Chapter 8

“Options?” I asked.

“Yes,” Belle nodded. “In forty five days at exactly noon, the portal will reopen for one last time. There are three options. First, I return and we never see each other again. Second, I stay here with you, as I currently am, for the rest of our respective lifetimes.”

She was quiet a moment, so I asked. “The third option?”

“You return with me.”

For several minutes we were both silent. This was a decision that would impact the rest of my life, and for Belle as well. Could I endure the rest of my life without her? Would I subject her to a life that was secretive, and once I was gone and she still had so many years left to live, alone, without me? And for me to just go with her? Abandon everything here? My family? My home?

“That isn’t a lot of time, but I think I can get my affairs in order by that deadline.”

“You would sacrifice your life here for me?” Belle turned to look directly at me. “I can’t promise we could even return for a visit for you to see how things are going. And if we could, it would be a long time from now, if ever.”

“I love you,” I stated. “This has got to be the strangest relationship in the history of romance that isn’t a bedtime story. But you’re worth it to me. Not having you here after you went back showed me just how empty my life is. The job, the family, living here, while I am anchored here by that, I can give everything up for you. Besides,” I smirked, “you need your Alpha to keep you in line.”

Sobs of joy erupted from Belle as she clung to me and buried her face in my chest. “I had hoped. Thank you, my love.”

The following day began the process of putting my affairs in order. I met with my attorney to let him know that I would be away for an extended period of time and filled out multiple forms to grant him the authority to act on my behalf. The majority of the land would be sold, with the exception of a little over an acre that the house was on, and there would be easement rights. Funds would be placed into a specific bank account for maintenance, utilities and taxes. Other legacy concerns were addressed as well.

I sold a few things inside the house, donated other items to charity, and ordered a roll off dumpster for things thrown out since there was no real need to keep it. Other things were packed for possible future use and stored away. We also had security doors and window coverings installed to protect the house from possible break-ins and vandals. The sheriff promised to ride by the property at random intervals to keep an eye on things.

On day 44, I drove into town and mailed a letter to each daughter, along with a cashier’s check for $250k respectively. This was most of my savings, but there was still enough for my lawyer to take care of things until the property was sold. (He indicated that the state of California was interested in expanding the National Forest and he was negotiating the best possible sale price. No doubt he was thinking of his commissions.)

The letters stated that I was going out on my own to “find myself” and take a break from society. Not sure when I would return (if ever) and there would be additional instructions sent at regular intervals, concerning my wishes. I figured that this would send the family into a whirlwind of confusion and activity as they tried to figure out what was going on. The money from the sale of the land, went into a trust that they couldn’t close for 99 years, and only by a direct family member of mine, would be like throwing a fox into the hen house! I can only start to imagine what the reactions would be once they got the news!

After dinner, we lay out in the grass, watching the sunset and the stars starting to light up the sky. Yes, I would miss this place, but tomorrow would start a new adventure.

“I know that this is a sacrifice for you. And I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’re making it.”

“You’re worth it.”

“Maybe I can offer some happiness to look forward to?” Belle nuzzled under my chin. “We have made love with me in full human and hybrid form. Now, when we return to my home, there will be the possibility of me carrying your pups. The litter would not be large. Maybe three at most. I know that dogs here can carry more, but there are too many differences for me to do that.”

“Sweetheart, if we don’t have any pups or even just one or two, that’s fine with me. Just as long as I’m with you for the rest of my not too long life.”

“About that,” Belle looked down, “I didn’t want to mention it until later, but when you come to my home reality, your body will change somewhat. Over time, you will be healthier and discover your lifespan is increasing.”

“That’s something I can be happy about. What else?”

“You might grow a tail.”

Epilogue:

He was a crafty old guy, I give you that. When my parents, along with my aunt and uncle, got that letter all hell broke loose. Sure, they were happy for the money my grandfather had sent, but then they got a case of the stupid and tried to fight to have the trust overturned so they could have control of the land and money that had been delegated for it.

Eventually, they had to give up, because it was so well put together, that even after multiple attempts in court, the trust was unbreakable. We did go out to the property, maybe once a year to check on it.

My cousins and I had funds set aside to cover tuition and other costs for college. Charlotte and Natalie were business majors and when they graduated, opened up their own boutique of trendy and overpriced stuff near Rodeo Drive that the tourists loved to shop at.

Me? I ended up with a degree in English Literature at UC-Santa Cruz. My dream was to become a well known author. I had ‘ghost written’ a few stories at the request of a publishing house I had a contract with, and there was a series that I had started for young adults that was a blend of fantasy and science fiction. The main characters were a group of anamorphic beings that were sort of human and sort of canine. A blend of features that made things interesting.

Three guesses where I came up with the idea.

I live here in my grandfather’s old cabin, and the small royalties I’m paid, along with the trust, take care of all the financial needs here. I can appreciate how my grandfather loved this place. The solitude, the rugged beauty of the wilderness, and the quiet lifestyle people in the area lead. I drive into town maybe once a week in the old truck. Some people remember when my grandfather drove it.

Soon, I went from being ‘Sean Harrigan’s grandson’, to ‘Curtis Long, recluse author’. It was amusing that all the women in the area decided that I needed a wife, and were always trying to introduce me to someone who was ‘just perfect’ for me.

At 27, I enjoy being single. I have my friends and we often get together to do things. Reno is a short drive away if I need to go find something (or someone) to do for the weekend. My life has minimal complications and that is how I like it.

I’m sure that you’re wondering how I ended up in this narrative. Shortly after I moved in here, I received a small package from the law firm that represents my grandfather. The only thing in it was a thumb drive with some documents for the trust, and this story. I smiled as I read how my grandfather and Belle met and fell in love. How he set aside conventions to help her in her times of need. I had tears in my eyes as I read of her return into the portal, alone, leaving him behind. To allow someone you love so deeply to leave so she could return to her ‘reality’ was gut- wrenching.

And then, a joyous reunion.

It was a late Friday afternoon in October when I heard something like a thunderclap out in front of the house. No storms had been forecast, so I decided to look outside and see what was going on.

A shimmering disc, about 3 meters in diameter, was floating just off the ground, not far from the porch. THE PORTAL! This had to be the portal that my grandfather had described! I ran towards it, but as I grew close, I felt like an energy barrier had been set up to prevent me from getting close enough to actually touch it.