The Violet Hour (The Violet Hour Series) (13 page)

“What else am I feeling?” I asked softly and suggestively.

He pulled me gently away from his chest and leaned in nose-to-nose.  His eyes blinked slowly, calculated.  I forced mine to stay open, not wanting to miss a moment. 

“The same thing I’m feeling.”  He closed his eyes and pressed his lips to mine.  I let my eyes shut and ran my fingers through his hair.  The kiss was slow and thoughtful.  I never wanted it to end.

It happened so quickly that I didn’t notice we stopped until I opened my eyes and Luke was smiling at me from beside the fire.  I could barely see him in the low light of the dwindling flames.  With disappointment, I heard the faint sound of my father’s truck pulling up the drive. 

“You should go up to the house.  I can meet you on the porch,” he said. 

I took a step to leave and Luke matched my stride.  My mind was blank but my heart hammered in my chest.  Luke grabbed my arm and stopped me at the door.  I turned to him and he kissed me passionately. 

“Thank you,” he mouthed, before releasing me.  I pressed my lips together and left. 

After I parked my car in the garage, I forced a deep breath, wondering if my dad and Kate could read me the same way Luke could.  Though the past few weeks had been utterly out of control, I had done my best to be stoic, even though everything was falling apart on the inside. 

When I got inside, Kate was putting dishes away in the kitchen and my dad was sitting in the living room.  I suspected the separation between them was planned. 

“Logan?” my dad called.  Kate didn’t turn around to look at either of us.

“Yeah, Dad?”

“Can you come over here, please?”  This was a total buzz kill.  Maybe he knew that.   

I walked to the living room just as he muted the TV, noticing the clock read after midnight, instantly making me feel tired.

“Hi, Dad,” I said, sitting down next to him.

“I’d like to take you to dinner Sunday night, just you and I.  Do you have any plans?”

I shook my head, wishing I did.

“Let’s leave, then, around five.  We need to discuss some things, okay?”

“Sure,” I replied hesitantly.

He didn’t say another word, just un-muted the TV.  The man of few words struck again, leaving me with a million questions that I refused to ask.       

“I guess I’m heading to bed now that you kids are home,” I joked, trying to keep the conversation light.  He probably already knew Luke was waiting for me.

“Well, I’m glad you got out of the house and came to the game tonight.  I hope you’ll come to a few more before the season is over.” 

I winched at his acknowledgment of my recent isolation and got up from the couch.  I couldn’t believe I’d turned into
that
girl.  I used to never be home in Laguna and certainly never alone.

“I will,” I promised.  “I had fun tonight.” 

“Glad to hear it,” he said, sounding pleased.  “Try to get some sleep tonight, Logan,” he added, as I turned to leave. 

I took my time walking up the stairs, though I felt excited to see Luke again.  I wondered if he would be there waiting or if he was taking his time so I could get ready for bed.  I went into the bathroom through the hallway to change into the off-brand sweatpants and a plain white tee I’d inherited from Kate.  I never dressed down around Brody.  Even though we’d never slept together, we had spent many nights together and I had always packed cute matching sweat suit outfits.  With Luke, though… things were different.  Really different.

When I opened the door to my bedroom, candles flickered from all corners of the room.  Lying on my bed was a single white rose across my grey hooded sweatshirt.  I picked up the rose and held it to my nose.  The scent instantly reminded me of my mother. 

It was the first time I’d thought of her that day.  Usually the first thought of her brought sharp pain.  It was something I didn’t try to avoid.  Some days, I would wake up and be consumed with thoughts of her for hours, while other days she simply crossed my mind.  I put the rose on my nightstand and pulled on the sweatshirt, fighting back tears.  When I tugged my head through the opening, he was there.

Luke threw his arms around me as I began to cry into his chest. 

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” he finally said, minutes later. 

“Don’t be ridiculous, it’s not your fault.  I just really miss her.”

“I know you do.  Believe me, I know.”

We sat in silence at the edge of my bed for a while, before I noticed how tightly, yet gently, he was holding me in his arms.  He must have felt me relax because he pulled his head off my shoulder to look at me.  We both leaned back on the bed lying side by side. 

“You never answered my question from earlier,” I commented.

“What question?” 

I rolled onto my side.  “What does this mean?” 

“I told you; this can mean whatever you want it to mean, Logan.  I care about you more than you know.  You may have avoided me this past couple of weeks, but it didn’t change the way I feel about you. 

“I think I understand what you must have been thinking and feeling.  And I’m sorry for that, I truly am.  I don’t want you to ever again go through something like that alone.” 

I didn’t know how to respond.  In just a few words, he had said all the things I needed to hear.

“Have you ever noticed we have a way of putting each other at a loss for words?” I joked, breaking the silence.

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Tell me something,” I said.

“Anything,” he replied.  A chill ran down my neck at the thought of the possibilities.  He simply smiled.

“I don’t know, tell me something personal.  Tell me things that I need to know.  Tell me everything.”

“I
want
to tell you everything,” he said as I yawned.  “We have all the time in the world, but I think you need rest.”

“I’m fine,” I said, fighting another yawn.  Luke frowned in disagreement.

“Tomorrow,” he said.  It wasn’t up for further discussion.

Luke got up and pulled at the covers.  I rolled out of the way and allowed him to bury me underneath them.  He sat down beside me as I peered my head out to see him.  I noticed he had changed before coming up to my room, and was now wearing baggy, grey sweatpants and a long-sleeved thermal.  The clothes hung lightly over his frame.  Suddenly I felt like
I
could eat a buffet out of the palm of his hand.  He was dressed so simply, yet was undeniably perfect. 

“When will I see you tomorrow?” I asked, admitting defeat. 

“Who said I was leaving?  I just suggested you get some sleep.”

“Is that a good idea?” I asked, my mind racing.

“It is.  I guess your dad and Kate hardly sleep through the night anymore.  They try to check on you, but are never sure if you’re awake or still dreaming.  Sometimes they wait outside your door just in case.”

“I wouldn’t call it dreaming.”

“No, you’re right.  I’ll stay here tonight and any night you want, if it means you getting a quiet night’s sleep.”

“Thank you,” I said slowly.

He stood up and leaned back over me, pressing his lips to my forehead just as I drifted to sleep. 

Andrea Wells – The Violet Hour

Chapter 14

I woke up the next morning peacefully, blinking my eyes a few times to focus on an unfamiliar object curled under a blanket in the window seat.  Luke pulled the blankets off himself with a yawn, stretched and sauntered over toward me.  He jumped in the bed as I slid over to the other side, playfully yanking the covers up over us.

“Good morning, love,” he said softly.

“You stayed?” I asked, still beneath the covers.

“Of course, I told you I would.  How did you sleep?” he asked, pulling the blankets off our faces.

“Soundly.”

He chuckled hoarsely and slid his arms around me.  I pulled the covers down and glanced at my alarm clock.  It was only six-fifteen. 

“Do you even know what time it is, Luke?  It’s too early!  Let’s sleep for a couple more hours,” I whined. 

He smiled, clearing his throat.  “We can sleep all day if you don’t have anything you need to talk about,” he teased, closing his eyes. 

I had forgotten his promise to tell me anything and everything.  I shoved him out of bed.

Luke pulled the covers off me and I squealed as the cool air bit at my exposed skin.  He put his hand over my lips and leaned his face over mine, pressing his lips to the back of his hand. 

“I’m going to shower at my place and then I’ll meet you downstairs for breakfast.  Kate is planning to make waffles, so come hungry,” he stated.

“I’m on it,” I declared.

As I watched him disappear out the window, I realized he likely turned into a wolf as he jumped down from the porch.  Never in my life could I have imagined myself thinking that was okay.  Though I didn’t know the whole story yet, I was beginning to get used to the idea.  He had promised he was the same person and I had nothing to fear.  I knew that went for the rest of them as well, my dad especially. 

*****

Luke walked into the house from the garage, forcing a smile across my face.  We’d done it again.  I was wearing my favorite dark True Religion jeans with so many holes I had to wear white lace leggings underneath for my father’s sake, and a red flannel shirt.  Luke was wearing just-as worn dark jeans with a flannel shirt that complimented his blue eyes. 

“Morning, Luke,” my father said from the dining room table, opening the newspaper next to him.

“Luke, how many would you like?” Kate added.

“Morning.  I’ll take three for now, Kate, thanks.”

While they went through their morning routine, I walked over to my dad and put my hand on his shoulder.  He looked up at me beaming and it was enough.  I used to be very touchy-feely with my mom.  We hugged all the time and she often kissed my forehead when we were parting ways.  Sometimes, we would simply put a hand on the others’ back or touch their arm instead of speaking words.  I knew without a doubt my dad would recognize the gesture. 

Jack and Jesse had already eaten and taken off, leaving behind the remains of dirty dishes.  Kate brought over a plate each for Luke and me, and then sat down next to my dad with a plate of her own.  She picked a waffle off for my dad but he didn’t notice, distracted by the news.  He folded up the pages and passed the newspaper across the table.  I saw Luke’s eyes briefly grow wide before he turned to look at me.

“What?” I asked when no one explained. 

“Nothing,” Luke answered quickly.  Too quickly.  “Are you about finished?”

“No, we just sat down.  What’s going on?”

“What Luke meant, Logan, is it’s nothing for you to worry about.  Just a story in the paper we’ve been following,” my dad interjected. 

“Well, can I read it?”

“No, it wouldn’t make sense.  Maybe I’ll explain over dinner tomorrow night.”

Here we go again, I thought.  I suddenly lost my appetite, feeling jaded; not sure what to believe anymore.  I angrily got up from the table and shoved my chair in without saying a word.  The chair slammed against the table making the dishes rattle.  Kate looked at me with wide, frightened eyes.  My dad and Luke went still, knowing they’d been caught lying to me – again.

Lost and trapped in my own house, I stormed to the only place anyone would allow me to go, and wasted no time escaping onto the porch with a blanket.  Once alone, my mind ran wild, getting the best of me.  Painful thoughts of my mother came and went a little bit easier now, but everything else seemed to be harder to deal with.  I couldn’t believe how much my life had changed over a few short weeks. 

I needed Luke to open up and tell me everything and in turn I would do the same.  I was angry he’d lied.  I’d given him my trust and he’d once again failed me.  Even though he’d promised to be honest with me, he and my dad were still keeping things from me and refusing to be honest. 

I heard someone climb through the window behind me, but didn’t bother to look, assuming it was Luke.  He came over and didn’t hesitate to sit down in the same chair with me.  The morning sun hadn’t shown its face yet, despite the weather forecast.  It smelled like rain again and the air was cool.  Luke unfolded another blanket and threw it over us. 

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.  I felt my anger melt away.

I leaned my head onto his shoulder and took a deep breath. 

“What’s happened to you recently might not be what you imagined your life being, but it’s going to get better, I promise!” he offered with a confusing undertone.  “I am sorry for the loss of your mother, but I can sympathize with you on that.  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about my parents.  I know this hasn’t been easy – to learn you live with a bunch of werewolves.  You have to trust me everything
is
going to be okay.”

“That’s just it Luke, I did trust you.  I gave you every last bit of trust I had and you betrayed me.  I felt ready to give you my heart, and I know that sounds fast after only knowing each other for a couple of weeks, but I thought we might have something special.  I felt that way based on a person you presented yourself to be.  And it was a lie.  And, you say you’re sorry, but you’re still lying.”

“Logan, I am sorry!  You have no idea how badly I wanted to tell you right away or never have to tell you at all.  I was confused.”

“But, why didn’t you tell me right away?”

“Your father asked me not to.  But, I couldn’t take it anymore and knew I was losing more of your trust with every moment that passed, so instead of telling you, I showed you.  I thought if I told you, I’d lose you forever because you would have thought it was a joke or that I was crazy.  That’s why everyone else was there, already changed.  They were coming to stop me.”

“Am I not
supposed
to know?”

“You are supposed to know everything.  It’s just that your father wanted to tell you himself when the time was right.  He wanted to explain the whole story instead of being left to pick up the pieces.”

Luke looked down at the ring on his thumb, twirling it around his finger.  His fidgeting made him seem so human.  I felt like my emotions were doing back flips and cartwheels at the same time.  Luke let go of his ring and reached for my hand, lacing his fingers in between mine.  I didn’t have a good reason why, but I wanted things to work between us.  He’d given me his deepest, darkest secret and jeopardized himself because I had asked.

“Logan, I will tell you anything you want to know about me.  Please give me the chance.  Your father can fill in the rest of the blanks at dinner.  Then, if you still want nothing to do with me, I’ll leave you be.”

“Luke,” I paused, collecting my thoughts.  “You have no idea how badly I want to trust you.  I have no one and it hurt when you betrayed me because I felt like you were the only one I
could
trust.  I have no one to lean on in what seems like a never ending bad dream.  Maybe I should’ve been more upfront in saying this, but I was counting on my family to see me through this nightmare.”

“But, that’s just it,” Luke cut in, “you did tell me and you showed me.  You told me that day in the car at school.”

“Well then, I guess we’re both sorry,” I finished.  He squeezed my fingers tighter.

We sat quietly for a few moments.  I knew he wanted to talk as much as I wanted to listen.  But, I think we both also just wanted to be in each other’s presence again without fighting and that was enough for the moment. 

After an immeasurable amount of time passed, Luke took a slow and steady breath.

“Today is my brother Lance’s birthday,” he said flatly. 

I didn’t know what to say, thinking about Jack and Jesse. 

“Lance would’ve been one-hundred and twenty-seven years old.  Sounds silly, right?” Luke asked, though I wasn’t certain if he was asking me or questioning himself.

Sure, it
sounded
silly, but I was hung up on the ‘would’ve been’ part.  I didn’t answer his question, just squeezed
his
fingers back, encouraging him to continue. 

“I had a younger brother named Lance.  We grew up in Tombstone, Arizona where my dad and your dad had moved to mine silver. It’s also where they met our mothers.”  Luke paused as if he knew I was going to need a break after he brought up my mother.

I hadn’t put much thought into the reality my mother had also been a werewolf.  It seemed surreal; hard to imagine.  She was a model, an actress and… a
werewolf
?  A part of me didn’t believe it or didn’t want to believe it.

“It’s okay,” I finally said, “Go on.”  

“Our parents were very close; even getting married on the same day.  Tombstone became a silver mining town in the late 1870’s, so people flocked to settle there.  Our parents purchased ranchland beside each other where my brothers and I grew up working our land.

“But the land belonged to the Apache first and it wasn’t long until hostility broke out.  Of course, my parents never told me about any of this until after everything
happened
.”

He stopped.  His emphasis on the word, ‘happened,’ felt like a fork in the road.  Aside from the timeframe, talking about his parents, his brothers, their work, and the ranch seemed normal.  With anyone else he might have told his life story as if there wasn’t a hundred years between it and the present.

I took a deep breath to swallow the information he’d given so far and to make room for what was next.  I knew he was about to take me down a twisted path. 

“My family and I were captured and taken away from our home into the nearby mountains.  The Apache separated us from my mother and Lance.  My dad knew a little of the language and didn’t argue with them, just offered to do whatever he could as long as our family stayed together.”

My stomach dropped at the thought. 

“I don’t remember any of this happening, but I’ve had over a hundred years to think about that day.  No one in my family remembers the transformation, but I’m pretty certain it lasted at least a day.  Once we woke up, we began changing back and forth between human and wolf.  We realized what was happening because we witnessed each other changing. 

“It was violent.  We couldn’t control the shifting like we can now.  We were ill and weak.  The Apache members returned at some point and realized we were in no condition to fight, so they left us for dead.  My father told me later they needed warriors – fighters to protect them and their land, but something went wrong.  Very wrong.  By the next morning, Lance was gone,”

Luke stopped and closed his eyes.

I couldn’t begin to think of what images raced through his mind.

“My father knew we needed to get help or we were all going to die.  Still unstable, we left Lance where he lay.  That’s when your father found us, nearly dead. 

“Kevin took us back to his ranch, and hid us in the horse barn.  He didn’t call a doctor, because he didn’t know how the other settlers would react.  Once we stabilized and could hold off shifting for longer periods of time, your mother consulted an Apache Elder.  Even then, your mother was well-liked and had made friends throughout the town including the widow.  We explained the details of the ceremony the best we could remember.  The Elder told us we had been cursed and there was nothing she would do for us.” 

“Nothing she would do?” I asked, feeling anxious.

Luke squeezed my hand and I didn’t know whether to feel comforted or more fearful.

“There is no cure.  We are and always will be werewolves.  Forever.”

“Forever?”

I immediately thought of my mother.

Luke continued but I wasn’t paying attention.  I couldn’t.  He called it a curse but it would’ve allowed me to know my mother until the day I died.  It
should
have.  Without thinking, I pulled my hand away from Luke’s.

“What’s wrong?” he questioned.

“I’m sorry… I just…”

“It’s a lot to take in,” Luke offered.

“No, keep going.  I’m tired of not knowing the truth.”

Luke took a deep breath.

“Please,” I pressed.

“In human form everything stays pretty much the same,” Luke continued.  “Some of our natural senses, such as sight and smell are heightened.  Other than that, when we aren’t in wolf form, nothing gives us
totally
away.”