BK 4 - Chapter 25 - The Memorial
Breanne stared at Dustin, waiting for her heart to be broken. Did he have a girlfriend? A wife and kids? Her heart was beating so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
"Wh...what do you need to tell me?" She asked hesitantly. Did she really want to know? Dustin slowly turned toward her but wouldn't meet her eyes.
"I'm twenty-seven, but I've never been with a woman. I have no experience because I'm still a virgin. I know it's ridiculous in this day and age, but Nelo and I had wanted to wait for our mate." He was scared to look at her. Was she going to think he was pathetic?
"That's what you were scared to tell me? I thought you were going to say you had a girlfriend that you'd been with for years or you were married. I'm glad you waited for me. I'm a virgin too." Dustin looked up at her in surprise.
"You're a virgin? I know you said you've never had a boyfriend, but that didn't necessarily mean you were a virgin." He couldn't help himself from hugging Breanne the best he could inside the car. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. Why did it feel like she was home? She'd never felt like she belonged anywhere, but with Dustin, she finally did.
"Okay, you two get out of the car before we have any more surprises," Lisa said, banging on the passenger door window.
"Of all the lionesses in the world, why did you have to be best friends with that one?" Dustin asked before kissing Breanne's forehead. He wanted to kiss her on the lips, but not with Lisa watching.
"She's the first person who ever made me feel like I was more than a punching bag for bullies. I know she can be loud and obnoxious, but I love her like a sister," Breanne said, smiling at her friend through the window. Dustin rubbed her cheek lightly.
"I guess I can forgive her for the hell I know she's going to put me through if she was good to you. Don't tell her, but she intimidates me a little," He whispered. When he saw Lisa smirk, he knew she'd heard him.
"Good. I wouldn't want you to get too comfortable around here. What fun would that be?" Lisa actually liked Dustin. He'd been a sweet older kid, but just like her uncle Wesley, she couldn't help giving him a hard time. They were both too easy to wind up. It was nice having men walking on eggshells around her. When the couple got out of the car, she hugged Breanne.
"I'm happy for you. No one deserves to be loved more than you," Lisa said to her friend. Breanne felt tears in her eyes. This was why she loved Lisa so much.
"Thank you. I'm just glad I can be one of you now." She said as she pulled away. Dustin came to her side and put his arm around her shoulders.
"Does that mean you're going to accept me?" He asked excitedly.
"Of course I am. I only learned about shifters a few days ago, but I've been dreaming about this day since then. I told Lisa I knew there was someone I was supposed to mate with. I could feel it." Dustin and Lisa both laughed.
"A few days? You've already accepted everything about this world in only a few days? You really are amazing." He kissed her cheek, making her face turn red.
"Come on, lovebirds. Alex and Kiersten have an announcement to make," Lisa grabbed Jayce, who'd been standing off to the side. They all walked into the house that was bursting at the seams. After an emotional morning saying goodbye to Roger, everyone was glad to have some family time.
"Gather around everyone Alex and Kiersten have something they want to tell us," Cat said excitedly. The bashful couple stood in the middle of the living room, and all eyes looked expectantly toward them.
"As you all know, I met my mate Kiersten a few days ago. We just found out that she's pregnant with our first cub," There was a shocked silence as everyone stared at them. Lisa started laughing.
"Come on, everyone; you can't be surprised. He's been saving himself for her. We're lucky she can walk," Alex and Kiersten's faces were so red Lisa was sure they could fry eggs on them. Her brother looked like he wanted to kill her. When the shock wore off, everyone moved toward the couple to congratulate them.
"Did you mark her yet?" Jade asked as she hugged Kiersten. She already loved Alex's mate. She'd gotten to know her a little at the dinner where she'd brought Scott. Jade admired her strength and resilience.
"I marked her once we got the okay from Dr. Parkins," Alex answered.
"Awesome, I can't wait to be a great aunt," Jade said with a smile.
After the excitement of the news of the cubs died down, everyone went outside. In honor of Roger, they were having a BBQ. It was his favorite way to bring the family together.
While eating, everyone shared stories about Roger. There were a lot of tears mixed with laughter. Losing the man who had touched all their lives wasn't something they would get over quickly. Everyone was glad they had known him, even if their time with him was too short.
When dinner was over, no one wanted to leave, so they continued to hang around the house. Breanne told Dustin what Roger had asked Lisa and Alex to do as they sat at one of the picnic tables.
"If they're able to accomplish what he started, that would be incredible." He said.
"No way, mister FBI man. Now that you've come back to the family, I volunteer you to help. You may have contacts and resources we can use," Lisa and Jayce sat across from Breanne and Dustin.
"I'm glad to help even if you did just make it sound like I returned to the mob. I didn't want to step on anyone's toes," Dustin braced himself for Lisa's fierce tongue.
"I know I give you a hard time, but I do that with everyone. Don't let it get to you. I'm thrilled you're my best friend's mate. Out of everyone I know, she deserves to be happy." Dustin was taken aback by Lisa's kind words. He was scared to blink, or she may return to the firecracker he was used to.
"I promise I'll make sure to always keep her smiling." He looked toward Breanne. She was beaming up at him.
"Good, because if you ever hurt her, I'll kill you myself." Dustin swallowed, knowing from the look in Lisa's eyes that she wasn't joking.
"Did Breanne tell you about what we were thinking regarding the indigenous tribes?" Jayce asked, trying to change the subject. He knew Lisa was passionate; it was one of the things he loved most about her.
"Yes, she did, and I think it's a great place to start. I have some time off before I start my new position in Sacramento. How about Breanne and I split some of the tribes with Alex and Kiersten so we can cover more ground?" Dustin had two goals in mind. One was to talk to the tribes. The other was to spend some time with his mate so they could get to know each other.
"Sounds good to me. I would love to travel around. I haven't been anywhere other than between here and San Diego since I moved from Texas," Breanne said as she put her head on Dustin's shoulder.
"What's in San Diego?" He asked. Lisa was anxious to see how this would play out. Would Dustin support Breanne's dream of being a lawyer?
"That's where I attend college. Lisa, Jayce, and I are getting ready to start law school," Dustin's face fell. Was she going to leave him?
"When do you go back?" He asked, squeezing her hand.
"In August. So about nine weeks." Breanne said, realizing that he was supposed to start a job in Sacramento while she was going to be in school in San Diego. Her eyes got wide as she thought about being away from him. Dustin's face softened as he kissed her cheek.
"Don't worry. We'll figure it out. At least we have some time to plan," Lisa smiled and nodded. Yep, he was a good man, just like she thought. When Dustin's eyes suddenly narrowed, they all turned to see what caught his attention.
"Do you know him?" He asked softly.
"He doesn't look familiar to me," Lisa said, studying the man talking to her Grandpa Thatcher and Grandma Janel.
"Who is he?" Breanne asked with concern.
"He's a man that shouldn't be around a bunch of shifters. I know for a fact that he hunts people like us."
