Serendipity

Chapter 5

Next morning, Reggie was full of nervous energy for some reason that was unknown to both of us. Not known for being a morning person, I would often have to drag her in to our

training sessions. This time however, it was reversed. She dragged me out of bed and wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed to a workout session. Ten o'clock arrived and Reggie was exhausted. I smiled with relief. She had pushed herself and me harder than we had worked in a long time and I could almost hear the siren song of the healing baths calling out to me.

The door opened and I smiled as I saw the warrior who walked into the training rooms. I moved over to greet him. Terry stood back a bit and smiled as I shook his hand. To be honest, I couldn't blame him, After two hours of one of the most punishing workouts I'd had in a long time, I was hot and sweaty, with sweat dripping down my clothes. I'd probably stand back as well. "Near perfect timing. I was just about to hit the showers. Come say hi to Reggie."

Terry took one look at Reggie, and I could almost see the shyness descend on him like a veil. I moved closer to him and whispered in his ear. "No you don't. Reggie's just a woman. Smile and say hello. Don't forget to make it one of those smiles that Liz has told you about."

Reggie raised an eyebrow as she looked from Terry to me and waited for one of us to say something. "This is the young man I was telling you about last night Reggie. Terry was my last trainee before I left for Europe. Perhaps you could get him to tell you about some of the things he's been up to while I was away. He's seen some of the things I've told you about."

I turned to Terry and winked at him. "She thinks I'm making up some of the creatures I've fought. Especially the bunyip."

Reggie had caught my wink and gave me a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Well you have to admit, it does sound kind of nuts."

Terry looked at her as if she was crazy. "You're kidding right? Australia is the land of the unusual. I mean, you have seen the echidna and the platypus right?"

"I'll be back in ten minutes. Try not to kill each other while I'm gone." Both gave me a fierce glare that told me had chosen the right way to break the ice between them. If there was one way to make him forget his shyness, it was to get him talking about his love for his country and its wildlife.

I took my time in the shower and was pleased to hear laughter from the other room. I entered it just in time to see Reggie place her hand on Terry's shoulder. Their laughter stopped, cold, and both leapt back, similar looks of confusion on their faces. I stopped, chills running down my spine as I saw what looked like recognition in Terry's eyes. A quick glance at Reggie told me I was seeing the same thing in hers. "Well, this is going to be interesting."

I raised my voice to a normal level, looked at Reggie and gave her a pointed glare. "Shower. Now." She turned and nodded, almost running to the showers. Terry watched her cross the room and blushed as he lowered his gaze to the floor, avoiding my eyes. He gave a small groan as he again looked towards the women's showers.

"What am I going to do Dieter? She doesn't need me to to protect her and yet-" He covered his face with his hands and I sat there, unable to answer his question.

"I don't know Terry. I've never been mated. Perhaps you should talk to Pete. You're absolutely sure?" Having lived with Reggie for the last four years, I knew he was going to have a rough time. She was a strong warrior with a very large independent streak and one of the most obstinate people I had ever met.

He lowered his hands and looked deep into my eyes. "I've never been more certain, and more terrified to be right." I could see it in Terry's eyes. He had bonded with Reggie. More importantly, she had bonded with him. It was going to kill me to let her go, but I had no choice.

"Alright. Just promise me, that if you decide to break it, you make it quick. I don't want her to hurt any more than she has to."

"I promise."

"Dieter? Terry?" Reggie approached us, her hair still damp from the shower. Terry looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "Everything ok?"

"We're all good. Terry just asked me a question I don't really have an answer for. I told him I should talk to Pete." I switched to my native tongue as I looked at her and knew that never again would she share my bed. "Be careful with him Reggie, he's still a boy. I'll move your things into my spare room when I get back to the apartment."

Reggie nodded, her eyes on Terry's and spoke in English for Terry's benefit. "Thanks

Dieter. We're still on for dinner with Pete and Rachel, right?"

"You bet. I have a few things to do before then, I'll see you later." I gave her a quick, friendly kiss on the cheek and left the training rooms.

I knew that Reggie wasn't my mate and that one day she would find her mate. I knew when that day come, I would have to walk away from her. That from that day on, I would only ever be her friend. That it would be so painful or feel like I had lost my best friend while also being happy for her, was something I didn't count on. I glanced at the time on my phone. I was going to have to wait several hours before I called my parents. It was the middle of the night over there and I'd only worry them if I rang them now.

Pete found me as I was sitting at the edge of the pool, deciding if I should have a swim. "Perhaps you should go for a ride. I just got a call from Hannah, she's about to leave Brisbane. She'll be here in a couple of hours and in your current mood, I don't think you will be able to handle meeting her again." He took a look at my face and surprise registered as his eyebrows shot up. "Wow, you look like you just lost your best friend."

I ran my hand through my hair and lifted a shoulder. At that moment, Reggie left the training rooms, with Terry close behind her. Pete followed my eyes to see what I was watching and gave a low whistle. "Those two? Well this is going to be interesting. You definitely need to get out of here for a few hours. I was going to take a run down to Tamworth and deliver some supplies to the safe house there. With you in this mood, I think you should make the delivery instead."

"Sounds like a good idea. I haven't seen the guys in Tamworth since before I went to Europe. It would be good to catch up with them for a while."

"Van's all packed and ready to go. I was about to leave when I got Hannah's call." He tossed me some keys. "Here you go. Just remember to be back in time for dinner."

I couldn't resist. "Yes Dad."

Pete grinned, then sobered as his face grew thoughtful. "Don't take this wrong, but I hope you're wrong about Hannah."

"So do I Mate. No matter how I try to avoid it, I can't hide from the fact that she's your daughter. But I felt something four years ago that I wasn't expecting and I have to know for sure so I can move on with my life."

"You know she's going to make you work to earn her forgiveness."

"She's your daughter. I'd expect nothing less." Pete grinned and nodded his head in agreement. "I better get out of here before she arrives. She's going to be pissed no matter how much you prepare her."

"I know."

As I pulled into the driveway of the Tamworth safe house, I couldn't help but look at the sky to the north east. I wondered if her plane had landed. Damn I had it bad and I still didn't know if she was my mate. My gut began to churn at the thought of facing Hannah again after the way we parted. I flirted with the idea of returning to Germany, but I'd not gotten to

be one of the greatest warriors in the world by running from a fight. I had to face her, and face the possibility that I may not be able to repair the damage I had done to our friendship.