6. Four Months Later…

Six

Four Months Later…

MAVERICK

"Please, Edna," I beg Marie's grandmother, clasping her small, wrinkled hand in my huge hands. I've been visiting her every day for the past four months and the woman is sick of me.

That day, after leaving Lake Tahoe, I drove straight to Marie's house and pounded on her door until her neighbors called the police. When I explained I was looking for my mate, the two police officers who'd responded to the call took one long look at my disheveled form, exchanged a knowing gaze, and escorted me back to my truck. They advised me to go home, shower, try to get myself together, and only then try again to reach out to my omega. I wanted to fucking punch them. Fuck their sensible advice! I wanted to let my bear break down Marie's door and inspect every single room in her house to ensure she wasn't there. But there was no point. Her car was parked in the front, but she wasn't responding. The blinds were closed, the lights off. My girl was long gone. I was too late.

I spent the last few months harassing Marie's grandmother, and paying an army of P.I.'s looking for my omega. But no one has seen her. Not her friends or colleagues. And Edna is as silent as a tomb.

Every day without Marie is pure torture. I can't eat, can't sleep, can't fucking think straight. All I can do is prowl and pace and growl, my bear a caged animal beneath my skin, desperate to find our mate. To bring her home where she belongs.

But Edna refuses to bend, no matter how much I plead.

"Maverick," she says gently, patting my hand. "I know you're hurting, son. But you have to give Marie space. Let her come to terms with everything in her own time."

I grit my teeth, feeling a muscle jump in my cheek. Locking in my bear before he bursts out and barks at this woman who I love and respect.

"How much time?" I growl, unable to remain calm. "She's been gone for fucking months."

At my outburst, Edna raises a delicate eyebrow. Staring me down without a word.

"Sorry," I grumble. But I know I can't take much more of this shit.

She nods magnanimously, then proceeds to explain the same thing she's been repeating to me for fucking months. "Things are better now than back in my day. But you need to understand, Maverick. Many omegas are still being taken advantage of and abused. Let Marie be her own woman. Let her decide for herself."

"But she's my mate," I reinstate between clenched teeth, fighting to rein in my fury. My gut burning with both the pain of our separation and Marie's rejection.

"Maybe she is. And maybe your bear just imprinted on her," Edna says softly. She's mentioned this possibility before. And I'm not sure how I find it in me to keep coming back here when Edna's been dismissing my bond with my mate.

A low rumble resonates through my chest, and Edna's eyes widen. She knows it's my bear protesting and hurries to add, "If Marie is your mate, you'll find your way back to each other, Mav."

I clutch the arms of the chair I'm sitting in so tight that I feel the wood crack under the pressure of my fists. My skin is prickling with the urge to change.

"You don't know that, Edna." My voice comes out low and gravelly. "What if she isn't safe? What if…"

I can't even bring myself to voice the dark fears that haunt me. The nightmares of Marie hurt or in danger, far from my protection. It's enough to drive a man insane.

Edna raises a hand, interrupting me. "Marie is safe, Maverick. That has always been my priority."

The fierce glint in her eyes reminds me of Marie's strength. I take a deep inhale, my eyes never leaving the old woman's. Then I rake a trembling hand through my overlong, unkempt hair, almost pulling it at the roots.

"Fine. I'll wait." The words taste like ashes on my tongue. Every cell in my body rebels at the thought of more time without my omega. But I force myself to continue. "But you have to promise me something."

Edna's eyes are intent on me.

"Promise you'll let me know if you think she needs me."

She nods again, her warm eyes going soft. "Of course, Maverick. You'll be the first to know."

It's not enough, not nearly enough. But it's all I have. This tiny thread of hope that someday, someway, I'll find my way back to Marie.

Until then, I'll endure. I'll cling to the memory of her in my arms, her sweet scent, her breathy sighs as I claimed her. I'll let that perfect night sustain me through the lonely days and endless nights till she returns to me.

* * *

MARIE

I push a lock of hair behind my ear. My blond ombré coloring is long gone. And I haven't straightened or tied my heavy brown curls in one of my neat, professional buns in months.

I apply foundation over the bags under my eyes. The dark circles are a testimony of everything I've been going through since I left Maverick. The heartache, morning sickness, worry and guilt…

My hand shakes as I brush the concealer over my pale skin. I barely recognize the woman staring back at me in the mirror. She looks haunted, fragile in a way I've never allowed myself to be. But that's what losing your mate does to you, I suppose. It strips you bare, leaves you raw and aching.

I've been hiding in my family's mountain cabin in Alaska. I used to come here every year with my parents for hibernation. That was before. Before they died in that horrible car accident. A stupid trucker who didn't respect his rest schedule fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into them. They were coming back from a date night, and Gran was baby-sitting me. I lost so much that night. Their love, their protection, all the things they had left to teach me, to pass along. Gran did her best. She's an amazing woman, and I'm extremely blessed to have had her. But my parents' death left a gaping hole in my heart. One that will never heal.

And now, I've gone and torn it open all over again. By running from the one man who made me feel whole. Safe. Cherished.

I still don't know if fleeing from Maverick was the right thing to do. But it's been months, and he hasn't shown up. I'm not that hard to find. Not for someone with his means.

Maybe Gran was right. Maybe it was just his bear imprinting on the closest available omega. Maybe I imagined the depth of feeling I saw in his eyes that night, the reverence in his touch.

Or maybe I'm just a coward.

I press a hand to my still-flat stomach, blinking back tears. I never meant for this to happen. Never planned on starting a family this way. Alone and afraid, without my mate by my side.

But life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them.

My make-up done, I check my phone screen. Gran will be here soon. I walk to the cabin's main area, making sure everything is tidy. When I hear the rumble of a truck outside, I smooth down my dress, push back my shoulders and take the few steps to the door, preparing for a tough conversation.

As soon as my grandmother enters and takes me in, the broad smile that was illuminating her beautiful face falls off. Her eyes travel over my tired features, down my body, and linger on the small bump on my belly.

"Oh My God, Marie! What have you done?"

Edna Flores is a good woman. A woman of principles. She cares deeply, loves infinitely, and stands for what she believes. After my parents died, my Gran raised me with immense affection, but she also taught me the value of hard work and honesty. And this? What I did? Hiding in the middle of nowhere, not telling her or Maverick that I'm carrying his cub? This isn't honest.

Four months ago, I ran away to come hibernate here. Gran left me alone to go through my period of rest and isolation. A few weeks in, she came to visit, opening up about Mav's repeated requests to see me. I didn't say much. Only that something happened between us and I wasn't ready to see him yet. She respected my wishes. My Gran is a smart woman. She never pushes me. Her style is more to advise and stand on the sideline, ready to jump in if I need her. But today… today I read sadness and disappointment in her eyes. And it's like a punch to the gut. I never want to let down Granny Edna.

"My poor child. How could you? Why didn't you say something?"

She gently takes me in her arms and I feel her damp cheeks brush against mine. We're both crying. I don't even know what hurts the most. The constant pain of being away from Maverick, my deeply rooted conviction that he doesn't really want me, the guilt and shame of my lie by omission. All of it and so much more. I'm physically exhausted. These first months of pregnancy have been tiresome beyond anything I could have imagined. The discomfort brought by my morning sickness, all my emotions hitting me tenfold, and my poor bear calling for our mate day and night.

"I'm sorry, Gran," I whimper into her neck. "I'm so sorry. I was just so scared."

Scared of being rejected, of having my heart broken all over again. Scared of the intensity of what I feel for Maverick, of how much power he holds over me.

Scared that he'd turn me away if he knew about the baby.

"Oh, sweetheart." Gran strokes my hair, her touch infinitely gentle. "Maverick could never turn you away. That man is mad about you. He's been beside himself trying to find you."

I pull back, swiping at my tears. "What? He has?"

Gran nods, her lips quirking in a sad smile. "He's been hounding me for months, begging for any scrap of information about where you might be. I've never seen an alpha so desperate."

"I don't know what to do, Gran," I whisper brokenly. "I'm so lost."

She cradles my face in her papery hands, her eyes warm and wise. "You need to come home, my sweet girl. Come home and talk to your mate. Give him a chance to make this right."

I bite my lip, doubt swirling in my gut. "What if he doesn't want this? The baby?"

"Marie." Gran's voice is firm now, laced with conviction. "That man would move heaven and earth for you. For both of you. Trust in that. Trust in him."

I take a deep, shuddery breath. Gran is right. I can't hide anymore. Can't let my fears keep me away.

It's time to be brave.

"Okay," I say softly, squaring my shoulders. "Okay, I'll come home."

Gran beams at me, pride shining in her eyes. "That's my girl."

I'm going home. Back to Maverick.