"So… you're staying?" I hear my dad's sad voice.
"For the moment, yes" I repeat myself. There are only two ways I can leave this place without further complications, Nick letting me go or Blacky returning and dealing with this place.
Also, going now would feel extremely disappointing, I need to make sure to tease them at least a little. I smile a little and take a couple of steps back, leaving my dad's comforting embrace.
"Dad, I'm planning a mischief" I say calmly, and my dad opens his eyes wide.
"a-a-a… m-m-mischief?" I smile at his answer, I know he understood. I nod and he forces his trembling lips into a smile "…well… h-have fun"
"Go back home and keep working, I'll be ok. I promise" I smile, and my dad now has a complicated smile on his face.
"Love you, Allie" he kisses my forehead "just say the word and we will run away from here" he gets closer to my ear and whispers "Do you know what they are?" I nod and he nods back.
Without another word he takes his gunshot and walks towards the car without looking back. I know why he's doing that, if he looks back, he will not be able to leave.
"I LOVE YOU, DAD! BE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD DAY!" I shout once he's inside the car and he waves goodbye at me while smiling. Even from this distance, I can see the tears on his face.
I turn around towards the huge fancy prison I will call my home for the next couple of days. I take a deep breath and start walking towards the door, passing by Nick's side and completely ignoring him when he tried to talk to me.
I keep walking but it seems I learned how to fly because my feet leave the ground. Oh… I didn't learn to fly, that's disappointing. Nick picked me up bridal style and held me close to his chest.
"Thank you for staying" he says in a relieved voice.
Seriously? Does he really think I stayed for him? I almost forgot he's a hopeless narcissist. I look at him with an annoyed stare. I tilt my head from side to side trying to decide what to do. I can let him carry me and sleep in the same bed again or I can kick him and run towards the secret room… Let's stay here, I'm tired and he's warm. One of his only redeemable features.
"If he was going to go this fast, he should've stayed home" I hear Nick whisper while clicking his tongue.
His statement annoys me. My father only left because I told him, because he trusts me. Well, it's alright if Nick thinks lowly of my dad, it's giving me even more reasons to not feel bad about his soon to arrive demise.
He walks all the way to the elevator and the room. We don't say anything, and I just let Nick put me in his bed, I immediately curl into a ball and fall asleep.
I wake up due to Nick's annoying voice. "Alice, wake up. You have to dress up" he says while trying to take the covers from my body. He stops after a couple of tries and I feel his hands on top of mine.
He's trying to move my hands, so I slap one of his hands away "Sleepy…" that's all I manage to say, not even caring about opening my eyes.
"Alice, I'm not in the mood, we have one of our allied packs visiting and I need my Luna next to me" he says irritated, I think he's losing his patience. Oh well, not like I care, too bad for him.
"Alice, I'm trying to be nice, listen to me" he says raising his voice a little.
"I don't want to, and I don't have to. I don't want to be your Luna thingy" I say in my sleepy voice and cover my face with the blanket.
"Alice" he tries to threaten me but what can he do? Take me all the way to this meeting and make me stand there in my dinosaur onesie?
"…" I hear him walking back and forth in annoyance "I'll let you visit your father" Nick says after a couple of minutes, and I scoff.
"I'm going to visit him regardless, so your offer means nothing" I say calmly "good night".
"Please, go to the meeting" *he* sounds so desperate.
I sigh in annoyance. Alright, you're lucky Nick.
"Where are you going?" Nicks asks and I point to the bathroom door.
"Bring me clothes to use, I don't have anything" I instruct, and he smiles nodding. He gives me a black flared skirt that reaches from my waist to my knees and a grey crop top. I don't like his choice of clothing.
"I don't like this, pants and a simple shirt, that's what I use. I don't like tight clothes like the crop top and anything that is not pants" normally I would use it, I don't like to be rude but I'm doing a favor already, I'm not doing a favor while uncomfortable.
He scrunches his nose annoyed "seriously? It's just clothes" I look at the skirt and try to stretch it. It's flary enough and the waistband is elastic, I look at Nick.
"Are you implying I'm exaggerating?" he smirks and nods. "Use it" I hand the skirt over to Nick.
"What?" he says baffled.
"I don't like to repeat myself, but since you're a helpless idiot I will" I say annoyed "I checked the waistband; it should fit you. If what I'm saying is not a big deal, use it. It's just clothes" I say with the fabric in my hand, moving it in front of him.
"You can't be serious" he says, and I glare.
"I'm dead serious" I reply.
"Hurry!" he shouts, and I shrug. Don't blame me, blame Nick.
Nick takes the skirt and says with gritted teeth "I'll bring you the clothes you requested".
After a couple minutes he comes back with high wasted straight-cut blue jeans and a casual shirt. I nod and take the clothes; I take a quick shower and go out ready to face these unknown people. I'm using one of Nick's boxers and my sports bra… it's not the most sanitary thing but it's better than using dirty underwear… I need to go home and take some clothes with me.
He offers me his hand and I just stare at it. I feel slightly guilty for Blacky now, I understand why he didn't want to touch him that day in the forest.
"Just take my hand, Alice, don't be childish" he rolls his eyes, but I make no attempt to touch him. He sighs and lowers his hand "Walk next to me" he says and I nod. Now that's something I'm willing to do.
We walk towards the elevator and he fake coughs. I glance at him "I couldn't ask yesterday but I will ask now. How can you talk to my wolf?".
"I want to know too!" I hear Apollo shout.
I decide to answer honestly "I can see him" I reply.
"What do you mean?" he asks confused. I look at him and smile a little.
"I mean exactly what I'm saying. Black fur, a little annoying, too fixated on making me eat, and obsess in having me close, right?" I ask and he nods in surprise.
"I see him standing next to you… well… it's hard to explain but let's keep it like that" I continue.
"How?" he keeps asking.
"I don't know" I reply honestly.
The elevator's door opens, and I walk out without saying another word. I look back waiting for *his* directions. *He* starts walking and I follow him.
"Alice?" I hear Nick back at the elevator.
"You're not coming?" I ask calmly and he nods.
He walks next to me and looks at me with a confused stare. I ignore him and continue to follow *him*.
We reach a huge door and Nick starts opening it "did Jos bring you here yesterday?" Nick asks and I say no. He's making the first expression I can define as adorable; I giggle lowly. He looks lost.
Once the door opens a voice greets us "Ah, Alpha Nicholas. I'm glad you could make time to meet with me on such short notice" I hear a man talk and the moment I look up my breath hitch. I feel the room getting smaller and I have to put a hand on my chest to calm myself.
"Alice? Are you ok?" Nick walks and places himself in front of me. He looks worried, he strokes one of my cheeks moving his thumb up and down soothingly.
"I'm ok" I say now relax, I can't do that, I can't let other's feelings take control over me. Some of them try to convey their feelings to me without my consent but that's not good.
The death should not control the living.