aware. Promising that this changes nothing, that we will come out on the opposite side of it, stronger, unbreakable.

  “I love you,” I whisper into her hair, needing her to hear me. I've neglected to assure her that my love is strong. For days I’ve pulled away, trying to protect her and again I’ve failed her. “Nothing can, or will ever change that. You are my world Taryn, you and our daughter.”

  Her body shakes as the emotions take over and I smile, finally allowing the message she’d written on the note left behind to sink in.

  A daughter.

  “It’s beautiful,” I stand back watching Fiona gift Taryn with Amethyst. A necklace holding so much more power than a regular piece of jewelry. It’s not only a gem but one dipped in the blood of our creator. A binding spell that is meant to connect us all, we feel what she feels, fear, anxiety. A way to connect her to the pack as we are all connected.

  “It will enhance your abilities, trigger the thoughts, but also help you control them more.” Taryn lowers her head and allows Fiona to slide it over her neck. “This child will be linked to all of us as part shifter, but to you we are only linked in our thoughts. Your gift is powerful, but it will only grow. It will at times be so strong that sorting through all the chaos can become overwhelming. This will help, but it will always provide protection.”

  “Protection?”

  I continue to stand near Asta as we allow Fiona to provide what she does best. She has a soothing touch, a calm that covers you like a blanket and provides a safe haven during times when it is needed most.

  This is a lot of information, a lot to take in, but hearing it from Fiona is the best solution.

  “There are a lot of people out there that can’t be trusted, but the worst part is we don’t always know who those people are. We must be cautious, diligent with our actions. We must all stand as one, we must be a force, a binding connection to one another always.” Taryn nods, as if entrapped in the words of Fiona.

  “This holds power behind your dreams, but you must always wear it.”

  “Always,” I watch as the woman I adore lifts the jewel and holds in her fist as if it is the most precious item she has ever held.

  “Yes, you are blessed,” Taryn looks up and locks her gaze on Fiona. They share a smile, “I told you this would link us, and your happiness can be felt. We are all one.”

  She has been accepted, claimed as part of our pack. I need her to know what this all truly means. To feel all the things we feel, to
accept that deep connection. When she looks back at me and gives me a nod approval I know right then she has it.

  She feels what I feel.

  “We’ve never talked any more about names,” she whispers in the darkness as she places her hand over mine. Together we lay them upon her belly, almost protecting what lies beneath.

  “That’s because we planned on it all being a surprise.” Kissing her temple I smile. I don’t mean to make her feel guilty, in all honesty I’m happy to know.

  “I always knew we were having a girl.” I remember the mention of her dreams. “Always a little girl, running, laughing.”

  “A little girl that looks just like her mother.”

  “Or like her daddy.” She offers my hand beneath her a gentle squeeze.

  “Naomi,” I threw it out there to see her response. It is the first name I can think of. Instantly her nose wrinkles and I laugh. “Okay then,” I pause trying to think of a few names. “Elyse, Hazel, Rose, Opal, Tulip,” she pokes me in the ribs and I move away to hide the ticklish space.

  “Now you’re rambling.”

  “It may be one of those moments that when we see her, we’ll know.”

  “Olivia,” Taryn says into the darkness and hearing my mother's name out loud again makes me feel raw. “I think no matter who she looks like, she should carry the name of her grandmother.” My chest feels like it is on fire, my throat clogged with emotions. “No matter what we choose for her middle name, I believe her first should be Olivia.”

  Unable to speak I simply curl my body into Taryn, wrapping her in my arms and burying my face in her neck. The knowledge that even if only a small fraction of my mother lives on in me and now in my child gives me the peace I need.

  Taryn

  I wake up with Merick’s naked form wrapped around me like he’s afraid to let me go. After Fiona and Asta left we ate a light dinner and then he carried me upstairs to our bed, where he made love to me all night long.

  After round three I finally had to threaten bodily harm if he didn’t stop. All I know was after last night, receiving the necklace from Fiona I’d felt like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I’d also seen a huge turnaround in Merick. He was back to being touchy feely again, the man I fell in love with.

  I ease out from under his arm and climb out of bed. The red chambray shirt he wore yesterday is on the floor. I pick it up and throw it on, buttoning it up. Even with my expanding belly it is still huge on me. After brushing out my hair I put it up in a knot on top of my head and brush my teeth.

  Downstairs I pull bacon, eggs, and hash browns out of the refrigerator. While the food is cooking, I make some coffee for Merick and some tea for me. I’m flipping the bacon when Merick wraps his arms around me, kissing my neck. His hands slide down my body and then slide back up under my shirt. He bites his mark and I feel myself get wet immediately.

  He rubs between my legs. “Are you going to come baby?” Merick reaches up with one hand, pinching my nipple.

  “Is that what you want?” I nod unable to speak due to the torturous way he continues to rub me exactly the way I need him to. “Mm,” the hum of his voice mingles with the motions of his hands and I can feel my orgasm building. Growing closer and closer to my release and as if he can sense just how close I am he applies the right amount of pressure and my head grows foggy.

  A tingling sensation starts low in my stomach and I swear I hear him chuckle, only I can’t concentrate on anything more than how he is making my body feel. And then I am done.

  I come embarrassingly fast and he holds me up when my knees buckle. “Um...thank you.” I giggle because I honestly feel like my brain is malfunctioning.

  “I didn’t like waking up without you,” he whispers against the side of my neck.

  I turn my head and smile up at him. “I was trying to surprise you with breakfast in bed.” He helps me finish making breakfast and then we sit side by side eating. The necklace hanging from my neck warms against my skin. I can feel nothing but love and happiness radiating off my mate. “Does it taste good?”

  “It's great baby, thank you.” Merick wraps his arm around my shoulders and hugs me into his side. “I have to work for a little bit, but then I thought we could go shopping for the baby. We need clothes, diapers, and that other baby stuff. I thought we could drive to Bozeman and do our shopping there. Then have a late lunch or early dinner. How does that sound?”

  “That sounds good. Go get to work and I’ll clean up here.” I tell him.

  Merick kisses me before disappearing down the hall to his office. I can’t stop smiling as I clean up the dishes and then wipe off the counters. Once that’s all done I head upstairs to take a shower.

  I’m eager to spend the day with my man, shopping for our daughter. I place my hands on my belly--our daughter. It still doesn’t feel real to me. Our little Olivia is so loved already. She’s one lucky little girl because she’s got an army around her that would die to protect her.

  When I finish my shower I dry off and moisturize all over. The natural glow I was missing this past week is back and my cheeks hurt from smiling. I do my makeup keeping it light. I braid my hair on both sides. I wear my typical uniform these days, black leggings, a long sleeved t-shirt that hugs my massive belly. Over that I throw on a long dark purple cardigan.

  I grab my black riding boots and carry them downstairs. Sitting on the edge of the sofa, I slip them on one by one. Fuck, this is getting harder and harder to do. When I get them zipped up, I stand up and head toward Merick’s office.

  I peek my head in and find my man typing away. “Hey baby.” I walk further into the room. He holds his hand out to me. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

  “You are not interrupting me at all. Come here. Fuck you’re sexy.” I shake my head, but he pulls me close until I’m straddling his lap. “Taryn you are so fucking sexy. I’d love nothing more than to fuck you right now, but I need a shower and then we have to get our daughter some stuff.”

  I carry the basket of clothes I just washed into the living room. Merick watches me fold adorable tiny clothing that we bought for our daughter today. She’s set for clothing until she’s at least six months old. We got a ton of diapers, body wash, lotion, and wipes.

  We also bought a carrier, a bouncy seat, and portable bassinet so we will be able to bring the baby all over with us.

  Merick also had me call Amelia to find out what we’d need for the home birth. I’m not super thrilled about doing it at home, but it’s for our safety. I have faith they’ll make sure our baby is protected.

  I hold a pink onesie up that says, “Daddy’s girl.” and lay it on my belly. Merick looks at me and the onesie and smiles wide. “I can’t believe she’s going to be tiny enough to wear this.” I fold it and add it to the pile.

  When I finish, Merick carries the basket upstairs for me, and helps me put away everything in her dresser. Glancing around I grow so excited to have my baby girl sleep in this room.

  A shout sounds from outside. Merick freezes, he turns to me. “Stay here. If you hear something that sounds bad, hide.”

  He’s gone before I can react. I shut and lock the door, pressing myself against the wall. I hear a feminine voice that I recognize, flinging open the door I run down the stairs, or will say, walk fast.. I find Merick, Ryder, and Lily standing in the foyer. Lily is staring daggers at the vampire, and he’s looking at her in a way that makes my heart race. My bestie sees me and pushes past them straight to me.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Sweetie you were crying when you called yesterday asking me to come. I didn’t like what I heard and knew I had to get here. Are you okay?” She looks me over and stops at my belly, her mouth hanging open. “What the fuck,” Lily whispers. “What’s going on Taryn?”

  “W-What do you mean?”

  “How about when I pull up that asshole wouldn’t let me near the door, like he was guarding it.” Lily punctuates it by pointing at Ryder. He doesn’t appear to be p
hased at all, he shrugs. “I wasn’t here that long ago and you look like you’re due to have that baby soon.”

  I turn to Merick because I don’t know what to do right now. He nods at me, giving me permission to tell her. I lead her through our home and back into his office.

  “Lil, you better sit down.” She does and I pace back and forth in front of her. “What I’m about to tell you is going to sound completely crazy, but I swear it’s all going to be okay.”

  “Oh god you’re dying.”

  I shake my head, here we go. “I’m not dying.”

  Lily’s eyes widened. “H-How did you know? I didn’t say that, I thought it. Taryn please tell me what’s going on.”

  “Long story short. Merick and I are soulmates, we were connected long before we ever met. Our baby is the key to restarting the magic that was lost to this town. The baby has given me the ability to hear people’s thoughts and I’ve had flashes of the future or different versions of the future.” I take a deep breath. “My daughter is part shifter because...well her father is a wolf shifter. Ryder is a vampire.”

  Lily starts laughing, “you had me going for a second.”

  “I wonder how long it took them to set this up?”

  “Lil, I’m not pulling your leg. This isn’t a joke.” I walk slowly toward her. “My pregnancy is moving swiftly because she’s half wolf shifter and they develop more rapidly. I could give birth to her in the next month.”

  A knock on the door has me turning, watching my love walk inside followed by Ryder. “Lily, I want to show you something. Just remember I won’t hurt you.” Merick says as he walks further into the room.

  My best friend stands up and grabs onto me. Ryder moves to the side and right in front of Lily when Merick shifts into a wolf. She doesn’t move, in fact, she doesn’t react at all.

  “See he’s not going to hurt you.” I walk toward him and wrap my arms around his furry neck nuzzling his face. His tongue licks at my face making me laugh. “Lil, come here, it’s safe I promise.”