“I know honey.”
He raised his head and stared gravely at her. “I can’t stay with the Lycans Bree. You know I cannot.”
She sighed sadly. “I know. But will you do me a favour?”
“What?”
“Stay for a few weeks. You’re tired and starving, and you need to rest. Take some time to regain your strength before you leave. Please.”
“You want me to see that the Lycans are good and can be trusted. You believe if I stay here I will become friends with them like you have.”
An image of Sophia, her dark eyes full of pain and fear staring up at him as he urged her to breathe, flickered through his head. He shook his head to clear it and stared at his sister. “It will not work Bree.”
She smiled at him and rubbed his arm gently. “I’m asking you to stay awhile because you need rest, and because I have missed you.”
He bent and kissed her roughly on the forehead. “I will stay for two weeks and then I’m leaving.”
“Alright.” She sighed resignedly. “I love you Kaden.”
“I love you too Bree.”
Chapter 26
James sighed with relief when Bree entered their room. He had told her brother that Bree would never leave him, but there was a small part of him that was filled with doubt. He gave her a nervous smile as she closed the door and leaned against it.
“Are you alright little one?”
“Yes.”
He gave her another nervous look and she smiled at him. “I’m not leaving you James.”
He couldn’t hide the relief on his face as she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I love you, and I want to be with you.”
He kissed the top of her head before resting his chin on it. “Did you convince your brother to stay?”
She didn’t reply and he stared down at her, his chest tightening at the look of sorrow on her face. Tears glinting in her eyes, she shook her head. “He said he would stay for a couple of weeks but then he was leaving.”
“I’m sorry.” He rubbed her back soothingly as the tears started to slip down her cheeks.
“Me too.” She sighed.
Feeling guilty, he tightened his grip on her. “Maybe once he sees how happy you are with us, he’ll want to stay.”
“I doubt it. My brother hates the Lycans. I knew he did but I was hoping that he would – “
She shook her head. “It does not matter. He’s made his choice and I’ve made mine.”
“Bree, I don’t want you to regret – “
She put her hand over his mouth. “Stop m’lord. I will never regret my decision to stay with you.”
He suddenly lifted her until she was eye level with him. She smiled and stroked his face softly before kissing his nose. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He hesitated and then gave her an earnest look. “Will you marry me Bree?”
She blinked at him, her mouth dropping open a little, and he hurried on. “I don’t have a ring and I guess I should be down on one knee but I – “
He set her on her feet and smacked himself on the forehead. “Gods, I’m making a mess of this aren’t I?”
He startled her by suddenly dropping to one knee and gripping her hand tightly. “I love you Bree. Will you marry me? I’ll buy you the prettiest ring I can find, and we’ll have a big wedding and I’ll take you into the city to buy a wedding dress. Or you can wear pants – I don’t care. I just want you to be my mate, I mean, wife. I promise I’ll take care of you for the rest of my life and – “
“James, stop.” Her cheeks were still wet with tears but her eyes were filled with delight. “Yes, I’ll marry you. And I don’t need a ring or a fancy wedding. I just want you.”
She bent and kissed him hard on the mouth, and he scrambled to his feet and picked her up. She squeaked in surprise as he spun her in a circle. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy Bree. I promise you.”
“You already make me happy James.” She kissed him and smiled. “Let’s tell your family.”
“They’re your family now too Bree.” He grinned like a small boy, and whirled her around once more before setting her gently on her feet. “Come, we will tell them over breakfast.”
* * *
“You must be the young Bree’s brother then?”
Kaden looked up at the older man who was coming down the center aisle of the barn. After his conversation with Bree, he had escaped the house and went to the barn. He had lost his appetite and he knew the Lycans would soon be gathering for breakfast. He had been petting the large black stallion the Lycans had given him to ride, when the man came clomping out from the other end of the barn.