Chased (The Graysen Pack Series) (19 page)

             
“Listen; after we eat I have to talk to Zorin. I have to find out what is wrong with me. My wolf has a defect.”

             
“It’s not the wolf that’s defective.” We laughed and walked out of the room.

             
That is when the stares started. I could feel it from all angles as we walked. Even behind me I could feel it. “This is uncomfortable.”

             
“Don’t you worry about them? They are just jealous.” She nudged me with her elbow. “No, seriously, you are going to love everybody once you get to know them. They are like a big sorority only with more rules. I have made some friends that I can’t wait for you to meet.”

             
That made me a little sad. I hadn’t been participating in her life and I knew it. She was moving on from my friendship. I just kept staring at my feet as I walked. I felt like a girl who didn’t deserve her best friend.

             
“Would you stop beating yourself up, I know what you are doing. I love you the most. You are my only BFF.” She put her arm around my shoulder.

             
“How can you say that? I haven’t been there for you at all these past few weeks. It’s been about me the whole time. I’m selfish, and I don’t deserve you.”

             
“You’re right. You are a selfish bitch. Feel better?”

             
“Yes, I do, thanks.” I laid my head on her shoulder as we made our way to the kitchen. “Do you think it is okay for us to just help ourselves to the kitchen?” I asked Sam.

             
“Oh yeah, they said to make myself at home, and I have. No one will be in here to cook for another couple of hours,” she said as she slipped the frozen pizza into the oven.

             
We sat on the bar stools waiting for the pizza to cook. It took me about five seconds to realize I hadn’t heard either one of the guy’s thoughts since I woke. They were giving me my space. I asked for it. It took about five more seconds to lose complete control. I said I needed time. But girls never mean what they say. I didn’t want space, I wanted someone to touch me and to love me and tell me everything was okay.

             
I started crying uncontrollably, and Sam was there for me again. I owed her. I didn’t have to explain to her why I was so upset. She knew. How could I get so worked up about them? I could feel my body doing that shaking thing again. I knew it was because I was so upset. It only seemed to happen when it came to the whole mating thing. It was like a trigger to the half wolf inside of me. The thought of Zee and Gage nowhere near was causing mating withdrawals. That is what I liked to call it.

             
The sobbing continued and I had no control. I loved them.
O’ geez, I said, them.

             
“Sam, I am screwed. What am I supposed to do?” I cried some more into Sam’s shoulder.

             
Sam was getting ready to speak when the door burst open.

             
“Are you okay? I could feel that you were upset. I’m sorry to barge in.”

             
I lifted my head from Sam’s shoulder. The tears continued to fall down.

             
“Oh, Princess, come here.” Gage pulled me into him and wrapped his strong arms around me. I could finally breathe and the shaking stopped, just like it did with Zee. He didn’t say a word. He held me so close to him that I could feel his heart beating. His warm hands rubbed circles on my back.

             
“Ahem,” Zee cleared his throat. “I just came to check on you, but it looks like I am to slow.” He turned and walked out.

             
“Damn it,” I slammed my fist down on the counter.

             
“I am sorry,” Gage said.

             
“It’s not your fault.”

             
“That reminds me. You still owe me a fight.” He winked at me.

             
The timer went off on the oven; I was “saved by the bell.”

             
“Good thing, because I was beginning to think I should have paid money for the show. Now, I’m demanding a refund,” Sam blurted.

             
I rolled my eyes at her. “Let’s eat. I am starving, and I have a very important meeting after this. Then when I am all finished, you and I are having a much needed slumber party. So your job is to find us a good movie,” I said when I bit into the pizza.

             
“Right on, Chick,”

              After we ate I went to find Zorin for my talk. I had a feeling that I knew where he would be.

             
I opened the door to the library. “Come in, Avery. I have been expecting you.” Zorin spoke in his intimidating voice, the one that would make the hair on my neck stand. I shivered.

             
I walked in closing the door behind me. Laney was standing with him. It was a very nice surprise to see her. I smiled at her and she returned it. She rushed over to me quickly and embraced me in one of her warm motherly hugs, and I needed it. Somehow I felt guilty since I had been caught in the arms of someone who was not her son.

             
“I’m glad to see you. You look much better.” Her concern was real.

             
“I do feel better, at least on the outside.”

             
“I know.” She rubbed my head running her hands down my hair. “Come over here. Let’s sit down and talk. Your mother should be here any minute. I asked her to be a part of this. I knew you would be missing her, and she would help to comfort you.”

             
“Thank you. I have missed her.” I said as I sat down onto the couch. This was the couch where I had shared a steamy embrace with their son. I cleared my throat and tried not to think about it.

             
“Mom,” I yelled when she came through the door. I ran to her and hugged her. I let out a loud sigh before starting to cry. I must have missed her more than I thought. She gave me one of those hugs that told me everything would be all right. It was a hug that felt safe and secure, like no one could hurt me at that very moment.

We stayed that way a while, long enough for us to quit crying. We never cried alone. It was an unspoken promise, and we never broke it.

We stepped back a little and she let go of our embrace. She led the way over to the couch, holding my hand.  I noticed that her temperature had changed dramatically. She felt much hotter now. She looked beautiful as well. There were no more scars on her face or arms. I let my eyes wander, watching her movements. She was different, in a way I had never seen before. Even her eyes were brighter and clearer.

“I’m glad we are all together. We have some things to discuss.” Zorin sat down in the chair next to us.
Laney stood by his side.

There was a knock on the door. Before anyone could answer, someone opened it.

“I’m sorry, Alpha.” Eli bowed his head. My dad was actually the last person I was expecting.

“Can we help you?” Zorin asked.

“I thought I should be a part of this.”

“You are her father. It is fine with me that you are involved, but I will allow her to decide if she wants you here.” His eyes stared into mine. He was awaiting an answer.

“Fine,” I said.

H
e stood behind the couch where Mom and I sat. We all shared an eagerness to get the show on the road.

“We have a lot to discuss. First thing on the agenda is Paige. I have learned that she is your daughter Eli. Am I correct?”

“Yes,” he answered with little hesitation.

“I need to know why we were never informed of this, until now.”

There was a short pause before he answered. I turned in my seat to see his face. “I apologize, Alpha sir. I am sorry that I kept it a secret. Once again I have made irrational decisions that did not affect the wolf inside of me. I had a child with a woman from another pack. We were obviously not mates. She passed away giving birth to Paige, and I did the only thing I could do. I raised her. I told everyone here that I found her on a hunt, and that we would make a home for her here. All of my female pack members were overjoyed. She had a little piece of heaven here, and so many that loved her. It all worked out so well that I continued to keep it a secret. It was wrong and I knew it. I still didn’t care.

However, I never expected this from her. She was a good kid. I don’t understand where the hatred came in. She is a young wolf; she shouldn’t be experiencing the
withdrawal from not being mated, not so soon anyway. But it seems to me that is what’s happening. I’m scared for her, but I know that she deserves to be punished. I will accept, and allow, which ever punishment you see fit.”

“I have listened to your explanation and I understand your reasoning behind keeping this secret, but it will not ha
ppen again. You have sanctuary here, if you choose to abide by the rules. This pack is your family and protection. Without them you will not survive alone. Please remember this; you will not have a second chance. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Alpha Sir.”

“As far as a punishment is concerned, I am not sure what will happen. She is contained here at the house for her sake. The pack leaders will convene tomorrow. They will discuss the situation, but because it was such a severe crime, she will most likely go to trial.”

“I understand. I assumed this would be the course of action, as it should be. I would like to be able to visit her. Can that be permitted?”

“Yes,” Zorin answered quickly. “She can have visitors if she would like, but she will stay confined until pack trial is over.

Dad didn’t say anything more, he just nodded his head.  

“Do you understand that you will have to be involved in the trial process?” Zorin asked me. I did. I just shook my head yes, and didn’t offer any response. “This means you will not be permitted to leave until trial is over.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“Now, let’s get on to other important matters. It seems Ava here is able to hear the thoughts of two of our boys. Both Zenick and Gage have communicated with her on several occasions through their thoughts. This is very rare.”

“I am defective.”

“No dear, you aren’t. This is rare, but it has happened on one other occasion.” Laney spoke to me.

“Seriously, this has happened to someone before? What did they do? Is that person still alive? I need
to know what is going to happen.” I rambled on like a crazy person. I automatically assumed this had never happened before.

“Slow down. No one had ever asked her of her experience. We only know what she has told us over the years. She is still alive. I am
sure that she would love to speak to you. She is a great woman.”

“Who is she?” I asked Laney, but it was Zorin that spoke.

“My mother, Oma, is the one. She and my father live in Germany. They were former Alpha and Alpha female of this pack. I spoke with her earlier and she has agreed to speak with you. She is also half human, half wolf.”

“That is wonderful
, Dear,” my mom spoke to me. I was in shock for a moment.

“Yes, it is. I am thrilled. I thought I was a freak, and now I kno
w I am not alone. It feels nice, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulder.”

             
“She has agreed to come to us, since the trial will be taking place very soon. I don’t know if she will have all the answers, but she did tell me something to get you started. She said that regardless if you hear both thoughts, you still only have one true mate. It is harder because you don’t know your inner wolf. It is so dormant inside of you, that it doesn’t make the decisions you need for it to. She said that you must find out who completes you?”

             
“Oooookaaaayyy, and exactly how do you propose I do that?”

             
“She didn’t say exactly. This is the only advice I have for you so far.” He shrugged his shoulders. “She will be here within the next couple of days and you can ask her for yourself.”

             
I didn’t have any words. I let out a deep breath trying to take in my first piece of advice. It seems it would be like driving a car blindfolded; impossible.

             
“If I may suggest something,” Mom spoke to the entire room.

             
“Of course,” Laney replied.

             
“Avery dear, you barely know these boys. I think it best that you get to know them. I believe that you can learn a lot about a person by just sharing some much needed time together. Maybe if you got to know them, you could tell which of them you were supposed to be with.”

             
“Like date them both,” I gave her a questioning look.

             
“Well kind of. You need to speak to both of them and explain the situation. Do not do anything that they don’t want to do. But maybe a couple of dates with each of them would help you to decide. I know it seems unfair, but I don’t see any other way.”