Dawn's Innocence

"Everyone loves you," Shayla cooed.

"I'm a vampire, not everyone loves me."

"I do."

Carter arched a pale blonde brow, "Then you're a rarity."

"How do I look?" Shayla spun in the borrowed dress. Carter's blue eyes followed her every move. The pale green dress billowed out around her in silky waves around her knees. She was too far past the point of being self conscious about her condition and didn't bother to try. She was pregnant, very pregnant, and damned proud of it.

"Pregnant," Carter answered unblinkingly. Her belly was heavy with the child that was expected to be born within the next week. God, he hoped so. He was damned ready to see if her theory was true and the insufferable presence would be gone once the baby came. Her dark hair had been pulled tightly into a braid that swung at the tops of her shoulders with every turn. To him, pregnant or not, she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

"Thanks. You're supposed to say that I look ravishing, beautiful, radiant." Shayla shook her head. "Not pregnant. In all the time that you've been alive haven't you learned anything about women?"

Carter pulled her back and nestled her back against his chest. Smoothing his big hands across her belly. He could imagine being human and the child growing inside of her was his. It was a convenient fantasy and nothing more. He hadn't been human in a very, very long time. "You are those things and more. I thought you knew that."

"Every girl needs a little reinforcement." Shayla tugged at Carter's hand. "Come on, let's go." She saw the worry in his expression. "Stop fretting, everything will be fine."

Torr hung back, mixed in amongst the pines. Carefully hiding amidst the shadows. His heart ached. Erica sat nestled between her daughter and a vacated seat. Family. He'd never had such a luxury and seeing her so happy, laughing, enjoying the day stung and he felt the pang of regret. If only, he could march proudly through the mix and take the empty chair next to her. Instead, he hid from her, like the coward he was.

He had no more answers than he did the first time he set eyes on her. He knew, deep in his gut, what he had to do. Finding the right time and the right words to say what had to be said. Perhaps, there never would be a right time, and the right words might always elude him. Nevertheless, he couldn't put it off forever. He slid back beneath the cover of pines when she glanced over her shoulder to the spot where he'd been standing.

Erica felt eyes on the back of her head, staring at her from behind. She couldn't shake the creepy feeling. Surrounded by happy, eager wedding guests and on a beautiful, sunny, slightly breezy spring day, the feeling was there. Casually, as if she were tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, she turned to see whom the eyes belonged to. Nobody. The woods were a mix of greens and browns steeped in shade and not a soul in sight.

She scolded herself. Deep in her paranoid heart she was too much of a city girl, anticipating thugs around every concrete corner. Maybe, the wolf sighting had shaken her up more than she'd realized. This was a small burg in the middle of nowhere. She already knew every dark secret the town hid beneath its sleepy exterior. There was no reason to be freaked out. Not even the boogeyman bothered with this place.

Janine fretted about, adjusting this and straightening that. Nervously, she glanced at her watch and shielded her eyes from the blinding rays of the sun as she looked up. It was finally go time. She cued Chance to begin the haunting guitar melody and call this wedding to a start. She shot a quick glance at Nash and a subtler glance at The Great Father as their cue to take their positions at the altar.

Janine took a deep breath and ran her eyes over the wall of black leather, muscle, and weaponry. When the music changed tempo, she cued them to begin their march up the aisle to their designated positions. Perfect, perfect, perfect! So far everything was going exactly as planned.

Eloise squeezed Kacie's hand anxiously as Janine hustled them into position. Her big moment was finally here. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the bundle of wildflowers. Their fragile brilliantly colored petals trembled with the shaking of her hands. She wanted this more than anything, to be Nash's wife. Why was she so nervous all of a sudden? Her big moment, she'd been planning it for weeks and now she was terrified.

She pushed the terror and doubt out of her mind. The last time she'd stood in front of a crowd this big, it had been to make a plea for her life. She'd met the angered eyes with her head held high, dignified. These people were here for her not against her. They were her closest and dearest friends. No reason to be frightened or nervous, absolutely none. She clamped down on the memories and focused on the gaily-colored flowers in her hand. The past was the past, over and done. She was marching headlong into the future.

A gentle tug on her skirt interrupted her thoughts. Evan stared up at her with wide brown eyes. He looked very handsome in his little black suit coat and tie. "I'll walk with you if you want," he said. He held out his arm in a very gentlemanly gesture and tilted his chin up to meet his eyes.

Eloise smiled down at him and took his hand. "I'd like that very much." Evan's tiny fingers curled around hers. She was at ease, not having to walk that last stretch from her past into her future alone. Having the child at her side reminded her that no matter where she walked or what waited for her in the future, she'd never walk a single foot alone. These people were more than just friends and casual acquaintances. They were family.

Tristen slid his arms through Kacie's. He couldn't stop staring at her. She looked so beautiful. Utterly feminine in her dress and heels, tiny diamond earrings dangled from her lobes and her cheeks were awash with a radiant pink blush. "What are you looking at?" she asked.

"You."

The leather of Tristen's ceremonial dress gear was smooth across her palm. The deep mahogany leather looked like it would be stiff and brittle, but it was soft and supple as silk. The fringe of his sleeve tickled the inside of her arm. "You look good too." His eyes twinkled, as if he were enjoying some sort of a private thought. She saw the deep love he had for her reflected in their depths.

"You sure you don't want to make this a double ceremony? Throw Janine a curve ball?"

Kacie bit back a snicker, "I'm not sure she could take it. I think she'd have a heart attack and fall over dead."

Tristen guided her chin up with an index finger and pressed a gentle kiss to Kacie's mouth. "Might be fun to find out."

"All right you two," Janine breathed softly. "Its show time."

Kacie clutched Tristen's arm to keep from toppling over in the heels. Tennis shoes or a good pair of boots were more her style, any day. The grass was soft and spongy beneath the stick like three inch silver heels. She stumbled over a stray clump of earth. But, Tristen steadied her before anyone noticed or she could tumble to the ground. Kacie smiled, repeating John Mark's sage words in her mind. 'A good partner always catches you before you fall.'

Eloise took a deep breath and smiled down at Evan. He may be only six years old, but he had a knowledge that went way beyond his years and reflected in the depths of his soft brown eyes. "Ready?"

Evan nodded and returned her smile. "Ready." Eloise was his pack mistress and always would be. He was proud to let everyone know how much she meant to him. And very proud to be the one to take this final walk toward her destiny at her side.

Eloise stood at the back of the assembly, greeted with friendly stares and smiles as she took the first step. Chanting in a deep rich rolling voice echoed off the high stone walls of the bluffs and the lush green woods flanking the gathering. Other voices joined in, each one building off the other till every individual voice was lost to the singular rhythm. She kept her steps small and even so that Evan could keep up. Together they walked, what seemed like miles, but was only a few dozen yards. He led her to a stop at the altar and presented her hand to Nash. Bowing low at the waist, every bit the gentleman he'd someday grow up to be.

Drew stared out at the faces, human, vampire, and pack. Generations were represented here, old and young, some timeless, and others, their lives, just a drop in a vast ocean. His people were one. The Lost Children were home at long last. The vampires were one brotherhood joined by cause and blood. The humans, the mothers, brothers, husbands, sisters, grandfathers, and grandmothers that had served the cause generation after generation were gathered here on these bluffs. The funny thing about humans, they never ever did understand their importance in the bigger picture. They were the thread that ran through and bound the brothers, the pack, and themselves as one.

The ceremony was brief, an exchange of words and promises. Binding of hands and blood. The mystic union of male and female, pack to pack, and life to life. Drew prayed for the goddess to bless them and her children. Afterwards, he gave Nash and Eloise his blessing and released them into the eager crowd of well wishers.

Nash kissed Eloise. Everyone was expecting one of those polite pecks. He kissed her with everything he was worth, claiming her as his. She leaned heavily on him, fighting to suck in a breath when he ended the kiss. Grinning mischievously, he led her down the aisle and into the thick of the crowd eager with congratulations.

There was the usual after the ceremony cutting of cake and opening of presents. The first dance was followed by a second and a third. After the pleasantries were finished and the happy couple made their escape, the real party began. If anything, the pack knew how to party. A bonfire raged into the dimming daylight. The band played fast paced rock numbers. People, vampires, and wolves got busy getting down with their bad selves.

Chapter 80

Erica sipped some punch and kept an eye on Fallon. She and a dark headed little girl were dancing to a rock beat on the dance floor and giggling like best friends. She'd even had a few offers to take a spin or two on the dance floor. To her chagrin, the would be suitors seemed disappointed when she declined. She simply had too much on her plate, and the stack kept growing and growing, to lead someone on or start something she had no intention of finishing.

"Hello Erica."

Erica froze with her punch halfway to her lips. She hadn't heard that voice in person in ten years, yet she recognized it with amazing clarity. She turned to face the owner of the deep rumbling bass voice. Her heart thudded in her throat as her eyes focused on the face, the deep cleft of his chin, the jaw line so hard it could have been set in steel, and his eyes, deep wells of piercing blue. His hair was wild and loose in a tangle of black waves and spirals that brushed the top of his collar. His cologne was a heady mix of spice and musk. A smile curved at the ends of his supple lips. Suddenly she blushed, remembering how soft those lips had been. "Hello, Torr."

Torr towered over Erica. Her hair shone in the soft lights of the impromptu stage, reflecting rich tones of red and gold. A light blush tinted her cheeks. Her voice washed over his skin like a whispered promise. He followed the tip of her tongue as it slicked nervously over a set of lush berry lips. The lavender wrap around dress clung to every dip and curve of her body. "Have you had time to think about my invitation for coffee?"

"Not really. I'm still getting settled in. I heard you were living here now and I meant to call... I mean I'm not stalking you or anything...My aunt and uncle...I was born here...Just for get any of that came out of my mouth. I sound so stupid," Erica stammered.

Torr grinned at Erica's shy, embarrassed flush. He waved his hand dismissing her disjointed speech. He was equally at a loss for words. "I'm a friend of the bride's, and you?"

"Ummmm, I tagged along with my aunt and uncle. I really don't know anybody here. I...ah thought it'd be better than watching reruns on TV, I guess." Erica sipped her punch to have her mouth occupied with something other than putting her foot in it. So much for her avoidance technique, she had to say something. "You know, about meeting for coffee? We could just talk here."

Torr frowned, his dark brows knit together in a single line. "I don't think this is the time or the place for the conversation we need to have." He needed a quiet, private place to tell her the things that he had to tell her.

Erica nodded. She couldn't just blurt out that he had a daughter and leave it at that. They needed to actually sit and sort this through. "I agree."

She felt a tug on her elbow and looked down to see Fallon curiously staring up at her. "Mom?" Erica moved slightly in front of Fallon, blocking her daughter from Torr. She wasn't ready to have him see the evidence of the truth she'd hidden from him these last ten years. But there was no way she could hide it, not anymore. Torr's eyes flashed in recognition. He knew exactly who Fallon was to him. She smoothed a hand over the top of her daughter's sleek curls. "This is my daughter, Fallon."

"Hello, Fallon." Torr grinned and bent low as he extended a hand. Warmth spread across his face when the little girl reached out to shake it. Her tiny fingers were lost in his grip. She was so beautiful, the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. And she was most certainly the best thing he'd ever done. It was so difficult for him to play it cool and give Erica the time and space she needed to gather her thoughts and come up with something to say.

"Hello," Fallon said politely. She liked that the man had stooped down to make eye contact with her. There was something so familiar about him. A flicker in his eye that for some reason made her think of her wolf. Fallon shyly pulled her hand away and wondered if her mom had finally made a new friend as in ...boyfriend. "Mom, I made a new friend too."

"That's great, honey," Erica said. She rarely dismissed her daughter. Usually, Fallon was the sole focus of her entire world. But, the ground beneath her feet was shifting on its axis. Torr sucked the oxygen from her lungs. Just seeing him took her back and flung her forward into places she wasn't sure she was ready to go. "Fallon, you should go play. We have to be leaving soon."

"Really?"

"Really. Get her phone number and tomorrow I'll call her parents and set up a time to meet them."

"Ok mom," Fallon said. Wow, was that a sudden departure from her mom's usual twenty thousand questions. Marianne was great! She was almost a teenager and knew all the lyrics to every One Direction song ever made. They'd been talking nail polish and moving on into the tender subject of boys when she'd spotted her mom talking to some man. Fallon had gotten right on that. Random guys did not talk to her mom. But, now that she was assured the guy wasn't some rapist or serial killer, she was ready to dance and talk boys with Marianne some more. And Marianne's older brother Daniel...was so hot. "Nice to meet you, Torr." Fallon bounded off into the crowd to find Marianne.

"She's a cute little girl." Torr stared after Fallon. His heart danced in his chest as wild as the drum beat in the air. He'd finally been introduced to his daughter.

"Thanks," Erica said uncomfortably.

"I should let you get back to the party." He thought about asking her to dance, but the moment between them was awkward enough. "About the coffee? You have my number?"

"And I'll call you soon."

"Promise?"

"Promise." Erica smiled at the boyish grin that spread across Torr's handsome face. After all these years he could still make her heart skip a beat. She watched him disappear into the crowd. What was she getting herself into? She'd given her word that she would call him. Soon. Soon was ambiguous and offered no hint of a time limit. Soon implied within a few days, but soon could mean months. Her choice. Should she keep avoiding the inevitable? Should she? No, she'd call. She had to call him before soon slowly faded into too late.

"You wanna blow this place?" Tristen asked. He had romance on his mind. Weddings always brought out the softer side in him and he had a little private time, just him and Kacie on his mind.

Kacie sighed and rested her head on Tristen's shoulder as the band played a slow dance number. "Have I been here long enough to make a respectable appearance?"

"More than." Tristen wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer. His cheek brushed against her cheek as they danced.

"Lets go then." She was ready to get out of the heels and shuck the dress. Cotton, and comfy was more her style. Tristen's sheets were cotton and his bed was more than comfy.

Tristen gripped Kacie's hand and led her down the trail that wound to the compound. "Do you think someday you'll want a big wedding like that?"

"I don't think so. Not my style. Besides I've already sworn to Janine that I was going to elope."

"Why'd you do that?"

"It was either threaten elopement or get asphyxiated by hairspray fumes."

Tristen tightened his grip and pulled Kacie close against him. "Elopement is good." The woods were bathed in soft dusky purple light as night settled in around them.

"I thought according to your customs, we were already considered married."

"We are."

"So what's the big deal?" Kacie hated the defensive edge to her voice. But, she felt like Tristen was pushing her and she hated to be pressured. She wasn't ready yet. Plain and simple.

"I thought according to your customs, we weren't considered married without all this fanfare?" Tristen said waving his hand to the noise of the party that filtered through the woods.

"So, what's the big deal?" Kacie mimicked.

"I want everyone to know how I feel about you. I love you, to hell with customs, myths, and rituals. I just want to be yours and you to be mine, forever." Tristen pulled Kacie into his arms and crushed her with the weight and warmth of his body.

"As a smart assed guy, some of the wisest words he'd ever said, once told me. Babe, I'm already yours, heart, body and soul. And I will always be there, to catch you before you fall. Like a good partner should."

"I like this guy."

"I do too." Kacie tipped her chin and stood on her tiptoes. Tristen's lips were soft and gentle on hers. The world around them faded away until there was just the two of them. Kissing with their bodies, whispering unsaid promises with their hearts, and loving, fully and deeply with their souls. Tomorrow would come and the future would unfold in due time. Marriage, or not, wedding vows, or not, they were united in the only way that mattered, heart, body, and soul, forever.

Epilogue.

Carter paced around the confines of the room. Pain roared through him. Tightness and darkness crushed in on him. He struggled and fought for space to catch his breath. The presence screamed in his mind. Sheer agony held him in its unyielding grip. He'd never known such torture. In all the centuries of his long existence, he'd never known the true meaning of pain until now.

Shayla panted and pushed with all her might. Fighting the smothering waves of fatigue to bring her son into the world. The labor had been hard and long. Agonizing seconds turned into hours. The pain was relentless. She tried as best she could to do what Thomas and Claire encouraged her to do, but it wasn't enough. She was losing the fight. "Save the baby." She stifled a scream as another wave of pain pulled her under.

"I'm not going to lose you or the baby." Thomas panted, "Not going to happen." His gloves were coated with a slick covering of blood as he fought to bring this baby into the world. "Come on Shayla, don't you give up on me."