by Julia Laque
Adam sat now on an old wrought iron chair, leaning one arm on a matching table. It was the only outdoor furniture in the wide yard. It was obvious there was no use for the large backyard being a werewolf when he had the woods to run around in.
He faced away from the house, his head bent low, contemplating the frozen earth. She stared longingly at his broad, muscled back. An icy tightness welled inside her and she prayed everything would be okay. It had to be.
She stepped to him slowly and before she could reach him, he lifted his right hand over his shoulder, holding it out to her. She took it. His warm hand held hers in an agonizing grip and he brought her fingers to the side of his face. Without looking up, he asked softly, “Can you ever forgive me?”
“Oh, Adam.” She came around and sat in front of him on the empty chair, taking both of his hands in hers. “There is nothing to forgive.”
He stared at her silently, his face grim. Then he shook his head. “The way I reacted was—”
She cut him off. “Understandable. I don’t blame you. If the situation were in reverse, I would have been just as angry.” It was true. She’d rather him scream and shout than ignore her or repress how he felt. What she’d done with Cyrus was despicable. At the time there was no way to stop herself and thank goodness he understood. She’d like to think she would understand if Adam were in her shoes, but selfishly, she knew she’d put him through the ringer.
His eyes were roaming all over her face. “You look radiant,” he said.
Shaking her head, she began to protest.
“No, you do. I know it’s a little too late to say this, but you have no idea how damn happy I am you’re sitting in front of me right now,” Adam said, shuddering slightly.
She gave him a small smile. “It’s not too late.”
“You scared the hell out of me, babe.”
“I’m sorry.” Trembling too, she thrilled at his endearment. Did this mean they were going to be okay?
“It wasn’t your fault. This whole thing is on my shoulders.” He gripped her hands tighter. “Everything.”
Staring at their clasped hands for a while, she said, “I could have been honest with you about the transition.” She paused, not for affect, but because she dreaded this topic. “I knew what some of the side effects of the rebirth were and I didn’t tell you.”
Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his legs. It was his turn to contemplate their hands. “You knew there was a chance that could happen?”
She nodded. God help her, she would do it again if it meant living a healthy life with her family.
Taking a deep breath, he said, “You were right not to tell me. I don’t think I could have left you with him, if you had. Anyway, you could barely speak at the time. How could I expect you to give me details about turning into a vampire?”
She shrugged, her face etched with worry. “I hate this is between us.”
Adam leaned his head back as he considered this. His neck was thick and long and she ached to kiss him there. “It doesn’t have to be,” he said, softly.
Breathless, she looked at him hopefully.
He let out an unsteady exhale. “Do you love him?”
“No,” she said instantly, then, “I…not like that.”
His brows drew downward. “Then how?”
How on earth was she going to answer this when she was still discovering her feelings for Cyrus herself? “It’s not love really. I can’t exactly describe it. I don’t love him like a lover. Cyrus told me it was the initial bond that made us …and I won’t feel those feelings again.” She struggled to go on. “But, now I feel like he’s a close relative of sorts.” She was staring off to the side. “I’ve read about the relationship between a maker and his ward and it can be very close.”
He tensed.
“But there is a difference. I am not his wife. I’m mated to you. Somehow I know this makes a difference. We will never grow together and it’s not like he needs me around as I hold no real value to his coven.”
Adam swallowed hard. “He can command you to his side.”
She knew it took all his strength to say that without losing control. Her brow furrowed as she spoke. “I won’t pretend he won’t do so on occasion, but he also has his pride. If he summons me, it will be for good reason, not to spite you.”
Adam pursed his lips as he listened to her.
“He knows how much I love you and our family.” She hesitated. “Cyrus has softened toward me now because in a lot of ways I am like his child. He won’t do anything to you or take me away from you because he knows it would kill me.”
Adam stared before he spoke again. The shadows behind his eyes sent a thrill through her body as he asked, quietly, “Do you still love me?”
Her expression softened. “Of course I do. Can’t you feel it?”
Jaws tight, he nodded. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Yes, you do.” She kissed his hands, noting how warm they were on her lips and she frowned.
Adam ran the back of his forefinger over her mouth. “Your lips are cooler than your hands.”
Pulling back, she said, “I was holding a hot coffee cup. It brings up my temperature.” Looking at him apprehensively, she asked, “You’re…you’re not repulsed by me?”
He gave a small chuckle and her insides lurched with delight. “Why would cold repulse me?” Adam reached over and lifted her in his arms, setting her on his lap. He held her close and they sat for a while, letting their bodies adjust to their temperatures. “This works,” he said. “You’ll keep me cool and I’ll keep you warm.”
A silent tear slipped down her cheek.
Adam bent and kissed her long and hard, warming her lips with his. When he came up, he brushed the tears from her face. “Why are you crying?” Adam soothed, questioningly.
“I was so nervous how you’d react to…to this.” She gestured to herself. “God, I have fangs now. I even bit you.”
“Because I told you to,” he said as a matter of fact. “Evangeline, you’re still you. You’re what matters. I don’t care about the fangs or the cold and shit… I really didn’t mind the biting.”
Giving him an exasperated look, she said, “I won’t do it again.”
“If you need to feed, yes, you will. I’m probably the best person to feed from. I heal fast and I sure as hell don’t want you compelling some stranger.”
“I’ve read eating rare meat can quench the thirst,” she offered.
“Great, I love red meat, but you’ll also get nourishment from me. No arguments.”
She looked at him skeptically. “I can’t believe you’re being so great about this.”
“Can’t you?”
Smiling, she said, “All right, I guess I can. You’re amazing, you know?”
He blushed and bent his head, staring avidly at the place her heart stopped beating. Swallowing, he rested his hand there. “I heard it, you know. I heard it beat for the last time.”
She let out a long breath. “Adam…”
“I’m not saying I’m going to miss it. I was terrified I’d lost you for good.” A horrible look of anguish flitted across his face. “And now you’re in my arms. You’re going to live for as long as you want.” He buried his head in her hair and whispered, “Thank you. Thank you for coming back to me.”
Adam and Evangeline sat quietly together in the cool autumn night for over an hour before either of them spoke. There was so much to be thankful for and they took time to simply be happy.
Adam took a deep breath. “We’re going to have to talk about your other supernatural side eventually.”
She looked at him cautiously. “I’d almost forgotten.” Then she giggled. “It’s not every day a werewolf finds out he’s mated to a witch/vampire.”
He smirked. “Can you magically make us some steaks?”
They laughed and the feeling felt wonderful.
“I wonder if I can still heal,” she thought aloud.
“No!” Adam stopped smili
ng, glaring at her now.
She stared back. That would be something she’d test out on her own.
“Evangeline,” he warned.
“I’m sorry. It was just a thought.” She gave him a quick kiss. In the same instant, Evangeline straightened, remembering what her great grandmother had said after nearly killing Jason.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.
Evangeline looked off toward the far meadow. “Something my great grandmother said.” She thought hard, her fear for Jason overshadowing the memory. “She made a point to shout out how vampires and werewolves ran wild and they, or I should say, we are only puppets. I didn’t give it much thought then, because my mind was on Jason, but now when I think about it…Adam, I honestly don’t believe the King’s Coven started all of this. I don’t believe they killed Tyson,” she added cautiously. “I have a feeling my great grandmother is the one pulling the strings. The jackal that attacked us was really meant for you. Cassandra was furious I had gotten myself involved with a werewolf. My guess is she either put a spell to make the jackal’s bite posionous, or she conjured up the jackal herself.”
“You mentioned this before, at the summit.” Adam was thinking long and hard too. “It doesn’t make sense, though. Why, after all these years, would the witches start trouble?”
“Well, no doubt werewolves and vampires put together outnumber the witch population, or so I imagine.”
He was quiet for moment. “The guys and I will look into it,” he said, attempting to dismiss the subject.
“You know what this means though?”
“What?”
Hesitating before going on, she said, “I can help you, now. I won’t feel so useless.”
His eyes narrowed at her.
“I want to help you find your sister.”
Adam’s expression softened and he stared for a long while before responding. “I really don’t deserve you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing.” He shifted her closer to his chest. “Babe, as thoughtful as you are, I don’t want you getting mixed up in all this business. Remember, my pack and the vampires still have scores to settle. You’re going to be a registered vampire and it will be common knowledge who you are.”
“So what? I have strengths now and I’m an excellent researcher. You can put me on rotation with your pack.”
Adam was getting a little frustrated. “Eva, I just got you back from death’s door. I’m not going to put you in danger so soon after—”
“What danger?” she cried.
His jaw tensed and his arms were like steel around her. “Think. You’re the Blacktail alpha’s mate and the Vampire King of North America’s ward. If my pack or the King’s Coven didn’t start this mess, witch or not, someone else did.” Adam was beginning to tremble. “In our selfish need to win you, Cyrus and I made you our enemy’s number one target.”
Evangeline stilled. “Oh.”
He looked as though he regretted telling her this. “I don’t want you to worry. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
She traced her finger over his forearm. It was her attempt to soothe him. “I’m not as scared as I should be.”
Adam shook his head at her, exasperated. “Right. Remember when you tried to outrun a werewolf?”
She peeked up at him, grinning. “I bet I could outrun you now.”
He smiled boyishly. “You’re on, but first things first.”
“Mmm?” she murmured softly.
“I need you to promise me a couple things.”
“Within reason?” she asked, cautiously.
He gave her a stern look. “Within my reasoning, yes.”
Smiling, she asked, “What is it?”
He held her tight. “Promise me you will never keep anything as important as your health from me again, no matter what it is. If you’re thirsty for blood, I want to know. If you stub your toe, I want to know. Do you understand?”
“Yes, honey. I promise.” She smoothed his stubble on his cheek. “And the other?”
Blushing slightly, he continued. “Now, you know we’re mated under werewolf law.”
Evangeline nodded.
“I know it wasn’t your idea…the boys weren’t planned, but they are a blessing.” His eyes brightened at the mention of their beautiful twins.
She smiled, excited she’d get to see her sons in just a few hours.
“Nonetheless, you didn’t ask to be mated to me.” He went on, his voice warm. “I want us to be joined in the human tradition too.” His eyes smoldering, he said, “Marry me, Evangeline.”
Joy leapt inside her and she shrieked, “Finally!” then laughed out loud, rocking forward on his lap.
Adam laughed too, shocked. “Were you waiting for me to ask?”
Evangeline blushed. “I confess, I have been. I’ve even daydreamed about it. I am, or was, human after all.”
He stared, dumbfounded. “I’m a complete idiot.”
She kissed him, hard, molding her lips to his. Her hands gripped the back of his neck, holding him against her. They moved together with perfect precision.
Adam pulled back slightly. “So does finally mean yes?”
“Yes, it does. Although, technically you didn’t ask, you demanded, alpha.” She inhaled, taking in his wonderful scent, wanting desperately to taste him again.
Smirking, he said, “Occupational hazard.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Now for the second promise.”
She looked up. “That wasn’t it?”
“No silly. That choice was yours, of course. Now you’ve agreed to marry me, I need you to promise me one more thing.” Adam reached up to hold her face in his hands, his blue eyes shimmering on hers. “Promise me you will never leave me.” The intensity of his words set her frozen heart on fire.
“Adam Perez,”—she snuggled into him, her mouth finding the crook of his neck it longed for—“you’re stuck with me till the end of time.”
A word about the author...
Julia Laque holds a B.S. in Education and an M.A. in School Administration. As much as she loves teaching, her true passion has always been the written word.
An avid fan of love stories, Julia writes gripping romance with memorable characters. She lives in Chicago, Illinois with her family.
You can visit Julia's website at:
www.julialaque.com
Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.