Chapter Fourteen
Melanie
Melanie paced back and forth in her apartment. It was Christmas Day, and she was supposed to be at her parents’ house. She didn’t want to go there though. Unfortunately, the only place she wanted to be she wasn’t real sure she’d be welcome. She missed Tye. She never dreamed he’d drop out of the internship, and take off without a word. She had been selfish though, and she knew that had he stuck around she would have continued her hot and cold treatment towards him.
She loaded her car up, and headed west on the highway. When the exit came up for her to either go north or south on the local state highway she pulled off the side of the road. She was so tired of trying to please her father. She would never be what he wanted her to be. Tye however had not only showed her how much he loved her for her, but he had told her time and time again. Her decision was made. She headed south.
She still had about an hour to go when snow started pouring down. It figured that this would be the first white Christmas they would have in years. Melanie slowed down slightly, but she was desperate to get to Tye. Thankful for her SUV Melanie pulled into the entrance of the Haven just a little over an hour later. The snow hadn’t slowed at all, and there were several inches of fresh beautiful white powder. The entrance was decorated for Christmas with beautiful lights, and garland wrapped all the way up the giant poles. There was a giant set of bells that hung overhead as she pulled through. The bar had been easy enough to find the first night, but she had no idea where Tye lived.
All the houses were decorated as well. Shifters really knew how to get in the spirit. Humans were so busy in the city that there was barely a house with any lights at all. These houses had giant blow up Santa’s, and snowmen in the yard along with enough lights to make it visible from space. Melanie loved every inch of it.
With the new snow families were starting to venture outside, and kids were running and playing everywhere. Some of them were in their shifter form which made the sight even more beautiful. Melanie had just pulled up to a stop sign, and was going to ask for directions when she saw a jaguar dart out in front of her. Somehow she knew that it was Ethan. He nodded at her, and then took off down the street. She hoped he was taking her to Tye so she inched her SUV forward to follow.
When Ethan finally stopped and sat down at the door of a beautiful ranch style home nestled in the back of a cul-de-sac Melanie felt her stomach drop to her feet. She pulled in the driveway and parked. Ethan bounded back down the road leaving her alone. She got out of the car, and slowly made her way to the front of the house. The snow continued to pour as she stood there trying to work up the nerve to go to the door and knock.
The door opened then, and Tye stepped out. He was as gorgeous as she remembered. He had a dark grey sweater on that hugged his broad shoulders, and yet somehow still manage to narrow with his hips. His jeans were low and snug in all the right places.
“Melanie.” He drew her name out with his deep rumble. Melanie let it wash over her whole body. She had made the right decision. Even with the snow pouring down she was warm all over now.
“I love you, Tye.”
She hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that. She started to giggle uncontrollably at how crazy she must seem to him.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh; you must think I’m crazy.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy.” Tye was making his way down to her. His dark skin tone, and burly dark hair made him seem almost majestic against all the snow around them.
“You’re beautiful.” She whispered.
“I’ve missed you.” He responded to her when he stopped just in front of her. If she would take a half a step forward they would be touching.
“I’ve missed you too Tye. I’m so sorry for the way I acted.”
“Are you sure about this.”
Melanie knew he was giving her one last chance to run. One last chance to turn her back on him and flee. She was tired of running though. She wanted to wake up wrapped in his arms every day for the rest of her life. She wanted to learn how to be a mate, his mate.
“I love you Tye. I’ve never really been more sure of anything else in my life.”
With that Tye was everywhere. His lips were on hers, and his arms were wrapped around her pulling her as close to him as she could be. She opened her mouth to his, and let all of her passion flow into the kiss. She wanted to make him feel how much she loved him. How sorry she was. The kiss was frantic and passionate at the same time. The snow continued to pour, and somewhere behind them there was the faint sound of Christmas carolers singing Silent Night.