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“What have you done to our daughter?” I grab a gooey piece of pineapple and ham pizza, enjoying the taste of the best pizza in the world.
“I have obviously educated her on the best kind of pizza.”
“Well, I guess if my girls want pineapple on their pizza, I will buy them pineapple on their pizza.” He hands a piece to Maddie and digs into his own pizza. It feels so natural sitting around the table eating supper together. The banter reminds me of our time talking on the app, where I had been slowly falling for him. It’s amazing how things can change in such a short amount of time.
The evening seems to slip away, and before I know it, Maddie is in bed, and Eli and I are sitting on his deck stairs, looking out at the woods.
“Quinn, I’m sorry about how my dad reacted to you today.”
I look over at him and admire how the moon shines off his face.
“Can’t say it felt good having my worth measured by having a child versus not, but…you can’t be responsible for how others behave, just how you behave. Though, being called an old conquest makes me wonder a few things. Your mom also mentioned that I was a chosen mate, not your true mate. I would like an explanation as to how that particular piece of information got spread around.”
“You’re right; I owe you an explanation.” His shoulders slump over as if stepping back into his memories is a weight he can hardly bear.
“When I went to tell my Alpha that I had found my true mate, he was happy for me. The problem was that he immediately told me it could never happen once he found out who you were. The Alpha had no love for Jake; in fact, he wanted to destroy your old pack as much as Jake wanted to destroy ours. The problem was that the Alpha was biding his time to get the council out of the picture. He told me that I was to reject you, and if I didn’t, he would remove you permanently, so it wouldn’t be a problem. This way, we could get the council out of the way and then deal with Jake on our own terms. The problem with us being together was that it could incite an incident before my old Alpha was ready.” He turned to look at me, and I saw the haunted look in his eyes. “I was going a bit crazy until Dean calmed me and my wolf down. He thought that if we convinced everyone you wanted to be a chosen mate and I rejected you, maybe it wouldn’t be as big of a deal, and you would be safe. I didn’t expect Jake to find out and threaten a war right then over you, so when you came to find me, I did it; I rejected you and said you had asked to be my mate.” I want to vomit; those memories of standing near the back door and Eli acting cold, like he barely knew me, saying the very words that have haunted me for years, flash through my mind.
“I destroyed part of the woods after you left. I’m ashamed to say how weak I was, that I didn’t fight for you, for us! That night was the single best night of my life, and I threw it all away because I didn’t want to go against my Alpha.” His anguish is evident in his words and his face, and though I was the recipient of his hurtful words, I know how pack politics work, and you don’t go against your Alpha. I scoot a bit closer to him because a part of me is crying out to comfort him.
“I’m so sorry, Quinn. In my naivety, I thought I was protecting you, but I now realize my words and actions did far more damage. Over the next few weeks, I wrestled with everything, finally realizing our Alpha wasn’t helping our pack to grow and thrive. He was driving us into the ground just like Jake was, holding onto old stupid feuds that were hundreds of years old. No good Alpha would EVER keep true mates apart. So, I devised a plan to challenge him and get you back. But by the time I got it all sorted, you were gone…I had lost you forever. Then I made some very poor choices in females, and well, I guess you know what happened. The Elders told me to find a Luna, so I joined that app. I never would have guessed that I would find you on the other side of the screen and have a daughter! It feels a little too good to be true.”
Eli has moved closer to me as we've been talking; our legs are touching, passing the warmth of his body into mine. I know I need to tell him my story, if nothing else, so he understands what happened.
“It felt like someone was ripping out my heart. A real physical tear in my chest. I ran home and hid in my parents' house for days, likely weeks, I don’t remember. One day, I started feeling really sick. I thought it was odd, because shifters don’t get the flu. I went into town to get a test because the only explanation could be pregnancy, and as it turns out, I was, in fact, pregnant.” I look into his eyes because I need him to understand. “The baby became everything at that moment. All the pain took a back seat as fear rose to the surface. My parents were already pressuring me to take Jake as my mate, which just added to the hurt. Though Jake had left me alone mostly, I knew he wouldn’t wait forever and he would eventually be coming around to make me his mate. If he had found out I was pregnant he would have been furious, so I ran. For her I ran.” Tears pour out of me, but as each one falls, Eli wipes them away with his thumb.
“You were so brave, Quinn. You ARE brave. You protected our pup and dealt with the pain I caused you, and I’m sorry.”
“I know,” I whisper. I want to forgive him, but forgetting the past is hard.
“You don’t have to be alone anymore, Quinn. I am here, and we will face this together.” His eyes search my face, looking for what, I’m not sure, but they land on my lips. My heart rate increases as our shared breaths get shorter.
“You’re so beautiful, Quinn.” He puts his hand on my face, wiping the last tear away. He leans in closer, and I know he is going to kiss me. He is slow in his approach, giving me plenty of time to move away if I want to, but I don’t. I want to feel him, even if just for a moment. So I move into him, showing him that I want this too. The kiss is soft and sweet at first, his lips touching mine. I place my hands on his firm chest and relish his muscular chest under my palms. His tongue tastes my lips, and I open, enjoying the feel of his tongue in my mouth. The electricity passing between us reminds me of the deep bond we share, the bond gifted by Seluna. Eli pushes his hands through my hair and explores my mouth like it will be his last time. After a while, we pull away, panting. He leans his forehead on mine as we try to catch our breath.
“That was the best kiss I have ever had.”
I laugh because this isn’t exactly the first time we’ve kissed. I pull away and look into his beautiful eyes. I’m tempted to be with him again, but…I rushed into it last time; I can't repeat the same mistake.
“We should probably go to bed; Maddie gets up early.”
He nods, knowing that nothing else is going to happen tonight. He walks me up to my room and stands with me in front of the door. He leans down again to kiss me softly, and I relax into his hold.
“Good night, Quinn.”
“Good night, Eli.” I walk into my room and close the door. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to be this close to him, but I can’t stop wanting him, despite it all. Sleep comes quickly, and though there is much to think about tonight, I sleep well.
Chapter 9 - Eli
I feel peace waking up knowing Quinn is in my house and my daughter is here safe. Discovering I had a daughter was terrifying and amazing all at once, but she is quickly becoming my world. Her beautiful smile and playful spirit brighten my day. I am beyond lucky to have such an amazing pup, and kissing Quinn last night is fanning my already burning desire for her. She is my true mate, and I crave her, but I know I need to deal with Jake first.
Yesterday did not go to plan. I had hoped my parents would welcome Quinn and Maddie, but I should have known my father would be a dick. All he is doing is repeating the sentiments of the other Elders. Though my father isn’t an Elder who typically advises, he has always been someone I have trusted and confided in. I have plans to meet with the Elders today to sort out what to do about Jake. I’m nervous that I haven’t heard anything from the Clearwater pack, but maybe Dean has heard from his contacts. I’m making coffee as I hear Quinn and Maddie descending the stairs; Maddie giggles, filling the home with noise I didn’t know I wanted. Maddie locks eyes with me first, and I can’t help but smile at her bright face.
“Good morning, Princess!” I walk over to her and Quinn and put my hands out, offering to hold her. She comes willingly out of her mother's arms, which shocks me a little.
“Morning! Say Morning!” She waves her penguin around, acting out a morning greeting. Looking at Quinn, I see a soft smile. I can't help myself, so I lean in and kiss her lightly on the lips.
“Morning, my lilac.”
“Morning, Eli.” Her whispered words send a vivid image of her lying beside me in bed, waking up from a night of passion.
