Make A Wish (Dandelion #1) (23 page)

When your mother walked into my life, my world was turned completely upside down. Everything that I’d been taught and had come to know was standing in the way of us being together and I let it. I wanted to protect her so I figured the best thing I could do was to leave, to protect her from the feelings that I was beginning to feel for her. But leaving only hurt her more and I wish there was a way to go back in time and fix it. But there isn’t.

I intend to do everything in my power to earn her trust back so that we can be a family. All of us. You. Me. And her.

When I found out about you, every hope and dream I had came true. I know that sounds silly and clichéd, but it’s true. For years I’ve looked at other people with their children and prayed that someday I would get to have that. To know that I get to experience that brings such joy to my life.

I get to see you walk and talk for the first time, I get to sit in the audience at dance recitals, and someday, I will get the honor of walking you down the aisle as another man stands ready to claim your heart.

I will always be the first man to love and hold you. I will always be here for you in the good times and in all the bad, that won’t ever change. Can’t wait to meet you in a couple months, my sweet little baby girl.

Love Always.

Your Daddy, Beau.

I was beyond tired of all the crying, but when reading Beau’s letter to our daughter, it seemed to be an appropriate reaction. I hadn’t known that he’d felt that way about our child, and it warmed my heart to know he already loved her just as much as I did.

Beau was one incredible man and never in a million years did I expect someone like him to walk into my life. Beau—the man who could literally have any woman— wanted me. He deserved far better; I just didn’t think he realized it.

BEAU

I was nervous and scared but also really excited to finally let Juliette know how I felt about her. Now that I knew she was full werewolf, deep in my gut I knew she was my one true soul mate. No other woman could ever compare—she was it for me.

I had banned my entire pack from entering my office building and had spent the morning preparing a romantic setup. I removed all the furniture from the room and decorated the walls in strands of hanging flowers and twinkle lights.

A large fluffy white blanket with pillows were set up in the middle of the floor, and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries sat in the middle, accompanied by a couple sheets of paper addressed to her.

Soothing instrumental music played in the background as I sat impatiently on the blanket, waiting for her to find her way there. With a small beep, a message flashed across my phone screen.

Griffin: She’s on her way, Boss. Good Luck.

I stood the minute I heard the door to the office building spring open. As she made her way around the corner and caught sight of the room, she froze, her mouth hanging open.

“What is this, Beau?” The lights reflected in her eyes, her lips pursing in thought. I led her to the spot on the blanket across from me, my fingers never leaving hers.

Despite my nerves, I managed to begin the speech I’d spent days going over in my head.

“Juliette, ever since the moment I laid eyes on you, I’ve felt something draw us together. We shared one small yet painstakingly beautiful night together and have had to overcome some pretty intense situations since then, but I feel invincible with you by my side. Every time you’re sad or upset, I make it a game to see how quickly I can put a smile on your face. And anytime I’m frustrated or worried, one smile from you and my day is already much brighter.”

I cleared my throat quickly before continuing. “You bring clarity and joy to my life that I hadn’t even realized I’d been missing. I couldn’t have chosen a kinder, stronger, more beautiful woman to be the mother of my child.” I looked at her with all the adoration in the world and took a breath, letting the words I’d wanted to say for awhile out. “Juliette, I love you so very much. I can only hope that you feel the same for me.”

Part way through my monologue, Juliette had pulled her hand from mine and wiped the silent tears that streamed from her eyes. She looked around the room before bringing her eyes to mine.

“I need time, Beau. This is all too much too fast. Please, I’m not ready for this and you deserve a girl far better than me. Trust me.” She stood and turned away from me, heading to the door.

“Juliette, please.”

“No, B. Just let me go. I can’t give you what you’re asking for.”

And as if my world was ending, I let all the pain and sorrow I was feeling fall from my eyes.

SAYLOR

I opened my door on the first knock, holding my arms open as Jules threw herself into them. Though I was much shorter, over the years we’d perfected the awkwardly placed hugs.

“What’s wrong?” I asked worriedly while I pulled back and wiped the black makeup lines away from Jules’ face. She’d texted me on her way over but hadn’t specified what was the matter.

Jules just shook her head, telling me that she wasn’t able to discuss it at that particular time. I knew she couldn’t avoid this subject forever. Eventually she would get tired and I would force her to talk about it. That’s just how we rolled.

She crawled into my bed and closed her eyes, eventually falling into a peaceful sleep.

***

I sat in front of my TV flipping through the channels, paying little to no attention to the images fluttering across the small, outdated screen. I picked up my phone, fingers flying over the keyboard to type out a text.

Saylor: What the hell just happened? Jules showed up a total mess.

Griffin: I probably shouldn’t tell, it’s not our business.

Saylor: Well considering I’m dealing with the aftermath of said mess, it’s my business. ;)

Griffin: Fine.

Saylor: Fine?

Griffin: Beau told Juliette that he loved her and she walked out on him.

Saylor: OMG!

Griffin: Tell me about it.

Saylor: I’ll talk to her.

“Is it true?” I threw my body dramatically on the bed, waking Jules in the process.

“Huh?”

“Did you really walk out on Beau after he confessed that he loves you?”

Juliette yawned and sat up, momentarily gazing down at her stomach, avoiding my eyes. “Yeah.”

“I’ve been saying this a lot lately, but what the hell Jules? All you’re doing is torturing yourself and him.”

“I’m not good for him, Say. I’m just not.”

“Why?” I asked, challenging Juliette’s method of thinking. “Why do you feel you aren’t good for him?”

Juliette’s eyes took on a pained expression as she brushed a stray eyelash from her cheek. “You’ve met him. The guy is absolutely perfect in every way. I wanted to hate him for what happened, but the more time I spent with him, the more I couldn’t. I’m screwed up. I can barely function on a daily basis and half the time I’d rather curl up in bed and avoid everyone altogether. Beau deserves someone who’s happy and loves life. He deserves the kind of girl that he can show off to the world, one that is as perfect as he is. That isn’t me.”

“Damn, Jules. I think you’ve missed one too many therapy sessions.” I half smiled at her sympathetically. “For the record though. Nobody is perfect. Everybody has days where they want to give the world the middle finger, and you
are
the type of girl that Beau can show off. Do you love him?”

“What?”

“You heard me. Do you love Beau?”

“More than anything,” Juliette said, and my face broke out into the world’s biggest smile.

“I never thought I’d see the day. My little Jules is growing up so fast!” I pretended to wipe nonexistent tears from my eyes. “Problem solved,” I said, returning to all seriousness. “Nothing is stopping you two from living your very own happily ever after. You both love each other and you’re about to welcome a daughter into the world very soon. Now’s your chance to get it figured out. Just think about it, please.”

“Okay.”

BEAU

“I’m sorry, Alpha, but I still haven’t found anything that may be able to explain her inability to phase, not for lack of trying.” Harlow’s grey eyes conveyed her irritation over her failure. “I just know there is something in here somewhere,” she said motioning around the archive room, “but there’s just too much to search through by myself.”

“My Beta and I can help you, Harlow.” I nodded, feeling nothing but determination and need. We needed this figured out and soon. “It’s very important to me that we find the solution before my daughter is born. I don’t know what’s wrong with Juliette, but if it has any effects whatsoever on my baby, I want to be prepared.”

“Whatever you say, Sir.”

I pulled out my phone and sent a quick message to Griffin.

Beau: Meet me @ Harlows. New mission. Bring Food.

Griffin arrived within the hour, carrying six large bags of food from varying fast food places. I briefly reviewed Juliette’s situation—which thoroughly shocked Griffin. I knew the feeling. Shortly after we ate, we began browsing every file in the archives.

“This is ridiculous, Alpha. There’s too much to go through. How will we know what we’re even searching for?” Griffin growled in frustration after only an hour had passed with no luck.

“We need anything that hints to a full blooded wolf being unable to phase. Whether it’s a medical cause or curse—anything. There’s no doubt in my mind that there’s a reason for this, we just have to find it.”

“How long will we search?”

“Till we find what we’re looking for, Griffin. Less questions, more looking,” I said, not looking up from the nineteen eighties pack archive.

Each book was lined with more dust than the last, as if it had never seen the light of day. Although there were some interesting topics within the pages, I refused to get sidetracked.

Hours ticked by, the bright beautiful sun hiding itself away and darkness overcoming the world around us. Candles and lamps were flickering throughout the room as we continued on our quest for an answer. The piles of books we’d gone through grew larger and larger with each passing minute.