The Siege of Kadenburg (12 page)

“Here you go,” Louisa said in a gentle tone as she offered a steaming cup of tea to her. “I had to boil the water on top of the kerosene heater. I hope that’s okay.”

“That’s fine,” Sammy replied as she accepted the cup of tea. “When I went camping with my dad, we always did things like that. It’s not really any different.”

Louisa settled down in the chair across from Sammy, huddling beneath a blanket as she smiled, “You spent a lot of time with your father?”

“Yeah,” Sammy nodded, sipping at the tea. She licked her lips, sighing. “We were really close.”

“That is nice,” Louisa smiled sadly. She missed her father so much. She missed everyone, but she missed him most of all. “Do you have any siblings?”

“No,” Sammy shook her head. “I don’t have anybody else.”

Her response was so sharp and bitter. It took Louisa by surprise. She definitely did not want to step on the female’s toes. Beau seemed pretty determined to take care of her, so if Sammy told her cousin she’d asked too many questions…..

“I am sorry. It is not my business.” Louisa said quickly.

Sammy quirked a brow at Louisa, tilting her head in confusion.

“What? No. You’re fine. I don’t mind to talk about it. My parents died a few years ago. I don’t have any cousins or anything and my grandparents died when I was way younger. It’s not a big deal, okay?”

“Okay.” Louisa blushed and dropped her gaze to her cup of tea. The power had to come back on soon, right? And then they could at least drown the awkward silence out with some TV.

“So, how long have you and your brother lived here?” Sammy asked after several beats.

“Oh, he’s not my brother,” Louisa smiled. “He’s my cousin, and we’ve only been here a short while.”

“How do you like it so far?”

“I think Kadenburg is lovely. I’ve made some great friends. I believe I could live out the rest of my life here and be happy.”

“Really?” Sammy stared at her like she was insane. “Why? It’s such a small town. There’s nothing to do here. I’ve only been here for a few years but I can’t wait to get out.”

“Why did you move here?” Louisa asked curiously.

She watched as Sammy dropped her gaze to the cup, opting to take another sip rather than answer her. She was nervous, and Louisa realized that perhaps this was not a conversation to have either. Great Urseth, she needed to learn not to open her big mouth at all.

“I’m sorry,” Louisa frowned. “I do not think it is so bad here. In fact, I find most things to be quite wonderful about Kadenburg. It’s sort of magical in a way. Beautiful,” She smiled. “There really are some amazing people here.”

Oh my Urseth, am I fawning over Greg? Is that what I meant by that last statement?

No, no. She could not think of Greg like that. It could not happen-no way, Jose. Never. Their near-kiss had to be forgotten and quickly. Yet, her heart was hammering in her chest as the heat rushed into her cheeks. Greg had tried to kiss her. It meant he liked her, right?

“You okay over there?” Sammy asked.

“Huh? Oh, yes,” Louisa laughed nervously. “I am fine. I was just daydreaming I suppose.”

“I know the feeling,” Sammy admitted with a smile. She was actually quite pretty when she smiled. “I used to be such a big day dreamer. I was a big fan of Fantasy and Lore, you know? I was always lost in another world when I should’ve been paying attention in school.”

“Daydreaming is not always bad,” Louisa said in a smaller voice. “I often like to daydream. It gives us the ability to go back to happier times.”

“Mhm.” Was Sammy’s simple reply as they both fell silent.

Louisa sensed Sammy’s sadness, and it was overwhelming. Something bad had happened to her, too. She chewed her bottom lip, daring to gaze at the other female again. Sammy’s bottom lip was quivering gently as she attempted to take another sip of her tea. What demons did she have?

A light knock sounded on the door, causing both of them to jump. Damn it. Louisa needed to learn to be more focused on their surroundings than this. Beau had entrusted her to keep Sammy safe, though she was certain the female had no issue with protecting herself, and here she was off in La-La land while someone was knocking on the door!

She knew it was not a wolf…well, sort of. Beau had told her what happened outside before leaving, and she knew she was supposed to be on the lookout for lycans. This was definitely a lycan-but only
partially
. She couldn’t hide the smile sliding over her lips as she pushed herself up from the chair and hurried to the front door.

She eagerly unbolted the lock before pulling the door open and allowed her eyes to land on Greg’s handsome,
sad
face.

“Greg?” She asked, reaching out for his arm. Why wasn’t he wearing a coat in this weather? She tugged him inside, noting how stiffly he moved as his boots hit against the floor of the apartment. “Greg, what’s wrong? What are you doing out here without a coat on?”

“I didn’t need it,” Greg mumbled as he turned around to stare down at her. “I don’t really get cold anymore.”

True. She could feel how warm he was just by touching him. Despite the fact his nose was red and his cheeks were rosy, he didn’t feel like he’d lost any body heat.

“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by,” Greg continued as he stared down at her. “I didn’t want to go home just yet, and I figured I should check on you and Beau anyway since the power still seems to be out everywhere.”

“Everywhere?” Louisa’s eyes widened. “I thought it was just out on our block.”

“Shoot, no,” Greg chuckled softly as he stomped his boots against the welcome mat, ridding himself of the excess snow before he stepped out of the way so Louisa could close the door. “It’s out all over town. I don’t know how long it’s going to take them to fix it.”

“That must’ve been some storm,” Louisa frowned as she guided him into the living room. “Greg, this is Sammy. Sammy, this is Greg.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sammy nodded from her place on the couch.

“Likewise, Ma’am.” Greg replied with a small bow of his head. His eyes searched the room before landing on Louisa again. The way he gazed at her always made her stomach feel funny. She knew it was wrong, but there was a part of her that liked when he stared at her like that. She also didn’t mind the emotions he gave off. He was nervous-about seeing her. Though there was another emotion, too…..

“Do you want some tea?” Louisa offered as she moved towards the kitchen. “I just made some.” She said a little louder so he could hear her.

“I’d love some.” Greg said. He was right behind her and it startled her. Louisa gasped and whirled about, nearly crashing into his hard chest.

“Oh, Urseth!” She yelped, tilting her head back to look at him. “I didn’t know you were in here.” She laughed nervously.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” Greg smiled gently. It was a tired smile though. He seemed very tired, and a little lost. Something was bothering him.

“You didn’t,” Louisa promised as she wandered to the counter and grabbed the steaming teapot. “So, why were you out and about in the first place?”

“I needed to get away from the house for a bit. My mom was trying to help…I know that…but I just had to get out. The wolf,” he lowered his voice significantly as he spoke to her. “He’s restless. He fights with me all the time. If that’s not bad enough….the bear is right in on it. I feel like I’ve got split personalities most of the time. I don’t know how to please both of them.”

“I see,” Louisa frowned, turning back to him with a fresh cup of tea in hand. “I can’t imagine what that’s like for you, Greg. I’m sorry you have to go through it. I wish I knew how to help.”

“I think you can.” Greg replied softly as he cupped his fingers around hers which were around the mug.

“How?” Louisa asked quietly, feeling the surge of energy racing through her veins from the contact. Her heart stopped momentarily as she met his gaze. “What can I do to help?”

Greg’s tongue traced over his lower lip as he smiled again, “When I’m with you….I feel distracted from my problems. I don’t think about them as much when we’re together, Lou. When I’m at home, alone with my thoughts, that’s when they torment me. I’ve really tried to get along with the wolf-I swear it. I do exactly what Dimitri told me to do….but he only seems to behave around you.”

“T-that’s ridiculous,” Louisa found herself replying as her lower back hit the counter suddenly. Why was she backing away from Greg? “Wolves d-don’t like bears,” She whispered.

“Don’t they?” Greg asked, tilting his head to the side. “I’m fairly sure Dimitri liked Liam.”

“That’s different.” She tried to argue as the cup of tea was pulled from her hands. Greg gently placed it on the countertop before taking her hands into his own. Gosh, his hands were huge compared to hers. Despite the fact he’d been in the snow –probably all night-his hands were wonderfully warm. She swallowed hard, listening as her heart thundered in her ears.

“No, it isn’t,” Greg promised in a lower voice, dipping his head down to bump the tip of his nose against hers. “Louisa, I need you,” He confessed in a husky whisper. “My wolf needs you. My bear needs you.”

Oh, Urseth, was this really happening? Was Greg really saying he needed her?

I need you too,
was what she wanted to say. She couldn’t quite find the ability to make her voice work as she tilted her head back slightly. It was probably for the better. She wasn’t supposed to care about someone so soon. She couldn’t do that to her mate-to-be.

Mate-could-have-been,
her mind reminded gently as her eager breath fanned out against Greg’s lips.
He is gone. He is not coming back. He would want me to be happy…..

“Please make it stop,” Greg pleaded as he rested his forehead against hers. “You’re the only one who can make this better for me, Lou. Please….”

She wanted to help him. More than anything, she wanted to help this poor, tormented man. He never asked for any of this to happen to him. Hell, did anyone ever ask for the unexpected to happen to them? Louisa blinked back the tears forming in her eyes. His emotions were overwhelming her, but she fought through them to keep herself focused on the task at hand. He was asking for her help, and she would not fail him as she failed so many others. She
would
help Greg.

“I’m here,” Louisa promised with a small nod. “I’ll do whatever it takes to ease your mind, Greg. Just…try to relax.”

She closed her eyes, hoping he would follow her lead. She inhaled deeply through her nostrils and then let the air escape through her parted lips.

“Just breathe like me,” she instructed in that same gentle voice. “Breathe in, breathe o-”

She was cut off by the feel of warm, sensual lips against her own. Oh great, wonderful Urseth above! Greg had initiated the kiss…which was new for her. Louisa knew that the female always made the first move-that’s just how it was, yet Greg was breaking all the rules now as his mouth moved tenderly against her own.

Maybe she should’ve seen that coming. Maybe she should’ve been more prepared for it, but sweet Urseth, she was
not
expecting such a kiss from Greg.

His large hands framed either side of her face as his lips claimed hers in a searing, hungry manner. It was a kiss that caused her brain to frazzle. Pacing her breathing was no longer a concern as she found herself returning his kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck. She pushed up on her tiptoes, attempting to deepen this spontaneous kiss.

Greg was an exceptional kisser. She could only compare him to one other, and truth be told, no one would
ever
be able to compare to him. However, Greg was most certainly in a league of his own as his hard body pinned hers against the counter.

It ended all too soon as he pulled back, sucking a deep breath into his lungs with a smile lingering on his lips.

Louisa slowly opened her eyes, gazing at him as if she were in a daze. She sort of was, actually. Who gave him the right to kiss her senseless-without warning? Oh, but she liked it. She
really
liked it.

“Thank you.” He whispered.

“I….think I should be thanking you.” She replied as her face heated up once more.

They shared a small laugh, only to be cut short by the sound of a distant howl.

“What was that?” Louisa asked, turning her head to gaze out the window above the sink. “Was that Dimitri?”

“No,” Greg frowned. “And it wasn’t Rutley either. That was a different wolf.”

Louisa’s face paled, “Breslin?”

“I don’t think so,” His brows furrowed as his grip on her hips tightened.

The sound of the front door slamming made Louisa jump, and she darted past Greg to hurry back into the living room. Surely Beau wasn’t home from work already?

As she entered the living room, she soon realized that Beau was not home, and she was going to be in so much trouble.

“Oh no.” She groaned softly, pressing her palm against her heated forehead.

Sammy was gone.

“W
hat the hell is so important that you called me out of the office?”

Sheriff Holter was tired and easily irritable, but nothing got on his nerves worse than when his deputies couldn’t perform the simplest of tasks. He had bigger fish to fry right now and he was depending on them to get the power back up for the town.

He couldn’t very well work on finding his son if he had to keep coming out to do their job, right?

“Sorry, Sheriff,” one of his veteran deputies replied as he approached him. “I just thought you ought to see this.”

“See what?” Sheriff Holter frowned. “If it’s not a body, Farris I promise I’m going to make you run the radio for a month.”

“No, Sir. It’s not a body, Sir, but I think you’ll want to see it anyway.”

“Fine.” Sheriff Holter huffed as he trekked through the deep snow, making his way towards the power station. Why on earth the city workers and the handful of deputies he’d lent them couldn’t figure out the problem was beyond his comprehension. Was it that hard to repair a few lines and make sure the heavy snow was removed from around wires?