ARINA'S MATE (Shifters of the Bulgarian Bloodline Book 2)

by Dalia Wright

  “Nothing,” Helen said quickly.

  “Don’t lie.”

  “I…” Should she tell him? “When I was younger, my father used to smoke that brand.”

  “He changed?”

  “No, he died.” She looked away from him. She didn’t want to see the pity. “You didn’t know?”

  “No, I… I’m sorry. I didn’t or I never would have asked about him. I, my father doesn’t keep me up to date on things like that, or I ignore them, I guess maybe it’s my fault. My father has always said I don’t listen well.” He gave a soft smile, putting his ale down and reaching out to touch her. His fingers traced over hers softly. “Would you like some? They are wonderful after a fight, or sex.”

  Helen’s cheeks flushed as the mental image he placed her in her mind. She reached out and took the cigar from him, inhaling it. She coughed, the smoke filling her lungs.

  Owen laughed softly. His fingers tranced over her cheek gently. “You’re quite the woman.” There was a pause. He looked away from her, not daring to even try and meet her gaze. “So it is the money, right?” “Yes.”

  That was why she was marrying his father. Of course, it wasn’t surprising. But I have money as well. He thought. And he did. He had more than enough to support the two of them. They could easily sneak off. They could easily leave this place behind them. He wouldn’t care. He would be happy to see his father out of his life. And for this woman… it would all be worth it.

  He took the cigar as she handed it back to him, but instead of putting it in his mouth he dropped it into the ashtray. He didn’t care about the fact it was less than half done. He reached out with a hand, his fingers tracing over her cheek, moving lower.

  “Helen,” He had no clue what he was supposed to say. He wanted to say something romantic. Something that would make her want him. “I can’t stop thinking about that kiss.”

  “Nor can I. It was… the only time I had ever felt something like that. The only time that I’ve… wanted more.” She looked away from him.

  Owen’s blood rushed. He could feel himself growing. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her onto him. She gasped, their lips crashing together. His fingers traced over her body, quickly. He didn’t dare waste time. Then she stiffened. Owen stopped, pulling away from her. She stared at him. A soft smile spread over her lips. “I needed to know you would do that.”

  Chapter Six

  Helen giggled softly. No one had ever made her feel like this. No one had ever given her such pleasure. Stopping in front of her door she pressed him against the wall, their lips locking. He had made her scream, but it had been pure pleasure that caused such a reaction from her.

  She still wasn’t over it. She still couldn’t believe how he had pleased her. Her teeth grazed his lower lip softly.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, right?” she whispered. “Of course,” he promised.

  She pulled away from him. She was tired, as much as she hated admitting it. She wanted to stay and make love to him again and again, but she needed to rest. If Owen’s father noticed something was up with her she had no clue what she would do. This is so… bad. That was the only word she could use for it.

  She reached for the handle and stepped into her room.

  A gasp escaped her. “Wh ... what are you doing here?” she asked her husband-to-be. It took everything she had not to turn and see if he would be able to spot Owen.

  “What aren’t you doing here?” his eyes burned with anger as he stood. Helen stumbled backwards. What would she say?

  “I…”

  “Where have you been? Who have you been with?” He stepped towards her. She backed up another step. “Well?!” he demanded. “You’ve been with another man, haven’t you?”

  “No!”

  Smack.

  Helen gasped, falling to the ground. He towered over her, his fingers tangling into her hair. “You harlot, you dare lie to me?”

  His fingers tangled into her hair, pulling her back to her feet.

  “I didn’t-”

  Another loud smack as his hand struck her face. A scream of pain escaped her lips. He let her fall to the ground. Her face burned where she had been hit.

  “Get up.” He barked.

  “No.” Her eyes narrowed. She knew the second she said it that it wasn’t the right choice. Lilly’s life was in the balance here.

  He reached for her, his fingers tangling into her hair again.

  “Don’t touch her!” Owen yelled.

  Owen. No. He would save her, but at what cost?

  She felt her husband-to-be let go of her, grunting. Helen sat up, she watched the two men as they rolled on the floor, each one exchanging blows. Helen screamed, she tried to pull the men apart but there was no use. She wasn’t nearly strong enough to do it.

  The old man rolled to his feet. “Get out! Get out of my house you ungrateful rake! Get out of my house and don’t you ever come back!”

  Owen rolled to his feet, ignoring his father as he turned on his heel. “Don’t worry; you won’t ever see me again,” he muttered. He crossed over to Helen, reaching out for her. His fingers brushed a hair out of her face. “Come with me.”

  Yes. She wanted to so bad. But she couldn’t. Lilly. She needed to think about her daughter. She needed to protect her daughter and she needed to do what would get her daughter back. Owen would never understand. He would never want her if he knew the truth about her.

  She opened her mouth but she couldn’t say a word.

  Owen slipped out of his coat, wrapping it around her shoulder. “I can take care of you. Just the two of us,” he whispered.

  The two of them. It sounded so wonderful, but it would never work.

  Helen shook her head. She knew it may break his heart but she had no other choice.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered as he stepped past her.

  He didn’t say a word as he left the room, closing the door behind him.

  Two Months Later. Helen stood there, staring at the wedding dress. She hated the idea of putting it on. She didn’t want to marry this disgusting man. She hated him. He broke her heart in more ways than one. “What are you waiting for?” he snapped. “Get changed.”

  Helen turned to face him, her lips pursed. “I’d like a little privacy.”

  He snorted. “Don’t be stupid, it’s not like it isn’t something everyone hasn’t seen.” “Excuse me?” Helen raised an eyebrow. She knew the second she said it that she shouldn’t have.

  Smack.

  The fist came down on her before she even saw it. She reached up to touch her cheek. “Don’t you dare think you can speak to me like that. You are nothing but a harlot. You should be thankful I took pity on you. You should spread your legs for me whenever I want you. You should remember just who is going to take care of you.”

  “And Lilly.” She needed to hear him say it.

  “What? Who?”

  “M ... my daughter…” Helen stammered.

  The duke barked out a laugh. “You didn’t actually think I was going to let that thing in my house, did you?” Helen stared, wide eyed. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could the door opened and a group of women stepped in.

  “There she is!”

  Helen turned to see them. She had no clue who they were, but they were the ones who would save her.

  Without thinking she broke into a run and slipped past them, making her way to the front of the house. She knew people were arriving for the wedding, she knew she could get a horse. She grabbed the first one she saw.

  She knew exactly where she was going, though she didn’t think about it much. He would go back to that pub, right? The room they had stayed in. The room they had made love in.

  It felt like it took forever to get there but the second she was there she jumped off the horse and rushed into the pub. She didn’t pay any attention to the people who stared at her.

  “Owen!” she shouted as she reached the door. She knew it was a risk, but she didn’t c
are. She threw the door open and rushed through. He stared at her, his eyes wide. “Helen,” he rushed over to her, his lips crashing against hers. A soft moan passed through her lips. “What are you doing here?”

  “I can’t do it. Y ... your father… he…”

  “I know, he’s vile.”

  “He won’t take Lil ...” she froze, unable to believe that she was here. She had to tell him the truth, and he would leave her. She knew it, but she also knew he would leave her.

  “Helen, what is it?” Owen stepped closer to her.

  “I….” Helen looked away from him. “Your father offered me a marriage proposal, and the only reason I accepted is because of what he promised me. If I married him, he promised me that I would get the most important thing in my life back ...” “Your child.”

  Helen stared at him with wide eyes. “H-how did you know?”

  Owen’s finger traced over the curves of her body softly. “I’m not a foolish man. Seeing you at the orphanage…. The way you reacted when I touched you, the fear in your eyes… you’re not the first woman I’ve come across to have that look.” His lips touched hers softly. He pulled her close. “We’ll get your child back.”

  “Oh will you?”

  Owen’s father stood behind Helen. Owen grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him. He stared at the gun. Dying had never been a fear he was very experienced with. If he died, it was his time and he could deal with that, but now he had a reason to live. He had Helen. “Get away from my property.”

  Owen pushed her behind him, he would die to protect her, and right now it looked like he was about to. “Leave. Now and we won’t even bother you ever again.”

  Owen’s father stepped towards them. He knew that he had to get the gun away from Helen.

  He took a deep breath and lunged towards his father.

  Shots fired. Pain seared through him. He fell to the ground, thankfully his father with him. He didn’t have time to think about it. He needed to save her. He felt his back hit the floor, something wet was pooling around his shoulder. He reached for the gun. His father’s hand came crashing down on him. It didn’t matter. He’d gotten much stronger since the last time his father had beaten him. The gun slipped from his father’s fingers. Owen reached for it. The two men struggled for it.

  More gun shots.

  Owen sucked in a deep breath. Was he shot? It didn’t feel like it. Helen screamed. His eyes fell on his father, and then he understood what had made her scream.

  “Owen… y-you killed him….”

  He rolled out of bed. Though it was midday, Helen was thrilled to feel the blankets against her bare skin. She didn’t have a lot of experience, but they were changing that. “Owen, that was… amazing,” Helen whispered, reaching for her dress. “I’m glad to see you enjoying yourself. But I have to get going. I have stuff that needs to be taken care of before the end of the day.”

  “Of course, I understand.” She hated it, but as he was now duke, after his father’s passing he had to take on the responsibilities. She wished they could just stay here together the entire day, but she knew that they needed to act like grownups. Which meant she was going to have to ask him about them? She didn’t want to. She knew he would never want a woman like her as his wife. “So, I’ll pack my bags.” “What do you mean?” Owen turned to her, confused.

  “I assume you’re not going to keep me around.” I mean, sure they had an amazing connection, but that didn’t mean they could continue this. He needed a respectable woman, someone who wouldn’t tarnish him. “I must admit,” His hands placed behind his back as he paced towards the window, “I thought about proposing to you, but there is something I need to clear up right away.” Helen felt a small bead of sweat against her lower back. “What is it?”

  “You do understand, when it comes to your daughter…” she knew it was coming but it wasn’t going to be easy, “I will not accept you leaving her at the orphanage. If you expect to be my wife you can’t expect me to just let you leave your child all alone, are we clear? I will not tolerate-”

  “But… what about the shame?”

  “What shame?”

  “My child… she was born out of wedlock, Owen that would bring you so much shame.”

  “And you think I care?” Helen opened her mouth, but Owen cut her off before she could say a word. “I would take you if you had a dozen children out of wedlock. I would take you if you had been in love with any man who sired your child. Helen, I want you, no one else.”

  “But someone would be better-”

  “I care about better. I don’t care if you don’t want to go to any social events. It will just give me an excuse not to go myself.”

  Helen stared at him, unable to believe her luck. “I… then, can we go now? I want you to meet Lilly as soon as you can.”

  Owen smirked. “Let’s go right now.

  The End

  An Amish Double Life

  By: Elaine Young

  Chapter One

  Sarah gasped, feeling something bump into her. She turned, opening her mouth.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  Sarah’s heart did a backflip as she stared at him. His blue eyes sparkled, and his short blonde hair was pushed back.

  “No,” she said quickly, “it was my fault.” She had been staring down at her cell phone, wondering how she would feel when she had to give it up. She looked him up and down. “I’m the one who should be sorry.”

  He looked her up and down, surprise apparent on his face. He held his hand out to her. “Brad.”

  Sarah shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Brad.”

  “So do I get to know your name, or do I have to buy you a coffee first?” A wide grin spread over his lips.

  Sarah felt her cheeks go a deep shade of pink. “I—”

  “Please, it would be my pleasure.”

  Sarah stared at the man in front of her with an open mouth, despite the fact it was rude. She couldn’t believe he was offering to buy her a drink. This hadn’t happened to her in all this time.

  “I . . . of course,” she stammered.

  She and Brad made their way into the coffee shop they had both been about to enter before they had run into each other.

  Sarah noticed the way everyone stared at them as they made their way up the line.

  “So Sarah, were you texting a boyfriend?”

  “What? No,” she said quickly. Like she would have a boyfriend! She had only been here for a couple of months, and she had already decided to go back home.

  “What will you have?” he asked, as they came to a stop in front of the counter.

  “A small ice coffee, please,” Sarah said to the girl working behind the counter. The girl nodded as Brad pulled out his wallet. He paid without seeming to look twice at the price.

  “So no boyfriend?” He turned, his dark brown eyes [S1]fixed on her.

  “N-no.” When she got nervous, sometimes her Amish [S2]threatened to come back. She forced a smile over her lips and cleared her throat. Why? she thought. But she didn’t dare ask.

  He nodded, still studying her closely. It was like he was trying to figure out the answer to a question he wouldn’t ask.

  Brad was still trying to figure out if she realized who he was. It was possible that she was one of those girls who pretended not to know. Then there were the girls who went crazy. Girls who tried to cling to him, tried to grope him, tried to stock him. He preferred the ones who pretended not to know him, but they could be scary too.

  “Do you listen to much music?” he asked, as they made their way out of the café and onto the street.

  “No . . . er, my parents didn’t allow music in the house so I didn’t listen to it until I moved out.”

  It wasn’t quite a lie. It was mostly the truth. She had moved out of her parents’ house, and they hadn’t allowed music—not in the way he was thinking about it at least. Sarah didn’t like lying, but she also didn’t like admitting her past to most people—especially men. She k
new what they were like, and her mother had been right when she warned Sarah about them. Sarah’s mother had spoken like she knew all too well, although Sarah had never pried for details on that. It was long in the past.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I mean, that must not have been very fun.”

  Sarah shrugged. “I didn’t mind. I was normally busy anyways.”

  “Busy with school?”

  “Er, well, actually my parents ran a farm, so I helped them out a lot.”

  “Oh, your parents are farmers? That’s interesting! I’d love to hear all about it, maybe over dinner. Tonight?”

  Sarah stared with wide eyes. Had he just asked her out? She stared blankly, unable to answer him. Quick! Say something! But she couldn’t.

  “Unless you’re busy tonight?”

  “No, I’m free.”

  “Wonderful. Would you like me to pick you up or meet you, say at Hydra?”

  Again, Sarah was left speechless. She’d been passing Hydra for a few weeks now. It had just opened, and it was supposed to be amazing there. But it was also supposed to be very expensive.

  “I . . . I can meet you there,” she stammered. She didn’t want him seeing where she lived, especially if he was willing to pay for a dinner there. She was stuck in an apartment with four other people, barely able to pay the rent.

  “Sounds wonderful.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “What’s your number?”

  Sarah gave him her number, and they parted ways. She couldn’t believe she had actually been asked out on a date! When she stepped into the house, she was grinning from ear to ear. Excitement overwhelmed her. She had been hoping that she would at least go out on one date, but with her planning to return home soon, she hadn’t thought it would happen.

  I’ll need to find something to wear! she thought, panic setting in. She rushed into the room she shared with Hanna, who thankfully was close to the same size as her. Sarah and Hanna had agreed they were going to share the clothes they bought—that way they could build a closet faster within a couple of months. Hanna had been on lots of dates, so Sarah was sure she would have something that she could wear.