Page 12 of The Lost Beloved

"Things are going to start to happen pretty soon, and I want you to stay close to me no matter what." Gage held Harley by the shoulders as he made himself clear. "Can you do that?"

“Yeah, I can do that.” He answered and then asked. “What’s going to happen?”

"A bloody battle for the forest," Dumas replied.

"I need you to stay behind me at all times and be within reach unless I tell you otherwise. Do exactly what I tell you to do when I tell you to do it; no reacting to the situation, you simply follow me. Okay?" Gage was really hammering, but Harley got the message it was serious and deadly, and Gage didn’t want him to die. Harley had no problem agreeing not to die.

"I promise," Harley told him and meant it.

"I'm going up to the observation deck," Dumas announced. "Why don't you spend some time with your beloved." He said to Gage and quickly vacated the area, leaving them alone. Gage seemed pleased to have this time together, and Harley was just as pleased and didn't wait to slip his arm around Gage's waist, leaning into his warmth and security.

“A beloved is like a mate.” Harley stated as they stood together by the windows wrapped in each other’s arms.

"Yes, but a beloved, I believe, is a deeper bond." Gage had his prejudices, but they were small. There was a sense of pride and camaraderie present between Gage, the vampire, and Dumas, the hellhound, which he had never seen with the foxes.They were proud of who they were, and they were proud of their species. Ashton always came off as semi-embarrassed about who he was and his family.

"Ashton said Ally was his mate, but they never acted like they were a Fated couple. I know what I'm feeling, and it is intense. Whatever is going on with them is either low key or they're lying." Harley was off-subject, but he just wanted to talk about something other than the monsters outside their door.

"I don't know too much about shifters and foxes in particular, but I know some wolf shifters and their mates are the center of their universe, and their connection is obvious." Gage let him ramble, and God, he loved him for that.

“He’s shown more enthusiasm with past girlfriends than he has with his fiancé.”

“Some paranormals decide not to wait for their mate or beloved or their chosen and bond with someone they think will be suitable.” That sounded crazy even to Harley and he was new to the whole concept.

"One can wait for ages before finding their intended. Some run out of patience and are not willing to wait." Gage looked down at him with a tenderness that melted Harley every single time. "I waited for you. I waited a hundred and thirteen years for you."

“A hundred and thirteen years?”

“That’s another perk you get for being my beloved.” Gage grinned. “You age with me and vampires live for centuries. Master DuCane from Michigan is nearly a thousand years old. He started life as a medieval knight the son of duke in France.” It was clear he had a lot of respect for the man that he spoke of, it showed in his expression and his words. “That man found his beloved four years ago.”

"He waited centuries," Harley whispered.

"Centuries." He reiterated. "And it was worth it, just as my one hundred and thirteen years was worth it to have you here by my side in my life forever." Harley's understanding of Gage's world was opening up, and his place in that world became clearer. For some reason, things made sense that seemed bizarre before, and peace filled his heart.

"I'm starting to get it, I really am." He gushed, excited by the way the doors and windows of his mind had just started opening up. "Also, I'm certain Ally is not his mate, and it's not just because I fucking hate her. He's going to regret marrying her."

“They will both have regrets. He’s going to regret losing your friendship most of all.” Gage came back with his own observation.

"Thank you, Gage."

“You’re welcome, baby.”

Master Hadden held his beloved and promised to be home as soon as possible. “I need to handle this myself.” He explained. “I have to end this my people need to be secure and free to pursue their lives and goals without the constant threat of magics.”

“I know.” Walker responded and then kissed him hard. “Do what you have to do, and I’ll be here when you get back.”

"Thank you, sweetheart."

"The men are ready, Nik." Josef appeared at the door. Nik gave Walker one more kiss before heading out. The plan was to take the fleet of armored SUVs to the Mountain Lodge and stage the battle from there.

Nik was able to contact Gage when they entered the forest. It was telepathy, a connection that Nik had with all his people. They couldn't share specifics, but Nik was able to make it clear that help was on its way, and Gage informed him that they were well and holding their own. He had allowed many of his leadership to take time off following the expulsion of the curse and the cleansing of Pittsburgh. He didn’t realize at the time that there would be a part two to the disaster.

The majority of the men with him today were the new recruits. They were good men, all of them, and Nik vowed to bring all of them home today. It was going to be rough and bloody, but he refused to lose anyone.

They were approximately twenty miles from their destination when Nik received a call from King Bazil of the Allegheny Dragon Circle. Needless to say, he took the call immediately. They discussed eradicating the evil from the forest.

The dragons had discovered the diseased shifters were occupying a section of the forest which was approximately twenty square miles. Considering the size of the forest that was a small section. They both understood the need to strike soon to keep it from expanding or leaving the forest.

No sooner had he closed the call than they were inundated by the beasts. They stayed in the vehicles and pushed forward until they were able to break through and continue on to the Lodge.

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