“My brain is working in low gear right now. Explain please.”
“When you said you loved me, you made me the happiest man on Earth. However, because of the curse I’m not allowed to be happy. Your death would make me very unhappy and so that’s what began to happen. If you hadn’t removed the curse in time, it would have killed you.”
“Oh. Okay, that makes sense.” She pushed herself up in bed and then recalled the pain she’d been experiencing. A glance downward revealed no blood, just the now heart-shaped scar.
Dante rose to his feet and walked to the adjoining bathroom. She could hear running water and a minute later he returned with a glass of water.
“Here.”
“Thanks.” She took a drink. “You know, the craziest thoughts were running through my head when I was dying.”
“What kind of thoughts?” He sat down beside her.
“That you’d lied to me. That you only said you loved me to get me to remove the curse.” She looked up at him. “That I should leave the curse on you so you would continue to suffer.”
“It sounds like the curse talking, trying to save itself.”
“It was very insistent. I could hardly think.”
“Why didn’t you listen to it?”
“Because,” she reached out and placed her hand on his chest. “I lo—” She paused, doing a quick mental check for any pain or weird voices. Everything seemed normal so she continued. “I love you and I couldn’t bear the thought of you continuing to live with the curse. You’ve lost so much already. You deserve some happiness now.”
“You know, I was scared shitless. If something happened to you, I don’t think I would want to continue on.” He settled beside her on the bed and then pulled the covers up around them, cocooning them in warmth.
For a while they lay like that, murmuring endearments, enjoying the simple pleasure of being near each other.
Dante was drifting off to sleep when his phone rang. Grumbling, he rolled over and picked up the device from the bedside table, checking to see who the caller was.
“Smith? What’s up?” He listened for a minute. “You don’t say? Well thanks for letting me know.”
He set the phone back on the table and folded his arms behind his head, smiling.
“What was that about?” Gwyneth blinked at him sleepily.
“Smith was letting me know that a certain insurance policy I had just paid off.”
She pushed herself up on her elbow. “Insurance policy?”
“Yeah, the director of Lycan Link, Higgins, wanted Reno to bring me in and throw me in detention. When Reno checked his messages, he found one from Higgins retracting the request. And, to everyone’s shock, Higgins also abruptly handed in his resignation and left Lycan Link.”
“That seems unusual. You’d think he’d stay until a replacement was found.”
“You’d think.”
“And what does that have to do with insurance?”
“Higgins was a bastard and sucked at his job. I…er…might have had something to do with his leaving.”
Gwyn looked at him for a minute. “Why do I suspect that you are a man of secrets with hidden depths.”
“Because you’re very perceptive?”
She laughed and brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “I think I’m going to enjoy discovering your secrets.”
“And exploring my hidden depths. Don’t forget those.” He grinned at her.
She leaned down to kiss him, her hand slipping below the covers. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll never forget your…hidden depths.”
Epilogue
Gwyn adjusted the neckline of her dress and thought longingly for her standard jeans and tank top.
“You look beautiful.” Dante stood behind her, staring at his bride-to-be in the mirror. “Exactly how I imagined.”
She studied her image and had to concede it was a lovely gown. A period piece, the low-cut neckline was square and edged with brocade and beading as were the long bell sleeves. A V-shaped corset hugged her figure while the layered trailing skirt floated gracefully to the ground. It was cream and gold as she’d insisted white was totally inappropriate given her age.
“It’s a testament to how much I love you that I’m going through with this,” she groused.
“I’ll make sure you are properly rewarded for the sacrifice.” He nuzzled her neck.
Dante had insisted they were properly wed rather than just ‘shacking up’, even the fact it would take several months to plan not deterring him. He’d called in favours, twisted a few arms and had managed to pull the affair together in only three months.
The wedding was taking place at the Chicago pack house, much to Camille’s dismay. The Magissa had felt it was her place to coordinate the event. Thankfully Dante had convinced her otherwise.
“I have something for you.” Dante spoke, drawing her attention back to the present.
“What’s that?”
“Close your eyes.”
She gave him a wary look and then complied. Something cool touched her chest and then her neck.
“Okay, you can look now.”
She opened her eyes and saw the black opal pendant he’d given her for her birthday. “You kept it?” Her eyes met his in the mirror.
“Of course. It was meant for you.” He pressed a kiss to her nape. “I’ve been fantasizing about seeing you wearing this. I can’t wait until you’re lying in my bed with nothing else on except this opal.”
“Well, you’ll have to be patient.” She angled her head as he moved to kiss the cord of her neck. “Unless you want to cancel this whole show.”
“Nice try.” He left off nibbling her neck. “We are going to have a proper ceremony.”
“It was worth a shot.”
He growled a warning. “Behave. I’m going to check on the food.”
She shook her head as he left still amazed he’d coordinated everything so quickly. It was supposed to be a simple, yet elegant affair. However, with the Chicago pack, the staff of Club Mystique, some of the Coven members, Reno and Brandi all in attendance, the number of guests had swelled beyond the small gathering she’d originally imagined.
Sam entered the room, a frown marring her brow. As the local Alpha, she was going to help perform the ceremony. Damien had refused but was at least in attendance. The relationship between father and son was still chilly. Gwyn had hopes that one day they could at least be friends for Dante’s sake; it meant a lot to him as Damien was the only family he had.
“Has Camille arrived yet?” Sam rubbed her belly absentmindedly. “We’ve agreed to share the officiating but we still need to hash out which ceremony will be done first.”
“I’ve not seen her yet,” Gwyn held out her arm. “Sam, don’t you think these sleeves will be in the way when you have to bind my wrist to Dante’s?”
“I’ll work around it.” Sam fingered the brocade edging on the sleeve. “This really is a lovely dress.”
“As long as you don’t have to wear it.”
“Tina told me she thought it looked divine and I’m supposed to take lots of pictures of you in it.”
“Yes, she appreciates this kind of thing.” Gwyn twitched the skirt. “She and Stone are on an assignment of some sort but hope to be done in time so they can be here for your pup’s naming ceremony.”
“Right.” Sam pursed her lips and frowned, then fixed her with a hard stare. “I have a question. A witch question.”
Gwyn gave up fussing with the dress and focused on Sam. “Yes?”
“When Dante, Matt and I were in the cell, I was able to get us out using that magic spell. I don’t understand how that was possible. I don’t have that much witch blood in me.”
“I suspect several factors came into play.” Gwyn eased herself down so she was sitting on the edge of the dresser. “First of all, you were attempting a spell from your family grimoire; that greatly increases the chance of success. Secondly, your pregnancy came into play. All sorts of hormonal changes are taki
ng place within you. Combine that with your protective instincts surging due to the impending danger and you have a perfect cocktail for augmenting latent magical abilities.”
Sam frowned. “In other words, I’m not turning into a witch. It was a one-off occurrence because I’m pregnant.”
“Basically.”
“And it’s not likely to happen again?”
“Unless a similar set of circumstance occurred, I’d say the chance is minimal.”
“Good.” Sam gave a decisive nod. “Nothing personal, but turning into a witch is the last thing I need. Being Alpha is enough to worry about.”
“Understood.” Gwyn glanced out the window. “I believe I see Camille driving up right now.”
Sam looked out the window. “Good. I think she’s been avoiding me. Every time I’ve called to discuss this, she’s was too busy to talk.
“Good luck dealing with her,” Gwyn said. “She’s not the easiest person to get along with.”
“She might be a witch, but I’m a bitch,” Sam quipped as she left the room.
Reno stood on the porch of the pack house waiting for Brandi. She’d gone inside to use the washroom some time ago but hadn’t returned yet. He didn’t want to rush her but the ceremony would be starting soon, people already taking their seats under the large tent that had been erected for the event. A glance at his watch had him heading inside to find his missing mate.
The house was a rambling structure filled with a curious mix of antiques and comfortable casual furnishings. Damien had said he and Sam were slowly trying to update the place as money allowed. Already the kitchen had been renovated and a room prepared for the soon-to-arrive pup. Brandi had been chatting about the room for ages, showing him pictures that Sam had sent. Most likely she was upstairs right now, inspecting the place and had forgotten the time.
Brandi would be a great mom when they finally had a pup, he mused. She’d become the next thing to a walking, talking, baby book over the past year. Chuckling to himself he headed upstairs, following her scent.
As he reached the top of the stairs, he heard a soft sound and tensed. It was Brandi and she was crying. He quickened his step. She wasn’t in the baby room as he suspected but in the washroom next door. He tapped on the door.
“You okay, Babe?”
There was a pause and then she replied. “I’m fine. I’ll just be a minute.”
She didn’t sound fine. Her voice was wobbly. He tried the handle, found it unlocked and peeked inside. Her back was turned to him, her shoulders hunched.
“Babe?” He stepped inside.
“I said I was fine.” Her tone was sharp.
“You don’t sound fine.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “What’s wrong?” Her nose was pink, tear stains on her cheeks, a tissue crumpled in her hands. “Are you feeling sick?”
“No. I…” She took a deep breath. “I was looking at the baby’s room. It’s so cute.” Her chin started to quiver.
“I don’t understand. A baby room is supposed to be cute, isn’t it?”
“I…I’m not pregnant.” She began to sob, pressing her face against his chest.
“Oh, sweetheart.” He drew her close.
“I thought I was this time. I was late and…”
“I know.”
“But just now…” Her hands clenched on his shirt and she cried even harder. “I came in here and I’m not.”
He hugged her tighter, closing his eyes. The knowledge she wasn’t pregnant was a blow. They’d both pinned their hopes on this time. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I wanted this baby so much.”
“Me, too.” His eyes stung and he blinked burying the hurt. He needed to be strong for his mate.
“I’m sorry, Reno. I…I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you.”
“Yes, there is. Sam’s pregnant and she wasn’t even trying.”
He fumbled for what to say. Ever since they’d decided to start a family, he’d envisioned Brandi growing big with his pup, had seen himself cradling a baby to his shoulder, imagined them with their arms joined staring down at the sleeping child they’d created together. “Every couple is different.”
“But we’ve been trying for ages. I know you want a pup and I keep failing you.”
“You are not failing me!”
“Yes, I am. I’m the one not conceiving.”
He pushed her away and cupped her tear-stained cheeks. “You listen here, Brandi Johannson-Smith. You are not failing me. We don’t know why we’re not getting pregnant. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s not the right time. Lots of things could be going on.”
She stared up at him, her lashes spikey, tears dripping down her face. “I feel so awful, so empty… I know how much you want a baby.”
That was the hard part about a blood-bond. The joy of the good times was magnified through shared emotions but the sorrow was also intensified.
He kissed her gently, his thumbs wiping the tears away. “And I know how much you want one.”
“What are we going to do?”
“We’ll talk to the doctors at Lycan Link—“
“Fertility treatments don’t usually work on Lycans.” Her chin quivered again.
“Maybe we’ll be the exception. And there are other options. We can adopt.”
“There aren’t many orphan Lycan pups out there. Other families in the pack take them in; you know that.”
“But we can check. And we’ll keep trying. That won’t be a hardship, will it?” He gave her a crooked grin and she rewarded his efforts with a watery smile.
“No. It won’t be a hardship.” She took a deep breath and then gave a shaky laugh. “Look at me, I’m a mess and I’ve cried all over your shirt.” She wiped at the wrinkled material.
“I’ll say I spilled something on myself if anyone notices. And you could never look a mess.” He stroked her curls away from her face. “You’re my beautiful, amazing mate and I love you more than anything.”
Dante stared at the caterer. “Roxi, what are you doing here?”
“I’m working.”
“I hired a caterer, not a cleaning service.”
“This is my new part-time job. The witch who runs the cleaning service is a cousin of the guy who runs this catering place. He hired me to help with the serving.” She grinned. “It’s a great way to pick up bits of information and gossip, too.”
“You’d better not pick up any information here if you know what’s good for you.”
“Sure thing, Dante. I can keep my mouth shut but…” Her voice trailed off and she looked at him expectantly.
He folded his arms. “Let me guess, you need the money.”
“Got it in one.”
He stared at her for a moment, lips compressed then took some money out of his pocket. “Here. But not a single word about this ceremony better reach the streets.”
“If it does it won’t have come from me. My lips are sealed.” She counted the money, then peeled a few bills off and handed them back to him. “Here. This is your wedding present.”
Thanks.” He stuffed the bills back in his pocket. “Can I ask what you’re doing with all this money you’re collecting?”
“Food, bills; you’ve heard of those, right? Plus, my roommate, Lulu, is thinking of heading back home to Canada. I might go with her and travelling’s not cheap. Or if I don’t, I’ll need to cover the rent myself until I find a new roomie.” Roxi narrowed her eyes and then pointed across the room. “Who’s that?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “That’s Matt. He’s a bouncer at Club Mystique.”
“Yum. Do you know if he’s attached?”
“Er…I don’t think so.” Dante gave Roxi a considering look. “Remember, you’re here to work not find your next roommate.”
“Nothing wrong with multi-tasking, is there?” She grinned and cracked her gum.
Gwyn stood beside Dante. Their wrists were now tie
d with the leather rope that signified their life-long bond and now all that remained was to drink the ceremonial wine Camille had provided.
With a nod to the Magissa, she took a sip from the crystal goblet and then passed it to Dante, who did the same.
“Inferior vintage,” he whispered to her as he set the vessel down.
Camille scowled and Gwyneth gave him a nudge.
“Behave or we’ll be turned into toads,” she hissed at him.
“As long as I’m a toad with you, I’ll be happy.”
She snorted which earned them another scowl from Camille who had been reciting an ancient blessing.
Gwyn took a deep breath and tried to focus. The ceremony was almost over. For some reason she felt giddy, an emotion she was entirely unfamiliar with. Colours seemed brighter, she had the absurd need to smile at everyone and was fighting the desire to skip down the aisle as they stood to leave. She wondered if Dante felt the same way. Perhaps Camille had laced the ceremonial wine with some obscure spell.
She slid a glance at Dante. He wore a crooked grin and his eyes were twinkling just as they always were. Okay, maybe it was just her.
They stood and exchanged a chaste kiss and then everyone was clapping as they walked down the short aisle. The sun was shining illuminating the path they walked along and she had a sudden flashback to a vision she’d had just after meeting Dante. There’d been a bright path through a forest and she’d been afraid to follow it. Now she was eager to step into the light and see where it led.
Apparently, this particular path led to the laundry room near the back door for that was where Dante took her, their bound wrists giving her no option but to follow.
He closed the door and leaned against it, pulling her close for a kiss.
“What is this all about?” She pulled back and looked him in the eye.
He grinned at her. “Once a Lycan couple is bound together, they usually leave the ceremony to mate and don’t return until the next day. I thought this could be a compromise.”
She glanced about the small room, noting the appliances, a shelf with various bottles of cleaning detergent, a hamper of dirty clothes and an ironing board. “We are not having sex on the washing machine.”
Deceit can be Deadly (Law of the Lycans Book 8) Page 36