New In The Territories (Book 1) COMPLETED

Chapter 33 Mason

Right before Sam reached the clearing I got a whiff of decay for a split second; putting it off to a dead animal, I didn't think twice about it. Not until the wind changed direction at the edge of the clearing. Concentrating on where the smell was coming from I didn't see Sam take a quick right at first. Racing to catch up, yelling to stop before she could digest what was there waiting for us. I was too late. Catching the sight of her jumping of her machine racing towards the body had my heart stop before diving of my own and tackling her to the ground. 

Sam wouldn't stop. I was afraid she was going to hurt herself or worse I was going to hurt her. Having no other option I tackled her to the ground and straddled her hips. Pulling her arms above her head so I would need less pressure than having them down in front of her body. "Sam. Sam! It's not Faith! Stop you're going to hurt yourself!"

The anger that came from her eyes never mind the scent scared me. "Listen you fuck, get off me! My daughter needs me. GET OFF!" Fighting was getting her nowhere, so she turned to pleading, "Please, Mason please. She's hurt. My baby's hurt. Please!" The anger turned into earth shattering grief. I didn't know what to do as I watched this full of life beautiful woman sob in agony.

I didn't understand why she was fighting me and who was Faith? Hearing her say the word "daughter" didn't register at first. This girl, this body was the missing Lion; I had no doubts about it. Things slowly started to come together listening to Sam's sobs; this was the reason she wanted a new start and why Mady was so protective of her and her happiness. Shit. Did this have something to do with the way Mady has been the past few months?

Adjusting my grip, so now one of my hands was held both of hers, while I wiped away the tears. "Sam. Sam? Dammit Sam, it's not her!" I could not get through to her. She wouldn't listen. Taking her face in my hand forcing her to look at me, which was surely going to leave bruises on her jaw with the amount of force I had to use. "Look at me Sam," my voice stern almost yelling, "It's not her. It's not her!" I kept repeating the words till I seen some comprehension.

Tear filled eyes, breath shuttering, she whispered, "You promise it's not her, not my baby?"

"It's not her Sam. I promise it's not her." Slowly releasing my grip in case she tried to get away again. Rolling to her side, she curled into a fetal position repeating. "I'm so sorry, Faith. I'm so sorry, Hope."

Watching this strong beautiful woman fall apart tore me to pieces. Listening to her continue to apologize to Faith and Hope, which I now believed were her daughters she has lost, made me feel useless and not knowing what to do or say. Comforting her to the best I knew how I raced her back to Nate's where Mady was. I hoped.

Halfway back Sam's arms no longer held tightly around my neck, going limp in my arms so much I had to slow down to get a better grip. Her state was worse. I couldn't risk her falling or snapping and start to struggle again. It was risky but my mind was made up. Jumping off the ATV I ran the rest of the way. I could make it there just as fast on his two feet if not faster. Continually to whisper reassurances the whole way. The only conformation I got was when she stopped mumbling and nodded once. That small movement helped me breath. She was coherent now at least.

Breaking through the tree line behind Nate's house, I prayed that Mady was home, calling out to her. "Mady!" Reaching the front of the house, Mady was running out the door. She stood there and stared at the limp Sam in my arms, Mady's face went white. Before she could say anything, I did, "She's physically fine. Call Jack and everybody we have a 911." Relief that etched Mady's face hearing Sam was not hurt quickly fell by the end of the sentence.

Walking up the front steps with Sam in my arms I kept on talking to her. "Let's get you in the house." Shaking her head, I paused mid step. "Do you want to stay out here?" With her nod, I headed over to the swing. Keeping her on my lap I started to push back in forth while rubbing circles of comfort along her back, laying soft kisses against her temple, forehead, and the top of her head. A few minutes went by and Sam started to shiver, shock setting in. I didn't want to leave her but Mady was on the phone and Sam needed to get warm and fast. Standing up I gently placed her on the swing, automatically curling back into a fetal position. "I'm going to get a blanket I will be right back." I waited for a response, When it never came I rushed inside. Meeting Mady just inside the door, I pulled her back in the house so Sam would not over hear them. "Who's Faith and Hope?" I asked, voice sounding close to panicked.

Mady's mouth dropped. "What did you just say?" she asked stunned.

"Come on Mady, what's going on, who are they?" voice straining, as was my patience.

"They are her twin daughters. I mean they were. Now you tell me what the hell happened and what's wrong with her," Mady demanded the last.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." Walking to the front room grabbing the throw off the back of the couch. Mady followed me. "We found the missing body of the Cat. Actually she found her and thought it was Faith."

Mady stopped cold, sliding down the wall staring blankly at where Sam was waiting. "Mady? Come on hon stay with me here. Did you call everybody? I have to get back out to Sam. Give yourself a few minutes, and then come out. I'll take care of her." I hated to leave her like that but at least she looked at me when I spoke and nodded. I couldn't be in two places at once. Before I turned my back Mady was getting off the floor. That was a relief.