A Love For Lera (Haikon) (27 page)

He felt a punch to his gut. “No. I need her.”

“Then, Cormac MacLochlainne, I would suggest you
tell her that.”

“She doesn’t want me near her.”

“Doesn’t she? I saw her expression when she saw
you weren’t there for dinner. You both are being foolish and stubborn. Neither
of you have to go through this pain alone, and yet, you’re both acting like you
should be a martyr. You lost twins, yes. You’re both alive and still with this
wall between you; the
ater malum
is winning.”

He frowned. “Winning?”

“Who knows what will happen in your future. And
who knows what your children will be like. Can you imagine? The ancient line of
Haikon combined with your lineage that is tied with both druids and shifters.
There has to be some reason they are trying to kill her.
Ater malum
don’t send top guards for nobodies. They’re scared, and you two, acting like
children, are making it easier for them.”

Kori let that sink in for a moment. He knew in
his heart what he had to do. With a grin, he met Dane’s gaze. “So, does this
mean I get to call you Dad?”

The tiger raged for a second before Dane lifted
one shoulder easily. “You make my daughter happy, you can call me whatever you
want.”

“She wants to go home.”

“I know. Go with her.”

“You’d let me stay with you in South Africa?”

Dane laughed, a response which shocked Kori. He
was used to the old Dane Sidorov, the pre-Aida one, who was nothing but
business. “I won’t kick you out. Besides, I know Aida would love for her to
visit.”

“I…I…” he trailed off, not remotely sure how to
voice his concern.

“One day at a time, Kori. That’s all we can do.
Some days are easier than others, as you well know. But, what it boils down to
is at the end of the day, who you have in your arms.”

For him, it was Lera. It always had been.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Dane clapped him on the back.
“Now, come on. Irinah wanted s'mores so there’s a bonfire and a bunch of people
over. Let’s go.”

Kori smiled and sighed. “Sounds like fun.”

“Good. Oh, tell your brother if he hurts Rissa,
there won’t be anywhere he can hide from me.”

Kori’s jaw dropped, and he watched Dane smoothly
shift into a tiger and spring away.
Why am I not surprised he knows?
Calling upon his wolf, Kori bounded off after him. They streaked down the
mountains toward the house.

At the edge of the tree line, he slowed and
reclaimed his human form. Dane did as well before striding from the woods and
heading toward the fire. Kori hesitated and took a step when a familiar voice
entered his head.

‘Kori?’

‘Yes,
mo anam?
’

‘Can I talk to you for a minute?’

‘You know you can. Where are you?’

“Right here,” she said in a low tone.

She seemed to step from a tree. The firelight
behind her shone off the coppery highlights in her loose hair. He swallowed
hard at the lust which merely seeing her brought to him.

He reached out a hand and felt his heart swell
when she took it. “Shall we walk?”

Her answer was to begin, and he fell into step
beside her.

 “I…I’m sorry. For everything.”

“Please stop apologizing, Lera. It’s killing me.
This wasn’t your fault.”

“It wasn’t yours either.” She stopped, and he
looked at her. Tears glittered in her large eyes.

“Deep down, I know that. But here,” he touched
his heart, “I feel like I failed you and our kids.”

She stretched out one hand and touched his cheek,
resting her palm against him. “You didn’t. You’ve never failed me, Cormac.
Ever.” Her attempt at a smile was small, but there. “I’m so sorry for what I
said earlier.”

“No more apologies, Valera. Okay? We move
forward.” He kissed her hand. “Together.”

“Okay. Just one more thing.”

“What?”

“I love you, Cormac MacLochlainne.” She stepped
closer and brushed their lips along one another.

He growled low and dropped his hands to her
waist, holding her immobile. Capturing her mouth in his, he thrust his tongue
deep into her waiting warmth. His skin prickled with desire but he forced
himself to stay in control. Along their link, he could feel her longing for
him, and it only served to make him harder.

Ending the kiss, he murmured against her lips, “I
love you, too, Valera Grace. Now, let’s go join the others before I forget
we’re in your father’s yard.”

Lera laughed, and just like that, his entire
world was brighter. “Yeah, he may not like that.” She took his hand and led the
way back to the bonfire. “I would, though,” she whispered, dropping his hand
and trailing hers over his butt before stepping away.

He would have gone after her—even knowing he
would have to be careful with her physically until her healing was complete—but
Dane’s gaze found his and one black brow rose, so Kori tamped down his craving
and consented to the fact he would just have to be horny. He had fun, and it
warmed him to see Lera having fun as well. He could see the pain still existed
and knew there would be difficult days ahead. But they were on the same page
and would get through the hard times together.

Epilogue

Eight months later in Ireland

Lera laughed as she watched Adric run from the
wolf cubs who had deemed him a wonderful chew toy. He jumped up on a large
boulder at the last minute and growled down to the litter.

‘This is not funny, vaj. They insist on trying
to remove all my hair.’

‘It is a little funny, Adric. You have to
admit. Come on, you, the fierce vaj being treed by five cubs.’

‘I fail to see the humor.’

‘Well, I’m sure their mother appreciates you
watching them so she could go running with her vaj.’

He grunted in disdain but jumped back down when
the cubs began to cry. Lera covered her mouth so her laughter wouldn’t spill
out. She sighed and looked around. She and Kori had found more Haikon; in fact,
they were with some now. Scanning the area, she smiled when her gaze landed
upon him.

More than just her mate. Her husband. He’d
married her in South Africa. She stole a glance at the ring she wore. Silver
with Celtic knots and wolves on it. It was perfect.

‘I feel your eyes on me, Lera. Is everything
okay?’

‘Fine. I was just watching Adric run from the
cubs. We’re of opposite minds. He thinks it’s undignified, and I find it
hilarious.’

His rich laughter filled her head.
‘I’m
inclined to agree with you.’

‘Don’t let him hear you say that.’

‘Not a chance. I will tell him I’m totally on
his side.’

She smiled and turned her attention back to the
wolf who seemed perilously close to losing his temper. Two of the cubs had
their sharp little baby teeth deep in his tail. With a sigh, she grabbed a
large dish and dumped some meat in it then shook it, grabbing their attention.
Soon, all five were chowing down, and Adric had once again sought higher
ground.

‘Thank you, vaj.’

‘Harmless cubs. I never thought I’d see the
day where you met your match.’

He lifted his head and showed her pearly white
teeth. Holding up her hands, she backed off.

‘Just callin’ it like I see it.’

Adric readjusted himself so his butt was toward
her, and she just laughed harder, unable to keep it in. Moving to his side, she
trailed a hand up along his body to his head. Grabbing both sides, she placed a
kiss between his ears.

“I love you, Adric.”

‘Love you, too, vaj.’
He swiped at her
with his tongue before sighing.

She left him there to slumber while the cubs ate
and headed down to where Kori stood talking to a few of the Haikon. When he
spotted her, he broke away and met her halfway. After kissing her, he stood
behind her and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, his voice
still decadent and arousing.

“I’m thinking we should go home.”

“Home?”

“Yes. Home.” They had a house in Savoy near her
daddy’s, and they had a home here in Ireland. “Irinah will be coming for a
visit soon, as will Rissa. I’d kind of like to rest before they get here.”

“Okay.”

“Plus,” she said, turning in his arms and looping
her hands around his neck, “you have some work to do.”

He arched a brow and nibbled along her lower lip.
“Work? I like the sound of that.”

“Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m talking
actual work.”

The twinkle in his eye didn’t fade in fact it
grew. “What work is that, Valera MacLochlainne?”

“Well, Cormac MacLochlainne, you need to set up a
nursery.”

He paled. His mouth moved but nothing came out.
She waited for him to regain his speech.

“Wha…wha…what?”

“I said, mate, you need to set up a nursery.”

“Yo…you…you’re…”

“Needing a nursery.”

His expression gentled. “You’re pregnant.”

She laid a hand along his face. “
We’re
pregnant.”

He cupped her face in his hands and lowered his
mouth so it brushed hers. “I love you, Lera. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

“I love you too,” she whispered against his lips.

Kori let out a loud yell and lifted her high into
his arms, spinning her around. That night, their final night with this clan,
they had a huge celebration. Later, when it was just them, he held her close
after making love to her. She lay there awake, soothed by the even, deep
breaths of her husband and mate.

‘Congratulations, vaj.’

‘Thank you, Adric.’

She turned her head and saw her wolf staring at
her, and she smiled before burrowing back into Kori. His arms tightened around
her, one hand drifting down to cover her womb and the innocent life growing
within her.

Life wasn’t always fair, she knew that given her
early start in life. Things didn’t always go the way one wanted. But, there
were times when life went perfectly. And this was one of them.

Eyes closing, she slid her hand under the one
Kori had on her belly. She’d gone from a child who feared much to a woman who
learned to love. The gods may be cruel at times but even they had created a
love for Lera. She’d just had to find the courage to accept it.

THE END

Preview of another story

Here’s an excerpt from my upcoming release,
Raw
Exposure,
coming Jul 14. This is the story of Reeve Leighton and Affrica
O’Shea.

Copyright © 2014 Aliyah Burke

Dinner passed and was a lot of fun, however,
exhaustion had set in by the time they’d finished the after-dinner drinks. The
kids had been put down, including the twins, Ethan and Logan, who rested in
Brodie’s room with him.

“You know you can stay here, Affrica,” Scott said
as he sat back down after retrieving more coffee.

She gave him a grateful smile even as she shook
her head. “Thank you but no.”

He appeared so different now than when he’d come
to her rescue. The face paint gone, his blue eyes full of love and contentment
versus how indifferent and hard they’d been in the desert. Tyson also. These
men amazed her, doing what they did. For her. And knowing they did it for the
country on a regular basis.

Then there was Reeve Leighton. Dark brown, almost
black, hair where his brother was a blond. Cornflower blue eyes for Scott while
Reeve had deep chocolate ones. Unbidden her gaze drifted to Reeve. He sat
beside her, one hand curved around the glass coffee mug resting on his knee.

“Or our house,” Jayde said, drawing her attention
from Reeve.

She licked her lower lip as she stared at her
friend. Of all the women who were with the men of SEAL Team Seventeen, she
enjoyed Jayde the most. A fellow artist, they would often spend much time
discussing shots or paintings. And she truly admired her inner strength.

“I dinna wish to be a bother and you all hae
already done so much for me.” She glanced pointedly to the men. “I’ll get a
hotel room and take a taxi to the train station.”

“Nonsense,” Reeve said. “I have an extra room at
my place. Sleep there and I’ll take you to your train.” Scott and Tyson voiced
immediate refusals. Tilting her head, she caught Reeve watching her, a hint of
challenge in his eyes and an arched brow. “It makes perfect sense. Y’all have
kids and I have no plans come morning. What do you say, sweetcheeks, think you
can handle being that close to me all night?”

Sweetcheeks. She ignored the fluttering of her
heart and stomach as she held his unwavering gaze.

“I was shot in the arm, not the head to make me
lose common sense. You make a valid point, these men work as do their wives, so
I’ll take ya up on yer offer.”

“Affrica,” Tyson said.

“Leave off, Tyson. Affrica can make her own
decisions.” Jayde’s calm voice came next.

Everyone stood. Affrica couldn’t miss the glares
from Tyson and Scott toward Reeve. Deciding not to mention it, she helped Lex
clear the table, hugged the women before their husbands.

“Thank you,” she said. “For not letting me die
there.”

Scott pulled her close for a hug. “You never have
to thank us.”

Then it was Tyson’s turn. “Are you sure about
this?” he asked as his arms banded around her, mindful of the injury.

“Aye. He’s harmless. Not to mention scared o’
ya.”

Harmless. Not even she believed that one.

“Humph.”

She drew back and held hazel eyes before glancing
to Scott and back again. “Find him, please.”

Both men grew somber and nodded. She knew they
would do everything in their power to locate her brother who’s plane had gone
down in Antarctica. Scott stepped away and called to his brother for a private
chat. Five minutes later, she walked beside Reeve down to his car and climbed
in with a final wave over her shoulder to all.

Bag on her lap, she closed her eyes as he drove,
maintaining easy breathing. She had no clue where he lived and honestly right
now, was too tired to care. Sleep was essential for she had a job lined up in
Oregon before she eventually flew back to Ireland. Granted she could sleep on
the train but her body still hadn’t caught up from her jaunt in the desert for
her nights were plagued with nightmares.

She stirred and looked around when the car slowed
and turned. They drove into a garage and the door lowered behind them. A light
overhead illuminated the area fit for two cars. The place was immaculate and a
surprise.

“Come on, sweetcheeks,” he said after he climbed
out, opened her door, and took her bag.

“Must you call me that?”

“Must? No. But I love the way your eyes sparkle
indignantly when I do.” He winked and walked off toward a door she assumed led
inside.

She followed with an amused sigh. His place was
open and also as spotless as the garage had been. She gazed about the condo.
Tile and hardwood floors and stark white walls with some framed pictures, which
to her felt out of place. Granted she wasn’t all knowing of what made Reeve
tick, so perhaps it did fit him.

Stainless steel appliances graced his kitchen and
a large glass window area that overlooked Chesapeake Bay. She smiled as she
stared down at the boats out there at night, their lights beacons through the
darkness.

“Nice place.” She peeked over her shoulder at
him.

He didn’t respond just jerked his head in silent
indication to follow, ambled down to an open door, and gestured inside.

“Here you are. I’ll have the bed made up in
moments.” He paused and swung around toward her, his eyes liquid heat. “Unless
you want to stay in my bed, with me.”

She didn’t pretend to think on it. Sure, they may
go toe to toe and argue but the sparks never diminished between them. Sparks
which had been there from the very beginning. There was no declaration for the
future, this was all about the here and now.

Affrica stepped flush to him and dragged her
tongue along her bottom lip, simultaneously as her arms wound around his neck.
The pain of her injuries drifted to the back of her mind.

“Dinna wish it any other way.”