Seeing her walking towards the office, Dan thanked Jo and walked out to meet her. Putting a wide smile on his face, he leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Hi,” he said, softly. “How are you?”
She shrugged, still with no smile on her face. “I’m okay,” she murmured. “I just wanted another walk by myself. I didn’t go far.”
Dan smiled at her again, despite his anxiety. “How about we take a picnic up to our spot tonight?” he asked, hoping she would say yes. “I can get takeout again, or whatever you want?”
For a long moment, he thought she was going to refuse but, eventually, she nodded. His breath came out in a whoosh of relief. “Great,” he replied, feeling slightly happier. “I’ll come and get you the minute I finish up.”
“Okay, thanks,” Lucy said, in a monotone. She didn’t even sound excited, and Dan’s heart began to sink.
Dan watched her walk towards the office, opening the door and going inside. Sighing, he ran his hand through his hair, desperately hoping that somehow, he’d be able to finally get her to open up.
Lucy climbed the hill, already growing breathless as she attacked the steep climb. She had seen the way Dan had looked at her this morning. She'd thought about nothing else all day. He was trying so hard but she still couldn't bring herself to let him in, to let him know about everything that was going on in her mind. Even though she knew Dan and the rest of the members of the Alliance pack, even though she trusted them completely, she still couldn't completely believe that they'd never turn out like Lucas or Dominic. She wanted to, but she couldn't. It was like some kind of mental block that she simply couldn't get past. As she climbed, Lucy wondered if talking to Dan would help, even though her mind screamed that it was a bad idea. Lucy had never had anyone to talk to before, she'd just had to cope with her difficult situations and with Dominic by herself. Talking about her problems and her thoughts with other people wasn’t something she was used to, but perhaps that had to change.
Finally reaching the top, Lucy stretched out her back and tried to catch her breath.
“You practically ran up that hill,” Dan gasped, reaching her. “Trying to get away from me or something?”
“From myself,” she muttered, sitting down. “I’m so confused, Dan.”
Dan sat down next to her, his eyes filled with concern. “Confused about what, Lucy? I want to help.”
Lucy sighed, not knowing what was best to say. There was so much in her heart that she barely knew where to begin.
“Lucy,” she heard Dan whisper, felt his hand touch hers. “Can’t you trust me?”
She looked at him, steadily. “I want to, Dan.” She saw the emotions flicker on his face, but he said nothing. Her gratitude for his silence rose. He still held back, respecting her enough to let her speak when she was ready. War raged within her. For so long, she’d been working things out on her own, not needing anyone else. But things had changed for her now. She was part of a pack. Part of the Alliance. She was with Dan. She had to let herself trust him completely, and tell him the truth about Dominic.
“When I saw you fighting Dominic,” she began, quietly. “I was really scared.”
“Why?”
Lucy swallowed hard, as she recalled how badly Dan had been beaten. “I thought he might kill you.” She looked up at him, her hand clasping his. “You kept on fighting, Dan.”
“I wouldn’t have stopped,” Dan replied, hotly. “Not until you were safe, Lucy. You mean too much to me.”
Her heart softened. “I know you wouldn’t have, Dan. That’s what frightened me.”
His expression became serious. “Nick wouldn’t have let him kill me, Lucy. You know that.”
“Is that what my life here is going to be?” she asked, searching his face. “Are we always going to be fighting something?”
Dan frowned at her, shaking his head. “No, not something,” he replied. “But the Northern Wind pack, they’re not going to get off our back any time soon.” He looked at her steadily. “Who else did you think we would be fighting? There aren’t any other packs around this area.”
Knowing that she was going to have to be completely honest with Dan, Lucy turned to face the sunset, dropping Dan’s hand and clasping her hands in front of her.
“Dominic doesn’t like humans.”
Dan didn’t say anything, although she felt him stiffen in response.
"More than that," she continued. "He wants to be rid of them. He says that humans are weak and that shifters should be the ones in control. Lucas, apparently, is the same."
“And you’re worried all shifters are like that,” Dan finished for her. “Deep down, you believe that we all want the same thing: control.”
“Is that unreasonable?” Lucy asked, immediately. “I mean - ”
“Yes, it is,” Dan interrupted, abruptly. “I can’t quite believe you think so little of me, Lucy.”
She gaped at him, not sure what he meant.
Dan’s expression softened as he saw her surprise, evidently attempting to remember Lucy’s personal background. “Sorry,” he muttered, reaching for her hand. “I shouldn’t have interrupted you.”
Lucy shook her head, as a slow realization dawned. Dan was angry because she'd pretty much insulted him to his face. She hadn't meant to, of course, but by comparing him to Dominic, she'd greatly offended him. "I'm sorry," she muttered, dropping her head into her hands. "I didn't mean that."
She half expected Dan to get up and leave, but instead, he simply wrapped an arm around her shoulders and sighed heavily.
“I wish I could make you believe that, somehow, we’re not all like Dominic,” he murmured, pressing his cheek to hers. “What you’ve told me is utterly despicable - in fact,” he continued, straightening, “We’ll need to tell Nick, for the safety of the town.”
“So there will be more fighting,” she replied, heavily.
Dan’s arm tightened. “But not out of choice,” he said, softly. “If the Northern Wind pack became peaceful, then our pack wouldn’t have any fighting to do.”
Slowly, the sun began to sink below the horizon, reminding Lucy of their last time here. Dan had been careful and gentle with her, always letting her take the lead if she wanted it. When he’d fought, it was for her. Not out of some need for blood, but because he wanted to protect her. It was time for her to start trusting him. Completely trusting him.
“I’ve seen Dominic do bad things,” she said, so quietly that she could barely hear herself.
Dan sat in silence, listening to Lucy tell him what he’d wanted to know for so long.
“You don’t have to tell me just yet if you’re not ready.”
Shaking her head, and tears trickling down her cheeks she continued, “No, I need this.” She looked up at Dan, seeing his softened expression firmed her belief that, with Dan, everything will be alright. After a few moments she continued slowly, “He killed a man in cold blood, over something stupid. Then we ran. No-one’s ever caught up with him and probably never will.” That’s why I find it difficult to believe that shifting is good. Why I’ve struggled to believe you aren’t like him.”
Dan’s thumb stroked her cheek tenderly, wiping away her tears. “And what about now, Lucy?”
Fresh tears began to pour down her face as she slowly accepted that Dan, and the Alliance, could be trusted. “I believe you’re not like Dominic,” she whispered. “I know you want peace.”
"Good," he whispered before his lips met hers.
Their kiss was sweet, full of tenderness and passion. Dan held her tightly for a long time afterward, letting her cry out all of her pain and sadness.
“I’m here for you now, Lucy,” he murmured into her hair. “The Alliance will be your family, like they are to me.”
“I know,” she replied, her face pressed into his shoulder. “I love you, Dan.”
He chuckled. “I love you too, Lucy. And for what it’s worth, my bear is never happier than when I’m with you.”
Lucy pu
lled back, staring up into his face. “I - I feel the same way,” she replied, softly. “I’ve been trying to ignore the feeling, but it won’t go away.”
He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. "It's a feeling of contentment, happiness, and passion all mixed into one," he said, as Lucy nodded. "Apparently it means we've found our mate."
Getting to her feet, Lucy gave Dan a brilliant smile. She had no need to be afraid anymore. Now, she was going to do the one thing she’d vowed never to do again, and she was going to enjoy it.
“I think my bear is desperate to get out and run,” she said, laughing as Dan jumped to his feet. “What do you say?”
He grinned at her, catching her in his arms and kissing her again. “I say yes,” he replied, putting her down gently. “I’ve been waiting for this, Lucy. There’s so much we can explore together.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Lucy replied, honestly.
Only a moment later, two bears began to crash through the trees. Dan and Lucy, finally free.
I hope you enjoyed books 1, 2 & 3 of my Alpha Bear series! Book 4 will be out soon! Turn the page to begin my standalone novella The Timeless Curse of Lord Dabney. I’m sure you’ll love it!
The Timeless Curse of Lord Dabney
Emilia Hartley
CHAPTER 1
It wasn’t easy leaving her entire world behind. Even if she did plan to come back eventually. Packing her bag, even for a couple weeks, had felt like she was abandoning the world she knew. And she was, wasn’t she? She had never been to England before, never even met her maternal grandmother or any of her family, really, and now here she was, flying across the Atlantic to attend the funeral of a stranger.
The engines of the plane gave a gentle roar and the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign blinked on above her head. Well, it was too late to turn back now.
Glancing down at the papers on her lap, Ellie Fitzgerald sighed. Three days ago, she had been outlining her dissertation on Regency England, a period she had been drawn to since before she could remember, and worrying about whether her cute but gawky classmate, Seth, was going to ask her out on their third date.
Then she got the call.
“Elizabeth Fitzgerald?” came the voice on the other end of the line. The voice was British, curt and concise, but ever so polite.
Confused, Ellie frowned. Why was an Englishman calling her at two in the afternoon on a Saturday? “Yes, this is she. Can I help you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the man said. “I’m sorry to bother you, ma’am, but my name is Barnard Seton, and I am the late Victoria Hargrove’s attorney. I am calling to discuss the parameters of her will.”
All the breath escaped from Ellie’s lungs. Her knees collapsed and she sank to the floor, leaning against her bed. “L-late?” she stammered, not comprehending. “Do you mean…is my grandmother…she’s gone?”
The deafening silence on the other end of the line confirmed that she was.
Ellie’s heart ached with grief. She had never even met her grandmother, but she had always wanted to, and knowing she had family in England had been one of the only things keeping her connected to the memory of her mother, whom she had lost when she was just thirteen years old. Now her grandmother was gone as well; there was no one left. Tears slid freely down her cheeks, but Ellie didn’t brush them away.
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” Barnard replied, his voice full of sympathy. “I thought you knew. I sent you a letter by post only a few days ago. My apologies that I reached you before you had received it.”
A letter. He sent a letter? Pulling herself to her feet, Ellie rushed over to the little stool by the front door of her studio apartment and rifled through her mail until she found an envelope from Seton & Associates. She hastily ripped a letter opener across the top and retrieved the contents.
“The instructions in your grandmother’s will,” Barnard continued, “state that she has bequeathed you all of her material and financial belongings, including Hargrove House.”
“She left me a house?”
“Yes, ma’am. Hargrove House. The estate has been in your family for generations and, seeing as her only daughter passed on thirteen years ago, you are Lady Hargrove’s sole heir and beneficiary. However, the will stipulates you will need to come to Dover to formally receive the estate.”
Disbelief warred with delight. She owned a house. Ellie had never even owned so much as a room before. Even her car was a hand-me-down from her father. And now she owned a house in...
“Wait, did you just say I have to come to Dover to receive my inheritance? As in Dover, Kent in England?”
“Yes, ma’am.” If Barnard thought her funny or possibly even missing a few marbles, he certainly didn’t show it. “As soon as possible, ma’am. Your grandmother wanted you to accept the estate within two weeks of her passing.”
Ellie’s heart sank and her normally pale cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” she managed to murmur, her voice barely above a whisper, “but I can’t afford a ticket to England in two weeks. I can’t even manage it in two years. I’m…I’m a grad student. I wait tables and study history for a living. I mean, I’m only twenty-six. I’m sorry, Mr. Seton. I’m just not going to be able to make that work.”
“All the arrangements have been taken care of,” he replied kindly. “Your airline ticket should be included with the letter I sent you, as is a letter from your grandmother. We will be expecting you by the end of the week.”
Ellie closed her eyes and listened to the captain tell the cabin to prepare for landing. She heard the stewardess advising passengers to close their trays and put their seats in an upright position.
She was almost there.
Fighting back nerves, Ellie gazed down at her Grandmother’s letter, laying in her lap.
My dearest Elizabeth,
You must think me a horrible grandmother, dear, never making the trip over to meet you. However, you mustn’t think less of me. I had my reasons, and I promise you, I had only your best interests at heart.
If you are reading this letter, that means that I am gone. And, as your mother, my sweet Anne, passed away so long ago, all I have now belongs to you. My belongings, my estate. My burdens.
There are responsibilities you must uphold for the Hargroves, my dear grandchild. Hargrove House is yours, though you have never lain eyes on her. She now belongs to you, and I implore you not to give her up, no matter how tempting the offer may be. Her walls hold many secrets, my dear, but many treasures as well, and I am hoping that you will be able to find love and happiness within them.
Hargrove House has been in the family for generations. It has always been my home. Now it is yours.
All my love,
Grandmother Victoria Hargrove
CHAPTER 2
Ellie quietly brushed a tear from her cheek. It was amazing that she could miss a woman she had never met. Perhaps it was the connection to her mother that made her so nostalgic, she wasn’t sure. Yet one thing she did know was that she had no desire to be going on this errand. Even if she had always wanted to visit England.
The plane gave a lurch as the landing gear touched down and the machine coasted to a stop. Ellie gazed eagerly out the small oval window at Gatwick Airport. The large glass windows of the dome welcomed her, graced here and there by British flags. Excitement coursed through her veins and Ellie felt a smile tug at her lips. Okay, so maybe she did want to be here. Just a little bit.
Despite herself, Ellie found she was grinning all through the airport and on to baggage claim, staring around at the people as if she were in another world. England. She had finally made it to England. She couldn’t wait to tell her father all about it.
As she walked out of the main doors of the airport, she spotted a man in a crisp black suit and cap. He was standing in front of a shiny black sedan holding a sign that read “Fitzgerald.” Ellie smiled shyly and got into the car, her eyes glued to the windows as they drove through the countryside.
It took ne
arly forty-five minutes to reach the town of Dover in County Kent, but Ellie didn’t mind at all. As they drove through the streets of town, she longingly took in the picturesque terraced buildings of red, white, and yellow brick silhouetted against the sheer face of the famous White Cliffs. It all looked exactly as she imagined it and Ellie couldn’t help but feel as excited as a little girl on Christmas. She loved the architecture, the Tudor-style buildings and the fountain in the town square, the feel of it all. Quietly thrilled, she gazed in astonishment as Dover Castle came into view on the horizon. The centuries-old fortress loomed over the town at the top of the hill, like a sentinel at the edge of the ocean. Ellie couldn’t help but feel as if she’d been there before, though she knew that was crazy.
“Must be all my research,” she murmured under her breath.
Before long, town turned to countryside and the road they were on led away from the ocean until finally, they turned on a narrow, paved road situated between two large stone pillars. Tall trees lined either side of the driveway until it gave way to an enormous manicured lawn rolling up and down plush, green slopes of grass.
Ellie let out a gasp. There it was. Hargrove House. It was just as beautiful as she imagined it would be. Stone steps led from the pavement that circled a gorgeous fountain to a heavy black door situated in the very center of a line of four tan stone pillars. On either side of the door were broad windows that illuminated the rooms within with natural light. The architecture was exquisite and Ellie thought she was in a dream. It was like a house straight out of her history books. It was three stories high, and at either corner, the stones bulged out to form what almost looked like a turret. She could only imagine the circular rooms within were the drawing room or the library. She hoped one on the upper floor was the master bedroom, as she would love to have the view from all those windows.
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