Kick Back - Susi Hawke Page 0,3

were well-placed to secretly help any locals needing rescue and help them escape. Of that I’d made sure.

Father, send your angels to protect me and the omegas in my care.

My heart pounded as I prayed. The danger was close now. I'd pushed my luck by staying this long. For the past week I'd known that I was under surveillance. Even here I knew I was being watched. My eyes wandered over the congregants, wondering which friendly face was hiding behind a smiling mask while keeping tabs on me.

The hair on the back of my neck was standing up and my inner beast was pacing inside, ready to spring free at a moment's notice. I took a steadying breath, willing my heart rate to calm.

Steady now. You've got this. Keep smiling and finish the service. I crossed myself and began wrapping it up. "The Lord be with you."

The people replied. "And also with you."

I was torn between the sense of impending danger and a touch of melancholy that came with knowing this was the last time I'd share these words with my church. "Lift up your hearts."

Sister Ingrid, one of my favorite parishioners who was always there to help a friend in need, was smiling through her tears on the front row as she bravely spoke along with everyone else. "We lift them to the Lord."

My heart was full of love for Ingrid and all the other people who had loved and supported my ministry over the years. God, but I would miss them. Raising my hands, I closed my eyes and tilted my head toward the ceiling. "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God."

I felt the Lord's blessing and a sense of relief that I was doing the right thing as I listened to them repeat the final line. "It is right to give thanks and praise."

"The Lord be with you." I lowered my hands as I opened my eyes and ended the service by crossing myself as I turned to bow to the cross hanging behind me. When I rose and turned, I saw the people kneeling to cross themselves before making their exit.

As the bodies began moving, a new fragrance wafted through the air and was probably helped along by those antique ceiling fans. My mouth watered and my lion began pacing again. It was a pure fragrance of lemon with a hint of cilantro.

Why did it smell so good?

As the truth hit me, I scanned the departing crowd for the source. I hadn't noticed anyone new today. But then, my mind had been wandering. Blast it all, the scent began fading which meant the person carrying it had stepped outside.

Although I wanted to run and shove my way outside, I knew I had to wait until everyone was out before following them; it would only be polite given the small boxy size of our chapel. There was no back door or way to slip around, either. If there were, Lord knows I would've used it many times over the years, if for no other reason than to be out front greeting my congregation as they left and breathe the fresh air waiting on the other side of those doors.

When my lion threatened to take over, I pushed him back and remained in control. I understood his frustration now that I knew what that smell was.

It was everything good and precious. It was hearth and home. It was love and peace.

It was… Mate. My true mate.

Even though my life was currently in upheaval and what little I owned was packed and ready to go, the heavens had opened and blessed me with a gift few shifters were given. I didn't bother asking why now when the timing was far from ideal.

And why should I? I knew better than anyone that things happened as they were meant to, and if my mate had appeared now then it was because I would need him in the coming days. Either that or he'd need me.

Or, even better, this was a sign that I'd pleased the Lord and he'd allowed the fates to bless me. The sure thing I did know was that God's timing was never what I would expect, let alone question.

Even while my mind was racing with all these thoughts, I was forcing myself to sedately stroll behind the few laggers until I finally made my way out of the church. I was prepared to search the island from one end to the other if necessary to