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“Presley, is that what you’re saying?” He asked again.

“Only if I’m allowed to say it,” She replied in an
unsure tone.

“You’re not in trouble or anything,” Lorcan laughed
gently. For the first time since earlier that day, the sparkle returned to his
eyes and Presley relaxed. She was relieved that the familiar spark was
igniting inside of him. Maybe everything really would be okay. “I’m just
trying to be sure that you’re sure….because if that’s what you’re implying…..”
His voice drifted off.

“Because what?” Presley asked eagerly, searching his
face for the answer. Despite the fact he was definitely being more Lorcan-ish
now, he was being sort of cryptic and that bugged her. She lifted her hands to
frame his face, frowning. “What is it?”

Lorcan met her gaze and smiled gently. “It’s nothing
to panic over, I swear it,” He insisted as he curled his fingers around her
hands and then turned his head to kiss at her palm. “I’ve just heard a lot of
stories.”

“What kind of stories?”

“The kind that told me ursithropes like you are very
rare.”

Twenty One

H
ow the hell was he supposed to sleep after
everything went down like that? Rutley tossed and turned, and turned and tossed
as he tried to get comfortable on the hardest couch in existence. He hated
this couch, actually. He wasn’t a fan of it as a kid and he definitely wasn’t
a fan now.

I should’ve just gone back to the hotel,
he
thought to himself as he elbowed the pillow in frustration.
I shouldn’t
even be here right now. I shouldn’t be anywhere near him.

But he knew if he was at the hotel, his father would
have easier access to kicking his ass. Rutley wasn’t exactly fond of the idea.

I’ve fucked up,
he decided as he moved onto his
back, staring at the ceiling.
Everything’s a cluster fuck and I have no one
to blame but myself.

He didn’t like the sick feeling
in his stomach as he thought about the possibility of what consequences his
actions would bring. Had a werewolf hunter ever defied another hunter just to
keep a wolf safe? Probably not.

“Shit, shit, shit,” He sighed, pushing himself up from
the couch and kicking away the blanket so he could stand. He wasn’t going to
get any sleep tonight.

Don’t even think about it,
his mind warned as
Rutley’s eyes flittered to the hallway.
Don’t you dare take a step towards
that room.

Of course, if Rutley had ever
been the sort of person who behaved, he would’ve listened to his voice of
reason….but Rutley had the reputation of a rebellious little troublemaker back
in the day, so he was fully going to blame his next course of action on an old
habit from childhood. He did take that step forward. And then he took
another.

Before he knew it, he was standing just outside of the
doorway, staring into the darkness of his best friend’s bedroom where hundreds
upon hundreds of memories had been made. The first time he ever saw a Play Boy
had taken place in there. The first time he ever admitted to liking both
genders had taken place in there. Liam’s room was incredibly special, and now
the person sleeping within threatened to rip him apart without realizing it.

Just turn around and walk away,
his mind
whispered.
He’s sleeping and you should be sleeping, too. Don’t be stupid.

Well, maybe Rutley was stupid.
Maybe he was the dumbest person in the world. He would even go as far as
admitting to the fact he wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box when it came to
the wolf currently mumbling incoherently a few feet away.

Speaking of which; what was he saying?

I just need to listen for a second,
Rutley
decided as he entered the room and approached the bed.
I just need to make
sure he’s okay.

Dimitri groaned softly, turning
his head from one side to the other as his hand fell from the mattress and hung
there. His perfectly shaped eyebrows twitched and lifted as air escaped from
between his lips. He was definitely dreaming.

Rutley wondered briefly what could possibly be running
through Dimitri’s mind in that moment. What existed in the dream world of a
man who was equally beast and human? Did he ever find himself slipping back
into a time of happiness and joy? Did he dream of his mother and father taking
him on trips? Was there a reoccurring nightmare of being lost in a crowd of
people with no hope of finding someone familiar?

No, that’s my nightmare,
Rutley frowned. His
eyes roamed over Dimitri’s face as the wolf murmured again, rolling onto his
side as he buried his face into the pillow. The bandage on his side was just
as white as it had been when Beau finished up earlier; was the wound healed
already?

Duh. Of course it was. Dimitri was a werewolf and
even an injury like that only seemed like a paper cut.

He’s a werewolf
echoed in his mind over and over
again as Rutley reached out to pull the blankets further up Dimitri’s body. He
was very careful not to disturb him. He knew that once Dimitri regained
consciousness, his calm demeanor would disappear. Silver was destructive once
it entered a werewolf’s bloodstream and what Dimitri was about to experience
would be torturous for anyone who had to witness it.

“I’m so sorry,” Rutley whispered as he shoved his hands
into his pockets. “I’m sorry I let him hurt you.”

He didn’t expect a reply as he sank down onto the bean
bag near the bed. God, Liam kept that raggedy old thing? It was older than
the both of them; he was certain of it. He sank downward and wondered if he
was going to hit the floor, but no such event took place. The small crunchy
noise faded quickly and he was left resting comfortably upon the bag as he kept
his eyes on Dimitri’s sleeping form.

None of this would’ve happened if I’d just called my
dad.
Very true.
None of this would’ve happened if I’d just stayed in
Florida.
Again, true.
None of this would’ve happened if I’d just kept
my freaking feelings in check.
Unfortunately true.

What am I going to do?
It was a question that
would go unanswered as Dimitri groaned. Rutley was to his feet in an instant,
leaning over the bed to examine the werewolf as another sound of pain escaped
his dry lips.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Rutley whispered, reaching down to
touch Dimitri’s hand. “You’re going to be okay.”

“Oh god,” Dimitri moaned, his fingers locking around
Rutley’s hand in a painful manner. “Make it stop,” He asked through clenched
teeth.

“I wish I could,” Rutley frowned, shaking his head.
“It won’t take long.”

His heart really went out to the male as sweat appeared
on his forehead, glistening in the moonlight as he grimaced. His continued
pleas chipped away at Rutley’s soul and the hunter felt so damn helpless.

“Make it stop,” Dimitri whimpered, pushing himself up
from the bed as he grabbed the front of Rutley’s shirt and pulled him down.
“I’m begging you.”

Rutley’s mouth fell open. What the hell was he
supposed to say? His father was to blame for this, and he would’ve given
anything to take the pain away; anything.

“You’re going to be okay,” He whispered, nodding
fervently as his brows furrowed. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere, all
right?”

Dimitri’s hazel hues were wide and wild as he searched
Rutley’s face. It was almost like he didn’t recognize him. Rutley frowned,
tilting his head to the side.

“Did you hear me, Dimitri? You’re going to be okay.”

“I can’t take it,” Dimitri growled. His eyes began to
glow. “I can’t fucking take it!”

“Shhh, it’s okay,” Rutley repeated again and again as
he lifted his hand to touch the side of the wolf’s face. He was burning up
with a fever, which was to be expected while the silver ran its course. He was
grateful his father hadn’t struck Dimitri’s heart. He was relieved that he
could deal with this pain rather than the pain of Dimitri dying.

He would’ve been very sad if things turned out much
worse; it was true.

Dimitri sobbed, burying his face against Rutley’s
neck. His fingertips dug into the hunter’s sides as his body tensed up.

“Make it stop,” He asked in a broken sob. “I can’t….”

“Yes, you can,” Rutley argued gently. He wrapped his
arms around him, rocking him from side to side like a small child. They
probably looked ridiculous; two grown men holding each other like this, but
Rutley didn’t know what else to do. “I’m right here. We’ll get through it
together.”

In a way, he hoped Mrs. Bamey would hear Dimitri and
come help out. Maybe she would be better at taking care of him, because Rutley
felt like his heart was being ripped out every time the wolf sobbed from the
obvious pain and discomfort. Mamas were good at being strong, weren’t they?
Rutley didn’t consider himself to be strong at the moment. In fact, his cheeks
were wet with the evidence of just how weak he really was.

“I wish I could do more for you,” He whispered,
frowning. “I wish I knew how to make it stop.”

“Just stay with me,” Dimitri murmured, pulling back to
stare at him. He could see the sadness and vulnerability in the wolf’s eyes,
and it only made his chest ache three times worse than before. “Please just
stay with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Rutley promised. “I’m right
here and I’m not going to leave you,” He rubbed his hand up and down Dimitri’s
back, attempting to comfort him when he felt extremely warm, feverish lips
pressing against his own.

Time stood still as Rutley’s mind finally registered
what was happening. Dimitri was holding him tightly in his arms, kissing the
life out of him as the world disappeared from around them. He felt like he was
floating away into a deep abyss, with no hope of ever finding the earth again.
Tingles shot down his spine, fireworks exploded in his head, and he knew…..this
wasn’t supposed to happen.

Yet he returned the kiss without hesitation.

Dimitri’s mouth was flavorful and enticing, testing
Rutley’s self-will as their lips sealed together again and again. Tongues slid
across one another, tasting and probing as excited pants forced their way out
of his throat. He could’ve sworn Dimitri was trying to kiss the very air out
of his lungs as his fingers curled into soft auburn locks and he allowed
himself this one moment; this one chance at feeling something he never knew
could exist within the realms of reality.

He felt happy.

But the beautiful illusion his mind created was
shattered within seconds as Mrs. Bamey’s voice broke through his clouded
thoughts. He pulled away quickly, turning his head to see the mixed emotions
written all over her face. She seemed shocked, horrified, and confused as she
stared at him.

“Mrs. B., I-”

“Move, Rutley,” She instructed as she stepped closer to
them.

Rutley hung his head in shame, pulling away from
Dimitri as the wolf clawed at his shirt.

“Don’t leave me,” Dimitri pleaded.

Rutley didn’t want to.

“Stay with me, Liam. Please,” Dimitri begged.

And Rutley’s heart was broken.

It was so stupid to even think for an instant that
Dimitri kissed him because he felt something in return. Rutley knew better.
Dimitri was under the influence of hallucinations and night terrors and a
million other terrible things; why did Rutley allow himself to fall for it?

He thought I was Liam,
he affirmed as he watched
Mrs. Bamey press a wet cloth against the wolf’s forehead. She glanced at him
briefly, and Rutley didn’t like what he found reflecting in her eyes.

She was disappointed in him.

Hell, he was disappointed in himself, too!

He quickly left the room, pushing past Mr. Bamey and
Arnold Goult as he made his way towards the front door.

“Rutley, where are you going?” A very tired and sleep
deprived Lorcan asked as he appeared in the hallway.

“I have to go,” Rutley replied hoarsely, turning his
head to stare at Liam’s brother. “I’m so sorry.”

And those were the last words anyone in the Bamey house
would hear from him.

––––––

Nearly a week passed by before Dimitri finally attached
himself to reality again. With the help of Mrs. Bamey and whatever concoction
of herbs Beau kept providing, the fever eventually broke and the silver ran its
course. He felt a lot better; at least physically.

He knew something was wrong when he emerged from the
bedroom and he couldn’t find any signs of Rutley. No one knew where he was,
and Lorcan was tight lipped about the hunter’s disappearance. They didn’t seem
to be as worried about it as Dimitri was, and it left him with many unanswered
questions.

During his extended spell of hellish fevers and
agonizing pain, more ursithropes had arrived in Kadenburg. Some were staying
at the Bamey house while others took up residence at Arnold’s place. He
couldn’t be sure how many there actually were, but he definitely felt a strong
presence of multiple bear-shifters. It was for the best, he decided. They needed
as many as they could get if they hoped to defeat Breslin Connor.

He had to be briefed on everything that had happened
all over again. It seemed like he lost half of his memories after the sheriff
shot him, and he was grateful to Beau and Louisa for helping him catch up.

Breslin was gone from Kadenburg for the time being….but
he would be back. He was more than likely recruiting and expanding his pack
considering the Xiong cousins killed over half of them. Again, it was for the best.
He hoped Breslin never gained back the numbers of blood thirsty, cold hearted,
mindless zombies he’d had before. It would be easier to kill him if he wasn’t
protected by brainwashed werewolves.

“Here’s some tea,” Presley Goult said softly as she
placed a steaming cup down in front of him on the table. “Lots of sugar and
honey just like you wanted.”

“Thanks,” Dimitri nodded, glancing up at her. She was
absolutely glowing, and he had an idea as to why. She hadn’t verbally
confirmed it yet, but Dimitri’s wolf ears could easily pick up on the tiny
heartbeat sounding from the protective depths of her womb. She was going to
have a baby. He wondered if Lorcan knew…..