Chapter 29: Engagement

Chapter 29

Engagement

Titus entered room carrying a small cooler. I smiled as he handed me my lunch and sat down at my side along the ledge above the bed.

“How did the hunt go?” I unzipped the top and took out a sub sandwich. After a week of being trapped here, this had become our daily routine.

“As good as any other,” Titus replied.

I opened up the water bottle and took a drink. “Why do you hunt? Couldn’t those WIR people give you all the food you need?”

Titus nodded. “Northern Ridge is traditional. So we hunt. During harder time, WIR does supplement the pack with food, and it’s just not as good as fresh meat.”

“So there are packs that don’t?” Opening the bag of chips, I offered it to Titus.

He took a couple. “City packs, Darius calls them domestic. No better than lap dogs,” Titus chuckled.

“I could’ve met a werewolf before and never would’ve know.”

With a smile, he kissed my cheek. “We blend in pretty well.”

Ripping off some of my sandwich, I handed it to him.

“I don’t need to eat all of your food.”

I kept holding it out. “I don’t want to eat in front of you.”

Laughing, he took it. “I’d share with you, but I don’t think you’ll like raw elk.”

“No, thank you.” I took a bite of my sub. “Titus, have you heard anything about my parents?”

“They know you’re here. Darius overheard our dad talking to WIR reps. Your family was contacted. What exactly they know about the situation, I’m not sure.”

With a sigh, I rubbed my forehead. “I didn’t think I would be away this long.”

“I’m still working on my dad,” said Titus. “I’ll get you home as soon as possible.”

I leaned against his side. “Thank you. I like being here with you, but,” I glanced up at him, “it’s not fair to my parents.”

“Hey.” He put his arm around my shoulder and squeezed me against him. “I understand. My family is important to me too.”

“Titus?”

“Hmmm…”

“I’ve just been wondering.” I picked at the edge of the bun. “Where is your mom at?”

He let out a deep breath. “She passed away giving birth to me.”

Wide eyed, I pulled away and turned to face him. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. Y-you just haven’t said anything, and I saw that woman with Xavier.” I bit my lip. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” He stared off into the hall. “Xavier’s mate is Darius’s mom, Rose.”

“Half brother,” I whispered.

He nodded. “Rose was pregnant with Darius, and my mother tended to alpha family. She was good friends with Rose, and she wanted a pup of her own. She was a weak wolf. No one ever took her as a mate.”

“So Xavier?”

He nodded. “My dad is a very strict leader, but he did care about my mother. I was a big pup, and it caused problems. Weaker werewolf healthing enzymes aren’t as strong, and even if they were things still can happen.” Wringing his hands together, he glanced at me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him. “It’s not your fault. Accident happen even for werewolves.”

“I know. I still feel guilty, at times, though.” he whispered. “Rose raised me like a brother to Darius. I didn’t find out about my mother until I was older, but I still wish I could have met her.”

“Anyone would.” I sat back on my knees. “I wish I could have met her too.”

Titus smiled and cupped my cheek. “She would have love you.”

“Why do you think that?” I laughed.

“Because I love you.”

My face ignited. “I fell right into that one.” Biting my lip, I turned away.

Titus leaned in and kissed me. With a sigh, I laid against his chest. He put his arms around me and pulled over the cooler. I took out the candy bar and unwrapped it. Breaking it in half, I fed one side to Titus. He bit off a piece and grabbed the rest.

“You need to be the one eating this.”

“I don’t want it all.” I snapped off a piece and tossed it into my mouth.

“I’m going to tell them to pack you more food, since you keep feeding half to me.”

“You’re worse than my mother,” I chuckled.

He gave me a hug, and I handed him the rest of the candy. We moved down into the bed and leaned against the side. Titus finished off the rest of the food, while I relaxed, curled up against him.

Hearing footsteps, I sat up. Darius entered the room and braced an arm against the wall.

“What do you need?” muttered Titus.

“Aden’s father here with WIR agents.”

“What!” I jumped up and ran over to him. “Where? Where is he? Is he in the main chamber?”

Darius snatched my wrist. “You better wait for Titus.” He tossed me back at his brother, before heading down the hall.

“Titus,” I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door. “My dad’s here. He’ll talk to the alpha, and I’ll be able to go home.” I froze and my mouth dropped open. “My dad’s here? He knows about werewolves?”

“I guess,” muttered Titus. Squeezing my hand, he led me to the main chamber.

“Titus, what’s wrong?”

He shook his head and smiled. “Nothing.”

We entered the room. All the dominants were circled around. I tried to get a glimpse past them, but all I saw were three men in suits. Titus pulled me to his side, and stop at the back of the group. I tugged on his hand, but he didn’t move.

“I need to find my dad,” I whispered.

“Let’s just wait.”

“Titus.” I yanked my hand free and hurried off around the edge of the group.

I spotted my father red face and yelling at Xavier. My stomach dropped. Making the alpha mad was not going to get me out of here.

“Dad!” I pushed through the group.

My father hugged me tightly. “Aden.” He pressed my head against his shoulder before yanking over my shirt. “Thank god, that bastard hasn’t marked you.”

“How did you know about this?”

He held me out in front of him. “I’ve been a forest ranger for 20 years. My job is to make sure no one crosses the broader. I warned you. I told you, Aden, to not go near that fence. Why, why didn’t you listen?”

“Sorry,” I whispered, bowing my head. “I just want to fix things with Titus. I love him, dad.”

“That boy, his kind, everything about him is not natural.”

“Dad-”

“We’ll finish this later.” Pushing me behind him, he faced at Xavier. “I’m taking my son home.”

Folding his arms, Xavier laughed. “I think not. The boy trespassed. He’s mine now.”

“Dad?” I whispered.

“Quiet, Aden.” He held his finger up in the alpha’s face. “Those laws don’t pertain to us. As an agent of WIR, we are imune, and I want my son back now.”

Xavier smirked. “Our agreement cover WIR agents, not their sons.” He nodded toward the man next to him.

The dark haired man grabbed my arm.

“Dad!”

“Get off him!”

The man shoved my father back and dragged me over to the alpha.

“Keep a hold of him, Jericho.”

I struggled until I felt the elongated nails resting against my neck.

“The boy has threatened the safety of my pack. I should just kill him now.”

“Xavier, that is not needed,” said one of the men in a suit.

Jericho dug his finger into my skin but didn’t break through.

“That werewolf boy is the one to blame. He showed Aden this world. If it wasn’t for Titus, then Aden never would have found out about werewolves. It his fault.”

“Titus,” chuckled Xavier. “My son saw something he liked and went after it.”

“Your son?” breathed my dad.

“Which is also apart of our agreement.” The alpha glanced at one of the men in a suit was a patch on the left breast.

“He’s right, Perri.”

My father clenched his fist. “I’ll be damn before I let my son become a monsters. I will not let you change him into one of you. He’s human, and Aden is staying that way.”

“Monster,” scoffed Darius. “Calling us monsters isn’t going to make us hand him over.”

“Titus,” called Xavier.

The gathering parted, and my boyfriend shuffled forward. I squirmed away from Jericho and went to his side.

“Titus, do something?” I pled.

He shrugged. “It’s up to the alpha, not me. I’m sorry.”

“Titus, take Aden to your room and mate him.”

I shoved Titus and backed to my father. “No.”

He didn’t move. “I won’t, Aden. You know that.”

“Yes, you will,” snapped the alpha. “Go mark the boy properly, and then Mr. Perri will have no need to argue. Aden will become the newest member of the pack.”

Titus shook his head. “I can’t. I promise him.”

“You will obey your alpha.”

My boyfriend glanced at me and swallowed hard. “What about an engagement?”

“A what?” I asked.

My father put his hand on my shoulder. “I won’t allow it. You will not put your mark on him.”

“Shut up,” growled Darius. “As I see it, an engagement is the only way Aden getting out here.”

Xavier glanced at his son. “What would you propose?”

“Agree to an engagement. It would protect, Aden from rogues, and the boy would be able to go home,” said Darius.

“Rogues?” I breathed.

“Really,” spat Xavier. “You thought a human coming to Northern Ridge wouldn’t be notice by other packs. Letting you go home would risk an attacking your family and humans discovering us. Something, I will not allow.”

My father gripped my shoulder tightly. “I heard alpha like to make engagement deals.”

My mouth dropped open, and I turned around. “Dad!”

“Not now, Aden.” He stepped in front of me and eyed Xavier. “I let this engagement happen. Aden returns home with me. He finishes high school. After he graduates, if Aden wishes to be with Titus than that will be his choice.”

I glanced at my boyfriend to see his shoulders rolled forward.

“But if he decided not to be Titus’s mate,” continued my father. “That it. We’re done. Your son will have no further contract with Aden. I’ll even be willing to move if you're worried about the rogues coming to Harper’s Creek.” My father held out his hand.

“During that time, I suppose you’re going to do everything possible to get Aden to hate us,” muttered Darius.

“Aden is human. He will remain one,” replied my father firmly, dropping his hand.

Xavier glanced at his son. “What do you think, Titus?”

He shrugged. “Whatever Aden wants.”

My dad put his arm around me and pulled me forward. “Does this sounds okay to you?”

“I’ll get to go home?”

He nodded.

Biting my lip, I turned to Titus. “Will I be able to see him?”

“No,” stated my father sternly. “That would defeat the purpose.”

Titus looked like a scowled pup.

I removed my dad’s arm from my shoulder. “I didn’t do all this to loss him.”

“It’s too big of a risk,” said my father. “We can’t have a werewolf wandering around the house. Someone will see.”

I shook my head. “He’s been coming to see me for months, and no one has ever found out.”

“Aden.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “What do you mean he been coming for months?”

Sucking in my lips, I bowed my head. “At night,” I whispered.

“You are a grounded, Aden Perri. Grounded.”

I rubbed my arm and stared at the ground. “I’m sorry. I thought it would be okay.”

“I think the arrangement is fair.” Xavier motioned to his son. “Mark him.”

“Wait!” I held up my hands. “What do you mean mark?”

The group stood silently around. I looked around, but no one moved.

“Now Titus,” barked the Alpha.

My boyfriend shrugged off his clothes and shifted. He approached me.

“What are you going to do?” I whispered.

“It’ll only hurt a little.” He tug my shirt over my head. “I’ll heal it quickly.”

“Titus?” I shook my head. “I-I don’t want too.” I knew the pain of a werewolf cut already. “Why do we have to do this? I don’t understand.”

“It’ll be my mark, but don’t worry, it won’t be permanent.” Nuzzling my neck, he pulled me close to him. “It’ll be okay,” he whispered in my ear.

My heart rate started to increase as he licked my shoulder. I hid my face in his chest. Titus carefully tilted my head to the side. I felt the heat from his breath as he wrapped his jaws around my shoulder. Closing my eyes tightly, I felt his teeth touch my skin.

I cried out when they broke the skin. My mind faded as my knees gave out. We dropped to the ground. I opened my eyes to see Titus tending to the wound. He cleaned away any sign of blood.

Falling into his arms, I held onto him tightly. My body was shaky.

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “It’s over now.” He kissed the mark.

I clasped the area. “This is what being engaged means to you.”

He hugged me tightly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

Someone pulled me away.

I struggled against them. “Titus?”

Darius placed his hand on his brother shoulder. Titus just knelt there on the ground as my father dragged me toward the exit.

“Wait,” I said in a hoarse voice. “Wait, Titus.”

My head was throbbing. My father wrapped an arm around my waist to keep me on my feet. There were two ATV’s sitting outside. My father helped me into one and wrapped a blanket around me.

“You’re fine now, Aden. We’ll get you home.” My dad hugged me against his side. “You’ll never have to worry about those demons coming near you again.”