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“Well, sweetheart. What is your answer? Will we mate for life?”
Chapter20
Thomas
“Yes. Oh, my God, a hundred times, yes!”
Lorena kissed Thomas on every inch of his face. Thomas guided her lips to his, and in a moment that Thomas relished and hoped would last a lifetime, they kissed as two lovers do, as two wild beasts do in lively joy.
The past days of uncertainty and fear for Lorena’s safety melted away for Thomas. From this moment forward, she would be his for all time. He could protect and cherish her in all ways.
My future is set. No more worrying about living a shifter’s life without my soul mate by my side. I can build the pride and restore it to its greatness, knowing my dear Lorena is there, standing alongside me and supporting me every step of the way.
Thomas retrieved the bottle of champagne he had hidden in the fridge for just this moment. He knew when he prideed it in with the other supplies, it would either be happily drunk or abandoned in sorrow and regret. Thrillingly, it was the former. Thomas grabbed the chilled bottle with glee and two glasses.
“I’m afraid normal drinking glasses will have to do, my darling. We’re roughing it a little out here.”
“If this is roughing it, please, Thomas, let us rough it like this for the rest of our lives. I adore it out here, nestled in the pines away from the world. It’s like our safe and happy lair. Maybe we can use it like a vacation home?”
Thomas sat, poured the sparkling wine, and with warm and overjoyed eyes, he answered her. “Anything you wish will be yours, dear heart. When you are happy, I am happy. Of course, this can be a second home. I can add onto it. Make it larger and have more rooms.”
“Maybe a nursery?” Lorena asked, blushing.
“Yes, Lorena. Absolutely a nursery room. The future is ours. We can mold it how we like. One pup or a basket full. It doesn’t matter as long as you’re beside me.”
Thomas clinked his glass against hers, and they toasted to their beautiful future together as one. For a moment, Thomas looked toward the heavens and blew a kiss to his late mother, praying she would know all was well with her boy. His future, personal and professional, was set. There would only be great heights reached as leader of the Leone pride as long as Lorena was there by his side.
Maybe it was his imagination, but he swore he felt a slight chill over his head and his mother’s whispering words.
I see, my sweet boy. I see, and I feel the love. You have chosen well for yourself and the pride. I can rest now. You have given me the final gift I so needed to move on. I love you, Thomas. You and your dear Lorena go in peace and with my blessing.
Then as quickly as the chill came, it left, as did his mother's ethereal words.
Lorena shifted ever closer to Thomas and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Thomas, I need to say these words one final time before we start our life together. Please accept my apology for deceiving you at the start. Know those actions were not born of my will. They were forced on me by Sonny. I am not that kind of person, Thomas. Please believe me on this, and please know I love you more than life itself.”
“Your words are heard, darling. Please never utter this apology to me ever again. I know who you are. Sonny tried to use you. But your innate goodness was, is, too strong. I love you beyond all measure and beyond all time.”
Thomas put his arm over her head, protecting her now, not leaving a second to go by. Lorena was his pride and joy, and anything coming from their love would be too. The thought of the pitter-patter feet in the cabin made him break out in a smile that couldn’t be stopped.
They spent the rest of the evening curled up on the sofa, cloaked in the firelight warmth. The world outside raged in a forest tempest, pine boughs bending and swaying with the vicious wind. Leaves and underbrush were picked up in mini dirt devils. It was as if the forest itself was being cleansed of evil, Sonny's evil blowing away once and for all.
By dawn the next morning, Thomas knew Sonny’s carcass and the battered bodies of his gang would be dragged away by predators, devoured, and the remnants delivered back to the earth. Bones to ashes, ashes to dust, dust to the life-giving soil. The evil filtered out and cast to the pits of hell.
* * *
Later the next morning,Thomas was greeted by a question from Lorena.
“Is it okay if we go see my father? I want to tell him our good news and to see how he’s fairing?”
“Absolutely. Who better to share our news than withourfather? He will be mine, as well, after our ritual is completed.”
And so, hand in hand, Thomas and Lorena entered the hospital. This time, they were met with assured smiles from the nursing staff. Thomas felt Lorena relax, knowing no more harm had come to her dearly beloved dad.
“You can go right in, Ms. D’Augustino. Your father has been asking for you all morning, as a matter of fact. He’s back to being alert and happily joking with the staff.”
Lorena put her hands to her lips. Thomas could tell she was holding back tears of joy.
