30. Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Shay

My phone rang as I was standing in the check-out line, and I couldn't help the huge smile that lit up my face when I saw Bennett's name on the caller I.D. I wasn't sure what had possessed me to flirt with him this morning, but I wasn't sorry about it.

There was a court hearing scheduled in two weeks' time. Both Alex and Tessa were pleased with the progress I had made, and honestly so was I. I loved my job, and Lo, while no-nonsense and a straight shooter, was a fantastic and understanding boss. Lucas was thriving in first grade, and I had passed my G.E.D. exam three weeks ago. I was an official high school graduate. About damn time.

And Asher and I had gone to a counseling session together. It had been hard as hell, but it had helped to have a non-biased mediator in Tessa. I hadn't told Asher every detail of what went on between Edward and me–and I probably never would–but I had been able to explain some of what I had been feeling when Edward and I had met.

Explain that since therapy and my support group, I had come to understand the manipulation that hadn't felt like manipulation at all. That suddenly, one day, I realized Edward had systematically managed to isolate me from all my friends and family. That I hadn't even realized it was happening at the time, and how stupid I felt afterwards.

The hardest part was looking my brother in the eye and saying that even after the first punch Edward had thrown, that I had still loved him. Believed his tears, and his ‘I'm sorry' and his ‘It will never happen again'. And that when it did happen again–because it always happened again–that I had still loved him, still believed him, still thought somewhere, deep inside, was the Edward I had fallen in love with. That I could love him enough for both of us.

I hadn't told Asher everything, but I had told him enough. Enough for both of us to be sobbing, and for me to see the anger in Asher's eyes. Not directed at me this time, but towards Edward. Then realizing Asher blamed himself for not trying harder, not doing more, thinking he somehow could have saved me had he just known.

We were in a good place, my brother and me, and I wanted to keep striving towards good places with everything in my life. Being happy was a hell of a lot better than whatever I had been, for longer than I could remember with Edward.

I still had nightmares, and flashbacks, for lack of a better word. There were still times where I could get triggered by nothing at all. Like the skeletal hand of a ghost reaching up from a grave, suddenly I would find myself in the midst of a panic attack, not even sure what had caused it.

But always there was Bennett. Thinking of his smiling face, and gorgeous green eyes, would center me. Bring me back from the brink and calm me. Knowing Bennett was there, even if he was just out of reach, made me feel like I could survive. I could start to heal. I could someday be the alpha he deserved.

Smiling as I answered the phone, my eyes fell on the carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream he had asked for with glee in his eyes. Maybe I should ask him on a proper date. My mate bond with Edward was well and truly severed. The court case was coming up, and Alex was confident Edward wouldn't get custody. Though he had warned me to be prepared for the judge to grant some kind of visitation arrangement. He had assured me he would do everything in his power to get it supervised. I trusted Alex, and believed he could do what he said he could in court.

There was really nothing holding me back from asking Bennett on a date except me. Even Tessa had agreed it was time I thought about whether I wanted to pursue things with Bennett, since we were fated.

I was going to do it, I decided in that instant, standing in the grocery line. I was going to ask him to dinner, and I'd bring him flowers. Tulips, like my mom had planted. And I would tell him the story of why tulips were my favorite flowers.

"I have your ice cream," I teased into the receiver, "but I'm in line so if you want something else, your options are limited to candy bars—"

"Daddy!"

The terrified scream of my son interrupting me had me standing up straight, my heart pounding wildly. Fear raced through me because there was no mistaking the pure terror in Lucas's high-pitched voice.

"Lucas? What's wrong?"

"Daddy, you have to help him!" Lucas sobbed uncontrollably, to the point I had a hard time understanding what he was saying. "He's hurting Bennett!"

Abandoning my cart of groceries, I pushed past the people in front of me, ignoring their grumbles as I ran out of the store. Digging for my keys, my hands trembled, and I dropped them, watching in horror as they skipped and spun on the pavement.

Even as I asked the question of Lucas, in my heart I knew who he was talking about. No one could frighten my son like that except for one person.

"Papa Edward!" Lucas hiccupped, sniffing loudly. "He's here and he's hurting Bennett! Help him, Daddy!"

For a brief few seconds, terror froze me in my tracks. I stood staring at my keys, abandoned on the asphalt, hands shaking so hard I almost lost the grip on my phone. He had found us. How had he found us? Then I remembered Alex's warning that my address had to be on the court filing papers and Edward's legal team would have access to it.

Stupid me, thinking a restraining order would stop Edward. Knowing he was in rehab had caused me to let my guard down. To think we were safe and could live a normal life.

Mate , my tiger roared, like he hadn't roared in years. Get to our mate. Run! I'm with you, Shay. I'm here.

"Daddy, please help us!" Lucas cried, shaking me to my core.

Grabbing my keys in my fist, I ran to Trixie, starting her up, tires squealing as I raced out of the shopping center. Anger, fear, and adrenaline raced through my blood, my heart pounding nearly out of my chest .

"Lucas, where are you? Are you somewhere safe?" My voice was surprisingly calm.

"I…I…I…" his words hitched with tiny gasps as he tried to catch his breath. "I'm inside…Bennett's house. He told…me to come inside…and lock the door. I'm… in the bathroom."

"Does the door lock?" I couldn't remember if it did or not.

"Y…yes," Lucas hitched, "I…locked…it."

"Good boy." Taking a corner faster than I should, I wondered where all the cops were in this town when you needed one. Not that I would stop if one tried to pull me over, but they could follow me all the way home.

"Lucas, I need you to hang up and call 9-1-1." My foot pressed harder on the gas, watching the speedometer needle inch past seventy-five towards eighty.

"No, Daddy! I can't! I'm…too scared!" he pleaded, "I…need…you to come."

Banging a fist against the steering wheel, I slammed on the brakes for a red light. It had been red too long for me to try to make it through it, cross traffic already moving into the intersection. I would be of no help to them if I caused an accident.

My son was terrified, and as much as I wanted to hang up with him so one of us could call the police, I couldn't do it. He was a frightened little boy, and I wouldn't make him break our connection, not even to call for help. Lucas was safe for now, and I had to pray to the Goddess that she would keep Bennett safe, too.

Bennett was a wolf and so was Edward. If Bennett shifted, he would have a better chance against Edward, even though his wolf was much smaller. Edward's wolf could be just as vicious as he was, though .

"I'm coming, Lucas," I told him, stomping on the gas as soon as the light was green, "I'm just a block away."

"Don't…hang…up! I'm scared…Daddy."

"I know you are, but you're being so brave and smart, going into the bathroom and locking the door."

"Don't…hang…up," Lucas pleaded a second time, "please…Daddy!"

"I won't, baby," I promised, not even caring that I had called him baby when he told me over and over that he was a big boy now. "I'm here. Stay in the bathroom until I come for you."

"O…kay," he stuttered.

Screeching around the corner, I turned into Bennett's driveway and slammed Trixie into park. Leaving her running, I raced up the walk and found the front door to Bennett's house locked.

Dammit! The key he had given me was still on my ring stuck in the ignition of the truck. Throwing my shoulder against the seam of the door I tried to break it, feeling the wood give but not break. Shooting vibrations of pain screamed from my shoulder all the way down my arm.

"Shay!" Asher yelled, running up behind me, "What's happening?"

"Edward!" It was the only word I could get past my lips, too intent on getting inside the house to bother explaining to my brother what was happening.

"Gabe!" Asher yelled towards his house, "Call Becks!"

Asher shouldered me out of the way when I hit the door again, hearing the wood creak ominously. "I have a key."

He had barely gotten the door open when I ran inside, the front door banging so hard against the wall it might have left a hole.

"Lucas!" I yelled, so he would know I was in the house.

A scream ripped through the air–Bennett's scream–and I hesitated, not knowing who I should go to first. My son or my mate.

Asher clapped me on the back, shoving me towards Bennett's dining room. "I'll get Lucas. Go!"

Shoving my phone at Asher's face I called, "Tell him it's you so he opens the door."

My fingers fumbled with the small lock of the slider doors, my eyes glued to the scene I could see through the glass.

Edward, in wolf form, lunged at Bennett. Bennett screamed and tried to defend himself, throwing his arms out in front of him. Edward's sharp claws tore into Bennett's arm, and Bennett fell to the grass on his butt. Blood spread quickly over his arm, saturating his sleeve, turning the grass around him red.

Rage consumed me, a roar emerging from deep inside my chest.

Sliding the thick glass door open with enough force it banged loudly against the frame, I jumped over the steps. I felt my shift hit mid-air.

My muscles tingled, my bones stretched, my skin grew taut, and before I hit the ground my tiger had taken over. My white paws shook the ground when all four hundred pounds of my apex predator landed with a thud. Tossing my head back, I let out a mighty roar of anger, the sound ripping through the air.

The birds in the trees at the edge of Bennett's yard took flight, and I stalked towards Edward's wolf, signaling my displeasure with a shorter roar and bark. Blood dripped from the wolf's teeth and covered the fur of his chin. Bennett's blood.

Bennett stared, wide-eyed as I stalked past him, my nostrils flaring at the scent of his blood. He held his arm close to his chest, one hand trying to stop the flow, as redness seeped around his fingers, coating them .

Edward's wolf backed away, snarling, but he was smart enough to give my cat some space. Letting my tiger have free reign, he roared with enough force to ruffle Edward's fur. He shifted to his human skin, standing naked in front of my tiger, holding a placating hand out in front of him. My tiger paced, making short barking noises to show his displeasure. The sound was different than a dog's bark; more an abrupt snarl to let enemies know to beware.

"I see your mutant tiger finally decided to show his face," Edward hissed, his eyes tracking my movements. "Come home with me, Shay." His tone changed to the low timbre filled with sex and need, that used to work on me. Not anymore. Now, hearing it just filled me with disgust.

Reaching a hand towards me, Edward acted like he was going to pet my white fur. My powerful jaws snapped at him, barely missing his fingers as he jerked back sharply.

"I'm sorry things got out of hand, Shay," Edward cajoled, and I caught the scent of whiskey on his breath. I couldn't remember the last time he hadn't reeked of alcohol and the scent made my stomach roil. "You know how I get, baby. You know I'm sorry. Say you forgive me and stop all this and come home. You've made your point."

Anger bubbled up inside me, until my blood boiled with it. Anger for all the wasted years, for wasting my love on this man who didn't deserve it, for all the things he had put me–and Lucas–through. But most of all, for the hurt he had caused Bennett.

How dare he touch my mate! My fated. The one the Goddess had made just for me. Bennett was my destiny, my future. And I loved him.

I loved Bennett .

It was too soon, too fast, but we were fated, and I was tired of fighting it.

I loved him.

And Edward had dared to touch him. Attacked him. Terrorized Bennett and Lucas. He had made Bennett bleed.

My tiger pounced, my large paws hitting Edward square in his chest, with all his muscled weight. Edward fell, shifted to his wolf beneath my paws, snapping with his teeth but missing. My powerful jaws clamped around his neck, pressing down ever so slightly, then with a bit more pressure. Edward thrashed, whimpered, and for the first time I could smell his fear. See it in his rolling eyes. It filled the air around us, surpassing the whiskey and whatever drugs he had in his system.

"Shay!" Bennett yelled, halting my razor-sharp teeth from tearing Edward's throat out. "Shay, don't!" he begged. "Please don't. He's not worth it. Listen. Do you hear those sirens? Those are for him. Let them handle it, please. Lucas needs you. I need you. Do not do this."

There was rustling, shuffling, and then Bennett's small hand was in my fur, barely touching the quivering muscles of my back. Releasing the hold I had on Edward's neck, I growled low in my throat as a thin trail of blood dripped from his fur where my fangs had broken his skin.

Edward's wolf whimpered, then stood, shaking when I released him. With one last defiant glare from his blue eyes, he ran towards the woods. Wanting to follow him, my muscles bunched, ready for the chase. Bennett's hand tightened in the fur just behind my head, tugging lightly. "Please, Shay, don't."

People crowded the yard, men in uniforms shouting, guns drawn.

Bennett pointed towards the woods, "He went that way. "

Becks and another officer secured their weapons with the third man, then took off running. Cloth tore as a massive gray and black wolf and a cougar, that very much resembled Seth, disappeared into the trees. The human officer tapped the mic pinned to his uniform, speaking softly.

"He's drunk, Mike," Bennett told the officer, who I recognized from his scent was human. "And high. I don't know where his vehicle is, but he shouldn't be behind a wheel."

Mike nodded, "Thanks. Give me a minute to report that and I'll come take a statement. Let the E.M.T.'s look at that arm."

Shifting, I grabbed Bennett to my naked chest, holding him tightly. Whispering into his hair that I loved him, over and over, until someone tried to take him from me, and I growled, the sound reverberating around us.

"Shay," Bennett stroked my cheek with his fingers, "let them look at my arm. It's okay. I'm okay. And I love you, too."

The paramedic didn't give my nakedness any more than a passing glance. In a town filled with shifters and humans, I figured they were used to naked shifters at scenes. Someone put a blanket over my shoulders, and I pulled it around me, my eyes never leaving Bennett or the paramedic working to stop the bleeding of his arm.

Asher was standing on the patio, Lucas tucked to his side, speaking softly to my crying son. He didn't need to be here right now, seeing this, but I couldn't leave Bennett.

"Go make sure Lucas is okay," Bennett urged me quietly, looking over his shoulder to where Asher was comforting a crying Lucas. "He needs to know you're alright. That we're both alright. "

"I can't leave you," I told him, my eyes roaming between him and Lucas. Torn between staying with my lover or going to my son.

"It's nothing," Bennett scoffed, and the paramedic snorted loudly.

"Yeah well," the E.M.T. told Bennett, "this nothing is getting you a ride in the ambo, and some not so pretty stitches. Probably a tetanus shot and definitely a round of antibiotics. I'm going to give you something for the pain."

"No!" Bennett yelled, and both the paramedic and me gaped at him wide-eyed.

"Bennett, let him give you something," I urged him, squatting down and pulling the blanket more firmly around me. Shifters got used to being naked around people at a fairly young age, but I had never been all that comfortable having my parts on display for strangers.

Bennett shook his head, nibbling on his bottom lip. "I can't take anything. I'm…" he blew out a breath, his green eyes glistening, fear shining in them.

"If you're worried about the pup," the E.M.T. said matter-of-factly, holding up a needle and syringe, "this is safe for them."

Blinking rapidly, I stared at Bennett in confusion, before my eyes fell to his stomach. How had I missed it? Sitting the way he was, his sweater pulled tight in places, I could clearly see what I had completely missed earlier. And any other time I had seen him briefly in his yard. It dawned on me that this was the reason he always hurried into his house the past few weeks. He was hiding the small, rounded bump that was clearly visible now.

"Shay, I'm sorry," he whispered raggedly, looking wrecked. "I was going to tell you. I just… I know this isn't what you wanted. It's…a complication. It's way too soon, and I mean…we aren't even…" he waved his unhurt arm in the air, "we…you…I heard you that day, I did. I knew this wasn't what you needed, but I promise you, I was going to tell you."

His voice trailed off when I cupped his face with my hands and slowly covered his lips with mine. The kiss was chaste, just lips pressed against lips. But it was warmth, and filled with love, and it was perfection.

"We are something," I whispered, "we are if you still want me, after all this."

My hand covered his bump, barely touching it for fear of hurting him more. "I always wanted you," I whispered, brushing his lips with mine again, happy tears falling from my eyes. "We're having a baby?"

Bennett nodded, eyes shining brightly, smiling softly, "Yes."

Cupping his face gently between my hands once more, he closed his eyes, turning his cheek into my palm. "Thank you for saving us."

"Bennett, you're the one who saved me."