Chapter 38

Agnes tossed and turned almost all night. It wasn't until around dawn that she finally fell into an exhausted sleep. She had never been prone to insomnia or overthinking. But last night she had experienced both. She could honestly say that it was an experience that she didn't wish to repeat again any time soon. Getting out of bed, she groaned and decided to take a cool shower to help her wake up. It was a trick she had learned when in high school and was studying for finals. It worked for a little bit by itself. But throw in copious amounts of caffeine and some good protein and she would be good to go until the afternoon when she would get home from school.

Feeling refreshed and revived, Agnes dried off and was getting dressed when Graeham knocked and entered her room.

Agnes was too stunned to do anything or react in any way. His face. His face said everything. Desire, want, need, and something else that she couldn't and didn't want to put a name on. She was afraid to.

Graeham swallowed the lump in his suddenly dry throat. Agnes stood before him in her panties and bra. She had a pair of jeans in one hand and a clothes hanger in the other. She didn't look afraid. No, not at all. First she looked stunned. Then she looked nervous. Finally, a confident look came over her face. Looking her up and down from her toes to her head, he could understand why. Agnes's body was formed perfectly. Her hips were curved into a small, tucked in waist. Her legs were toned from her job as a server. Her shoulders were straight. Graeham yanked his eyes up to her face. He really didn't think that dwelling on that area between her shoulders and waist was a good idea. At least, not yet.

Raising an eyebrow, Agnes stood there like there was nothing out of the ordinary about standing in front of a man that was still pretty much a stranger in just her underwear. "Can I help you with something, Graeham?"

He opened his mouth to say something and she held up her index finger and said forcefully, "Something that I can actually do or give you."

Agnes watched as a mask fell over his face, as if to block her from seeing his emotions. She knew that look. She had seen it in her dad when her mom would ask where he had been. Agnes had known that he was cheating, without anyone having to say anything and that it was why her mom had left him.

"I was going to ask you if I could escort you downstairs to your breakfast with the ladies?"

Then she smiled that smile that he loved so much. It lit up her entire face. "I would love that. Give me a minute to finish dressing." She watched as he turned and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Waiting out in the sitting room, Graeham like like some randy, hormonal teenage boy as he wiped his sweaty palms down his pants. He hadn't been this nervous with his wife. Of course, with her, he had known where he stood almost immediately. She had made no bones about how she had felt for him. Now he was beginning to understand her frustration with him dragging his feet about admitting his feelings for her. They had been there, but they had been young and he was afraid to rush into anything. After all, his family didn't divorce. You just lived separate lives.

No, his feelings for Agnes were pretty potent. His body was making demands that it hadn't made in years. Not to this degree. He really hoped that she would agree to be his.

Graeham frowned. What did being his mean? Did he want another wife? Was he ready to take that step with Agnes? He knew that some people in their circle would accuse her of being a gold digger or him of trying to recapture his youth with a younger woman. He really didn't care and hoped that she wouldn't either.

He wanted her. Forever!

Hearing Agnes's bedroom door open, Graeham got himself under control. He couldn't let her see this side of him. She would run from him for sure.

Smiling at her, he held out his hand and asked, "Ready to go?"

Agnes nodded and smiled. Reaching out to take his hand, she tucked herself into his side.

To say he was surprised was putting it mildly. He schooled his features and smiled down at her and then wrapped his arm around her and together they walked out of the suite to join the others in the dining room.

As they walked into the dining room, Charlotte caught Agnes's eye. The young woman saw the position of the older woman and the expression on her face. It was peaceful and accepting. They nodded to each other. A barely there nod. One acknowledged an idea or assumption. Graeham led Agnes to the table and poured her and himself a cup of coffee each.

Miney smiled at the woman, realizing that she had accepted her position in Graeham's life. She had a notion that it was for life and not a short or even long term fling. This would be a real romance.

"Ladies? Are you ready to shop for your dresses?" Amber and Charlotte nodded and smiled.

Miney noticed that Agnes didn't comment.

"Agnes? Did you not want to buy a dress for the Alpha, Beta and Mating ceremonies?" Miney asked her.

"Oh, I didn't realize that I was invited. I thought it was just for your people and their families." Agnes replied, taking a bite of her toast.

"Oh course you're invited. You and Graeham both. We would love for you both to attend. The Alpha and Beta ceremony will be in the late morning. The mating ceremonies will be in the early evening with a banquet after. This way we can officially retire and Jaxson and Rio will become the leaders of the clan and town."

Looking over at Graeham, Agnes waited for him to answer.

Smiling at her, he took a sip of his coffee. "Of course we will be there. We wouldn't miss it for anything. After all, it isn't every day that you get to be present at a world event. And I would say that shifter reveal or coming out, if you will, is definitely going to be a world event."

"Alright, ladies. It's time to go shopping. So that is two dresses each and an outfit for the banquet. You ladies want to look your best. After all, you will be the focus of the world news and all of social media."

Amber grimaced. After the media circus that surrounded her stepfather's death, she decided not to have little to no interaction on social media.

Rio, realized the thoughts going through his mate's mind. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, "Are you going to be okay with this? Flashbacks or PTSD going to be a problem?"

Amber felt her heart squeeze. Rio was so concerned with how she would be able to handle the media circus. Looking up at him, she smiled, tears welling up in her eyes because of his care. "I love you. I don't think I've told you, and I wanted you to know."

Rio felt his chest swell. He smiled and looked at his dad and "She loves me." Then pulled her so close that she was almost in his lap.

"Good job, son." Anders said.

Jaxson looked at Charlotte and smiled. Leaning in, he kissed her as she smiled back at him.

"Alright you two. Let the girls go. We have shopping to do. Any preference on colors?" Miney asked.

"I don't care, do you Jaxson?" Rio asked his brother.

"Nah. Charlotte has good taste, so I'm not worried. Amber dresses well, too. Besides, they'll be with Mom. She knows what to look for. Our mates will look beautiful. More so than usual." Jaxson said, looking at Charlotte.

"Well said, son." Anders said, smiling at both sons.

Graeham watched the four women leave and instantly he felt empty without Agnes there.

"Feels like you lost a part of yourself, doesn't it?" Jaxson asked him.

"You're very astute, young man." Graeham replied.

"No sir, not really. What you are feeling is obvious. You can see it on your face. The reason that I know what it is, is because we all understand it. Even as long as Mom and Dad have been together, I would bet that he still feels that way. Every time Mom leaves the house without him." Jaxson sat back and looked over at his mate's grandfather. "My arms literally ache to hold Charlotte and they feel empty."

Graeham nodded. "I loved my wife and I never thought that I would ever feel like that again." He paused as if searching for the right words. "I'm not sure if I felt like this with my wife and frankly, I'm a little stunned. The suddenness and depth of feeling that I have for Agnes is frightening. At the very least."

Anders nodded, as did both of his sons. "That feeling is often a once in a lifetime feeling. You're blessed to be able to experience it twice in a lifetime."

Charlotte tells me all the time that I saved her, in more ways than one. But, in return, I tell her that she saved me."

Graeham's phone chimed with a text. Pulling out his phone, he read it quickly and looked at the others and simply said, "It's time. They're here."

Getting up and going out into the lobby, the four men greeted the two people that were waiting on them. The female was tall and striking with black hair and green eyes. The man was with her was also tall and balding, but gave off an air that spoke of intelligence. You got the sense that he noticed things that the average person would not. They both carried a messenger bag that looked like it was full.

Graeham was the first to greet them. "Hello Diane, Jasper. How was your trip?"

"It wasn't too bad. Commercial airline food is not the best in the world and there was plenty of turbulence. But we made it safe." The woman answered.

"Are you too ready to go up to my suite and discuss this earth shaking news that you will be reporting on?"

They both nodded and followed the men up to the suite.

"What is this incredible exclusive you promised us, Graeham. You know I hate to fly. You also know that I hate to leave Mom and Susie." The female said.

"In due time. First, you must understand that this will become a crap shoot if either of you talk about it outside of this room. Hopefully, both of you will be able to be back with your families and safe in a week." he said.

"A week! Dammit Graeham! I only packed a change of clothes in my messenger bag. Pretty sure Jasper is the same." Diane exclaimed.

"Calm down, Diane. I had anticipated this and had someone sitting with both your mom and Susie. You both can go buy some clothes on me. Trust me on this guys, once you learn what I - we - are about to reveal, you won't want to leave until you know as much as possible. Besides, the ceremonies aren't until next week."

The two newcomers looked at the three men that they didn't know and realized that this meeting had to do with them. Dian raised an eyebrow at the older of the three and he imperceptibly nodded, The three men carried power as naturally as most people breathe. She would bet her salary that this exclusive revolved around them.

Her boss had turned away to get something off of the desk in the corner and handed it to them both. Diane looked up at him with a glare. "This is an NDA. Why on earth would you have your two best journalists sign that?"

"Because my dear, I cannot risk the lives that are involved in this. Namely, my granddaughter."