Page 35 of Bodyguard Wolf Shifter
They still didn't find out who sent the damning evidence against Flex. We might never find out. It could have been a disgruntles former employee of mine or an old enemy coming out of the shadows to make Flex look bad.
I suspected it was Luke but he wasn't admitting to anything. He did smirk when I brought it up. The man was always looking out for the best interest of the pack. It made sense when I thought it through logically.
He saw what Flex was going through by keeping his plan a secret. He wanted everything out in the open. What better way than to send the anonymous e-mails. He was the one to let me in on the rest after supposedly dropping the e-mail bomb in my lap.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product. The architectural blueprints won't do it justice. The first thing I'm going to do is have a long bath in the claw tub while looking at the stars through the skylight," I said with a deep sigh of contentment.
"That sounds fantastic. I'm guessing there is room for one more. I'll be more than happy to feed you grapes. It is what a deserving queen should be afforded. I don't know what I would do without you in my life and I don't want to find out," he said.
"I know what this is all about. You can talk to me," I referred to the sudden news of a very important and integral part of the community leaving unexpectedly.
"I still can't believe it. He told me he wants to go on a pilgrimage, but I think there is more to it than that. He's not saying anything more. Maybe you can get a straight answer out of him. I can't for the life of me understand what is going through his head," Flex said with a wave of his two hands to the sky as if he was looking for answers from a higher power.
"Luke has a mind of his own. There has to be a reasonable explanation for his departure. Let me try to get to the bottom of it. Your job is to oversee what is going to be our forever home when we are living in this world. I do have to return in a week. You will accompany me," I addressed.
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away. Where else would the father of your baby be other than by your side? What a wonderful way to say you love me. I think that is a sentiment in an old song. It is fitting." He referred to the big news I had dropped into his lap earlier that morning over breakfast.
Flex wasn't sure how to react. It was hard to figure out if it was good news or bad news without verbal confirmation. We did talk about kids, and he wanted a big family. The timing was a little off. We had agreed to two years living in both worlds before contemplating bringing a little one into it.
"You can feel him kicking. Feel for yourself," I urged before taking his hand and placing it on my stomach.
His mouth gaped open in surprise. The fetus was still in the development stage but was growing quickly. This was new territory. Nobody knew quite what to expect from a hybrid pregnancy. We were learning with a community coming together to help when it was needed.
Luke made his way over carrying a green army knapsack over his shoulders. He was about to take his leave.
Luke would be missed terribly.
"I hope I haven't caught the two of you at a bad time. I've stayed as long as I can. There's nothing more for me to do here. This is something I have to do," Luke explained without really saying anything.
Flex stood in front of him with his hands folded in front of him defensively. "This is wrong and we both know it. Am I the only one sane around here? Talk some sense into him," Flex said angrily with his fists clenched.
He walked away most likely feeling like he had lost his best friend.
"You'll have to forgive him. He has a lot on his mind, including the new arrival," I said matter of fact with a huge grin on my face while rubbing my belly.
Luke looked at me incredulously with his eyes lighting up like the Fourth of July. "I'm very happy for the two of you. He's always wanted a family. It's the one thing that was missing in his life. You gave him that and a whole lot more. Don't sell yourself short."
"You have always been his family. He's lost too much in the past year. You can't expect him to be happy about this. He won't say it, but I will. Don't go." I pleaded with him to stay.
He took a deep breath and put both hands in his pockets. "Don't you think I want to stay?"
"We don't understand why you are doing this. We can't stop you, but maybe you can give us a reason before you go. Lincoln and Jasper will show up. I'm sure there's a logical explanation for their disappearance," I said
Smith also packed up and left town. That was the official story when the police came looking for him to answer for his crimes. It was a laundry list of offenses. His business was dismantled.
Flex had incriminating evidence against him. Damning photographs and invoices.
It was good to be prepared.
I had a funny feeling Flex did something to him. I didn't want to ask. It was better not to know. Some things were better left unsaid.
They were never going to find him.
"I have searched high and low for those two, but I have come up empty-handed. Nobody can disappear without a trace. Everybody thinks they are dead, including Flex. We found a fair amount of blood down by the river on the rocks. The current could've easily dragged them out to sea. I don't think they are dead. I think they or someone wants us to believe they are dead," he admitted to having his doubts.
"What are you trying to say?" I asked while leaning forward.
"The only thing I can say is nothing is what it seems. I promise I won't be gone forever. Keep everybody safe while I'm gone. It could be some time before I venture back this way. Let him know he's not alone. Give him a foundation to build on." He pointed over his shoulder toward Flex.
