The Secrets Out
When my eyes finally opened again I was back home, in my own bed. I sat up straight and could still feel the anger coursing through me, with that aside I knew I was mainly disgusted that Alexander would do that. I had just started to believe that he actually wasn't as horrible as we were told.
However, clearly, I was wrong. No sane being would do what he did, no one with actual feelings would snap the neck of a human being for no apparent reason.
Oh goddess, he better have a real reason as to why he did it â I'm disgusting for even trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Killing human's is inexcusable why am I trying to give him a way out.
Deciding that it was time to get out of bed and back into the swing of things here in the North Pack, I hopped out of bed and took a long bath. I tried to relax for as long as I could before my water would turn cold, so right as it started to get warm and not hot I bathed.
Stepping out I moisturised my body and brushed my hair, setting it in a bun. I pulled on my underwear then a pair of gym shorts and a sports bra. I definitely needed to go train, it had been far too long.
Opening my door I readied myself to speak to my parents, I knew it would be hard but of course, it had to be done. I walked down the stairs and quickly realised they weren't here still. When I had put on my smartwatch it had told me it was past ten in the morning.
Just as I walk out of the kitchen, with a slice of toast in my hand my parents walked in through the front door. At the sight of me my mother's face beamed with happiness, my father let out an audible sigh of relief.
"Elijah." My mom cried, pulling me into a hug.
I melted in her embrace, savouring her scent and the warmth she brought with this simple gesture, I missed her so much.
"I'm so sorry," I muttered.
"You're home, that's all that matters." She hummed.
She looked me up top to bottom as though trying to make sure it was really me, I guess I couldn't blame her. My father stood a few steps away watching us â or rather, watching me closely. I couldn't make out what was going on with him so I tried to move on from this welcome home atmosphere.
"I'm starving," I said just as I had put the last piece of my toast in my mouth.
"I bet you are, come on." My mom led me to the kitchen as if I wasn't familiar with my own house or hadn't just come from the very room.
"Pa?" He still hadn't said a word, just followed us into the kitchen.
"Where have you been Elijah?"
"I â" I didn't know what to say, "With Isaiah."
"You weren't kidnapped?"
"Goddess, no." I shook my head.
"I was just so shocked by Isaiah's story that I had to get away. I didn't... I couldn't understand how you guys could just cast out your only son like that. It got me thinking that it would be easy for you to cast, say me out if I did something or got framed." I sigh.
"Did your sister or Nicholas help you?"
"No! They played no part in any of this, I swear. Elisha tried to link me several times. I would either not reply or keep the wall up."
"We know. She would tell us. That was the only way we knew you were still alive. Elijah, Alpha Jay was so worried. You have no idea how sad he was. He didn't raise you to run away."
"I know." I solemnly say.
I would have to go see him, in the midst of it all I hadn't even thought of him â I hadn't thought about how it would affect him. Seeing him would be a really risky thing to do though, he knows me so well he could easily tell if I were lying or not. Unlike my parents, he would actually question why Isaiah's story affected me so much.
He would know the only way it could shake me up to this degree is if I were indeed hiding something and that would be deadly. So, before I even think about knocking on that door I would have to make sure I'm well prepared with a full proof story that makes any actual sense.
"Zeke was helping too." My mom added.
At the sound of his name, I automatically raise my head from chopping vegetables for lunch. My mother and I usually cook together so I don't mind doing this instead of training, I would spend as much time with my parents as they wanted.
"Zeke?" As if he heard us calling, he entered the house.
I did a double take as I heard the front door closed and saw his figure walk into the kitchen. I, first of all, could not believe he just walks into my home as if he owns it and I secondly couldn't believe his timing. Holy wow.
"Oh thank the Goddess." He hurriedly made his way towards me, wrapping his arms around me into a hug I didn't reciprocate making him pull away.
"I... We were so worried about you." He says
"Elijah!" I heard my sister call as she entered the house.
She came running with all the energy in the universe, she threw her arms around me and this hug I definitely returned. I was more than excited to see my sister, I had missed her quite a bit, to be honest, and her constant updates were greatly appreciated.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"I'm okay." I smiled.
My best friend appeared just as I moved away from my sisters' embrace and I nearly broke out in a cry. He reminded me of poor Ryan.
"Nic." I smiled just as a lone tear slid down my cheek.
"Hey, hey. No need to cry." He wiped the tear.
"I'm just really happy to see you," I say turning to the others I say, "I'm sorry, can I just steal Nic away for a moment?"
The question was more directed to Elisha, "Actually, my sister too. We'll be back in a second, you'll be okay Ma?"
She nods and waves us off, we take the signal and walk up the stairs and into my bedroom where I shut the door and Nicholas the windows. Knowing the drill as I obviously had tons of things to tell them.
I might as well start including Elisha too so that she doesn't go commanding information out of Nic ever again. Also, I did feel immensely guilty that I was leaving her out in all of this.
"So much has happened but at the same time so little has happened since I left," I said as I sat on my couch that looks out into my window.
I started my story from the beginning, from the moment when I stepped foot into that boat all the way to when I woke up this morning.
I told them all about Ryan and how sweet he was to me, how he was the first person to approach me and welcome me. The only friend I had made who genuinely made me feel like I was just out with Nic.
I told them how beautiful it was to get all that time with Isaiah, it obviously didn't make up for the years we have missed but it did make me warm up to him a little more.
Elisha was the first to speak once I was done, her eyes shone with unshed tears at seeing me tear up, "I'm sorry Eli, I'm sure he was a great person."
"He really was, he didn't deserve to die." I sniffed.
"Did something happen between the two of you?"
"What?" I snapped my head in Nicholas' direction.
"Nicholas!" Elisha exclaimed.
I actually could not believe he'd ask me such a question, I have a mate what business do I have getting cosy with anyone else? Nevermind the other person being human, that's just incredibly vile and disrespectful.
"I respect my mate, Nicholas." I snapped.
He held his hands up in mock surrender, "I was only asking, you're awfully teary-eyed for someone you knew for a week and a bit."
"Unbelievable," I mutter.
"Someone's clearly jealous," Elisha said.
"Jealous?" I query.
She eyed Nicholas, obviously waiting for him to speak his truth.
He huffed sticking his tongue out at his mate before beginning, "You iced me out, Eli. Me, your best friend. Do you understand how hurtful that is? Then you come back here talking about some guy who reminded you of me."
I almost laughed, Elisha was snickering in silence and I wanted to join her. However, Nicholas' face was dead serious he was genuinely complaining about this and I don't know if he knew it but his lips were pouted and the crossed arms all made it that much funnier. I didn't know how else to contain myself â I laughed.
"Nicholas, that's ridiculous are you insinuating I shut you out and became friends with Ryan to purposefully forget and therefore replace you? I could never, you're one of a kind." I walked over to him and pulled him in for a hug.
"Break it up." Alexander's voice sounded.
I slowly let go of Nic, "What the hell do you want? How freaking dare you think you can come into my home and tell me what to do after you killed him."
"Why in the fuck is your sliding door always unlocked?" Elisha shakes her head.
He rolled his eyes, "Ryan was not the person you thought he was. He wasn't even human. Do you really think a human could withstand that kind of a beating? Please," He scoffed, "You need to sit in on a few tortures. Ryan was a werewolf. He only befriended you to deliver information to his boss, my bet is he probably wasn't even going to let you leave."
"What? How would he... Oh my god, I told him about you. I changed your last name but if he's a werewolf he obviously knows I was talking about you."
I didn't tell him everything but I told him enough for him to piece together the puzzle pieces. I basically put together most of the damn puzzle.
"Exactly. So, thanks to you. You might really have something to run away from now because I assure you there's a real threat now."
"But â"
"We will walk down these steps right now and tell your parents the truth whether or not they accept this," He gestured to us, obviously meaning the bond, "I don't give a shit. You will be living with me now."
"What?"
"That way I can protect you. I can't run through all this land just to get to you. You could be dead by the time I arrive. If you're with me, I can protect you."
Someone knew. I let them know, the secret's out. It's only a matter of time before they start acting on this. Alex is right, the closer I am to him the better. As much as it will probably pain me to live with him, at least there I'll be alive. If I stay here I'm putting the whole Pack into danger.
"I understand." I nodded.
This is all my fault, I can't believe I was that trusting of someone. I can't believe I didn't listen to Isaiah when he said it was best I don't say anything incriminating to Ryan. Now, look at me, the cause of my own impending demise.
"Do you know who Ryan told?" Nic asks.
"I do."
"Are they dangerous?" I whisper.
"I wouldn't be moving you in if he weren't."
Dun
Dun
Duuuuuuuun