“Thank you for gut checking me and calling me an asshole.” I take a step back and offer him a slight smile.
“Oh, sugar.” Dad jumps to his feet and wraps his arms around me. “I’m sorry that I spoke so harshly to you.” He squeezes me tight.
“Don’t be. I totally deserve it and needed to hear it.” I wrap my arms around him and squeeze.
“Listen, you are my priority, not Ian. But I know what he has done to make himself better. He didn’t do it because he was made to. He did it because he wanted to.” Dad pulls away and looks me in the eyes. “We were all prepared for you not to be his mate or beta female to this pack, but then you agreed to give him a last chance. I just want that to be a fair chance… for both your sakes. This isn’t easy for you, and I know that you have trust issues where he is concerned, and for good reason. He hasn’t always been the best to you. Sugar if you’re going to try to make it work, you can’t let the past cloud your judgement now.” His tone is soft and loving.
“I know, daddy.” I look down. Everything my dad is saying is the truth. If I’m going to give Ian a chance then it needs to be a fair one. This is going to be so hard… learning to trust him again. Ian believed in us, enough to seek help to change. Maybe I should do the same and fight for us.
“Why don’t you and Ian go to counseling? It has helped him. I think that would be the best for you both.” My dad rubs my arms.
“You know about Ian seeing a therapist?” I look at him in shock. Ian didn’t want me to say anything, because he was afraid of the backlash he would receive from our community. There would be some that view his addiction as a weekness and would seek to have him replaced as our future beta. I’m glad my dad is not one of them.
“Of course I do. I know more than you realize.” He smiles at me. “I love you sugar, always remember that.” He kisses my forehead and hugs me.
“I love you too, daddy.” I whisper into his chest. My mom joins us, wrapping her arms around the both of us. I’m truly blessed to have the love and support of both my parents.
I look out the front door sidelight and sure enough, Ian is laying on his side facing the front door. He’s only wearing pants; his arm is wrapped around his shirt that is balled up underneath his head like a pillow. Ian’s broad shoulders, sculpted arms, and perfectly chiseled chest are on full display for me. Even at his worst, he still is so beautiful.Am I deserving of his love?His pants are filthy… is he in the same clothes he came home in? His face is relaxed, but I know he can’t be comfortable sleeping on a hard surface like that. After taking a deep breath, I slowly turn the knob and open the door. I don’t want to startle him while he is sleeping. I take a few slow steps out, then turn to close the door behind me. Every movement I make is slow. I’m trying not to make too much noise. I turn back to see Ian looking inquisitively at me, then at the mug in my hand.
“You going to throw that at my head again?” He sits up slowly.
“No. I made you coffee… just like you like it.” I offer him the mug. He peeks into the mug, then back up to me before taking it. I sit in front of him with my legs crossed.
“Thank you,” he takes a large gulp without taking his eyes off of me, “you remembered how I take my coffee?” He smiles and takes another gulp, “no one makes a cup of coffee as good as you.” We sit in an awkward silence for a few moments smiling at each other. As I’m mustering the strength and courage, he breaks the silence. “Kate.” I place my hand over his mouth.
“No,” I shake my head, “don’t speak… just listen.” There is a lump that is forming in my throat. I gulp it down, take a deep breath in and slowly blow it out. “Ian, I’m so very sorry for the way I treated you last night. You were away saving lives and didn’t deserve the disrespect you got from me when you returned. I let someone’s words trigger memories of the past… and my emotions got away from me. I promised you another chance, and I let the past sneak in and…” Before I finish my sentence, Ian grabs the back of my neck, pulling me in for a passionate kiss, wrapping his free hand around my throat. His kiss is deep, demanding, and forceful. He claims my lips and mouth as his own, fully savoring my essence. We’re both completely out of breath when we break our kiss. Not ready to let me go, Ian presses his forehead into mine. “You didn’t let me finish.” I try to control my breathing.
“I heard everything I needed to hear. You are promising me another chance… you’ve never said that before.” Ian kisses my nose.
“Oh… I guess I haven’t.” I giggle under my breath. “I had more to say.”
“There’s no need, love. We have a lot of shit to work through because of me. There’s a lot to prove. I say we just take it one day at a time. I love you so much… you have no idea.” Ian presses his lips into mine. Electricity radiates from our lips.
“You called me love.” I say into his mouth.
“Yes, I did.” He pulls away and looks into my eyes. “You are the love of my life. It took me too long to figure that out. Now I will remind you every day what you mean to me… love.” He nuzzles into the crook of my neck, taking in my scent.
“You smell,” I laugh.
“What, you don’t like it?” I giggle and shake my head while he sits up and looks at my face, “I rushed off the battlefield to come straight home to you… throwing coffee mugs at my head.” We both laugh. I look down and bite my bottom lip.
“Sorry about that.” I look back up at him.
“I deserved it… for something, I’m sure. You’ve got one hell of an arm and impeccable accuracy. Maybe we should start a couple’s softball league.” I shake my head no and laugh.
Chapter nineteen
Royal Healer
**March 2004**
Kate
Wearethefirstto arrive at the chapel. The white chapel is in the center of the city and is surrounded by a stunning park. The chapel is in a serene and tranquil setting, making it a favorite wedding destination for humans. They come from miles around to be married here. I haven’t been here since I was a pup. I’m amazed that this place hasn’t changed a bit and is as phenomenal as I remember. The chapel is the only building left standing after the war when Alpha Ezekiel took the land and claimed it as Blue Moon territory. He was planning to tear the chapel down to make way for more modern buildings, but Luna Scarlet saw the beauty in the old simple building and fell in love with it. She loved it so much that Alpha Ezekiel restored the chapel and grounds in her honor. He went so far as to have her favorite roses planted here.
Alpha Ezekiel was ruthless, but the extraordinary stories about his love for Luna Scarlett and how he would stop at nothing to make her happy are what poets write about. One would think the stories about the love they had for each other are nothing more than made up fairytales, but proof is all around. Alpha Ezekiel gave packs back their original territories after he took them, all to make her smile. If that is not love, I don’t know what is. Growing up and hearing their love story, I always imagined my fairytale romance would be just like that. Boy, was my bubble burst.
“Wow, that is a lot of reporters.” I stare in amazement out the SUV window as we drive past the media area that is roped off and guarded by warriors.