Blood Moon

Chapter 9: Anchor

I looked around me searching as to where she had gone, but as I looked up water droplets fell on my face and I found that I could no longer see the night sky, only the storm clouds that tormented me.

I screamed in frustration. How was that helping! She came here to guide me, but I feel as if she threw me a key to the wrong door, and now I am as lost as ever.

I just wanted to laugh at the irony of all of this. My dad talks to me for the first time in a long time yesterday, I find out I can shift, I found my mate and the list goes on and on, not seeming to stop or showing any signs of slowing down.

Why me? Why couldn't I be an ordinary girl living with her parents? What did she mean I must say goodbye to the human world? Say goodbye to Andy forever?

I know I was being selfish, but can you blame me? My whole life seemed to change in little less than a day, and today on my eighteenth birthday of all days, the day that I have been looking forward to for months I might add, seemed to bring more trouble that what it's worth.

I slowly began me journey back towards the house, not wanting to shift because to be honest, I didn't want to get there too quickly. The white silk dress flowing behind me. I silently thank the moon goddess for her generosity. I ran out here to get away from all this, to avoid mental breakdowns from happening on my part.

She said my dad would be awake in a week, allowing me some peace of mind. I cant imagine my life loosing another parent. I couldn't help but think how my dad would have handled the situation.

My father would have stood his ground and told everyone exactly what to do and wouldn't even think of turning around. And that is exactly what he did when my mother died, he became a role model for most of the pack members, an idol for the pups. I only wished he included me in his new world.

I was nearing the edge of the forest, I stopped in my tracks. How would I face them...how will I after running away like a coward.

But what made all my doubts disappear is when I saw Liam, Ash and Jarred sitting on the porch with the light on probably getting a little wet from the rain, they were waiting for me to come back. All of them looked worried, and I felt better knowing that they weren't mad at me.

I ran across the road and into Liam's arms, he wrapped his arms a round me holding me tight to his chest. His heart beat flooding my ear drums calming me. He nuzzled his face into my neck and I hid my face into his chest and he whispered, "We are going to figure things out sweets, you aren't alone in this we have your back"

I looked up and stared deeply into his eyes and said, "I promise you I won't do that again, I am sorry I was just scared, and I didn't know what to do....."

I felt a hand touch my shoulder and I saw Ash standing there, and she smiled at me reassuringly and said, "We are here for you, okay? We are in this together, we are supposed to help each other out, even the load."

"Yeah even if it kills me to say this my sister is right Clare we are here for you whether you want us or not okay? Now can we please go inside we are all soaked and i honestly just want to sleep I am not going to even bother changing", Jarred said hugging his arms closer to himself.

We all laughed and nodded, and we walked back, inside, locking the door behind us.

Before we headed upstairs Ash pulled me in for a hug,"Gummy bear hugs are the only thing that calms me when I need it and it looks like it will help you", she pulled away slightly before continuing, "I know there's something that you need to tell us I can see it on your face but... tell us tomorrow okay? We can all process it better after we've slept, even you"

Not knowing how to respond I simply nodded.

Jarred headed upstairs Ash followed soon after. Liam took my hand in his and guided me upstairs to my bedroom. His hands bigger than mine felt warm against my cold skin.

One more week, that's all I have to wait... But during that week, I need to prepare for battle... What battle I don't know...

"My dad is he...is he comfortable? Did you speak to your parents?"

Liam guided me to my bed and crouched in front of me, "Clare, look at me you need to rest your dad is as comfortable as what would be expected but you need to rest we will discuss everything tomorrow"

He guided me backwards and wrapped my blanket over me before walking around the bed to get comfortable himself under the covers. He pulled me in closer my back flush against his chest, tucking my head under his. His hands wrapped around me, warming up my body from the night air.

My mind was filled with questions, but having Liam so close it felt like an anchor to my ship battling with stormy weather.

His breathing mellowed out and I knew he was starting to fall asleep. Closing my eyes I attempted to do the same. My body relaxed after a few minutes, the cold slowly seeping out of me. Out of everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours I was the most grateful for Liam, my mate. Sighing I felt myself drift off, breathing in Liam's scent. Nothing and no one will take him away from me, and if it means I have to go to war then that is exactly what I will do.