AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After the fight, Taryn walks over to Gage and shifts back to her human form. Kaitlyn is standing there open-mouthed. “You know I in no way enjoyed that. Hurting one of our own, be it clone or Homani, would never bring any joy.” Taryn says.
She looks over at Matt and Gage. “Thank you for respecting the mate bond.”
The fight has left its mark, not only on Michelle’s lioness but also on the surrounding atmosphere. Taryn’s somber words hang in the air, and it causes a moment of reflection amid the turmoil. Gage can feel the weight of it all as he looks around the scene.
“Kaitlyn, are you okay?” Taryn asks.
Gage takes a step forward. Kaitlyn’s face is drained of all colour. He moves back when Taryn reaches out, tucks a straggle of hair behind her sister’s ear, and then cups her cheek.
“I, uh. I’m fine,” Kaitlyn stutters.
JD’s voice breaks through the heaviness, practical and caring. “Let’s get you cleaned up, Taryn.”
Gage catches as Kaitlyn slips away amidst the dispersing crowd, her demeanour distant. Her ponytail bobs as she rushes her way through the remaining bystanders.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Michelle,” Lilly says to Matt in the aftermath of the turmoil. Gage returns his attention to the group and steps up, offering his help.
“Take her inside and get her cleaned up,” Matt says, pointing toward the bar.
Dawn scoffs, her hands on her hips. “After all the shit she’s pulled?”
Matt glares at her, and Dawn relents, allowing them to use a cot in the back room. “Don’t bleed all over my bar,” she tosses over her shoulder, obviously pissed, as she walks to where Calli is standing.
Gage carries Michelle’s lioness into the room, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. The details of Dawn’s comments fade into the background as his attention shifts to Michelle’s state. Lilly moves crates out of the way before he lays her on the cot and steps away as Michelle begins to transform back. Lilly takes charge, tending to Michelle’s wounds with a tenderness at odds with the violence that has just taken place.
“Why do you do this? Why chase after every man?” The questions are more than queries; they carry a plea for understanding.
Gage shifts as he leans against the wooden wall. The curiosity and concern in Lilly’s voice opens up to him another layer of her character.
“I’m so fucking done. I just can’t anymore…” Michelle whispers under her breath, her shoulders slump. Her legs are shaking violently, and her breathing becomes rapid.
“Talk to me. What’s really going on?” Lilly asks as she gently cleans Michelle’s brow.
Michelle glances at Gage before she raises her teal eyes to Lilly. She blows out a steady breath. Her wide eyes and pale face show more fear than they had even prior to the fight.
“I wanted to be like everyone else,” she says, her voice cracking. “I’m scared of being… different.”
Lilly kneels down in front of her. “Different? How?”
“I want a mate, but I’ve never seen a same-sex pairing before,” her voice quivers.
“Oh, honey. There’s someone out there for everyone. Just because we haven’t seen it here doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist,” Lilly says as she carefully gathers Michelle in a hug.
Her words resonate through Gage, revealing the fear that underlies her actions. He smiles at Michelle. “In Crescent Harbour, same-sex pairings are not uncommon,” his tone gentle as he reassures her.
Michelle’s head jerks up to him, her mouth forming an ‘O’.
Kaitlyn enters the room. Gage and Lilly share a tense glance, and Lilly pulls back. The recent turmoil with Taryn, her twin sister, is still fresh. Gage’s caution is palpable as Kaitlyn approaches. His warning is poised on the tip of his tongue. But Kaitlyn’s gesture, her outstretched hand and reassuring words defuse the tension. “You don’t need to be afraid. You’re not alone,mate.”
Lilly gasps, and her hands cover her mouth. When she drops them, a brilliant smile forms on her face.
Michelle wraps her arms around herself as silent sobs rack her body. Her wide eyes never leave Kaitlyn. With tears flowing freely, Kaitlyn leans in, cups Michelle’s face, and gently kisses her lips.
Gage’s heart swells with joy for the soon to be newly mated pair. He wraps his arm around Lilly and guides them to the door. “She’s got this.”
Chapter nineteen
Afterleavingthebar,Lilly walks hand-in-hand with Gage toward her home, enjoying the tranquillity of the night. She’s happy for Michelle and Kaitlyn. She sighs. You never really know what burdens people carry until they open up and share. Finding love in the midst of all the chaos that currently surrounds the community is a much needed light in the darkness. Her thoughts stray to her own situation. What had Harold and Pete said about not worrying so much about making the relationship work? Things will work out how they’re supposed to, and compromise is always a possibility. As they near her house, her curiosity about Gage's past with the clones in Crescent Harbor grows. She turns to him.
