Midlife Wolf Captured My Heart (Fated To The Wolf #7)

15. Sadie

15

Sadie

S adie walked upstairs to Talia’s science classroom during Talia’s planning period and knocked on the classroom door. Talia smiled and told her to come in. Sadie closed the door behind her and sat at one of the desks in front of Talia’s.

Talia tapped her pen on her desk and looked inquisitively at her best friend. “What’s up?”

Cupping her face in her hands, Sadie sighed. She relayed the lecture from her parents.

“The little bit about them not approving of my relationship with Dakota was very annoying. However, I’m wondering if they are right. Maybe I should cut ties with Dakota now.”

“My friend, I think that it’s way too late for you to avoid a broken heart.”

Sadie hung her head. “I know. His scent is constantly with me and I think about him all the time. When we’re together, I feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before.”

“That sounds very intense. Have you told Dakota how you feel?”

“There’s no way that I can. He’s been very upfront about the fact that he isn’t going to stay in Angel’s Creek and there can’t be any permanent ties between us. I’m afraid that if I do tell him that I’m falling in love with him, he’ll cut ties with me now.”

“Have you thought about having a long-distance relationship? It works for a lot of people. When he’s not out on a photo shoot, he can come back here.”

Sadie nodded. “I have thought about it. I wouldn’t be able to see him as much as I like, but at least I could be able to see him some of the time. It would be something.”

“That is true. On the other hand, though, is that something that you could be okay with? Long-distance relationships can be hard for anyone. It would be even harder for shifters because we form such strong bonds. Being away from each other can be draining.”

“I know. Part of me thinks, like I said, that having him sometimes is better than nothing. Another part says that I should just cut ties because trying to do a long-term relationship would just be prolonging the inevitable.”

Talia put her hand over Sadie’s, comforting her. There was nothing Talia could say that would make her feel better.

Sadie took a deep breath. “The easiest thing to do is to let it play out. Dakota will leave, probably sooner than later. I won’t have to make a decision. I know that sounds like the coward’s way out…” Her voice trailed off.

“It’s not the coward’s way out. I do think that you should talk to Dakota and at least bring up the idea of having a long-distance relationship. Together you can discuss the pros and cons and maybe come up with a plan that will work for the both of you.”

Tears prickled Sadie’s eyes. “I know you’re right, but the idea of talking to him is terrifying. I would have to admit how I feel about him, which would kind of break our deal of having a casual relationship while he’s here and it ends when he leaves.”

“What do you have to lose?”

“I could lose the rest of the time he’s here in Angel’s Creek.”

“From everything you’ve told me about Dakota, I know he’s a good man. Give him a chance to decide the course of your lives. Who knows? He might be having the same thoughts.”

Sadie nodded. “You’re right. I’ll think about it.”

The bell rang and Sadie jumped up. “I’m so sorry. I took up your entire planning period with my problem.”

“No worries. That’s what friends are for.”

Sadie went back to the library and forced herself to focus on the kids, ordering books, and her other tasks. The final bell rang and she helped herd the kids out to their buses and cars. When most of the kids were gone, she walked back to her office and sank gratefully into her chair. Between classes coming in to pick up books and kids needing help finding resources, the library had been very chaotic.

Sadie’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and her heart sank. It was from Billy. With a tired sigh, she read the message.

Please, I deserve a second chance. We were good together. I know that I can make you happy.

She looked at the message, frustrated. Without responding, she blocked his number. Something inside of her told her that this wasn’t the end of the situation.

After finishing up some paperwork, she grabbed her purse, clocked out, and then headed to the parking lot. Her heart sank when she saw Billy leaning against his truck. As soon as he saw her, he walked purposely toward her.

His face was red and the vein in his neck was throbbing. “Is it true that you’re seeing a man who is the same age as your father?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him. “Yes, I am, and it’s absolutely none of your business.”

“It is my business. Pops is the reason why you won’t give me a second chance.”

She growled in the back of her throat. “Listen to me carefully because I’m only going to say this one more time. We are not the same people we were. When we dated, we were in high school. We were children. I know that I’ve changed. I’ve grown up and matured. I assume that you have as well. You’re in love with a memory – someone who doesn’t exist anymore. You need to leave me alone.”

Billy’s jaw clenched and his face turned red. “You’re wrong. You’ll come crying back to me when that old man breaks your heart.”

He stalked away and Sadie let out a long, shaky breath. She really hoped this would be the end of the situation but a nagging doubt in the back of her mind told her that it wasn’t the end of the story.

“That looked intense,” Talia said, walking up behind her.

Sadie whirled around, startled. “You saw that?”

Talia nodded. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I guess so. I just don’t understand why he can’t let go. Girl, it’s been six years. We both agreed that it was over. Now, suddenly, he’s back and wants to pick up where we left off. What would he have done if I was married with a passel of cubs?” Sadie’s frustration was evident in her voice.

“You would have had a man to back you up, so he wouldn’t have tried. Since you’re single, you’re fair game. Some guys just can’t handle the word ‘no,’ especially since you don’t have a ‘real reason’ in his mind, for not agreeing to go out with him. Some guys just can’t let go.”

“It’s not just guys, though,” Sadie mused. “Remember the math teacher, Jennifer, who was dating the ELA teacher, last year. She literally stalked him for six months after they broke up. That’s one of the reasons why her contract wasn’t renewed.”

“That’s right,” Talia said. “Remember that girl in our math class our senior year? I think her name was Melissa. She did everything she possibly could to win back her boyfriend, even though he started dating Sharon.”

“Didn’t Melissa try to run Sharon over with her new car?”

Talia held up her hand. “That’s right. Melissa chased Sharon all over the parking lot. That poor girl barely made it back inside the building.”

They walked in silence for a minute and then Sadie spoke up. “What makes people like that? They get so possessive over other people and unable to let go.”

Talia considered for a second. “Low self-esteem and the fear of being alone.”

“Plus, some people’s identity gets caught up in the relationship. When the relationship ends, the person feels as though they’ve lost a part of themselves. That could be the case with Billy. When he was here, part of his identity was Sadie’s boyfriend. Since I won’t get back together with him, I’m threatening his Angel’s Creek identity.”

“Yep.”

They reached their vehicles. Sadie and Talia were parked next to each other.

Talia hugged Sadie tightly. “Girl, you aren’t alone in any of this. I’m here if you need me. I have advice if you want it and an ear if you just need me to listen.”

“I appreciate you.”

Dakota had a meeting in Albuquerque with Lydia, so she wouldn’t have any company. She missed him as she rummaged through the refrigerator for something quick she could make for dinner.

She found some leftover chicken and a salad and sat at the table with her book. The words swam in front of her eyes. Her mind wandered to Dakota. Laying the book on the table, she gave up on any pretense of reading.

Sadie spent the evening cleaning the house. She turned on a podcast so she could try to focus on anything but the man who held her heart in his hands. Once everything was vacuumed, dusted, washed, and mopped, she headed for the shower and dressed in her T-shirt and panties. She slipped between the cool, soft sheets. As she drifted off to sleep, her last thoughts were on Dakota.

In her dream, Sadie saw herself standing in the front yard of her house. Dakota walked up to her, holding out his arms. As she rushed into his arms, he whispered in her ear. “I’m home to stay this time.”

“Really? You mean it?”

He smoothed her hair and looked deeply into her eyes. “I mean it. You mean more to me than anything else in the world. I’m in love with you. Sadie. Would you do me the honor of going through the mating ceremony with me?”

“Yes.”

The dream shifted. A small bear cup and wolf pup were playing outside, throwing a ball back and forth to each other, giggling. Dakota pulled into the driveway and walked into the yard. The kids ran over to him, hugging him, yelling “Daddy, you’re home.”

They went inside the house and ate dinner as a family. She read a bedtime story to the kids and they both kissed the kids goodnight and then headed to their bedroom where they made sweet love.

The shrill beep of the alarm jolted Sadie awake. She sat up straight in bed, startled. As the residual images of the dream faded away, Sadie felt her heart breaking.