Waking the Beast(57)

She nodded her head as another tear fell. “I know you will.”

The words were meant for the man and the beast, and as the purr left his chest, she knew both had heard them.





Chapter Fourteen





From the journal of Abby Lane





I thought I saw Harlan today, but the man disappeared in the crowd before I could be sure. I haven’t seen or thought of him in so long. Not since my parents death and my grandmother banned him from my life. I once planned to track him down and demand answers about what really happened the day they died. But those were the wishes of a little girl who lost her mom and dad far too soon in life. The woman knows Harlan would only lie, that he is unworthy of the effort.

Still...today for a second, I thought it was his face leering at me across the crowded street, and for a moment, I felt fear. It gripped me until I found my way to the bar and found Utah behind the counter serving drinks. His eyes met mine, and I almost thought he could feel my fright, that it bothered him.

As soon as I saw him, it disappeared and I could breathe again. Funny how just seeing him does that to me.

Now I sit here writing this and doubt I even saw Harlan. I’m not sure why he entered my mind today, but I’ll push him aside. He has no place in my life now. He can’t take anything else from me.

* * * *

Abby and Tah showered together before dressing and heading out of their room toward the chatter they could hear in the house.

Jess was there with her dad, sitting on the couch they’d laid Tah on. Their heads were together as they looked over the papers spread across their laps. Logan stood by the window, glancing out at the late afternoon sun, talking softly to the man beside him. He was someone Abby didn’t recognize, so she assumed he must be either Adrian or Michael, the other two men Jess had mentioned.

Reno and Cody were missing, but Derrick and another man who must be part of his pack sat at opposite ends of the other sofa talking. Everyone quieted as she and Tah entered the room.

“About damn time you were up and around,” Logan said as he walked toward them. Tah embraced his friend, and they slapped each other on the back. “Never seen Reno so pissed.”

Abby thought of what Reno had done for her, for Tah, and felt her love for the man grow. She still had so many questions about him, and she would want answers some day. But for now, she needed to focus on Tah and the life they’d created. Her hands went to her belly. It was becoming a habit whenever she thought of the baby.

“I see you’re doing much better,” Jess said, bringing her dad’s attention up from what he was reading.

“Abby!’ he cried, surging to his feet, papers forgotten as they fell to the floor. He came to her, pulling her into a tight hug. “So good to see you.” He ignored the grumble from Tah with a laugh. “Now, none of that. Abby’s like a daughter to me, and I haven’t seen her in too long. Let me look at you.” He stepped back, taking her hands in his and opening them wide as he glanced over her. “Jess says they think you’re pregnant.”#p#分页标题#e#

“She is,” Tah confirmed.

“Animal senses,” Professor Mueller said with a nod. “Good. Good. I’ll want to have Diane do a complete blood work up. Need to keep an eye on you and the young.” He made the comment more as if he was making a note to himself than as if he were speaking to her or anyone else in the room.

“Have you shifted yet?” he asked Tah.

Tah crossed his arms over his chest and glared.

“Well, have you?” Professor Mueller asked again. It didn’t matter that he was under six feet tall and Tah towered over him. Professor Mueller was rarely intimidated by anything. His curiosity just seemed to take over and have him charging into anything.

“No,” Tah finally answered.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Though I’m glad I’m here to see the first time. I’m so envious of you young bucks. What I wouldn’t give to trade places with you.” He stepped closer to Tah and started poking at him. “So what’s going on?” He reached up and pulled Tah’s lip down displaying his elongated canines. “Nice. Nice,” he murmured absently as he used a finger to poke at them.

Tah moved back, a grumble of annoyance passing his lips as he growled at the Professor.

Professor Mueller just laughed. “Can’t blame me for wanting to see for myself. Need to do a more thorough work up on you too.”

“Where are your glasses, Abby?” As absent-minded as he often appeared, leave it to Professor Mueller to be the one to call her out on not wearing her glasses.