Allora
Josh let Caleb drive back to the farm while he laughed in the backseat with me. He didn't seem able to let me go, which suited me just fine. Our lips met in a long, lustful kiss. I devoured him, the relief of still being alive and having him alive coursing through my veins. Adrenaline made me dizzy, and his tongue against mine felt like the most amazing thing in the world.
“I was serious before,” Josh murmured against my lips. His arms tightened around me. “I love you, Allora.
“I know you do. That scared me.
- I understand.
“But it doesn't scare anymore. I put my arms around him, losing myself in his kind green eyes. “Being kidnapped by Derek… showed me something, something I should have learned from Dad and Ben. Life can end in a moment, and all we have is what we are given. I don't want to waste a single moment of the life I've been given fearing to know what it might be or what might happen. I want to embrace all my feelings, all my dreams, even the scary ones.
Especially the scary ones.
- What does that mean? His eyes bored into mine.
“It means… I love you too. The words, once released, hung in the air between us. "And that I want to be your mate."
- Do you want? Even after she almost got killed and her archeological site was destroyed and everything?
“We were supposed to be together. I brushed my lips over his. My chest swelled with emotion. My voice hitched a little as I said, “I knew from the first moment we met, but I've been fighting this whole time. Well, not anymore. I will not argue with fate.
"If anyone could, it would be you." Josh kissed my nose.
Caleb slammed on the brakes and the Mini stopped at the edge of the camp.
“Get out,” he snarled, “watching that sweet shit makes me sick.
It took a few maneuvers to get out of the car with Josh's arms around me, but we managed.
Ruth and Frances came running to us.
- What is happening? Ruth demanded. “The police are still waiting to speak with you. You ran away, he was naked… it's like you two were to blame or something.
"Your behavior hasn't helped with all this digging," Frances scolded. “Seriously, Allora. I'm surprised by you. This is no way to behave if you want a career as an archaeologist…
"Didn't my behavior help?" — I got pissed. Josh's arms around my chest reassured me. “I'm the only one doing any real archeology here. You're so busy running your own public relations campaign that you haven't even looked at the cave paintings. I know, because I looked them up and found them to be fake.
- Speaks seriously! Ruth exploded. "You're saying that because you're jealous...
“No, I'm saying that because it's a fact. - All the accumulated frustration came out of me. — The painting clearly shows a pack of wolves hunting a pig. The artist did a remarkable job of depicting the pig, so remarkable that you can even figure out the specific breed of pig. An Oxford Sandy and Black. Breed of pig that was not present in England until three hundred years ago.
“That's… it's impossible! Ruth stammered.
Frances paled. She fell against the trunk of a tree. I could see
in her eyes that believed in me.
"No," she whispered.
“She's lying,” Ruth said. — I checked the painting myself. There was no single indication that they were not genuinely Neolithic. She just wants to discredit me at any cost...
“Allora wouldn't lie about that,” Frances said, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked sick. I felt terrible for destroying her dreams like that.
“I'm sorry, Frances,” I said from the heart. “I didn't mean to spoil it. I wasn't trying to prove you wrong, I just wanted to do my own research.
“This is a disaster,” Frances moaned.
“Cheer up,” Josh said. “So the paintings weren't real. They are still an interesting part of what makes these caves unique, and that uniqueness is now forever attached to their name. Besides, at least one good thing came out of this whole adventure.
- What? Ruth demanded.
“Allora will marry me.
- What? “I turned to face him.
Was this another one of your jokes?
- What about this? he said, his green eyes twinkling. “We've only known each other a few days, but I've never felt this way about anyone before. I love your kindness, your passion, your nerdy ways. I may have lost my family, but with you by my side, I know I'll never feel alone.
“Oh, Josh. “My heart swelled. I couldn't believe the depth of his feeling, the intensity of his gaze. Between us, the energy that bound us danced and crackled in the air.
— What do you say? Josh gave me a tentative smile. "Want to help me make one of my own scary dreams come true?"
"Of course," I said, not even hesitating. I was tired of doubting love. I wanted to be with Josh, he wanted to be with me, and that was all that mattered.
Josh smiled, a sight that melted my heart. He gathered me in his arms. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ruth, her petulant mouth set in a firm line, her eyes wide with shock and disgust. But then, I was engulfed in Josh's embrace, his deep scent pulling me down. I sank into his kiss, lost in the depth of our love.
I was alive and the mate of a strong and gentle werewolf. It was the most glorious feeling in the world.
Allora - Six months later
the bell inside the store rang. Clara looked up from the magazine, a wide smile crossing her lined face as Josh and I made our way through the beaded curtain and into the
other side.
“Here are my favorite newlyweds,” she said, running from behind the counter to hug us. "Let me have a good look at you." Allora, you have such a nice tan, darling.
- I know. I smile, turning to show off my beach body in my new Italian sundress. It looked too bright and breezy for the dull English day, but I was still in the buzz of our honeymoon. Being with Josh made me feel bright and happy every day.
— Why did you come back from Italy so soon? I wasn't expecting you two for a few more weeks. Clara jabbed a bony elbow into my ribs. "Is the wolf-boy not satisfying you?"
- Hey! She is quite satisfied. Josh smiled. “We had to cut our honeymoon short because someone got accepted into a graduate program at Yale University.
I smiled. I still couldn't believe it was true. We were eating all we could at a small pizzeria after seeing the ruins of Pompeii when I checked my phone and saw the acceptance email. Yale University. Since it was starting in just a few weeks, we needed to cut our honeymoon short so I could get back home and get ready to leave.
Clara wrapped her arms around me.
- Congratulations. I knew you could.
“Me too,” Josh said. “My wife is amazing.
I was still getting used to the concept of being Josh's mate, and now I was his wife as well. I couldn't believe my life had changed so much in the six months since I met Josh. I was so afraid of my mother's reaction when I introduced him. But instead, she took an interest in him as if he were her own son. Now the two of them were doing puzzles together and teasing me mercilessly about my love of Star Trek.
My work exploded after the news of fake paintings. I published an article on the relationship of cave paintings based on animal breeds, inspired by my work on the DownMoor cave site. With Frances' connections, I was able to get it published in a major academic journal. That work, along with my stellar grades, earned me a full scholarship to Yale's archaeological program. For the next two years, at least, I wouldn't have to worry about money. I could just study old stuff and enjoy a new adventure with my amazing husband.
And, of course, Josh and I got married. The day was wonderful. We had a small ceremony at Josh's cabin in Sherwood Forest. Clara was our officiant. She read quotes from some of our favorite authors and I carried a small locket containing pictures of Dad and Ben in my bouquet. We followed the ceremony with photographs among the tall oak trees and a champagne picnic. Caleb and Josh looked stunning in their white shirts, gray pants, and ties embossed with a new Lowe family crest. My mom hasn't stopped smiling all day. Even Frances came over to congratulate us. Ruth transferred to the University of Exeter, so I didn't even have to invite her to the wedding. In short, it was the perfect day.
“We've just arrived to stock up on a supply of Lycan pills,” I said. “Josh is coming with me to Yale, and I don't know how long it will take us to find a reliable supplier in the US.
— When are you leaving? Clara asked, suddenly looking worried.
“In three weeks. We need to settle into our apartment before the semester starts. But if that's a problem...
- Oh dear. Clara slapped, taking my hand and rubbing it. “This is going to be very difficult.
— If you don't get the pills in time, just send them. I mean, if they go through customs...
“That's not what I'm talking about, honey.
"Oh, you mean leave my mother?" - I smiled - It's okay. She will sell the apartment and move to America with us. It will be a new beginning for all of us.
- No. Clara smiled. “I mean, participating in a rigorous academic program as a mother. This can get very stressful.
— Ah… what are you talking about?
Clara pointed at my stomach.
“You're pregnant, honey.
"What the…" I looked down at my flat stomach. Clara was certainly kidding. - No I'm not.
"I'm afraid you are."
- But how?
“I think all that hot sex at the hotel or the beach or the cabin might have something to do with it,” Josh growled into my ear. He wrapped his arms around me.
—Josh! I pushed him away, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I mean, how do you know, Clara?" Josh and I didn't even try. We're not even ready...
"Whether you're ready or not," Clara smiled. “…this baby is on the way. Trust me, Allora. I've seen several human shifter mates walk past this store over the years. I know all the signs.
Josh looked at her.
“Is this serious? Aren't you making some kind of cruel joke?
“This is not my kidding face, Josh Lowe.
Josh threw his arms around me. He pressed his lips to mine.
“We're having a baby, Allora. His smile spread across his face. “We're going to have a family. A new generation of the Lowe pack.
I touched my stomach. I couldn't believe that a tiny person was growing inside. Was it a boy or a girl? Would we have a werewolf like Josh or would our little person be fully human? Either way, he or she would be amazing.
Josh and I were going to be parents. I didn't know how we were going to do this and juggle my master's at the same time, but I did know one thing: I couldn't wait to find out.
With my mate by my side, nothing was impossible.