She pulled away and wiped her eyes, taking deep breaths to try and compose herself. “There’s one more thing, Kellen. I hope you won’t be mad, but...I tracked down your parents. I called them and, if you want to talk, they’re anxious to hear from you. Your mom...she cried when I said your name. Here’s their number.”
Cassie fumbled in her pocket and pulled out the second piece of paper and pressed it into his hand. He looked up at her, his face ravaged and shocked. She imagined she looked equally bad with red eyes and a blotchy face. “Call them, please. They still love you.” Standing, she backed out of the room, watching him stare blankly at the phone number in his hand. “Goodbye, Kellen. I’ll never forget you.”
As the door swung shut, she heard him softly call out. “I’ll never forget you, either. Goodbye, girly”
Girly. He’d called her girly! The tears streamed down her face at the familiar term. Her vision was so blurred, she could hardly see as she made her way to the elevator. “Damn him!”
“Miss, are you all right?” Someone, a woman, placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I’ll be fine.” Cassie brushed passed the concerned citizen, uncaring that her scarf had fallen from her shoulders and was now in the stranger’s hands.
“Miss, you dropped—”
Cassie walked on, trying to hold back her tears. Girly. Why had Kellen said that? It was one of the first words he’d said to her and now it was the last... Looking around, she suddenly realized she was in the lobby. How had she arrived there? She didn’t even remember using the elevator. She pressed her hand to her mouth, and tried to calm down, but her mind kept going back to what had just happened.
She’d cut her ties to Kellen. It had been the right thing to do, the only way to force him to get help, but now... Oh God, she needed a shoulder to cry on, but where was Bryan? She scanned the room, but there was no sign of him.
Cassie quickly walked around the perimeter of the lobby. He’d been here, she could scent him, but why had he left? Had Ryne or Kane called him with a job? But surely he could have told her he was leaving. Just in case she was mistaken, she peeked in the gift shop and the small cafe that was off to the side. No. He wasn’t there. She bit her lip and blinked hard, tears welling in her eyes again. Had he just left her here? He had the other morning after the full moon. Was he going to be like Kane? From what Elise said, Kane worked all the time...
Insecurities filled her. Bryan had been so cold and bossy this morning. And he’d been angry while driving her here, almost as if spending time together was a burden. Had the tenderness just been a show to lure her into joining the pack? And now that he thought he had her convinced, he was going to ignore her, possibly leave her to fend for herself back in Canada? What proof did she have that pack life was one big happy family, beyond what he’d told her?
Suddenly she felt empty and abandoned. The two most important people in her life were gone; Bryan had left her and she’d just pushed Kellen away. Was this how Kellen had felt just now when she said goodbye? Had it hurt him as badly as the loss of Bryan was doing to her now? Oh God, she had to get out of here before she totally lost control.
She began to walk towards the exit as fast as she could, brushing past other visitors, skirting around a grouping of chairs. The door was in front of her. She had to get outside, had to breathe some fresh air. The doors slid open automatically and she hurried through them.
The sounds of conversation washed around, but she had no thought other than escaping. She looked around wondering where to go, then focussed on a grouping of trees, instinct telling her to head that way. Blindly, she set off for the small green belt, picking up speed, then running, cutting across the parking lot, splashing through puddles, uncaring that it was raining, giving no thought to the traffic. Brakes squealed, profanities yelled, but she didn’t stop.
Run, get away. Hide. It was all she could think of. If she ran fast enough surely she’d be able to escape the pain inside...
Chapter 28
Bryan strode down the halls of the hospital, peering into rooms, scanning seating areas. Where the hell was she? When Cassie hadn’t appeared after fifteen minutes, he’s gone upstairs to get her. He wasn’t leaving her with Anderson any longer than necessary. Whatever she had to say to the man should have been over and done with in that period of time. Cassie was his and he didn’t want Anderson near her. The man had had his chance and he’d messed up.
But when he’d arrived at Anderson’s door, the man had been talking softly on the phone to someone. A quick scan of the room had allowed him to pick up Cassie’s scent, but she wasn’t there any longer. Thankfully, Anderson had been facing the other way and never even realized someone had popped their head in. Bryan doubted he’d be able to exchange a civil word with the man.
Now he was looking for Cassie. The stench of illness, medicine, antiseptics, and humanity swirled around him as he tried to distinguish her scent. She’d headed to the elevator and then...? Logically, he decided she would have headed back to the lobby. Perhaps their paths had crossed, Cassie coming down while he was going up? He took the stairs, too impatient to wait for the elevator to arrive. As he clattered down the stairwell, he gave a short ironic laugh. With all the stairs he was climbing lately, he didn’t have to worry about missing his workouts.
Arriving back in the lobby, he made his way to the middle, looking around expectantly. When Cassie didn’t immediately appear, he stopped in the middle of the busy space, turning in a slow circle, studying each grouping of chairs, each huddle of humans. He clenched his jaw; she wasn’t there.
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, frowning in concentration as he used all his skills to sort through the confusing cacophony that assaulted his keen senses. A smile slowly spread over his face as he detected the faintest trace of her scent. Following it carefully, he made his way through the hospital down one hallway and then the next; where was she headed? Her scent grew stronger and he walked with greater speed. Surely she was just around this next corner. Mentally, he planned the chastisement he’d give her for not meeting him as they’d arranged. He turned the corner and stopped abruptly. Cassie wasn’t there. An older woman was holding her scarf though and handing it over to someone at an information desk.
“...and she didn’t stop when I called after her, so I thought I’d just leave it here.”
Bryan stepped forward. “Excuse me, that’s my girlfriend’s scarf. I’ll take it.” He snatched the scarf, the cool silky material sliding over his fingers; it was a soft and smooth as Cassie’s skin. Resisting the urge to bury his nose in the fabric and revel in her scent, he cleared his throat and tried to speak civilly. “Um...where was she heading when she dropped it?”
“Oh! It was near the elevator. Fourth floor. She seemed upset though and was crying.” The woman flushed and leaned closer. “I don’t know if she was referring to you or not, but I’m sure she was saying ‘damn him.’ You might want to have an apology ready.”
“Thank you. I’ll do that.” He stepped back, guarding his expression to give no indication of the emotional turmoil he was suddenly experiencing. Who had she been cursing? Anderson or him?”
Swearing under his breath, he’d moved farther down the hall and then leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. He was so tired he could hardly think straight, he’d barely had three hours sleep in the last few days. Kane was a task master at the best of times and then when the Chicago Alpha had sent the granddaughter to the meeting... Well, it had been touch and go if they’d be able to keep Cassie and maintain control of the Estate. While he hadn’t cared about the Estate, the idea that another pack wanted control of Cassie had made him almost rabid with rage. Ryne had to order him from the room, to keep him from attacking the Chicago pack’s representative. Thankfully, Kane knew the law well enough to ensure everything worked out, but the experience had been draining and had left everyone on edge. In fact, Kane was still muttering about taking over the Chicago territory and running it as a satellite operation.
/>
Bryan rubbed the heels of his hands over his eyes and then gave his head a shake. He needed to find Cassie and she had to be somewhere in the hospital. She wouldn’t just go wandering off...would she? And so he began searching floor by floor, even being scolded by irate nurses for poking his nose into places where he wasn’t allowed.
Still there was no sign of her. Obstetrics, geriatrics, paediatrics... Fuming, he swallowed his pride and headed back to Anderson’s room, determined to beat the man if he didn’t reveal where Cassie had gone.
Without knocking, he pushed the door open, startling Anderson who was eating some debatable looking food.
“I’m here for Cassie. Where is she?” Bryan growled the words and Anderson dropped his fork and inched back in his bed.
“I...I think you have the wrong room. I don’t know anyone named... Wait a minute. Do you mean Sandy?”
“Her proper name is Cassandra Greyson, as you well know. Now where is she?” He almost barked the words and Anderson visibly paled.
“Are you with the government? She said you might be coming...” Anderson paused and frowned. “Though you don’t look the type.”
Bryan quickly clued in to what the man was thinking and used it to his advantage. “I’m plain clothes; undercover. Now where is she?”
“I’m...I’m not sure. She left about half an hour ago. Listen, do I have to sign something for you because if I do I—”
Bryan left before the man finished. Half an hour ago. Where could she have gone? He ran his hand through his hair and tried to quell the fear that twisted in his gut. What had she said the other night? Once Anderson was safe, she’d leave if he took his eyes off her.
Damn. He thought they’d moved beyond that. After all the talking they’d done about belonging to the pack and how he’d take care of her... And then during the full moon when they’d been wolves together. No. It couldn’t be true. Cassie wouldn’t leave him, not when he’d finally found her.
But what if she had? It would be his own fault. He’d left her alone—with good cause, mind you—but a werewolf’s first transformation could leave them feeling off-kilter and vulnerable. And what if she was going into heat? Hormonal surges happened four times a year with the seasons, but given the pills she’d been taking, who knew what her system might be up to. If she was in season, her emotions could be all over the place!
And this morning, God he’d been so tired. And when he’d seen her, she’d been looking up information for Anderson. Without meaning to, Bryan knew he’d just sort of snapped, barking orders at her, not listening, not thinking. Little wonder she’d taken off at the first opportunity.
He walked out of the hospital and sniffed the air, hoping to catch Cassie’s scent, but the rain was pouring down now, washing the air clean. Shoulders slumped, he sank down on a nearby bench. The rain soaked his hair and shirt, trickling down his face, but he paid no attention; his external discomfort was meaningless now. The pain inside him was all consuming, there was an aching emptiness where his heart should be.
People walked past. Conversations drifted around him. They barely registered. His brain couldn’t seem to process anything beyond the fact that he might never see Cassie again. He propped his elbows on his knees and leaned forward, burying his head in his hands.
How could he have screwed up so badly? Right from the very moment he started looking for her, he’d made one stupid mistake after another. He’d tried his best to make up for their awkward beginning, painting a glowing picture of pack life and how he’d be there for her. Did she really hate the idea of being with him, of being part of his pack, so much that she had to sneak away without even saying goodbye? Apparently so.
He scrubbed his face with his hands. What should he do? Find her again, track her down, and drag her screaming and kicking back to Canada? Or should he admit defeat? She’d protested continually that she didn’t want to be a werewolf, but he thought they’d been making real progress. The full moon they’d shared had seemed so special. And the times he’d held her as she slept... Well, he’d been sure he’d found his other half. Obviously, he’d been wrong.
His throat grew tight as a lump formed in it. His eyes burned with suppressed tears. He squeezed them tightly shut and firmed his jaw, willing his chin not to quiver. A pack Beta didn’t cry, not even when his heart had been ripped from him. He’d never love another; never find a mate to replace her.
“Bryan?”
God, he could hear her voice as if she were beside him. And her scent... He’d never forget it as long as he lived. It would haunt him in his dreams...
“Bryan, are you okay? Are you sick or something?”
A soft hand touched his hair and then his shoulder and he jerked as an electric zing travelled straight to his heart. Cassie? In a blur of movement, he was standing and holding her in his arms, raining kisses down on whatever part of her he could find.
“Bryan! What’s wrong? What’s going on? You’re holding me too tight, I can’t breathe.” She pushed against him protesting and he finally let her go, grabbing her shoulders instead.
He held her so he could see her face and shook her gently. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I thought you’d left. Where the hell did you go?”
“I...I was upset so I went over to that grove of trees to calm down. I looked around the lobby, but you weren’t there and for a while I thought you’d left me...” She stuttered to halt and reached up to touch him. He closed his eyes as she brushed the hair from his forehead then cupped his face, running her thumb over his cheek bone. He leaned into the caress, pressing a kiss to her palm, a soft rumble rising from his chest. “Once I calmed down, I realized it was pretty stupid to get so worked up over you not being in the lobby. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Slowly, reluctantly, he straightened and her hand fell to her side. “It’s all right. I might have over-reacted a bit.” He cleared his throat. “Or maybe a lot.”
Cassie stood on tiptoe and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, then looked at him, searching his eyes. “Would it really bother you that much if I left?” She cocked her head to the side, a curious expression on her face.
He closed his eyes and swallowed hard. This was it; the moment of truth. The words in his heart ached to be shared yet actually saying them, opening himself up to possible rejection had him clenching his fists to hide their trembling.
“Cassie, when I couldn’t find you, when I thought you’d run away from me, I nearly died inside. When you’re gone, it’s like a part of me is missing.”
“Really?” A smile slowly broke out on her face.
“Yeah, really.” He leaned forward until their foreheads touched. “I love you Cassandra Greyson.”
“Oh Bryan!” Cassie stared up at him, innocent wonder, and love shining from her eyes, then she grabbed his face and kissed him hard. Laughing, she wrapped her arms around him and snuggled in close, rocking him from side to side. He brought his own arms up around her and hugged her tightly. She hadn’t said the words, but he could see the love in her eyes and in his heart he knew someday soon, she’d be ready to speak them.
After a few minutes, he loosened his hold. “You’re soaking wet, you know.”
She gave a careless shrug, seeming content to rest her head against his chest. “So are you.”
“Good thing the rain has stopped.”
“It has?” Cassie looked around. “Oh yeah, you’re right.”
“I always am.”
She chuckled and pushed him gently. “We should be going.”
He took her hand and began to lead her to the car. “You’re all done visiting with Anderson?”
“Uh-huh.”
Bryan gave her a sharp look. Something was wrong, he could tell from her voice. “Did Anderson say something to upset you?”
“Not really.” Her steps slowed. “I...I gave him information on that rehab centre I was researching and his parents’ phone number and then...” She stopped completely and swallowed. “I said goo
dbye.”
“Goodbye?” Bryan said the word cautiously, not wanting to read more into it than he should.
She nodded slowly. “I told him we weren’t good for each other anymore and that I thought...”
“Yes?”
“I thought...maybe...probably...” She stopped and faced him, placing a hand on his chest and looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty and hope. “That I’d found someone else. Someone who was right for me.”
Bryan took her hand and brought it up to his mouth, pressing a kiss to it. “I think you have, too.” He gave her a crooked grin then pulled her to his side. His heart soared in his chest and at that moment, he was sure he could conquer the world. “Come on, Cassie. Let’s go home.”
She wrapped her arm around his waist and there seemed to be a little skip in her step as they continued to walk to the car. “Yeah. Let’s go home.
*****
Stump River, Ontario, Canada
6 months later...
Cassie nervously wiped her hands on her dress and glanced across the room to where Bryan was sitting. Their eyes locked and he grimaced, rolling his eyes before turning away. As was the custom, the two who were to be mated didn’t sit together during the meal, only coming together for the bonding ceremony. She thought it a foolish custom. It wasn’t like she hadn’t met Bryan before—they’d known each other for six months—but Ryne had been inexplicably insistent that the first bonding ceremony to take place in his pack be done properly.
Secretly she wondered if it wasn’t fatherhood that had changed him. Ever since baby Grace had been born, he’d been acting different. Melody said it was what happened to all reformed bad boys once they had their own daughter. They suddenly saw the world in a whole different light.