I was finishing my homework when Mark comes in.
"How did it go?"
"Hmm?" I ask absentmindedly.
"How did it go with lover boy?"
"Don't call him that."
"That well, huh?"
I glare at him. Which causes him to laugh.
I've missed you.
"I wasn't gone for long."
Are you sure?
I gasp. I hadn't noticed that he was not moving his mouth.
I've missed you more, I tell him through our opened link. I hug him. I really did miss him.
"Wait, does that mean I get to know?"
Mark shakes his head. "I just managed to get a handle of my thoughts. I'm sorry."
"I don't care, as long as you don't block me again I'm happy."
He smiles his brilliant smile. It's good to be back. Now I get front seats to your love life.
I push him. "Stop, don't be like that. I'll have to block you out."
He laughs. Reaching for my candy he takes a whole fist full. I gasp as I take them away from his reach. "These are mine."
"You have to share."
"I don't have to do anything. Ander gave them to me as a birthday gift."
"Which he didn't know about if I didn't tell him."
I squint at him. He had a point but they were still mine.
"So how do you plan on telling Angie?"
"What?"
"She'll be devastated when you tell her you left me for another."
I look at him with my mouth agape, I did not know what to even say to that.
"Shut up," an oldie but a goodie. I really needed a new comeback.
"I actually came to tell you that Maggie wants us to continue training. She said that it's vital now that the rogues have crossed to this side as well."
Otto. It must be Otto and his pack.
"I can't actually participate," I point to my boot.
"Yeah, I know but I know you'd want to know that your wolves are going to be joining us. That's one of the reasons we let them cross."
"What are the other reasons?"
"They help watch over you. Since you're vulnerable right now."
"I'd like to be there, for support."
Mark chuckles. "Right, well it's tonight. Let me know when I should come pick you up." He pokes my head before he leaves. If he's not staying for dinner then he really must be getting ready. I wonder if they all agreed upon this or if Mark and Ander are forcing them. Since they're close now. I wonder why he didn't tell me when we were having our talk.
One thing I do know is that Bass must be ecstatic. I hope Theo is prepared, Bass never forgets.
"Maybe it's a sign, maybe it's the universe telling us that I wouldn't be a great mother. I mean, I can't even help Vanessa, she's been getting sick and having falls. I'm doing a horrible job, I wouldn't be surprised if she hated me," Angie's broken voice reaches me. I was standing at the top of the stairs ready to limp down the stairs for dinner. Hearing how sad and broken she sounded froze me in place.
"Don't say that Ange, we can try somewhere else. Somewhere out of the country. You can't give up. You're better at this parenting thing than I am. I'm sure Vanessa doesn't hate you. We can do this. If not we can adopt." John tries to reassure her.
I can hear Angie silently crying. She really did want to be a mother. If anyone should hate anyone it should be her towards me. I been doing a horrible job being their godchild.
I slowly make my way down. Once I come into view Angie wipes her tears away. Trying to put on a brave face and a smile but I can still see the sadness in her eyes.
"Hey," I say.
"You must be hungry," Angie gets up to get the food.
"I have a question," I tell them.
"Of course, what is it?" John says.
"Did my parents leave me money?" I ask them. Angie stops serving as she comes to look at me in surprise. I hadn't really brought my parents up to them. It was still a touchy subject.
"They had life insurance, they left you a great sum. We are told to give it to you on your birthday but we decided to test the necklace first before we proceed with the rest." John explains.
I failed that since I couldn't even accept the gift.
"Can you access that money as well?"
"Yes, but we haven't touched it," Angie defends. I just nod my head.
I sit down as I wait for both of them to be seated. "Keep it. Keep every last dime of that. I don't want it."
Angie looks at me with her mouth agape with incredibility. John just furrows his eyebrows as if he's trying to process whether I said that or he imagined it.
"We-we can't possibly take your money, hunny," Angie stutters.
"You're not, I'm giving it to you. Call it repayment for all you've done for me."
"We didn't do it because we thought you'd repay us. We did it because we loved your parents and have come to care about you just as much." John says. He looked slightly offended.
"I know, I just don't want their money. Please, accept it. I already have the trust fund the Holt's gifted me. I have no need for all that money."
John shakes his head as Angie looks at me in concern.
"I really do appreciate everything you've done for me. Thank you," I tell them. I get up to hug them. Angie almost breaks down but manages to hold it together. John gives me a tight hug. I laugh when I tell him it's too tight. He looks at me apologetically.
We eat in silence but it's not at all awkward or uncomfortable. After we were done they let me help them clean up.
I'm ready if you are, I tell Mark.
"I was thinking if I could head out to the Holt's tonight. Can I?" I ask them. We were sitting in the family room watching TV.
John looked as if he was going to say something when Angie responds. "Of course. Send them our regards."
John smiles at me. I return it as I hear a car pull up.
Mark knocks before coming right in. He really does take liberties.
"Hello, other family. Are you ready?" He greets. He gives Angie and John a hug before carrying me to the car. We say our goodbyes as I let Mark help inside his car.
"Are you sure you'll be able to handle this?" Mark asks.
"Handle what?"
"Seeing your mate getting beaten."
I laugh. "Wait, can I feel his pain?"
"I have no clue. We can ask him, I could hit him to see if you can."
I hit Mark on the arm but it only hurts me. He laughs as I cradle my hand. I was still pretty weak and sore from my dive off the cliff but the pain wasn't as excruciating as it once was.
He pulls up, carrying me on his back we make way towards the voices.
In the back mostly everyone was there. Diana and Jay are missing from the wolves, Maggie and Tristan weren't insight either. Which was odd since Mark said it was Maggie's idea.
"Oh come on, you can't possible believe that. I wasn't hurting her. We were training!" Bass defends.
Theo just shrugs his shoulders. I can see Bass assessing him. He really hasn't forgotten.
"I'm back!" Mark says. He sets me down on the porch steps. I can see everyone staring at us. I give them all a small wave.
Mark kisses my head as he walks past me towards the glass doors. He goes in, my guess was to change. Well more like take his shirt off and wear sweats. Like Bass.
Bass comes to stand by me as he smiles wickedly. He lifts me up in a tight hug. Spins me around as he settles me down with a kiss on the cheek.
"There's my favorite she-wolf. To bad you can't train," he says sadly.
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and hands it to me. I look at him in utter disbelief.
"No," I whisper.
"Yes," he whispers back. Smiling he carries me which surprises me. He sets me on the railing as he pushes his huge speaker towards the steps. "You're in charge of the sacred ritual, that is putting on a playlist. Choose wisely."
I squeal as I start to scroll through all his music. He really had a lot. A song for every occasion. It was going to be hard.
Tristan and Maggie step out. Maggie looks towards me in concern. Tristan extends his hand out to help Maggie descend the porch steps.
"You'll fall from there, sweetheart." Maggie says. I look up from my scrolling to smile at her.
Tristan walks over to me. He gives me a pointed look, I sigh as I reach out for him. He gently sets me down on the grass. Kissing my head he walks back towards Maggie.
I limp my way to the porch steps just as Mark steps out. Bass comes towards me, taking his sweater off he hands it to me. I take it. In the light of the porch I see scars all over his torso. He's always had scars but these were brand new.
I slowly stand as I reach for his arm. He was already heading back.
"What happened?" I ask. He looks confused but then follows my gaze. He just shrugs. "Intense training."
I look over to Mark to see he has scars as well. He comes to stand by me. I reach out to touch them, one was a burnt scar. I gently trace the scorched skin. I look at him in concern.
"I'm fine, it's fine. We were trying to train for anything and we may have gotten carried away," he sheepishly says. I look at Bass he just shrugs again.
"Looks worse than it truly is." Bass tries to assure me.
Ash clears her throat. "Are we going to train or not?" She looks guilty.
I blush as I let them walk of to the yard. I put Bass's sweater on. The night was getting a little chilly.
I tried not to stare at Ander too much but I find myself looking at him. He looked lost in thought. Theo looked bored, Robb seemed excited. Andrea looked like she would rather be anywhere but here.
"All right, should we start with your wolf form or human?" Bass asks. He clearly wanted the wolf form but he was just politely asking.
"Human first and then wolf," Maggie says.
The pack agrees as they too get ready. Ander takes his sweater off, he throws it to the side. Robb picks it up and takes his off as well he comes to me and asks if I could hold them. I blush as I take them. Andrea and Theo don't have any so they don't bother.
I look at Bass's phone ready to press play. He looks at the pack before he points at me. He doesn't look at me as I take my cue and press play.
Maybe I shouldn't be close to the speaker. I get up to limp towards the trees on the far right of the house. Someone had set up a hammock. I sit on it as they start to circle each other.
"All right each one of you will take center, you'll all defend yourselves against our attacks. The moment you're hit then next one steps in. Keep attention to our moves. Let us attack first." Bass informs.
Robb steps up first. He looks around as he awaits the first one. Maggie steps up.
I was starting to appreciate that I'm not in this training session. Maggie seemed to be a girl on a mission. Her hits were stronger and faster than the previous. Robb was getting overwhelmed with her attacks. She was doing the same as she did with me in my training but more fiercely. She was throwing kicks after kicks. She had a determined look on her face.
Robb has managed to dodge most of them before she got him with a spinning kick to the face. He stumbled back as blood came from his mouth. Maggie stood straight she bowed and stepped back. Robb did the same.
Andrea stepped up just as Ash did.
Ash had her blank stare as she circled Andrea.
Ash throws a punch, which Andrea diverts. Ash leaves her punch in place as she smiles at Andrea. That smile made me nervous. Soon she throws another punch which misses Andrea, on purpose. Which makes Andrea look confused at first but soon Ash is throwing them one after the other. Andrea tried to dodge them and step aside, or away but Ash kept on her trail. Andrea falters which cause her to take an upper cut from Ash. Her head
snaps back as blood gushes out her mouth. She stumbles back.
Robb holds onto her letting her step back. Theo takes the center stage.
Andrea spits blood out as she glares at Ash.
Ash shrugs unapologetically as she steps back. Bass steps in.
I tense as Bass grins at Theo.
Theo still looked bored as he circled Bass. They stare each other down before Bass goes in.
He starts with a kick but soon throws punches. His movements became a blur as he did hit after hit. When I thought he was going for a kick he manages to get Theo's arm. Flipping him like I had done to Joseph, he has Theo on the ground with his arm twisted behind him. I know the look on Bass's face, he was thinking of breaking his arm.
"Bass!" I shout. He snaps his attention to me. Smiling he lets go of Theo, he slowly backs up.
They all turned to me but Ander was already taking Theo's spot.
Mark was stepping up when Tristan extends his arm to stop him.
Mark backs up, letting Tristan take the round.
Theo is cradling his arm as he glowers.
Tristan circles Ander as he prepares to attack.
One minute they're standing there and the next Tristan is doing an assault of punches each just as fast as Ash's, when I thought he was sticking to that he kicks Ander right on the chest. It looked like the Sparta kick but instead of falling to a pit Ander goes flying. He crashes on the ground with full force. His body skidded leaving skid marks on the grass. Ander looked dazed as he struggled to stand.
I was standing looking in shock. I've never seen Tristan use that much force before. They were all using much more force than when I was training with them. Those jerks were indeed holding back.
"Woo!" Bass shouts. He claps as he goes to stand by Tristan. "Now, that's what I'm talking about."
"Bass, sweetheart, don't antagonize our guests," Maggie says.
"Now for your wolf form!" He clasps his hands.
"Maybe give them a minute," I say. They all turn to me as I limp towards them. "So much for not holding back."
Mark snorts. He knows what I meant by that. "Like we would hurt you on purpose."
"Ash did," I say remembering the beating she gave me.
Ash shrugs as she smiles. She really was something else.
Ander comes back as his breathing becomes shallow. I go towards him, "are you okay?"
He nods, he gently pushes me aside to face the gang. "We need to do human form until we can beat each and everyone of you."
"That can be arranged but you're in a time strain so we have to work with what we got. So learn from your mistakes and next time we can see what you got. So wolf form," Bass says.
Andrea groans as she holds her jaw.
"Where's Jay and Diana?" I ask.
"Covering for us. They'll be here for the next one." Robb tells me.
I look at Ander, he looks conflicted. I reach for his hand but he just walks away. Was it something I did? It hurt that he was being cold all of a sudden.
"Let's do wolf form then, we need to get back." Ander says.
"Yes! That's the spirit," Bass beans. He really needs help.
I limp back towards the hammock as they all get ready to shift.
Theo shifts first to a beautiful black wolf, Robb shifts to a dark brown one, Andrea turns to a light grey one, Ander turns to a brown one. His looked like mine but the difference is mine sometimes looks red when light hits it on an angle. To say Bass was beyond excited would be an understatement.
They started with the same, Robb and Maggie. Maggie was fast but Robb managed to knock her a few feet back. He also got to claw her arm. She stepped back as Ash took her place. Robb almost got her but Ash rolled out of the way before clocking Robb on the side of his head.
He stepped back as he shakes his head. He seemed to try to shake the pain away.
Andrea was next. She went straight for Ash she did manage to bite her in the leg. She dragged Ash before letting her go. Bass stepped in as sent Andrea flying towards the woods on the opposite end. They all went more that way and away from me. I could barely see what was happening. Bass ended up dashing towards the woods. They all followed.
I was alone. I opt to lay on the hammock as I heard some howls. I was tempted to follow them but my boot prevented that. I was stuck behind on the hammock.
Just as I was resting my eyes I heard a shout. I look as Mark dashes back to the yard. I stand as I see that he's fighting with Ander in his wolf form. They look like in an intense battle.
Ander growls as he jumps to Mark knocking them both down as he tries to bite Mark's head off.
"Stop!" I shout. I limp towards them as they continue to tumble around. I had no idea where the rest of them were but they attacking each other. Ander bit onto Mark, as Mark kicked Ander in the ribs.
"I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH!" I was now close enough to shout louder than before.
They both stopped to look at me. I was looking at them in disbelief. Bass comes into view he had blood pouring down his face and his clothes torn.
"I see they listen to you but not little ol' me."
"What is wrong with you?" I ask them.
Mark stands. He was in worse shape than Bass. He was bleeding profusely from all over. He had deep claw marks on his arms. His sweats were all torn and dirty.
Ander shifts back. He had cuts bruises forming all over him.
"He attacked me," Mark says pointing at Ander.
I look at Ander, not in the eyes. "You're suppose to be training not tearing each other a part. Don't you realize that only puts a damper on the purpose of this."
The rest were coming out of the woods as I was speaking. "Whatever brought this on is over, got it?"
Mark opens and shuts his mouth when I glare at him. "You got it, babe."
I look at Ander he just growls. He walks right past me. He unintentionally bumps into me. I falter on my step as I fall. I whimper as my injured foot twists on the fall. I sit on the ground clutching my boot as the pain stays for a bit longer than I hoped it would.
Ander looks back to me. Ashamed he comes to me to see if I'm okay but Mark pushes him away.
"You hurt her and have the audacity to ask if she's okay?" Mark looks furious.
I tried to stand but the pain was crippling me. "Mark that's enough. It was an accident."
"I would never hurt her," Ander says. He stands to face off with Mark. I'm not sure what happened between them but this is ridiculous.
"Mark walk it off," Tristan says. When Mark doesn't listen he uses a stern voice I've never heard before. "Now."
Mark storms off. He dashes away. I look after him but I lost track of him. I look up at Ander.
"Help me up," I tell him. He gently helps me stand. "What's wrong with you?"
He sighs. Shaking his head he starts to walk away. I grab onto his arm. I look at the others but they're all walking away to give us privacy. The training is over for now.
"Why did you attack Mark?"
"Why don't you go check up on him instead," Ander says. I laugh. I now get it.
Ander looks at me confused. "You're jealous."
He opens his mouth but doesn't say anything. He's avoiding looking at me not just because neither one of us has shades but because I'm right and he's now ashamed.
"He's my friend, he'll always be a part of my life. The sooner you understand that the better. We can't be together, you and me, if you can't accept that the Holt's are my family. For life."
Ander nods. "I know, it's just the way you're with each other. I just saw that today and you're so good together. I guess I got insecure."
I gently touch his cheek, holding onto his chin I make him face me. His eyes are closed, he looks so tired. I bet he hasn't slept. I slowly guide him down. I softly kiss him, letting our connection send small sparks all over me. He deepens the kiss setting everything alight.
We kiss for a while before someone clears their throat. I pull away, giving him a peck as I hug him.
"I know you heard me," Mark says.
"Shut up, Mark," I tell him. Ander starts to pull away but I hug him tighter. He stops trying to pull away instead he holds me tighter.
"As cute as this is, we need to talk."
I look at him, he had a serious look. I rest my head on Ander's shoulder before I pull away. I kiss his cheek as I leave him to head towards Mark. The moment I tried to walk pain engulfs me. I really did mess my foot up. Ander has been supporting me. He catches me before I can trip and fall.
"Someone has to carry me," I say.
Mark laughs. "I am not going to fight him in this. Come on lover boy. Keep up."
Ander carries me in a bridal way which makes me blush. I rest my head on his shoulder as he walks us into the Holt's kitchen.
The pack was drinking water as we enter. They all looked tired and hurt. Their clothes were all in shreds. Ander sets me on a stool, he stays by my side as Maggie hands him a cup.
"What did you want to talk about?" I ask Mark. Maggie hands me a cup as well.
Thanking her I look at Mark as I take a sip.
"The rogues have been here and they keep coming. Bass and I caught two but the third got away. They're looking for something or someone. Until we know what that is we need to divide duties of patrolling and guarding."
They needed to guard me but they didn't know how profoundly that was. They think it's because I'm not physically able to but it's more than that. It's because Otto wants something with me. I'm not sure at to what full extent that is but I'm going to find out.
"We can barely hold ground on our territory and you want us to add yours as well?" Andrea asks in disbelief.
"I don't know how teamwork works for you but for us it means sharing responsibilities. We will take the night shifts so you can rest but we need that your pack stays alert during the day. You'll have to convince them to trust us." Bass says.
"They hate the fact that you're here. Even more that she's associated with you." Andrea says pointing at me.
Ander shifts next to me.
"If you're thinking of wasting time in guarding me at home then you can cross me off," I tell them.
"Out of the question. We're not risking you." Maggie said sternly.
"Then I want one guard the rest of you can do your usual duties."
"As much as I love you, I'm not becoming your shadow," Bass says. I laugh.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Ander can stay with me. Mark even."
"I'll stay with you," Ander interjects. Mark snorts.
"How are we sharing this responsibility? We still have to go to school. We may be being punished but we don't get that much authority to chose our patrolling shifts." Robb says.
"You're mostly given the night shift, right?" Bass asks.
They all nod. "We will take that shift for you. We will mask our scents while you all rest. We will need you on alert since you're our only way to communicate with your pack. As long as they despise us we have to work together as you'll be that cover."
"Since the adults in the pack hate us you'll be helping them by using them to communicate with them as if they're the ones doing everything?" I ask, I'm trying to understand their plan.
Tristan nods. "They can't see beyond the fact that we're different. It doesn't mean we will use that against them. Those rogues are after something and they won't stop until they get it. The best we can do is keep each other safe. If they don't want to help us we won't be like them. You all deserve to roam about freely. We don't need any credit for anything. We just everyone to be safe."
I nod. I guess that made sense. Until Ander takes over there's no way on making the rest of their pack to see us other than potential threats. Well see the Holt's other than threats.
Bass is staring at me. I know he wants to talk to me. I never did tell him or anyone what really happened to me.
"Me, it's me," I finally tell them. They all look at me as if I've gone mad. "It's Otto. He's the one that paid me a visit. One of his pack members pushed me off the cliff."
I look at Bass as he looks back at me in shock. He probably thought I'd never tell them what happened to me.
I turned to everyone as they stared at me in questionable looks.
Ander stiffens next to me. He fists and un-fists his hands. As if he's ready for another fight. I reach for his hand. I open his fist as I interlace our hands. He's still tensed but doesn't move away from me.
Mark is looking at me as if I've betrayed him.
"Can you tell us what exactly happened and who this Otto might be?" Tristan tells me.
I looked ashamed. I tell them all how I came to get to know him.
"You're telling me you went through all of this and kept me in the dark?" Bass says hurt. I never lied to him but I didn't tell him things. I really was a hypocrite.
"One thing after another happened. I'm sorry, I know I have no excuse. When I thought I was dying I couldn't focus on anything anymore. I really thought I wasn't going to make it."
Bass looked hurt but soon looked guilty.
"I also found out that it's not only my wolf dying, it's me," my voice breaks.
"Wow, is there anything else?" Andrea asks. She doesn't say it in a condescending way a more of "can it get any worse" kind of way.
I shake my head. "I just know that bonding with Ander is helping me. Even if it's a little. I know it might sound like I'm using you but I'm not. I was planning on telling you."
I try to plead with him but he's just frozen. When he doesn't move or say anything I find myself holding a sob. I let go of his hand.
I was about to leave when he grabs my arm. He crashes me into him as he holds me tightly.
I cry into his tattered clothes. Letting him hold me closer to him.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. I pulls away from him. I look at the others. "I'm so sorry."
Maggie comes to hug me. She holds me as she starts to cry. She soothes me as she herself breaks. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that alone."
I shake my head. "I wasn't alone."
Mark comes to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "It's okay, we'll deal with this together. We won't leave you."
I look at Bass. He looked conflicted. I go to him but he steps back.
"I can't right now," he tells me. He walks away. Ash goes after him. She gives me a quick hug before she walks away. Tristan looks concerned.
"How are you feeling?" He asks me.
"I haven't had anymore pains or headaches. But I don't think I'm getting better," I admit. He nods.
He kisses my head before he walks towards Maggie. They both leave.
I turn to the pack. They all are staring at me. They look like they want to ask questions.
"I know this is too much and that most of it doesn't concern you all. They really do want to help. Mostly because they know I'd help you all if I could. Just give them a chance."
"You don't have to ask me, you did save me even if you think you didn't. Diana and Jay think the same," Robb tells me.
I give him a sad smile.
"You're more trouble than you're worth," Theo says.
"I know," I tell him.
"But I'll help in whatever way I can," he adds.
"Why?" I ask.
He snorts. "You also helped me," he shrugs.
I clearly know that is not true. I've never helped him. It wasn't like Bass was really going to hurt him.
"When I was in my wolf in front of your car. I was being chased by rogues. They were almost within reach but then you were there. They backed off. I only growled at you because I thought you were with them. Once I saw they ran away I left."
It took me a minute to remember that. It was the same day he had helped me with Joseph.
"You humiliated Hailey that gets you a pass. Just once," Andrea says.
I smile at them. They're acting like they really care about me but I know for a fact they're doing it for Ander. Since he's going to help me. Regardless of that I appreciated that they are willing to help.
"So what's the plan?"
"We will take their night shift tonight. Tomorrow we dwell on the rest. Since I can communicate with Vee she can tell you whatever we find. And you can rely it to your pack," Mark tells Ander.
"If you're going to text her, why not just text me directly?" He asks confused.
I suck my breath in as I stare at Mark. I close my lips shut.
Mark looks at me then at him. I avoid all contact.
"We have a mind link. Just like I can talk to my family I can talk to her."
"I thought you said you can read minds but not talk in them." Ander says.
"With everyone else, yes. With my family I can. It's as if we were a pack. They're the only ones."
I can sense Ander's stare. "So you can not only read her mind you can talk to her?"
He seemed to not process that. Mark confirms it yet again. They all are looking in wonder.
"Okay," Ander says. He still seems like he wants to say more.
Ash comes back, she hands me some shades. "You can have these."
"Are those the new Gucci ones?" Andrea asks in shock.
Ash's face brightens. "Yes, I have another pair. Want them?"
Andrea squeals. "Can I see?"
Ash beams. "Come with me."
They walk out the room as Ash tells her she has a connection that lets her have designs before they officially launch. Andrea seemed to have forgotten her distaste for vampires when it cames to couture.
"I should head back, I don't want Angie to worry."
Ander steps towards me but I shake my head.
"Mark picked me up, he has to drop me off." Ander looks hurt. "You'll have to sneak through the window when he pulls away."
His head snaps at me. A smile forms on his mouth as I roll my eyes. I look at Robb.
"Can we talk?" I ask him. He looks taken back but nods. "Can you guys give us a minute. I don't want to limp right now."
They all follow Mark out as he tells them the best part of the house was in the other side. I roll my eyes as I know where he was taking them.
"I-" I falter as I wasn't sure what to tell him.
"If you're going to apologize, don't." He says.
"You have to admit, we had something."
"Yes, but I knew better. I knew you weren't my mate. I do admit that I felt a connection with you. Which was strange since the only connections we ever feel is for our mate or for our Alpha. You were neither. That made me want to get to know you more. What a shock I got when I found out not only are you my cousin's mate but a werewolf. I never once smelled a wolf on you. I did feel this powerful aura from you. But I thought I was imagining it."
Cousin? They're cousins?
A small laugh escapes me. "About that. I have something that helps me mask it."
He nods. "Well I'm glad I get to have you around. You will get through this. I know that powerful aura is because you are just that. You will get through this. If there's anything you need don't hesitate to ask me. We're going to be family after all."
I smile at him. I spread my arms to hug him but he has to walk around the island counter to get to me. We hug just as Ander and the rest come in.
"He was showing you his collection wasn't he?" I ask them. I pull away from Robb as he turns to them. I rest my arm on his shoulder. I needed to alleviate some of the pain on my foot.
"Yes, yes he did." Ander says.
"What collection?" Robb asks me.
"It's better if you see it, come along," Mark says. Robb gives me a questioning look, I just shrug.
"Come on, young wolf." Mark calls for him.
Robb steadily goes to follow him. Ander comes to take Robb's spot next to me. I turn to him. "Carry me?"
He bends so I can jump onto his back. This time I couldn't do that. My leg was really hurting me now. Theo had to help me get onto Ander's back. "Thanks." I tell him. He just shrugs as he steps away.
Ander walks us out the front door. Theo follows us out as we await for Mark and Robb.
Andrea comes outside by herself. She had a bagged hanger. I snort, "she got you too?"
"She gave me a dress I was having trouble getting," Andrea shrugs. I could tell she's beyond excited. It's the same look Ash does when she manages to dress me up. She tries to downplay the excitement. As long as it wasn't me I was good.
"She doesn't want to drive it because she thinks it's too much, can you believe that?" Mark says as he makes his way towards us.
"I'd kill to drive it," Robb says.
"I can arrange that but it'll cost you." Mark tells him.
"How much?" Robbs warily asks.
"If you can get him to go one on one with Bass you can take it for a whole day. If he beats Bass then you can keep it." Mark says as he points to Theo. "It can be in either wolf or human form."
"What?" Theo asks.
"No, that's not happening," I say.
"I'm pretty sure it's him that needs to accept or decline." Mark tells me.
"If that ever happens I'll make sure Ash gets you," I warn.
"Pshhft, Ash won't do anything." Mark says.
"Ash won't do what?" Ash asks.
Amusedly I look at Mark, waiting for him to tell her his plan. He doesn't. I don't rat him out either.
Ander sets me down on the passenger seat. "You'll be there when I get there?" I ask him.
He bends down to kiss my forehead. "Yes."
Mark pulls out as I see the others walk towards the woods. Ash stands by the door as we all go our way.
"Bass hates me," I tell Mark.
"Didn't we have this conversation before?" Mark says in wonder.
I sigh. I take the glasses off.
"He doesn't hate you. He's just mad at himself. He blames himself for not caring for you better, like the rest of us. He was there with you and he didn't make you tell him what happened. He's mad because he thinks he could have done something."
"There was nothing he could have done. They were already long gone when he got there. I even tried to downplay the situation as well."
"Give him time. He'll know that there wasn't anything he could have done. But he does not hate you."
I nod. I hope Mark is right. I'd hate not having Bass by my side.
We arrive, Mark comes to carry me inside. Angie was in the kitchen making some coffee when we came in.
"Hey," I tell her. Mark adjust me as he greets her as well.
"You had fun?" She asks. She looked like she had been crying. Which makes me wonder if it was because of me. I had talked to her and John about keeping my parents money. Then again I did hear their conversation about having a baby.
"Are you okay?" I ask her. Mark sets me on a chair.
Angie nods but she starts to tear up. She holds back a sob. I stand to go to her. I hug her tightly as she cries. I look at Mark in worry he seems to be concern as well. John usually comes in to console her but I can't hear anyone else besides us. Not even Ander.
"What's wrong?" I softly ask.
"I'm okay, it's okay," she tries to assure us but we know better. I knew better. I was doing the same.
"Angie, what's wrong?" I try to soothe her. She seems to be inconsolable.
She pulls away and walks to the family room. I look at Mark as he helps me follow her. She's curled on the couch. Crying into her blanket.
The television is on but on mute. On the coffee table there's papers and a bunch of used Kleenex's. The paper catches my eye. I reach for it, as intrusive as it was of me, I needed to know what was wrong. To see if there was anyway I could help.
It was a letter addressed to the Burke's. It was from a fertility doctor. It was telling Angie she could no longer go through the treatments. That her body couldn't handle anymore of them. For her health she should seize the idea of becoming fertile.
A tear runs down my face. She was crying because she could never become a mother. The one thing she clearly wanted.
I go to her. I manage to sit on the floor to lean towards her. Soothing her the best I could.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. She sits up after a few minutes. I pull myself up, sitting next to her.
"I just wanted to be a mom," her voice is just above a whisper. It breaks when she says the last word.
"You're the best mother anyone can have," I tell her. She looks at me. Her eyes full of sadness.
"You mean that?" She asks me.
I wipe her tears away, "every word. You showed me what a mother is, after I lost mine I gained another. You and Maggie are the best mother's I could have ever wished for. I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world."
She sobs as she crushes me in a tight hug. I hold her until she cries herself to sleep.
I look at Mark. "We need to get her to bed."
He nods as he comes to carry her. Before he could grab her the front door opens. John comes in. He looked like a mess.
"I had to go to the city since all the places here were closed." He tells us. "I guess I should have stayed here."
He took out sleeping pills, chocolate, a small teddy bear, and more Kleenex from his bag.
"I really thought she wouldn't be able to sleep. I went to get her something that will help her sleep." He was rubbing his eyes.
I hug him. "It's okay," I tell him. He hugs me back as he cries.
"I don't know how to help her," he sobs.
"Just hold her, she just needs you by her side."
He pulls away as he wipes his tears away. Nodding he goes to carry her up the stairs.
"I should go. We need to do patrols," Mark tells me. I hug him as he pulls away to leave. I'm in the family room all alone. Tears threaten to fall but I busy myself cleaning the place. I put the papers inside the folder, I turn the TV off. Ander steps in. I hadn't realize he was there.
"Hey," he softly says.
He comes to help me clean up. When we were done I hug him. I couldn't take it. I cried as I wanted to when Angie was breaking. I felt as useless as John might have felt watching her break like that. Ander holds me as I cry.
If anyone deserves to be parents it was the Burke's. It made me miss my parents and I hated that. I couldn't forgive them for all the suffering they made me go through. The anger only grew because they had left this place, taking away the opportunity to have met the Burke's. To grow up with them. To even meet my mate before I had all this resentment.
I hated that they left me all alone for so long.
Ander carries me to my room. He gently sets me on my bed. I try to stop crying but I can't. There was so much pain inside that I had bottled up.
I wipe my tears away, I don't deserve to cry.
"Are you okay?" He asks sitting next to me.
"Hold me," I tell him. Like last time he lays behind me as I silently cry.