Numbers that follows

chapter 8

I crossed through to the outside world and the smell was overwhelming at this point. I turned to my left and saw Armin and a man with his back to me.

“Caster?” Aarah yelled excitedly.

The man turned and looked toward Aarah. Then directly at me. His eyes though I had seen them in the portrait looked deeper, more deep, almost enchanting. I stood just staring at him, like I knew him. I couldn’t breathe. The ability was now foreign.

“Oh s**t,” Sarah's voice rang from beside me.

I turned to Aarah. I knew my face screamed confused. What did she know? Caster stepped toward me, I instinctively stepped back. Armin stepped toward me. I looked at him saying nothing but my face was screaming for answers. I instinctively put my hand on my forehead trying to figure out what was happening.

I couldn't breath so I turned Around and started to walk away. I reached the corner of the building and turned and pushed my back against the side of the building. I took deep breaths and tried to calm down. I had no idea why I was panicking.

I could hear muffled talking but couldn't make out any words. My head was foggy and light. I slid to the ground. Getting my breaths under control I heard someone coming. Armin turned the corner and grabbed my hands.

“Shhh” Armin softly spoke, helping me calm down more, “It’s okay.”

“What’s happening, I.. I can’t…” I tried explaining.

“I know, I know.” Armin said “It’s normal, I promise. We asked Flint to let us know when you got here to avoid this.”

I looked up at him trying to find out what he ment. His face was empathetic.

“Wolves are special in a lot of ways. One way is we all have mates. They are like the person we are destined to be with. Wolves can sense them. When a wolf finds their mate they become the center of the world. They share a cosmic connection. ” His eyes looked at me, “and you were never informed or taught what that meant and that caused this whole thing.”

I was trying to follow along with his words. I heard another set of footsteps. I looked up and Caster was kneeling down next to me.

“I’m sorry,” was all he said.

Right now I am confused, shocked and drained. I put my head in my knees. I felt Armin let go and get up. Peaking I saw Armin pat Caster on the shoulder and leave. His footsteps, getting quieter. Caster moved to be in front of me still sitting.

“We can talk if you want.” Caster asked, in a hushed low voice.

I sat up and pushed my back against the wall. I had so many questions and the only one I could ask was who they were all about.

“How did you know?” I asked, finally calm.

“When you were captured, I came out from the tree line running without thinking I ran into you. Flint hit you in the head while you were distracted. The realization hit me when I saw you laying on the ground.” He confessed.

The realization hit me that he was the reason I froze.

“I was shocked and still in Shock as I carried you here. I noticed the Scars on your back. I figured that would be why you attacked us, that you were trying to protect yourself.” He looked at the ground, “I was so mad at myself I left, I told Armin. Flint knew because he was there.”

“I’m sorry” I breathed out.

“Why? You did nothing wrong.” he looked at me.

“I didn’t attack because I was scared. I wanted to be left alone.” I admitted.

“Still you were protecting yourself.” He assured me. “Plus my men could have used the beating. You took all of them down in human form which was very impressive.”

“Well wolf form would have been unfair.” I joked.

“I could see that,” he agreed. “Let's go back to the party. There are tables we can sit at and we can get you a drink.”

I nodded in agreement, he stood up first and held out his hand. I reached up and took it, the second our hands met it felt like a million shocks all over. He pulled me up to my feet and I dusted the dirt off my dress. We slowly made our way to the door. I stopped for just a second. I looked at Caster.

“What happens now?” I questioned.

“I have no Idea.” He answered honestly.

He reached in front of me to grab the door, slowly he pulled it open. The room inside was just as before, everyone laughing and having fun, dancing the night away. Caster led me to the tables across the room. I sat down as he pulled the chair for me. I took slow breaths, to control the panic. Caster walked away for a moment and reappeared with two cups in his hand. He sat in the chair next to me.

I put the cup to my lips and drank. The cold water felt good on the back of my throat. My mind was confused and couldn’t come up with questions. I needed answers but I didn’t know what they were. I was clueless. I chose to be honest.

“I have no Idea what to do. There are so many things I need answers to and yet I have no clue what to ask.” I said, shaking my head.

“I know this must be hard but if and when you come up with questions I will answer them.” He said.

“I feel like running away but at the same time I don’t want to leave your side.” I tried to explain. “I don’t know what to do, how to act.”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to do or act anyway you don’t want to.” he spoke softly

I looked at the crowds of people, they were a great distraction. Arken stole more from me than I thought, he not only took my freedom but my life. Everyone I could see had both and they looked happy. All I was was confused and exhausted. I buried my face into my hands.

“What if I take you home so that you can get some sleep and it might help clear your mind?” Caster looked at me softly.

I nodded and he helped me off the chair and we headed to the exit. He opened the door and placed his hand on my back helping me through the door. We reached his car and he opened that door as well. I slid into the seat and inhaled a deep breath. The car smelled like him, his scent drenched the car.

Truthfully it calmed me down. I inhaled another deep breath. It was so soothing. I could physically feel my heart rate slow. I was pulled from thought when his door opened and he slid into the driver seat.

He let out a deep sigh and tilted his head back. I watched his neck as he swallowed. His dark hair was a bit longer than it was in the portrait. He rubbed his hand down his face and turned to look at me.

“Are you okay?” his voice rang with worry.

“Strangely, now I am.” I said in a way more relaxed tone.

I didn’t want to let him know the reason why. It was him but I felt weird to admit it. When I looked back at him he almost had a slight smile as if he knew. I brushed it off because there was no way he knew that.

“You must be disappointed.” I said without thinking.

“What do you mean? Why would I be disappointed?” He looked confused.

“Armin said that a mate is your other half the person you are destined to be. Cosmic connection.” I shook my head. “I have no clue what that means.”

“There's more to it than that, a mate is someone you would do anything for. Your patient kind understanding. Just because we didn’t do exactly what other mates do when they meet means nothing. I will stand by your side and be there when you're ready. You could never be a disappointment to me, never.” he reached over and grabbed my hand. “Take all the time in the world. If it's thirty years from now I can wait.”

“I don’t want to leave your side, I know that.” I stated. “It feels like I need to be by your side.”

“I understand.” He put his key in the ignition and started the car.

The rest of the ride was quiet. My mind seemed to settle and I began to think clearly. This had been the most eventful day of my life and a few days ago I escaped a prison where I had been abused my whole life.

The car came to a stop. I could hear the gravel beneath the tiers. Caster unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car I followed suit but when I reached for the handle Caster had already opened the door to let me out. He held out his hand to help me out of the car.

“What would normal mates do now?” I asked, generally curious.

“I don’t know if you would want to know.” He said.

“I do, I lost so much because of… anyways I want to try to do this normally. Or at least until I don’t.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, wanting to make sure.

“Yes,” I said.

“Well once I found you I would move you into my room. Get to know you.” He explained “if I found you in another pack you would leave and come with me the same day and live with me.”

I took a deep breath “Okay”.

We arrived at the top floor. The end of the hall was a door. I knew it was Caster's room. His room was larger than the one I was in. Looking around, a realization hit me where I was going to sleep?

“So I guess I am going to sleep on the couch?” I asked.

“I’ll sleep on the couch, the bed’s way more comfortable.” He replied.

“It’s okay I can sleep on the couch.” I confirmed.

“If at any point in the night if you are uncomfortable, wake me and I will trade.” he was so sweet. “It’s also been a long night. Do you want to take a shower?”

“Yes, definitely,” I said.