A New Beginning. Joycee Clark

      Chapter Fifteen

      Garret smiled but added, “We aren’t through with these revalations.” Lucca jumped in. “Mariah, because you read a story in a book when you were young, you jumped all the way to we are wolves. Explain your thinking process, please.” Mariah grabbed another beer. Looking from Lucca to Garret and back, then at the locked door, “Okay,” she started. “You gave me this song and dance about the government, they would never have turned them loose. If it was soldiers that had volunteered for the program, they would have euthanized them before taking a chance of discovery. The government covers a lot of what they do, but they would not have released test subjects. Our government in not above killing to keep their dirty little secrets. So after Big Gray showed up then rapidly disappeared when Lucca showed, I was suspecious. The very next day, there was a big black wolf sniffing around the property. Lucca has black hair and dark eyes, just like the second wolf. Garret, you have lighter colored hair and green eyes, just like Big Gray. Besides guys, wild wolves, especially that big, would not have approached a human like Gray did, and be so friendly. He didn’t even get jumpy when I went to touch him. And you both growl when in human form, when distracted or pissed. I was intelligent enough to put two and two together.”

      “And it doesn’t bother you or make you nervous to be around us or our wolves?” Garret asked. “No they are still you, once I realized that, wow, there are a million benefits to having a huge wolf pack in the back yard.” Mariah finished with a big smile.

      Garret and Lucca looked at each other and decided it was time to get to the other discussion, even if they didn’t want to put her back into bad memories, they needed to know everything to help her. They were both thinking this may have something to do with the incident when she was 17.

      “Okay Mariah, now to the hard stuff,” Lucca started. “We are both absolutely devastated with what you had to live through. Mariah, look at us, we want to help in any way we can and you need to know with your entire heart and soul, that Garret and I will protect you. Any time, any place, one of us will be with you or near you. You read all this information, you actually do know more than we do, we’ll get to that later.”

      Garret said, “Did they catch the four lowlifes that assaulted you?” Mariah didn’t want to talk about this, too many memories and too hard to keep them pushed down. Her day had been bad enough, she was afraid she would loose control again if she talked anymore about it. She wanted to go to bed and forget today even happened, maybe with two giant wolves in her bed for warmth and protection Mariah thought with a little smile.

      “Don’t make me go through this again.” Mariah replied. Lucca came forward and put his arms around Mariah and she just sighed and leaned in to him. “Mariah, we need to know, unless you have some other kind of great enemy, this may be related and we need to stop him sooner rather than later.” Garret added.

      Mariah finally lifted her head and said, “Okay, crap, okay. Well they caught three of them and they are still in prison. They charged them with as many things as they could think of. They all got 20 years without the chance of parolle. They tried appealing, but in a small town where everyone knew everyone else…well everyone knew. Of course, their plea didn’t work. In court they showed no remorse. They keep licking their lips and looking over at me. It pissed the judge off and they had no chance of a reduced sentence. The fourth one was appartently smart enough to use protection so there was none of his DNA to find.”

      After court a few days, Mom and Dad were coming home from shopping. When they passed under an overpass, someone dropped a cinder block off the bridge and it it their windshield. Dad lost control of the car, it caused a big accident pile up and both of them were killed. All four of us girls were suspicious, but it’s now a cold case and doubtfully will ever be solved. Now you pretty much know everything, no more, I will talk about it no more. Shit I want another beer.”

      Garret got Mariah another beer, opened it for her, and leaned in to hug her. Lucca and Garret talked to each other in their heads, all their team could. Silently Garret told Lucca, you and Linc need to get together and see what you can find out. Since Linc is the Sheriff, he may have more avenues, one of three in prison has a Dad, brother, cousin, best friend, or uncle even. This mess has got to be related. I’ll stay here with her tonight and you can go with her tomorrow for the wolf drop. One of us has to be with her at all times. Lucca slightly nodded, he agreed with Garrets plan for now, so he kissed Mariah on the top of her head and told her he had paperwork to finish for today’s rescue.

      Mariah said, “Oh, I forgot about that, did you have a successful search? Are they okay?” “Yes Mariah, found and returned to their family, a couple young girls went exploring on their own, over on the government protected side and got lost. All is good. Just lots of paperwork to complete so we get paid. I’ll see you in the morning, Precious. Kissing her forehead again, Lucca undid all the locks and Garret went over to reengage them.

      Lucca added once he was out of the door, “Garret, she wants this kept secret, so I’ll see what I can find first. She has a right to keep it private, and I don’t blame her. Just keep her safe and I’ll be back in the morning.”

      Mariah was nervous, the beer was help in so she went over and got her new step stool and set it front of Garret. “What’s this? Garret asked, smiling at Mariah. Mariah climbed up a couple steps and faced Garret. “Just stand there Garret, I want to try something. I promise it won’t hurt, at least not much.” Mariah explained. She reached forward and put her hands on both sides of Garret’s face, slowly pulled him to her, and kissed him. A soft touch of the lips. She was exploring, Garret realized. He kissed her back, but didn’t move. Mariah leaned back and had a small smile on her face. “Was that okay?” Garret replied, “heaven” as he rolled his eyes. “Was it okay for you?” he asked Mariah. “Yes.” was all she said.

      “Why the step stool, Mariah?” Garret asked softly. “Well, I would think that would be self explanitory since you are at least a foot taller than me.” Mariah explained. “But I was hoping to save your back and it would make you more comfortable.” Then feeling her beer, she started to fall, but Garret was much quicker and had her in his arms before she even came close to the floor. Kicking the footstool out of the way, he carried Mariah over to her bed. “I think it’s time you slept. You have had a long rough day.” Garret told her as he removed her shoes and then her jeans, pulled the blanket over her and leaned in close. He asked “May I kiss you goodnight Mariah.” “Yes”, was her only reply as she was already falling asleep not even realizing Garret had climbed on the bed with her and held her tight as she slept.

      Through the night, Mariah slept fitfully, often moaning and groaning in her sleep. Garret wasn’t sure what to do, but Mariah finally reached behind her and taking his hand, she pulled him in close and held tight to his hand. Then Mariah settled and slept peacefully. Mariah even wiggled her cute little butt back against Garret, but it was worth the lost sleep to be able to hold Mariah close to his heart.

      Morning seemed to come early. They took turns in the shower and getting dressed, then Garret started breakfast. Mariah wanted to get an early start for her big day. Her wolves would be delivered this morning and she had no time to waste. Lucca arrived at just the right time to eat breakfast with them and enjoy a good cup of coffee while Mariah packed up her backpack with cameras, water, and snacks.

      Mariah was so excited and it had seemed she had waited forever for this day. Lucca was going with her to her sight and Garret had a few things to attend to and then