I had woken up the following morning with my whole body sore. The amount of pain I was in was causing me to not be able to think clearly. I turned over to see my mother sleeping next to me as relief washed over me. I had almost lost her. Everything from this point on was unknown. Last night as we were going to sleep I had noticed my mothers eye had healed. Thanks to Ruby's healing ability, Mom's right eye looked like it did before that mistake I made all those years ago. I felt guilty every time I looked at her. Seeing my Mother all healed up filled me with hope that she would be safe with them.
I climbed out of bed and looked at the huge hole in my wall from where I had kicked Jesse through the wall. This house was beautiful and I destroyed it. I walked over to my window to see Ronald across the street talking on his cell phone. Why was he talking all the way over there? I didn't like it. I didn't know what he was up to but it didn't sit well with me. Had I made the wrong choice choosing Ronald to take me? Well only time will tell.
I walked around the house with my duffle bag grabbing small items I wanted to keep. Nothing much, a cup from the time Mom and I went to an amusement park together. A picture of me at my graduation ceremony holding my diploma. A picture of my mom that had been turned into a magnet from the fridge. A snow globe my dad had given me for Christmas the year before he died. It was the last Christmas we ever spent together. Lastly was a picture of my mom and dad when I was a baby. Mom was standing behind dad with her arms over his shoulders hugging him and I was sitting on dad's lap with my back up against him. I was holding one of dad's large fingers with my tiny hand. I couldn't have been older than six or seven months old. It's the only picture of all three of us together.
Once I was done I went about getting enough clothes to last two weeks. Satisfied I had gotten everything I wanted from my room I headed for the bathroom. Stepping out of my door I almost ran right into Mac.
I had noticed Mac watching me since I was downstairs getting the pictures. He had been following me everywhere looking at me like he had something to say. I stood there looking up into his amber eyes. They weren't dark brown like other African Americans I'd met. His skin was much lighter as well.
I'm a huge fan of light skinned men. I like the way tattoos looked in contrast to their light skin. I love tattoos on men. Mac has what looks like dragon tattoos on both of his biceps. It's a long dragon like a Chinese dragon which was wrapped around his bicep.
Mac opened his mouth to say something but then closed it again. He did this a couple of times before grabbing my hand and dragging me into the bathroom, locking the door. He turned around and turned on the shower and both sinks on the double sink counter before finally saying something.
"Please choose someone else to take you." Mac pleaded, squeezing the sides of my arms as he held me.
"Mac, I've made my choice. I need you all to protect my mom. Ronald wont hurt me, stop worrying." I replied with a forced smile. I knew that smile didn't reach my eyes and I didn't believe a word of what I had said but what could I do.
"I can take you! I'm not much older then you no I would be a better choice right? I watched you these last four years. I hated leaving you with Ronald so much I even asked Jesse if I could move in here with you to keep an eye on you." Mac told me as he rested his forehead on my shoulder. I don't think he wanted me to see his face as he said all that.
"Mac you're Ruby's mate. I don't think you should be talking to me like this." I said as I pushed Mac away from me.
"No I'm not her mate. I may have a Pack Bond with her but I bit her when I was a kid just to join the pack. She's more like a mom then a mate. I just want to protect you. It doesn't have to be me. Just choose someone else damn it." Mac growled, slamming his fist on the counter.
"Even if she's not your mate I'm not either. Thank you for caring but Ronald's going to be the one to take me to Mexico. Please accept this. I've seen you watching me these past couple years. What I think you're feeling is only cause there's no one else around that's close to your age. I really need to finish getting ready so if you please." I said opening the bathroom door and motioning for him to leave.
"Damn it!" Mac hissed. He turned to leave the bathroom as I started to brush my hair. He stopped and glanced at me in the mirror watching me. With a sigh he turned back around and took the hair brush from me. Slowly he began to brush my hair starting from the bottom and working his way up.
With the look of sadness in his eyes I didn't have the heart to stop him. I stood there silently and watched as broken pieces seemed to fall from him with each stroke. I had always known he harbored some feelings for me since the first day I'd met him four years ago. You could see it in the way he looked at me.
I couldn't lie either. There was a connection between us but I didn't know what it was. It didn't feel like the connection I had with Tony. If what I felt for Tony was a mate bond then I didn't know what this was with Mac. Maybe it was just a simple crush like the humans had.
"Please be careful." Mac said, putting down the hair brush as he finished. He leaned down behind me and kissed the top of my head before turning around and walking out of the bathroom. He refused to look me in the eyes as he left.
I felt a pain in my heart watching him leave. I hated that my choices were hurting him but what could I do. If I let him take me he might then choose to stay with me in Mexico too. I didn't want to put him in danger if Tony's father came looking for me. Mac would put his life on the line to protect me and the only person I wanted to put in danger was Ronald.
"I'm sorry." I whispered as the door shut. I didn't hear Mac's footsteps walk away from the bathroom. He was standing outside the bathroom grinding his teeth. Finally after a minute or so he sighed and walked down the stairs. It must have taken a lot to walk away like that.
I no longer had the energy I had this morning as I finished getting what I needed from the bathroom. Walking downstairs everyone had gathered in the kitchen. Jesse had bags that smelled of eggs and hashbrowns. My mouth watered as I realized I hadn't eaten since yesterday morning.
"Breakfast anyone?" Jesse asked as he pulled containers out of the bags.
"Yes please." I replied. Jesse handed me a container. I looked up to grab it when I caught Ronald's eyes. He was smiling at me but his fake smile didn't reach his eyes. His eyes held a different kind of smile. One that made me worry.