Everything around her was starting to go dim except for a bright light that became blinding and alluring. Bronte realized she was going to die.
Gage’s eyes grew round and he dropped her hard to the floor. Bronte lay there, grasping for air, wondering what had happened. Then she saw Roark. He was standing in front of Gage, his teeth were bared and he was invincible power contained in a man’s body. He was looking at Gage with a hatred that could make any man cower in fright.
“You dare defy me? To betray my family? To harm those who are my world?” Roark spoke and the walls rattled.
Gage turned pale as he cringed against the wall. Bronte sat up but she didn’t move.
“You’re the one who has betrayed his own, Roark. Jillian was mine. She was promised to me. And then you destroyed her.” Gage said in a frigid tone.
“It was you and Shelby who destroyed lives,” Roark said. “I tried to save her. I was too late. If you had truly cared for Jillian then you wouldn’t have killed her, or her father.”
“I didn’t mean to kill him.” Gage took another step back. “I only wanted him to see the truth but the old man wouldn’t listen.”
“You’re alone now. Shelby is dead,” Roark said. She watched as Roark took a step toward Gage. A look of horror spread over his features.
Gage must have realized his fate. “You have no reason to kill me. I’ll go away.” His voice trembled.
“We are a family that lives in peace. You have brought this curse upon those you called family. For those acts, you shall not live to see another sunrise,” Roark said.
Gage stood up and met Roark head on. “Then let the best man win.”
Roark’s jaw loosened slightly. “You will die at my hand.”
Without another word, Gage lunged at Roark with fists high. Roark was faster. He brought one hand up, wrapped it around Gage’s thick neck and snapped it. The large man’s body fell to the floor. Roark lifted an arrow and plunged it into Gage’s chest. The man took one last breath and he was gone.
Bronte lay on the floor, looking at the dead form of a man who’d cause so many troubles for those around him. Roark came to her side and bent next to her onto one knee. “I’m sorry, Bronte.” He lifted her into his secure arms and hugged her gently.
“I’m okay, Roark. We are okay.”
He pulled back. “You’re carrying our baby.”
“Yes. I’m pregnant.”
His eyes turned moist. “We need to go, Bronte.” He reached down and lifted her into his arms, then stood up.
“But Roark…what do we do about this?” she pointed at Gage’s lifeless body. “Do we call the police?”
He held her gaze steady. “And tell them what, Bronte? The truth? That’s impossible.”
She started to argue but she knew it’d be futile. He was right. They only had to protect their family now. That’s what mattered. “Roark, I won’t leave my baby. I swear if you try to make me—”
He kissed her then pulled back. “We are a family. We will be together and we will find a way to overcome any obstacle.”
“It is our destiny to be together. Jillian made a choice to love you. It wasn’t your fault what had happened. You loved her.”
“I have a confession to make,” he said.
“What?”
“I did love Jillian. I thought I could never love another, but I’ve found that I didn’t hold much expectation when it came to matters of the heart. You are my true love. Together we hold such great and powerful connection. Everything has come full circle.”
“And you are mine, sweet Roark.”
He kissed her firmly on the lips. “It’s good that you feel this way because I can’t live without you.”
She tucked her head against his shoulder and held him. “I love you, Roark.”
“I love you, Bronte.”
“Would you do anything for me?” Her voice was weak.
“Anything.” His voice held promise.
“Tell me your last name.” She looked up into his eyes.
“What has brought this on?”
“I realized I don’t know if Roark is your first or last name. I need to know.”
“Roark is my first name. And we don’t have last names in the clan.”
“But you must have in the human world,” she said.
He hesitated. “You won’t laugh?”
“Of course not,” she answered.
“Dark.”
“Roark Dark?” She bit her bottom lip but laughter still came.
“Great. You said you wouldn’t.” His mouth twisted.
“I was only laughing because Bronte Dark sounds like a superhero.” She laid her head back down and listened to his strong heartbeat. She was safe…and home.
“Everything okay?”
Bronte heard the voice of a stranger. She lifted her head and met Caleb’s gaze. She swallowed.
“Everything is fine. I need you to take care of the body and I’m going to get Bronte home,” Roark said to the man.
“Okay. I’ll handle it.” Caleb kept his eyes on Bronte.
Roark still carried her as they left the house and she whispered, “What is he doing here?”
“Caleb?”
“Yes, I don’t think he likes me,” she said.
He kissed her forehead. “Trust me, my love. Caleb isn’t an enemy. In fact, he is one of the best guys you’ll ever meet.”
“I’d have to disagree. I’m in the arms of the best guy around,” she said.
“Caleb will protect our baby.”
“We are our baby’s protector,” she said.
“Okay, enough chatter. I’m taking you home. Thanks to Caleb he knew where we could find you. He remembered Shelby mentioning a house by a lake.”
“Which lake?” she looked around as they stepped outside, but it was dark, except for the full moon that lit the sky.
“Lake Cannon,” he said as he slid her into the passenger side of his car.
When Roark joined her in the driver’s side, she said, “I grew up here, Roark. We are close to my childhood home.”
“Did you like it here?” he asked as he started the engine and shifted the car into drive.
“I loved it here,” she said and he took her hand into his as they drove into the night. “The lake is one of my favorite places. I have lots of memories of my mother here.”
Chapter 17
BRONTE WAS MESMERIZED. Love had conquered the spell.
The wolf tribe surrounded her, paying tribute to Rayne. It’d been a month since she was born into the family. She’d arrived with a head full of thick black hair, chubby cheeks and a cry that showed off a large lung capacity. And Roark was in love with his daughter.
Bronte looked down at the baby bundle she held in her arms. She touched her child’s warm cheek and received a smile in return. Being a mother was still overwhelming and every time she looked at Rayne, Bronte’s amazement grew. The baby filled her heart with so much love and it continued to develop, just as her love for Roark.
She looked across the dimly lit woods where Roark was standing by the fire. He was in his human form, bare chested and wearing dark pants. Since the spell was lifted from the family, a huge relief had come over the tribe and many of the members came back to the area to live. Roark had taken his rightful place as leader among the family. Bronte was proud of him.
The wolves erupted into howling and the musical tune filled the night sky. Rayne shook her tight fists into the air, as if she knew what was happening. It had taken a lot to carry the child. Bronte had suffered with sickness throughout the entire nine months, wound up on bed rest the last few months and because they couldn’t have a human doctor, Miss Deveraux had been Bronte’s midwife. Rayne was here, healthy and beautiful. Until her eighteenth birthday, she would remain safe and sound.
Bronte blinked back her tears.
“How are you my love?” Bronte looked up to find Roark standing next to her. He kissed her on the forehead.
“I cou
ldn’t be happier, darling.” Although a dark cloud loomed, for now she would sink into the bliss of her family.
“I hope that’s not the truth,” he said.
She looked up at him and narrowed her eyes. “It is. Why wouldn’t it be?” He descended onto one knee and produced a black velvet box. Her heart skipped a beat. “Roark, what is that?”
He flipped up the top. Nestled inside was a princess cut diamond with a silver band. It reflected the moon’s light, making it look like blue sapphire. “I was hoping you’d say you’d be the happiest woman marrying me.”
Bronte stared at the ring. Their love had come full circle. “I thought you said we were already married? You did marry Jillian, right?”
“In my heart, you’ve always been my mate, but I understand how important a wedding is to human women. I want nothing more than to please you,” he said.
“In that case, yes, Roark. A hundred times yes.” He wrapped his arms around her and Rayne whimpered. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“I had to be sure Bronte. We will live together as humans. It will be safer for all of us. And I have another surprise. I bought a large piece of land at Lake Cannon. You said you loved it there and I thought you’d like to see Rayne grow up where you did.”
“Are you sure, Roark?” she asked.
“I’m more than sure. Are you certain you will be happy always? Will you like living at Lake Cannon?”
She lifted her hand and palmed his cheek. “Wherever you are, I will be. Wherever I am, you shall be. Rayne will be with us. We are family.” Rayne let out a loud coo, as if to argue.
“The little girl is like her mommy,” Roark said then rubbed his daughter’s small fingers.
“I have so much love for both of you,” she said.
Roark sat next to her on the rock and together they watched the wolves pay tribute. Wolves and humans could live together in peace.
They sat together, holding their daughter. In the end, love was stronger than magic.
* * *
Suffering from years of hopeless romantic notions with sexy, sassy heroines and bad-ass heroes taking residence in her mind, Rhonda decided to write, bringing the stories alive. She has published an array of spicy love stories. Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty.
When Rhonda isn’t crafting edge-of-your-seat, sizzling novels, you will find her with her children, watching soccer, watching a breathtaking movie, traveling to exotic places, doing (or trying) yoga, and finding new ways to keep life interesting.
Rhonda thrives on making her readers happy. She believes life can be a challenge, but reading is a place where fantasy comes to life. Everyone deserves romance—one page at a time…
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/rhondalee.carver
Facebook Author Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhonda-Lee-Carver-Author
Website:
www.rhondaleecarver.com
Blogger:
http://rhondaleecarver-author.blogspot.com
Other books by Rhonda Lee Carver:
Double Dare
Diamond in a Rose
Delaney’s Sunrise
Friends With Benefits
Castle’s Fortress
Second Chance Cowboy
Second Ride Cowboy
Sin With Cuffs
With Honor
Dreaming Ivy
Wicked Pleasures Page 18