A/N: Thank you to all those that took the time to read chapter 1, and a special thank you to the reader who left a review. Now on to chapter 2 . . .

Chapter 2: New Beginnings

Nine years later . . .

Rhydian breathed a sigh relief as the person he had been waiting for came into view, the patrons awaiting to be seated, parted almost by some type of supernatural power. Rhydian began to stand as she approached the table. He flattened out his tailored, white shirt and chuckled as her easy going personality seemed to surround him like a warm blanket. "Sorry, for being late. I didn't expect so many question from parents on back to school night. I don't know what's worse, ignorant parents or over-involved one?" she laughed loudly. To those that didn't know her well, her laugh could be seen as obnoxious, but really was a demonstration of her larger than life personality.

"No - no worries," he murmured, his mind on the small piece of jewelry protected by a tiny velvet box, coveted in his left pocket.

The waitress came over promptly and Rhydian ordered a nice bottle of Merlot, her favorite. It had taken him a long time, longer than the others, to finally accept that wherever Maddy and her family had gone, she wasn't coming back. Rhydian forced himself to believe they had elected to abandon Segolia's offer for a new life for something different. That Maddy, being as smart a she was, somehow knew that Segolia had been compromised and couldn't be trusted. That for his own safety she didn't return. She wasn't dead; even though, he was certain that's what the others believed, it was what Dacia had been forced to conclude when her superiors demanded the case be resolved.

And so, he had gone through the grueling gauntlet of dating. With some help from Jana and others, he had finally found another Wolfblood to love and that loved him. Her name was Laura Bianchi. Originally from the States, she became a citizen when her university offered her a chance to partake in a program to study abroad. Falling in love with the city of London, she never looked back. Rhydian and she had been dating the last four years and it was time, he told himself. As she delicately took another small spoonful of her gelato, she smiled, catching him staring. Laura's blond hair glimmered from the lights sparkling within the crystal chandeliers that hung from the cathedral ceiling. "Everything okay? You've been acting weird." Leaning in, she whispered, "I can smell it. Something is wrong."

"Well . . . I guess I can't hide anything from you," he smiled, sliding from his chair onto one knee, "I wanted to ask . . ." presenting the ring, "if you would marry me? You make me happy and I want to spend my life with you," he swallowed, "Do you want to spend it with me?"

It wasn't Shakespeare, but it was honest and if her lunging for him, tears in her eyes, was anything to go by, it was a 'yes.'

Rhydian was lounging on the grey sofa in the loft he shared with Laura. Staring out the window, the day overcast with the promise of snow, he gazed at the barren trees and abandoned walking trails of the park across the street. Coming from the kitchen, Laura plopped herself at the other end, careful not to spill the piping hot cup of coffee she was carrying. "So, I've been looking at the prices for the videographer and photographer, and I think we may just have to suck it up and go with one or the other. I just don't think we can swing both. I know you were really looking to have the moments captured in black and white stills, but wouldn't you rather be able to hear our friends' messages of well wishes and our vows of undying love to each other as the priest weds us? I'm sure people will be taking pictures on their phones and stuff."

Rhydian pulled himself away from the view outside to his fiancee, cocking an eyebrow at her in disbelief. It wasn't until Laura had rattled off all the items yet to be confirmed, that he realized how complicated planning a wedding had become. He once tossed up the idea of just doing a more traditional Wolfblood wedding, but then how would she invite all her coworkers? Rhydian didn't have much in the way of guests, in fact, he could count on his one hand all the people he planned to invite. But, Laura was a ball of energy and a magnet, accruing a large number of close friends, both Naturals and Wolfbloods alike. Rhydian wanted Laura to have the wedding she wanted - though his mind constantly circle back to the problem of how they would pay for it. Laura was a teacher, while he worked part-time at the local butcher shoppe and part-time as a freelance artist. "Are you sure we can't do both?"

Laura gave him a look that didn't need him to ask again. "Maybe if we had more money," she mused.

"Laura, please . . . the videographer is fine, I guess." Rhydian knew, if he could, he'd hire a certain someone as a photographer, he also knew that if he could have it his way, she wouldn't be the just the photographer, at all. Shaking the thought - dream - from his mind, he stood and stretched. "I need to do something, I'll be back later tonight."

"Rhydian, I didn't mean . . . It's just you're talented but won't put yourself out there and the butcher-thing isn't going anywhere. If you would just give Anthony's offer a real consideration . . ."

Rhydian rolled his eyes, he never thought of himself as working behind a desk, a typical 9-5 job. Living in the city was still something he was adjusting to.

Trying to come closer to his goal of leaving, he nodded. "Maybe," he said, offering a half-hearted smile.

Laura beamed at the idea of Rhydian acquiescing to her friend's offer. "Hey, why don't I come along and we can stop by that ice cream shoppe just down the street on our way back?" She was already moving to leave her seat, when Rhydian stopped her.

"It's . . . you're making so much progress with the wedding . . ."

"Yeah, but I could use a break since I've been doing all the heavy lifting, don't you think?" She winked and collected the papers she had been using to jot notes on.

"I do, and I'm sorry. Wedding stuff, you know, isn't my thing?" He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his sweats and looked about as if hoping for a better way of telling his girlfriend he didn't want her to come. "You should do a girls' day."

"You don't want me to come?" she asked, her voice hitching slightly. Her frown deepened when he didn't contradict her. "You don't want me to come," she said solemnly. Glancing at the calendar that hung in their adjoining dining room, she sighed, "Right, it's the anniversary of your friend's disappearance."

"Her whole family," he added weakly.

"You don't have to do it alone," she rose this time and walked over, cupping his jaw with her hand, so he would look into her blue eyes. "It's time to bury this . . . fleeting hope. . . I know it's hard, but . . ."

He'd think she was being insensitive if he hadn't been told so many times before the same thing by others, "Yeah, I think you're right. It's kind of why I need to leave - to take care of something." It felt like someone was pressing on his throat, but nevertheless he pushed through, "It's time to bury it and move on. You and me . . . We're what's important. You're my future, yah?"

She nodded in agreement and kissed him on the lips. "Okay, well, I think I'll take you up on your idea of a girls' day. I'm sure Margaret or Julia is available, maybe both." Laura grabbed her long winter coat from the back of a dining chair. She winked as she danced around him to grab her purse before giving him a peck on the cheek and confirming she'd meet him back at home for dinner.

Rhydian waved, feeling like someone had chained cement blocks to him.

Rhydian drew up all his will power to grab his ratty-old sneakers and a worn winter coat and venture by train to the countryside of Stoneybridge. Rhydian typically loved the cold, the feeling of Jack Frost seeming to dance about the woods, his wake leaving that biting air that made you feel alive with each inhale. But, it was horrible when trying to dig a hole. Alone in the wilderness - or so he thought, Rhydian had been digging for nearly an hour. A twig cracked, and Rhydian spun around to see Tom Okanawe pause mid-step, spotting the fierce look in his best mate's eyes.

"Whoa there killer," he joked, his hands raised in surrender. Rhydian immediately relaxed and laughed as Tom finished crossing the distance to come beside him. Spotting a small trunk next to a some upturned earth, he looked questioningly at his friend. "Turning pirate, are we?" Rhydian laughed again, feeling a moment's reprieve from the oppressive task at hand. "That isn't a body, yah?" Tom was bobbing up and down on his toes, trying to keep warm. His curiosity getting the better of him, he crouched down to open it, when Rhydian snapped it shut with is shovel before the contents could be revealed. Tom jumped back, nearly falling over. Gathering his balance, he turned to his friend, shocked. "What was that for?"

"It's nothing."

"I would believe ya, but no one travels out to the middle of the moors to dig a hole and bury somethin' - if it's nothin'," he said pointedly, his eyes lingering back at the case. Rhydian sniffled from the cold, wondering why the hell did he wait until the middle of winter when the ground was frozen to do this.

"Let it go, mate," he pled, the words sounding hollow in his own ears. After a pause, Tom nodded, effectively letting it drop. "So, how'd you find me?"

"Gerwyn." Tom's eyes moved to the old, leather bound trunk, being held closed by two straps. Rhydian knew that Tom was running through some type of checklist for what might be nestled in it, but true to his word, he didn't ask. "I bumped into him at the market - was visitin' my mum." Tom shivered, and swayed, trying to keep away the numbness such cold brought on. "Anyway, how 'bout drinks at McArdles'?"

Rhydian blew on his fingerless-gloved hands, rubbing them together to keep the circulation going. "Yeah, how 'bout a little help and we can go sooner?"

Patting his pockets wildly, Tom looked up, "Oh, I'm sorry, mate. Left my shovel home, did I?" He laughed at Rhydian's frowning and soon left him to finish his digging.

About an hour or so later, Rhydian stopped at McArdles', the local pub, to meet Tom for a beer. He wasn't surprised that Tom wasn't alone in the booth. He loved his friends, but seeing them together always tore at him just a little. Maybe is was the memories that seemed to bubble up to the surface, or the reminder that felt like a slap in the face of what never would be.

Nearing the table, he coughed loudly to let them know he had arrived. "Rhydian!" Shannon greeted, maneuvering herself out of the booth to give hime a hug. Rhydian embraced his friend, her eyeglasses knocked askew on her face as they separated. Adjusting her frames they returned to their seats. Rhydian called over to the bar tender for a beer, relishing in the warmth being inside brought. Sighing as he took in the different people lingering about - all locals from Stoneybridge, he relaxed. Rhydian had always felt more 'at home' in the country than the bustling city, but the city presented better opportunities and money, or so he was told. "So?" Shannon prodded giddily. "What was inside?"

"Shan!" Tom reprimanded, followed by a snort from Rhydian.

"What?" Shannon asked innocently.

"I can't believe you told 'er," Rhydian narrowed his eyes at Tom, leaning back so the waitress could place his beer down. Taking a nice long swig, he shook his head disapprovingly at his friend.

"She's my wife, are you really surprised? Plus," he paused looking at Shannon, "I told her not to ask, yah?"

"Come on, like that was really not gonna happen," she huffed. Taking a sip of her water, she clasped her hands over her heart in excitement as the food they had ordered arrived. Plucking a French fry from her husband's plate before it was even fully placed in front of him, she smiled as he feigned displeasure of the pilfering of his dinner side. "If you can't handle my curiosity, what are you going to do when there's two of us?"

"Cry," Tom retorted, earning him a light smack on the arm from his wife.

Rhydian's laugh simmered as her words echoed in his ears. "Two of you?"

"Oh, we forgot you don't do the social media-thing," Tom said, half pretending, half poking at him because Rhydian was so out of the loop, "Shannon and I are expecting."

Rhydian smiled, but didn't say anything. Feeling as if someone was twisting a knife in his back, he shifted in his seat, the tension settling in his shoulders.

"Rhydian, did you hear me?"

Realizing the uncomfortable silence he gave room to blossom, Rhydian force a broad smile and laughed. "Yes, I'm just - wow! I didn't realize you guys were thinking - you know! I'm very happy for you. Laura will be too. She loves kids." And then another wave of uneasiness washed over him as he wondered if - or when Laura was going to want kids. Not that he was opposed to being a father, he just . . . Shaking the thought from his mind, he watched the waitress meandered over to check on them. Rhydian waved off her offer to get him something to eat or another beer, knowing he would need to be returning home soon, back to Laura.

"Speaking of Laura, how come we had to learn about your engagement from your dad," Shannon chastised, teasingly.

Rhydian gave a nervous laugh and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess, I'm still processing it."

"You're the one that proposed, right?" Tom joked.

"No, yeah, I proposed. It's just a lot, you know?"

Tom and Shannon traded sideway glances before commencing with their dinner. They continued to catch up, and Rhydian appreciated Tom, and more importantly, Shannon's kindness at not trudging up memories from their time at Bradlington High. It was always a sore spot for him.

Before long, Rhydian said his good-byes and returned to the city. His mind, though, remained on the moors.

Thank you for reading. Please leave a review. They are very much appreciated.