Chapter Four

—Lena—

I was waiting outside the ice cream parlor for Jeremy and I had this feeling that someone was watching me, but when I looked around I didn't see anybody.

Jeremy comes out of the store and he must see the worried look on my face. "Lena, are you okay? Did something happen?"

Not wanting to worry him plus I'm not sure if somebody was actually watching me. "No, nothing happened, I'm fine just feeling tired."

"Oh, ok then let's get you home." He says still looking worried.

I feel bad for lying to him because I know he cleared his whole day just to be with me today.

"No, I don't want to go home yet, you cleared your whole day for me, i want to stay with you."

He smiles, looks down at me and caresses my cheek. "Ok then how about we go to my place and I make us dinner and you can just put your feet up and relax. How does that sound?"

I put my arms around his neck and kiss him. "That sounds great."

So we walk down the street to where his car is parked, but I still can't shake the feeling that someone was watching me.

As we drive down the gravel road that leads to Jeremy's house, I can't wipe the smile off my face. Jeremy's house is amazing. It's an old Victorian home that he restored. It sits on 10 acres of land, it has 10 bedrooms and indoor and outdoor pool, a hot tub and the most amazing kitchen with all the appliances you can dream of.

But the reason why I love his home is because the backyard opens up to a private beach where you can just sit and relax and be alone with your thoughts. I spent a lot of time there after I lost Lyanna, it was the only place where I could quiet my mind. Where I felt at peace.

We finally get to the gate and Jeremy types in the code and he drives in and parks in the driveway and we both get down.

He comes around to my side. "Home sweet home."

We walk into the foyer and then the living room as I'm about to head into the kitchen he stops me. "Why don't you go out on something to watch and I'll bring you a glass of wine and you can just relax. I'll take care of dinner."

I smile at him. "Well if you insist." I walk back to the living room and put on the Kardashians. I know what you're thinking, really a reality show? But don't judge me, they are my guilty pleasure. Just as I'm relaxing and getting ready to start watching, Jeremy brings me my wine and tells me, "Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes."

I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to Jeremy tapping my arm telling me to wake up.

"Hey there she is, you must've been really tired."

"Yea, I must have. I'm sorry I dozed off."

"No worries, dinner is just ready."

I get up from the couch and stretch, then we both head to the dining room. But when I walk in the whole place has been transformed. The lights have been dimmed, there are rose petals all over the floor and there are candles on the table with the dinner plates set for two.

Shocked, I turn around and stare at Jeremy. "What's the occasion?"

He shakes his head, he looks nervous. "No occasion I just wanted to make you feel special. Now come, let's eat before the food gets cold. He pulls out my chair for me and he sits down opposite me.

"The food looks great Jeremy." I'm not sure he even hears me. I sense his nervousness. The constant tap of his foot under the table is driving me to distraction, his hands clutching the napkin with a tight grip, turning his knuckles white. His smile is genuine, yet something’s off.

I put my hand on top his and he finally looks at me. "Jer is something wrong?"

"No, on the contrary everything is great. I just have something to ask you."

"Ok, what is it?" Now I'm the one that's nervous.

“Lena, you’re the most amazing, beautiful, smart, talented woman I have ever met. This last five months with you has been nothing short of spectacular. I’ve been thinking a lot about us and where I want to be. I love you, Lena, but this isn’t enough for me…”

Wait a minute, is he about to break up with me?

“Lena, I want you in my life every day. I want you to be the first thing I see when I wake up, the last thing I see when I go to sleep, and between those moments, I want you with me in my dreams, and I know I'm not your mate but I promise to make you happy.”

Jeremy drags his chair out, standing before me. Confused, I wait on edge until he gets down on one knee, his eyes staring right into mine as a wave of panic hits my chest.

“Lena Hayes, will you marry me?”

Struggling to breathe, my heart begins beating unevenly. But then I stare into the eyes of the man who has only shown me love and kindness since the moment we met. He protects me when I need it the most, yet allows me my freedom and respects my boundaries, often encouraging me to go beyond my normal levels of comfort.

He loves me and only me.

I catch myself by surprise, throwing all caution to the wind as I open my mouth and say, “Yes.”

___________

—Killian—

Me and Lachlan finally make it home. I slam the door behind me and walk up to him. "Can you tell me why you looked so guilty when I told you I saw Lena? And don't you dare lie to me."

He raises his hands up in surrender. "Ok, just calm down I'll tell you but you have to promise you won't get mad."

I turn and glare at him. "I make no such promises, now start talking."

"Ok, five months ago I found out that Lena was living here in New York. Remember that day in your office when I asked you what you would do when we found her? And you told me of how you planned to deceive her and trap her and make her life a living hell. That was the day I found out and after hearing your plans for her I just couldn't tell you."

In the blink of an eye I'm in front of him grabbing his neck and slamming him on the wall. I hear some of his bones crack but I don't give a fuck, I'm so mad right now.

"What right did you have to lie to me like that? I gave you a direct order to find her and you lied to me?"

He groans trying to talk so I ease my hand a little bit I don't let go of him.

"I couldn't let you do that to Lena, you know she was always like a sister to me and I never believed that she cheated on you, that girl loved you."

I can't hear anymore, I tighten my grip on his neck and throw him across the room his back breaks my glass table.

"Get up, did you hear me? I said get up. You disobeyed a direct order from your alpha. If you were not my best friend you would be dead right now. Get out of my sight."

He staggers out of the house.

I cannot believe he lied to me, he knows how hard it has been for me not being able to shift and he still lied to me.

I'm so mad, I go on a rampage and break every surface in my living room but I still don't feel better.