My father continues the grilling. “For now, let’s speak of this girl. You know she cannot stay here.”Before I can argue, Mother comes to Cynthia’s defense. “She should remain until we can release her safely. We need to understand her purpose…there is a reason the rogues seek her. We need to know why.”“We could set a trap,” Owein suggests.“Now wait a minute…” I yell, springing forward.To do what, I don’t know—but
Alex grabs my other hand and squeezes it gently to get my attention. “You okay?”I nod, maybe a little too emphatically.I look around at everyone. They’re holding conversations just like normal people. If I didn’t know better, I would think they were. In fact, nothing up to this point has seemed out of place. Well, other than Alex’s parents, who speak formally and sound like they’re already centuries old.I look at Alex. He fits in here. That makes my heart hurt because…well…I don’t.
If I look offended, it’s because I am. Alex recoils at my expression, and now it’s his turn to stammer.“Uh…yeah…no, I—I didn’t mention it because it’s not important right now.”He squints his disapproval at Tala, but her demeanor remains soft and warm, like she knew what his reaction would be and is unaffected by it.“I disagree,” she replies. “Don’t you, Cynthia?”“I do!” I place my hand on Alex’s
I can’t help but wonder if he’s thinking about his brother.I can’t really see anything as we stroll through the forest. I don’t have night vision. Fortunately, Alex does. This makes it even more magical when the trees clear to reveal the most beautiful scene.“Wow!” escapes my lips.There is a stream ahead of us. The moon is glistening off the water, creating sparkles of white dancing on the slow-moving, barely rippling surface of water. With the stars above and this stream at our feet, I can’t help but feel like I’m in a movie. Again
Alex leads me to a small room, simply furnished with a bed, a small chest of drawers, and mirror. If you expect homes in a pack base to be rustic, they’re not. In fact, this furniture looks antique and much nicer than what I have at home.He sets my overstuffed backpack down against the wall and looks around the room. He puts his hands in his back pockets and begins rocking on his heels. “It’s not much, but it’s clean.”“It’sss perfect.”I sit down on the bed and bounce a few times to test it. Alex takes this as an invitation and sits
It’s a long three days waiting for Alex’s birthday. I don’t leave the house much. Most of our meals are taken with just the family, and Alex disappears frequently to either sit with his brother or take care of pack business in his brother’s stead.His parents are also out most of the day, and Rita is gone to meet with the Malkeye pack, so I’m often left with my thoughts. Which is not good.But the first thing I do each morning is talk to my mom, to continually reassure her I’m okay. But to be honest, these talks also reassure me of the same. I need to know she’s not in danger, and when I ask her if she’s seen or hear
The next morning, the air in the house feels cool. I should have taken that as another sign. I wake up early with the anticipation of telling Alex happy birthday.I know his parents are planning a small, intimate breakfast celebration in spite of his wishes to be left alone. I helped them put up a few balloons the night before, and I hope this will lighten his mood a little.Honestly, I was surprised they thought to ask me to help, especially Mr. Hewlett. It made me feel included, like maybe they don’t disapprove of me being here after all.I was surprised to see Rita in the k
Rita and I haven’t spoken about it. She told me what happened with Ryan, the Malkeye Alpha, which is discouraging enough. If none of the Malkeye members have been attacked, then the rogues are exclusively after the Ayzena.And Cynthia. My heart aches just thinking about her, my damsel in distress. If there has ever been anyone—human or otherwise—I’ve felt the need to protect, it’s Cynthia.But I felt something stronger this morning. My body hummed with…adrenaline? Hell…I’m not sure. I was amped up, is all I know, which may explain the temper tantrum I threw. In hindsight, I think I may have overreacted.That’s embarrassing enough, but Rita? That my body so unmistakably reacted to her was not something I expected at all. I’m not sure I even like her as a friend, much less a mate. I’d even started to imagine myself with Cynthia. Living with her, being with her…I shake it off. I knew better. I only allowed those thoughts to make myself feel better in this shit show of a predicament I’m