by Christy Poff
* * * *
Julian sensed the turmoil in the air. He felt his wife's rage and sadness, going to her immediately.
"Why didn't you call me?"
"You had enough to deal with."
"I'm still her father and..."
"She wants to leave and threatened to never come back."
"Then let her."
"Julian!” she cried as her husband held her.
"I'm tired of this. She has alienated everyone. Sean's been driven so far away, he might never come back. Maybe it's for the best. If she finds peace, she may deliver one but if she keeps on the present course her life's following, she'll lose both."
"She's suffering migraines and stomach pains."
"Morning sickness is normal but her headaches concern me."
"Can we do anything for her?"
"It might mean heavy sedation for a bit."
"Then do it. She's killing herself and them."
"Wait a minute. Damn, why didn't I think of this sooner?"
"What?"
"Our daughter is a very rare case. Human pregnancy is a nine month term, while wolves are a little more than two. I've read where rare instances have occurred and the mother delivers at four to four and a half months. Rhi's on a rare schedule."
"What causes it?"
"Chemical imbalance."
"Can anything be done?"
"If I can medicate her and keep her calm—maybe."
"Would this explain why she's snarling and on the edge between both sides?"
"Yes, it may very well."
* * * *
Sean heard her pain but she denied his concern. If she wanted him to leave her alone, he would. He didn't need her screwing around with him anymore than she already had.
He went to the stables and saddled Captain, his Spanish mustang. The horse had a fiery temper and a feisty attitude, always up to a challenge. From the stables, he headed away from the house to a remote edge of the property.
His favorite place to go and think, it had a perfect view of the mountains. He could always relax, collect his thoughts, and find some peace. He'd found it here after every breakup, this one no different.
"Hell, who am I kidding?” he asked Captain. “The only woman I have ever loved enough to claim, the only one I want for my wife and she's no better than the others."
Sean stripped out of his clothes and stretched out in the sun. He went over everything he'd discovered about himself and found all of it added up to his being lupine. The acute senses, his fierce sexual appetite to begin with—all of it became understandable to him at last.
"I'll have to ask Julian if wolves take mistresses. There's no way I'm going to be celibate because of her."
His body reacted at the thought of Rhiannon, his so-called mate. He remembered the wonder of his cock buried deep within her pussy as she rode him, then begged for more. He wanted her more than he cared to admit but she'd made her feelings extremely clear.
"I'll do what you command, your Highness. I'll leave you alone for good."
The empty feeling of loss overwhelmed him. His body cried out for his mate, a cry that went unanswered and would for a long time.
"Damn you, bitch!"
* * * *
Rhiannon paced and circled, her emotions on overload.
"If you don't stop, you'll lose your..."
"I don't want to hear about the pack's future."
"I was thinking more of your life."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"In your emotional state, your condition can kill you."
"I'm pregnant. The last I heard, it's not fatal."
"In your case, it could be."
"You know something? I don't give a damn. I want my life back. You remember the one I had before I met up with that bastard McMurray, and the one I had before I found out you and Elizabeth are my real parents? I was happy talking with the wolf when he visited."
"I see."
"I hate him, you two, and this place. I don't care about..."
"Stop before you say anything more you might regret."
"What difference does it make?"
Rhiannon suddenly cried out, her hands going to her temples. The migraine had become more intense. Julian watched her and knew it would be a few minutes longer before he could do anything for her.
"My God, the pain! Do something, you bastard!"
Julian watched her, slowly counting to keep from rushing to her. He needed her to pass out before he'd be able to begin treatment. He didn't have long to wait. Julian caught her when she fainted, then carried her to the medical wing. Elizabeth met him and while he got the IV ready, she undressed Rhiannon. As much as she hated doing it, she strapped her daughter to the bed.
Julian started the IV to give her the vitamins she needed and to keep her from becoming dehydrated. He took a syringe, made sure it had no air in it and then injected the medication directly into her arm. Now, the wait began.
"Sweetheart?"
"Hmm?"
"Shouldn't you tell Sean? I think he needs to know it's not his fault."
"I will as soon as I know if she responds to this."
"I'll sit with her."
"You're sure?"
"She's my daughter. Of course, I'm sure."
"You're amazing, my love,” Julian stated as he kissed his wife deeply. “When this is all over, we are going on a midnight run."
"Music to my ears."
* * * *
"McMurray."
"Hawthorne, here."
"Julian, what's wrong?"
"Perceptive as always, I see."
"I can hear it in your voice. Talk to me."
"Rhiannon's under heavy sedation."
"Why?"
"She's suffering from a rare condition caused by a unique chemical imbalance."
"In English, please."
"Basically, she's emotionally shot to hell. She doesn't know what I'm about to tell you, but here it is. A human pregnancy is a nine month term. Wolves give birth in just over two months. Rhiannon is due in four to four and a half months."
"But what causes it? Did I do this to her? Did my latent gene have anything to do with it?"
"Calm down, Sean. No one knows the cause because it is not hereditary, and I can't say for sure if you had anything to do with it."
"Will they survive this?"
"I don't know. If she doesn't accept the medical regime she's been put on, it could be iffy."
"She's been in pain. What happened?"
"Migraines and morning sickness. Before I put her on drugs, I had to wait for her to pass out. Right now, she's in restraints because I feel she's a danger to herself and the girls."
"Can I see her?"
"Not yet, but I will give you updates as anything happens."
"Thank you, Julian. I appreciate this."
"I knew you would."
Sean hung up and slumped into his favorite chair in the study. He ran his fingers through his hair, opening himself up to her thoughts.
I know I'm the last one you want or need but if you do...
He expected no answer but if his words burned into her subconscious, she might realize he loved her unconditionally.
* * * *
Rhiannon slowly came around. She saw she'd been taken to the medical wing and began to panic. Elizabeth went to her and put cool compresses on her forehead.
"Why am I here?"
"You fainted."
"What happened? What's wrong?"
"You have a chemical imbalance."
"A what?” she asked as she tried to move. “Why am I ... What have you done to me?"
"It's for your safety, as well as the babies."
"Get these things off me."
"In time, sweetheart."
"If you love me, you will."
"I love you, which is why I won't."
"Bitch!” Rhiannon hissed.
"Call me what you will but until you're stable and we are positive you aren't a danger to yourself or them, the restr
aints stay."
"I don't understand this."
"Rhiannon, you suffer from a rare condition. Instead of being pregnant the normal nine months, you're on a different schedule."
"What?"
"Wolves are pregnant for up to sixty-three days. You, my dear, are going to deliver your children in anywhere from one hundred twenty to one hundred thirty-five days."
"What?” Rhiannon shrieked.
"Rhi, relax."
"Relax? You tell me I'm a medical screw-up and expect me to relax?"
"You have to, or you could lose the babies and possibly, your own life."
"Then let me go."
"No, not an option."
Julian entered the room with more medicine.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you angry with me, Father?"
"I'm not. I should be, but I'm not. You, on the other hand, are mad as hell over small things and the anger's exploded into huge concerns, which are overwhelming you."
While he talked, he gave her the next dose of the medicine. She winced as she felt the contents of the syringe burn into her system.
"This is to ensure that the imbalance in your system becomes balanced again. I'm concerned about you and the babies."
Rhiannon fell silent as the medicine took effect. She calmed some but Julian continued to smell her hostility within her. Elizabeth refreshed the compresses on her forehead as she tried to soothe her.
"Could the taser have caused this?"
"No, but it didn't help matters much."
Rhiannon stared at the ceiling. Julian and Elizabeth decided to leave her alone. She stopped them once they reached the door.
"Does he know?"
"Do you want him to?"
"I don't know if he even cares."
"Should I..."
"Do what you feel you have to. You probably already have."
Chapter 15
Weeks passed. The trial of Adolph Gliickman and his associates wound down as the prosecution rested. The defense had another day or two before the jury received the case after closing arguments.
Sean and Hunter Lockwood testified to everything their investigation had turned up.
"Detective, you testified that my client abducted an unidentified woman and held her at his home."
"Yes, sir."
"What is her name?"
"We don't know."
"Why is that?"
"Because of the way she was found, she was initially taken to get treatment, then refused it."
"How?"
"The woman disappeared."
"What was she wearing?"
"Objection—relevance."
"Sustained."
"Who was the officer who allowed this to happen?"
"Objection—relevance, Your Honor."
"Overruled. Detective McMurray, answer the question."
"It was me."
"A man of your reputation let a prime witness up and disappear?"
"Your Honor, I repeat my objection. Detective McMurray is not on trial here. I move to strike this part of the witness’ testimony."
"Sustained. The jury will ignore this line of testimony."
"No further questions,” the defense attorney muttered.
"Redirect, Counselor?"
"Yes, Your Honor. Detective, at the estate the defendant leased and occupied, did you find any other evidence to conclusively link him with the murders he's been charged with?"
"Yes, we found a syringe full of the designer drug found at the site of the clandestine drug lab."
"Anything else?"
"On the syringe, forensics found a clean set of the defendant's fingerprints."
"Thank you, Detective, no further questions."
"Thank you, Detective, you may step down,” the judge stated.
Sean sat through Hunt's testimony, then both left the courthouse.
"I'm glad that's over,” Sean said, loosening his tie.
"So am I."
"Now, to do what I've wanted to do for a while."
"What?"
"I'm putting in my papers."
"Why?"
"Time to move on."
"You haven't patched things up yet, have you?"
"No. I've tried but she won't answer my calls."
"I'm sorry, man, but..."
"It'll be all right."
"What about the ranch?"
"I told Rhiannon it was hers to raise our daughters on. I've had the papers drawn up leaving it to them with Julian Hawthorne as executor."
"Why him?"
"I need sanity to make sure they're raised right. I can't trust Rhi anymore. She's too out of sorts with her unbalanced chemistry and Julian isn't sure how she'll come out of all this."
"Hey, if there's anything..."
"You're my friend and it means more to me than anything else in this world."
* * * *
The Gliickman case went to the jury, who deliberated several days. When they finally returned the verdict, Gliickman and his associates had been convicted on all counts. Sentencing would be handed down a few days after the decision was announced. Aspen would be safe for the upcoming tourist season.
* * * *
Rhiannon came back from her morning walk in the gardens of The Sanctuary. She'd grown big enough, still several weeks away from giving birth.
She'd done a great deal of soul-searching since the day she learned how much her life had changed. Her chemistry had finally been balanced by the medical regime she had been given. Julian had been meticulous about making sure she took each dose on time. He had also added vitamins to her regimen. It had been a godsend having her father nearby.
The pregnancy sped along and she felt like a house. Tests showed two definite females and possibly a third, but it seemed to be hiding. Because of the heightened risk, Julian had advised her not to change, or if she did, the circumstances had to be right.
She accepted her life as it was, except one thing. She loved Sean McMurray with everything in her but she had hurt him deeply. She understood how he felt and rued the way she'd treated him.
Both Julian and Elizabeth told her to swallow her pride and go make amends. She wanted to, but her inbred stubbornness refused to let her.
"I can't do it,” she said one day.
"The two of you are meant for each other. You're both stubborn and love each other to the point of celibacy..."
"I can't go through him turning me away again."
"So, you'll risk losing him for good?"
"I've tried..."
"Not hard enough. What happened to your determination?"
"He won't talk to me."
"Then go to him."
Rhiannon thought about what Elizabeth tried to tell her. If I go to him, will I feel like an idiot when he turns me away? Three months and he had not tried to contact her. Didn't he care about their daughters?
She put her hand to her stomach and felt movement. She wished Sean could share this with her.
"Rhiannon, go to him."
* * * *
Gliickman's trial wrapped up. The jury found him guilty of all charges and pending his final appeal, he'd go to a federal penitentiary.
Sean got word and after serious thought, he put in his papers requesting an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons. The Chief could have been happier about his best detective leaving but when he looked at Sean's file, he saw he had a lot of vacation time built up. He had no choice but to approve the request.
"Man, I wish you wouldn't do this."
"Hunt, I need time to come to terms with my life and I need space. I can't stay around here because she's here. I can't stay in my own house because I go wild from her lingering scent."
"When are you leaving?"
"Next day or two. I have some things to take care of before I leave."
"What about Rhiannon?"
"What about her?"
"Are you going to say good-bye?"
"Why? She doesn't care anymore."
"Perso
nally, I think you're making a big mistake."
"I talk to the Hawthornes daily. She hasn't asked about me or even tried to make an effort."
"What if she's scared?"
"Until all hell broke loose, she never backed down from any fight. It made her an excellent guide."
"But look at what happened to her—to both of you. I truly would try to see her before you leave."
"At this point, I don't know if I can."
* * * *
Sean thought about what Hunt had said and knew in the back of his mind, his friend was right. He knew he should try to contact her but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out how. He'd claimed an alpha female, who lived up to her role in the survival of the pack. Considering this, he figured she would be all right.
He went home, checking his mail and messages while he waited for Chris Lee to meet with him.
"Sean, what's up?"
"I'm leaving for an indefinite period of time. I'll be at the cabin."
"Are you all right?"
"Yes and no. I need time to think."
"I hope you find the answer you seek."
"So do I."
"Are there any special instructions?"
"Yes, if Ms. Drake chooses to stay here either now during her pregnancy, after the babies are born or any other time, she is welcome here as she always has been. I also want Andromeda brought to the stables, unless you object."
"No, problem, sir."
"I hear a but."
"I don't like the fact you're leaving and she's got free run of the place. You worked hard to get it to the way you want it and on the profitable side and now..."
Sean smiled.
"I'll check in periodically."
"Good,” he turned to leave but stopped. “Sean?"
"What?"
"The place will miss you."
"I'll miss it, too. The last two months have been too damned crazy. I need to get away from here and..."
"Hey, I really do understand. I'm sorry about..."
"Don't worry about it."
"I wish you luck."
"Thanks, Chris."
Chris left his boss and friend. He didn't know the entire story, outside of the fact they had a hard case and McMurray would be a father to kids he would probably never see again as his lady had pushed him away and refused to see him. Chris’ opinion on the matter was Rhiannon Drake joined the others who'd done the same.
He shook his head. This had been the one to drive Sean McMurray away for good.
* * * *
Rhiannon could no longer stand it. From everyone who kept telling her constantly to go after Sean, to her own heart, the pressure had gotten to her. She wanted to run free, but Julian wouldn't let her, unsure of how it would affect the babies.