Fated Hearts(In Deep Editing)

Chapter Eight

Aubrey's POV

Its been three days since the attack from the wolf in the woods. Three days since I kicked Kane and his attitude to the curb. My arm has healed remarkably well since then, the ointment leaving pink skin under my stitches. It hurts much less as well.

Im grumpily cleaning a table clean, muttering about stupid mates and stupid wolves when I hear the door bell tingle. I look up to see a large man enter. He has light mocha skin and long, dark raven hair, which speaks of Native American heritage. He looks around the small diner before his eyes lock on mine.

"Are you open?" He rumbles out in a deep voice. The diner is empty today with the exception of Lucy, Jon and I. "Sure pick a seat I'll be right with you." I smile nodding to the chairs lining the counter top. He nods, picking one a few chairs down from the register. I take my cleaning supplies to the back and return with my pad and pen ready.

"So what can I get for you?" I look into his chocolate brown eyes, smiling gently. He leans on his elbows, cocking his head to one side. "You're Kane's mate." Its wasn't a question, my left brow raised. "Yes, I am."

He smiles at me for the first time, making his face look much younger. "You're very pretty. I'm a friend of his; Marcus Bradshaw." He holds a large hand out and I take it firmly in my own shaking it. "Aubrey Allen. How long have you known Kane?" He shrugs, leaning on his elbows towards me again. "We grew up together. His grandfather took me in when my folks died. He was a good man. So is Kane."

I smile again. "I already know that." I wink his way. "He's actually in trouble with me at the moment." Marcus laughs heartily at that, shaking his head. "Oh I can imagine you'll give him hell." I grin, nodding my head, placing a cup of coffee in front of him. He takes the cup eagerly. "Thanks," he pauses taking a sip."So what did he do?" I sigh running a hand through my wild curls. "He went all alpha on me because I got attacked by a Were in the woods." I indicate my bandaged arm, "I get he was scared, but I didn't know there were other Weres that would hurt me around. Him yelling at me didn't set me off though." I growled to myself and lean against the counter. "I lost my shit when he grabbed my chin to make me look at him. I won't let him do that to me. Not him, not anyone else. Never again."

Marcus stayed silent. In my mind I was silently berating myself. Why the hell did I just say all that? I grimaced, peeking at him under my lashes. "I'm so sorry, Marcus, I shouldn't have said all that. I guess its just been building up the last three days."

"It's alright. You ever need to vent I'm here. I should tell you for the last three days that I've been back in town, I haven't seen Kane anywhere."

I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing, my stomach drops as I hold the counter for support, my spine stiff. "Does he do that?" Marcus looks in his cup. "No he doesn't. He usually leaves a note or takes Grim. Grim is still at the shop and I've seen no message."

I turn on my heel heading to Lucy's office. Opening her door I pop my head in. "Hey imma head out, is that okay?" Lucy straightens from her chair where she stooped over completing inventory. "Sure thing. I don't why, but Wednesdays are always dirt slow!" I laugh, pausing midstep. "Speaking of dirt slow, isn't Stacy supposed to be back by now?" Lucy loses her smile quickly. "She's taking a little road trip detour. I don't know if she's even coming back. The jobs all yours if you still want it." I smile, reaching to gently squeeze her arm. "I love it here, I'll stay." Turning to grab my satchel, cardigan and scarf off the hook and return to the front.

Plopping my satchel on the counter, I give Marcus a determined stare. "You're coming with me. We need to find Kane." Marcus nods, grinning. "You sure you're not a Were? You've got the ferocity of one." I snort. If I were a Were I could have creamed the damn wolf in the woods and Kane wouldn't be missing.

No sooner had I clocked out, than I was out the door bundled up with my scarf tight around my neck to shield me from the biting cold. Marcus however only wore a thick flannel coat, jeans and biker boots. "Okay where should we start?" He heads off towards the woods behind the diner. "Call for Grim." Confused, I cock my head to one side. "He's at the shop, though." Marcus give me a side glance smiling. "Just do it."

I shrug and yell for Grim. After a minute I see his large, black form trudging through the snow. He stops by my legs leaning against me affectionately. "He's not like other dogs, Aubrey. He's been cursed with awareness. It means he understands much more than regular dogs." I look down on the dog with new eyes.

"Grim, find Kane please." I ask politely. The dog nodded, trotting to the left of the trail into the woods. We walk silently, stepping over trees and avoiding dead vines hanging from the trees. We walk silently for what seems like miles. Grim suddenly stopped ahead, nose lifted in the air. Marcus growls out low in his chest. I reach out to grab his arm, intending to pull him behind me. Marcus avoids my touch, stepping away from me.

"Aubrey, he won't hurt you, but please don't touch me. I'd rather not have my head knocked off." I peer around us, not seeing whatever Grim and Marcus sense. Then double take at the large grizzly stalking our way. Marcus backs away from me slowly, putting about a yard in between us. Grim however, runs to greet Kane happily wagging his tail. Kane swatts playfully at Grim, who runs back to me. I crouch to hug the dog to me petting his soft ears.

Kane walks closer to me until his nose is sniffing my face. He then lays on his belly before me. I somehow had the impression this was an apology. I reach slowly down, giving Kane time to realize I'm going to pet him. I stroke his head. "Youre so beautiful." Such strength and brawn, he could kill me easily. But he won't. The thought is alarming. How had only three days of his absence effected me so much. I had missed our talks, and the small innocent touches. Those small patient intimacies that had been gone the last three had shaken me. I missed him... big time.

"Kane you need to change back." I tell the bear, but nothing happens. Marcus clears his throat drawing Kane's attention to him. He slowly stands on his back legs towering over us. He roars out his challenge to Marcus who looks nonplussed. "Oh calm down, your mate missed you so I escorted her out here to you." This seemed to calm Kane. His body vibrates and collapses in a heap of mangle disjointed bones and reformed skull and spine.

Hearing the cracks and pops of his transformation has my stomach rolling. I looked away and take deep breathes to keep from being sick. Its only seconds later that Kane groans in pain standing up on weak knees. Marcus runs forward to catch him before he falls and supports him with a scowl on his face. "God, Kane, you know better than to stay in Were form too long. You know the consequences." Kane nods wearily. "I deserve it." I snort crossing my arms.

Kane's eyes met mine for a moment. "Marcus?" I ask without breaking eye contact with my viking. "Yes, ma'am?" Without looking I know he is wearing a knowing smile.

"Would you mind helping Kane to my loft?" There's a lot I need to say and I dont want Marcus privy to the conversation we needed to have. Marcus nods, indicating with his free hand for me to lead the way.

Arriving at my loft almost an hour later, Marcus leaves with Grim. I'm standing beside the couch where Kane is currently sitting, a towel around his waist. I shift from foot to foot trying to put into words what I've been through.

Kane let's out a breath, moving to sit at the edge of the couch. "I'm so sorry, Aubrey. I should have never touched you in anger. I would never hurt you, I swear." I looks down at his hands.

I run my fingers through his hair, causing him to look up at me sharply. "Kane... I was in an abusive relationship. He was a Werewolf, like Blaine. I would like to talk to you about why I moved here now if that's okay with you." He grabs my hand, leading me to sit beside him. I do so and take a deep breathe.

Here goes nothing.