Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Alessia’s POV

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1 sit alone, wallowing in self-pity and tired to the f u c k i n g bone. What had started out as a wonderful night has now left me depressed and more tired than I was before.

Sighing. I lean back against the tree behind me, wondering when Caden will deem it fit for us to go back to the pack house. It isn’t going to be anytime soon that’s for sure.

“I thought I saw you,” A voice says from above me and I look up to find Jake staring down at me with a beam on a face.

“Hey, I say, my mood lifting up a little with the presence of my new friend.

He lowers himself and sits on the log with me. “How are you enjoying the party?” He drops the bottle in his hand onto the sand.

“It’s fun. I may not have done much since I got here but even then I have to admit that the party is lively. My sullen mood just won’t let me make the most of it

Since I have Jake beside me, someone who has been a member of the pack forever, I ask him the question on my mind,

“Do you all throw a party for anyone moving out of the pack house?” I ask, turning my body a bit to the side to face him.

He smiles as though remembering fun memories. “We mostly do. Though sometimes, we just have a special dinner when we can’t find the time to throw something of this sort. He gestures to the extravagant decorations around us. “And Alex and Scarlett have important places in the pack so it was a must that this party was held.” Turning to face me. “Why did you ask?”

I shake my head, turning the face of the party again. “No reason. Was just wondering.”

“You guys didn’t do this at your pack?” He asks.

1 stiffen.

This is the first question that Jake has asked me in relation to my other life and I think he just realized that

too.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to p r o d,” he rushes out, looking frightened at the prospect of upsetting me.

Sighing, I shake my head. “You didn’t p r o d and no, we didn’t do this from where I’m from.” Jake was my friend and he deserved to be told a little truth. “I didn’t live with a pack,” I whisper lowly, praying that somehow he wouldn’t hear me. But he did.

His breath hitch. “You’re a rouge?” He sounds more surprised than anything and that gives me hope that he won’t suddenly start avoiding me.

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Chapter 24

“Yes, I am,” I confess, waiting to see what the verdict is. Is he going to start avoiding me or is this moment going to provide me with a trustworthy friend?

I wait on bated breath for his next words or action.

“That must have been hard on you,” he says and my head whips in his direction to find him giving me a look that I could only describe as sympathetic. “I can’t imagine not being in this pack. How do you do it?”

My eyes water, the sadness within me encompassing at his question.

1126 His hand falls to mine resting on the log. “You have a pack now.” He smiles weakly. “You may not have the pack link but you have me as a friend and I would love to be in a pack with you.

I turn away, blinking rapidly to hide the tears trying to escape. I didn’t expect this.

“Enough about this emotional c r a p. He chuckles, standing up and downing the rest of his drink in one go. Then he drops the bottle back onto the floor and smiles at me mischievously. “Do you want to see something cool?”

I nod without thinking and follow him further into the woods, not caring about what Caden may do when he finds out that I left.

Jake leads us further and further into the woods until he stops at a…cliff?

rocks. It’s breathtaking and I stare at it in

1 inch closer and look down the edge to see waves crashing into awe, mesmerized by the way the tides and waves seem to be at war.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe out, still looking at the sight down the cliff.

“It’s one of the best places in the pack. A lot of people know about it but at night, it’s the perfect place to sneak away to for a little me time.” He looks over to me, lifting a brow. “Do you want to jump in?”

My eyes widen as I look down at the rocks I can see in the water. Someone could get seriously injured if they landed on them. “Nah, I’m good,” I say, inching away from the edge, my self-preservation skills kicking in.

“Suit yourself. I’m going in.” He whips off his shirt and shoes, and jumps in, screaming along the way.

Waiting, I search for any sign of him in the bottomless water and let out a sigh of relief when his head.

pops out.

“This is f u c k i n g awesome,” he yells out and I laugh, lowering myself down to the ground and sitting at the edge to watch him play around in the water.

He gets out of the water about half an hour later all wet and dripping. He shakes his hair, spraying the water all over me like a dog. Well technically, he is one.

I shriek, hiding my face behind my hand. “Al

going to go back to the party in this state?” I ask.

“No.” He bends down and picks up his discarded shoes and clothes. “I’m going to call it a night and head

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Chapter 24

back to the pack house.” He looks over at me. “Are you coming?”

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I pondered for a moment. I know Caden has probably noticed my disappearance by now and is looking everywhere for me and I’m dreading the inevitable screaming that’s going to take place.

“Yes, I’ll go with you.”

I’ll deal with Caden tomorrow. Right now, I just want to sink into my bed.