The Demeter Twins - Hellhound Sequel

Paulina’s POV ~

I walk into the diner, from the library, and yelled “Sadieee! The library had two new books that you would love! I got them for you!” No response.. “Sadie?” Still nothing.. I hurry to the back of the kitchen and start looking for her. I find her… in the cooler, on the floor.. unconscious. I yanked her over my shoulder and ran for her car.

I reached the pack border in record time.. identifying who I was and what was happening. They let us through and the clinic staff was waiting. They took her straight back and left me standing there.

I drove back and closed the diner. I hadn’t even bothered to lock it when I left. My mind is numb.. just going through the motions. I drove back to the clinic on autopilot.

I went straight to the nurse’s station, asked for Sadie and the nurse said “Oh yes.. this way, she’s asking for you.” That was so good to hear!

Sadie looks so frail.. I take her hand and kiss it.. “I was so worried!” I felt a tear roll down my cheek. She wiped it away, and said “Stop the crying. You know I love you! You’re my child just as sure as my other two are. The nurses have called them. It’s my time, Paulie. My heart is tired! I need to be with my mate. I am leaving you the diner. It is yours.. free and clear! You are special, Paulina. You have power you haven’t tapped into yet! Do not argue with me! The Diner is yours!”

I cried… my heart was breaking. The only family I had ever had was dying! But, I knew.. even though I was sad for myself.. I was happy for her! She has been alone long enough! Now she can be reunited with her mate. I sat until she dozed off.. then I sat just outside her door. Her children arrived and rushed into her room. I could hear the murmur of their voices.

Sadie died at 11:59… one minute before midnight. I felt it. I felt my heart break, as she took her last breath. I hit my knees and prayed to the Goddess for safe passage..and as my tears streamed down my cheeks, the skies opened up and rain poured down!

I closed the diner for a week.. On the third day, was Sadie’s funeral. The whole pack was there.. paying respects.. Sadie’s mate was once a great warrior. And she was well respected. I met the King and Queen.. They were nice! Expressed sympathy. Sadie’s kids both hugged me and told me “Thank you for making my mom’s life happier the last couple years.” I thanked them.. but I needed out! I needed to go!

I said my goodbyes and headed home. Too many people! I was feeling claustrophobic and I know it’s the grief causing it. I made it home and inside. The rain had eased off almost completely. Macie whispers 🐺 can we run? I need to run! I slipped off my dress on my back porch and leaped.. we shifted and ran for the river.

I let her wander the rocks and duck under the waterfall to the small cave. She sat on her haunches and howled out her grief. I was silent. She needed her time, too. Sadie was our only taste of a mother’s love.. and it was gone too soon.

She laid down and huffed.. She needs her time, too. Her way of grieving is howl for an hour.. sleep for two. She will feel better when she wakes. Wolves are simple creatures. Emotions are black and white. She’s intelligent, but still guided by instinct. Once she’s awake, she stretches her muscles and yawns loudly. I giggle at her because she’s so predictable.

We leave the cave and head back home.. she takes time to snap at a dragonfly.. then a butterfly. She chased a rabbit into his hutch.. then got frustrated when he wouldn’t come back out.

Once at home, I reheated last night’s lasagna and poured a huge glass of wine! I flopped on the couch and flipped through channels until I found something funny to watch.

The next morning, I decided to go get the diner ready for reopening. And I had to meet Sadie’s attorney to sign paperwork. After shower and breakfast, I slipped on a pair of black jeans and boots.. with a simple flannel over a camisole. Hair in a high ponytail and I’m good to go!

At the diner, I put all white cloths on the tables.. with red place mats. I sat and typed an ad for the pack website.. looking to hire two servers and a line cook. Then I checked stock.. writing down everything I needed that was low.. or out.

I had been so preoccupied at the diner, I was nearly late for my appointment. I was ushered straight to the back. A Mr. Peterson let me into his office and offered a seat. He pulled out a file folder from his drawer and rifled through the papers inside and.. looked up at me.

He read “I, Sadie O’Connell, being of sound mind and body, bequeath all my earthly goods to my adopted daughter, Paulina Albright-O’Connell. The Diner, which is paid for.. with taxes and insurance covered for the next ten years… my car.. and my house…my checking and savings accounts, with money totaling forty thousand are yours. My children have been well compensated.. so don’t start shaking your head no. These things I leave you are my final act of love, my child. I will rest easy… not having to worry about you dumpster diving.”

I started laughing at that and the lawyer looked up saying this is serious business. Stodgy old coot! He showed me where I had to sign and handed me the keys to Sadie’s car and house. Then four bank cards, and the deed to the diner.

I walked out of his office, in a state of shock. Sadie left me everything of hers in this town. Just so I had a place to call my own! Sadie was the only person who made me feel like I was someone.. and my confidence has grown so much!

I walked over to the gym, where I work out every day! Mike is on the door and he grinned “Ready to attack the bag.. or looking to spar?” I grinned and told him “You’re learning to read me too well! Who’s available for spar?”

He shrugs “Mark.. Tony.. and Bert.. I believe! But Bert ain’t going to spar with you again, tiny ninja. You broke his nose!” I laughed and retorted “He fishhooked me! What! I should just let it slide? Would you?” He’s laughing as he shakes his head. That’s what I thought!

I walk in and yell “Mark! I want to spar! Let me change and I will be out in ten minutes!” I hit the lockers and changed into spandex and a sports bra. I practically skip to the ring. Macie grieves her way.. I grieve mine!

Mark steps into the ring, smiling “Ready to bounce off your ass a few times, Shortstop?” Yeah! Yuck it up, Mountain Man! I say “Of course.. it’s why I come here! I love bouncing my ass around the room!” He laughed and lunged.

I sidestepped and he landed a kidney punch. I doubled over… but managed to kick him in the chest before I did. He staggered back.. then tried to sweep my legs.. I handsprung off his shoulders and landed.. wrapping my legs around his upper arms and locking my ankles around his chest.. as I pull his head back. I wrapped my forearm around his throat and held a chokehold until he tapped out.

He grinned and hopped out of the ring with me. We grabbed a bottle of water and sat on a side bench. He says “Damn girl! That’s what I missed being gone two weeks? I come back and get my ass kicked! Wait! Did you break Bert’s nose?? That was you!?” I nodded and replied “He fucking fishhooked me! Gahhh!”

We sat talking quietly and were laughing about Bert and Tony sparring! Bert had on a catcher’s mask! A man storms into the gym. A gorgeous man! Dark hair.. dark eyes. A good six feet five! My heart was racing! Macie was on point in my head.

He spotted us and marched straight for us.. “Mark! What the fuck, dude!? Perseus has been trying to reach you for an hour! You block your mindlink.. phone goes to voicemail! And here you sit.. having a tea party with some whore!”

I stood and said “You watch who you’re calling names!” He spun on me, and three things happened.. our eyes met.. his scent hit me.. and he spun on his heel, and walked away.

I said “Who was that?” Mark said “That’s one of our Alphas.. Roman…. his twin, Perseus is the other one.” I nodded and said “My wolf said I had more than one mate! And one of them doesn’t want me! Story of my life!” I turned and went to the locker room to shower. Just another day in paradise!

Mark asks “What the fuck just happened!?”