Free Were She Belongs by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

demanded.
    Lexi began to cry, and Sierra did the same.
    “I couldn’t. I’m sorry, Sierra, but I don’t have the answers you want. I…I…” Lexi turned away from Sierra. How could she explain why she lied about having her own family or about her own desire to be like Sierra? Well, at least as normal as a college-aged were. Sierra had family. She had a better family than Lexi could have ever dreamed of.
    “Where’s your family, Lexi?”
    This was it. She had to tell her the truth and hope she didn’t hate her for it.
    “I don’t have a family.”
    “What? What do you mean? You told me about them. You visited them during summer vacation and school breaks.”
    Lexi swallowed hard. This was so hard. Saying the words out loud made it unbearable.
    “No, Sierra. I made it up.” Lexi bowed her head in shame.
    Sierra was silent and Lexi knew she had hurt her but she really didn’t have a choice. She never expected to see Sierra again or to have to explain.
    “Why?”
    Lexi cringed at the sound of Sierra’s cracking voice.
    Tears stung Lexi’s eyes. She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing as she stared at Sierra.
    “Because you had a family and I wanted to be normal like you. I wanted to be able to say I spent Christmas with my parents because that’s what you were doing. You were headed home to family.”
    “Who were you with?” Sierra asked, stepping closer.

    Were She Belongs
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    Lexi sobbed, but wouldn’t look at Sierra.
    “Who were you with?”
    Lexi didn’t want to admit it out loud and not to Sierra.
    She felt Sierra move closer. “Please Lexi, tell me.”
    “No one. I was alone, and sometimes I worked extra shifts at the department store. The pay was really good on holidays, when most employees want off to be with family.” Lexi felt her head begin to ache again. Sierra reached for her and touched Lexi’s shoulder. Lexi stepped away with her head down.
    “I think I need to rest. My head hurts.”
    Sierra helped her to the bed. Lexi got under the covers, and Sierra sat on the mattress next to her. “I wish you would have told me. You could have come home with me.”
    The thought made Lexi cry. She dreamt about being like Sierra and being able to shift and run free as she had often described to her.
    To be part of a family would make Lexi so happy, but that would never happen. Lexi felt the tears roll down her cheeks.
    “I would have brought you home with me, Lex.”
    “I didn’t want to interfere or be a burden. I’m used to being alone and handling things on my own.”
    “You didn’t have to be alone, Lex. I love you, and you’re my best friend. You were the one who always took care of me back at school.
    Every time I needed help, you were there for me. Including that night when you ran out to get me medicine because I ate the bad Chinese food. You took care of me that night, then left and never returned.
    What happened?” Sierra asked as she lay down next to Lexi on the bed. They faced one another and talked like they used to do in college.
    “Someone tried to take me. I was able to defend myself and escape, but they knew where I lived. They knew we were roommates.
    They followed you for the weeks to follow, but when I didn’t return, they stopped watching you.”
    “How do you know this?”

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    Dixie Lynn Dwyer
    “I was following them. I wanted to know what they wanted, and I wanted to make certain that you were safe.”
    “Who were they?”
    Lexi bowed her head. “I can’t, Sierra. The less you know, the better off you are.”
    “You don’t understand, Lexi. I can help you. Valco and his brothers can help you.” Sierra covered Lexi’s hand with her own.
    Lexi locked gazes with her.
    “I am going to leave as soon as I get this damn cast off.”
    Sierra pulled away, and Lexi knew her words sounded harsh.
    “You are not taking that cast off. Your bone needs to heal. You’ll stay, and we’ll figure this out together. I want you here for the mating ceremony. I wished for