*Sasha*
“Are you ready to embrace the teachings of Lycaon?” A new face bead at , a young woman holding pamphlets and a thick Book of Lycaon.
Clammy goosebumps rose all over my skin and discomfort twisted in my stomach, right where my baby should have been. “Um... still deciding.”
The young woman foisted the pamphlets and book on , her acolyte robes swaying gently as she leaned in close.
It took everything in not to jerk back.
“Lycaon is the One and the Way,” she whispered, as though sharing so juicy secret with . “Following him is the only way for us to reclaim the Dark Realm.”
“That sounds... lovely...” I wheezed, forcing a smile.
She gave a suprely serene smile of her own, the kind that could only touch the lips of those blinded by faith. The Lycaon Church preyed on the vulnerable, I realized, those looking for easy answers. I had to tread carefully.
The paintings and statues behind and around her did not make feel any more at ease. There was sothing dark, almost evil about them. Every brush stroke and curve of stone seed to demand fear and obedience–not my kind of deity at all.
“Oh, and here’s a schedule of church events,” the young woman went on brightly. She slipped a stapled, three-sheet calendar on top of the Book of Lycaon. “See here? Here’s the book study. And over here is the Solstice Gathering. We’re coming into our most important cycle of the year.”
“That’s... well, that sounds exciting,” I replied weakly.
“It is! Oh, and here is the Mated Retreat. I so hope to et my mate soon. The Mated Retreat allows mated couples to deepen their faith together in Lycaon, as well as learn and live by the Lycaon Tenants of Marriage,” the young woman said.
“H-how many tenants are there?” I asked, deciding to at least try to keep the conversation going. They had to think I was interested, after all.
“A hundred and thirty-five,” the young woman responded with excitent. “Isn’t it wonderful that Lycaon recognized the importance of the mate bond and decided to make so many rules about it? It shows just how much he cares.”
“Yeah, that sounds... really interesting,” I gulped, already feeling restricted and not having read one tenant yet.
“Are you mated? Oh, you must be. I can sll it all over you,” the young woman said. “Would you like to sign you and your mate up for the next retreat? I hear they even do campfire hymns while roasting marshmallows. Doesn’t that sound fun?!”
“Can’t... even think of a better way... to spend my ti,” I managed between my teeth. “But I need to discuss it with my mate first. He’s more... reluctant than I am.”
The young woman nodded emphatically. “Yes. Yes! Make sure to share all we’re doing for Lycaon!”
“Sure will,” I lied.
“Will you join us for worship service this Friday? Maybe you can get your mate to co as well,” the young woman suggested.
I swallowed and decided to take the leap–for my baby... for my body... for our lives back. It wasn’t as though they were going to cough up Morianne after one visit. “I will be there.” This was a promise.
The young woman clapped her hands. “How wonderful! I’m Naomi, but my temple na is Secret Flower. You can call either,” Naomi said.
“Secret Flower. Well, thank you so much. You’ve all been so welcoming,” I replied, forcing the corners of my lips up once more.
“Lycaon welcos all,” Naomi replied sagely. “I look forward to seeing you at the service!”
“Thank you,” I muttered as she pulled into an uncomfortable hug. I pried myself loose from her grasp with relief.
The very helpful night shift Lycaons helped back to the entrance of the church facility and I was able to hail a taxi. I worried Lucas had woken up while I was gone and wondered just how I would explain myself if he had.
When I got back to the mansion, I took the stairs two at a ti to get back to our bedroom. I quickly took off my clothes, folding them neatly and putting them away. Then I slipped on my nightgown.
As far as I could tell, Lucas hadn’t stirred. A wave of relief washed over . Now that I was with him, slling his familiar scent, seeing the rise and fall of his muscular chest, I felt much better. The whole Lycaon Church experience had been deeply unsettling.
I eased into bed beside Lucas. Maybe I’d gotten away with it after all?
Lucas rolled on his side and pulled into a hug, and I knew I had no such luck. His steel gray eyes slitted open, and he looked at with a bit of a pout.
“Where did you go?” he asked. “I saw lights at the window, and noticed you were gone. Then I saw you get into a cab... in the middle of the night. I thought I was going to have a heart attack!”
Guilt settled in like a stone and I bit my lip. I didn’t want to lie to him. I really didn’t. But he was never going to approve of my plan to infiltrate the Lycaon Church.
“I was... um... I had...” I took a deep, steadying breath. “I needed sothing from my dorm for my studies. I thought I’d get so studying done tonight while you were asleep and realized I was missing a... book.”
“A book,” Lucas replied doubtfully. His eyes narrowed.
“A book.” My reply was firm, at least.
Lucas was silent for a long ti, then shrugged. “I wish you’d have woken up. I’d have gone with you.”
“You need your sleep. I didn’t want to bother you,” I said quickly.
Lucas’s hands slipped down to my flat belly. “You need your sleep, too. You’ve been a wreck. We both have.”
“True.” I snuggled against him, letting my thigh brush against him intimately. Perhaps I could distract him with sothing else.
“Twice in one night?” Lucas chuckled.
I smiled and nodded, though guilt still weighed heavily upon .
“Who’s the lucky boy?” Lucas looked eager, but I sensed sothing from him. I wasn’t sure he believed my explanation.
He had to. He just had to. I pulled my nightgown over my head and dropped it on the floor. Lucas’s boxers went over the other side of the bed.
“You believe , right?” I asked anxiously, tracing my fingertips over his chest and thumbing one of his nipples as he moved over my spread legs.
“You’re my mate. You wouldn’t lie to ,” Lucas replied. Lust and sothing else flashed in his eyes, and my guilt beca flavored with a little bit of fear.
“You’re going to be the death of ,” Lucas sighed, as let his suspicions slip away for the mont and took in my arms.
When we were spent once again and he settled down in the bed, I went to reach for my nightgown, but Lucas slipped an arm around my waist and kept from leaving his side.
“I’m just going to get my nightgown,” I protested.
Lucas cupped my breast. “No need. We’ll sleep naked.”
“But... it’s just on the floor,” I said.
Lucas arched an eyebrow. “You sure it’s not at your dorm?”
My cheeks flushed and I was glad he couldn’t see that in the darkness. “I’m sure it’s not at my dorm.”
“But you expect to believe that you needed a book there,” Lucas went on, and I realized he was baiting for sothing.
He knew it was harder to lie to him again. “Lucas why–?”
Lucas smashed his lips to mine, so long and hard it made it difficult to breathe.
I panted when he finally let go. “Lucas!”
“That is such a better way to occupy your mouth,” Lucas inford .
With a soft grumble in his chest, Lucas held close, and I laid there with misgivings about my plan, and lying to Lucas in order to get involved with the Lycaon Church at all.
I subtly squared my shoulders. It might turn out to be a bad decision, true, but I was tired of all this standing still and waiting, waiting, waiting. I wanted my baby, and if spewing a few droning prayers to Lycaon would get that, well, I was more than happy to do it, with or without Lucas’s blessing.
Finally Lucas relaxed into sleep, soothed by my nearness. But slumber eluded for hours, worries about Lucas discovering my plan plaguing .
Yet as I lay awake, I knew infiltrating the church was necessary to get any information on Morianne. I would get our child back, no matter the cost. Lucas would understand soday.
I must have drifted off eventually, because morning sunlight was streaming through the curtains when I awoke. Lucas was already gone, his side of the bed cold.
My heart seized. Had he gone sowhere? Confronted the church about my visit? I leaped out of bed, hurrying to dress and go after him.
But when I got downstairs, Lucas was just erging from the kitchen, carrying a tray laden with food. "Morning love," he said cheerfully, kissing my cheek. "I made us breakfast."
I sagged in relief, thanking the Moon Goddess that he was here. We ate together by the sunny windows. Lucas seed in good spirits, making plans for the day. I nodded along, pretending everything was fine.
The rest of the week crawled by at an agonizing pace. I tried to act normal around Lucas, but my mind was consud with worry about the upcoming church service. What would I find there? Would they see through my act?
Finally, Friday arrived. I dressed in modest, conservative clothing and slipped out while Lucas was occupied. The Lycaon church lood ominously as my cab approached. I steeled my nerves and walked inside.
The service was even stranger than I expected. The prayers and hymns felt sinister, glorifying Lycaon’s power. I shuddered at the blank devotion on people’s faces. They really believed this nonsense.
Afterward, Naomi found eagerly. "Did you enjoy the service?" She grasped my hands. "When will you bring your mate?"
"Soon, I hope," I lied. "He needs more ti, but I’m working on him."
"Wonderful!" Naomi said brightly. "Here is information about our book study and weekend events in case you and your mate have ti." She handed more literature and calendars.
I forced a smile, skin crawling at her touch. "Thank you. I look forward to becoming more involved." I had to get close to these people and gain their trust. It was the only way to find Morianne.
Naomi walked out, prattling about Lycaon’s blessings. I tuned her out, my mind racing with how to get the information that I had co for. I would get our baby back, no matter what it took.
Lucas just needed to trust a little longer....
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