Catty didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
So she did the only thing she could. She told her story.
***
Lucien had been waiting for Catty to get back from visiting with her parents. He’d been worried since she left and he hadn’t stop watching the clock.
The door opened and he lifted his gaze. A smile broke out across his face as Catty hurried over to his side and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“Hey sweetheart.” He kissed her back. “I missed you.”
“I was only gone half an hour.” She giggled and climbed in bed with him.
“How did it go?”
“Pretty good. No one was angry and everyone said they still loved me. I think the only one upset was Zane.”
“Really?” He’d have to set her brother straight when he got out of this bed.
“He said he didn’t appreciate you touching his little sister.” She giggled.
He laughed. “Well he better get used to it. I’m going to touch you a lot from now on.” He pulled her close for another kiss.
“I guess you were right. My past doesn’t define my future. So now I can focus on what I want to do.” She looked up at him and blushed. “I told my dad about that online test. Lucien, I think I want to research what it takes for law school.”
“I think that’s a great idea.”
“You think so? You think I could do it?”
“I know you can.”
He entwined his fingers with hers and looked into her eyes. “I know this is soon and I know you’ve wanted to be on your own and find yourself. But I have to tell you something.”
“What?”
“I love you. I loved you since the first day you yelled at me. I know you need time to find what you were meant to do and I’ll support you. I’ll support whatever you want to do. I just want a chance to date you, to take you out and love you like the lady you are. Catty, will you give me a chance?”
She blinked and then threw herself into his arms. He winced.
“Oh, sorry.” She pulled back and looked at his wound. “Did I hurt you?”
“The only way you will hurt me is if you say you don’t want to be with me.”
“I want to be with you, Lucien. I love you.”
His heart thumped wildly out of control with love for the woman in front of him and the future he saw ahead of him. This time, he was getting everything he wanted. And he wasn’t going to take it for granted.
***
“I just got off the phone with Jack Welbourn.” Barrett glared at Ryker across his desk.
“And?”
“And he’s not surprised about Edward Boudier. Says he’s been unhinged for years. He said the other Pack Masters try to steer clear of him, and try not to rock the boat.”
“Are you shitting me? So what the hell are you going to do? Surely this has to go before the council or an investigation into his Pack?” Ryker stood and paced the room.
“I’m calling for an investigation. But Jack said don’t hold my breath. He said the only one who could accuse Edward is Big Mike and apparently since I ripped his throat out, there’s no living witness.”
“But Catty heard Big Mike confess. She’s a witness.”
Barrett shook his head. His thoughts were going a mile a minute. “In order for an accusation to be made against a Pack Master his accuser has to do it in person. Catty heard it second hand and it won’t ever stick. Plus I wouldn’t want to put her in that position. Boudier is evil enough to come after her. I’m not putting her life in danger.”
“So now what? You call for an investigation? An investigation you know won’t turn up anything?”
“For the time being.” He looked at Ryker. “Boudier is thinking I’m going to follow the rules like always. He’s not expecting me to do otherwise.”
Ryker’s eyes lit up. “I’m listening.”
“So while the investigation is going on, I’m going to do a little investigation on my own,”
“You gonna tell me? Or make me wait?”
“I’m going to make you wait.” Barrett grinned.
“You’re such a hardass, Barrett.” Ryker scowled.
“Well here’s something to cheer you up. Welbourn is pretty pissed about his witch escaping from Yazoo. He wants her back so she won’t cause any more trouble.”
“I thought she could only escape for a little while. Should she be back in the cemetery by now?”
“She should but she’s not. So we need to send a few Guardians out to find her.”
“Don’t send me. Heard she’s like a black widow. Will fuck her mate to death.”
“I’ll send Jaxon.” Barrett grinned. “He always did like a challenge.”