Lost and Found (A Werewolf Wars Novel Book 4) (27 page)

Lark’s wide eyes met hers and she shook her head. “Do I want to know?”

Sarah shrugged. “We are together. I love him,” she answered her sister.

“Together? Wow. This happened while you were gone?” Lark asked surprised.

“A lot happened while we were gone,” Sarah defended. “It was just the two of us. And all we had was each other. We learned a lot about each other.”

“I understand that, but it doesn’t seem fast to you?” Lark asked quietly. “I mean Preston hasn’t been gone that long. I’m happy for you, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want you to jump into anything too soon either.”

“He makes me happy, Lark. I feel alive,” she said sincerely, needing her sister to understand.

Lark grinned. “You do seem to be happy. If he’s the reason for your chipper mood, then I’m happy for you,” she paused and looked away, biting her lip. “I know he spent the past few days worrying over you, but are you sure he feels the same way? I mean, he’s not exactly known for being a relationship person.”

Sarah nudged Lark and laughed, hoping to ease her sister’s nerves. “He does.”

“I just wanted to make sure,” Lark laughed relieved. “His reputation isn’t the greatest,” she reiterated.

“His reputation is going to change,” Sarah promised. “He is a one woman man from here on out. And he’s coming to school with me this winter.”

“You’re going back to school?” Lark asked.

“Yes. It’s time I move forward with my life,” she answered honestly.

Lark pulled her into a tight hug. Sarah hugged her sister happily, glad that Lark had easily overcome her unease. Things were indeed looking up. The rest of her life was starting.

***

V
incent toweled off, tossing on some boxers and jeans. He ran a hand through his damp hair and opened the bathroom door. A familiar, delicious scent met his nose and he inhaled as a grin slipped over his face.
Sarah.
She was in his room, trailing her scent all over his possessions and he couldn’t be more thrilled.

“Has anyone ever told you that you take really long showers,” she said, patting the bed.

“The way I see it, I have a few days to make up for,” he teased.

“I think you exhausted those tonight,” she joked, sliding over as he sat down.

The bed dipped beneath him and he brushed up against Sarah’s silky skin.

“Are you worried I won’t leave you any hot water when we move away? Because there is an easy fix to that,” he commented.

“What’s that?” she inquired, quirking her brow.

“We shower together.”

Sarah trembled and he chuckled, relishing in the way he could turn her on with a simple comment.

“I think I can live with that,” she said, burrowing into his chest.

Vincent wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. Having her pressed against him was perfect—he couldn’t imagine a more wonderful sensation. The realization drew his mind back to this morning and how Lark found them.
What did Lark say after I left?

“How was your talk with Lark this morning?” he asked nervously. Lark was important to Sarah and he knew Lark’s opinion would matter to Sarah—and to Devon. He would never give up Sarah, but he didn’t want any rifts either.

“Good. She was surprised. But in the end, she just wants to see me happy.” Sarah twisted so she could look up at him. “Were you worried about her approval?”

“Well, yeah, actually. I know how much you two care about each other,” he admitted.

“I understand. But there is nothing to worry about. Like I said, we look out for each other, but ultimately we just want to see each other happy,” she grinned, kissing him gently on the lips. “I was thinking we should go apartment hunting in a few weeks,” she said changing the subject.

Apartment hunting
. To think that would have scared him only a few months ago, yet today it excited him. “Any chance we can find one by some trees where I can run.”

“We’ll find something we both love,” she promised kissing him again.

Vincent pushed his fingers through her hair, deepening the kiss so he could taste her luscious lips. As long as he had Sarah, he would be happy anywhere.

F
ive Years Later

Sarah watched Lark in the mirror as she curled one of Sarah’s long blonde locks. Her sister’s swollen belly brushed against her shoulder as she reached for a bobby-pin. She smiled at her reflection, as she was getting married to the man she loved.

“Are you ready?” Lark asked, meeting her gaze in the mirror.

“Yes,” she answered, confidently.

“I was a nervous wreck the day of my ceremony,” Lark admitted.

“Really?” Sarah asked surprised. Lark and Devon were soulmates; she couldn’t imagine why her sister would’ve been nervous.

“Not because of committing to Devon, more afraid I’d trip and fall going down the aisle—thank God Gene was there to walk me down—and also it was hard not having you, mom, or dad there. I just wondered what everyone would have thought,” she said, quietly grabbing another pin.

“I do wish Mom and Dad were here,” she admitted out loud. “But at the same time, I know they’re here in spirit. I know they would be happy for both of us,” Sarah sighed sadly.

She and Vincent had been together the past five years—he was the love of her life. Sarah laughed as an image of her father scolding Vincent popped into her head. “I can imagine Dad giving Vincent a hard time for not proposing sooner.”

Lark laughed out loud. “You’re right. But I think it’s nice that he waited until you graduated and got a job,” Lark added. “How is your job by the way? I feel like I’ve hardly seen you since you came back home. If you’re not at work, you’re locked in a bedroom with Vincent,” Lark scolded, before pointing to her belly. “You better be careful, you’ll end up like me,” she teased.

Sarah laughed out loud. “And how is my nephew doing today?”

“Ready to make an appearance,” Lark mumbled.

“He’s ready or you are ready?” Sarah asked giggling. This was Lark’s first pregnancy and the closer she got to her due date, the antsier she became.

“I know I am, just waiting on him now. Two weeks at most. The midwife won’t let me go over forty-one weeks,” Lark sighed, wistfully.

“And you’re sure about the home birth?” Sarah asked, worriedly. If the time ever came for her to give birth, she would want the comforts of a hospital and drugs.

Lark nodded. “We have to be careful. There is a good chance this baby is a werewolf and if there are any genetic differences we don’t want a hospital to pick up on those when they do their testing. Besides, Devon has taken so many courses now, he’s practically an MD. Not to mention, my pregnancy has been flawless, which is a good indicator my labor should go smoothly, too.”

Both women turned at a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Sarah called.

The knob twisted and Claire, Natalia, Emily, and Nora walked in.

“Oh my,” Claire gushed, clasping her hand to her chest, “You look astonishing,” she told Sarah. “And, Lark, you look beautiful, too.”

“Thank you,” Sarah smiled.

“Thanks,” Lark blushed, her hand instinctively going to her stomach.

“Where are the kids?” Sarah asked as Nora shut the door.

“Gene has Adrian and Preston,” Natalia answered. “He’s getting them ready.”

Sarah smiled. It hadn’t been much of a surprise when Natalia and Gene named their first son after Preston. In a way, she found it fitting. It would have made Preston proud to have his nephew named after him.

“And Richard is with Marcus,” Emily piped up, drawing Sarah from her thoughts.

Sarah nodded in acknowledgement. Emily and Marcus had named their toddler after Rick, the man who allowed them sanctuary and the right to be together.

“Are you sure the guys know what they’re doing?” Lark teased.

“I gave detailed directions,” Emily answered.

“And there are five of them. Together, they should be able to figure it out,” Nora added with a laugh.

“Let’s hope so,” Claire smiled. “We wanted to see if you two needed any help?”

“Of course,” Sarah and Lark said in unison.

Sarah settled back into the chair as the women all helped Lark to finish pinning up her hair.

Today was perfect. Maybe her parents weren’t here, but she did have family with her. And she was going to marry—mate, whatever you wanted to call it—her best friend.

***

V
incent adjusted his suit as he waited for the ceremony to start. His brothers, Gene and Marcus, surrounded him, as well as the three boys in the family. They were all having their own conversations while he awaited his future.

He couldn’t wait for it to begin—he’d been waiting for years to finally claim Sarah as his completely—and today was the day it would happen. The mating ceremony would cement their commitment to each other and mark her as his. His wolf inwardly jumped for joy at the thought. Neither he nor his wolf could wait to spend the rest of his life with Sarah.

Gene’s voice drew him from his thoughts. “We’re almost ready.”

“Good,” Vincent grinned.

“Who would’ve thought you’d ever settle down,” Marcus joked, clapping him on the back.

“I’ve been a one lady man for the past five years,” he interjected. He’d gone from a womanizer to a man in love virtually overnight. Looking back, he didn’t miss the days of hopping from one woman to another. Sarah was everything he could ever want and more.

“Speaking of lasting relationships,” Vincent said changing the subject. “Has anyone noticed how much time Mom and Shawn have been spending together?” The wolf had moved to Abilene after Claire had taken a trip to New York to visit some of the packs up there.

“He does seem to make her happy,” Devon admitted.

Vincent nodded. It was nice to see his mother smile again with someone other than family. And Shawn did seem to be a fine wolf. Maybe another ceremony was on the horizon. As long as his mom was happy, that was all that mattered.

Adrian tapped his knee. “Does this mean you and Aunt Sarah are going to have a baby, too?” Adrian asked.

Vincent chuckled. “Not any time soon. Aunt Sarah is just getting started with her new job. Maybe in another year or two, but you should ask Uncle Daniel when he and Aunt Nora are going to spit out a few kids,” he teased, winking at his brother.

Daniel rolled his eyes. Nora had let it slip to Sarah she was pregnant about a week ago. But Daniel and Nora weren’t ready to go public with the information yet. From what he understood, Nora and Daniel had barely found out themselves and there were concerns with some of the medications Nora took and how it could affect both her and the baby. Vincent just hoped it worked out for them.

His thoughts were interrupted as Marcus drew the meeting room door open.  “I think it’s time to head out,” he said, motioning with his arms to the front room where everyone was waiting for the ceremony.

Vincent shot up, eager to see Sarah. He hadn’t seen her since last night; it was her idea, not his—something about bad luck.

“I take it you’re ready,” Gene laughed.

“Beyond ready,” he answered.

“Well, let’s get you to your mate,” Devon said, clapping him on the back.

Vincent filed out the door behind the other guys watching as they took their seats, except for Devon. He’d asked his brother to officiate the ceremony for them and Devon had been honored.

“Do you remember how this works?” Devon asked.

“Yes. Do you?” he asked, wagging his brow playfully.

“Well, this is only my fourth ceremony ever. And I only officiated over Gene and Natalia’s which was almost five years ago so...”

“Ha ha, you’re so funny,” he said dramatically as they came to a stop in front of the altar.

“Everything’s going to be perfect,” Devon assured, motioning with his head to the door

Vincent held his breath as Lark, Talia, Emily, Nora, and his mom hurried in and took their seats in the front row. His eyes darted to the doorway as Sarah appeared.

She was a vision in white, an angel—his angel. Her long locks were up and out of her face, showing off her sapphire eyes. The dress she wore clung to her chest and hips before flowing out as it neared her feet. It wisped against her as she neared him. As she approached, he couldn’t help but wonder how he had gotten so lucky.

Sarah was a wonderful person—a woman who saw him for who he was. She was a fighter and a romantic. Sarah was the woman of his dreams and he intended to show her how much he loved her for the rest of his life.

Today, his forever started.

***

G
ene set the book on the nightstand and carefully adjusted the covers around Adrian. The boy let out a tiny, content sigh as he stirred ever so slightly with Gene’s movements. Gene smiled as he carefully stood up from the bed and let out a relieved sigh when Adrian stayed asleep.

It had taken longer than usual to get the rambunctious five-year old to calm down. There had been a lot of excitement and cake with the ceremony today and the little guy had stayed up well past his usual bedtime.

Gene turned out the light and took one last glance at the sleeping boy before heading into the hallway. He shut the door behind him and met Talia’s brown eyes as she made her way out of Preston’s room. She smiled at him, meeting him in the hallway.

“Preston asleep, too?” he asked, pecking her lips.

“Yes,” Talia breathed. “I’m ready for bed as well,” she whispered, nuzzling against him.

Gene wrapped an arm around her as he led them down the hall to their room. “We should be done with mating ceremonies for some time now,” he reasoned. “No one else is in a serious relationship—at least not that I’m aware of. And Maddie and Amelia are still a bit young to find their mates.”

“Today was fun, but I’m not sure the boys can handle all the commotion that comes with it,” Natalia mentioned as Gene closed the door behind them. “And we definitely need to watch Adrian around the cake. I have a feeling that sneaky booger stole quite a few pieces,” Natalia laughed.

“I agree,” Gene said grinning.

Natalia sighed, sobering. “There is something else,” she commented going to the dresser and pulling out a silky nightgown. She turned toward him, apprehension clear on her features. “I spoke with Antonio’s mother this evening. She wants to come here for a visit.”