Struggle for Love

Chapter 16 Rekindling Old Flames

We got to Blue Ridge in just over two hours. Liam woke and pressed his nose against the window, looking at the small little town and all it had to offer.

"Ms.River?" He said quietly.

"Yes, Liam?"

"I gotta go potty." I pulled into a Chick-fil-A and took him inside. I waited outside the bathroom for him to finish then I took his hand and we went to the counter.

"Liam, would you like some breakfast?" I asked him. He smiled up at me and nodded enthusiastically. I chuckled as I ordered him a chicken biscuit meal and a chocolate milk, before ordering myself the same with a coffee. We got our food and sat down. I didn't miss the strange looks we got as we ate. I hadn't stopped at the store to get Liam anything to wear so he was still in the hospital gown. He didn't seemed to notice and just munched happily on his biscuit and hash browns.

"So, Liam?" I said. He looked up at me with his chocolate brown eyes. "So, we need to talk about what's going to happen with you ok?" He nodded cautiously and I continued. "So, you're going to stay with me... but we will have to change your name so your Dad can't find you... so he can't hurt you anymore. Is that ok?"

The little boy thought for a second before slowly nodding his head and taking another bite of his biscuit.

"What's my name going to be?" He asked after swallowing.

"Well, what would you like your name to be?" I asked him. He thought for a minute.

"My middle name is Ezekiel. Momma use to call me Zeke sometimes." He finally said. My heart clenched but I smiled at him.

"Do you like that name?" He smiled broadly and nodded. "Then Zeke it is! But your last name won't be Black anymore." He looked confused.

"What will my last name be?" I took in a deep breath.

"Your last name will be O'Brian... like me." I said slowly. He thought for a moment.

"Are you going to be my Momma now?" He c****d his head to the side.

"Do you want me to be?" I asked him. He took another bite of his biscuit, following it with a drink of chocolate milk before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"I think that would be ok. I don't think my old Momma would be mad at me if I got a new Momma." He said smiling at me. I felt my eyes stinging with unshed tears, but I pushed them back.

"OK! Then it's settled. Now, we have to go buy you a few things when we leave here." He smiled at me and ate his food.

After we were finished I headed to the TJMAX that was on the way. We got him underwear with every super hero imaginable, shirts, shorts, pants, shoes, socks and a pair of sunglasses because "they were so cool". After we were finished we stopped by the Walmart to pick him up a children's vitamin, tooth brush, "boy soap" Because he didn't want to smell like a girl, Dove shampoo because that's the kind his old momma liked, and some snacks for the road. After letting him use the bathroom one more time, we got back on the road to finish the trip back home.

We pulled in the drive at about a quarter to twelve to see Sadie and Zachariah sitting on the porch waiting.

Zachariah looked like he had filled out a little since I last saw him. I watched as he sniffed the air, causing his eyes to turn from blue to black instantly. Before I even opened the door I heard his growl, which in turn caused Liam, who we were now calling Zeke, cower in the back seat. I felt my blood pressure sky rocket at the sight of my pup frightened. I opened my car door and let out a deafening roar, causing Zachariah and Sadie to take a step back. I stared Zachariah down when I felt a little hand link with mine.

"Ms.River, he's scary." I felt myself softened instantly. I crouched down so I was eye level with him.

"Hey! Look at me. Do you think I would let anyone hurt you?" He looked down and my heart broke. "Zeke, look at me... I won't let anyone ever hurt you. I promise." I kissed his forehead then pushed him behind me.

Zachariah and Sadie were staring slack jawed at me.

"I-I-I I thought there... I thought you had... never mind..." Zachariah looked at the ground. Sadie pushed past him and wrapped her arms around me.

"Oh baby... I'm so glad you're home. I missed you so much." She whispered in my ear. I squeezed her tight feeling silent tears run down my face.

"I missed you too, Momma."

"And who's this handsome little wolf? Hmmmm?" She crouched down and smiled at Zeke. He smiled shyly back.

"I'm Zeke." He said softly, with a small giggle. I knew from the moment Sadie laid eyes on Zeke, she fell in love. She scooped him up immediately.

"Oh, you are the sweetest little thing. Tell Momma Sadie, did River feed you?"

Zeke was giggle as he put his little hands on Sadie's face and nodded his head. He wasn't in the slightest bit afraid of her.

"No, Momma Sadie, but I can always eat." Sadie laughed heartily as she took Zeke inside the house, leaving me and Zachariah alone.

"You scared my son." I said flatly. Zachariah stared at me.

"When did you have a son?" He spat out.

"Well, I got him today as a matter of fact... and here's the thing, Alpha, that little boy is mine now... you even so much as startle him, and I will tear your ass up so bad you'll be shitting side ways for a month, do you understand me?" The color drained from Zachariah's face as he nodded.

"Good, now... why are you here?"

"Sadie called me. Told me about Momma Beth. You know how important she is to me, River."

"No, Zachariah. I don't. I don't know anything about you. I never had the chance, you made sure of that." My words were venom, spilling onto his wounds. I could see the hurt and self hatred in his eyes but I ignored it.

"River, can I just-"

"Momma! Momma Sadie saids you need to come eat before we go see Grandmomma Beth." Zeke poked his head out the door and said. Zeke took one look at Zachariah and ran back inside. "Momma Sadie, that man still looks mad." I could hear Zeke yelling through the house. I chuckled to myself.

"You're really beautiful when you laughing, did you know that?" Zachariah said, staring at me.

"Zachariah... please don't. I'm exhausted. My grandmother is in the hospital, I still have to complete my USLME exams, and I haven't slept in thirty-six hours. Please... let's not do this. Ok?" I walked past him to go into the house but he grabbed my hand stopping me. The electricity I felt from his touch caused my heart to race. Blue started purring like an i***t.

"River, can we talk about it later? When you've rested?" His eyes were pleading.

"Can't we give him a chance? Please?" Blue begged. I sighed deeply.

"Fine. But I want to settle in and rest first." I said, jerking my hand away from him. His face lit up as he followed me into the house.

Everything was exactly as it always was. The only thing missing was Momma Beth, and the void she left was a big one.

"River, I hope you got this boy some clothes. He can't go see Granny like this." Sadie said while nodding in his direction.

"I have him some stuff in the car. I'll just go get it." I turned to go back out the door and bumped into Zachariah.

"Hey, why don't you let me unpack your car? You go sit down. I'll take care of it. Maybe little Zeke can help me?" He said look at the little boy. Zeke looked at me for approval.

"It's ok Zeke. Zachariah won't hurt you." I smiled at him and looked at Zachariah.

"Go on little wolf. That man won't hurt you. He knows me and your Momma would eat him alive if he did. Now, go on and bring that stuff in the house." Sadie said. Zeke looked at Sadie and smiled.

"OK Momma Sadie." He hopped off his seat and followed Zachariah outside.

A few minutes later Zachariah came into the kitchen with one arm full of bags and the other with a giggling Zeke hanging off the other.

"Weeeee!!!! Swing me higher, Mr.Zach!" Zeke squealed. Zachariah was laughing as he dropped the bags on the floor and grabbed Zeke by his ankle, swinging him around. Zeke howled with laughter as Sadie and I chuckled merrily.

We ate a light Iunch before I took Zeke up stairs to get dressed. He chose to wear his new Flash shirt and blue jeans with his light up sneakers. He sprinted down stairs to show Sadie and Zachariah. I stripped down and got into the shower, desperate to wash the day off.

I let the hot water run down my back and soothe my tired muscles. I felt so exhausted. I closed my eyes and let the water run down my face. I felt a chill but thought nothing of it until I turned around to grab the shampoo and was hit with the delectable smell of pine and pepper. I opened my eyes and a naked Zachariah stood before me.

"What are you doing?" I asked annoyed.

"I just want to be near my mate, River. That's all. Now, turn around." I huffed but did as he asked too tired to object. He began washing my hair, massaging the scalp with shampoo. I felt sparks everywhere his finger tips touched causing a soothing tingle. My eyes rolled back and I found myself leaning in to his touch. He rinsed my hair then applied the conditioner. I was in a state of pure relaxation. I was putty in his hands. After rinsing the conditioner, he lathered up a wash cloth and began washing my body, careful to get into ever crevice. When he got to my center he gently parted my folds, causing me to let out a slight moan. He froze for a moment before continuing to clean my most delicate of places I leaned into him and felt his hardness stabbing my ass. I turned to face him, seeing obsidian flecks dance in his eyes.

"Zach... what are you doing?" I breathed out. He stared at my rosy red lips and flushed cheeks.

"I want my mate." He said in a deep voice. His wolf was talking.

"You should have thought about that before you f****d that omega." I deadpanned.

"She was just an outlet. It was so long ago." He growl.

"It still hurts, Alpha... it doesn't just stop hurting..." I felt the tears spill over as my voice broke.

"I'm sorry, my sweetest love. Please... give me a chance. I can't undo it, but I can promise it will never happen again." I searched his face for any indication he was lying. I found none.

"Let me think about it. After my exams. I need stability for Zeke. That little boy has be through hell. He deserves better. I have to give him better. If you are just going to break my heart and leave him worse for wear, please... leave us alone Zachariah. " He leaned in and pressed his lips tenderly against mine. Sparks erupted all over my body causing moisture to pool in my core. The steam from the shower caused my arousal to saturate the room. Zachariah let out a small growl clenching my hips tightly. I moaned softly into his mouth as he deepened our kiss, his tongue fighting with mine for dominance. He pulled back allowing for air to fill my lungs once more.

He leaned his forehead against mine.

"Please River..." He was begging. The big, bad alpha from the Blue Ridge Mountain pack was begging me. I sighed. I felt his throbbed member rubbing against my most sacred place. I swallowed a moan and looked into his blue eyes.

"Zach..." he pecked my lips, but his peck quickly turned into a desperate kiss. My body craved him, yet, my head told me to wait. I pulled back.

"Zach, we need to go see Momma Beth and I need to check on Zeke. Let's talk about this later... please?" He sighed and softly pressed his lips to mine. Then he reached behind me and turned the water off before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around me.

I won't lie, as I was getting dressed I sneaked a peak at Zachariah. He was truly a man to behold. He had broad shoulders that were muscular. His body was covered in soft dark hair that was speckled with gray. What caught my eye the most, was the beast between his legs. Without thinking I licked my lips, itching for a taste. Zachariah cleared his throat causing my cheeks to flush. I glanced up at him and he was wearing a smirk.

"See something you like, princess?" I rolled my eyes and he chuckled. We got dressed and headed down stairs where Zeke was sitting in the rocker with Sadie as she read to him. He looked up when I walked in and grinned.

"All right, are you ready to go tiny wolf?" I asked him.

"Yea. Is Mr.Zach coming?" He asked, glancing at Zachariah. I looked to him as well, waiting for a response.

"Only is you want me to." He said to Zeke.

"Yea. I think you should come... you know, in case my new Momma gets scared. " Zachariah chuckled at the little boy.

"OK, little man. You got it." We all piled in my car and headed to Fannin Regional Hospital.