stranded with the Wolf by Lily Robert Chapter 1 Rory doesn't understand

how everything has gone wrong so fast This morning she was living a dream

vacationing at a luxury resort with her perfect fiance Their sweet overlooked

turquoise waters palm trees swaying in the breeze Then came the two pink lines

on the test and for one perfect moment her joy felt complete

Now she stands in the doorway of a private massage cabana frozen because Martin the love of her

life is naked on the massage table tangled with a resort staff member Rory's mouth opens but no sound

comes out This can't be happening Her fiance cannot be cheating Just as Rory

finds out she's pregnant the woman sees her first eyes widening as she scrambles off Martin

knocking over a bottle of massage oil that shatters on the floor I I'm sorry for barging in Rory

stammers dazed Her heart pounds so loudly she can barely think Martin turns startled then sigh

His expression shifts to indulgent condescension like he's humoring a child

Oh Rory baby You were supposed to be at the beach all afternoon Rory blinks What are you what

is this what are you doing come on sweetheart Martin sits up reaching for

his shorts without urgency Don't make this into a thing A thing her voice cracks The staff

member scrambles for her clothes clearly wishing she could vanish Babe Martin slips into his smooth

tone I'm just blowing off steam You know how stressed I've been with the merger Rory stares unable to reconcile

what she's seeing with the man she thought she knew The room feels unreal But we're getting married in 3

months she whispers And I'm I'm pregnant Silence The staffer freezes

Martin's smile falters for a second before snapping back in place

pregnant He stands and walks toward her caution in his eyes She steps back

You're not happy It's not that He puts his hands on her

shoulders But you know my thoughts on kids right we've talked about

this We said someday Rory says You said you weren't ready But no no sweetheart

Martin shakes his head I said I don't want children Remember we agreed our

lifestyle isn't compatible with kids But we never said forever Rory his

grip tightens You do this sometimes You hear what you want to hear We've talked about that too haven't we a cold weight

settles in her chest Had she misheard misunderstood don't worry he continues

We'll make an appointment when we get home Quick and easy My assistant will take care of it His casual dismissal cuts through her

shock This is our baby Martin I want this baby she says stepping away His

mask slips irritation flashes then vanishes Rory be reasonable We're not

having a kid And why not so you can be free to fool around Rory gestures toward

the staff member who hurries to leave Martin laughs breezy and

confident That's nothing It doesn't mean anything It means something to me Tears well but

she blinks them back Rory baby Martin moves to embrace her before she can

retreat His cologne her Christmas gift envelops her I've never cheated on you

Not once She stares What does he mean never she just saw him Still for a

moment she almost believes him She wants to But when I walked in one mistake in

three years it meant nothing He strokes her hair You know how much I love

you Martin cups Rory's face earnest and rehearsed Oh baby His voice drips with

false sympathy This is why I didn't tell you You get so emotional about these little

things I promise you this has never happened before Never It's the stress

the island I made a mistake His eyes search hers Don't throw away everything

over one mistake She falters The fear of being alone rises in her throat She thinks of

their apartment the venue the baby I I don't know Martin Let's talk tonight He

kisses her forehead Meet me in our room at 7 We'll have dinner Talk through everything His smile is confident Okay

Okay she hears herself say That's my girl He squeezes her hand Get some rest

You look tired He walks off without a glance back Crisis managed Rory doesn't

move Her mind tells her to return to the suite Rest Pretend this can be salvaged

Martin loves her They'll figure it out Everything will be fine But her body has other plans

She walks past the pools the tennis courts the honeymooners clinking glasses in the open air

restaurant Fragments of panic flicker through her mind The invitations just went out What will I tell my parents how

can I raise a baby alone it's fine We're fine Her hand

clutches her purse where the pregnancy test remains hidden knuckles white Down

the stone steps she reaches the private beach Her sandals leave perfect prints in the sand I should go back to the room

she thinks Instead her feet carry her farther toward the dock At the end a

small motorboat bobs in the water A tall man tends to it irritation flashing in

his eyes when she approaches And in that moment Rory knows one thing with

certainty I need to get off this island she says her voice steady

Now chapter 2 I need to get off this island Rory announces her voice steadier

than she feels Right now The man at the dock barely reacts He

finishes coiling a rope then glances up brown eyes narrowing against the sun 'Right Well good luck with that

then,' he mutters turning back to his boat Rory watches him untie the mooring

rope with quick practiced movements As he pulls up the anchor she climbs aboard

nearly toppling into the water 'What do you think you're doing?' He's at her

side in a flash scowlling 'Take off your shoes.' 'I'm so sorry,' Rory says

quickly slipping off her sandals 'Thanks Now get off my boat.' Rory blinks smile

faltering 'Oh but I thought we were leaving now We he raises an eyebrow There's no we

But you said you'd help me get off the island she insists He crosses his arms lean muscles

showing through his worn shirt When did I ever say that you said you wanted to get off I said good

luck He gestures toward the dock But aren't you leaving anyway rory asks

motioning to his preparations He just glares Great She

clasps her hands Then I'll come with you It's a oneperson boat he snaps Her

frustration boils over After today the pregnancy test Martin's betrayal she's

done being dismissed You won't even notice I'm here she says sitting down Get off A shout

interrupts Three men in dark suits run toward them from the resort Sawyer The lead man yells We need

to talk to you Sawyer goes rigid His eyes flick to the men then to the water Without a word he

lunges for the wheel and jams the key into the ignition 'You know them?' Rory asks

though his clenched jaw says enough 'The engine roars the men break into a sprint.' 'Wait,' Rory says 'They

seem pretty determined to catch you.' Sawyer shoves the throttle forward The boat surges away just as the men reach

the dock This isn't over The lead one shouts 'We know what you

did.' Rory's eyes widen 'Are those police are you in some kind of

trouble?' Sawyer's knuckles widen on the wheel The boat picks up speed

'Seriously?' Rory presses 'Who are those men what do they want with you?' The dock disappears behind them More people

gather on shore 'Security?' Rory swallows a mix of relief and dread That's incredibly rude

she mutters and slightly concerning if I'm being honest Sawyer doesn't respond eyes fixed

on the rear view mirror until the island is no more than a distant line Dark clouds loom ahead purple light

staining the horizon Rory hadn't noticed them until now She's pregnant alone on a boat with

a stranger heading into a storm 'You're not much of a talker are you sir?' she

asks trying to fill the silence Sawyer glances sideways Do you ever shut up she snaps her mouth shut

Stung She's used to being liked Agreeable Rory Everyone likes her Everyone but Martin And now this

stranger Memories flood in Martin in bed with the staff member His indifference

The baby Where are we going she asks voice too high Off the island Sawyer says as

requested She looks at the endless ocean There's an entire world off this

island You don't say he mutters adjusting their course Panic builds No

plan no luggage no confrontation no closure Her foot stomps before she can

stop it I demand to know where we're going Sawyer turns amused Oh I don't

think you quite understand sweetheart This is my boat You don't get to make demands She opens her mouth to respond

Then thunder cracks overhead The storm rushes toward them Rain lashes down Wind whips her hair

across her face Waves rise fast What was that rory asks already

knowing Sawyer says nothing Jaw tight eyes on the storm Another boom The boat

crashes over waves that slam Rory's teeth together Maybe we should go back she says voice

shaking It'll be fine Sawyer mutters though his grip tightens The sky breaks

open Within seconds she's soaked shivering in her clinging sundress The boat climbs a wave and

crashes down Rory's stomach flips 'I think I'm going to be sick,' she gasps

stumbling toward the side 'Don't you dare go overboard!' Sawyer yells barely audible over the wind

Rory vomits then slips fingers sliding off the slick railing For a heartbeat she's

falling A hand grabs her wrist yanks her back Sawyer's face looms over her rains

sllicked and furious 'I told you to be careful,' he shouts 'I'm sorry,' she

yells back unsure what for He hauls her toward the wheel one hand never leaving

her arm 'We need to turn back,' he says 'Storm's too strong.'

Rory nods more than ready to retreat Martin or not Sawyer spins the wheel The

boat groans as it struggles against the waves She clutches his arm digging in

They begin to turn For a brief hopeful moment it seems they might make it The

boat turns slowly straining against the current Sawyer's face shows the first

hint of relief Then Rory sees the wall of water massive racing toward them

Sawyer,' she screams pointing His eyes widen He grabs her waist pulling her

tight 'Hold on to me,' he growls into her ear 'Don't let go.' Rory wraps her

arms around his solid frame just as the wave hits The boat rises Rory's feet

leave the deck as gravity loses its hold For a suspended moment they hang there And then the boat flips tossing

them into the raging sea The impact knocks the breath from Rory's lungs the cold water filling her nose as

her flailing arms lose their grip on Sawyer Something solid slams into her

back Rory's last coherent thought is of the tiny life inside her I'm sorry she

thinks Then darkness closes in Chapter 3 Sunlight burns against

Rory's eyelids and something rough scratches her cheek sand Opening her eyes Rory winces at the

brightness Paradise stretches before her Pristine white sand crystal turquoise

water palm trees swaying in a gentle breeze Hello her voice comes out as a

rasp Rory struggles to sit up every muscle protesting Is anyone there the only response is the rhythmic

sound of the ocean and distant bird calls Panic begins to rise in her chest

when she spots a figure sprawled face down on the sand about 20 ft away

Sawyer Ignoring her body's complaints Rory scrambles over to him dark hair plastered to his head clothes torn and

sandrusted her hands hover uncertainly over his back Sawyer can you hear me her voice

rises with each word Help somebody we need help over here

Sawyer's eyes snap open squinting against the sun 'Stop yelling,' he

groans Rory sits back on her heels 'Oh thank God you're alive.' 'God had

nothing to do with it.' He grimaces pushing himself up to a sitting position 'We need to get help,' Rory

says glancing around the deserted beach for signs of life Sawyer gives her a look that suggests she might be

simple 'Help from whom?' This is a deserted island Rory's mind blanks at the term

deserted She doesn't like that word nor what it implies How do you know that she

challenges crossing her arms Sawyer gestures around them with a sweep of his arm Because I have

eyes But I woke up earlier He cuts her off Our boats wrecked about a half mile

down the beach No radio no working engine I salvaged what I could a flare gun some water bottles a first aid

kit He nods toward a small pile of supplies nearby Not that it matters There's

nothing but ocean for at least 50 m in every direction Rory stares at him processing

this information You woke up earlier and then you just decided to take a nap

here Well excuse me but someone's been keeping busy swimming both of us to shore during a storm

Oh The implication sinks in You You saved my life He shrugs looking away The gesture

is so dismissive of what must have been a tremendous effort that Rory feels a sudden unexpected rush of warmth toward

this grumpy stranger 'Well thank you,' she says sincerely She rises to her feet

extending her hand to help him up 'I think we got off on the wrong foot you and I I'm Rory Sinclair

Sawyer stares as if she's offering him a dead fish We need to look for help Rory

encourages There could be people on the other side of the island or a shelter Or 'Are you deaf?' Sawyer interrupts I

just told you this is a deserted island But there has to be someone who can help Panic edges into her voice How

are we going to go home if we can't call for help sawyer just blinks at her How are

we going to go home Sawyer she repeats taking a step toward him Just be grateful you're alive

Alive rory's hand instinctively moves to her still flat stomach She's alive but what about her

baby i'm going to find help she announces squaring her shoulders Sawyer

pinches the bridge of his nose tiredly There is no help he snaps I'm telling you And I'm telling you we can't give up

hope Rory interrupts Who knows just beyond this jungle there could be a beautiful

resort There's not Sawyer snaps The finality in his tone is

infuriating Are you always this defeist rory asks I'm

realistic Fine Rory drops his arm Stay here I'm going to look for help And when

I find some and get to shower and change long before you do someone's going to feel plenty

stupid A ghost of a smile touches Sawyer's lips Oh someone will definitely

feel stupid and that's not going to be me Rory feels heat rising to her cheeks

You know you could try being a little nicer Being delusional isn't being nice sweetheart Sawyer retorts It's just

wasting time Something snaps inside Rory Maybe it's the stress of the shipwreck or the

lingering shock of Martin's betrayal or the fear for her unborn child But suddenly she's

shouting Kindness is never a waste of time And besides we're stuck on an island We have all the time in the world

you big jerk The words echo across the empty beach Sawyer's expression

unchanging It makes Rory want to shake him She doesn't Instead she turns on her heel

and marches away from him toward the line of trees that marks the edge of the beach 'Don't go into the jungle alone,'

she hears Sawyer call out from behind her 'You'll get lost.' 'Watch me,' she yells back not

slowing her pace Rory plunges into the dense foliage determined to prove him wrong and trying desperately to outrun

the growing fear that he might be right Chapter 4 Fury propels Rory through the

jungle 'Stupid arrogant man,' she mutters stomping along a barely there

path 'Would it kill him to be a little optimistic?' Branches whip her arms as

she charges deeper into the island's interior Never has she met someone so aggravating It's like he's allergic to

basic human decency Was he raised in a barn half an hour later her pace slows

Reality sets in She has no idea where she's going The jungle thickens filled

with unfamiliar plants and eerie sounds Are there wild animals here the

thought halts her dressed in a sundress barefoot she suddenly feels very

small Hello she calls Silence answers Chirping birds rustling leaves Maybe

storming off wasn't her best idea Then the sound of rushing water reaches her Parched she pushes through vines and

gasps A crystal clearar lagoon stretches before her fed by a waterfall tumbling from rocks

above Oh my god she whispers Sunlight filters through the canopy sparkling on the surface She

rushes forward scooping water into her hands It's cool sweet

miraculous She splashes her face washing off salt and sand Thank you She breathes At least

something's going right today She hopes the water's safe It has to be Bigger problems loom like getting

back before dark With new resolve Rory sets off retracing what she thinks is her path

But time slips by The sun sinks Landmarks blur I'm lost she admits heart pounding

Panic rises Pregnant stranded alone Then movement behind her She

freezes Hello Her voice is barely a whisper Leaves rustle Rory backs away

searching for anything Shelter a weapon The foliage parts A massive black

wolf steps into view It's huge Silver tipped fur gleaming in the fading light

Golden eyes locked on hers Alert intelligent almost human Nice wolf she whispers inching

back Good wolf don't eat me But the wolf simply sits watching No growling no teeth just calm

unnerving stillness You're not going to attack me she asks It tilts its head Something in

its gaze reminds her bizarrely of Sawyer She lets out a shaky laugh I must be

losing my mind I'm talking to a wolf now The wolf doesn't move

You know she says relieved just to speak aloud This has been the worst day of my

life First I find out I'm pregnant Then I catch my fiance cheating He wasn't

even excited about the baby The wolf's ears twitch So I ran Got

on a boat with a complete self-absorbed jerk He saved my life She pauses but

he's still a jerk She slides to the ground comforted by the wolf's presence And now I'm lost in

a jungle talking to a wolf with no clue how to get back Her voice cracks The

wolf rises and approaches slowly nudging her hand with its muzzle before stepping back looking toward the

trees 'Do you want me to follow you?' It walks a few paces then glances back

'This is insane,' Rory mutters getting up Anyway the wolf leads pausing now and

then to check on her At one point it paws at a low branch heavy with yellow fruit Are those

edible the wolf huffs softly If I die from eating mystery fruit a wolf showed

me that would be a fitting end she says picking one anyway It's sweet and tangy instantly

refreshing Thank you she says The wolf just watches eyes oddly knowing As night

falls fire light glows ahead Her camp driftwood stacked supplies arranged No

sign of Sawyer but he's been here You did it she whispers You got me

back The wolf sits at the edge of the jungle silent 'Thank you,' she says

again sincerely 'I don't know why you helped me but thank you.' It blinks once then slips into the

darkness without a sound Chapter 5 Rory wakes to the smell of smoke and

something cooking Sawyer crouches by the fire turning what looks like fish on a makeshift

spit You came back she says stretching It's my campfire he replied Rory

attempts a smile Aren't you curious about how I found my way back to the beach yesterday she asks A wolf A wolf

guided me She expects if not a full-on gasp at least a small raise of

eyebrow But Sawyer just gives a sideway glance and says nothing Like a wild wolf

guiding her to the jungle is just an everyday occurrence There really was a wolf here

on the island and it didn't attack Rory insists Sawyer size Or maybe you were so

dehydrated you hallucinated the wolf I didn't Rory snaps I'd found a lagoon and

drank water by then It's about 30 minutes that way She points toward the jungle Sawyer

doesn't look up from the fish 'And did you see anyone on your way?' he asks 'No,' Rory admits quietly 'I don't

think there's anybody else around.' 'You don't say The man sounds so smug it makes Rory want to stomp her feet

again.' 'Well we can't be sure,' she argues 'Not until we've explored the island entirely Been there done that

sweetheart.' And then three days pass in much the same pattern the two of them working side by side and always ending

up arguing 'Let's build our shelter here closer to the trees for shade,' Rory

says pointing to a spot near the jungle's edge 'And farther from the beach where

we could see rescue boats,' Sawyer counters 'Do you have to argue with literally everything I say?' Only when

you're wrong Sawyer says So yes The shelter comes together slowly A crude

A-frame structure with a palm thatched roof It's barely big enough for two

people ensuring their sleeping arrangements remain uncomfortably close despite their mutual

animosity Each night they retreat to opposite sides of the small space backs turn to each other And each dawn Rory

notices Sawyer disappearing into the jungle returning hours later with no

explanation Once she wakes to find him gone and follows his footprints along the beach until they mysteriously end at

the jungle's edge And next to the path she finds clothes Sawyer's clothes like he

just left them there She doesn't dare ask what he is up to By the seventh day their shelter is

nearly complete The roof needs reinforcing before the next rainfall and they need more fresh

water I'll show you where the lagoon is Rory offers Sawyer considers for a moment

then nods They set out with makeshift water containers coconut shells and a cracked

plastic container salvaged from the wreckage The morning is already sweltering humidity clinging to their

skin So Rory begins You never told me what

you were doing at the resort Why would I tell you sawyer sigh

Did I ask you what you were doing at the resort oh Rory perks up Well I was on

holiday with my That was a rhetorical question Sawyer interrupts Rory

pouts Well this isn't rhetorical she retorts Why were these guys chasing

after you on the docks that day sawyer's jaw tightens but he keeps silent 'Were you hiding from someone?'

Rory insists running from the law 'Drop it,' Sawyer snaps 'We're stuck here

together I think I deserve to know.' 'You don't deserve shit.' Sawyer snaps

'You forced your way onto my boat Everything that's happened to you since is on you not me.'

Rory storms ahead clenching her fists in fury like she'd planned to get shipwrecked on an island with the

world's most antisocial man He's not wrong though She'd fled the

resort with no luggage and no plan because well because she'd felt as though if she didn't do it in that very

moment she wouldn't have the courage to She's so caught up in her thoughts

that she doesn't notice the change in terrain until it's too late One step solid ground and the next her foot sinks

into something soft Sawyer she calls surprised No response He must have

fallen behind Another step and she sinks deeper the ground now swallowing her up to her

calves Oh god she realizes quicksand She's just stepped into

quicksand Sawyer Her voice rises with fear Come quick help She tries to pull

her legs free but only sinks deeper into the muck Now it's at her knees Don't move Sawyer's voice comes

from behind her tight with tension I'm serious Rory Stop struggling I'm sinking she

protests The quicksand reaches her waist cold and suffocating I can see that Sawyer

appears at the edge of the pit But you need to keep still Rory shakes her head unable to process

his words much in her panic 'Get me out!' she screeches Tears spring to her eyes as

she feels the sand pulling her inexerably downward 'I will.' Sawyer

snaps 'But you need to stop thrashing around.' 'I can't.' Terror steals her

breath as the quicksand reaches the bottom of her ribs 'Look at me.' Sawyer's voice cuts

through her panic Rory look at me She forces herself to meet his eyes

The usual annoyance is gone replaced by something intense and determined I'm going to get you out but

you need to trust me Can you do that rory hesitates for a beat then nods

Good Now lean back slowly What rory exclaims Screw trusting him The guy's

insane Try to float on your back Sawyer insists I'll think Rory

whines No you'll float if you distribute your weight The sand is denser than water Do it

Rory Something in his voice a certainty a strength compels her to

obey Slowly she leans back until she's half floating on the surface of the quicksand The sinking

slows 'Good,' Sawyer says stretching out on his stomach at the edge of the pit He

extends a long branch toward her Now grab this and hold tight Sawyer begins to pull so slowly

it's almost imperceptible The quicksand reluctantly relinquishes its hold Inch by agonizing inch When Rory's close

enough he reaches for her arms his powerful hands closing around her wrists With one mighty heave he pulls

her free the momentum sending them both tumbling backward They land in a tangle of limbs Rory half

on top of him both panting from exertion and fear Overwhelmed Rory wraps her arms

around him burying her face against his chest I was so scared I thought A sobb

catches in her throat If you hadn't been here Sawyer goes rigid at the embrace

but after a moment his hand comes up to pat her back awkwardly Sorry Rory says wiping tears

from her cheeks I just thank you She holds on a moment longer

savoring the solid real presence of another human being after so many days of emotional

isolation Chapter 6 The quicksand incident changes something between them

Not dramatically Sawyer still scowls more than he smiles when Rory fills silences with cheerful chatter but the

edge of hostility dulls The roof leaks Rory points out after a

sudden rainfall leaves them both damp I'm aware Sawyer size I read

somewhere Rory begins that if you layer the palm frrons in an overlapping pattern starting from the bottom you

read about desert island survival in your spare time Sawyer interrupts National Geographic she

admits with a half smile I had a subscription To her surprise Sawyer doesn't dismiss her suggestion

Show me he says instead Working side by side they rebuild the roof and when the next rain

comes 2 days later they stay dry Not bad Bookworm Sawyer conceds and

Rory feels an absurd flutter of pride Week three brings a successful fishing

expedition Rory watches in fascination as Sawyer fashions a spear from a straight branch sharpened against a rock

'How did you learn to do all this?' she asks following him into the shallows Boy Scouts he deadpans She

mimics his stance spear poised above the water like this Lower and be still Fish

can sense the movement Her first attempts are comically bad She stumbles

splashes and manages to scare away every fish within 20 ft Sawyer watches with

what looks suspiciously like amusement He repositions her hands on the spear

shows her how to account for the water's refraction And when she finally spears a

modestized fish is not bad feels like high praise Progress We need a signal fire

plan Sawyer says one morning surveying the beach Something ready to light if boats

pass Rory's heart leaps at the mention of rescue You think someone might come

looking i don't know he admits To be honest I think it's

worrying no one has come for us yet Rory frowns at that What do you mean

surely people are looking as we speak Sawyer gives her a cautious look People

are looking for me he admits But they know very well I don't want to be found

Perhaps they've given up And you you mentioned getting into a fight with your fiance before leaving the resort

Rory frowns She doesn't remember mentioning that to him Then again she

talks a lot She might have let it slip And more urgently she suddenly realizes what Sawyer is

implying You think Martin will assume I left him and won't think of signaling me missing She realizes throat

tight Could take him a while to do so Yes Sawyer admits

And by then will he even realize when or how you disappeared could take a while

for a search party to be sent if ever Our best chance is to count on random boats passing by and signaling

them They build a p on the highest point of beach gathering materials that will create thick black smoke green leaves

rubber from the boat wreckage Sawyer shows her how to start a fire with the limited tools they have

Keep practicing he tells her If you see a boat while I'm not here don't wait for

me The implication that he might be gone when rescue comes disturbs her more than she expects She thinks of how he always

disappears for hours in the very early morning and worries Where do you even go she asks

that night In the mornings I mean He doesn't reply Yet sometimes when Sawyer

disappears at dawn Rory can't shake the feeling of being watched Once while washing clothes at

the lagoon she spots a flash of black between the trees a shape eerily similar to the wolf that guided her back to the

beach that first week 'Hello,' she calls 'Are you there?'

Nothing but bird song answers her One month into their isolation Rory realizes

something that fills her with both relief and renewed anxiety She hasn't had her period The baby is holding on

despite their harsh circumstances She places a hand on her still flat stomach while Sawyer is off

on one of his morning disappearances 'We're going to be okay,' she whispers

'Somehow.' As she walks back to camp that familiar prickling sensation

returns She turns catching a glimpse of something large and dark retreating into the undergrowth

I know you're there she calls out The jungle remains still but Rory is certain

now The wolf is real not a hallucination born of stress and fear as she'd begun to

wonder And that raises more questions than answers Wolves don't live on

Caribbean islands Certainly not alone How did it get here and why does it seem

to be following her more pressing than the wolf though is how her body struggles with the

pregnancy and their harsh conditions Morning sickness hits her hard Until one day Sawyer returns from

one of his excursions and silently places a gnarled root beside her 'What's this?' she asks 'Ginger chew

it It helps with nausea.' Rory stares at him the implications sinking in 'How did

you know?' she asks softly Just take the ginger Sawyer says Days blend into a

routine They wake at dawn Sawyer is often already gone One afternoon while

arranging their meager supplies Rory builds up the courage to ask 'Have you seen the wolf

around?' Sawyer's hands freeze momentarily which Rory interprets as

possibly 'It's big and black with golden eyes,' she insists 'I didn't hallucinate

It's still there Sawyer.' He turns to face her expression carefully neutral There are no wolves in

the Caribbean he says making Rory narrow her eyes He's hiding something But why

would he even lie about not seeing the wolf if he has is he trying to reassure her the more time they spend together

working surviving slowly learning to trust each other the more Rory wonders about his past because it's obvious it

weighs on him The way his expression darkens sometimes when he stares at the horizon How he

tenses at unexpected sounds from the jungle A week later as they sit by the

fire eating dinner Rory gathers her courage Did you break the law sawyer's

head snaps up his eyes meeting hers across the flames Why do you ask those men at the

resort they weren't just looking for you She keeps her voice gentle You've

been running from them haven't you he studies her for a long moment before finally giving a single reluctant

nod You're going to ask me what I've done sawyer says finally his voice

rough Rory considers this A month ago she might have demanded answers insisted

on knowing exactly what kind of person she was stranded with But now now she knows Sawyer in

ways that go beyond words or explanations Do you want to tell me what you've done

she asks softly No Sawyer admits quietly And so Rory resumes eating with

a shrug That's it sawyer asks after a beat Aren't you worried about what I might

have done rory looks up No she says simply

with complete sincerity Sawyer searches her face brows furrowed then his shoulders relaxed

slightly Something has shifted The island remains unchanged isolated dangerous a prison of

palm trees and endless ocean But it no longer feels quite so hopeless Not when

faced together Chapter 7 Dusk settles over the

island painting the sky in deepening shades of orange and purple as Rory gathers firewood at the jungle's edge

Sawyer had disappeared hours ago on one of his mysterious excursions leaving her to handle the evening preparations

alone 'Just once it would be nice if he'd tell me where he's going,' she mutters bending to pick up another

stick 'A soft dry rustling freezes her mid-motion.' 'There's a snake slithering

across the fallen leaves Its diamond patterned scales catch the fading light yellow brown against the forest floor

Rory's breath catches in her throat She's no expert but everything about it screams venomous Carefully she

straightens Easy she whispers Just stay calm The snake's tongue flickers out

tasting the air Rory takes one slow step backward then

another The branch beneath her foot snaps with a crack that seems deafening in the tense silence

The snake coils instantly its body forming tight muscular loops Rory

freezes again heart hammering against her ribs If it strikes a black blur explodes from the

undergrowth hurtling toward her with startling speed Rory stumbles backward dropping

her gathered firewood in shock The massive black wolf her wolf leaps between her and the snake a growl

rumbling from deep in its chest The snake strikes with lightning speed its fangs sinking deep into the wolf's

forleg A high-pitched yelp cuts through the evening air The wolf shakes its leg

violently flinging the snake against a nearby tree trunk with enough force to stun it Without hesitation it pounces

finishing the reptile with a single bite to its neck 'Oh my god,' Rory breathes

taking a step toward the wolf 'You saved me again.' The wolf turns to her golden eyes

clouded with pain You're hurt Rory approaches slowly her fear of the

massive predator long since replaced by something like trust We need to get you back to the

shelter The wolf looks up at her then back toward the jungle as if contemplating retreat 'Please,' Rory

says her voice breaking slightly 'Let me help you.' After a long moment the wolf

struggles to its feet swaying slightly That's it Good

wolf Rory reaches out tentatively touching the thick fur at its neck We

need to clean that wound Guiding an injured wolf through the jungle proves challenging The

creature is clearly in pain its steps becoming increasingly unsteady

By the time they reach the shelter twilight has faded to true darkness and the wolf's breathing has grown

labored 'Lie down,' Rory instructs hastily lighting the fire 'I need to see

how bad it is.' To her surprise the wolf obeys collapsing onto the sand with a

whimper that tugs at her heart She brings water and cloth gently

cleaning the puncture wounds on the wolf's forehead Already the limb is swelling hot to the

touch 'I don't know what kind of snake that was but it's definitely venomous,' she says trying to keep her voice calm

despite her worry She continues cleaning the wound murmuring

reassurances The wolf's massive head eventually comes to rest on her lap its body trembling

slightly 'You're going to be okay,' she promises stroking the silky black fur I

won't leave you The wolf's golden eyes fix on hers For a moment she feels as if she's

looking at someone familiar Then the wolf convulses a violent shudder running through its

powerful frame What's happening rory gasps instinctively tightening her hold

on the creature Fur recedes into skin limbs elongate the entire skeletal

structure shifting with audible cracks that make her stomach turn She scrambles backward a scream tearing

from her throat as the impossible transformation completes Where the wolf had been Sawyer

now lies naked on the sand his body curled in pain breathing

ragged 'Sawyer,' she whispers her mind unable to process what she's just

witnessed His eyes the same golden eyes she'd been looking into moments before flutter open

You're You're the wolf Rory murmurs He nods wincing with the movement Don't tell anyone A hysterical

laugh bubbles up in Rory's throat Who would I tell we're on a deserted

island Good point Sawyer mumbles eyelids drooping The shock of his transformation

momentarily distracts her from the more immediate problem but the angry red swelling of his arm snaps her back to

reality Sawyer you've been poisoned Panic edges

into her voice as she reaches for him pressing her palm to his forehead He's burning with fever already

It's fine he slurs eyes closing Don't worry it'll heal What do you mean it'll

heal Sawyer this is serious She shakes his shoulder fear gripping her

heart Just needs sleep he mutters shift her metabolism His words dissolve into

incoherent mumbling Rory quickly covers him with their blanket mind

racing None of it makes sense but the immediate danger trumps her confusion

Sawyer's breathing has grown shallow his skin alternating between burning hot and clammy

cold She bathes his forehead with cool water forces sips of water between his

parched lips and cleans the wound repeatedly though it seems to worsen by the hour He punctures have turned an

angry purple with red streaks beginning to extend up his arm 'Don't you dare die on me,' she

whispers fiercely 'I can't do this alone Sawyer I can't have this baby alone on this

island.' His only response is delirious muttering 'Camila,' he moans 'I'm sorry

Camila is so sorry.' Rory's heart twists at the raw pain in his voice 'Whoever

Camila is or was she clearly meant everything to him A day passes then another Rory barely

sleeps constantly checking Sawyer's pulse his breathing the state of his

wound By sunset something strange begins to happen The angry purple of the bite

starts to fade at the edges the swelling minutely reduced Rory blinks certain she's

hallucinating from exhaustion But when she checks again an hour later the improvement is

undeniable Hope flickers to life in her chest but she dares not embrace it fully

Not yet Not until those golden eyes open again and look at her with recognition

rather than fever-lazed confusion Outside the waves crash

against the shore their rhythm unchanging despite the revelations that have turned her world upside

down Sawyer continues to sleep Healing or dying she cannot

tell Chapter 8 The first rays of dawn filter through the shelter's gaps when

Rory feels it A change in Sawyer's breathing against her palm She'd fallen asleep with her hand

resting on his chest needing the reassurance of each rise and fall Now

the rhythm shifts quickens Her eyes fly open to find his already

watching her golden brown and clear for the first time in days The fever glaze

is gone replaced by something warm and wondering 'You're here,' he whispers

voice rough from disuse 'Where else would I be?' Rory's own voice catches as

relief floods through her Without thinking she reaches out to brush sweat dampened hair from his forehead her

fingers lingering against his skin How do you feel sawyer captures her hand

before she can withdraw it I'm fine he whispers squeezing her fingers I was

never in danger Their gazes hold and Rory is suddenly acutely aware of how close they

are her body curved toward his beneath their shared blanket She spent three days watching

him fight for his life memorizing every line of his face And now that face is watching her back with an expression

she's never seen before You saved me again she murmurs

That snake would have killed me Sawyer attempts to sit up wincing with the

effort How long was I out he asks softly Almost 3

days Rory reaches for the water container nearby bringing it to his lips

I thought I might lose you The simple admission costs her more than she expected

and Sawyer's thumb gently wiping away a tear she hadn't realized had fallen 'I'm harder to kill than that,'

he assures her 'I told you I would heal.' 'Your wound!' Rory manages trying

to regain composure 'It's almost gone That's not That's not normal.' Sawyer's expression softens His

hand slides from her cheek to rest at the nape of her neck keeping her close as if afraid she might pull away from

what comes next No he agrees quietly It's not not for

humans anyway The confession hangs in the air between them waiting for her

reaction Rory takes a deep breath steadying herself The wolf she says all this time

it was you It's not a question but Sawyer nods anyway his fingers tensing slightly against her

skin Yes Rory's mind fills with images the wolf guiding her back to the beach

The strange sensation of being watched when Sawyer was gone Why didn't you tell me she asks His

thumb traces a small circle at the base of her skull We're not supposed to reveal our abilities to

humans he says looking slightly apologetic Who's we rory asks What are

you exactly a werewolf this draws a genuine chuckle from him

A shifter he corrects I was born this way It's what I am not something that

happened to me Rory's free hand reaches out tentatively tracing the barely visible

scar where the snake's fangs had pierced his skin 'You said you were never in

danger,' she comments trying to make sense of things 'My metabolism is different,'

Sawyer explains 'Faster stronger We heal quickly.' Rory looks up meeting his eyes

And so there are more like like you Something like caution flickers across his face Yes we live in packs mostly or

tend to He adds looking away The men at the resort Rory realizes suddenly Were

they some of them Sawyer confirms The others were federal agents Why were they chasing you their

eyes meet and in Sawyer seems to yield I was the alpha of my pack he begins voice

low and intimate the leader if you will And as such I also had a human life I

ran a company a big one until one day I couldn't Couldn't rory parrots confused

Wouldn't sawyer admits So I left Rory blinks processing this And they want you

to go back she asks Against your will yes he murmurs for financial

reasons Rory senses there's much more to the story Depths of pain and complication he's not ready to

share But the trust in this partial confession feels like a precious gift

nonetheless You're safe here she whispers the words a promise she has no right to

make Sawyer's eyes search hers and whatever he sees there seems to reassure him

Rory's heart skips a beat as his hand slides into her hair and their foreheads touch breath mingling in the narrow

space between them Their lips are so close she can almost taste a kiss she hadn't realized

until now how much she'd yearned for But then memories of Sawyer's

fevered state his troubled murmurss come back to her And what about Camila she can't help but

ask Sawyer freezes looking stunned for a second and then

upset 'How do you know that name?' he asks turning away 'You called for her,'

she explains gently 'When you were delirious with fever.' 'Sawyer's expression hardens in

an instant as if a door has slammed shut between them.' 'Camila is dead,' he says

flatly Rory winces internally 'She shouldn't have asked.' 'I'm sorry,' she

whispers I didn't mean to It's not your fault He struggles to his feet I need

some air Wait Sawyer Rory's fingers brush his

wrist For a moment he looks back at her and Rory glimpses the raw pain beneath

his composed exterior Then he's gone moving slowly but purposefully toward the jungle's

edge Chapter 9 The following day Rory finds herself watching the muscles in

Sawyer's back as he chops wood The way sweat traces the contours of his shoulders disappearing beneath his

tattered shirt Something has changed A barrier broken Now every glance carries weight

Every accidental touch lingers a heartbeat too long When he straightens nostrils flaring a low rumble thrums in

his chest And as Rory reminds herself he is part wolf her cheeks flushed with heat that has nothing to do with the

tropical sun At night they lie mere inches apart close enough that Rory can feel the

warmth radiating from his body You're restless tonight Sawyer murmurs in the

darkness Just thinking she replies grateful he can't see her blush

about about how your hands would feel on my skin she thinks about the taste of

your mouth About whether you'd be gentle or fierce or both Home she says instead There's a

beat of silence and then do you miss him sawyer asks quietly Who rory frowns Your fianceé The

word sounds strange now Distant as another life He isn't my fiance anymore

she corrects Are you sure about that there's something in Sawyer's tone

A careful neutrality that doesn't quite mask the tension beneath Rory turns on her side to face

him I caught him cheating on me she says It's over But you didn't tell him that

Sawyer persists You just ran The observation strikes uncomfortably close to truth By day they

orbit in a slow deliberate dance When Rory wades from the lagoon Sawyer's gaze

trails every beat of water down her body His casual touches a palm at the small

of her back knuckles brushing hers over a water jug spark along her skin At dusk he kneels behind her to

teach palm frond weaving chest a furnace to her spine breath stroking her nape

Like this he murmurs his voice low near her ear as he guides her fingers Rory

can barely focus on the weaving All she feels is the solid warmth of him the

slight roughness of his calloused hands over hers the way his breath stirs tendrils of hair at her temple She

inadvertently leans back against him She feels his sharp intake of breath the momentary tightening of his arms around

her 'You're a quick learner,' he says but doesn't move away She turns her head slightly bringing

their faces close enough that she can see the golden flex in his eyes For a breathless moment she thinks

he might close the distance between them 'We should get some sleep,' he says instead 'Early start

tomorrow.' And then one night Rory wakes to the sound of restless movement Sawyer

paces at the shelter's entrance his powerful frame silhouetted against the moonlight

What's wrong?' she asks He freezes at the sound his back to her shoulders rigid 'Go back to sleep

Rory.' Instead she rises drawn to him by some instinct deeper than thought As she

approaches she sees his hands clenched into fists 'Sawyer!' His nostrils flare as he

inhales deeply eyes closing for a moment as if in pain When they open again they fix on her

with predatory intensity 'I can smell you Rory,' he

says voice rough like gravel 'Every emotion every change in your body every

time your pulse quickens when I'm near.' Understanding Dawn's heat flooding her cheeks 'You mean you can

smell my attraction?' 'Yours calls to mine,' he admits taking a step closer despite his

earlier warning It's been driving me crazy for weeks The confession sends a thrill down

her spine desire pooling low in her belly 'How do I smell now?' she asks

suddenly breathless Sawyer moves with startling speed suddenly right in front of her He

lowers his face to the curve where her neck meets her shoulder inhaling deeply 'Like heat,' he murmurs the word

itself a caress and want His nose traces a path up her

throat making her shiver You're like a flame in the darkness I can't stop breathing you

in His hands come up to frame her face thumbs stroking her cheekbones with surprising

gentleness When you're near he continues his mouth hovering just above hers The

wolf wants to claim make you smell like mine so every other predator knows you're protected

There are no other predators here she reminds him hands coming up to rest against his

chest A sound rumbles from his chest Half laugh half growl I'm the most

dangerous thing on this island Rory Not to me she counters bold now

with the evidence of his desire so clearly written in every tense line of his body His thumbs trace her lower lip eyes

following the movement with hungry focus I'm not free Rory,' he warns even as his

body presses closer pinning her against the shelter wall 'I'm being hunted I've

done things.' 'I don't care.' She cuts him off hands sliding up to cup his face 'I

know who you are Sawyer I've seen you at your worst and your best You've saved my

life.' 'That doesn't make me good You're the only person in this world I trust

completely,' she insists meaning every word Something breaks in his expression the

last barrier of resistance crumbling Their first kiss isn't a gentle one His tongue sweeps inside

tasting her deeply as his hands roam her body with urgent need Rory meets his hunger with her own

weeks of denied desire erupting in a desperate clash of lips and teeth and searching hands

Sawyer lifts her effortlessly her legs wrapping around his waist as he presses her more firmly against the

wall 'Are you sure?' he asks a possessive flare in his eyes In answer

Rory kisses him again pouring every ounce of desire and certainty into the contact The heat between them builds

each touch a discovery Clothing falls away only the heavy power of Sawyer's darken eyes

remaining You're beautiful He breathes reaching for her with reverent

hands They sink to the sand together a tangle of limbs and urgent

touches Dawn finds them still entwined the first golden rays of sunlight

warming their skin Rory wakes to the sensation of Sawyer's fingers tracing the curve of her

cheek 'Morning,' she murmurs stretching languidly against him He smiles against her lips and Rory

loses herself in the sensation marveling at how something so good could emerge from disaster How being stranded could

lead to being found in the most unexpected way That's when she sees it over his

shoulder a glint of metal on the horizon Unmistakable this

time Sawyer she gasps pulling away There's a boat He turns following her

gaze The vessel is distant but clearly visible Its outline distinct against the

morning sky The signal fire he says his voice tight with conflicting emotions We need

to light it now Chapter 10 The signal fire roars

black smoke streaking the clear sky Rory shields her eyes heart leaping as the

distant boat veers toward them They've seen us She turns to Sawyer

exhilaration flooding her veins He stands rigid beside her eyes narrowed as

he stares at the approaching vessel The color drains from his face his body tensing like a predator sensing

danger Sawyer Rory touches his arm concerned by his sudden

change He grabs her hand pulling her away from the fire back toward the treeine 'What's wrong?' Rory asks

confused Once they're out of sight among the trees Sawyer releases her hand

That's not a rescue boat he says That's my pack Your pack rory's heart sinks Are

you sure even at this distance I can smell them His jaw clenches If they find

me here they'll force me to go back Maybe that's not so bad Rory

reaches for him If I can face Martin surely you can You don't understand

Sawyer runs a hand through his hair There's more to it than I told you Then tell me now Sawyer's gaze meets

hers Raw with pain and something like shame My real name is Sawyer

Blake Blake the name triggers a memory Newspaper headlines business channels

Wait Blake Global Holdings that Blake he nods grimly CEO and majority shareholder

Or I was until last year Rory struggles to process this Sawyer Blake the

billionaire who disappeared amid allegations of financial fraud You're a fugitive She realizes

aloud Yes The boat is getting closer They don't have much

time Explain Rory demands crossing her arms When my father died I inherited a

company built on corruption Sawyer says words tumbling out in his urgency to make her

understand Corner cutting environmental violations all buried in shell companies and offshore

accounts And you knew about this not until after I took over My father kept

me in the dark Bitterness twists his features When I discovered the truth I

started secretly gathering evidence planning to clean house without destroying the company What happened

camila happened His voice softens on the name She was an environmental lawyer I

hired to help navigate the cleanup We fell in love The pieces begin to click into

place The woman you called for when you were feverish Yes We were going to expose

everything together Rebuild Thorn Global as something better Then I made a decision that cost her

everything The distant boat engine grows louder Sawyer glances toward the beach then continues speaking faster

now The board discovered what we were planning They came to me with an ultimatum Drop the investigation or

they'd release information about the pack Expose our existence to the world

You chose to protect your pack Rory guesses I chose wrong Self-loathing

saturates his voice I told Camila we needed to back off Find another way She

didn't agree His eyes closed briefly the memory clearly agonizing 2 days later her car went off

a cliff Brake failure they called it The police found nothing suspicious 'But you knew better,' Rory

whispers horrified 'I knew who was responsible My own board members willing to kill to

keep their secrets safe.' Rage flashes in his eyes briefly turning them fully golden

The same night they framed me for the very crimes I was trying to expose By morning federal agents were at my door

with a warrant So you ran yes His shoulders slumped slightly

My PAX council ordered me to turn myself in Face trial Said we couldn't risk

exposure I refused That's why they're hunting you Rory realizes Not just the authorities

but your own pack Sawyer nods grimly In their eyes

I've endangered everyone by remaining free A fugitive shifter draws too much

attention The boat engine cuts off They've reached the shallows

Rory Sawyer takes her hands his expression desperate I can't go back Not

to a pack that would sacrifice justice for safety What about clearing your name she

asks Finishing what you and Camila started All the evidence is gone

Shouting comes from the beach Voices calling searching Tell them I died

Sawyer says The words rushed out urgent and desperate You want me to lie rory

whispers It's the only way But we'd be separated she protests After

everything Rory my life was over long before I came to this island Sawyer says

'Don't say that It's the truth.' His voice is flat devoid of hope What

happened to Camila was my fault I don't get to just start over But you

deserve I deserve this He cuts her off gesturing to the wild island around them

Just survival The resignation in his voice breaks Rory's heart It's better this way

for everyone His hand moves to rest on her stomach Especially for you and the baby

Those men killed Camila without hesitation They wouldn't spare you I can't just leave you here Rory

protests her voice breaking What about your future sawyer gives a small humorless

laugh I'm a fugitive shifter with enemies in both human and pack worlds There is no future for me out there

He looks toward the beach where voices grow closer I'll hide deeper in the jungle Mask my scent But I need your

help Rory The impossible choice looms before her Leave the man she loves behind or

risk her child's well-being on a fight they cannot win I can't bear the thought of never

seeing you again she whispers her hand covering his where it rests on her

stomach It's better this way You go back to your world build a life for your

child and I He glances around at the wild jungle This is my home now my

penance Sawyer promise me you won't look back He interrupts his eyes intense Don't waste

your life thinking about me Footsteps approach through the undergrowth They're almost out of time

Okay Rory agrees tears spilling down her cheeks though the promise feels like acid on her tongue I'll do it Relief

floods Sawyer's expression He pulls her close his kiss desperate and tender all

at once A goodbye with no promise of reunion Thank you he whispers against

her lips for making these last weeks worth living Before she can respond he's gone

disappearing into the dense jungle with paternatural speed and silence Rory wipes her tears forcing her

expression into one of relief and exhaustion as she steps back toward the beach The performance of her life is

about to begin Three men emerge at the edge of the trees tall and sharpeyed their

presence unmistakably predatory It's the right choice the only

choice for her child But as the boat pulls away from the island taking her back to civilization while leaving her

heart behind Rory has never felt more a drift They search her face for cracks

but find only grief She holds their gaze steady and quiet while inside her

something shatters It feels like mourning a man who isn't dead A goodbye she can never take back

Find me she thinks desperately hoping somehow he can sense her thoughts across the growing distance Find me

again Epilog Two years later Rory rocks gently in a secondhand chair her

daughter cradled against her chest Rain taps softly at the apartment window a soothing backdrop to the

lullaby She hums Her baby is 15 months old with Martin's hazel eyes and dark hair But

the fierce little spirit belongs to someone else entirely 'There we go,' she whispers as

her daughter's lashes settle on her cheeks Carefully Rory rises and lays her

in the crib smoothing a hand over wild curls 'Cunning back had been harder than

expected The media storm resort guest survives months on deserted island

lasted for weeks Reporters pressed for details she couldn't give Her story held

but the scrutiny wore her down Martin showed up at the hospital

All smiles for the cameras Offscreen The mask dropped You can't seriously be keeping

it He hissed eyes on her belly Think about your figure your career Think about me I'm not ready to be a

father Rory laughed genuinely After what she'd survived his selfishness felt

laughable There is no us anymore Martin she said And this baby isn't yours in

any way that matters His face twisted You cheated on me on that island with

who she hadn't bothered explaining Biologically the baby was his but Sawyer

had been the one to protect cherish and fight for them both Goodbye Martin Don't contact me

again He hadn't aside from signing away his parental rights A final act meant as

punishment but one Rory accepted as a gift She checks the monitor then returns

to the living room After finishing her degree she found a job teaching swimming at a private school The hours suit

Camila's needs Their housing is modest but enough It's a good life quiet steady

Only late at night does she let herself remember golden eyes gentle hands a voice that once spoke to her soul in two

languages man and wolf She's never told anyone the truth

Not about the wolf not about Sawyer A sharp knock at the door

startles her She glances at the clock Midnight Another knock more urgent She

peers through the peepphole and her heart stops With trembling hands she opens the

door just enough to confirm what she barely dares hope He's thinner His hair is longer but

it's him Sawyer Sawyer she breathes He looks

different in jeans and a button-down but his eyes warm brown with hints of gold are exactly the

same Hello Rory His voice cracks something open inside her Tears blur her

vision emotions crashing over her Joy fury disbelief You're alive she says fists

clenched to keep from reaching for him How did you find me a ghost of a smile I told you once

that I could find you anywhere But you said she stops remembering his goodbye What happened

why are you here i turned myself in What

6 months after you left I signaled a ship Went back willingly to face the charges His smile is

rofal Turns out someone was building a case against the board They needed my

testimony But the evidence most of it was gone But Camila she had backups

Smarter than any of us knew So you're free completely he nods As of 3 weeks ago the

real criminals are behind bars My name is cleared Why now she asks the real

question behind her words hanging unspoken Why come back to me he steps

closer Because I lied to you Rory When I said my life was over when I said to

forget me Another step I was trying to make it easier for

you He's close now Close enough for her to breathe him in And now she whispers

Now I'm here to tell you the truth His voice lowers I never stopped thinking about

you Not for a single day If you've moved on I'll understand But I had to see you

Had to know if there's a chance A cry from the baby monitor cuts through the

silence Sawyer stiffens His gaze shifts toward the sound then quietly The baby

Rory nods My daughter I should He steps back Of course She returns moments later

daughter in arms Sawyer hasn't moved He stares at the child awe and uncertainty

battling in his expression Rory steps closer tilting the baby toward him This is

Camila Sawyer inhales sharply You named her after someone important to you Rory

says To honor what we shared Emotion ripples through him raw and

visible Camila he whispers Rory repeats gently Camila this

is Sawyer He's someone who has waited a very long time to meet you He

finishes He reaches out pauses then glances at Rory She nods gently He

touches Camila's hand Her fingers curl around his She's wonderful he says voice hushed

like her mother Rory's tears spill I never thought I'd see you again I know

He brushes a tear from her cheek I thought staying away was right And now

now I think we've both suffered enough He cups her face If you'll have me if

you're willing I want to be part