Before I can stop myself I stop at the hospital. Through all of the things that happened I remember the fact that Hunter had paid for all of Gramps medical fees.
There was a piece of me that knows I shouldn’t accept his money. People don’t just give money like that away. There are always some type of strings attached. This is why I don’t like gifts. People don’t give things out of the goodness of their hearts they give it with the idea that eventually you’ll give them something else.
The problem with this is the majority of people want something more. Just like him. He thinks that by giving me this I’m gonna fold and offer myself to him.
It doesn’t work like that though.
If he wants his money back he can have it. I’m not doing what he wants. The fact that even my alpha agrees with me says something. We are never on the same page.
I don’t mind going under house arrest. With the idea that he’s being taken care of. When I get into his room I pull up a seat. I talk to him.
It’s here when I speak I tell him honestly. I found a friend. I tell him how much I miss him. I think about him all the time. I rest my head on his bed.
I close my eyes and drift off.
…
When I open my eyes it’s dark outside. I pull my head up. “Sorry, gramps. Alpha has me going on house arrest. I’m gonna stop by work and finish my shift then I’ll do as he said. So it may be a while til I can visit again.” I kiss his forehead and move away.
When I get in my truck I look at the time. Damn. It’s been so long by the time I get there it’ll be time for my shift regardless.
I’m sure it would be fine. I man it didn’t 100% go against what he said, so I should be alright.
I take a deep breath as I approach the road. I really should head home. Something tells me for once I should actually listen to the alpha. At the same time though he’s being unreasonable. When you look at the whole situation it’s not fair that I sacrifice my freedom for another.
My problem isn’t sacrificing my freedom for another person, it’s sacrificing my freedom for someone who doesn’t deserve it.
I pull into the parking lot. It was packed with cars. Why were there so many people. It makes no sense. I park in the back instead of the front.
The back door was propped open. I snuck into the back. I grab a spare apron. I should change but I simply slip the apron over my clothes.
I walk into the kitchen. “What the hell is going on?”
“Andy! It’s like you could sense I needed help. Your friend had asked if he could have a business dinner. I figured it would at most be 15 people but there’s over 50 people here.”I stop. Fear strikes me.
“What did you say?” My hands began to tremble. I already had my own answer when I smelled the air. I hadn’t smelled it because of all of the food. When I took a step back I could smell all of the wolf pheromones. They were having the pack meeting here.
“That friend of yours sure is popular. I don’t know how someone can know so many people.”
I need to get out of here before he can know I’m here.
“I’m sorry- I need to-” I begin to back away. When I run into something soft. The smell surrounds me. My lower lip trembles. I don’t need to look. I know who it is.
He lowers his head and plants a kiss by my ear. “You’re late.” He whispers right in my ear. I grab his arm and pull him out the back door. I don’t look him in the eyes. I don’t have to look at him to know I’m talking to him. I can’t bring myself to look into his eyes because it’ll bring me to my knees.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Well we needed to hold a pack meeting. I couldn’t help but notice that you weren't there. So I figured I would bring the meeting to you.” I continued to look away from him. I was upset. I don't want to look at him.
“My pack isn’t like most. I’m not required to be at a pack meeting. In fact most of the time it’s encouraged for me not to be there. Please Stop. I need you to listen to me. You deserve better than me. You need to stop trying to come after me, because the idea that you’re fated to be with a nobody is ridiculous.” It was quiet for a moment.
“Look in my eyes and say that once more.”He stood his ground.
“What?”
“I need you to look me in the eyes when you say that.” As he spoke he finally got close to me. He softly gripped my chin and made me look into his eyes. I couldn’t help the butterflies that flew in my stomach. Right above the butterflies was a solid knot.
“I need you to listen to me. You deserve better. My alpha even agrees with me. You’re putting your faith in something you know nothing about. You think you want a relationship, but you don’t. Not with me.” My voice trailed toward the end as the knot moved into my throat.
“You don’t know your own worth. You don’t seem to understand how amazing you are. I don’t deserve you but that doesn’t stop me from wanting you. You can lie to me all day and tell me you don’t want me, but the truth in the matter is there is something. A small feeling that you do want to be with me.” I bite my lip. He’s right. There is a small piece of me that does want him. A small feeling, but more than anything I feel as though it’s just attraction. The idea that someone wants me.
I try to pull away. He pulls me in tighter.
“I’m not going to give up on you. In fact- the reason I want you here is to speak in front of your pack with you. I need you to come and hear what I have to say.” He tried to pull me in with him but I stood.
“I can’t. I’m not supposed to even be here. My alpha wants us to end whatever this is between us. For once I agree with him. You won’t be happy with me.”
“How do you know I won’t be happy if you won’t even try!?”
“There are just some things you know. I know you will not be happy with me.” Once the words left my lips, my feet left the ground. He picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. I yelped with surprise and tried to get off his shoulder. “What are you doing?! Put me down!” I hit his back and he dragged me into the diner. I could hear all the commotion, when suddenly everyone went silent. At this moment I wished to be invisible. It was at this moment I really wished that I didn’t exist. The blood flowing to my head as I hung upside down really made my face red.
I moved my hands to cover my face. I really didn’t want to see the looks I was getting at this moment. Finally he stopped. He moved to set me down.My legs weren’t working. I continued to hide my face. I felt light headed when the blood rushed to flow through my body.
“What is the meaning of this?” I recognized that voice. I peered through my hands. Now I really felt fear. The alpha sat right in front of me.
“For someone who claimed another didn’t exist it’s awfully funny that I find him in the same diner I offered to treat you all at.” I tried to slip away, but Hunter’s hand tightened around my waist.
I could finally see the whole family. At least in terms of the alpha, his wife, and his children. Logan glared at me. I could sense the hate, the whole family didn’t like me. I’m not sure why they all hate me, but it is a family thing.
I really wanted to get out of here, more than normal. The gaze that hit me harder than everyone’s was that of the alpha. I knew he was angry. I knew my life was about to get way worse. The anger seemed to radiate off of him.
“Ah yes. It’s funny I told our omega who has been sick to stay home so as to not to spread his germs. I hope you’re feeling better.” I chuckle nervously.
“Yes sir.” Although most people wouldn’t notice any ill intention, I could tell there was venom laced with each of his words towards me.
“Well now that you’ve come here I’m sure you would want to go home and catch up on rest.” I nodded. I felt sick. I couldn’t help but imagine all of the terrible things that I felt would happen soon. I feel as though compared to what my life currently was, it would be nothing which was to come.
Before I was able to move. Hunter spoke.
“The reason I wanted to bring him in front of all of you. In olden days things were done differently. Many times packs would only come together because of love. It was a way to strengthen bonds and increase territory. I didn’t plan on coming to you territory to fall in love, but I have. To finalize the treaty between our two packs I want to offer marriage. I want to bond with your omega Andy.” I stared at him with horror. What the hell did he just say?
“No.” The words fell from my lips.
“I need a word with Andy.” This time it was the alpha who spoke. I was guided outside once more. I was alone with the alpha.
“This is going to be quick. You will marry him. You will bond with him and do whatever it is you must to make him happy.”
“No. Why should I sacrifice my own happiness for this? All you have ever done is ruin my life. I’ve never done anything to you, you have no reason to act this way towards me!” I don’t know what this sudden burst of confidence was.
“I do actually. Your mother was supposed to be my mate and yet- she ran off with another man. I loved her, I gave her everything she could’ve ever wanted. She had the audacity to cheat on me with a rogue. My problem with you. You’re a constant reminder of her. When I see you walk down the halls I see her. I loved her with my whole heart and yet she left me, she never said goodbye simply just left and one day dropped you off. The child that wasn’t even mine. After everything she wanted me to take her supid child. I guess she will get her wish because I’m now going to marry you off to one of the best alphas out there. Get your ass in there and do as I say.” I went quiet. He pulled me away. We went back into the restaurant. I couldn’t hear. Nothing but a ringing in my ear. I couldn’t move.
Everyone left. I know things were paid. I was alone in the diner, it wasn’t until a splash of water hit my face I seemed to be awoken from my trance. Angie looked at me, she seemed concerned.
I got to my feet. I choked out the words “I’m fine.”
I wasn’t fine. I was far from being fine. You could use any type of word other than that to describe me and it would be better.
I didn’t know how I was moving but somehow I got home. The door closed behind me. I was numb. I wasn’t til I saw wolf I started sobbing.
His arms wrapped around me. Logically I should’ve pushed him away but instead I wrapped my arms around his neck and sobbed into him. His warmth brought me comfort. His smell made me feel something.
He held me. My legs stopped working and I leaned into him for support. He was gentle and careful. I had finally calmed down. My sobs were now quiet, the shaky breath still remained.
There was a soft glow from the candle light.
He whipped my face. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “It’s so messed up. I found out why I’ve been treated so cruelly. Apparently my mother left the alpha. I was supposed to have a good life, but was instead abandoned. Then my should’ve been father is forcing me to marry your brother. I really don’t want to. This whole situation makes no sense.”
He pulled me into his chest. “I’m here. We’ll figure something out. Ok?” It was in this moment I realized even though I was all alone there was still someone here with me. Someone who didn’t expect anything from me. Someone who genuinely was on my side.
“Promise, promise me you won’t abandon me too.”
“I promise.” I laid my head on his chest and allowed myself to trust for the first time in a long time.
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