Chapter Thirteen - The Pull

The Pull

When the last bell finally rings I nearly dance in relief. Today was exhausting and I can't wait to leave. A part of me also can't wait to go home and be near Liam again. That part pisses me off, however, and I pointedly ignore it.

Still, I can't deny how truly horrible it feels to be separated from Liam. Even for just a day. The pain and emptiness is like torture and I can only hope that it will get better as time goes.

It will not.

I try not to think about that. For my own sanity. I have to be strong.

Jin and I walk together towards the parking lot. Oddly, in just one day I've grown used to his silence. I've even started to like it. There's no pointless conversation with Jin. No pestering questions. No words of judgement. He's simply there, watching over me, like some kind of guardian knight.

I shake my head in bemusement. I'm such a geek.

Maybe I should call you Nerd Girl.

I roll my eyes as my wolf gives a little cackle of laughter.

Roland is waiting for us, leaning back against his dirty jeep with arms crossed. There are several groups of students gathered in the parking lot, gawking and whispering, but Roland doesn't seem to notice or care.

As we reach him the big werewolf scoops me up into a bone crushing hug. "Tu m'as manqué."

"Roland," I gasp, slapping at his back. "Can't breathe."

He chuckles, setting me back on my feet. "How was school, ma chére?"

"It was fine."

He raises a brow, jerking his chin towards Jin. "Even with this S.O.B?"

Smiling wide, I pat Jin on the shoulder. "We had a great day. Right, Jin?" I tease.

Jin gives both of us a look that clearly says shut the hell up.

"Abby! Abigail!"

Roland looks over my head as a familiar voice shouts my name. His brows furrow and his body visibly stiffens.

Turning with raised brows I see Christopher half-jogging towards me and digging through his book bag. He nearly trips several times in his haste. Or because he isn't actually watching where he's going.

When he reaches us he comes to a halt, still burrowing through his bag. "Hey, I forgot to give you the outline for..." he trails off as he finally looks up and notices Roland. His eyes widen behind his glasses, which look precariously close to falling off his nose. He looks Roland up and down, taking in his tattoos and bulky build, a deep blush spreading across his cheeks. "Wow," he breathes. Then he glances around, clearly embarrassed.

Feeling his pain, I clear my throat and say, "Hey, Christopher, this is...uh...my roommate, Roland."

Christopher gives Roland a shaky smile. Holding out his hand he stammers, "Hi...um...I'm Christopher. Christopher Eagle."

Roland's eyes narrow even further, staring Christopher down until his hand starts to shake. "Roland Landry," he finally grates. His arms remain crossed, his face hard as stone.

"Oh..." Nodding, Christopher awkwardly drops his hand, casting me a please help me look.

I'm not sure what Roland's problem is but I give Christopher a wide smile. "What's up?"

"Right...um..." he goes back to digging in his bag, pulling out a crinkled piece of paper. "I forgot to give you the outline for our project."

"Thanks!" Taking the paper, I fold and tuck it into my own bag.

"I was thinking we should meet up some time," Christopher says bashfully.

I hear Roland growl softly. And so does Christopher, his eyes darting to the burly werewolf. Even Jin gives Roland an odd look.

What is his problem?

His wolf is...on edge. I do not know why.

"To go over the project," Christopher adds in a rush.

Uneasy over Roland's behavior I step between him and Christopher...just in case. "No problem."

Christopher gives me a shy smile. "Can I have your number?"

"I don't have a phone." Awkward. I really am a loser. What seventeen-year-old doesn't have a cellphone?

"Oh..." Christopher drops his gaze, his cheeks flushing as if he's the embarrassed one. "N-no problem." He sounds so despondent and I wonder if he thinks I'm lying to avoid giving him my number.

I feel bad for him.

Me too.

He reminds me of you. Alone.

Now I feel even worse.

"You can have my number," Roland offers gruffly. All three of us look at him in surprise. The big werewolf holds out his hand. "Give me your phone."

Christopher practically jumps to obey, rummaging in his bag and handing his cell over to Roland, who adds his number to the contact list.

Handing it back, Roland says, "I'll give Abby any messages."

Taking back his cell, Christopher clutches it to his chest. "Thank you."

"Pas de soucis," Roland rumbles. "Let's go."

I'm not about to argue. Patting my bag, I say, "Thanks for the notes."

Christopher nods. "Yea, sure. See ya, Abigail."

"Abby," I tell him. "My friends call me Abby."

An odd look crosses over his face. "Friends?"

"Yea, if you want?"

"I don't...I don't have any friends," he says softly. I hear Roland growl again but keep my eyes focused on Christopher.

"Well, I guess you do now." Raising my fist in the air I declare, "Us nameless people have to stick together, right?"

Laughing softly Christopher gives me a genuine smile. "Okay, Abby."

And just like that I've made my first official friend. He gives me a little wave good bye, his eyes darting to Roland one more time before he walks away.

On the ride home I have a smile on my face that doesn't seem to want to leave. Roland is unnaturally quiet and a few times I notice his eyes flashing blue. Obviously, something is wrong but I don't press. Jin of course sits mute in the back seat listening to his head phones. They are turned up loud enough that I can tell it's some form of classical music.

When we arrive home Roland storms inside, Jin and I trailing behind at a safe distance. Samuel greets us in the foyer, stopping mid-step with a book open in his hands. "Welcome back."

Roland doesn't say a word, stomping past his brother and up the stairs. A few seconds later I hear a door slam shut.

Samuel raises a brow.

I put my hands up in the air. "I have no idea."

Scowling, Samuel's eyes glance upstairs. "Odd."

So, it's not just me. "I know, right?"

"I'll talk to him," Samuel says. "Alpha ordered you go directly to his office once you returned."

My heart stutters nervously. That doesn't sound good. Was I in trouble already? "His office?"

"Yes. It's on the second floor, straight down the hall. First set of double doors."

"Okay..." Setting my book bag down on the stairs I go in search of Liam's office. I find it with surprising ease, mostly because his scent is practically pouring down the hallway. Pausing at the doors I hesitate, my nerves making my stomach twist.

Then one of the doors is yanked open and a wild looking Liam is standing on the other side. "In my office, now," he barks.

I scramble inside, my heart beating like a drum. His office reminds me of his bedroom. Worn leather and dark furniture. Two walls have floor to ceiling bookshelves, each one filled to the brim. The entire room is saturated in his scent. It invades my senses, making my body feel hot and achy.

Damn it. Why does he have to smell so damn good?

He shuts the door hard, making me jump. Turning he stares at me, his eyes fiery orbs of blue. His mere stance dominates the room and I fight not to squirm. I can feel the power coming off him in waves. A deep buried instinct tells me he's the most powerful of all. The fastest. The strongest. The alpha. And I belong to him.

Despite my unease, I have a strong desire to run to him.

Twisting my hands nervously I ask, "Did I do something wrong?"

He doesn't answer. Instead he reaches out, so fast I don't even see the action. Gripping my arms, he pulls me against him. I feel an immediate sense of relief. My eyes squeeze shut, a shudder running through me. Without thinking my hands fist his shirt, clinging to him, pulling him closer.

His nose is in my hair and he takes a sharp inhale. "You reek of other males," he growls. He sounds angry. Furious even. But it isn't anger I feel coming off him. It's something far more feral. His hands are all over me, my ass, my hips, my back, under my shirt, leaving a scorching trail of fire in their wake.

I'm shaking against him, fighting against my own body, pleading with it not to react to his touch. "Wait." It's a half-hearted plea. Pathetic and weak.

"I can't get the smell off you," he snarls. "It's driving my wolf insane." There's a hard edge to his tone. It makes my stomach jolt. Then he spins me around, pressing my front against the door.

Fear and something else shoots up my spine. Excitement? Arousal?

"Liam," I croak.

"I can't stop him, Abigail." His smokey voice is torn, broken, as if he's in pain. "For the love of Christ don't move."

Something is happening. Something primal that I don't understand. And I don't know what to do.

Do not move.

I listen to my wolf, staying completely still with my palms and forehead pressed against the door. Liam's strong body pins me there and I couldn't get away even if I wanted too. His hands are back under my shirt, pressing hot and firm against my stomach. The pressure forces my backside tight against his pelvis. And I feel him there. Hard. Pulsing.

My bodies reaction is so intense it scares me.

He groans against my neck, as if he knows. "I can smell it. Your need."

Oh god. My cheeks flame with embarrassment. I hate it. Hate how I can't control my own body.

"You smell so damn good," he grates. "So sweet." His tongue laps at his mark, a deep sound rumbling in his chest. "What you do to me. I'm helpless." As if to prove his point he starts grinding himself against me. Hard and slow.

There's a whimpering sound and I realize it's coming from me. I want to arch into him. I want to bare my neck to him. I want more than this. I need it. With each move of his hips, each lap of his tongue, the emptiness inside me lessens. He's the only one that can make me feel complete.

He whispers something against my skin, his words so thick and rough I can't understand. His fingers flex over my stomach and I can feel his claws elongating. I should be afraid. He could hurt me, rip me apart. But I'm not. If anything I'm even more excited.

"Please," I whisper, the word broken and thick.

"That's it, pet." His lips are against my ear, his husky voice vibrating down my spine. "My wolf loves it when you beg." His hands smooth up my stomach, his claws dragging over my skin. I arch my back, urging him to go higher. "He loves your body. So small and fragile." His own words seem to bring him back to reality. He stills immediately, his harsh breathing a scorching fire against my skin.

I know exactly what he's thinking in that moment. That I'm too young. That I'm a child.

"Shit," he snarls. "Shit. Shit." Backing up he runs a hand through his hair, pacing around his office with burning eyes and sharp black claws.

It takes a moment for my desire fogged brain to understand what just happened. "Why?" It's all I can manage, the word soft and pitiful.

"That was wrong. I lost control." His eyes glaze and I can see the fury reflected on his features at whatever his wolf is telling him.

His wolf wants me and I'm so sick of Liam acting as if it's wrong. At that moment I realize I'd rather be with his wolf. At least his wolf is honest. At least he needs me. "I'm not a child, Liam! Why can't you-"

He cuts me off with a single dark look. "Enough. Your scent is driving me mad. Go to take a shower, Abigail." When I don't move he bares his fangs at me. "Now."

The absolute authority in his voice startles me. But the anger and hurt I feel burns away my fear. "I hate you." The words taste bitter on my tongue.

He rubs a hand down his face. "Don't say that."

I won't take it back. Not after all he's done to me. He's ripped my world inside out. It's so damn painful. "Don't touch me again. Not when you have no intention of being with me."

He looks at me. And I can see the conflict. The pain. Then he bows his head, as if he's ashamed. "I don't know if I can stop."

I stare at him, too many emotions colliding within me.

Clenching his fists Liam glares over at me. "Just go," he snaps.

I leave his office without another word, heading straight for my room. I immediately take a shower, turning the water on cold in a desperate attempt to cool the heat searing through my veins.

Pressing my hands against the shower wall I bow my head. Minutes go by. An hour. My body turns to ice and my teeth start to chatter but I don't move. The emptiness is back in force, ripping a void inside my heart that I fear will consume me.

I thought I could deal with it. That I was strong enough to overcome it. But now? Now I don't know how I'm going to survive another minute without him.

You will. We are strong.

I'm not so sure.

******

Tu m'as manqué - I missed you.

Pas de soucis - No problem.