Chapter 16

"What? Are you sure?"

Handing me the letter, I sat down with it. "Rather, I think you should read it, without me."

Standing up, he tried to walk out when I grabbed his hand. "Don't. Please."

Squeezing my hand, he kissed my hair. "I'll be right outside."

Leaving me alone with the letter, I hesitated to read it. I can't imagine what it has to say.

Dakota,

I can't believe it's been twelve years since we've seen each other. I'm proud of the wolf you have become. Strong, like Dad. Smart, like Mom. This may surprise you, but I've been keeping a close on eye on you for the last few years. After the attack, I stayed away because I was scared that if you saw me, then you would run away. Now that you have your mate, I thought it would be a good time to present myself. If anything happens to me, he will protect you.

I'm sure you're wondering why I wrote this letter to you.

In a nutshell, I wanted to tell you what happened to me after the attack. First, and foremost, it was not your fault. Not one ounce of it. You did exactly as I told you. What happened was simply fated by the Moon Goddess.

We were targeted because the vampire in question, Blaine, smelled you. I'm still not sure, to this day, what about your scent attracted him. I spent a great deal of time after to figure it out, and still haven't.

As far as where I've been, I can't tell you. I have already taken a serious chance with your life coming to you the times I did. Given that your life has changed so much, and you're mated to an Alpha, I had a feeling that it was a good time now. I beg you though, please don't tell Mom and Dad. They wouldn't understand why I haven't come home. There is no way that I can now. I always said that I would protect you, and I've done the best I can from the shadows.

I don't know when you will see me again. Hopefully, it will be soon.

Lastly, I don't think I can express to you how happy and proud I am of the wolf you have become. You're a Luna now, and you have a responsibility to your pack. If the time comes that I can show myself again, I promise I will.

Until that time, please stay safe and be good.

I love you, Dak.

Your brother,

Trevor

Reading the letter made tears fall from my eyes.

Years?

'Jason' I mindlink.

Bursting into the office, Jason looks concerned based on my tone through the link. "What happened? What did it say?"

Mindlessly, I hand him the letter, allowing him to read it. "Oh, baby." He knelt down next to me. "Are you alright?" He was wiping tears from my eyes.

"I...I don't know." I dropped my head in my hands. "Years he's been watching me. Years!"

Crushing me to his body, I calmed feeling his warmth. "You read what he said. It was dangerous to show himself. I'm sure it still is."

Something occurred to me that hadn't a minute ago. "Jason, if he was a wolf and a vampire bit him, what exactly is he?"

"There have been reports of hybrids, but nothing has ever been substantiated." Seeing my face made Jason sad. He wanted to break the silence, but he wasn't sure how. It took him a couple minutes to collect himself. "Hey, why don't we go back out, and get some food in you? I'm Andrew could use a break from those twins." I chuckled slightly.

Erika and Mandy could be a handful, especially when Brian and Alexander were occupied with something else. The only time they were truly calm was when their mates were present. I'm sure Devon has those two doing something boring.

Stepping back out into the din of commotion, I instantly felt overwhelmed. Jason held me close, feeling my body tense. "You're alright," he whispered.

Making our way to the kitchen, Jason placed me on a stool, taking a place next to me. Stroking my hair, I wasn't that hungry, but I knew Jason wanted me to eat. My mother nor Diedre were in sight. Everyone else was though. The scurry of people around us making sure that the ceremony was perfect.

"I can make you anything you want," he whispered in my ear.

"I'm not hungry, Jase."

Sighing, he kissed the side of my head. 'Willie. Andrew. How are things going with the Luna's friends?'

'They're bored. They want to do something, but we weren't sure if we should without your permission.'

A light bulb struck over Jason's head. 'Tell them I'm taking the Luna shopping. They're welcome to come.'

'They agree.'

'The little brother wants to know if he can go too?'

I tapped my shoulder, scaring the crap out of her. Hand over her chest, she caught her breath. "What is it honey?"

"We're heading out for awhile to get away from the hustle. Is it okay if Ronnie comes too?"

"Your brother can go with you, if you can promise me that you will be a strict eye on him. He tends to get a little wild."

"I do not!" Ronnie's voice called, from the distance.

My mother rolled her eyes at him. "Don't argue, or you can't go." His lips shut immediately. "Make sure you tell your father," she called out to him.

"Yes, Mom."

"Where will we go, Jason?"

Helping me off the stool, Jason slid his hands down my arms. "We are going shopping to get your mind off things. You can pick out a new dress for the occasion, as long as I approve."

Pressing my forehead to his stomach, I knew he was right. If I was out of the house for awhile, then I could try to collect myself a little. Just looking at my Mother made me sad, and I wanted nothing more than to spill my guts about Trevor. Jason was right, as was Trevor. I'm sure it was entirely too dangerous for him to show himself again. After the first time, he said he wouldn't. Knowing my brother, he most likely figured that I had questions. Hence, the second visit.

We piled into two cars, since there were too many of us. Jason, myself, Ashley, and Ronnie were in one car. Willie, Andrew, Erika, Mandy, and Anica were in the second car. Poor Andrew was squeezed in between Erika, and Mandy. Even before we drove away, I could see Andrew losing his mind.

We took off, and I gazed out the window.

~flashback to the day of the attack~

"Trevor! Dakota! Where are you?" my father called out into the distance. "Follow the smell of that vampire!"

"Alpha, there's blood here on the ground," one of the warriors, Brian's father, Adam, called out.

From my hiding spot, I could see Dad jogging over to the blood splattered area. Smelling it, he dropped to his knees. Something about the blood upset him. Adam knelt down to his Alpha. "What is it?" he asked.

"It...it's Trevor's blood," he cried. "Find my daughter."

Wolves scattered away from my father looking for me. Trevy told me to stay put.

Over here, another warrior called out. "I see her footprints, but they suddenly stop."

"My daughter is a master at hiding," my father said. "She has to be out here somewhere."

"Dakota!" they were all calling out.

Trevy told me to stay put.

"Alpha!" Adam called out. My father came jogging up to his side. "I think I see her." Through the hole in the log, I could see him pointing in my direction. Covering my face, I hoped that maybe it would throw him off.

Running over, my Dad got on his hands and knees to see me. "Dakota! It's okay, baby girl. Come on out to Daddy." My body was to frozen to move. "Come on, honey. It's safe."

"Trevy told me to stay put."

His eyes were filling with tears. "Give me your hand, sweetheart." Petrified, I reached my little hand out to my father's massive one. "That's it, baby girl." Grabbing it firmly, he pulled me out of the log. Crushing me into a hug, all I could do was sob into my father's shirtless body. "I got you, honey. Daddy's here."

"Oh, Daddy!" I sobbed.

"SShhh," he cooed. "You're alright. We're going home now."

Picking me up, Dad motioned for the other wolves to start ahead. Adam stayed at my fathers side, while his third, Alexander's father, Robert, was shifted in tow.

"Daddy, where's Trevy?" I asked, sniffling. He squeezed me tighter in response.

Arriving back at the house, my mother came bolting out. "Where are they? Where's my son? Where's my daughter?" Devon came running out after her holding Ronnie's hand as they chased my mother.

When Dad came into view, she was relieved to see me. "Oh, baby, are you alright?" Mom squeezed every ounce of a hug into me as she could.

"Yes, Mama."

Not seeing Trevor anywhere, she looked to my father. "Where's Trevor?"  My Father's lip started to quiver, he couldn't bring himself to say it. "No...no, Don. It can't be!" she screamed.  Adam took me from my mother, comforting me. "No!!" she screamed again. Grief struck her, as she fell to the ground.

Devon, and Ronnie took their place by Adam who was holding me. "Come on you guys. We should leave your parents be."

Going inside, I put my little arms around Adam's neck. My father knelt down to my mother to help her up. All she could do was throw her arms around her husbands neck. We could all hear her screaming sobs inside.

I'm sorry. Mommy.

It's all my fault.

~flash forward to present~

"Come on, Dak." Jason was shaking me awake. Rousing myself awake, I stepped out of the car, taking Jason's hand. "You alright, baby?"

Leaning my head on him as we walked, I sighed. " I'm alright, I guess."

"Dak, come on!" Ashley shouted. Catching up, she hooked her arm in mine. "We are going to find you something hot to wear for the ceremony." She was so excited to go shopping. Not only did I not really like shopping, but I wasn't really in the mood.

"I don't think Jason would appreciate if parts of me were hanging out." When I spoke the truth, she rolled her eyes at me.

"Firstly, you're mated now. No one is going to dream of coming near you, unless they have a deathwish. Your Alpha mate is 6'4, 200 pounds, with more muscle than his pack combined--"

"Now you're just exaggerating," I insisted.

A deep laugh caught me off guard, "No way is she exaggerating," Jason purred.

Shaking my head, he is so full of himself sometimes. Wrapping my arms around his massive one, I felt a rumble in his chest. "Yes, you are quite muscular, my love."  His rumble got louder,  I purred in response.

"Enough you two," Ashley said, grossed out. Grabbing my hand, she took us into a super cute dress store. Erika and Mandy went one way, Anica, myself, and Ashley went another way. Willie went with the twins, Jason came with us, and Andrew waited outside. Ronnie stuck to Willie like glue.

Ashley was poking through all of the dresses on the racks. "I don't like any of these." I was aimlessly looking through the racks seeing if I liked anything. "Dak, I found one I like." She was holding it up for me to see. It was a beautiful, short purple dress, with a sweetheart neckline, and a low back. A growl from across the room caught our attention; Jason. "I don't think he likes this one."

'That's too short,' Jason said, through the link.

'Relax, babe. I don't plan on getting that one.'

"I know you two are using your link. Focus on the task at hand, Dakota!" Ashley had a hand on her hip, tapping her foot at me.

"Alright, alright," I said, waving my hand at her.

Continuing our search, we grabbed a green, deep blue, another purple one, and a red one. They were all different lengths, and styles. Of course, Jason thought they were all too short, but I told him that I wanted to wear something nice for him.

Erika, Mandy, Anica, and Ashley all found respective dresses to try on. I could hear the sigh of relief from the men. They were tired of shopping, and honestly, so was I.

"Are you going to come out anytime soon so we can see how they look?" Ashley's tone was annoyance, since I had not stepped out once to show her. I could hear the twins, and Anica whispering to her. "Dakota, seriously."

One last glance at myself, I stepped out in the red dress. It was strapless, low back, small amount of lace covering it, small edging the bottom, with a medium sized fake diamond brooch slightly covering the cleavage.

Ashley cocked her head to the side, unsure of how to feel about it. Tugging it down slightly, my ears were surprised when there were no growls following. Looking around the store, the guys were nowhere in sight. "Where'd the guys go?"

"They stepped out; they were bored waiting around." Ashley continued to inspect me thoroughly. Judging by the looks on the twins, and Anica's face, they weren't fans. "What do you guys think?" In unison, all three shook their heads no. "So, no to the red." Shooing me back into the dressing room, I stripped off the red dress. "Try on the blue one," she said through the curtain.

"Alright." Pulling the blue one on, it was a little longer than the red one, coming to above my knee. It had lacy sleeves, the neck was slightly scooped, and the shoulders were teetering on the edge. The material was stretchy and hugged my curves perfectly. "I'm coming out."

Walking out, their eyes all widened at my sight. Erika and Mandy covered their gasps, Anica smirked and nodded her head, and Ashley got an evil look on her face. "This is the dress. You look stunning in it! Jason won't be able to keep his hands off you." Her devilish tone was enough to make me blush. "Puh-lease!" she scoffed, "you love it!"

"Let's just get this one," I chuckled slightly at my friend. She always had a flair for the dramatic.

We gathered our respective dresses, and headed towards the counter. Ashley whipped out Devon's credit card, with an evil smile on her face. "Devon will be very upset when the bill comes in," she laughed.

"Then why are we using his card?"

"Because I'm his mate, and he knows better than to tell me no," she teased.

After paying, we left the store, seeing the guys waiting outside, bored as hell. Someone was missing. Panicked, I ran to Jason. "Where's my brother?"