Seven

"We're going shopping," Lainee and Blaine said in unison.

Allen and Layton stood in front of us with their arms crossed and stern looks on their faces. I on the other hand am freaking out. I have no money!

I thought we were coming to the office to ask about getting pizza! Not shopping! I've only known them for a week, I don't want them spending their money on me. It's bad enough I've had to wear their clothes. I don't want them to use their own money on me.

Sensing my panic, Allen's face softened.

"I'm fine with it," he said glancing at his alpha with an expectant gaze.

Layton finally cracked and rolled his eyes.

"Fine, but be home by 7. You have 3 hours, take my debit card," he sighed.

My eyes bulged out of my head. Lainee and Blaine didn't seem affected, almost like it was normal. Lainee ran up to her mate who was handing his card to her, and kissed him goodbye.

"Don't miss me too much," she taunted seductively.

His eyes darkened a bit, but she walked away, grabbing me and Blaine on her way out the door. Though I couldn't help but notice the extra sway she put in her hips.

"Be careful!" Allen shouted after us.

The girls just giggled in reply and I just kinda walked awkwardly behind them. This is all so new to me. I've never been to the mall. I've only been to the grocery store!

"Which one?" Blaine asked me.

I looked around our surrounding and noticed we're in a garage full of cool cars. There were at least 15. This is amazing! How could I possibly choose one? My eyes scanned them all, a white Jeep catching my attention.

"How about that one?" I suggested, pointing at it.

Blaine nodded and grabbed the keys off of a hook.

"I call shotgun!" Lainee shouted.

She took off running to the car at the end of the garage.

"No way! You got it last time!" Blaine screamed after her.

I chuckled to myself. This is such a great feeling I haven't had for so long. I feel like I am right where I should be. We should be with Tate, Aura growled.

"Hey Chan? Wanna drive?" Lainee asked from the front seat of the Jeep.

I stopped dead in my tracks. Me drive? I would drive to the store back home, but I never was allowed to drive the expensive cars.

"Are you sure?" I asked cautiously.

Blaine rolled her eyes.

"Yes we're serious! Come on. You know how to drive right?" I nodded slowly.

The girls' faces lit up and Lainee tossed me the keys. I fumbled them in my hands then got in the drivers seat.

"Uh how do I get there?" I asked meekly, coming to the end of the long driveway.

The highway in front of me was deserted thankfully.

"Take a left," Blaine said.

I did just as she said and kept the speed at 35 mph. I don't want to wreck it, then they'd hate me.

"You can speed up. It's ok," Lainee assured me.

"I don't want to wreck your car," I admitted sheepishly.

Lainee chuckled.

"You'll be fine. If you wreck...you wreck it's okay. I trust you," she said.

I smiled brightly. Aura got excited at her Luna's acceptance.

*

*

*

"How do you do this?!" I whined.

The several bags on my arms were starting to dig into my wrists.

"We're what you call 'shopaholics.' We can do this for hours upon hours and not be a tiny bit fatigued. You should be happy we're leaving now!" Blaine exclaimed.

They go longer?

We placed our bags into the car and I couldn't help but think about Tate and I's shopping trip that never happened. This thought made Aura whimper. I wish he wanted us.

"Would you like to drive home?" Blaine asked, breaking me from the depressing thought.

Immediately I shook my head.

"I don't trust myself. I'm about to fall asleep!"

They giggled and Lainee got in the drivers seat while I got into the back this time.

"We should throw a party. Not a crazy one but an elegant one with pretty dressers and everything," Lainee said out of the blue while we pulled out of the mall parking lot.

I smiled. That would be simply amazing! I got a ball gown today, so did Lainee and Blaine.

"We totally should! That would be awesome. What do you think Chan?" Blaine asked excitedly, looking back at me.

I nodded, a big grin plastering my face.

"I think it would be amazing!"

They squealed and I giggled.

The rest of the way back to the pack house we sang along to the radio. I learned a lot of good songs and I'm pretty sure music is now my favorite thing in the world, especially that new song Issues by Julia Roberts. The girls like it too.

"What should the colors be for the ball?" Lainee asked.

I thought for a moment.

"Something elegant?" I replied, more as a question.

She nodded in agreement, the voice of Justin Bieber singing what I learned was called "sorry," softly playing on the radio.

"We could do royal blue and black. Those are basic colors and they're complementary to our dresses...kind of," Blaine said, sounding unsure about the last part.

Lainee and I chuckled.

"That's perfect."

When we pulled into the garage at 6:59, all three of us got our bags out of the trunk and took them inside.

"Well they're back on time. I guess I owe you ten bucks now Layton," we heard Allen say from the kitchen defeatedly.

We all laughed at once set our bags down on the countertop. I noticed Allen's slumped down position and laughed harder. Layton of course just looked smug but when his eyes caught mine I sensed something was wrong.

The girls felt it too and quit laughing.

"What's going on babe?" Lainee questioned her mate.

He looked down, playing with his hands nervously. She walked over to him ran her hand through her hair.

"Layton," she warned.

He sighed and looked back up at us.

"I got a call from Shadow Moon the other day."

My heart fell. Allen came up behind me and soothingly rubbed my back.

He's looking! He wants us! Aura practically sang in my mind.

I, however, don't know what to feel.

"They told me that they'd be hosting a meeting at some point to arrange help to find his mate. I got another call about an hour ago..." I looked at him expectantly.

He sighed again and shut his eyes.

"Chan the meeting is tomorrow." My breath left my lungs and I collapsed on my knees.

Allen squatted down beside me, trying to calm me. Aura was yipping happily and I was close to hyperventilating in rage!

"That lying, asshole! Thinks he's got the right to come crawling back to me so soon!"

The lights flickered, but I wasn't done. I rose from my position on the ground and clenched my fists.

"He can't just do that! Does he even realize what he did?"

The lights completely went out and a orange light surrounded me. Blaine stepped back against the countertop and I could sense her fear.

"I can't believe him!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Everyone flinched and a gust of wind swirled through the air. Layton stood up and stalked towards me.

"Chan, I won't tell him you're here. I promise."

I unclenched and clenched my fists, shaking my head.

"No. I can't let you lie. I'm leaving. I'm running. I'm sorry but I've been abused my whole life. I refuse to be used like this."

Channing you promised if we joined and he came looking, we'd give him another shot. Aura pleaded.

I scoffed inwardly to her.

He didn't actually come here and find us.

She growled and retreated to the back of my mind.

I grabbed my bags from the granite slab and started up the stairs to my room that they gave me. I heard foot steps follow me.

"Channing don't leave," Allen pleaded from behind me.

I turned to him, a solemn expression plastered onto my face.

"I thought I wanted him to want me and find me, but hearing this...Allen the only part of me that wants to go back to him is my wolf, and that's just because of this damn mate pull!

"I can't stay here to risk your pack. I can't let Alpha Layton lie and then they later find out and start a war. I won't do it," I breathed out, slumping my shoulders in defeat, like a little kid who was just told they couldn't go to their friend's house.

He nodded and put his hands in his pockets. I know he doesn't want to argue with me, or try to make me stay. I know he understands that his pack would be in danger.

"Where will you go?" I shrugged and closed my eyes to stop any potential tears.

"I don't know," I cracked out.

Before I knew it he had me in his arms. My wolf didn't like this, especially with the news, but I did. He was warm and caring. I thought of him as the brother I never really had. Him and Layton both and Lainee and Blaine were like my sisters. We've grown so close in this past week.

I found myself crying into my interim brother's shoulder and him comfortingly rubbing my back.

"It'll be alright. Maybe he'll give up and you can come back," he whispered, pulling away a little soon for my liking.

His hands gripped my face and wiped my tears away.

"I hope so. You guys are like the family I've never had," I admitted through my attempt to quit sobbing.

He smiled sadly.

-

That night I lied in my soft, warm bed, surrounded by the grey walls and white and black decor. This room is more modern than the room Tate gave me at Shadow Moon. I loved that room. Honestly, I've considered going back just so I could use that amazing jacuzzi tub.

We should just go. Hand ourself over to him. He may find us eventually, Aura pointed out.

I sighed knowing she's right, but I don't want to seem weak. I'm strong.

I'll think about it. We'll let Alpha Layton attend the meeting before we make any decisions.

She grumbled. I rolled my eyes and tossed in my dark sheets, before drifting to sleep.

The next day, all five of us were on edge. Layton even snapped at the woman who was assigned to cook lunch today because she didn't run the dishwasher. That poor woman broke down and Lainee had to assure her he's just having a bad day; she's not having a great one either though. I sat at the large dining room table, tapping my forefinger against the oak wood.

Since I've been in here everyone has known to stay away. I know they don't know that Tate is my mate, but I guess some way they understand my pain.

"Want some red?" Blaine asked, breaking me from my thoughts.

She held a bottle of wine in the doorway with a nervous smile gracing her lips. I smiled and waved her over.

"Please. I don't think I can go on any longer like this." She nodded and grabbed a couple glasses before coming and plopping down next to me.

"Allen mind-linked me earlier. He said him and Layton are close to the Shadow Moon borders."

I sighed and nodded, pouring myself a glass of wine; something I've never had before but I think today is a good day to try it. I stared at the red liquid before taking a sip, almost moaning at the taste. It was sweet, but bitter at the same time; my new favorite beverage.

"Have you never had wine?" Blaine asked.

I looked up at her amused expression and slightly blushed.

"I've seen the women in my pack have it before. But no. I've never had it," I replied sheepishly.

Her amused look faltered a bit, making me feel a little guilty.

"It's okay though. I'm not even 21 yet." She chuckled and held her glass out.

My brows furrowed causing her to laugh.

"You clink it." My mouth turned into an "O" shape and I clinked my glass against hers, taking another sip straight after.

"Would you go back to him?" She asked after a couple seconds.

Aura perked up and pushed to tell her yes, but I shoved her back.

"I don't know," I replied honestly because I really don't know if I even could.

We would.

I scoffed at my wolf's positivity.

Blaine sat down her glass and stood up.

"We should do something."

"Like...." I trailed off.

She thought for a moment before a smug look took over her face.

"Let's go train," she said.

I grinned widely. Training was always something I enjoyed. The only thing as a matter of fact. I chugged the last of my wine then got up.

"That sounds great. Want to invite Luna?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Let's go get dressed then we can work out some of your feelings. Literally." I giggled and nodded before going to my room and throwing on a sports bra that shows off my birthmark and hot pants.

When I got down to the training field, the scents of all the members here filled my nose. I looked around and saw men and women of all ages sparring and doing workouts. This pack is definitely larger than Cresshaw.

I spotted Lainee and Blaine by the gym and made my way over to my friends. They were speaking in hushed tones but stopped abruptly when I came up. Lainee gave me a polite smile but I could tell it was fake.

"What's up?" I questioned them.

Blaine kept her eyes on the ground.

"Layton linked me. Tate has requested a search on everyone's land. The other Alphas agreed and Layton didn't want to seem conspicuous," Lainee rushed out.

I felt panicked but Aura howled in approval.

"What do you mean?" She shook her head.

"Chan, they're going to search the land. They're going to smell you. There's no way we can get your scent out in time. Greenwood is closest to Shadow Moon, we're going to be the first one he searches," she said, her voice full of panic like myself.

I stiffened and rolled my shoulders back, keeping my head high.

"What do you want to do?" Blaine asked quietly.

"Para proteger nuestra raza. I will stay here and go with him."

I will protect this pack.