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Lover Released	By : Hoping4More Category: A through F > Black Dagger Brotherhood Views: 3573 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Black Dagger Brotherhood, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 23
Getting shot sucks, this much Mel knew for sure. Even with her natural ability to heal, she was stuck in the clinic for four days, under constant watch of the team of doctors and nurses on staff. It's not that she wasn't grateful to them for saving her life, she just didn't do well being cooped up.
Now all of her muscles were sore and stiff, and she could still feel phantom pains in her back when she made sudden movements. But even worse than the physical pain, was the humiliation. Mel dreaded the looks she knew she would be getting once she got home. She had proved them right, proved that she was weaker, that she wasn't ready to be a Warrior. The truth of her weakness burned her just as badly as the bullets had entering her back.
How had she failed so badly? And how was she going to recover from this? Her mahmen already opposed her choice to join the training program, what would she do now that her worst fears were realized? Mel swallowed back the sick feeling churning in her gut.
"Are you okay over there? You look like you're going to be sick," Dhayn said from the driver's seat of his now-clean car.
Mel wasn't sure who had done the cleanup on his leather interior, but whoever it was deserved a medal. No one would ever have known that she nearly bled out in that very seat. She tried to pull herself together, to at least appear strong.
"Do you think I'll get demoted back to stage one?" she asked, remembering all the long nights she spent doing drills in the gym with the other WITs. "Or will they kick me out completely?" She stared down at her lap to avoid his eyes.
"Why the fuck would they demote you?" Dhayn asked in response.
"I fucked up the mission, and nearly died." Mel looked out the window as trees rushed by in a blur. Her heart felt heavy with loss at the thought of her dreams being so easily swept away.
"You helped disable and capture a group of Lessers, and you survived a serious injury. If you ask me, I think you deserve a promotion."
Mel's head whipped around, and she furrowed her brow at a smiling Dhayn. "This isn't funny D, I'm being serious."
"So am I," he said confidently. "You have nothing to be ashamed of Mel." He reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Well, I'm glad you can take this so lightly, but one of us has to be realistic," Mel said. WITs were kicked out of the program all the time, only those who could be trusted to protect the citizens and honor the King were allowed to train with the Brotherhood.
"No, you're being pessimistic. There is nothing for you to worry about Mel, everything's going to be fine," Dhayn said, giving her hand another squeeze. If she didn't cherish the contact so much, she would have pulled her hand away. But it had been a long four days.
"Fine, whatever. I guess we'll see," she conceded. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Dhayn took an exaggerated breath. Mel knew him well enough to know that it meant he needed to talk about something uncomfortable. "Spit it out D, I know you have something to say," she prodded.
"We should probably talk about something before we get back to the mansion, while we're still alone. I'm sure the rest of the household is waiting for us." He kept his eye on the road but turned slightly to face her. Mel didn't like the look he was giving her.
"What's wrong D? You're freaking me out here."
"It's about Tara," he started, looking out the windshield as his eyes clouded with emotion. Mel wished, not for the first time, that she had Tara's ability to know what he was thinking-feeling.
"Is she okay?" Mel asked, her heart-rate speeding up as one hundred possibilities ran through her mind in a macabre slideshow she couldn't stop. Tara hadn't been to visit her in the clinic. Mel had figured Tara and Tru were taking over her and Dhayn's shifts, but what if it was something else? Oh Virgin, what if Tara got hurt too?
"Yes...she's fine," Dhayn said, but Mel didn't miss his hesitation.
"Then what is it?" Mel demanded.
"She broke it off...with us." He looked down at their clasped hands. "She left us for Intrudehr. She's even living at his condo downtown."
"What!" Mel shouted, her jaw hanging slightly open in shock. "What do you mean she left? She can't just move out, her sire would never allow it." She released her hand to pull it through her hair. "She can't, she wouldn't, why would she?" Mel met Dhayn's sad eyes and her heart sank. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious babe. She moved on, and Thrett supported her decision." Dhayn's jaw bulged in anger.
"Of course he did." Mel scowled. Now that she thought of it, it made perfect sense. "He never wanted us to be with her in the first place." The commander had probably put the two of them together on purpose. Mel clenched her fists in anger. Anger was good-she could deal with anger. Later she would have to handle the heartbreaking loss she was just barely keeping at bay - hopefully in the privacy of her own room - but for now she would be angry.
"I'm so sorry Mel, I tried to talk to her, but she smelled like Intrudehr, and I got so angry I wasn't even thinking straight. I wish you could have been there, I'm sure you would have known what to say to make her stay." Dhayn's voice was thick with emotion and it made the tears Mel was holding back tumble over.
"She's sleeping with him?" Mel asked, not wanting to hear the answer. Dhayn just nodded. It felt like someone punched her in the gut. "I don't get it. The Tara I know would never..."
"Maybe she's not the Tara we knew anymore," he said softly.
"I can't believe that. There has to be a reason." Mel wiped the dampness from her cheeks with the backs of her hands. "I'm going to call her."
"Good luck, she hasn't been answering any of my calls." Dhayn looked down, rejection written clearly on his face.
"I'm not losing her D, even..." Mel swallowed back the lump in her throat. "Even if we just go back to being friends. I can't cut her out of my life. These last few months have been torture for me, like I lost my right arm and I don't know what to do without it."
"You're left handed," Dhayn quipped.
"Shut up, it's a saying." Mel chewed on her lip as her emotions swirled inside of her. "I may not be able to fix this, us, but I will get my best friend back," she said, solidifying her resolve. It was going to hurt like hell, but if letting go of her feelings for Tara meant she could keep her in her life, then she would sure as hell try.
Dhayn was surprised at how well Mel took the news. He had nearly killed a male, been two seconds away from groveling on the floor, and then had a complete mental shutdown when Tara told him she was leaving them. Now he was just angry; angry at Tara for throwing what they had away, angry at Intrudehr for taking what was his, and angry at himself for not being able to stop it.
He pulled the car to a stop in front of the mansion and left it running for one of the doggen to drive around to the garage. He helped Mel out of her seat and held onto her hand as they climbed the stone steps leading up to the front doors. They stepped inside the vestibule and waited for the inner doors to be unlocked. The subtle beep and click sounded their admission and Dhayn opened a heavy steel door to ushered Mel through.
"Oh my baby girl. I'm so happy your home," Cynthia cried, pulling Mel into a tight embrace as soon as she stepped through the door. Dhayn saw Mel flinch but she stayed in her mahmen's arms until the older female released her.
Dhayn took in the rest of the crowd. He had been right, everyone was waiting for them. The grand front foyer was crowded with Brothers and doggen, smiling and chatting as they looked over Mel in relief. Behind a black-clad and smiling Huntehr, he spotted Tara, and his heart kicked into gear. He should have known she would show up, but he had no idea how to react. What do you do when the female you love leaves you for another male? The bitter sting of rejection settled in his chest, but as she stepped forward and offered Mel a shy smile, his heart ached to pull her into his arms and never let her go.
The conflicting emotions had his head aching in confusion. How could he be so angry at her, yet still love her so much that it hurt? Mel let go of his hand to step forward and hug Tara, and the two of them looked so perfect, as if nothing had happened. Dhayn couldn't take it anymore. He ducked out of the room, hoping the greetings and well wishes would cover his absence, and closed himself into the main floor library just down the hall. He crossed the warmly lit room to the bar on the far wall, pouring himself a glass of whiskey and downing it in one gulp. The pleasant burn warmed him from the inside, but he knew it would take a few more to numb the pain. The door clicked behind him and he turned to find his uncle shutting it gently.
"You might want to take it easy Dhaynger, you're on duty tonight," Stehlth said.
"I am?" Dhayn asked, surprised.
"Yes, you will be part of a search party." Stelth came to stand beside Dhayn and poured himself a glass. He added some ice cubes and sipped at the golden liquid.
"What are we searching for?" Dhayn set his glass on the bar-top and focused on his uncle. The adrenalin of the hunt would work just as well to keep his mind off of Tara.
"Someone else has gone missing, this time it's a female," Stelth said somberly.
"Do I know her?" Dhayn sat down in a leather reading chair, bracing his elbows on his knees.
"Probably, her name is Lucinda. She's the daughter of one of the chairmen, and a prominent socialite within the glymera. Her abduction is sure to stir up trouble if we don't find her quickly and quietly." Stelth drained the rest of his whiskey and poured another glass.
Dhayn could picture the wealthy female immediately; her blonde curls swept up with jewels and ribbons, her gowns always flamboyant and overtly expensive. "I do know her, she's not much older than I am, maybe ten years or so. But if she's not a Warrior, than this is someone new that we're dealing with right?"
"It seems so. She was taken while out partying with some friends, the scents were so muddled in the club that no one could get a read on who took her, but one thing's for sure; it wasn't Lessers."
"What?" Dhayn stood suddenly, knocking the chair back. "A human took her?"
"Either that or one of our own, we can't rule out anything." Stelth looked grim as he said the words, and they seemed to sink like lead in Dhayn's gut.
"Okay, what's the plan?" Dhayn asked, ready to move into action. "The longer we wait, the worse her chances, right?"
"Right." Stelth straightened his shoulders. "Your team is meeting up with one of the Chosen that she fed from earlier this week. We had a bit of a hard time tracking down that information, but he has agreed to help, and should be here within half an hour."
"Shit! I have to get ready," Dhayn said, turning to leave. His collared shirt wasn't exactly hunting apparel, and he would have to get his guns from the lockers in the training facility. His uncle's hand rested on his shoulder, stopping him from rushing out of the room.
"Dhaynger, there's one more thing," Stelth said seriously. Dhayn turned to face him for undoubtably more bad news. "I'm staying back with Krym to assess Mel and keep watch here, but everyone else is going out with you."
"Alright..." Dhayn failed to see the reason for the warning, though Mel would undoubtably be upset that she had to stay behind.
"I know you have had your issues with Intrudehr but we can't afford for you to be fighting with one of our own when a female's life is at stake, do you understand?"
His words slowly sunk in, and Dhayn involuntarily clenched his fists. Everyone else was going to be there. He took a moment to compose himself and then nodded his consent. So much for taking his mind off things. This was going to be an interesting night.
Tara paced back and forth in her old room, worrying her bottom lip as she thought about all of the horrible ways this night could go.
"Relax, princess," Tru said from on top of her bed, where he was lounging with his arms tucked behind his head on her satin covered pillows. "Dhaynger would have to be a complete moron to attack me in front of the commander."
"You didn't see his thoughts when I told him I was leaving him, he wanted to kill you Tru," Tara said, marching over to stand beside the bed. Her anxiety was giving her heartburn, but the sickening dread was worse.
"He was angry and caught up in the moment," Tru said, sitting up to run a warm hand down her cold arm.
"He's still angry," Tara insisted, staring into Tru's gold-flecked eyes and urging him to believe her. Dhayn had looked beyond pissed when he stormed out of the foyer. It had taken all of her self control for Tara not to probe his mind as he disappeared down the hall.
"I will watch my own temper, and try to stay as far away from him as I can. Does that sound okay?" Tru swung his legs off the side of the bed and pulled her to stand between his knees. He stroked her shoulders and arms in a gentle caress.
"Promise me you won't fight him?" Tara pleaded, opening herself up to feel for his honesty.
"I promise princess, no friendly fire tonight." Tru smiled one of his heart melting smiles and Tara felt the warmth of him seeping into her at every point they touched. "We have twenty minutes, and I can think of a few good ways to take your mind off of all this," he said with an twinkle in his eye.
"Tru, I don't think it would help the situation if we showed up smelling like sex." Tara pointed out. He watched her mouth as she spoke, and Tara shivered from the look in his eyes.
"Hmm, well we could always change our clothes," Tru said, moving his hands down to massage her thighs and ass. "Or we could take a shower." He leaned forward but stopped with his face an inch away from hers.
Electricity sizzled between them, as he waited for her to make the first move. Tara's mouth began to water and her lips tingled in anticipation. She wanted to behave, but that mouth was just so delectable. She closed the gap between them and held his head to hers with her hands gripping his short blonde hair. His lips were soft and moist as she devoured them, and as he slid his tongue over hers the friction nearly drove her mad with need. Tara could feel the lust and longing seeping into her from Tru as she sucked and bit at his lower lip, but a knock at the door brought her up for air.
She straightened her clothes and hair as she crossed the room and took a deep breath before opening the door. Henry stood on the other side, looking very uncomfortable in the brightly lit hallway. Tara gave him a reassuring smile and stepped into the hall.
"So sorry to disturb you miss, but your sire has called a meeting in his office," he said with a bow of his head.
"Thank you Henry, we'll be right there," Tara assured him.
The doggen bowed his head again and hurried down the hall. Tara went back into her room and found Tru putting on his shitkickers. He looked up and winked at her.
"I guess the distractions will have to wait until later." He stood and grabbed her hand on the way to the door.
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