*Lucas*
I tossed so pasta in a pot of boiling water and stirred. There was a nice sauce simring on the back burner and vegetables roasting in the oven. The entire mansion filled with the aroma of the al.
I folded cloth napkins on the table and set out freshly grated parsan cheese and a salad with a couple of dressing options.
As I lit the candles, I paused, the match burning low. It felt strange setting this dinner up for soone who wasn’t my mate. I kept telling myself that it was for the good of the baby.
If I didn’t convince Sasha to stay, I might never see my baby again. Not just because she could decide to run off, but traveling between the realms with a baby on board was risky. I hoped I could appeal to her maternal instincts, if she had them.
Sasha returned from her job and I greeted her at the door, taking her bag and her coat.
“It slls delicious in here,” she comnted, smiling lightly at .
“I made us so dinner. I hope you’re hungry.” I grinned as I hung up her coat.
Sasha touched her stomach. She did that a lot. I wanted to believe it was because she cared for the child, but I was suspicious of her actions. There was no way of knowing what her plans were. She’d pulled away from a lot.
“I’m starved. I had a long day.”
I looped my arm through hers and guided her to the kitchen. She gasped when she saw the candlelit table and the al I’d laid out.
“This is so nice. Did you do all of this for ?”
I pulled her chair out and waited for her to sit. “I told you, I wanted to start treating you better.”
Once Sasha was seated, I served her and took my own seat. I even poured her a glass of sparkling cider.
“You’re really trying to spoil , aren’t you?” she giggled as she sipped the bubbling drink.
“You were right. We haven’t taken the ti to get to know each other. I was being stubborn but right now, you’re a very important person in my life and you are still carrying my child.”
“Lucas... I know I’m not the Sasha that you want, but we’re still in this together.”
I nodded and popped so spaghetti into my mouth to avoid answering right away.
We ate and I asked her about her day. I couldn’t deny that this Sasha had picked the best job for my Sasha to return ho to. Things were coming together.
Now I just needed my mate back.
“I’m still getting my bearings, but I’m a fast learner.”
“Yeah, you’d have to be, getting transplanted into another reality with new college courses. You’ve done a really great job keeping Sasha’s life together.”
A little shadow crossed her eyes. I’d hoped flattery would go a long way, but it seed like she needed a little more convincing.
“It’s not like this has been easy. I did leave so much of my own life behind.” She pouted and looked down at her lap.
I reached across the table and took her hand. “I know. I don’t an to diminish what you’ve been through or try to overshadow it with what I’ve been through.”
She scoffed and gave a deep, sorrowful look. “My mate is nothing like you. He doesn’t want anything to do with . I know I’m not the one you want, but you’re still able to be kind to and admit when you treated poorly. All he does is run away.”
I squeezed her hand and sat back in my chair. I couldn’t imagine the pain of my mate treating like I didn’t exist or that I wasn’t important. It was unclear whether the Lucas in that world had rejected this Sasha or not.
When I had his mories, I could feel how much he longed for acceptance and love. Apparently, he wasn’t ready to accept it, not even from his mate.
“You never know what can change. With you being completely gone from your reality, it might affect him in all kinds of ways. He wants to be accepted and loved, but he’s been through a lot.”
She creased her brow. “How do you know that?”
“Because I shared his mories and his body. I know all his deepest thoughts and feelings. You never know. Once you get back there, things could be different.”
“Things are different here.” She sighed and slumped forward slightly.
My fists clenched under the table. That was what I’d been afraid of. If she got too comfortable here, would she want to go back to her own reality?
“You know, it really scared when I saw you packing. I wasn’t sure what to think.”
“I didn’t an to scare you, Lucas. I feel like a ghost here, a shadow of soone else in this place. It is really uncomfortable.”
“I understand. I have no right to ask, but I can’t stand the thought of you and the baby traveling into another realm right now, especially on your own.”
She blushed and looked down. I could tell she thought I was trying to make things more personal. If that’s what she needed to think for the ti being, I’d play that ga to ensure my child’s safety.
“I’ve heard things about traveling between the realms. It isn’t an easy journey, even less easy for soone in your condition. I know this isn’t your baby, but you’ve carried him, felt him grow and kick. Don’t you want him to be safe?”
She nodded slowly. “I do. I thought taking him to Sasha’s mother would be safe.”
“Once you get there, yes, but it is the journey that I’m worried about. I’ve made it myself, a few tis, and it’s never been easy.”
“I don’t know if I can stay here in this house where... you’re always longing for soone else.”
I sighed and reached over, taking her hand again. “I promise, Sasha, I will do whatever I can to make your life comfortable here. I haven’t been fair to you, but I know that now and I’m going to fix things.”
“Well–”
“Protecting my child is the most important thing to . That includes protecting the woman carrying him. If you’re unhappy or uncomfortable, that might affect him, and I won’t stand for it.”
Her blush deepened and she bit her lower lip.
“O-okay... I’ll stay.”
I smiled and stood up. “Thank you. I promise, from now on, things will be different.” I held my arms out to her.
Slowly, she rose from the chair and hugged . It was the first real contact I’d allowed myself to have with her. She slled exactly like my Sasha, her body with the sa warmth and contours I was familiar with.
I pulled away a little too quickly. “Did you get enough to eat?” Before she answered, I started clearing the dishes.
“Yes. Let help with that.”
I shook my head. “No. You should be relaxing on the couch with your feet up. Let clean the dishes and then I’ll bring you a bowl of ice cream.”
She bead at and nodded. “That sounds perfect.”
I washed the dishes slowly, thinking of how strange it was to try to get closer to this Sasha. I didn’t like it. She wasn’t my mate. She wasn’t the woman I loved, but I had to think of protecting my child.
Whatever discomfort I had to go through to keep that baby safe, I would. As much as I missed Sasha and wanted her back, I knew there was nothing I could do. The alternate Sasha was my only link to her, and she kept insisting she couldn’t connect with her.
My son was within my grasp. I could protect him and the woman nurturing him.
I brought Sasha her ice cream and sat with her on the couch. She told all about her job and going out with Amanda for lunch. I listened and nodded along, dutifully showing her the attention I knew she wanted.
After a while, I could tell she was getting tired.
Smiling, I took her empty bowl. “You look like you’re about ready to pass out.”
She yawned and stretched. “I’m pretty tired. Well... I guess... I’ll head to bed.”
She slowly walked out of the living room, glancing back at several tis. I waved when she got to the living room door.
“Get a good night’s sleep. We can talk more tomorrow.”
I saw the glimr of disappointnt in her eyes, but she headed to her room.
Sighing, I stretched out on the couch. This was a fine line I was walking. If my Sasha didn’t get back soon, what was stopping this alternate Sasha from making a more direct move?
Would she threaten to take my son away again if I turned her down?
I headed to bed and as soon as my head hit the pillow I was pulled into a very vivid dream with Sasha, my Sasha.
She stood in an open field wearing the sa clothes she’d worn the last ti I saw her, minus the Lycaon robe. There were glowing, silvery flowers blooming around her. She was the most radiant creature I’d ever seen, a goddess.
“Sasha...?” I ran to her and pulled her into my arms.
She hugged fiercely, tears in her eyes.
I pinned her to my chest, stroking her hair and kissing her face. “This is a dream. It has to be a dream.”
“I’m always with you, Lucas. Ti, realities, distance–none of it can keep us apart. We’re mates. I’ll always find my way back to you.”
Her voice was the perfect song I needed to renew my faith in her. I couldn’t take my arms from around her and I buried my head in her shoulder.
“I’ve missed you so much. This is all... where are you? Can you co back to ?”
“No matter what, I’ll co back to you,” she echoed.
I couldn’t tell if this was just a dream or if Sasha was sohow communicating with , but I didn’t care. I wasn’t letting her go.
“I need you, baby. I want you at my side. Please, co ho.”
Her hands cupped my cheeks and she looked deeply into my eyes. My heart broke looking at her and knowing this wasn’t real.
“When will I get to hold you again, for real?”
She smiled somberly. Suddenly, she lted in front of , the entire dream dissolved away and I saw an imaginary bridge crumbling in the void.
“I love you, Lucas. I love you and our son. I’ll find my way back.”
Her words echoed through the darkening void. I focused on the mate bond and reached out to her, trying to sense her. I wanted to send her all my love, support, and faith.
“Sasha!” I sat straight up in bed reaching into the air. My fingers curled around nothingness.
Sighing, I slouched forward, my heart sinking.
“Lucas?”
I perked up. In the shadows beside the bed, I saw her.
Sasha....
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