Unknown Touch (24 page)

"Wow!" Isaac was stunned. "That looks very nice." He looked at Daniel, punched him playfully on the shoulder, and winked at him. I couldn't help myself, but I touched at Isaac's mind, without giving myself away. Isaac was not suppressing himself or trying to keep anyone out of his mind, so he was like an open book for me to read. I still wanted to keep my presence hidden, so I stayed on the outer edges of his mind, only picking up some emotions and stray thoughts. Isaac was worried about Daniel's affection for me. He was more concerned about what the future held for us since I was human. But, he was happy that Daniel was happy and not lonely anymore. Isaac liked me. It pleased me tremendously to have his support. He thought of me as a brave and good person. He would not stand in the way of what we chose to do. Whatever that might be.

I had to watch myself, because I could feel tears of joy wanting to make their appearance. Isaac looked at me with all seriousness and said, "Daniel really cares for you, Kara. I'm assuming you already know that. Back to the subject of your presents...what's with the Dodge Challenger out in the garage? I can't believe that belongs to you!"

I didn't want him to leave out or to not acknowledge the other fabulous gifts I had received, so I added, "I know! Isn't it awesome! Plus, I got clothes, boots, a leather jacket, a computer, and a fancy meal! Everyone went completely overboard."

"Geez, now I feel bad for not getting you anything," Isaac actually looked a bit embarrassed and awkward with that realization.

Daniel asked Isaac if he could hang around another hour or two. He wanted to review some paperwork for investments and other financial items that I didn't understand, with Isaac and Rebecca. Daniel politely asked me if I would be all right on my own for the rest of the morning. I frowned at him and explained I could easily come up with something to do for a few hours. I didn't need to be entertained or guarded every second of the day.

I pulled him aside, as I hadn't had a chance to talk to him privately since the previous night. I didn't encounter him in my dreams either, probably because of my pure exhaustion and the fact we had already spent so much time together. I asked him if he had discovered anything during his nightly patrol of the property in his wolf shape. Daniel shrugged his shoulders and relayed that everything was secure. Nothing unusual.

I whispered, "I loved your moonlight show. No complaints on my end. Quite revealing. Daniel, you are so handsome even as a wolf. I'd like to say cute, but you might take offense to that word. It's so magical running my hands through your fur. I guess after you finished patrolling, you came back to that same spot, transformed, and put your clothes back on. Too bad I missed that part of the show."

"No offense taken to the word cute. I like it. Keep in mind you were seeing the relaxed, happy, contented wolf. You witnessed a little of the big, bad, aggressive werewolf when I had that encounter with Stephen. Luckily, Zac took a shot at his shoulder to slow him down, which made him retreat. We didn't engage in an all-out wolf fight which is terrifying to watch. Kara, you really haven't seen the full-blown, ticked off, raging werewolf side of me. I hope you never have to see that side, either." Daniel kissed me at that point, gave me a protective hug, and sauntered off to where Isaac stood watching so intently. This time, Isaac winked at me and the two left the room.

I looked around, found Dominic slouched down on the couch and walked over to him. He stood up as I approached, gently took my arm, and said, "Do you want to head back to our cabin?"

I answered, "Okay. And I want to touch at Stephen's mind this morning if it's possible, too."

We hurried over to the cabin as it was cold that morning. There was no dawdling around, no leisurely stroll. Dom and I sat on the couch and positioned ourselves to face each other. We held hands and immediately merged our minds to seek out Stephen. As usual, we wanted to sneak in as close as we could to accessing Stephen's mind without setting off his internal, instinctive alarms. I always hoped his mental block would be completely down, freely exposing his mind to allow me to enter. It wasn't. But, at least, I was picking up those images, emotions, flashes and a few words here and there.

Stephen still seemed to be experiencing all of his normal negative, aggressive emotions. Gee, no surprise there. I sensed he kept returning to his pack, trying to stir them up. He was trying to cause an uprising against Daniel's pack. I saw the image of David. But there really was nothing new or anything that called for us to take action immediately. Dom and I silently, and carefully drifted away from Stephen's mind.

We opened our eyes but he kept holding my hands. I responded, "Well, I feel better now that we checked in on Stephen. Tessa and Zac are out in the field, as they call it, and will let us know if they discover anything disturbing."

Dom still hadn't let go of my hands. His face showed a look of concern. It almost resembled pain. I sensed many emotions projecting from him. Feelings of loss, loneliness, frustration, desperation, worry and love for me.

It dawned on me that Dom had to know how deep things had gotten between Daniel and me. It was obvious. Everyone knew. We weren't hiding anything anymore. I think Dom kept hoping I would come to my senses (ha!) and would back away, maybe even fear Daniel for what he was, and not pursue that relationship. I already had a discussion with him before about Daniel, but he wasn't giving up. And since Dom and I just completed merging our minds to check on Stephen, he could easily have done a quick inventory of my thoughts, images, and intentions while he was linked with me. He would have discovered my true feelings for Daniel.

Dom reached out to hug me. I felt myself crying as I hugged him back. I purposely opened my mind to him, to let him hear and read my thoughts, and I knew he would sense that was what I wanted him to do. It was too difficult to talk, to say the words out loud. We remained holding each other.

I let my thoughts flow,
Dom, I don't want to hurt you. I want you to remain my best friend forever. I know you desire more than that and I can't give you that type of relationship. I do love you, Dominic, with all my heart, but not in a romantic, boyfriend/girlfriend kind of way. Don't be mad at me or hate me.

He pulled back from hugging me, and I had a strong premonition of what he would attempt next. First, he said, "Kara, I could never hate you. Please..."

And, I let him kiss me, as it would give both of us proof of my feelings towards him in comparison to Daniel. When Daniel kissed me, I knew exactly what those feelings and emotions meant to me. Now, I decided to test my reaction by letting Dom kiss me. To give him a chance. Or, at least, let him feel he tried his best to win me over.

Dominic was ever so tender, almost shaking as he held my face with his hands and leaned in for the kiss. He wasn't sure if I was going to slap him off or not, so he hesitated somewhat, being extra cautious and gentle. When he realized I hadn't pushed him away or punched him, he continued and let himself loosen up so he could give it his best shot. He went in for a deep kiss. I allowed it.

Dom was a good kisser, I'd have to admit that, but after ten seconds...I pulled away. I couldn't look him in the eyes, as I knew the pain I would see there. I didn't need to say a word. He could and would read my mind, sense my emotions. I did care for and love Dominic, but it didn't feel right to kiss Dominic in that way.

My heart belonged to Daniel.

Chapter 19

Restless

I couldn't keep sitting there facing Dominic, with my eyes cast downward, without eventually having to look up at him. I had tears flowing down my cheeks. His finger captured each tear and lovingly brushed them away as his own tears spilled forth. I was the cause of his sadness, his feelings of being rejected. Seeing him cry in front of me was almost too much for me to take. I got up, went to the bathroom and quickly returned with tissues for both of us. I plunked down on the couch again.

Dom questioned me, "Kara, I will always be there for you. Make sure you never forget that. But, what do you plan to do now? How many times do I have to remind you that Daniel is a werewolf? You are human. Any relationship would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to maintain long-term,. Unless you're thinking of converting...?" The look of absolute fear shown on Dom's face.

"I don't know what to think or what I want anymore," I replied. "My brain is bouncing all over the place. I have two wonderful men that have been vying for my love, and in the meantime, we have to capture an enraged werewolf and get him in control of his emotions. Gee, I can't imagine why I would feel stressed out and confused."

"But," he prompted, "you wouldn't actually have Daniel turn you into a werewolf, would you?"

I looked around the room nervously. As I stared off into space, I answered Dominic as honestly as I could, "I'm not sure. My answer is not 'no' and it is not 'yes'."

"Do you understand how your life would be completely changed? And how your body and mind would react differently to your emotions? How you would have to control yourself so you didn't turn out like Stephen or Cassius? And dealing with transforming...and what about your family? What would you tell them? You must think this through. I don't want you to change. I want you to be just the way you are," Dominic pleaded. He had brought up many issues that I had been tossing around in my head.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. I searched the table and couch, trying to locate the remote control for the TV. Dom saw I was getting frustrated and he simply used his telekinetic skills to turn the TV on. I smiled and burst out laughing, which broke the silence, the tension in the room.

I shoved at him and said, "That's pretty convenient, isn't it? Now, can you turn up the volume?"

I leaned up against him as we watched the ending of a movie. I did not want him to misread my actions as romantic, and very lightly reminded him of that. The closeness, our physical contact that we shared right then, was not meant to be taken as anything more than comfort, security and friendship. I felt both of us needed that bonding.

By noon, we walked back to the dining room in the main building. Abigail was very routine and organized so we knew she'd have lunch ready by a certain time. Zac and Tessa had packed lunches, so they weren't around. Isaac and Rebecca had just left after their meeting with Daniel, having discussed financial matters. Lunch was simple and light, which I preferred. I commented that since it was a little warmer today, I wanted to walk down to the boat dock. Daniel said he had one short phone call to make and he'd be ready to walk down there with me.

"I want to go alone. I need time to think without someone constantly being around me. I'm feeling overwhelmed and want to regain my focus and get some things straightened out in my head. Is that okay with everyone?" I said it more as a statement, because I was determined to have some time to myself. Everyone was staring at me in wonderment.

Daniel didn't like the idea of me walking around by myself. No one did, but no one argued with me.

I headed outside, wearing my new leather jacket Abigail had given me. The sun was out, no breeze, not a cloud in the sky, about 60 degrees. For December weather, I could not complain. Even though it was a beautiful day, I knew I wouldn't stay out long. I was just not a winter person, and always got cold so fast. I took my time as I strolled down the winding sidewalk. I observed the beauty of the resort and glanced up at the huge, towering trees over my head. Eventually, the sidewalk joined the pathway that led down to the lake. With no difficulty at all, I followed the path until it popped out by the boat dock. I stepped up on it, went to the side facing the lake, and leaned onto the wooden railing. I looked out across the water and let my mind wander.

Of course, I didn't really think I'd get away without a few of my admirers having to check in on me.

Dominic mentally asked,
Only a second of your time, I promise. Are you fine right now?

I'm on the boat dock. It's very peaceful. I'm fine. Thanks for checking,
I replied.

Before he drifted out of my mind, he said,
I know you need to do some deep thinking. Remember to review what I talked to you about this morning. See ya' in a while. Bye.

I appreciated his concern. I was also thankful that he didn't linger in my mind and had chosen to respect my privacy by giving me that time to myself. Time I had requested to be alone.

I had sensed from the time I stepped onto the boat dock, Daniel was nearby. I attempted to keep my mind clear and to avoid contact with him, since the whole point of taking this walk was to not have any outside influences swaying my thoughts. I couldn't ignore that I knew he had followed me.

I acknowledged him with a psychic message,
Daniel, I know you're out there.
I turned around on the boat dock to survey the trees.

Heavy with guilt, he simply stated,
I'm sorry. I'm staying hidden and quite a distance from you. I want to ensure that you are safe out here, Kara. I will not interfere with the time you need alone. Act like I'm not here.

Okay, my own personal bodyguard. Acting like you're not here is easier said than done. Unless I'm in danger, please, Daniel, stay out of my thoughts and don't approach me. I'm not trying to be mean, but I need to do this on my own. I want to think about the big picture here. You and me. The future.
I pleaded with him to give me the solitude I desperately needed.

He understood,
I won't intrude. Do your thing.
And with that, we dissolved the mental link. I was aware he would not leave me alone out here, but at least if I didn't physically see him and he kept out of my thoughts, I could speculate about my future plans.

It was time to review what was happening to my life. I knew, without a doubt, I loved Daniel. And, I did not romantically love Dominic. I saw Dom as my best friend. The kiss we shared confirmed that for me. I loved him as a friend, but not as a boyfriend. I didn't want to lose Daniel or Dominic. I wanted both to remain in my life. I wanted them to remain friends with each other.